Mike Pence introduced as Trump's vice-president pick after days of uncertainty

• Manhattan event held a day late after Nice terror attack
• Candidate reported to have wavered, preferring Chris Christie
• Donald Trump: the making of a narcissist
• Pence to appear at Trump-skeptic Koch brothers’ fundraiser

Donald Trump introduces Governor Mike Pence as his vice-presidential candidate

 

After a week of uncharacteristic hesitation and second-guessing, Donald Trump formally introduced the Indiana governor, Mike Pence, as his vice-presidential running mate on Saturday.

The event, at the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan, was crafted not only as a curtain-raiser for the Republican national convention that begins in Cleveland on Monday but also as an opportunity to make a virtue of the differences between the politically inexperienced, ideologically freewheeling candidate and Pence, an unflappable conservative with evangelical Christian credentials and experience in office inside and outside of Washington.

The event itself, however, was not particularly slick. After a rambling introduction from Trump, which touched on well-worn campaign talking points as well as the Nice terror attack and the failed coup attempt in Turkey, Pence mentioned getting the call from Trump on Wednesday.
The phrase was somewhat jarring. Trump announced his selection of Pence on Friday. He was, however, reported to have long hesitated and hedged over the pick, almost up to the moment it was made official.
The billionaire was reportedly leaning toward the New Jersey governor Chris Christie, only to be persuaded by his children and his campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, to follow not gut instinct but political pragmatism. Trump’s children had previously preferred the former House speaker Newt Gingrich.
Manafort has strongly rejected reports that the candidate considered changing his mind.
“Never waffled once he made his decision,” he wrote in an email cited by a number of media outlets.
The Clinton campaign seized on Trump’s apparent indecision, however, releasing a web video entitled: “Always divisive. Not so decisive.”
The choice was aided by chance: Trump’s plane burst a tire in Indianapolis, forcing him to spend more time with Pence in his home state.
On Saturday, Trump called Pence a “man of character, honor and honesty” and “a solid, solid person”.
He and Pence were the “the law and order candidates”, he said, adding that a Trump administration would be far tougher on foreign and domestic terrorism than a White House under his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Pence would also help him restore manufacturing jobs and protect religious freedom, he said.

Donald Trump and Mike Pence appear with family members. Photograph: Jason Szenes/EPA

Who am I, oh Lord, to have been brought this far? I’m a small town boy from southern Indiana

Mike Pence

In words likely to be welcomed by evangelical supporters of Pence – who signed and then amended a controversial religious freedom law in Indiana in 2015 – Trump said he would follow the Republican policy platform and seek to repeal the Johnson amendment in the IRS tax code. The amendment prohibits not-for-profit tax-exempt entities, including religious organisations, from taking political positions without risk of losing their tax exempt status.
“We’re going to let the people of faith speak,” Trump said. “The people who live in fear that they’re going to lose their tax exempt status. Religion is going to have a voice – because it has been taken away. We’re going to bring it back.”

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Trump said Pence’s selection was partially driven by a desire to promote “party unity”, and said he was happy to learn that the Republican “Never Trump” movement against him had been “crushed” this week, ahead of the convention.
Following Trump, Pence praised the candidate’s pledges to repeal Obamacare, revive the coal industry and toughen the nation’s immigration policy. He also invoked his small-town roots.
“I am deeply humbled and thank God for his amazing grace,” Pence said. “These are good people and Donald Trump gets it. Who am I, oh Lord, to have been brought this far? I’m a small town boy from southern Indiana who has a front row seat to the American dream.”
Neither Trump nor Pence made note of their policy differences. The Indiana governor has been an advocate of trade deals such as Nafta and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Trump opposes, and has also criticized Trump’s proposed temporary ban on foreign Muslims entering the US, calling the idea “offensive and unconstitutional”.

Mike Pence to appear at Trump-skeptic Koch brothers' fundraiser

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In his remarks, Trump said he had been impressed by Pence’s leadership in Indiana, singling out the state’s balanced budget, job growth and education reforms. He made no mention of his own controversial decision to postpone his introduction of Pence, originally scheduled for Friday, after the Bastille Day truck attack in Nice.
“We’ve witnessed the Islamic horror beyond belief,” he said, “and believe me, that’s going to change. Mike Pence will never be afraid to shout the name of our enemy: radical Islam.”
The pair may yet wish to reconsider their campaign’s choice of pre-event music: the fast section of a track by E‎lton John. For one thing, the British musician is, with spouse David Furnish, parent to two young children – an arrangement the evangelical, anti-gay marriage Pence would certainly oppose.
Furthermore, the song in question has a title that could prove awkward if the Trump-Pence ticket fails to generate the necessary campaign-trail chemistry: Funeral for a Friend.
(c)Guardian

Mass arrest after coup failed in Turkey

Some 2,839 soldiers, including high-ranking officers, have been arrested over an attempted coup that is now over, says Turkey’s PM Binali Yildirim.
In a night he called a “black stain on Turkish democracy”, he said 161 people had been killed and 1,440 wounded.
Explosions and gunfire were heard in Ankara, Istanbul and elsewhere overnight and thousands of Turks heeded President Erdogan’s call to rise up against the coup-plotters.
It is not clear who is behind the coup.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed a “parallel structure”, in a clear reference to Fethullah Gulen, a powerful but reclusive US-based Muslim cleric he accuses of fomenting unrest.
However, in a statement, Mr Gulen rejected any suggestion he had links to the events, saying he condemned “in the strongest terms, the attempted military coup in Turkey”.
Soldiers with their hands up on Istanbul’s Bosporus Bridge
Image caption
The surrender of soldiers in Istanbul was captured live on television
Read the latest live updates
International reaction
In pictures: Turkey coup attempt
Why did Turkish coup plot fail?
Reasons behind coup: By BBC’s Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen
The attempted coup happened because Turkey is deeply divided over President Erdogan’s project to transform the country and because of the contagion of violence from the war in Syria.
President Erdogan and his AK Party have become experts at winning elections, but there have always been doubts about his long-term commitment to democracy. He is a political Islamist who has rejected modern Turkey’s secular heritage. Mr Erdogan has become increasingly authoritarian and is trying to turn himself into a strong executive president.
From the beginning Mr Erdogan’s government has been deeply involved in the war in Syria, backing Islamist opposition to President Assad. But violence has spread across the border, helping to reignite the fight with the Kurdish PKK, and making Turkey a target for the jihadists who call themselves Islamic State.
That has caused a lot of disquiet. Turkey has faced increasing turmoil and the attempt to overthrow President Erdogan will not be the last of it.
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Media caption”Here in Turkey there is confusion”, reports the BBC’s Katy Watson
Events began on Friday evening when tanks took up positions on two bridges over the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, blocking it to traffic. Troops were seen on the streets and low-flying military jets were filmed over Ankara.
Shortly after, a faction of the army released a statement saying that a “peace council” was running the country, and it had launched the coup “to ensure and restore constitutional order, democracy, human rights and freedoms”.
President Erdogan was in the south-west holiday resort of Marmaris at the time. He made a televised address, via his mobile phone, urging people to take to the streets to oppose the uprising.
He then flew on to Istanbul, saying Marmaris had been bombed after he left.
In a speech at Istanbul airport, Mr Erdogan said: “What is being perpetrated is a treason and a rebellion. They will pay a heavy price.”
(c) Sun

Breaking: Military takeover government in Turkey!

• Martial law imposed and curfew declared across country
• Action taken to ‘reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms’, say armed forces
• Military aircraft seen flying over Ankara and gunfire reported

More details from the statement read out on the state broadcaster TRT at the behest of the military faction that seems to be behind the coup: It says that the freedom of Turkish citizens is guaranteed by what is referred to as a “peace council”, regardless of religion, race or language.
It says the Peace Council will not allow public order to be damaged.
It is worth remembering at this point that the Turkish government still claims to be in charge.
An EU source monitoring events has told Reuters that military forces have control of airports and strategic points in Istanbul.

The White House says President Obama is aware of the developments in Turkey and will receive regular updates.

Turkish military broadcasts on state TV amid coup reports

An announcement on the Turkish state broadcaster TRT says that a curfew has been declared across Turkey and that airports are closed. The announcer says they are being made to read a statement by the military.
The statement promises a new constitution for the country and says that democracy and the secular rule of law had been undermined. Martial law has also been imposed, it adds.

The head of the Istanbul branch of Turkey’s ruling AK party says soldiers entered the party building and asked them to leave, CNN Turk reports.

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18m ago 22:13

France’s foreign ministry has also advised its citizens in Turkey to stay indoors.

Updated at 10.14pm BST

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27m ago 22:04

The US secretary of state John Kerry says he hopes there will be peace, stability and unity within Turkey amid reports that a military coup is underway.

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28m ago 22:02

Soldiers are inside the buildings of the Turkish state broadcaster TRT in the country’s capital Ankara, a correspondent for that outlet tells the Reuters news agency.

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30m ago 22:01

We understand that the Turkish president is due to make a statement shortly.

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31m ago 22:00

Alan Yuhas

The full Turkish military statement reads: “Turkish Armed Forces have completely taken over the administration of the country to reinstate constitutional order, human rights and freedoms, the rule of law and general security that was damaged.

A Turkish military stands guard in the Taksim Square in Istanbul. Photograph: Murad Sezer/Reuters

“All international agreements are still valid. We hope that all of our good relationships with all countries will continue.”
The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on holiday and outside the country. Reuters has quoted a source within his office as saying that he is safe.

Updated at 10.08pm BST

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37m ago 21:53

There are numerous reports that hostages have been taken in the Turkish capital, Ankara. CNN Turk say they’re being held at a military HQ there.
The state-run Anadolu press agency says the chief of military staff is among those being held.

Theresa May becomes new UK Prime Minister

The UK’s new prime minister Theresa May has vowed to create a country that works for all not just the “privileged few”.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, the former home secretary said it would be her mission to “build a better Britain”.
She promised to give people who were “just managing” and “working around the clock” more control over their lives.
Mrs May is the UK’s second female prime minister, after Margaret Thatcher.
Her husband Philip was standing behind her as she made her first public speech in the role, highlighting the “precious bond” between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and between “every one of us”.
“That means fighting against the burning injustice that if you’re born poor you will die on average nine years earlier than others,” she said.
For an “ordinary working class family”, she added, “life is much harder than many people in Westminster realise”.
Speaking directly to people who were “just managing”, she said: “The government I lead will be driven, not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours. We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives.”
She also paid tribute to her predecessor, David Cameron, saying he had been a “great, modern prime minister”.
Source: BBC

Six-foot tall man emerges from suitcase at Swiss train station [VIDEO]

A nearly 6-foot tall man was caught on a surveillance camera emerging from a suitcase at a train station in Switzerland.
Video shot by a Swiss border guard and shared by AllNews247 shows the man’s hand sticking out from the suitcase before officers arrive to fully unzip the bag.
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Officials concerned about 'virtual' war on cops

 Even after a militant anti-cop shooter stopped firing a barrage of shots at Dallas police officers in the streets on Thursday, Police Chief David Brown was forced to confront a virtual war on his force and other officers nationwide, as hate-filled posters took aim at cops online. Brown said Monday that he was the subject of death threats almost as soon as Micah Johnson’s deadly rampage – which killed five officers and wounded nine others – had ended.

Riots broke out in Paris as France lost to Portugal in EURO2016 final

French riot police react with tear gas during clashes near the Eiffel Tower (Picture: Reuters)

Rioting broke out under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower last night after France lost to Portugal in the final of Euro 2016.
Around 40 people were arrested when trouble broke out and police used tear gas and water cannons against fans who were throwing glass bottles.

Read more:Crowds of supporters, some donning French or Portuguese flags, gathered at the base of the Paris landmark before and after Portugal’s 1-0 victory over France after they were refused entry to the fan zone which was packed to its 90,000 capacity, Paris police said. Other arrests took place outside the Stade de France where the match was played. They were for public order offences.
The base of the Eiffel Tower was engulfed in clouds of tear gas as riot police repelled the youths, who started fires on the pavement and threw bottles and other objects at the police lines, AFP photographers said. Police in riot gear faced off with crowds, as at least one police truck fired water at demonstrators.

Riot police officers take position during scuffles on the Champs Elysees (Picture: AP)

A man runs from officers near the Paris fan zone during the match (Picture: Reuters)

French riot police near the Arc de Triomphe (Picture: AFP)

The police, who had posted a message on Twitter and issued warnings in the Metro informing supporters the fan zone was full, used water cannon to extinguish the blazes.
The ground was littered with broken fencing and shattered glass as evening fell, with piles of rubbish burning and firefighters were later deployed to put out larger blazes on the streets of Paris, including at least one car that was set on fire.

Cristiano Ronaldo gets straight back into his full-kit to lift trophy after Portugal claim dramatic Euro 2016 final victory

Meanwhile, nine people were taken into custody in the eastern city of Lyon for violent behaviour, insults or possession of fireworks and one officer was lightly injured by a spray can, police said. Last week, riot police fired tear gas in clashes with youths on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris after France’s qualification for the Euro 2016 final.

Youths taunt French riot police during clashes (Picture: Reuters)

Police and football fans near the Champ-de-Mars (Picture: AFP)

Earlier clashes between fans at the June 11 England-Russia match in Marseille left 35 people injured in violence that French prosecutors have largely blamed on around 150 ‘well-prepared’ Russian supporters who carried out targeted attacks on England supporters.
Portugal’s shock win over France in the European Championship final was the country’s first international title, though superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to watch the match injured from the touchline.
The buildup to the football tournament had been overshadowed by fears of jihadist violence following November attacks that left 130 people dead. In the days before it kicked off, unions disrupted trains and grounded planes and uncollected rubbish built up in the streets in strikes and protests against labour reforms.

Riot police take positions near the Eiffel Tower (Picture: AP)

A car was set on fire during clashes with police (Picture: AP)

Fans were unhappy at not being able to get into a fanzone (Picture: AP)

Around 40 people were arrested (Picture: AP)

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Why Can Rep. Jason Chaffetz Use Personal Email, But Hillary Clinton Can’t?

In a tense hearing on Thursday, House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) grilled FBI Director James Comey about his decision to recommend against indicting Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. The hours-long hearing re-hashed a familiar debate over whether Clinton lied about sending classified information over her personal e-mail account, and whether she should be granted future security clearances in light of what Comey called “extremely careless” behavior.

The hearing also re-hashed another interesting fact: That Chaffetz himself uses a personal email address to conduct professional business.

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Abraham White @abwhite7

We all know Jason Chaffetz would never use his personal email for work.

The tidbit was brought up by Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Democratic delegate from the District of Columbia, who during the hearing noted that Chaffetz lists his personal email as his primary contact on his business cards. Chaffetz’ business cards were first reported on by ABC News last year.

“No one says that’s wrong,” Holmes Norton said. “I don’t know if it’s wrong or right. Because there’s no guidance.”

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In light of intensified scrutiny on Clinton’s email practices, it seems a worthwhile question to answer: Why are members of agencies such as the State Department required to use government email accounts, while members of Congress are not?

The answer lies in federal open records laws — most of which don’t apply to Congress.

The Associated Press (AP) reported on this extensively last year, finding that members of Congress aren’t required to “use official email accounts, or to retain, archive or store their emails, while in office or after.” The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) — the law that allows the public to request internal documents from government agencies — for example, does not cover members of Congress. Congress is also not subject to the Federal Records Act, which requires all federal agency employees to keep accurate records of their activities.

Federal agency employees, of course, include Clinton, who was found to have violated the Federal Records Act by using a private email server while serving as secretary of state.

The reason Congress is not subject to these rules, however, is because Congress makes its own rules. And Congress has never decided that it needs a law requiring its members to maintain records and make those records available to the public.

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What We Can Learn From Hillary Clinton's Email Controversy

Open government advocates, however, told the AP that they were not especially concerned about the fact that Congress isn't subject to these laws. They noted that Congress operates largely in the public eye -- Thursday's hearing, for example, was broadcast on nearly every major cable news station -- while executive agencies craft regulations and conduct most of their other business behind closed doors.

In addition, some members of Congress want to keep open lines of communication with the people they represent. They fear members of the public might feel uncomfortable emailing their representative if the knew that email could be subject to a Freedom of Information Act request. From the AP:

Some argue that requiring members of Congress to make their correspondence public could chill their ability to communicate freely with constituents who might not want their views or requests widely exposed.

“I don’t want to sound like we’re separating ourselves from other groups, but there is a reason that you protect constituent correspondence, so it’s a little different kettle of fish,” said Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.

There are some who have advocated for more transparency when it comes to Congressional email. Journalist Alexis Coe, for example, wrote in the New York Timeslast year that her inability to access now-deceased Sen. Joseph McCarthy's records is preventing the public from learning more about the people McCarthy accused of communist activities during the Cold War. Those records are in the public interest, Coe argued, and Congress "is perfectly capable of differentiating between personal and professional papers and formulating ethical, clear and enforceable policies."

"The legislative branch influences the evolution of our democracy, and the papers of its members explain how it happened," she wrote. "They’re a part of America’s collective memory, belonging to us all."

For now, however, the information contained in members of Congress' personal and professional email accounts -- Chaffetz's included -- belongs only to themselves.

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