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Cyrus treated the crowd to a performance of four of her songs, as well as a duet with her country music star dad Billy Ray Cyrus.
The night ended with a birthday cake and fireworks display at Sleeping Beauty Castle.
At least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in protests that have broken out in Jammu and Kashmir after Indian security forces killed a 22-year-old self-proclaimed militant, Burhan Wani, on July 8.
An Indian policeman stands guard in front of the closed shops painted with graffiti during a curfew in Srinagar, Kashmir, on July 12, 2016.
Wani, who joined militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahedin as a teenager and used social media to post his messages calling for armed resistance, had become a hero of sorts among young Muslim Kashmiris who chafe at the ill-treatment they face from the army and the police, who are accused of using excessive force and lacking accountability.
Wani was killed in a gun battle with security forces along with two other militants. Thousands joined Burhan Wani’s funeral, and anti-government protests started soon after.
These have not been peaceful demonstrations. Many protesters have hurled rocks and stones at security force members and damaged public property. At least one police official was killed, and scores injured.
Security forces claim that when they are outnumbered, they are forced to fire live ammunition. But after years of confronting such protests, it is apparent Indian authorities have still failed to train security forces to control crowds using non-lethal methods.
Yet it is not just effective training that is missing. Kashmir is on the boil again because Indian authorities have neglected to address deep-rooted grievances and end impunity for abuses.
It seems that promises of justice were dropped with the return of peace.
The early 1990s witnessed similar distraught funerals of Kashmiri militants, followed by the funerals of protesters killed by security-force gunfire. Pakistan-backed armed groups altered the nature of the conflict, and for years Kashmiris were forced to live in fear of these groups as well as the army attempting to hunt them down. Indian authorities say that very few Pakistani fighters now operate in the state, and that home-grown Kashmiri militants are responsible for recent attacks.
It has long been evident that many young Kashmiris now subscribe to a global Islamic identity that endorses violence. In 2010, after more than 100 protesters were killed during weeks of clashes with the security forces, peace was restored with the promise of redress, and a committee was appointed. But like many others before it, all recommendations, including the finding of abuses under the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act, were then ignored.
Much greater access to social media has widened the public rift between those who believe that Burhan Wani was a martyr and those who considered him a terrorist.
What is clear is that Burhan Wani is evidence of the failure of successive Indian governments, whether led by the Congress Party or the now ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, as well Kashmir’s own leadership, to commit to lasting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Jammu and Kashmir. Only when the rhetoric for justice meets reality is the violence likely to stop.
A 42-year-old Boston man was arrested early this morning and police suspect he is responsible for as many as a dozen robberies along Newbury Street and in the Fenway area.
Antonio Roman was caught in an alleyway behind Newbury Street about 2 a.m. when officers saw him jump from an air conditioning unit.
The officers questioned him and he said he was going to the bathroom.
Then, the police found a black backpack nearby and discovered it contained a large pry bar, latex gloves, leather gloves, a black mask, a head lamp and a Leatherman multi-tool.
When officers asked Roman about the bag he allegedly told them he was getting his tools in order to break in and admitted to other burglaries.
Police said that he mostly stole clothing and one burglarized store reported to police that they were missing $56,000 worth of merchandise.
Roman has so far only been charged with the attempted burglary from early this morning, but will likely face more charges.
My sincere apologies, dear friends, for being absent for the past … few months. Yikes. It’s been longer than I thought since my last post. I sit here in Barnes & Noble (an excellent study location), and all the sudden, I feel like I’m in Ireland. Yes, you read correctly – Ireland. Behind me is a group of about six people playing wind instruments accompanied by a guitar and a…violin? Sure. I begin to smile because I can’t help but think about turning around and seeing a congregation of people in kilts and bagpipes. While I knew that wish wouldn’t come true, I couldn’t help but feel…happy. This unexpected music led me to reflect on my semester as a whole, a semester of happiness.
I was blessed with the opportunity to embark on a service trip over my spring break. That Saturday morning, I met with nine others from Catholic Campus Ministries and 8 hours later, we were appreciating the beautiful scenes of good ‘ol Savannah, GA. Working with Old Savannah City Mission, we met several men so devoted to Christ after overcoming many trials and tribulations. We met a fantastic young gentleman who committed his days to eradicating homelessness in the greater Savannah area. We met a beautiful elderly couple who hosted a Bible study for our group, complete with the most delicious homemade southern meal. Happiness.
Happiness is found through a professor whose open-door policy is unfailing. This semester hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing in regards to my classes. Biology has presented a challenge from day 1. However, each time I have sought help from either a TA or from the professor herself, help has been given on the highest level. Although I have come to realize that biology just might not be my cup of tea, I’ve found a new appreciation for the material, an appreciation spurred by the professor’s dedication and enthusiasm for teaching. Happiness.
Happiness is found in: a spontaneous 2 hour walk with a new friend – a late night game of bananagrams – a King & Queen’s Ball on the Sunken Garden – holding a turtle that is the size of your palm (found by the Crim Dell) – 31 cent scoop night at Baskin Robbins with the best Orientation Aide ever – attending a worship service in the Wren chapel on a glorious Sunday evening – an early morning stroll through CW with none other than Mr. Taylor Reveley (beloved president of W&M) during “Love Your Body Week” – hearing the many beautiful voices of W&M’s acapella groups on the Wren portico, every Wednesday at 10 – seeing a giant cotton swab being carried around campus to advertise for the bone marrow drive – free ice cream during the “last day of classes” – seeing prospective students take part in a campus tour – feeling like a gangsta at the K’naan and Wale concert (sponsored by W&M’s Alma Mater Productions) – new mascots – rejoicing in the accomplishments of others – spontaneous dance parties to Kesha’s newest release – tiedying shirts with your hall – weekend beach trips to Yorktown – discovering new passions.
Hawaiian cowboys (called paniolos) will gather at Molokai Ranch Arena Aug. 27-28 for the first annual statewide rodeo. The brand-new arena holds 2,000 and from the seats there's a spectacular view of the coastline and Maui in the distance. Molokai Ranch is the second largest ranch (53,000 acres) in Hawaii. Events include bull riding, team roping and barrel racing. For more information, contact Molokai Ranch, 4 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 400, Box 96, 400 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; telephone (808) 531-0158.
The Iowa State Fair, Aug. 11-21 at the State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, draws almost a million people and seems to have something for everyone, from tractor rides to a Kenny G concert. It preserves much of the traditional state fair attractions while trying to keep current: 800 food competitions (you know, where judges taste jars of pickled okra) include best lard cooking and best low-sodium categories. A special attraction this year: a life-size Garth Brooks carved in butter. Also, a rodeo, midway, livestock shows and an all-Iowa store. For more information, contact the Iowa State Fair, State House, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50319; tel. (515) 262-3111.
Hot August Nights, Aug. 3-7 in Reno, is major time-warp time. It's "Happy Days" and "American Graffiti" come to life. Get out your old poodle skirt, dust off your white bucks for this homage to the 1950s, vintage cars and rock 'n' roll. The big activity is cruisin'. Main Street awaits. There'll be 3,500 cherry-colored cars on display and a prom: white dinner jackets and strapless dresses suggested. Also, a 24-hour drive-in with carhops, record swaps, nostalgia collectibles for sale and concerts by the Beach Boys, Martha & the Vandellas and Smokey Robinson. For more information, contact Hot August Nights, P.O. Box 819, Reno, Nev. 89504; tel. (702) 829-1955.
The theme for the 20th annual Harlem Weeks, Aug. 1-21, is "Two Decades of Progress, Still More to Do." Uptown museums, houses of worship, art galleries, restaurants and parks are planning special events to encourage visitors to explore the historic area.
There's the Black Film Festival at Adam C. Powell Jr. State Office Building, a street fair, sporting events, concerts and a Roots of Jazz festival. For more information and a schedule of events, contact the Harlem Visitors and Convention Assn., 1 West 125th St., Suite 206, New York, N.Y. 10027; tel. (212) 427-7200.
The largest Elvis celebration of the year (anywhere) takes place in Graceland and at other Memphis locations Aug. 8-16 in commemoration of the anniversary of the King's death. There are marathon showings of Elvis movies; bus trips to his birthplace in Tupelo, Miss.; a concert by Elvis's backup group, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps; a show of Elvis' themed art; Q & A's with the singer's friends, family and the "Memphis Mafia."
A candlelight vigil up the driveway to Elvis' grave begins at 9 p.m. on Aug. 15. And, of course, more memorabilia than you can shake a hound dog at. For more information, contact Graceland, 3797 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, Tenn. 38116; tel. (800) 238-2000. (Added bonus: Elvis sings while you're on hold).
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/30 Nov)– Much has been spoken about the Ampatuan Massacre. Yet, there are more to be spoken including some matters that today are unspeakable. Perhaps, someday when the wounds heal, the pains subside and the enmities vanish, these can be exhumed without tarnishing the memories of the dead and reviving the pains and anger of the living.
Parenthetically, the event should go down in history as “Masalay Massacre,” named after the site of the event. Besides the fact that this has been how similar events way back to ancient history had been known, “Ampatuan Massacre” will tend to perpetuate the stigma on and enmity against the “Ampatuan clan,” especially the name. This will be unfair to the future generations of the Ampatuans.
The cry is for justice. The cry cannot be denied. Let the Ampatuans found guilty suffer. But spare from wrath the innocent and the future Ampatuans. That, too, is the cry – now stifled — for unsullied justice.
Fifty-eight perished in the massacre. They are martyrs. “Martyrs to the freedom of the press” is the tribute distinguishing the 32 media people from the other victims. What did the 26 others die for? Were they, too, martyrs?
The heirs of the victims, the widows and children especially, are martyrs too. They lament the loss of their loved ones and of their life-support. Besides suffering from trauma, some of the children have stopped schooling. They accuse the government of indifference to their plight.
They decry the alleged attempts of the accused to buy them out of the case. But they want justice not money of the Ampatuans. The most rabid and vocal complainants have been allegedly threatened with death for refusing to be silenced with money. Myrna Reblando, the widow of Manila Bulletin correspondent Alejandro “Bong” Reblando has sought refuge in Hongkong together with her daughter.
They decry the slowness in meting out justice. The Philippines is notorious for slowness in resolving criminal cases – not only more than five years but a decade or more. But the Ampatuan massacre is different. A celebrated case, considered the most dastardly assault against human rights and press freedom in the Philippines, demands special prosecution.
Concering the end of hte Ampatuan massacre trial that many have been eager to know, Justice Sereno, when asked at the JAP conference for the end of the case, said: “The only answer I can tell you with all sincerity is that the judiciary is doing its best, the Supreme Court is exercising its power in a way it has never done before, to bring a speedy end to the long anguished wait,” said Justice Sereno at the Journalism Asia Forum attended by delegates from the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX).
What is extraordinary in the new guidelines? She said that since the trial began on January 5, 2010, it “has proceeded nonstop,” with no breaks except for official holidays. Two days a week have been devoted to evidentiary hearings, one day a week for hearing motions. The judge handling the case, Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, has been “focused only on this case, having been relieved of all other duties.” Three assisting judges have been assigned to Reyes’ court.
What has been accomplished in four years and eleven months? Sereno cited data to explain in part the long trial. The transcripts of the hearings so far have reached 70 volumes and the records for the case 77 volumes. Sereno ran down the figures: 58 victims; 197 originally accused and 111 arraigned; 70 bail petitions, 42 of which have already been resolved, with 166 witnesses having testified.
Much has been done – the new Supreme Court guidelines and the accomplishment of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 under Judge Solis-Reyes. But only those much can be done under the Philippine justice or judicial system. All the factors that have slowed the trial are within the Rules of Court, the Constitution particularly the Bills of Right, and pertinent Philippine Laws. The counsels of prosecution and defense see the weakness and are clamoring for change (Philippine Daily Inquirer, November 23, 2014: State of the Maguindanao massacre trial exposes weaknesses in judicial system).
Certainly, there’s a need to revise the system for expeditious disposal of criminal cases. For instance, in a recent Associated Press report published in The Philippine Star, November 28, an Indonesian and two Filipinos identified as Abu Sayaff were found guilty only last November 27 by Judge Leili Cruz-Suarez, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court of Pasig-Branch 261, for the bombing of Fitmart shopping mall in General Santos City on April 21, 2002. Twelve years to mete out justice!
A Special Court, like a Commission, with Special Rules and Special Guidelines relative to the application of the Constitution and pertinent Philippine Laws should have been created to speed up the Ampatuan massacre case. Is this within the authority of the Supreme Court? Or, is this only within the authority of the President and the Congress?
As water cannot rise above its source, the speed in disposing the Ampatuan massacre case will not be faster that what the system would allow.
President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III is being pilloried for failing in his promises to give justice to the Ampatuan massacre victims and their heirs. The first was his election campaign promise (Inquirer Mindanao November 23, 2014: Maguindanao massacre anniversary: Aquino reminded of poll promise). Believing and in response, Myrna Reblando, wife of victim Bong Reblando, endorsed Aquino in a video on the eve of the elections.
The second: “We will not rest until justice has been served,” MindaNews (November 22, 2014: 19 months left for PNoy to fulfill vow of justice for Ampatuan Massacre victims) quoted the vow of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in a four-paragraph statement on the first anniversary of the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan Massacre — .with still five years and seven months to the end of his term on June 30, 2016 . He has failed to fulfill that vow with only 19 months and a week left of his term.
Not only the President but also Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, and his peace adviser, Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles have made similar unfulfilled promises for the Aquino III administration. Having promised, they made the victims’ heirs hope. However, the case is in court. In reality, there’s nothing they can do to hasten the trials unless the President orders the creation of a special court.
The President is also being pressed for demands for compensation. The heirs of the victims are saying that they are hoping the Aquino Government will fulfill their promise. If they have been promised, they have the right to expect – the second time around. A week after the massacre, the Arroyo government, giving priority to the journalists, gave financial assistance from P100,000 to P150, 000 each to their heirs (The Manila Bulletin, November 28, 2009; MindaNews/Mindanao Times, December 1, 2009).
Private Prosecutor Harry Roque, chair of Center Law, said (November 23 Philippine Daily Inquirer) reparations to the victim’s heirs are the obligation of the state under the International Humanitarian Law since the Ampatuans and most of the others involved were with the government when the incident happened. President Aquino III must fulfill this. In November 2010, during a conference in Davao City, he said the compensation would not be less than P10 million for each victim.
The victims’ heirs are entitled to compensation. If the state has wronged its citizens, the government is obliged to award compensation. But it should be asked: Was the crime of the Ampatuans the crime of the state?
The journalists died in the service of then Vice Mayor – now Governor – Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu. Their heirs are entitled to compensation from him. What he has given has never been published. That the heirs have demanded compensation from him has never been reported.
Their heirs are entitled to indemnity from the Ampatuans if they are convicted. It is the court that will determine and order this.
The JAF conference last November 23, by its theme “impunity” and definition, was evidently to tackle the problem of media killing in the Philippines and at the same time to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Amptuan massacre. “Impunity” was specially defined — “the failure to punish crime which engenders more crime”– to suit the issue of media killing. Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the word as “freedom from punishment, harm or loss”.
Chief Justice Sereno, in hurling her challenge, was telling the journalists that stopping impunity in media killing is as much the burden of media as that of the Court and, of course, the Government. That is for media people and their organizations to ponder upon. We may comment on that in another article.
Interestingly, “impunity” as Webster’s defines it abetted the Ampatuan massacre. The Ampatuans anticipated the move of Mangudadatu and decided they could use force with impunity (free from punishment) to frustrate him. The journalists knew the danger but they believed they could accompany the Mangudadatus to Shariff Aguak with impunity (free from harm) – that the Ampatuans would not harm Muslim women and media workers.
In his special report (Philippine Daily Inquirer, November 22, 2014: ‘We could’ve been killed together’), Inquirer Correspondent Aquiles Z. Zonio, one of the three spared by Lady Luck, recalled that he, Reblando, two others and a brother of Mangudadatu assessed the security situation before the convoy would leave. The danger was real.
Why did they dare? The tragedy could have been avoided.
Had the journalists decided not to go, the convoy would not have left. It should be asked: Do journalists have guidelines relative to dangerous coverages and their relationship with politicians? If there are, the journalists ignored these to cast their lot with Mangudadatu.
In the science-fiction world, death doesn't necessarily mean The End. Resurrections, cryonics and all kinds of other scenarios conspire to keep hope -- and characters -- alive.
So although Octavia Estelle Butler, 58, died Feb. 24, her spirit was very much alive at a memorial service held at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame Thursday night.
Judging by the outpouring of grief and love at the ceremony, it is a world that does not want to let go of her -- not just yet -- and, so long as her books are read, maybe never.
More than 200 people sat quietly inside the auditorium at the museum and paid tribute to the award-winning social science-fiction author, the only one in the genre to ever receive a "genius grant" from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She also was on the advisory board of the museum, where she gave talks and allowed the museum to tape an interview her for an oral history.
She liked to call what she did "save the world" fiction, using the cautionary tales as mirrors to humanity and its failings. But she never stopped believing that there was hope for people to do better.
Butler's family flew in from Los Angeles for the service and expressed their gratitude to the community that embraced her.
"Junie -- that was a childhood name for her -- was a force to be reckoned with in every way," said Ernestine Ruth Walker, Butler's first cousin. "We loved her greatly, beyond words. ... There is an African proverb: 'As long as you speak my name, I live.' I think her name will not be forgotten or her life."
Butler cultivated a reputation as a recluse, but the memories shared Thursday night reflected more of the curious and gregarious (with the right company) person who flashed a beaming smile from a slide show playing behind those who spoke at the podium.
Here was Butler at Mount Rainier, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the woods that sparked her move to Seattle in 1999. Here was Butler at one of many Clarion West writing workshops she taught. Here was Butler cradling Luke, a poodle she called Baby belonging to dear friend Leslie Howle.
Howle and Butler enjoyed hiking, shopping at Whole Foods and Costco and just generally doing things good friends who've known each other for 20 years do. Howle took Butler to see her last movie, "King Kong."
"The 12-year-old girl in her was grinning at that film," Howle said, referring to the age that Butler discovered science-fiction writing, inspired by how bad "Devil Girls From Mars" was and how she could write a better story.
"The thing I think I'm missing the most is she was so much fun to go places with," Howle told the audience. "Sometimes, Octavia ended our phone conversations with, 'I'll be seeing you then.' I didn't get to say goodbye, so I'll say, I'll be seeing you then."
Her sudden death took its toll on speakers, many of whom trembled or teared up as they took turns at the podium. The tribute line included local sci-fi luminaries such as Vonda McIntyre, Greg Bear, Eileen Gunn, fellow hermit Brian Herbert and L. Timmel Duchamp. Harlan Ellison also spoke via phone, calling the 6-foot Butler a King Kong to his 5-foot-5 Fay Wray, a woman he said possessed "a sonorous voice" and "remarkable talent" -- "a natural born writer."
Although Ellison made the crowd chuckle with recognition of the Butler they knew -- to him she was Estelle -- it wasn't until Jacqueline Harris told her story that they allowed themselves to laugh, really laugh in a much-needed cathartic release. She flew in from Laurel, Md., to say goodbye to the friend she met seven years ago over the phone. She had gone online to look up Butler's address to write to her and tell her how much she liked her books.
"A telephone number popped up. I thought it was an agent," Harris told the crowd. "She told me, 'I am not on the Internet.' I told her, 'Would you please give me her address, I want to write my favorite author.' She said, 'You are talking to Octavia Butler. You have called my home.' I thought, life is not that easy. She spent 30 minutes trying to convince me who she was."
Thirty minutes turned into a five-hour conversation. Years later, Butler visited Baltimore for a sci-fi convention and took Harris around the city to places she researched for her well-known "Kindred," a time-travel novel that takes readers on a journey with a modern-day black woman trapped in pre-Civil War Maryland, a Dixie-leaning state sheathed in Yankee colors.
"Who knew this phone conversation would bloom into a friendship?" Harris said.
Even those who did not know her personally felt as though they did, so powerfully did her words speak to them.
Kathie Townsend, a self-professed "science-fiction fanatic" at 54, said she only discovered Butler last year after finding out there was a black woman who wrote sci-fi -- someone she believed she could relate to. She read all her books after checking them out from the Seattle Public Library.
Butler's last novel, "Fledgling," came out last year. Fans and critics immediately heralded a new beginning with the vampire tale for a writer-blocked Butler.
"I keep hearing, 'Dead, dead, dead.' There's no way Octavia's dead," Townsend said. "She's gonna be here way after the rest of us."
US Secretary of State Colin Powell acknowledged on Friday that the "most dramatic" part of his presentation to the United Nations in making the case for war on Iraq was based on flawed intelligence.
Powell also said he hoped a commission investigating the US intelligence on Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction would reveal how the CIA ended up depending on unreliable sources for key evidence he used to argue for war.
The acknowledgment about alleged mobile chemical arms laboratories could further hurt the credibility of the Bush administration, also under fire in an election year for failing to stop the September 11 attacks.
The United States justified its preemptive war by accusing Iraq of amassing illegal arms and invaded it last year without explicit UN approval and over the objections of many allies.
In February 2003 Powell made a major presentation of the US case against Iraq at a special session of the UN Security Council where he said the United States had several sources showing mobile chemical weapons laboratories.
But on Friday, the top American diplomat said the evidence on the trailers had been shown to be shaky.
"Now it appears not to be the case that it was that solid. But at the time I was preparing that presentation it was presented to me as solid," Powell told reporters on a flight home from a trip to Europe.
While doubts about the US sources of evidence for the laboratories have been raised for over a year, Powell's remarks were the most straightforward acknowledgment from the Bush administration that the information was probably wrong.
"That was the most dramatic of them (pieces of evidence) and I made sure it was multi-sourced," he said. "Now if the sources fell apart, then we need to find out how we've gotten ourselves in that position."
"Now it appears not to be the case that it was that solid. But at the time I was preparing that presentation it was presented to me as solid ... I'm not the intelligence community"
"I hope (the commission) will look into these matters to see whether the intelligence agency had a basis for the confidence that they placed in the intelligence at that time," he said.
The failure to unearth banned weapons a year after the invasion has fuelled criticism of the Bush administration for misleading the country into a war that caused hundreds of deaths of Iraqi citizens and sparked a deadly insurgency against the American occupation.
Despite being one of the administration's most respected officials, Powell's credibility has suffered because many critics saw him as the mouthpiece for the intelligence community over Iraq.
Powell sought on Friday to distance himself from the evidence he used in his UN presentation. "I'm not the intelligence community," he said.
Australia's indigenous leaders have accused Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government of "humiliating" them by refusing to establish an indigenous advisory body to parliament.
Australia’s indigenous leaders have accused Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s government of “humiliating” them by refusing to establish an indigenous advisory body to parliament.
Turnbull on Sunday ruled out supporting a referendum on enshrining the body in the constitution, Xinhua news agency reported.
The advisory body proposal was first agreed to by delegates from 250 indigenous communities under 2017’s historic Uluru Statement.
Speaking at the annual Garma Festival on Sunday night, award-winning author Richard Flanagan accused the government of lacking courage.

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