Trump urges 'energy dominance' as he promotes exports, jobs

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration said Thursday it is taking steps to expand oil drilling in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans as President Donald Trump continues to push for U.S. "energy dominance" in the global market.

The Interior Department is rewriting a five-year drilling plan established by the Obama administration, with an eye toward opening areas in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans that now are off-limits to drilling. It's one of six initiatives that the president unveiled Thursday in hopes of generating more energy exports and jobs.

"The golden era of American energy is now underway," Trump said in a Thursday speech at the Energy Department. "And I'll go a step further: The golden era of America is now underway, believe me. And you're all going to be a part of it in creating this exciting new future."

U.S. oil production has boomed in recent years, and exports of oil and natural gas are surging, primarily because of improved drilling techniques such as fracking that have opened up production in previously out-of-reach areas. Trump has pledged to ramp up production further, withdrawing from the Paris climate change agreement because of the limitations that it could have placed on the burning of fossil fuels.

While Trump has promised that the initiative will create millions of jobs, the energy sector employs fewer workers than it did a decade ago despite the recent boom. The Labor Department said there are 655,300 jobs in mining coal and extracting oil and natural gas, down from a peak of 1.18 million jobs in 1981.

As the administration celebrated a self-proclaimed "energy week," Trump said more steps are needed to "unleash" domestic reserves and remove government regulations that could prevent the U.S. from achieving global dominance in energy.

Trump and other officials say they are confident the country can pave the path toward energy dominance by exporting oil, gas and coal to markets around the world, and promoting nuclear energy and even renewables such as wind and solar power.

The president said Thursday that his administration has also approved construction of a new petroleum pipeline to Mexico. The State Department said it had issued a permit to NuStar Logistics for the construction and operation of the New Burgos Pipeline, which would have the capacity to deliver 108,000 barrels a day and would cross the U.S.-Mexico border near Peñitas, Texas.

Trump suggested the pipeline would run beneath the wall he intends to build along the U.S. southern border to limit illegal immigration, human trafficking and drug smuggling.

"And that will go right under the wall, right?" Trump said.

He said that Sempra Energy signed an agreement to negotiate the sale of natural gas to South Korea and that the Energy Department is approving two applications to export natural gas from a Louisiana terminal. His administration will also perform a complete review of nuclear energy policy and seek to address barriers to financing coal plants overseas, as well as opening up offshore drilling.

Trump signed an executive order in April to expand oil drilling in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, reversing restrictions imposed by President Barack Obama. Trump has also pushed to revive U.S. coal production after years of decline. Coal mining rose by 19 percent in the first five months of the year as the price of natural gas edged up, according to Energy Department data.

A report released in January by the Energy Information Administration said the country is on track to become a net energy exporter by 2026, although the White House said Tuesday that net exports could top imports as soon as 2020.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said increased offshore drilling could provide more than enough revenue to offset an $11.5 billion maintenance backlog in national parks.

"There's a consequence when you put 94 percent of our offshore off limits," Zinke said in a speech this week. "There's a consequence of not harvesting trees. There's a consequence of not using some of our public lands for creation of wealth and jobs."

China Landslide: at Least 15 Dead, 140 Buried in Sichuan Mountain Village

After days of torrential rains, nearly 300 million cubic feet of rock and soil — equivalent to some 3,000 Olympic-sized pools —covered the village and a hotel in the worst landslide to hit the region since 2008.

By Sue-Lin Wong

UN chief: US will be replaced if it disengages from world

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the Trump administration on Tuesday that if the United States disengages from many issues confronting the international community it will be replaced — and that won't be good for America or for the world.

Guterres made clear to reporters at his first press conference here since taking the reins of the United Nations on Jan. 1 that proposed cuts in U.S. funding for the U.N. would be disastrous and create "an unsolvable problem to the management of the U.N."

But the U.N. chief stressed that he is not afraid to stand up to President Donald Trump, citing his vocal opposition to the U.S. leader's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. He said the mobilization of U.S. business and civil society in support or the climate deal is "a signal of hope that we very much encourage."

Looking at the array of global crises, Guterres expressed concern that there could be a direct confrontation between the United States and Russia over Syria and urged a de-escalation of the dispute between Washington and Moscow over the U.S. downing of a Syrian jet.

This is very important, he said, "because these kind of incidents can be very dangerous in a conflict situation in which there are so many actors, and in which the situation is so complex on the ground."

"So, indeed, I am concerned, and I hope that this will not lead to any escalation of the conflict that is already as dramatic as it is," Guterres said.

The U.N. chief said he has been actively involved in trying to promote "effective mediation" in a large number of global conflicts including South Sudan, Congo, Central African Republic, Syria, Libya and more recently Afghanistan and Cyprus.

"That doesn't mean that problems are easy to be solved," he said. "In a world where power relations are unclear and where impunity and unpredictability tend to prevail, what we see is that the capacity of prevention and conflict resolution of the international community as a whole, but also of the U.N. in particular, are today severely limited.

Nonetheless, Guterres said: "I intend to go on very actively engaged in these kind of contacts."

He reiterated, however, that he thought the most likely successful mediation of the dispute between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries should be regional like the current effort led by Kuwait.

But he said if the United States gets involved in mediation, "that, of course, will be welcome if they are able to do so in an effective way."

He also said the U.N. has not taken any initiative in mediation of the North Korean nuclear dispute, leaving the effort at the moment to the Security Council.

"We know that there are important talks taking place by different countries that have leverage and influence in relation to the countries in the region," Guterres said. The secretary-general, who served as U.N. high commissioner for refugees for 10 years, chose World Refugee Day for the press conference and appealed to all U.N. member states not to refuse entry to those seeking asylum and deserving protection.

AUTOPSY REPORT OF LATE TAIWO AMOROUS AROGUNDADE IS OUT ... CLICK the link below to read

Late Amorous Arogundade Taiwo was found unresponsive in His room on Thursday morning 15th June in Girne North Cyprus. It was a very emotional scene with lot of hugs and tears as people gathered. He was pronounced dead after an ambulance took him to the hospital. After the mysterious death of Amorous Taiwo Arogundade, an autopsy was conducted to ascertain the cause of death.

The autopsy report  has been released and it showed that there was nothing wrong with Him, He was healthy at the time of death. This is indeed a mystery. 

Over 100 students and teachers of Cyprus International University will gather to mourn the loss of Mr. Amorous. It will be a candle light procession on monday 19th June 2017, and He will be laid to rest in Cyprus on Tuesday 20th June 2017. Venue for this will be announced soon, as there will be a meeting between the family members of Late Taiwo and members of Nigerian student union, and NANS TR Zone. 

CIUCONNECT spoke with the Secretary of the NANS TRZone Mr. Darlington and the president of NSU-CIU Mr. Ifeoluwa and they confirmed their resolve to support the family at this time of grief.

The procession will start on campus and will be led by fellow comrades. The late Amiable Taiwo until His death belonged to several youth clubs, association and was a dedicated member of the Oodua progressive union TR Zone, and National Assiociation of Nigerian Students Nigeria. He has a daughter and a lovely wife. May His gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Trump praises cops after Va. shooting, says America best when ‘unified’, Olivier KnoxChief reports

WASHINGTON — In his first remarks on the shooting at a Republican baseball practice, President Trump on Wednesday hailed the “heroic actions” of the Capitol Police officers who took down the gunman and urged Americans to look past their frequently toxic political divisions.

“We may have our differences, but we do well in times like these to remember that everyone who serves in our nation’s capital is here because, above all, they love our country,” he said.

“We can all agree that we are blessed to be Americans, that our children deserve to grow up in a nation of safety and peace, and that we are strongest when we are unified and when we work together for the common good,” said the president.

Trump, speaking in the Diplomatic Room of the White House, also announced that the man who opened fire on GOP lawmakers and aides at a field just outside Washington, D.C., shortly after 7 a.m. had died from wounds inflicted by police. The gunman has been identified as James T. Hodgkinson.

“Authorities are continuing to investigate the crime, and the assailant has now died from his injuries,” he said. “The FBI is leading the investigation and will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.”

Trump noted that House Majority Whip Steve Scalise — the chamber’s No. 3 Republican — had been “badly wounded” along with two “very courageous” officers assigned to protect him, but predicted that the Louisiana lawmaker would recover.

“And Steve, I want you to know that you have the prayers not only of the entire city behind you, but of an entire nation and frankly the entire world,” Trump said. “America is praying for you, and America is praying for all of the victims of this terrible shooting.”

The president said he had spoken by telephone with Scalise’s wife and offered “full and absolute support, anything she needs.”

Trump also praised Scalise’s protective detail: the Capitol Police assigned to safeguard senior lawmakers.

“Many lives would have been lost if not for the heroic actions of the two Capitol Police officers who took down the gunman despite sustaining gunshot wounds during the very, very brutal assault,” he said. “Melania and I are grateful for their heroism and praying for the swift recovery of all victims.”

Olivier Knox

Chief Washington Correspondent

,

Yahoo News•June 16, 2017

Condelence: Founder of Levent Group of Company Cyprus dies.

We announce the death of a great man in Cyprus. Until Hid death He was the Director Board of Trustee of Cyprus International University. The university community mourn and also have released a statement on ciu news online as follows:

" It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of Mr. Özer Boyacı. He was the father of Mr. Mete Boyacı who is the director of our University’s Board of Trustess. Mr. Özer Boyacı was the founder of Levent Group of Companies and well-known business man in our country.

We want to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Boyacı’s family, friends and the entire Cyprus International University community. The loss of such a respected person affects us all. We know that each one of us will find a personal moment to remember him and to keep those closest to him foremost in our thoughts in the days ahead. "

- Ciu News

Mom Accused of Leaving Children in Car for 15 Hours Allegedly Said, 'They'll Cry Themselves to Sleep'

The Texas mom charged in the death of her young daughters allegedly told friends to ignore the cries coming from her car, saying the children would eventually tire themselves out, according to reports.

Amanda Hawkins, 19, is accused of leaving her children, ages 1 and 2, in her car for at least 15 hours as she spent time at a friend’s home Tuesday and into Wednesday, Kerr County Sheriff Rusty Hierholzer said.

The vehicle’s windows were rolled up as temperatures dipped into the 60s overnight. But by noon the next day, temperatures had climbed to about 85 degrees — the humidity made it feel like 105 degrees — and the girls were left without food, water or anywhere to use the bathroom, he said.

At one point Tuesday, someone inside the home allegedly heard the girls crying and asked Hawkins to bring them in.

“She said: ‘No, it’s fine. They’ll cry themselves to sleep,” Hierholzer told The Washington Post.

A friend who had arrived at the home with Hawkins at one point reportedly went to sleep in the car with the children, but went back inside, once again leaving the girls alone.

Read: Mom Charged in Death of Daughters, 1 and 2, Who Were Left in Car for More Than 15 Hours: Cops

After finding the children unconscious, Hawkins bathed and redressed them, but did not immediately take them to the hospital, officials said.

Eventually the mother brought the children to a Kerrville hospital after a friend convinced her that the girls needed help, and on Thursday, both girls were taken off ventilators and passed away, Hierholzer said.

Brynn Hawkins was a year old and Addyson Overgard-Eddy was 2 years old.

Though Hawkins claimed the girls passed out after playing in flowers, investigators determined that was not the case.

“This is by far the most horrific case of child endangerment that I have seen in the 37 years that I have been in law enforcement,” Hierholzer said.

Months before allegedly leaving her children in her car, Hawkins was investigated by the state’s Child Protective Services, officials said.

A spokeswoman for CPS confirmed to the Houston Chronicle that Hawkins, as well as her husband and Brynn’s father, Isaac Hawkins, had been investigated in September, but could not discuss details or the outcome of the investigation.

Hawkins and her husband have since become estranged, according to reports.

The investigation came about two months after Hawkins lashed out at potential detractors, taking to Facebook to address those who criticized her parenting abilities.

“If you want my mom to check up and ask questions about if my daughters are taken care of that is messed up. You can ask me yourselves or leave us alone! We are great here,” Hawkins wrote on July 7, 2016. “Focus on something else. My daughters have everything they want, and need, plus so much more … How dare someone question if I take care of my kids.”

Read: 2 Toddlers Die After Becoming Trapped In Hot Car

In December, Hawkins created a GoFundMe page asking for money to buy a home.

“We are living with my grandparents,” she said of herself, her husband and children. “We are both working but it’s still hard."

In the five months since the creation of the campaign, Hawkins had not raised any money to meet her $1,500 goal, but the page had become a sounding board for those outraged at the mother’s alleged role in her children’s deaths.

“Obviously you didn’t want your precious babies anymore and were too overwhelmed," one person wrote. "Should have given custody to a family member."

“You deserve to rot in prison for murder,” another poster commented.

Hawkins was arrested on Thursday and charged with two counts of endangering a child. She is being held on $70,000 bond — $35,000 for each charge, authorities said.

A grand jury could decide to upgrade the charges since the girls have died, officials said.

If she is found guilty of the charges she presently faces, she could face up to two years in prison.

Mary J. Blige Ordered to Pay Ex-Husband $30K a Month in Spousal Support

Mary J. Blige may not want any drama in her life, but that’s exactly what she’s been getting during her divorce. The “No More Drama” singer has been ordered to pay ex-husband and ex-manager Martin “Kendu” Isaacs $30,000 a month in temporary spousal support.

While the two have no biological children together, the significant chunk of change is to accommodate the “style of living” Isaacs was accustomed to while he was married to Blige. E! News obtained the documents, which also state the singer must pay him retroactively dating back to September, as well as account for his attorney fees for a total of $235,000.

Mary J. Blige filed for divorce from Isaacs in July 2016 after 13 years of marriage. She argued their prenuptial agreement negated spousal support, while Isaacs was originally seeking $129,319 per month.

“My success as an entertainer has nothing to do with [Isaacs]. I was successful when I met him and have continued to enjoy success, although there have certainly been ups and downs,” Blige claimed, per E!.

The Grammy-winning singer also explained that she was in debt as she made no money from the European leg of her recent tour.

“[Isaacs] suggests we lived a lavish lifestyle and in fact, we overspent and we are in significant debt,” she stated in the court docs. “We owe millions of dollars in taxes and have significant advances that have to be recouped by record companies.”

Blige, 46, also alleged that Isaacs had been misappropriating money — about $420,000 to be exact — for two years when they were together. This purportedly involved “travel charges” for his girlfriend.

The singer confirmed the split last year, saying, “Sometimes things don’t work how we hoped they would.” She quickly deleted images of her husband from social media.

A source told Us Weekly Blige filed for divorce because her celebrity status went to Isaacs’s head.

“Kendu got used to the good life with her and thought he was a star too,” an insider alleged.

Said another source: “They had huge fights behind closed doors over the years. … She just had enough.”

“No one wants to go through this, and this is hard,” Blige told Robin Roberts in November. “The breaking point was when I kept asking over and over and over again for respect and to be respected. And it just seemed like I was beating a dead horse. … It seemed like I was talking to a wall. I just wasn’t getting it back, so if I can’t get respect in the relationship, then I have to move on and save myself.”

Blige also stressed that it’s important for any woman going through a divorce to keep control of their finances.

6 killed, 3 suspects dead after 'terrorist incident' at London Bridge, Borough Market

Six people were killed, three attackers are dead and 48 victims have been transported to hospitals after a "terrorist incident" in London Saturday night involving a vehicle reportedly plowing into pedestrians on London Bridge and reported stabbings at Borough Market, officials said.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said this is being treated as a "terrorist incident."

6 killed, 3 suspects dead after 'terrorist incident' at London Bridge, Borough Market

Six people were killed, three attackers are dead and 48 victims have been transported to hospitals after a "terrorist incident" in London Saturday night involving a vehicle reportedly plowing into pedestrians on London Bridge and reported stabbings at Borough Market, officials said.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said this is being treated as a "terrorist incident."

6 killed, 3 suspects dead after 'terrorist incident' at London Bridge, Borough Market

Six people were killed, three attackers are dead and 48 victims have been transported to hospitals after a "terrorist incident" in London Saturday night involving a vehicle reportedly plowing into pedestrians on London Bridge and reported stabbings at Borough Market, officials said.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said this is being treated as a "terrorist incident."