A man with a gun was shot by police Monday afternoon at the Capitol Visitor Center at the U.S. Capitol Complex, according to two D.C. police officials. He was taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
The report of gunfire in a city on heightened alert because of terror attacks in Europe sent dozens of emergency vehicles to the Capitol building and forced staff and visitors into lockdown. Road barricades went up and police officers with automatic rifles were stationed on street corners.
The visitor's center is an underground complex located east of the Capitol building. All visitors are screened through metal detectors as they enter the facility
Few details were immediately available. In a tweet sent about 3:15 p.m., D.C. police reported that there was an "isolated incident at the U.S. Capitol Center."
"There is no active threat to the public," police said in the tweet.
Authorities have identified the alleged suspect of the Capitol Shooting as Larry Dawson of Antioch. News 12 has obtained photos of the alleged suspect.
Let's just say that he's not Snow White...
One person is reported as injured after they were struck with shrapnel.
Capitol Police records show that Dawson had an active bench warrant for assault of a police officer and unlawful conduct on capitol grounds at the time of the shooting.
United Airlines pilot who has been charged with running a network of brothels in the Houston area made a brief appearance in court on Monday.
Bruce Wayne Wallis, 51, did not speak to reporters in his first court appearance since his arrest last week on charges that can bring up to 20 years in prison. Given sexual policies of US universities, a brothel near college town can be one hell of an investment.
#2
Can't be about morality, they threw that out with Lawrence vs Texas years ago (as warned by the late SCOTUS justice Scalia) - ie consenting adults. It's commercial, economic competition. The old social contract granting females exclusivity in matrimonial sex is under real pressure. Used to be that way when the family was the sole source of economic security, pre-Medicare, pre-Social Security, pre-Free Love, pre-Abortion on demand, et al. Not any more. However, the old privileges die hard and are so defended. Brothels have been and are still legal in Nevada outside of Las Vegas and Reno. It's not strange what is legal there, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan, et al is still outlawed here, except in the concept of that social economic exclusivity model.
[AlAhram] The court based its ruling on a previous ruling by the Supreme Constitutional Court that equated the legal status of churches to that of mosques
An Alexandria administrative court stopped on Monday an order to demolish a Church in Beheira governorate and banned the demolition of churches in Egypt.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Rashid had sold a piece of land two decades ago that included small shops and a church.
The new owner later decided to demolish the church, claiming it was abandoned, but the Coptic Orthodox Church intervened to challenge the demolition and entered a legal dispute to stop the order for another decade.
"The Coptic Orthodox Church has already offered to buy this church in Rashid," Mounir Sami, the legal adviser of the Greek Patriarchate in Cairo, told Ahram Online.
Sami said that the sale of the church by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate was legally invalid.
"Legally this church is considered of public benefit and should not be demolished or treated like [a common shop]," said Sami.
The administrative court stated in its ruling that churches cannot be demolished or used for anything other than worship.
Thus saddling shrinking congregations -- as Egypt's Christians continue to emigrate -- with crippling per capita maintenance costs made worse by the habit of some Muslim neighbours of rioting and burning the things down at irregular intervals.
It also added that the Greek Orthodox Church's decision to sell the church for the purpose of demolition was "against public order."
The court based its ruling on a previous ruling by the Supreme Constitutional Court that equated the legal status of churches to that of mosques.
Churches, like mosques, "are houses of worship that, once used for prayer, are no longer owned by people but are owned by God," the court stated in its ruling 12 years ago.
The court consulted with Al-Azhar -- the foremost religious authority in the Sunni Muslim world -- regarding the status of churches under Islamic law.
Al-Azhar stated that non-Muslims living in majority Muslim lands had a right to protect their places of worship, therefore churches are not to be demolished and are to be rebuilt if they are.
Pope Tawdros II used the opinion of Al-Azhar to argue his case.
The principles of Islamic Sharia are the main source of legislation according to the second article of the 2014 Egyptian constitution.
The administrative court also demanded that parliament as the main legislating power in Egypt draft a long-awaited law on the building of houses of worship, which many believe would solve numerous problems related to the status of churches in the country.
[AlAhram] The first day of the holy month of Ramadan Islamic will fall on Monday, June 6 this year in Egypt, according to astronomical calculations by scientists of Egypt’s National Research Institute for Astronomy and Geophysics.
Institute President Hatem Ouda said Sunday that the month of Ramadan will last for 30 days, MENA reported.
There is often disagreement between Muslim scholars and astronomers about the beginning of the month of Ramadan, as the calculations about when the new moon will rise are not the only means to determine the start of the month.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from drinking and eating from dawn until dusk.
The length of Islamic lunar calendar months, the ninth of which is Ramadan, varies between 29 and 30 days.
There is often disagreement between Muslim scholars and astronomers about the beginning of the month of Ramadan, as the calculations about when the new moon will rise are not the only means to determine the start of the month.
On the 29th day of the previous month, Shaaban, Muslim scholars look for the new crescent in the sky after the sun sets. If they see it, the following day marks the beginning of Ramadan; if not, then Ramadan will commence the day after.
Egypt’s Grand Mufti will then announce the official beginning of Ramadan in Egypt.
#3
One thing I've never been clear on:
Are you supposed to be extra nice during the holy month and refrain from mass murder and beheadings, or do you get extra points for killing infidels during Ramadan?
[The South African] Insurance entrepreneur, Douw Steyn, is definitely a man with a vision. His dreams are large. Or let's say, enormous. Steyn's vision of a 800 hectare estate between Johannesburg and Pretoria is rapidly taking shape.
The billionaire's personal home, Palazzo Steyn, is valued at 250 million. Naturally, it is located in the center of Steyn City. It even beats Zuma's Nkandla, but at least it wasn't paid with taxpayers money. The 3000 square meter mansion is -- upon completion -- South Africa's most expensive and sits on two and a half hectare.
Douw Steyn's Pallazo Steyn in the middle of the Steyn City development north of Johannesburg
The Steyn City development is built on the concept of building a city within a city. Johannesburg is a sprawling, urban place. While Steyn is an extremely private man, and an interview a rarity, he explains the project on his website. He started the project with his director of Steyn City Properties, Giuseppe Plumari, who says:
"Giuseppe and I share the same vision - to create a lifestyle unlike any other in South Africa built on the foundation of quality of life. A country estate offering country living, but with all amentities conveniently within reach. Too much time is wasted in cities sitting in traffic and commuting between home, work, schools, and the shops. We want to bring all these elements of daily life into one estate and give residents back the precious commoity of time, in a secure, upmarket environment."
#1
Steyn and his investors are banking [pardon the pun] on apparent non-discovery of Fannie Mae and Government Neighborhood Stabilization Programs (NSP). In that part of the world however, outright armed seizure is more likely the outcome.
Yes, you have it, 'Stabilization Program' is yet another government euphemistic phrase.
Suburbia, or in this case 'white townships' will survive only if government permits it, and the taxes and permits are quite costly.
[Guardian] Argentina’s government is celebrating a decision by a UN commission to expand its maritime territory in the South Atlantic Ocean by 35% to include the disputed Falkland islands and beyond.
The Argentine foreign ministry said its waters had increased by 1.7 million square km (0.66 million square miles) and the decision will be key in its dispute with Britain over the islands. Argentina lost a brief, bloody 1982 war with Britain after Argentinian troops seized the South Atlantic archipelago that Latin Americans call the Malvinas.
The UN commission on the limits of the continental shelf sided with Argentina, ratifying the country’s 2009 report fixing the limit of its territory at 200 to 350 miles from its coast.
"This is a historic occasion for Argentina because we’ve made a huge leap in the demarcation of the exterior limit of our continental shelf," foreign minister Susana Malcorra said. "This reaffirms our sovereignty rights over the resources of our continental shelf."
Oil exploration is already pumping millions of dollars into the Falkland Islands economy. Many islanders remain concerned about Argentina’s claim as well as the potential for problems from rapid change brought by the new industry.
The UN commission’s finding included the caveat that there is an unresolved diplomatic dispute between Argentina and Britain over the islands.
The Falklands are internally self-governing, but Britain is responsible for its defence and foreign affairs. The British government says islanders cannot be forced to accept Argentinian sovereignty against their will.
#6
Just wait. Soon Hawaii will be found to lie in Chinese waters.
Posted by: Bobby ||
03/29/2016 7:44 Comments ||
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#7
Sometimes it takes a little threat to bring a country together. Argentina may want to think twice.
Having said that, the UK probably should have given the islands to Argentina with some kind of lease back (first 100 years free). Let the Argies have the oil and remove the target from the islands before it escalates into war and the UK has no way of backing out without honor.
#11
And Israel is the biggest human rights violator. North Korea and Iran are perfect. Writing trump on a white board is deemed violent behavior but the activists blocking the streets are exercising their 1st ammendment rights. I have officially lost my mind.
Posted by: 49 pan ||
03/29/2016 15:32 Comments ||
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#12
You have not lost your mind. On the contrary you have kept it while society has gone mad around you.
Posted by: One Eyed Smiter of the Apes6897 ||
03/29/2016 16:04 Comments ||
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#13
Of course China and Argentina are on this bullshit commission, and logrolling bought the rest of the bureaucrats. Have their fervid imaginations given the Spratleys and Senkakus to the ChiComs yet?
The Peronistas lost their election, and the current administration had been cooling off the loud nationalist chest-thumping. Now that some corrupt UN bureaucrats have relit the fuse, they're back to the chest-thumping. I can't imagine that the current petroleum pricing can make this worth the candle, any which way...
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
03/29/2016 16:10 Comments ||
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#14
UN commissions are dime a dozen. Do you really believe this can pass security council?
#15
I wonder if it is too late to sell the islands. If they're too much trouble for the UK, they could offer to hand them over in exchange for $$relocation$$ expenses. UK gets to think of it as a sale, Argentina an admission of their sovereignty, locals get rich and the UK gets the lion's share in taxes anyway.
If there's oil they'll probably hang on, but if not...
Posted by: james ||
03/29/2016 22:25 Comments ||
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A former command of the Ukrainian ministry of defense Anti Terrorist Operation (ATO) in southeastern Ukraine has been appointed commander of the land forces, according to Russian language news account.
Lt. General Sergei Popko was appointed to the post more than 12 weeks after his predecessor, Lt. General Anatoliy Pushnyakov was pushed out of his post in late December, 2015. Pushnyakov was appointed commander of Land forces of VSU on May 6, 2014 by acting President of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov. The appointment was made around the time the civil war in Ukraine was getting hot.
General Popko, while commander of the ATO, was known for his efforts during the Debaltsevo operation 13 months ago in which between 2,000 and 3,500 Ukrainian soldiers died. Popko at the time refused to order units posted to the area to withdraw even as it became clear the Russian backed rebels intended to surround and liquidate the units trapped in the pocket.
#2
Popko at the time refused to order units posted to the area to withdraw even as it became clear the Russian backed rebels intended to surround and liquidate the units trapped in the pocket.
The massive Leviathan gas field was discovered in Israel’s offshore Levant Basin over six years ago, and while it theoretically puts Israel on the global energy map for the first time and could change the geopolitical dynamics of the entire Middle East, the Israelis themselves seem to be doing everything in their power to keep it from coming online. Its owners--U.S.-based Noble Energy and Israeli partner Delek Group--along with their shareholders are probably wondering if gas is ever going to come out of this giant of giants.
At stake is a massive gas field worth $5-$6 billion and believed to contain some 22 trillion cubic feet of gas, slated to begin extraction by 2019.
The latest disappointment came this weekend when the Israeli High Court dealt another serious blow to the project with a ruling that promises to cancel the offshore gas extraction deal entirely in a year if a clause in the natural gas rules isn't changed or voided.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain ||
03/29/2016 00:00 ||
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#3
“We have decided to cancel the gas deal because of the stability clause” that would have barred future governments from altering the deal, the High Court panel said, according to the Times of Israel.
More specifically, the High Court of Justice judges wrote, "The stability clause has been set without authority and its legality is repealed. This is because it has been passed in contradiction to the basic rules of administrative law in a way that prohibits restricting the considerations of the (Antitrust) Authority."
Granted, I'm not a lawyer, but this is bullshit of the highest order. Israeli courts invalidating contracts because the government can't alter the deal down the road? Since when does a party to a contract get to rewrite it once it's signed on a flimsy justification?
#4
A major utility holding company in the United States bought out several utilities in Great Britain when the Tories deregulated and privatized many publicly held companies. The US utility moved in, kicked out the dead wood, imposed their standards and methodologies, and began to turn a profit. Then Labor took over, unilaterally rewrote the contracts, and demanded that the utility pay the "true value" of the utilities (based on the value AFTER the improvements were put in place). The Utility got out of those markets with a loss, spun off all their foreign holdings (whose countries began to imitate Great Britain and rewrote the contracts), and now concentrates in their home territory. (The CEO resigned under a cloud. In his "honor" the company named a gas turbine peaking power plant after him)
The clause was put in because of the above experience. Apparently, the court wants to leave open the ability of future liberal/labor governments to claw back improved investments. Scr*w them!
#7
Fracking has changed the game. The world has plenty of natural gas from suppliers who you wouldn't mind doing business with. If Israel doesn't want to play, well, we don't need them.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[Guardian] Argentina’s government is celebrating a decision by a UN commission to expand its maritime territory in the South Atlantic Ocean by 35% to include the disputed Falkland islands and beyond.
The massive Leviathan gas field was discovered in Israel’s offshore Levant Basin over six years ago, and while it theoretically puts Israel on the global energy map for the first time and could change the geopolitical dynamics of the entire Middle East, the Israelis themselves seem to be doing everything in their power to keep it from coming online. Its owners--U.S.-based Noble Energy and Israeli partner Delek Group--along with their shareholders are probably wondering if gas is ever going to come out of this giant of giants.
