Navajo candidate announces bid as Democrat for Hatch's seat

He's Navajo. He's Mormon. He's a Democrat. And he plans to challenge Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Meet James Singer, the 34-year-old who believes he can unseat the seven-term Utah Republican, who appears poised to seek re-election.

"Orrin Hatch has been in office longer than I've been alive," Singer joked.

Billing himself as a millennial's candidate — his campaign motto is "It's time for a new generation to represent Utahns" — Singer first thought about a political run during one of the handful of Salt Lake City rallies after President Donald Trump's inauguration in January. He declared to the crowd of 100 people that "in 2018 there should be native people running in every contest."

Singer followed his own call for action and may be the first Utah Navajo to run for U.S. Senate. He formally filed in mid-April and has raised $3,000 in donations.

Hatch at last report had $3.5 million in his campaign account.

Singer argues that Hatch has lost touch with his constituents, particularly overlooking those from tribal lands in the state — where Singer's grandparents live. The biggest indication of that, he said, is how Hatch and other members of Utah's all-Republican delegation reacted to former President Barack Obama's declaration of Bears Ears National Monument.

Their repeated calls to rescind the designation do not align with Native American wishes, Singer said.

At: http://www.sltrib.com/home/5231712-155/navajo-candidate-announces-bid-as-democrat

Argentina's top court cuts sentence of human rights abuser

Argentina's Supreme Court on Wednesday reduced the jail sentence of a man serving time for crimes against humanity committed during the country's 1976-83 dictatorship.

Luis Muiña, 61, was sentenced in 2011 to 13 years in prison for the kidnapping and torture of five people during a 1976 military operation in Alejandro Posadas Hospital, west of Buenos Aires.

Three of the top court's five justices decided that his days spent in prison before a firm conviction should count double toward his sentence, meaning Muiña could get out eight years earlier.

The court said the ruling was based on an interpretation of a repealed law that had never been previously applied to human rights convictions. The so-called 2x1 law was in effect from 1994 to 2001, when most dictatorship-era human rights criminals were still free. A law signed by former President Néstor Kirchner in 2003 had rescinded amnesty granted to most perpetrators in 1986.

"This ruling determined that common crimes are the same as crimes against humanity," said Andres Gil Domínguez, a constitutional lawyer. "It's a new judicial and ideological way of looking at human rights crimes by the Supreme Court."

The view was shared by former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, during whose 2007-15 administration most of the 681 convictions so far for crimes against humanity were issued. Human rights groups, Kirchner's center-left FpV, and leftist parties condemned the ruling, which raises the possibility that other Dirty War perpetrators might likewise ask the courts for release.

The narrow ruling came down to two Kirchner appointees (including Chief Justice Ricardo Lorenzetti) dissenting, and both justices appointed by current President Mauricio Macri voting in the majority. The tie-breaking vote, that of Kirchner appointee Elena Highton de Nolasco, came as a surprise to Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo head Estela Barnes de Carlotto, who noted that Justice Nolasco had previously ruled against cases filed by Dirty War apologists.

Carlotto, one of Argentina's most prominent advocates for victims of the Dirty War and their relatives, intends to appeal to international tribunals.

At: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article148464264.html

And: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pagina12.com.ar%2F35399-les-estan-abriendo-la-puerta-a-los-genocidas

U.S. House passes bill to fund government through September

Source: Reuters

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a $1.2 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September and avoid federal agency shutdowns on Saturday when existing money is depleted.

With the 309-118 vote in the Republican-controlled chamber, the legislation now goes to the Senate, which is expected to pass it before a midnight Friday deadline.

The Pentagon is a big winner in the legislation, with defense spending rising significantly.

While the bill cleared the House easily, dozens more Democrats voted for it than Republicans, many of whom oppose most spending measures.

Another battle over the barrier is expected when Congress tries to pass a spending bill for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. Trump already has begun focusing on that upcoming fight. In a tweet on Tuesday, he taunted lawmakers, saying, "Our country needs a good 'shutdown' in September to fix mess!"

The legislation would add $12.5 billion this fiscal year for the Pentagon, with another $2.5 billion available after Trump gives details on his plans for defeating the Islamic State militant group. It ignores many of the spending cuts on domestic programs the White House had sought and adds $2 billion for the National Institutes of Health, $295 million for Puerto Rico's underfunded Medicaid healthcare for the poor and $407 million to fight fires in Western states.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-budget-idUSKBN17Z1YU

Puerto Rico files for biggest ever U.S. local government bankruptcy

Source: Reuters

Puerto Rico announced a historic restructuring of its public debt on Wednesday, touching off what may be the biggest bankruptcy ever in the $3.8 trillion U.S. municipal bond market.

While it was not immediately clear just how much of Puerto Rico's $70 billion of debt would be included in the bankruptcy filing, the case is sure to dwarf Detroit's insolvency in 2013.

The move comes a day after several major creditors sued Puerto Rico over defaults its bonds.

Bankruptcy may not immediately change the day-to-day lives of Puerto Rico's people, 45 percent of whom live in poverty, but it may lead to future cuts in pensions and worker benefits, and possibly a reduction in health and education services.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-puertorico-debt-bankruptcy-idUSKBN17Z1UC

Trump Administration asks Jimmy Carter to avoid North Korea rapprochement

The Trump administration has privately asked Jimmy Carter, the former U.S. president who has served as an envoy between Washington and Pyongyang, not to attempt "rapprochement" that could interfere with ongoing efforts to put pressure on Kim Jong Un's regime, the Financial Times reports.

Senior state department official Brian Hook personally made the request to Carter last weekend at his home in Georgia, the report said.

The request to Carter signaled concern that the former president could complicate U.S. strategy towards Pyongyang. Carter has in the past forced administrations to change its stance, including in 1994 when Bill Clinton was considering launching a military strike against North Korea.

At: https://www.thestreet.com/story/14108048/1/trump-administration-asks-jimmy-carter-to-avoid-north-korea-rapprochement.html
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Of course they did. Cheeto has been binge buying defense stocks, and doesn't want anyone getting in the way of a war - least of someone with a proven track record in diplomacy.

Trump vetoes Carter tribute in Argentina

Argentine President Mauricio Macri reverted a decision to award former U.S. President Jimmy Carter the Order of the Liberator General San Martín — the maximum distinction the country can give to a foreign personality.

The reversal followed pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration, CNN reported this week.

The official tribute, which had already been published in the foreign ministry's Official Gazette, was cancelled after receiving a specific request by the U.S. government, which suggested it would be better to delay it.

Carter was to be given the award for his work in promoting human rights during Argentina’s last military dictatorship, in power between 1976 and 1983.

After being informed about the decision, the Argentine Foreign Ministry again requested that President Macri give the award in spite of Trump’s opposition since it had already been made official, according to an anonymous foreign ministry official consulted by CNN’s David Cox.

Former Argentine Ambassador to the United States Martín Lousteau, had proposed awarding Carter the honor. Lousteau resigned on April 3 following controversy over a proposed $2 billion U.S. arms purchase requested by the Macri administration without Argentine congressional approval.

President Carter, who made human rights a centerpiece of his foreign policy, actively pressed the Argentine dictatorship at the time to cease its policy of forced disappearances - which according to an official, 1984 report slowed from 3,600 in 1976 to just 46 in 1980.

"Jimmy Carter," the Buenos Aires Herald noted during his first visit to Buenos Aires in 1984, "did more than any group anywhere for the cause of human rights in Argentina."

Carter has been widely lauded for his decision to create an Under-Secretary for Human Rights at the State Department (led by the late Patricia Derian), for the creation of the Carter Center in 1982, and his efforts in the defense of human rights and democracies throughout Latin America and elsewhere.

At: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/225424/trump-vetoes-carter-tribute-

House will not vote on Affordable Care Act rewrite, smoothing way for government to stay open

Source: Washington Post

Despite pressure from the White House, House GOP leaders determined Thursday night that they don’t have the votes to pass a rewrite of the Affordable Care Act and will not seek to put their proposal on the floor on Friday.

A late push to act on health care had threatened the bipartisan deal to keep the government open for one week while lawmakers crafted a longer-term spending deal. Now, lawmakers are likely to approve the spending bill when it comes to the floor Friday and keep the government open past midnight.

The failure of GOP leaders to summon enough support for a renewed health-care push is evidence of just how difficult it is to overhaul Obamacare, despite seven years of GOP promises to repeal and replace the 2010 law. Conservatives and moderates have repeatedly clashed over what legislation should look like, most sharply over bringing down insurance premiums in exchange for sharply limiting what kind of coverage is required to be offered.

Up to 15 or so House Republicans have publicly said they would not support the latest draft of the measure, leaving House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and the White House an incredibly narrow path to a simple majority. If all 238 Republicans are present for a vote, Ryan can lose only 22 Republicans and still pass the bill with the barest of majorities.

GOP leaders’ failure to secure a health-care deal will help ensure the government stays open past midnight on Friday — at least for one week.


Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/house-republicans-introduce-one-week-spending-bill-to-continue-budget-talks/2017/04/27/5157abee-2b3a-11e7-b605-33413c691853_story.html?utm_term=.57d7d701e21b

IRS, postal inspectors raid Benny Hinn Ministries

Source: CBS

Federal agents descended on the North Texas headquarters of television evangelist Benny Hinn and took boxes out of the offices.

The search began about 9 a.m. Wednesday at Hinn’s headquarters in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. According to Hinn’s website, he was in Paris.

Lisa Slimak, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Dallas, said she was unable to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation. A message sent to Bennie Hinn Ministries went unanswered.

Hinn was one of six television evangelists investigated by the Senate Finance Committee in 2007. Three years later, the six were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Read more: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/04/26/irs-postal-inspectors-raid-benny-hinn-ministries/

Trump, Argentine President Macri hold White House talks

President Donald Trump has welcomed Argentine President Mauricio Macri to the White House for talks.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted Macri and his wife, Juliana Awada, at the South Lawn entrance of the White House.

The White House said when it announced Thursday's visit that the leaders would discuss how to deepen relations between their countries. Trump and Macri are also expected to confer on a range of bilateral and regional issues, including trade, security and Venezuela's deteriorating political situation.

Foreign trade, particularly lemons and biodiesel, may also be discussed. The Trump administration recently postponed a decision by former President Barack Obama to lift a 16-year ban on imports of Argentine lemons.

The U.S. has historically run trade surpluses with Argentina, with a $4 billion merchandise surplus in 2016 and another $5 billion surplus in services.

Macri had earlier visited Houston, where he addressed a meeting of oil executives. The visit stirred controversy in Argentina when, later yesterday, he presided over the opening of a new steel tube plant built in Houston by Argentine-based Tenaris - which has recently laid off 200 of its 3,000 workers in Argentina amid the deepest downturn there since the 2002 crisis.

Trump and Macri enjoy a personal relationship dating from a 1984 Manhattan real estate deal that Macri hopes to leverage to boost relations.

At: http://www.wokv.com/news/trump-argentine-president-macri-hold-white-house-talks/x2mhUeaIB1uXlRiYWsOUvK/

Buenos Aires Police chief arrested on charges of running extortion ring

The Buenos Aires Police Commissioner General, José Potocar, was ordered arrested today by Municipal Pre-Trial Court Judge Ricardo Farías on charges of running an extortion ring that allegedly targeted local businesses as well as juvenile delinquents for protection money.

Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta had suspended Potocar and several officers in Station 31, located in the city's northside, on Saturday after City Prosecutor José María Campagnoli had requested a warrant for their arrest after former Commissioner Marcelo Stefanetti, arrested earlier on the same charges, pointed to them as the leaders of the extortion ring in sworn testimony.

Potocar denies the charges. Station 31 Commissioner Norberto Villareal failed to appear in court and remains at large.

Potocar, 58, was appointed less than four months ago. He was the first police chief named after President Mauricio Macri issued a decree last year subsuming the Federal Police, which been under federal purview since 1880, into the Metropolitan Police created by Macri during his tenure as mayor in 2008. The two forces were merged into a new City Police in November, and Potocar was sworn in January 1.

The extortion ring, according to Stefanetti's testimony, began when Potocar was in charge of the General Directorate of Police Stations (DGC). The ring operated out of two police stations in the upscale Núñez and Saavedra wards, and was allegedly used to extract monthly payouts from area businesses of between 1,500 and 3,500 pesos ($100 to $230) in the form of donations to the “Friends of the Police Station 31 Association.”

The ring also gleaned around 500 pesos ($30) periodically from trapitos - juvenile delinquents known for demanding money to "protect" parked vehicles (particularly near nightclubs). Potocar had made a public show out of stamping out the illegal practice during his brief tenure.

The city government, and Security Secretary Marcelo D’Alessandro in particular, came under fire for waiting until this weekend - and only after Campagnoli's warrant - to suspend Potocar and the officers involved, given that the investigation had begun months earlier. Their decision to put the officers on administrative leave was also questioned.

This was not the first police chief to be ousted for improprieties since Macri's right-wing PRO took control of the city government in 2007.

The first Metropolitan Police chief, Jorge "Fino" Palacios, was dismissed and arrested in 2009 after just two months after evidence surfaced of warrantless wiretapping and of politically-motivated searches of homes and businesses belonging to opposition officials as well as victims' rights advocates for survivors of the 1994 AMIA Jewish mutual society bombing. He was already under indictment for obstruction of justice related to the botched investigation of the bombing, which killed 86 and remains unsolved.

Macri, who was found to have ordered the wiretapping and searches, was himself indicted; but the case remained stalled in the courts and charges were dismissed within days after he took office as president 16 months ago.

At: http://www.thebubble.com/buenos-aires-police-chief-in-custody-on-corruption-charges/

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Sheriff Shakedown? Commissioner José Potocar. [center/]