Boris Johnson Won't Run for Leadership of Conservative Party

LONDON — 

• Share
• Email

The race to become Britain's next prime minister took a dramatic last-minute turn with former London Mayor Boris Johnson — considered a front-runner — ruling himself out of the race after the defection of a key ally on Thursday.

Johnson, a prominent campaigner for British withdrawal from the European Union, told a news conference that the next Conservative Party leader would have needs to ensure Britain's standing in the world.

"Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in Parliament, I have concluded that person cannot be me," he said.

Johnson dropped out after Justice Secretary Michael Gove, Johnson's ally in the EU "leave" campaign, astonished the political world by announcing that he was running to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron.

Home Secretary Theresa May and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb are also in the race.

The winner of the contest, to be announced Sept. 9, will become prime minister and play a vital role shaping the nature of Britain's relationship with the European Union after last week's Brexit vote ended the career of Cameron, whose bid to keep Britain in the EU block failed.

The bookies' early favorite is May, who is seen by many in the party as a safe pair of hands as the country struggles to disentangle itself from the EU.

"This is not a normal leadership held under normal circumstances," May said in a speech Thursday in London. "The result means we face a period of uncertainty we need to address head on."

Although May had offered a tepid endorsement of Britain's place in the European Union during the referendum campaign, she was clear that the vote would be respected.

"The United Kingdom will leave the EU," she said, pledging to create a brand new government department devoted to negotiating Britain's "sensible and orderly" departure from the 28-nation bloc.

Boosting May's chances was a last-minute falling out between her two leading competitors — Gove and Johnson — who had campaigned together to yank Britain from the EU.

In a statement, Gove said he would pursue the prime minister's post after concluding that Johnson "cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead."

An email from Gove's wife, Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine, obtained earlier by Sky News, suggested that Gove should ensure he had specific guarantees from Johnson before backing the latter's bid.

She added that influential right-wing media barons Rupert Murdoch and Paul Dacre "instinctively dislike" Johnson.

Gove's camp has declined to comment on the missive.

The opposition Labour Party is also is extreme disarray, with leader Jeremy Corbyn facing intense pressure to resign after losing a confidence vote. He has lost the support of the party's lawmakers but claims the rank and file still back him

He is expected to face a formal leadership challenge in the coming days. He has faced heavy criticism for failing to campaign effectively in support of keeping Britain within the EU.

Potential MH370 debris found on island off east African coast

Aircraft wreckage potentially from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has been found on an island off the east African coast, an Australian official said Friday.
Transport Minister Darren Chester, who oversees the search for the Boeing 777 than vanished in 2014 with 239 people on board, said a "piece of aircraft debris" was found on Pemba Island off the coast of Tanzania.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is conducting the search on Malaysia's behalf, is seeking further information to determine whether the debris is from Flight 370, Chester said in a statement. It did not say when the debris was found.
Several pieces of the plane have washed up over the past year on coastlines around the Indian Ocean, which is consistent with drifting models based on it having crashed in the Indian Ocean southwest of Australia.
The bureau announced on Wednesday that debris found on an Australian island earlier this month was not from Flight 370.
The airliner vanished on March 8, 2014, after flying off course during a flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing.
Authorities say the plane likely crashed in the Indian Ocean, but officials have had no luck finding the main wreckage despite an extensive underwater search of a vast area. Crews are expected to complete their sweep of the 120,000-square kilometer (46,000-square mile) area by August, and there are no plans to extend the hunt beyond that.
More debris was found earlier this month washed ashore in Madagascar by a man who previously found a part of Flight 370, but the pieces have yet to be examined by investigators.

250 ISIS Militants Killed in US Airstrikes, Officials Say

US airstrikes kill at least 250 ISIS fighters in convoy outside Fallujah, official says

A series of American airstrikes killed at least 250 ISIS fighters driving in a convoy outside Fallujah on Wednesday, a senior U.S. defense official confirmed to Fox News.

The strikes occurred on the outskirts of the Iraqi city in "southern Fallujah," a second U.S. defense official told Fox News.

"There was a strike on a convoy of ISIS fighters trying to leave a neighborhood on the outskirts of southern Fallujah that we struck," the official said.
At least 40 vehicles were destroyed in the airstrikes, a U.S. official told Reuters, which was first to report the air assault.
The U.S. airstrikes come roughly 24 hours after the triple suicide bombing at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport that killed at least 42 people where ISIS is considered the prime suspect, according to top U.S. officials.

CIA Director John Brennan on Wednesday said the attack "bears the hallmarks of ISIL's depravity."
"If anybody here believes the U.S. homeland is hermetically sealed and that ISIL would not consider that, I would guard against it," Brennan said, using another acronym for the group.
Earlier this month, Brennan told Congress that the U.S. battle against the Islamic State has not yet curbed the group's global reach and that they are expected to plot more attacks on the West and incite violence by lone wolves.
He said ISIS has a large cadre of Western fighters who could potentially act as operatives for attacks in the West.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said late Wednesday his country will overcome terror groups, including Kurdish rebels and ISIS, which have intensified their attacks.
Speaking at a Ramadan fast-breaking dinner Wednesday Erdogan said the terror organizations were trying to impede Turkey's ambitions, including becoming one of the world's 10 strongest economies and building the world's largest airport.
"Neither the PKK, the DHKP-C, nor Daesh ... will succeed in deterring Turkey from its goals," he said,  referring in turn to the Kurdish rebels, an outlawed leftist militant group and the Islamic State group.
The Turkish leader also said the airport attackers were "not Muslims" and "have prepared their place in hell."
Erdogan thanked world leaders including President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin, for calling to offer their condolences.

20 Children Among 34 Bodies Found in Niger's Desert

The bodies of 34 people, 20 of them children, were found in the desert in Niger.

Government officials said they believed the victims were migrants traveling north in hopes of reaching Algeria or Europe.

Niger's interior ministry announced the discovery Wednesday. A statement on national television said the nine women, five men and 20 children apparently died of thirst after being abandoned in the desert by human traffickers.

Nationalities of the victims have not yet been determined.

The International Organization for Migration said migration from sub-Saharan Africa toward Europe has "substantially increased" in West and Central Africa in recent years.

The migration is mainly linked to employment, but unaccompanied children also are commonly seen traveling the south-to-north route, the IOM added.

Balkans Look to NATO as Russia’s Influence Wanes

FILE - Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic speaks at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring session in Tirana, May 30, 2016, expressing gratitude for his country's invitation to become an alliance member.

MOSCOW—

As NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels discuss efforts to deter Russian aggression, rising tensions not seen since the Cold War will be on the minds of central and eastern European foreign ministers gathering Thursday in the former Yugoslavia.

The agenda of the annual meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI) in Banja Luka aims to focus on Europe’s migration crisis as well as business, transportation, and energy issues.

But the 18-member state group is expected also to discuss plans by some Balkan nations to join NATO, the Euro-Atlantic military alliance whose expansion Russia has deemed a threat to its security.

NATO foreign ministers in May signed the Accession Protocol for CEI member Montenegro, paving the way for Podgorica to become the defense alliance’s 29th member as soon as July.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are also pursuing NATO membership, while Russia’s strongest ally in the region, Serbia, is so far remaining neutral. Albania and Croatia became NATO members in 2009.

Pushed towards NATO

NATO expansion in the region underscores Balkan security concerns but also Moscow’s waning influence in the former zone of Soviet influence.

“For Russia it's something like a very telling signal... that it's losing it's traditional influence it had lost with many countries in eastern and central Europe,” says Moscow State University's Institute of International Relations’ Viktor Mizin. “And, now it's the turn of [the] Balkans,” he adds.

While all the Balkan countries looking to join NATO began their efforts years ago, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has only spurred the drive toward NATO, says Alexander Golts, a Moscow-based independent military analyst and visiting researcher at Uppsula University in Sweden. “And, I think it’s a clear [example] of Russian ‘successes’ in foreign policy when the most closest allies to Russia are trying to escape from it as soon as possible,” he tells VOA’s Moscow Bureau via Skype. “Of course, it’s the result of Russia’s ‘successes’ in Ukraine and Crimea,” he adds.

Russia’s 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and ongoing military support for rebels in eastern Ukraine sparked calls for stronger deterrence in NATO’s eastern European members.

FILE - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, right, and Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Dukanovic, left, take their seats during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council and Montenegro at NATO headquarters in Brussels, May 19, 2016.

NATO ministers Tuesday agreed to station four battalions on a rotational basis to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Russia responded with snap, nationwide military exercises. Last May, Russia stationed three military divisions on its western border.

“There is no doubt that the expansion of NATO in the Balkans will worsen already strained relations between Russia and the military alliance,” says expert for the Russian International Affairs Council Ilya Kravchenko.

Montenegro, last straw?

Moscow has threatened economic and diplomatic retaliation if Montenegro joins the alliance and is likely to step up its media propaganda to the region as well.

​“In response to NATO’s expansion in the Balkan region, the Kremlin will try to manipulate Serbian populations in Montenegro or Macedonia, reviving their discontent against the government,” says Kravchenko. Economic “punishment” is quite likely, he says. “In fact, Russian officials can impose measures that will result in tourism decrease in these former Yugoslav republics. We already know how it works in the cases of Egypt or Turkey,” says Kravchenko.

But while Russian aggression is an expressed concern among some in the Balkans, it is not the main reason they want to join NATO.

Joining NATO is seen as a step toward eventual membership in the European Union, says Mizin. “But I think, unlike for example Poland or the Baltic states where the political class, the elites really felt themselves threatened or just bullied by Moscow, I think in the Balkans it's more, if you wish, cynical because they are expecting probably more subsidies, more money from NATO. Pretty much like they are expecting on the economic dimension from the European Union,” adds Mizin.

But, joining NATO is not just about money and economics for the Balkans, says Golts.

“Joining NATO is very important step showing that these countries are ready to be robust members of [the] Euro-Atlantic community, that they understand and accept all rules, they accept the idea of superiority of the law, they accept the idea of division of powers within society, they accept the idea of elections without any limitations,” he said.

The Central European Initiative was founded in 1989 to support European integration. Its 18 member states include a number of NATO and EU countries as well as Ukraine.

14 Signs Your Mom is a Cool Mom

READ THIS! Just because she is your mom, it doesn't mean that she is dull and boring! She could be one of the coolest people you've ever met in your life!

If you don't know already, moms are one of the best people in the world.

They are always there to make you laugh, have your back, wipe your tears and just be there for you in general.

If you don't think your mom is cool, then here are some signs that may change your mind.

1. Your mom is your biggest fan and friend.

You would never think that someone could know so much about you other than yourself. Your mom is one of the first people to know what new is going on in your life and you both enjoy hanging out with each other. There is a click between you two that know one else has such has having an inside joke that only you two can laugh about.

2. She is your mom before she is your friend.

Although you can have the fun times and feel you are the BFFs of the world, she will always be your mom. She will tell you how it is, even if you don't want to hear them. She will have your best interest in heart, but she will still put you in your place when she sees fit.

3. You can count on her as a listening ear.

Having a bad day, trying to get over a breakup or just needing advice, mom will be there to listen. You can call her up anytime without worries of her passing judgment about a situation that you may be going through.

4. Your mom puts family first.

Family always comes first with your mom, regardless if she has a great social life or career. Her priority in life will and always be her family to make sure that you are taken care of to the best of her ability.

5. You stick together at family gatherings.

When you are at a family gathering, do you ever notice that you and your mom usually stick together? Well, you can't have fun if you don't have someone you can giggle with when Uncle Sam starts talking about his weird hamsters. Who else will you be able to reminisce later about all the weirdness that happened at the family gathering?

6. She is your biggest hero.

As you were growing up, you may have thought to yourself, my mom is a superwoman and you hope that you could be just like her. When you were younger, you may have strived to be like your mom and still probably up to this day. You have to admit, mom is the top dog in most things she do.

7. She allows you to make mistakes, but is there to help.

Mistakes happen and at times you may fall on your face from there. It is definitely hard for you and possibly for your mom to watch. One thing about moms is that they know they have to allow you to make mistakes as that is the only way you may learn. Yet, if you try your best to work on your mistakes, but still need that little push, she will be there to help. She knows that she can't live your life for you, but she will be there when you need her.

Related: Don't Give Up! You're Succeeding in Life More Than You Think

8. You mom always calls to check up on you.

Moms have to know how their children are doing, whether if their child is young or have kids on there on. She wants to be sure that you are doing okay and that everything is going great.

9. She will be watchful, but won't hover.

Moms will keep a close eye on whether you notice it or not. She will make sure that you are staying on the right path. She knows how growing up can be tough. Remember, she was your age at one point in her life and she can be relatable because of her experiences.

10. She's a kid at heart.

Your mom may be older and wise, however, she is still a kid at heart. She will always continue to have that young spirit in her and you could probably learn the coolest dance moves or the best tips and tricks to life. She's been through it already. Of course, there may be a little embarrassment from time to time on your part, but usually it's all in fun and your mom wants you to have a good time in everything.

Related: 100 Bad Dad Jokes That Will Make You Laugh or Cringe

11. Everybody loves your mom.

When everyone wants to invite your mom out or wants to hang out with her at gatherings, you know you have a cool mom. If word gets out that your mom will be at a function, you know your friends will stop by to tell your mom hello.

12. When you're mad at your mom, you still love and care about her.

Everyone gets mad at their mom sometimes and it's normal. She can drive your crazy, even if she has your best interest in hear. You may butt heads when you don't agree with even the littlest things, but you know you can't possibly love her any less.

13. You can't imagine who you would be without your mom.

Your mom has helped you become the person you are today. She has built a strong foundation for you and picturing you mom not in your life can be difficult because she has been there for you since you were born. She's taught you to stand up for yourself, listen to others, speak your mind, have fun and many other things that can't be replaced. She may not always be perfect, but she is perfect for you.

14. Your mom is important.

Your mom is not only one of the most coolest people of the world, she is one of the most important people that you can have beside you in the world. What would you do without her?

Tensions High on Afghanistan, Pakistan Border

Pakistani soldiers patrol at the Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Pakistan's Khyber Pass on June 14, 2016. Both sides are blaming each other for a recent spike in tensions at the frontier.

ISLAMABAD—

A Pakistan army officer and two Afghan soldiers have died, while at least 30 people were wounded on both sides in this week’s cross-border skirmishes, officials said.

The situation at the busy Torkham border crossing remained tense, and the main gate there was still closed for a third day on Tuesday, leaving thousands of travelers stranded on both sides.

In an overnight action, the Pakistani military was said to have moved heavy weaponry, including tanks, and deployed additional troops to the border, raising fears of more fighting.  

Afghan commanders confirmed beefing up security on their side of the frontier by deploying reinforcements.

Pakistani officials said Tuesday an army major, Ali Jawad Khan, who was injured in the clashes the day before had died of his wounds.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid tribute to Khan, saying he became a "victim of aggression" on the border and "sacrificed his life in defense of his country."

Authorities said the fighting has so far wounded at least 11 Pakistanis, mostly civilians, and forced scores of families to flee to safer areas.

Afghan officials say two of their soldiers have been killed and at least 18 other people have been wounded since the clashes broke out on Sunday.  

A relative kisses the coffin of an Afghan soldier, who was killed last night during a gun fight between Afghan border forces and Pakistani forces in Torkham, during his funeral in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, June 14, 2016.

Trading blame

Afghanistan and Pakistan blame each other for starting the conflict.

Islamabad says its border forces were constructing a gate on their own side to “effectively” deter terrorist and other illegal movements when Afghan security forces resorted to “unprovoked” cross-border firing.

The Afghan government defended the action saying no new construction could be undertaken at the border without mutual consent.

Speaking to VOA from Kabul, deputy presidential spokesman Dawa Khan Menapal reiterated his government is seeking resolution of the dispute through diplomatic means.

However, he said the defense of the people of Afghanistan and its territory is the responsibility of the government.  

Afghanistan and Pakistan share a more than 2,500-kilometer long porous and disputed border, called the Durand Line.

Kabul has blocked repeated demarcation attempts by Islamabad, rejecting the contours of the boundary that was drawn by former British rulers of the Indian subcontinent.

Sobbing Pistorius Removes Prosthetic Legs

The double-amputee hobbles in front of the judge as his defence team argues he is a vulnerable man who deserves leniency.

Pistorius Removes Legs In Court

• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Google+
• Share by email

Oscar Pistorius has removed his prosthetic legs in court as part of his defence team's argument that the double-amputee athlete deserves leniency when he is sentenced on 6 July.

The athlete, who is facing a minimum of 15 years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, cried and blew his nose as he hobbled in front of Judge Thokozile Masipa in Pretoria.

Sky's Special Correspondent Alex Crawford, who is at the court, said: "He goes from being a fully grown, fit looking man, to suddenly being incredibly vulnerable, someone who you can push over with a hand.

"That's what he (lawyer Barry Roux) wanted to show. I think that will play very heavily with the judge.

 Reeva's Dad's Emotional Testimony

"Immediately afterwards, you could see the lawyer also emphasised that Oscar Pistorius would not like it, and he clearly did not like it."

Pistorius was on his stumps when he shot Ms Steenkamp dead through a toilet door at his home on Valentine's Day three years ago.

He testified during the trial that he felt vulnerable and thought an intruder was in the house. But prosecutors say Pistorius intentionally killed Ms Steenkamp after an argument.

Mr Roux told the court there were "substantial and compelling circumstances" that allowed the judge to deviate from the minimum term of 15 years in prison for murder in South Africa.

Mr Roux's plea followed testimony from Kim Martin, a cousin of Ms Steenkamp, who accused Pistorius of not giving the "true version" of the shooting.

March: Pistorius' Appeal Thrown Out

She also criticised him for not giving evidence at the hearing but agreeing to a TV interview that will air after the hearing ends.

"I think it's very unfair to want to talk to the world about your version when you had the opportunity in court to do so," Ms Martin said under questioning from chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel.

Pistorius is living under house arrest having initially served one year of a five-year prison sentence for manslaughter for shooting Ms Steenkamp.

This conviction was overturned last year by an appeals court, which then convicted Pistorius of the more serious charge of murder.

However, Mr Roux said there were "serious enemies" of Pistorius' case and listed what he said were misconceptions that still existed about the shooting and the decision last year to change the conviction to murder.

Oct 2014: Trial Key Moments

He said the first misconception was that people thought Pistorius was convicted of murder for intentionally killing Ms Steenkamp when he shot her.

The Supreme Court found Pistorius guilty of murder in that he realised that someone might die as a result of his actions and went ahead anyway.

The ruling did not say that Pistorius knew it was his girlfriend behind the door.

Mr Roux also said it was not the "strong, ambitious" Pistorius, the Olympic runner and Paralympic champion, who fired four shots that night.  Rather, it was a disabled man in fear for his life, Mr Roux argued.

He also claimed that the "emotions" of the trial had clouded some facts, including that the prosecution's allegation that there was a loud fight between Pistorius and Ms Steenkamp had never been proved.

1/6

1. 
2. 
   Gallery: Reeva Steenkamp's Life In Pictures
3. 
4. 
5. 
7. 
8. 
   Gallery: Reeva Steenkamp's Life In Pictures

Pistorius was hunched over in the courtroom and held his head in his hands as Mr Roux talked about the shooting. At other points he sat up straight on his wooden bench.

Three days of hearings have now concluded, and the next time the court will convene will be when the judge announces Pistorius's sentence in three weeks' time.