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California oil spill clean-up could take months

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Workers clean up an oil slick along the coast of Refugio State Beach in Goleta, California, United States, May 21, 2015. | Photo: Reuters

Workers clean up an oil slick along the coast of Refugio State Beach in Goleta, California, United States, May 21, 2015. | Photo: Reuters

by teleSUR

The spill, which some estimate to be the largest in 46 years to hit the Santa Barbara shoreline, created a nine-mile slick along Refugio State Beach.

Cleaning up oil from a burst pipeline leaked onto iconic California beaches and the surrounding ocean could take months, a U.S. Coast Guard captain said Thursday.

“It’s a long process,” said Coast Guard Captain Jennifer Williams, federal on-scene coordinator of the spill response. “These types of things continue on, perhaps for months, to make sure the environment is restored to its original condition.”

California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency Wednesday after almost 2,500 barrels of crude petroleum spilled onto two state beaches and into the Pacific the previous day when the Plains All American Pipeline was damaged.

The spill, which some estimate to be the largest in 46 years to hit the Santa Barbara shoreline, created a nine-mile slick along Refugio State Beach stretching 50 yards out into the water, leading environmentalists to fear for the damage to marine life.

The Environmental Defense Center condemned the spill and pointed the finger at Plains for failings that allowed it to occur.

“There continues to be a number of questions … including why there was no automatic shut-off on this relatively new pipeline, and why the early response was not more successful in halting the flow,” the group’s head Owen Bailey said.

“This region is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including numerous species of endangered whales and iconic coastlands that bring people from across the world to visit.”

UN says Burundi refugees cholera epidemic worsening

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At least 3,000 cases of cholera have been reported in Tanzania since last week and the outbreak has claimed 31 lives.

Thousands of Burundian refugees have crossed into Tanzania during nearly a month of political unrest [Azad Essa/Al Jazeera]

Thousands of Burundian refugees have crossed into Tanzania during nearly a month of political unrest [Azad Essa/Al Jazeera]

by Al Jazeera

Kigoma: The cholera epidemic in the remote Tanzanian fishing village of Kagunga where about 50,000 refugees are still stranded on the shore of Lake Tanganyika is worsening, the UN refugee agency has said.

At least 3,000 cases of cholera have been reported since last week and the outbreak has claimed 31 lives to date.

The UNHCR said on Friday the cholera outbreak had become “a new, worrying, and growing additional complication” for the tens of thousands of refugees seeking refuge in Tanzania.

“At this rate, further cases can be expected over the next days and until the situation can be brought under control,” the agency said in a statement.

The influx of Burundian refugees into Tanzania has been steadily increasing during nearly a month of political unrest and a failed military coup in the East African state.

More than 300 cases of cholera were reported on Thursday across the Lake Tanganyika region and there are concerns the epidemic is yet to peak.

There is still no confirmation of the source of the epidemic, though there is some speculation that refugees carried it across the border, with cases of cholera already been reported in the southern Burundian town of Makamba.

But with the overcrowding and widespread unsanitary conditions in Kagunga, the UNHCR said it was likely the current epidemic was sourced by the lake itself.

Sanitation challenges

On Thursday, the WHO told Al Jazeera the lake was “most certainly” contaminated. Tens of thousands continue to consume water from the lake though the UNHCR together with Tanzanian authorities have arranged up to 8 litres of drinking water per person per day.

“While our priority is to get the refugees out of Kagunga because of the dire situation, we are still working on better access to safe water and promote hygiene there,” Celine Schmitt, UNHCR’s senior regional external relations officer, told Al Jazeera.

Tanzanian authorities also told Al Jazeera that there were moves to build more latrines, in an urgent bid to curb new infections. There were currently just 94 latrines servicing the entire refugee population, with 24 already full.

The UNHCR have supported the transfer of over 15,000 refugees from Kagunga to Nyagurusu near the town of Kasulu. The camp now has 35,000 Burundian refugees, according to the camp’s manager.

Meanwhile the UNHCR said it feared that the number of refugees could double in the next six months because of the continuing political crisis in Burundi.

“We are launching an appeal that aims to protect and assist up to 200,000 refugees in Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC,” Schmitt said.

Two Tanzanians have ready died from cholera over the past week and authorities are mindful of the larger implications on the local community if the epidemic is not curbed.

Those suffering from cholera and acute diahorroea are being treated at a set of treatment centres operated by the International Rescue Committee.

The WHO declared cholera a level one emergency in the region on Wednesday, though officials said that case management and awareness could save lives.

“We have enough drugs and we are putting our resources into this and ensuring this does not spread”. Christopher Kamugusha, programme officer for WHO in Tanzania, said.

“The situation can be managed with adequate amount of medication and swift action.” he added.

Suicide bomber attacks Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia

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At least seven people reportedly killed after attacker detonates explosives during Friday prayers in Qatif province.

About 150 people were praying in the mosque when it was attacked [Twitter]

About 150 people were praying in the mosque when it was attacked [Twitter]

by Al Jazeera

A suicide bomber has detonated his explosives at a Shia mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia during Friday prayers, killing at least seven people and wounding several others, witnesses said.

One witness described a huge explosion at the Imam Ali Mosque in a village in the province of Qatif, where more than 150 people were praying.

An activist told the AFP news agency that at least four worshippers were killed, while a source told the Reuters news agency that there appeared to be at least 30 casualties in the attack. More recent estimates have placed the death toll higher.

Pictures posted on social media purported to show the devastation, with dead bodies strewn across the floor and shattered glass covering the courtyard of the mosque.

Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from the capital Riyadh, said authorities expected the death toll the rise.

Saudi Arabia’s Shia population is mostly based in two oasis districts of the Eastern Province – Qatif on the Gulf coast, and al-Ahsa, southwest of the provincial capital al-Khobar.

Qatif and al-Ahsa have historically been the focal point of anti-government demonstrations.

The kingdom’s Shia community accounts for between 10 to 15 percent of the total population. They say they face discrimination in seeking educational opportunities or government employment and that they are referred to disparagingly in text books and by some Sunni officials and state-funded clerics.

They also complain of restrictions on setting up places of worship and marking Shia holidays, and say that Qatif and al-Ahsa receive less state funding than Sunni communities of equivalent size.

The Saudi government denies allegations of discrimination.

Being Maoist is not crime, observes HC

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Maoism

Kochi: Kerala High Court Friday has observed that mere membership of the Maoist organizations does not make a person criminal unless he or she resorts to treason or unlawful activities.

“Maoism is an ideology. Though the Maoist ideology is in contrast to the Indian Constitution, no one can be taken in custody on that ground. They can only be taken in custody only of the investigation agency furnishes evidences that they committed the crime,” the court said.

The court’s sensational observation came in response to a petition filed by an individual, stating that he was harassed by Thunderbolt team.

The court has also ordered to provide an amount of Rs. one lakh as compensation to the petitioner.

Beef eaters can go to Pakistan says Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

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Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

New Delhi: Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday justified ban on cow slaughter and asked all those who want to eat beef to go to Pakistan.

“It is not about loss or profit… it is an issue of faith and belief. It is a sensitive issue for the Hindus,” Naqvi said at ‘Manthan’ conclave organised by TV channel Aaj Tak.

“Those who are dying without eating beef, can go to Pakistan or Arab countries or any other part of world where it is available,” he said.

“Even Muslims are against it…” he contended.

Naqvi was countered by AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi who asked whether the central government would impose blanket ban on beef across India, especially in states like Goa, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala where a large number of people eat this kind of meat.

On the issue of backwardness among Muslims, Naqvi said the Narendra Modi government was taking steps to eradicate poverty among the minorities.

“It is a fact that Muslims have remained away from development. Various social security schemes started by our government would help Muslims in a big way,” he added.

(IANS)

Dalit youth murdered by dominant caste youths for keeping Ambedkar song as ringtone

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dalit-ambedkar-ringtone

Shirdi: Ahmednagar district of western Maharashtra witnessed yet another caste atrocity last weekend as a 23- year-old Dalit youth was beaten to death because his phone had the ringtone of a song praising Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Vishal Kote, Somnath, Rupesh Wadekar and Sunil Jadhav were arrested with the help of CCTV camera footage installed at the spot where the incident took place. The rest are absconding.

The incident occurred on Saturday in Shirdi at around 1:30 pm when the victim, Sagar Shejwal, had gone to a beer shop with his two cousins.

“Eight youths were sitting at a table at the shop. When Sagar’s mobile rang with the Ambedkar song as its ringtone, the youths told him to switch it off. In a police statement, the cousin has described the song as Tumhi kara re kitihi halla / Mazbut Bhimacha quilla [Shout all you want / Bhim’s fortress is strong],” The Hindu quoted Deputy Superintendent of Police Vivek Patil as saying.

While the cousins managed to escape, Sagar became the victim of the brutality unleashed by the men.

“An altercation ensued and the assailants hit Sagar with a beer bottle and started kicking and punching him. Then they dragged him out, put him on a motorbike and took him away to a nearby forest. They crushed him under the bike,” Patil said.

The youths belonged to the dominant Maratha and OBC communities.

“Sagar’s body was found around 6.30 p.m. in a naked state near Rui village. The cause of death was multiple fractures. The autopsy says Sagar sustained around 25 injuries. He died between 2 and 4 p.m,” Patil added.

Sagar’s father Subhash Shejwal said that he was unable to understand why the youths would kill his son over such a minor issue.

“I can understand that they hit him. Quarrels can happen anytime, but look at the brutality of the act. Why would they do this on such a trivial matter?” asked Sagar’s father Subhash Shejwal.

Sagar was on a visit to Shirdi with his family to attend a wedding.

Police delayed in taking action

Although the Shirdi police station was nearby, the police was late in taking action, alleged Sagar’s family as well as the owner of the shop.

“I called the police at 1.45 p.m. when the youths were beating up Sagar, but for a long time they did not come,” manager of the beer shop, Sandeep Ghorpade, said.

Sagar’s cousins also approached the police for help but did not get any. One of the cousins claimed that it was their family who found Sagar’s body.

“Only our relatives were looking for Sagar. No police vehicle was in sight. The body was also discovered by family members,” Sagar’s cousin Satish Gaikwad, who had filed a complaint against the eight youths.

The police assured a departmental enquiry against Inspector Pramod Wagh and constable Sharad Kadam.

The police have booked the four accused under Sections 302 (murder), 395 (punishment for dacoity), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence), 109 (punishment of abetment) of the Indian Penal Code, and Sections 3 (2) (v) and 3 (1) (x) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

(Agencies)

Kejriwal lashes out at MHA notification, says Modi govt trying to run Delhi through backdoor

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Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: After being issued a notification from the Home Ministry detailing just what powers he actually had, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit back alleging that the notification was an attempt to protect the corrupt and that the Narendra Modi government was trying to run the Delhi government through the Lieutenant-Governor.

The Delhi chief minister called the Centre’s notification “a gift from the Modi government for completing a year in office” and clarifying his relationship with the Lieutenant Governor, Kejriwal said “Jung saab ke saath koi Jung nahi hai” (There is no war with Jung).

However, he said that Lieutenant Governor has no actual powers as all his orders come from the top.

“Pre independence, Queen of England used to send notifications to the Viceroy here. Now, Jung Sahab is Viceroy & PMO is London. All orders come from the PMO,” Kejriwal said.

Continuing his attack on the Modi government, he went on to state that the notification proved that Modi with his 3 BJP MLA’s is trying to control the Delhi government through the backdoor.

“The BJP and Congress want to have their own officers in Delhi and get government contracts for their own people,” he alleged.

The Centre on Friday morning issued a notification which backed Jung and said that it was not mandatory for the Lieutenant Governor to consult the Chief Minister.

Kejriwal alleged that issuing the notification was very ‘unfair’ towards the people of Delhi, and said that the AAP government is doing very good work.

“We want to ask the Narendra Modi government, who are they trying to save through this notification?” he said

Kejriwal alleged that the government is rattled by the action taken by the Delhi government against corrupt officers and was attempting to protect corrupt officials by issuing the notification.

“They are saying that we can’t take any action against corrupt official in the central government,” he said.

Shifting his focus on Najeeb Jung, Kejriwal said, “The Lieutenant Governor has never asked about water or electricity, all they are interested in is transfer posting.”

He also added that it is because of the AAP government that a lot of money being paid for transfers has ended, a statement his deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had made earlier.

“Probably the AAP government is one of the cleanest governments Delhi has ever seen,” Kejriwal said.

(Agencies)

Jayalalithaa set to return as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after party lawmakers' meeting

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Jayalalithaa

Chennai: J Jayalalithaa was today elected by AIADMK lawmakers to take over as chief minister of Tamil Nadu at a party meeting in Chennai this morning. The 67-year-old leader, who was not present at the meeting, is likely to take oath tomorrow.

144 of 150 party lawmakers attended the meeting at the AIADMK headquarters where five rebel MLAs from actor-politician Vijayakanth’s DMDK were also present. Current chief minister O Panneerselvam headed straight to Ms Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence after the meeting. He is expected to resign today.

Nearly eight months ago, Ms Jayalalithaa was convicted in a corruption case and forced to step down in the midst of her third term as the state’s top leader.

Ms Jayalalithaa’s return as the head of the government was enabled by her acquittal earlier this month in the same case, and a party that has expressed its unwavering devotion to her in unabashed shows of sycophancy.

Ms Jayalalithaa was found not guilty of illicitly amassing wealth adding up to nearly Rs. 50 crore by the Karnataka High Court. She must win a state assembly seat within six months of taking over as Chief Minister.

The leader, who is known as “Amma” or “mother” will appear in public today for the first time after her acquittal to garland statues of AIADMK leaders including founder MG Ramachandran.

In a statement on Monday that broadly hinted at her plans, Ms Jayalalithaa had told party workers that “whatever our cadres wish will happen soon.”

When her replacement O Panneerselvam took over as Chief Minister, other AIADMK leaders and he wept through the swearing-in ceremony; when she was jailed, Ms Jayalalithaa’s enraged supporters set buses on fire; she has said more than 200 people killed themselves to protest against her incarceration.

(Agencies)

Blooper: Subramanian Swamy attempts to tie a knot to a bride

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subramanian swamy

Tirunelveli: A gag reel showing senior BJP leader and self-styled nationalist Subramanian Swamy almost getting married for the second time is doing the rounds on social media platforms of late.

As per media reports, the BJP leader was invited to bless the bride and groom at a wedding held in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. During the wedding ceremony, he was asked to hand over the nuptial chain or ‘mangala sutra’ to the groom and bless the couple.

Swamy, who seemed to be absent-minded, almost tied the nuptial chain to the bride instead of handing it over to the groom.

However, an alert elderly lady pulled back Swamy at the spur of the moment. Swamy finally handed over the nuptial chain to the groom.

(Agencies)

Cholera kills Burundi refugees as aid agencies struggle

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At least 33 people die amid worsening medical conditions while tens of thousands stranded on Tanzania’s Kagunga Island.

Some refugees have been transferred to Kigoma, where they are processed at the Lake Tanganyika stadium [Azad Essa/Al Jazeera]

Some refugees have been transferred to Kigoma, where they are processed at the Lake Tanganyika stadium [Azad Essa/Al Jazeera]

by Al Jazeera

Kigoma: Humanitarian agencies are struggling to cope as tens of thousands of Burundian refugees stranded on Kagunga Island in Tanzania face worsening medical conditions.

UNICEF officials told Al Jazeera on Thursday that conditions at Kagunga were “tough” and that a cholera outbreak had made conditions even more dire.

At least 33 people have died, with 27 deaths believed to have been cholera related.

The World Health Organization declared cholera a level 1 emergency in the region on Wednesday.

“It is very, very tough in Kagunga, and our focus now is to try and save those living in these very poor conditions,” said Thomas Lyimo, a health officer at UNICEF.

More than 100,000 people have crossed into Tanzania since political unrest began in Burundi on April 26.

At last count, some 70,000 refugees were still in Kagunga, waiting to be transferred to the Nyarugusu camp outside Kigoma.

Christopher Kamugusha, programme officer for WHO in Tanzania, said it was now a matter of case management and establishing a treatment centre in Kagunga.

“We have enough drugs and we are putting our resources into this and ensuring this does not spread”.

Authorities say there are just 94 latrines for use by the 70,000 people currently in the fishing village of Kagunga.

The arrival of so many refugees in a village with a population of no more than 11,000 has overburdened every health and social service facility.

“It is better than earlier, and it is in a manageable state, but there is so much to be done,” Lyimo said.

With just two boats operational, only 2,000 refugees are transferred each day to Kigoma, where they are processed at the Lake Tanganyika stadium in the town.

“Assuming the numbers don’t change in Kagunga, it will take a month to transfer all of them to safety at the camp,” Lyimo said.

But the refugees continue to arrive; at least 150-200 people continue to arrive every day in Kagunga, which is not the only entry point for them.

There are at least five other points but Kagunga is by far the busiest.

Many families have been separated from each other, with some cases of unaccompanied children making their way in to Tanzania.

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