BANK OF AMERICA has been fined $1.2 billion by the U.S. Treasury Dept.
(Pexels photo).

Fines totaling $1.2 billion are being imposed on Bank of America by the U.S. Treasury Department for allegedly breaking anti-money laundering and sanctions laws.

According to the Associated Press those fines against B of A, the nation’s second-biggest bank, are the third-largest ever imposed by the department.

“When a bank of this size fails to meet its anti-money laundering and sanctions obligations, the consequences extend far beyond its own walls, exposing the entire U.S. financial system to significant illicit finance risks,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “Today’s actions send a clear message that even the biggest financial institutions are not above the law.”

Specifically, the Treasury Department alleges that the violations concerned activities related to Iran, Russia, drugs and global terrorism.

“Financial crime compliance is serious, and we are responsible for getting it right,’’ Bank of America said in a statement.

Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with cancer

The first American head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, has been diagnosed with cancer.

POPE LEO XIV

United Press International is reporting that during a surgery in Rome to remove a nodule a part of his right lung was removed.

Doctors said the cancer had been detected at a “very early and well-localized” nodule and the procedure had gone well. Five percent of nodules on lungs are cancerous.

The Holy Father is expected to recover in the hospital for about a week. Meanwhile, all his audiences have been cancelled until Oct. 20.

Some in GOP slam Russian diesel deal

President Donald Trump’s announced deal to import diesel from Russia is getting some pushback from some members of his own party.

DIESEL PROCESSING PLANT (Shutterstock).

According to USA Today, six Republican senators were part of a bipartisan group of 12 Senators who urged the president to disavow the arrangement because the lifting of sanctions on Russia “would be a betrayal of the people of Ukraine.”

A letter to that effect was signed by Republican Senators Alan Stuart Armstrong (Oklahoma), Susan Collins (Maine), Thom Tillis (North Carolina), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), John Cornyn (Texas) and Mitch McConnell (Kentucky).

Sen. John Curtis (Ohio) didn’t sign the letter but has publicly denounced Trump’s deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The plan to allow Russian diesel to flow to America stems from record high diesel fuel prices, which have effected farmers, truckers and the population in general and in turn raising costs to consumers.

Weather: The heat will return

A milder heat wave is on the way for our West Orange County cities. The forecast for Wednesday calls for a mild 83 degrees for the daytime high, followed by an overnight low of 61. But Thursday will warm to 93 (82) and go even higher on Friday to 96 (74). Saturday is expected to be slightly cooler at 92 (68). It will be sunny each day and dry Santa Ana winds are possible

Great Thoughts (politics)

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”
— Plato

It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.
– Upton Sinclair
“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.”
– Alexis De Tocqueville.