Obama and Clinton: a special and pragmatic relationship
In a highly significant move, a "fired up" President Obama took to the stage in North Carolina to offer his unequivocal backing to his former rival turned ally, Hillary Clinton. Pragmatic partnership has replaced the bitterness and distrust which characterised the 2008 presidential campaign.
They strode on stage under the banner "Stronger Together". They held hands, arms raised up high, in a sign of unity. She wore a vibrant fuchsia jacket, he was in a white shirt, his sleeves rolled up. They were "fired up, ready to go", ready to make their case for a Clinton presidency, one that would build on the Obama legacy.
It was the strongest moment yet in Hillary Clinton's campaign and a mesmerising image of two former rivals turned allies, their political destinies now deeply intertwined.
She spoke first, as he sat on a stool behind her. They paid tribute to each other, their work, leadership and most importantly for her, their character.
"He's a statesman, leading not just our country but the entire world," she said. The president later said: "My faith in Hillary Clinton has always been rewarded."
The morning had been overtaken by the drama of the FBI's final findings after months of investigation into Clinton's unusual private email set-up as secretary of state. There would be no charges, but the FBI said she had been ''extremely careless'', leaving a heavy cloud hanging over her campaign.
Neither Mrs Clinton nor the president addressed the controversy in their remarks, focusing on the unique and unlikely relationship they had forged.
Oscar Pistorius given six years for Reeva Steenkamp murder
South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to six years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.
It comes after his initial five-year conviction for manslaughter was changed to murder last December on appeal. He was taken immediately to jail. Both the prosecution and defense can appeal, but his lawyers say they will not. Pistorius, 29, shot Reeva Steenkamp four times through a locked toilet door in February 2013. He admitted shooting her, but said he mistook Ms. Steenkamp for an intruder and acted out of fear.
In an hour-long session, Judge Tho-ko-zile Ma-sipa said mitigating circumstances, such as rehabilitation and remorse, outweighed aggravating factors for deviating from the prescribed 15-year sentence for murder. Many here have expressed shock at Pistorius's sentence, which is much less than the prescribed minimum for murder. South Africans have taken to social media to express their unhappiness, with some describing the prison term as an insult.
Outside court, legal experts said the sentence was too little. "The judge was sympathetic and empathetic to Pistorius. It was clear in the tone of her entire judgement " one said. But Judge Masipa said she carefully considered the circumstances around Reeva Steenkamp's death and her sentence needed to be fair to both Pistorius and the family of the deceased. South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and some say a short sentence will send the wrong message to would-be-offenders.
Venezuelan women push past border controls for food
About 500 Venezuelan women in search of food have broken through border controls separating the western state of Tachira from neighbouring Colombia. The women said their families were going hungry because of severe food shortages in Venezuela. Hours later, they crossed back into Venezuela carrying basic goods and singing the Venezuelan anthem.
Venezuela is going through an economic crisis and many Venezuelans say they struggle to feed their families. The women said they had organised to meet at the border via the instant messaging service WhatsApp. Dressed in white, they gathered on the bridge linking the cities of Urena (I-RAY-NEE-YA) in Venezuela and Cucuta in Colombia.
Hundreds of them pushed past the Venezuelan National Guard and walked across the border, which has been closed for almost a year. One of the women told Colombian media: "We're desperate, we have nothing: no cooking oil, no sugar, no rice." Venezuela closed large parts of its border with Colombia in August 2015 to prevent subsidised good from being smuggled from Venezuela into Colombia.
Bahamians Warned To Prepare For Scorching Heat This Week
Bahamians can expect scorching temperatures as from today Wednesday, through the weekend with the heat index expected to reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit, Senior Meteorological Officer at the Department of Meteorology Orson Nixon warned on Tuesday.
Mr. Nixon told The Tribune that, for most of the week, temperatures will be in the high 90’s but will feel as though they are in the low 100’s, with the peak of the heat expected around 1pm on Thursday.
The warning comes after the US National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for South Florida with the heat index there expected to reach 110 degrees. The advisory, which included Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale, was in effect until 8pm on Tuesday.
Mr. Nixon is advising Bahamians to remain cool as best as they can and not to venture outside in the sun for extended periods if it is not necessary.
"We are surrounded by water and it won't get as hot as it would in Florida but it will still be plenty hot and extremely humid,” Mr. Nixon said. “On Wednesday it’s going to be around 93 degrees but it will feel like 102 degrees Fahrenheit; then on Thursday around 1pm it will feel like 104 degrees. For most of the week temperatures will remain in the mid-90’s, with temperatures dropping to the low 80’s in the evenings. Next week it will be a little cooler, but not by much,” Mr. Nixon added.
Mr. Nixon said with the heat index expected to remain above 100 degrees, heat-related illnesses are possible for people spending time outdoors. He advises Bahamians to drink lots of water and make sure they have a lot of icy cool drinks. “Wear sunscreen. You do not want to be dehydrated. As much as possible cover your head and try to make sure you keep your body cool. Wear a large brimmed hat and try to remain indoors if you can,” Mr. Nixon advises. He also suggested wearing lightweight and loose-fitting clothing and for those who have to work outside, Mr. Nixon recommended frequent rest breaks under some shade or in an air-conditioned area.
PDM HAILS LOUISE GARLAND THOMAS AS EDUCATION AND OVERALL NATIONAL ICON
The PDM together with the country mourns the loss of Education Icon, Louise Garland Thomas who passed away earlier this month. As this we mourn and lay this giant of a lady to rest, we pause to recognize her national contribution to the area of education and national service generally.
The Late Mrs Thomas had an education career that spanned over 40 years with teaching stints in several Islands, Principal stints of two Government High Schools, first female Education Officer for private schools, following that post, Education Officer for High Schools and also the CXC National Awards Committee. She has also held regionally position on behalf of this country for many years which included service on the CSEC and FAC both Committees of the Caribbean Examinations Council. Her reach in education was then not just a national but a regional one.
Since her passing we have heard many accolades bestowed upon her and we join in the chorus. She has left an indelible mark in this country and this region not just in the education sector but also in her involvement in service based institutions and organizations, more notable the National Trust, AIDs Committee, Soroptimist and her Church Family.
Party Leader said on a personal note that "The Late Louise Garland Thomas was an ardent party supporter and we are grateful for the contribution she made to our organization. A strong woman of faith, her "take charge" but "make things happen personality" and her heart to serve are but a few of the things that we will remember her for most of all. Our country is better today because of persons who serve and serve with commitment, conviction and with a goal to make positive impact on the lives they would come in contact with. She is indeed an icon in the education sector and in the area of public service. As this country mourns and lays her to rest this weekend, we pause to thank her family for loaning her to this country in all the ways that it has and we extend to her family, our sincerest sympathy."
France church attack: Priest killed by two 'IS soldiers'
The attackers entered the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray during Mass, taking the priest, Fr Jacques Hamel, 84, and four other people hostage. Police later surrounded the church and French TV said shots were fired. Both hostage-takers are now dead. The Amaq news agency, linked to so-called Islamic State, said "two IS soldiers" had carried out the attack. President Francois Hollande said the men had claimed to be from IS. Speaking in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, he said the attackers had committed a "cowardly assassination" and France would fight IS "by all means". Pope Francis decried the "pain and horror of this absurd violence". French interior ministry spokesman, Pierre-Henri Brandet, said one of the hostages had been critically wounded.
Australia PM calls for investigation into juvenile 'torture'
The Four Corners programme showed footage of teenage offenders stripped naked, assaulted and tear gassed. One of the boys was hooded and cuffed to a mechanical restraint chair wearing a "spit hood". The Northern Territory's Attorney General John Elferink has been stripped of his corrections portfolio. The report raised questions about an institutionalised culture of abuse at corrections centres in the Northern Territory, an administrative district that covers a large part of Australia's north.
Japan knife attack: 19 killed at care centre in Sagamihara
Nineteen residents have been killed in a knife attack at a care centre for people with mental disabilities in the Japanese city of Sagamihara. Such attacks are extremely rare in Japan - the incident is the worst mass killing in decades. Police have arrested a man who worked at the centre until February, and who turned himself into police after the attack. He reportedly said he wanted people with disabilities to "disappear". The brutal killings have shocked Japan, one of the safest countries in the world.
Malawian 'hyena man' arrested for having sex with children
An HIV-positive Malawian man, who says he is paid to have sex with children as part of initiation rites, has been arrested on the president's orders. Eric Aniva, a sex worker known in Malawi as a "hyena", was the subject of a BBC feature last week. He told the BBC that he did not mention his HIV status to those who hire him. President Peter Mutharika said the police should investigate and charge him over the cases of defilement he had seemingly confessed to.
Pokemon Go finally launches in Japan
Amid a flurry of social media excitement, Niantic Labs, the software company behind the game, announced it was "finally broadcasting" in Japan. First released in the US, Australia and New Zealand on 6 July and now available in more than 30 countries, the game has been a global phenomenon. The Japanese launch comes with a McDonalds sponsorship deal. Fast food restaurants were expected to be advertised as places where people were guaranteed to find Pokemon, or as "gyms" where players can train up their captured monsters for virtual fights. But a McDonald's spokesman said restaurants would "call on players not to become a bother to customers who are eating".