May 30, 2017

Tuesday

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Honoring The Fallen

Memorial Day Ceremony Held on Aruba A touching ceremony attended by island guests and locals was held on Eagle Beach at the Costa Linda Beach Resort on Aruba Monday morning to pay tribute to fallen comrades in arms on America’s Memorial Day. (Aruba Today Photo) Page 13

A2 UP

Tuesday 30 May 2017

FRONT

Trump honors fallen and families in Memorial Day address

President Donald Trump participates in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 29, 2017, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday expressed the nation’s “boundless” gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice paid by Americans defending the United States, dedi-

cating his first Memorial Day address as commander in chief to a top Cabinet secretary and two other families who lost loved ones.

Participating in the somber, annual observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Trump recounted the sto-

ries of Green Beret Capt.

Andrew D. Byers of Colorado Springs and Christopher D. Horton of the Oklahoma National Guard as Byers’ tearful parents and Horton’s emotional widow looked on.

Trump also singled out for

special mention Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, a retired Marine four-star general whose son, Marine 2nd Lt. Robert M. Kelly, was killed in November 2010 after he stepped on a land mine while on patrol in southern Afghanistan.

To all Gold Star families, Trump said of their lost service members: “They each had their own names, their own stories, their own beautiful dreams. But they were all angels sent to us by God and they all share one title in common and that is the title of hero, real heroes.”

“Though they were here only a brief time before God called them home, their legacy will endure forever,” Trump said.

Horton, a sniper sent to Afghanistan in 2011, died in a gun battle with the Taliban near the Pakistan border three months into his deployment. Byers was on his third combat tour and, Trump said, ran through smoke and a hail of bullets to rescue an Afghan soldier

when he was killed last November.

Secretary Kelly’s other son, Johnny, is getting ready for his fifth military deployment. A son-in-law, Jake, is a wounded warrior.

Trump also recognized former U.S. senator and GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole, 93, who suffered lifelong injuries during World War II. He attended the ceremony along with his wife, Elizabeth Dole, also a former U.S. senator.

“As we honor the brave warriors who gave their lives for ours, spending their last moments on this earth in defense of this country and of its people, words cannot measure the depth of their devotion, the purity of their love or the totality of their courage,” Trump said.

“We only hope that every day we can prove worthy not only of their sacrifice and service, but of the sacrifice made by the families and loved ones they left behind. Special, special people,” he said.q

Memorial Day parades, ceremonies honor fallen military NEW YORK (AP) — Americans marched in Memorial Day parades Monday and came together in solemn ceremonies to pay their respects to those killed in service to the country.

Remembrances of fallen military members went from New York City, where Memorial Day fell on the last day of Fleet Week New York, to Los Angeles, where an 8-foot bronze sculpture was being unveiled in honor of the dead.

The day also coincided with historical moments — the 100th anniversary of the birth of President John F. Kennedy. A wreath was placed at the gravesite of the 35th U.S. president, buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, alongside hundreds of other veterans.

The cemetery also was visited by the current president, Donald Trump, who laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the annual ceremony there.

FLEET WEEK In New York City, the mili-

Despite the weather, Shirley Paxson took time to visit the grave of her husband, Frederick Paxson, for Memorial Day at Biloxi National Cemetery, Monday, May 29, 2017. Frederick Paxson was a Marine and served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

(Tim Isbell /The Sun Herald via AP)

tary presence had been notable all week, as several thousand sailors, Marines and Coast Guard members were present for Fleet Week New York, ending on the holiday. The ships that brought them were scheduled to leave Tuesday.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joined active service

members and veterans aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, for its annual commemoration while Gov. Andrew Cuomo marked the day by taking part in multiple parades.

MOTORCYCLE RIDE Thousands of motorcyclists

took to the streets of Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, for the annual West Coast Thunder ride. The event honors lost service men and women. Quieter commemorations in California included a cemetery walk and community picnic at the Presidio, a park and former military fort in

San Francisco. In Los Angeles, the Enduring Heroes Memorial sculpture was unveiled to show a combat soldier hoisting the American flag, a monument to service members from the Pasadena area killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and while fighting terrorism.

REMEMBERING SACRIFICE Arizonans gathered at four veterans cemeteries across the state to honor service members who died in conflicts. The events in Phoenix, Sierra Vista, Marana outside Tucson and at Camp Navajo near Flagstaff drew hundreds of people.

Gov. Doug Ducey issued a statement urging Arizonans to pause from holiday celebrations and remember those whose sacrifices made the day possible.

“They answered the call of duty, dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, and, when the time came, gave what Lincoln called their ‘last full measure of devotion,’” Ducey said.

“This day is their day, and we are eternally grateful for their sacrifices.”q

U.S. NEWS A3

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Thousands turn out to remember JFK on 100th birthday

By CRYSTAL HILL Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Americans turned out by the thousands Monday to celebrate the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy on the day he would have turned 100.

The United States Postal Service commemorated Kennedy’s centennial with a dedication of a JFK postage stamp in Brookline, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb where the late president was born on May 29, 1917.

The image on the stamp is a 1960 photograph by Ted Spiegel of Kennedy when he was campaigning for president in Seattle. Boston Postmaster Nick Francescucci said the stamp was selected because of the way Kennedy was looking up. “His eyes were high, they were looking to the sky (and) it looked like there was a big bright future ahead of us,” Francescucci said.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III gave the keynote speech at the John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site — JFK’s birthplace and childhood home. His great-uncle,

The Army Old Guard color guard stands watch during a wreath laying ceremony, at the grave of former President John F. Kennedy, to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 29, 2017. Kennedy was born May 29, 1917.

(AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

he said, was a man who had honest and infectious pride. He not only implored a generation to serve, but he promised them a country worthy of their service, the congressman said.

A wreath-laying ceremony also was held to honor the 35th U.S. president at his gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Kennedy served as presi-

Ray Pfeifer, firefighter and key voice for 9/11 health care, dies NEW YORK (AP) — A retired New York City firefighter who spent months digging through debris after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, then became a key voice in fighting for health care for first responders while wracked with late-stage cancer himself, has died, the fire department said.

Raymond Pfeifer died Sunday after an eight-year fight with the disease, the department said. He was 59.

Pfeifer was among those who lobbied fiercely for the renewal of the Zadroga Act, which provides health benefits to first responders who fell ill after the attacks in 2001. He and others, including comedian Jon Stewart, went to Congress to challenge lawmakers to extend health monitoring and treatment for Sept.

11 first responders in 2015.

Congress ultimately did reauthorize the program.

“I was just a poster boy,” Pfeifer said when he was honored at New York City Hall in January 2016. But “we got something done. ... It was hard-fought. We dealt with people that didn’t really get it.”

Stewart, meanwhile, said he had merely been Pfeifer’s “wingman” on their trips to Washington.

Pfeifer served over 27 years in the Fire Department before retiring in 2014, according to a Daily News of New York profile of him the next year.

“It was exciting from day one up to the last day I worked, every single minute,” he told the newspaper. “I was proud every day to put that uniform on.”q

dent from January 1961 until he was assassinated Nov. 22, 1963. He was 46.

In Boston, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum held a birthday celebration that included a cake made by the family of the baker who made the engagement cake for then-Sen. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier, museum officials said.

The celebration capped a long Memorial Day holiday weekend of events to honor Kennedy’s legacy and drew thousands of visitors on his centennial celebration.

“There’s no one issue or one event that we could do to highlight the different facets of (Kennedy),”said Steven Rothstein, the library foundation’s executive director. q

A4 U.S.

Tuesday 30 May 2017

NEWS

Portland mayor calls for cancellation of free-speech rally

By MARTHA BELLISLE Associated Press The mayor of Portland, Oregon, on Monday urged U.S. officials and organizers to cancel a “Trump Free Speech Rally” and similar events, saying they are inappropriate could be dangerous after two men were stabbed to death on a train as they tried to help a pair of young women targeted by an anti-Muslim tirade.

Mayor Ted Wheeler said he hopes the victims will inspire “changes in the political dialogue in this country.”

Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, and Ricky John Best, 53, were killed as they tried to stop Jeremy Joseph Christian from harassing the women, one

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler speaks during a press conference in Portland, Ore. Wheeler on Monday urged U.S. officials and organizers to cancel a “Trump Free Speech Rally” and similar events, saying they are inappropriate could be dangerous after two men were stabbed to death on a train as they tried to help a pair of young women targeted by an anti-Muslim tirade.

(AP Photo/Don Ryan)

of whom was wearing a hijab, authorities say. Another who stepped in was seriously injured.

Christian’s social media postings indicate an affinity for Nazis and political violence. He was charged with aggravated murder, intimidation — the state equivalent of a hate crime — and being a felon in possession of a weapon and was scheduled to be

in court Tuesday.

The federal government has issued a permit for the free-speech rally Saturday and has yet to give a permit for an event June 10.

The mayor says his main concern was the participants “coming to peddle a message of hatred,” saying hate speech is not protected by the Constitution.

A Facebook page for the event says there would be speakers and live music in “one of the most liberal areas on the West Coast.”

It features Kyle Chapman, who describes himself as an American nationalist and ardent supporter of President Donald Trump.

Chapman was arrested at a March 4 protest in Berkeley, California.

Trump condemned the stabbing, writing Monday on Twitter: “The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance.

Our prayers are w/ them.”

Wheeler said he appreciated Trump’s words but stressed the need for action. “I hope we rise to the memory of these two gentlemen who lost their lives,” the mayor told reporters.q

Minnesota officer charged in Castile shooting goes on trial

By AMY FORLITI Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The graphic video showing Philando Castile’s final moments after he was shot by a Minnesota police officer made headlines nearly a year ago and led to calls for changes in policing.

But another video could emerge as key evidence in the case against St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez, who goes on trial for manslaughter this week.

Jury selection begins Tuesday and is expected to last at least a couple of days.

Castile, who was black, was killed July 6 during a traffic stop in the St. Paul suburb of Falcon Heights.

His death got instant attention as the shooting’s

gruesome aftermath was streamed live on Facebook

by Castile’s girlfriend, who was in the car along with her young daughter.

Prosecutors say Yanez shot Castile, a 32-year-old elementary school cafeteria worker, after Castile told him he was armed.

The entire encounter lasted barely more than a minute.

Authorities later found Castile had a permit to carry.

Yanez, who is Latino, is charged with second-degree manslaughter, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

He’s also charged with two lesser counts of endangering safety by firing his gun near Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, and her daughter.q

U.S. NEWS A5

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Get ready for busy travel season; airlines could set record

Travelers stand in line as they prepare to be screened at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. By air or car, summer 2017 travel numbers are expected to rise over the previous year thanks to deals on airfares and stable gasoline prices.

(AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

By DAVID KOENIG AP Airlines Writer DALLAS (AP) — If you’re planning a big vacation trip this summer, move over. You’re going to have lots of company.

By air or car, traveler numbers are expected to rise over last year thanks to a decent economy and stable gasoline prices.

U.S. airlines expect to carry 234 million passengers from June 1 through Aug. 31, up from the summer record of 225 million a year ago, according to the trade group Airlines for America.

While fares are edging up overall, they are still relatively affordable by histori-

cal standards. And travelers can find deals, especially on routes flown by discount airlines such as Spirit.

Some of the lowest fares on popular routes are coming from United Airlines, which is trying to regain passengers lost to rivals in recent years and to overcome the image, replayed over and over on the news, of a passenger being brutally dragged off a United Express plane.

“I call them the mea culpa fares,” says George Hobica, founder of airfarewatchdog.com.

For example, he said, United recently offered $79

New York students can apply for free college tuition June 7 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York college students can apply for the state’s free tuition plan beginning June 7. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Board of Trustees approved Excelsior Scholarship regulations last week.

The initiative was a key priority for Cuomo. It covers tuition at state universities for full-time, in-state students whose families earn $125,000 or less.

Students must pay out of pocket for room, board and other expenses.

Recipients also must remain in New York for as many years as they received the benefit and repay the money as a loan if they take a job elsewhere.

Cuomo says the board approved regulations that waive or postpone repayment in “cases of extreme hardship,” and provide flexibility for military service members and disabled students.q

roundtrip tickets for Chicago-Los Angeles and $93 for Fort Lauderdale, FloridaLas Vegas.

It helps that Spirit Airlines and Southwest, the original low-fare airline, fly both those routes. Neither flies between San Francisco and Atlanta, which ex-

plains why Chris McGinnis, founder of the TravelSkills website, recently paid $520 for a ticket.

“That was an indication to me that the airlines are feeling pretty good about demand,” he says.

There is no evidence yet that a spate of viral videos like the United one have hurt ticket sales. Strong demand is helping airlines push up prices. Analysts predict that the amount passengers pay per mile, a rough approximation of average fares, will rise around 3 percent over last summer.

At a few airports, travelers will face increased security measures including placing each large electronic device — laptop, tablet, camera — in a separate bin to go through the Xray machines, which could slow the screening process.

The Transportation Security Administration struggled to keep up last spring, and tens of thousands of travelers missed flights. The TSA fared much better by summer, and spokesman Michael England said the agency is ready for this year’s vacation-season on-

slaught. TSA has 2,000 more screeners than last summer and increased allowances for overtime and part-time help, he says.

Airlines for America expects that for a fifth straight summer, occupancy on the average plane will top 83 percent. Since the average includes less popular flights, like those late at night, it means that many flights will be full — or even overbooked.

Full planes make it harder to rebook passengers from flights that are canceled due to storms. Airlines often don’t recover quickly from storms, either. Last month it took Delta Air Lines five days to get over a one-day storm in Atlanta; it canceled 4,000 flights.

On the nation’s highways, the auto club AAA is forecasting that 39 million Americans will drive at least 50 miles away from home over the Memorial Day weekend, a 2.7 percent increase over the holiday weekend last year.

The average price for a gallon of regular on Friday was $2.37, according to AAA. q

A6 U.S.

Tuesday 30 May 2017

NEWS

Deputy slain in Mississippi rampage had worked in ministry KEVIN McGILL Associated Press BROOKHAVEN, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi deputy killed in a shooting rampage had worked in Christian ministry before going into law enforcement, and liked doing puppet shows to deliver uplifting messages to children.

William Durr, 36, was re-

sponding to a domesticviolence call late Saturday when he was shot to death in Brookhaven, a south Mississippi city surrounded by pine trees and rolling green pastures. He was one of eight people killed in a shooting rampage at three different homes — an outbreak of violence that

has shaken the county of 34,500 residents.

Investigators said Willie Corey Godbolt, 35, will be charged with one count of capital murder and seven counts of first degree murder. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation spokesman Warren Strain said the charges could change as

the investigation continues.

Authorities on Monday said Godbolt was related to or acquainted with all the victims except Durr.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation identified some of those killed as: Barbara Mitchell, 55; Brenda May, 53; Tocarra May, 35; Ferral Burage, 45; and Shelia

Burage, 46. The parents of Austin Edwards, 11, and Jordan Blackwell, 18, identified their sons as the other people killed.

Godbolt remained hospitalized in good condition for a gunshot wound Monday in Jackson, and could make a court appearance Tuesday in Brookhaven.q

Protest sparks Texas lawmaker threats of gun violence

By MEREDITH HOFFMAN WILL WEISSERT Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Hundreds of protesters opposing Texas’ tough new anti-”sanctuary cities” law launched a raucous demonstration from the public gallery in the Texas House on Monday, briefly halting work and prompting lawmakers on the floor below to scuffle — and even threaten gun violence — as tense divides over hardline immigration policies boiled over.

Activists wearing red Tshirts reading “Lucha,” or “Fight,” quietly filled hundreds of gallery seats as proceedings began. After about 40 minutes, they began to cheer, drowning out the lawmakers below.

Protesters also blew whistles and chanted: “Here to stay!” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, SB4 has got to go,” referring to the bill that Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law this month.

Some unfurled banners reading: “See you in court!” and “See you at the polls!”

State House leadership stopped the session and

Demonstrators march in the Texas Capitol on Monday, May 29, 2017, protesting the state’s newly passed anti-sanctuary cities bill in Austin, Texas. Opponents call Texas’ anti-sanctuary cities law a “show your papers” law since it empowers police to inquire about peoples’ immigration status during routine interactions such as traffic stops.

(AP Photo/Meredith Hoffman)

asked state troopers to clear the gallery. The demonstration continued for about 20 minutes as officers led people out of the chamber peacefully in small groups. There were

no reports of arrests.

Texas’ new law is reminiscent of a 2010 Arizona “show your papers” measure that allowed police to inquire about a person’s immigration status during

routine interactions such as traffic stops. It was eventually struck down in court.

A legislative session that began in January concluded Monday, and the day was supposed to be

reserved for goofy group photos and sappy goodbyes. Lawmakers are constitutionally barred from approving most legislation on the last day.

But even after the protest ended, tensions remained high. Rep. Ramon Romero, a Democrat from Fort Worth, said he was standing with fellow Democratic Rep. Cesar Blanco of El Paso when Republican colleague Matt Rinaldi came over and said: “This is BS. That’s why I called ICE.” Rinaldi, of Irving in suburban Dallas, and Blanco then began shouting at each other.

A scuffle nearly ensued before other lawmakers separated the two.

Later, a group of Democratic lawmakers held a press conference to accuse Rinaldi of threatening to “put a bullet in the head” of someone on the House floor during a second near scuffle.

They said the comment was made in the direction of Democratic Rep. Poncho Nevarez, from the border town of Eagle Pass.q

Trial near for sect members accused of beating away demons

By MITCH WEISS HOLBROOK MOHR Associated Press RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (AP) — It has been nearly 4½ years since Matthew Fenner said he was beaten in a church sanctuary by a group of congregants hellbent on expelling his “homosexual demons.”

After countless twists and turns, the long-delayed, high-profile case finally appears ready to move for-

ward in North Carolina Superior Court.

Jury selection could begin Tuesday for the first of five Word of Faith Fellowship members charged in the attack. Each defendant will be tried separately.

The first defendant, longtime minister Brooke Covington, 58, has pleaded innocent to one count each of kidnapping and assault.

If convicted, she faces up to two years in prison.

The 23-year-old Fenner is bracing himself.

“I’m going to have to relive that night again,” said Fenner, who spent two years pressuring authorities to investigate the allegations against the powerful 750-member evangelical church in Spindale, North Carolina. Ex-members say church leaders believe that possessed congregants must have devils beaten or screamed out of them.

Fenner joined the sect with his mother and brother in 2010. He fled after he said he was attacked on Jan. 27, 2013, but his family members are still inside.

“You can’t imagine the emotional toll this has taken on my life. I had to put a lot of things on hold because of this. ... I can’t do anything until this is over,” said Fenner, who graduated from college last year and is planning to go to medi-

cal school.

Fenner also is preparing for the possibility of more disappointment. There’s a chance the trial could be delayed again.

The defense has filed motions to move the trial out of Rutherford County, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains midway between Charlotte and Asheville, due to years of negative publicity about the church’s practices. q

U.S. NEWS A7

Tuesday 30 May 2017

American Living:

A sister uses her gifts to send messages to fallen soldier always been a bonding point for them. He’d teach her about his favorite rock bands. She introduced him to jazz violin.

But in the years after his death, Sonja stopped playing, as grief enveloped her.

She got married in 2008 and divorced seven years later. After moving back to Neenah, her Wisconsin

Sonja St. John applies varnish on a violin at her workshop in Neenah, Wis., on Thursday, April 27, 2017. Her brother, Jon St. John, died in Iraq in 2007 while serving in the military. Among other things, Sonja has found solace in her career, making and restoring violins.

(AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger)

By MARTHA IRVINE AP National Writer NEENAH, Wis. (AP) — She begins each time by sharpening her tools, with the sound of metal on metal echoing through the sunlit old house she calls both home and workshop. Making a violin is a methodical art. For Sonja St. John, that structure is a necessity — and the routine, in many ways, a saving grace.

“It’s a way to stay on track even when chaos can be happening right outside,” she says.

She finishes each new violin with another ritual, by gluing a small, handwritten message inside. This began as a light gesture, with favorite fortunes from cookies placed inside with a wink as hidden signatures of sorts from her, the violin maker. But the notes she leaves now have become far more personal and meaningful.

Each is different, but they are often a tribute to those who’ve given of themselves in some way, members of the military included. Her most recent one reads: “In honor of past, present and

future souls of courage and wisdom.”

The person foremost on her mind when she writes those messages is her brother, Jon St. John, an Army specialist who died a decade ago when a roadside bomb exploded near the military vehicle in which he was the gunner.

Jon, Sonja’s only sibling, was 25. She was 22 and just beginning her career after graduating from the Chicago School of Violin Making. She has a vivid memory of sliding to her kitchen floor, her back against the cupboards, when her parents shared the news in a phone call.

This was her big brother, her fishing buddy and protector, tall and strong-willed but also kind in sometimes surprising ways. Her favorite photo of the two of them together was taken at one of her violin recitals in 2002.

He’d come home from college, wearing what she figures was probably his nicest sweater, and brought her flowers.

“He was just always a good friend to have around,” she said, noting how music had

hometown, to be near her parents, she increasingly tried to drown that grief with alcohol, so much so that she checked into rehab more than once.

“I was very sick for quite a long time,” she said.

Her grandmother had died of heart problems shortly after Jon’s death but, as Sonja saw it, she really died

of heartache. Truth was, her own heart also had been broken for years.

Then, last fall, she received a note from Jason Moon, a musician and himself an Iraq war veteran whom she’d first met as a teenager, when they played music together.

Continued on page 27

A8

Tuesday 30 May 2017

WORLD NEWS

French president flexes diplomatic muscles in Putin meeting

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, is welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, near Paris, France, Monday, May 29, 2017. Monday’s meeting comes in the wake of the Group of Seven’s summit over the weekend where relations with Russia were part of the agenda, making Macron the first Western leader to speak to Putin after the talks.

(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, pool)

By SYLVIE CORBET JOHN LEICESTER Associated Press VERSAILLES, France (AP) — Flexing his diplomatic muscles, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had “extremely frank” and “direct” talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday and launched an extraordinary attack on two state-funded Russian

media outlets he accused of spreading “lying propaganda” during France’s presidential campaign.

Macron’s full-on blast at the state news agency Sputnik and broadcaster Russia Today came at a news conference with Putin standing at his side. His comments underscored the clear differences between the two men on multiple issues and

fulfilled the French president’s campaign promises to pull no punches with Russia when needed.

But after more than two hours of meetings — their first since Macron’s May 7 election and longer than scheduled — both leaders also signaled a shared desire not to let disagreements define their fledgling relationship. The fight

against terrorism, in particular, appeared to offer common ground.

Putin said Macron proposed a framework for French and Russian antiterror experts to meet and work together. And both leaders agreed they don’t want Syria — where Russia is propping up the government of President Bashar Assad — to collapse into a failed state.

Progress in Syria “will happen by a joint effort, which today we laid the foundations for,” Macron said.

Speaking through a translator, Putin said the two countries were “totally capable of trying to progress together” on world affairs.

“What unites us allows us to hope that the possibility exists to improve our ties,” he added later.

But there was no disguising the rifts.

Macron said he spoke to Putin about LGBT rights in the Russian republic of Chechnya and about the rights of embattled nongovernmental organizations in Russia, vowing to be “vigilant” on these issues. Earlier Monday, human rights activists protesting near the Eiffel Tower displayed a banner that

said, “Stop homophobia in Chechnya.”

Any use of chemical weapons in Syria is a “red line” for France and would be met by “reprisals” and an “immediate riposte” from the government, Macron said.

He did not specify the form of such reprisals, but France flies warplanes over Syria and Iraq, striking Islamic State targets as part of an international coalition.

On Sputnik and Russia Today, Macron showed little restraint, saying the two organizations spread “untruths about me and my campaign” during the French election.

“I will not give an inch on this,” he said. “Russia Today and Sputnik ... behaved as organs of influence, of propaganda, of lying propaganda.”

Putin, seemingly unfazed, pushed back any suggestion that Russia sought to influence the election. Russian meddling became a concern in France after allegations that Russia sought to interfere in the U.S. presidential contest that elected Donald Trump and after a document leak hit Macron’s campaign in the final hours of the French race.q

Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn face tough questions on live TV

By GREGORY KATZ Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn faced tough questions and a skeptical audience in a live TV event Monday night ahead of next week’s parliamentary elections.

It was not a debate, but did air policy and stylistic differences between the two foes. They did not appear together but were questioned separately by

members of the audience and by aggressive interviewer Jeremy Paxman.

The June 8 election pits May, the Conservative Party leader who opposed Brexit before the referendum last June but now favors it, against Corbyn, who has alienated many longtime Labour supporters with his hard-left views.

The “Battle for Number 10” show broadcast on Sky News and Channel 4 brought the two prime contenders together in the

same studio at the same time, but they did not appear together at any point.

Voters are not likely to get a true debate before the vote.

Facing harsh questioning from Paxman, one of Britain’s best known TV journalists, May defended her about-face on Brexit. She rebuffed his repeated attempts to get her to say whether she now thinks leaving the European Union is a good idea, saying only that the British voters have

decided and that she is determined to get the best deal possible.

“We are doing the right thing in making a success of Brexit,” she said, vowing to maintain her reputation as a “bloody difficult woman” during talks with European Union leaders if her party wins the election and keeps power.

But Paxman set the tone by saying that if he were an EU negotiator who had observed all her recent flip flops, he would think of her

as a “blowhard who collapses at the first sound of gunfire.”

May often found herself on the defensive as audience members grilled her on cuts to the police, National Health Service and education, and a so-called “dementia tax” that might make it harder for elderly Britons to pass on their property to their heirs.

At one point a heckler yelled, “You’ve clearly failed.”q

WORLD NEWS A9

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Merkel warns against “simple answers” after Trump meetings

By DAVID RISING GEIR MOULSON Associated Press BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Angela Merkel cautioned Monday against seeking “simple answers” to complex global issues, a day after suggesting that Europe’s relationship with the U.S. had shifted significantly following NATO and G-7 meetings with President Donald Trump that produced disappointing results.

The comments at an election rally Sunday in Bavaria, where Merkel stressed that “we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands,” were widely seen as acknowledgement from Europe’s most powerful leader of the changing dynamic of trans-Atlantic ties.

Her foreign minister, a political rival, upped the rhetoric Monday by declaring that with Trump’s policies, “the West has become

German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech during an election campaign of her Christian Democratic Union, CDU, and the Christian Social Union, CSU, in Munich, southern Germany.

Merkel is urging European Union nations to stick together in the face of new uncertainty over the United States and other challenges.

(Matthias Balk/dpa via AP)

smaller.”

Merkel’s remarks came after a Group of Seven summit at which the Euro-

Manchester police seek clues in concert bomber’s suitcase

By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Police in Manchester, England issued a picture of the arena suicide bomber holding a blue suitcase and asked anyone who might have seen him with it before the attack to call a confidential hotline.

Counter-terrorism squads are trying to re-create Salman Abedi’s movements in the days before he detonated a bomb at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, killing 22 people. Police believe Abedi had the wheeled suitcase with him at two locations in Manchester.

The suitcase was not used in the attack, which was carried out when Abedi detonated an improvised bomb minutes after the concert ended, Greater Manchester Police Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said.

Jackson tried to reassure nervous residents of Manchester that the bag does not pose a risk to public safety. But if any members

of the public find it, they should not approach it, but call police immediately, he said.

“We have no reason to believe the case and its contents contain anything dangerous, but would ask people to be cautious,” Jackson said.

He said Abedi may have had the blue suitcase with him when he visited the Wilmslow Road area and the Manchester city center in the days before the blast.

“Did you see Abedi with this suitcase between the 18 and 22 May 2017?

Where did you see him with it during that time?” Jackson said.

The bombing investigation expanded early Monday when police arrested a 23-year-old man on the south coast of England, hundreds of miles south of Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police said the man was arrested in Shoreham-by-Sea on suspicion of terrorism offenses and an address there was being searched.q

peans couldn’t reach an agreement with Trump on climate change.

“The times in which we can

fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days,” she said. “And

so all I can say is that we Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands.” Merkel also emphasized the continued need for friendly relations with the U.S. and others.

Her spokesman Steffen Seibert, said Monday the chancellor is “a convinced trans-Atlanticist.” U.S.-German relations “are a strong pillar of our foreign and security policy, and Germany will continue working to strengthen these relations,” Seibert said. “Precisely because they are so important, it’s right to name differences honestly.”

Where Europe’s relationship with the U.S. during the Cold War and in its immediate aftermath had a strong emotional component, Merkel’s comments suggest she now sees them as more “pragmatic and transactional,” said Sylke Tempel, an expert with the German Council on Foreign Relations.q

A10 WORLD

Tuesday 30 May 2017

NEWS

In Syria, more airstrikes hit IS de facto capital of Raqqa

By BASSEM MROUE Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — More airstrikes and artillery shelling on Monday hit the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the Islamic State group, as U.S.backed fighters pushed closer to the extremists’ stronghold, activists said.

The developments come ahead of what is expected to be a major battle for Raqqa in the coming weeks.

Airstrikes have intensified over the past days as U.S.-backed fighters have pushed on toward the city, getting closer to it from all sides. The Kurdish-led Syria Democratic Forces captured dozens of towns and villages under the cover of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition since November, when the group began an operation entitled Euphrates Wrath, aiming to eventually surround and capture Raqqa.

SDF fighters have surrounded Raqqa from the north, west and east. The extremists still have an exit from the south, even though the U.S.-led coalition destroyed two bridges on the Euphra-

This undated frame grab from video posted online Monday, May 29, 2017, by the Aamaq News Agency, a media arm of the Islamic State group, shows people inspecting damage from airstrikes and artillery shelling in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of the IS. Airstrikes have intensified over the past days as U.S.-backed fighters have marched toward the city, getting closer to besieging it from all sides.

(Aamaq News Agency via AP)

tes River south of Raqqa.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the city was pounded by warplanes and artillery since early morning. The activist group had no immediate word on casualties from the new airstrikes, adding that about 38 people have been killed in Raqqa and its suburbs over the past three days.

The activist-operated

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said that since Sunday, the U.S.-led coalition carried out more than 30 airstrikes on the city, killing 35 people and destroying a school on Raqqa’s northern outskirts.

On Sunday, opposition activists said the U.S.-led coalition dropped leaflets in Arabic on Raqqa, urging residents to leave the city. Some leaflets gave in-

structions of how to leave Raqqa, calling on people to keep their plans secret from IS and to leave without any weapons and waiving a white banner.

“This is your last chance.

Failing to leave could lead to death. Raqqa will fall.

Don’t be there when it happens,” read one of the leaflets.

IS has been preventing people from leaving

Raqqa and many fear that residents will be used as human shields when SDF, the most effective force fighting the extremists in Syria, begin marching in the city that has been held by IS since January 2014.

In the capital, Damascus, the governor said the evacuation of the last group of opposition fighters and their families from the northeastern neighborhood of Barzeh was completed, after a batch of over 1,000 persons left. The Observatory said the ones leaving Monday have rejected an amnesty from the government.

The evacuation of Barzeh leaves only one neighborhood on the edge of Damascus, Jobar, in the hands of opposition fighters. A series of evacuation deals in the area in recent months leaves the government of President Bashar Assad firmly in control of the capital, once encircled by rebels.

The government-controlled Syrian Military Media quoted governor Beshr al-Sabban as saying that 1,012 people, including 455 gunmen, were the last to leave Barzeh.q

In shadow of Mosul fight, Iran establishes Nineveh foothold

By SUSANNAH GEORGE QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press BAGHDAD (AP) — While Iraq’s conventional military has been slowly clearing the Islamic State group from inside Mosul’s complex urban terrain, Iraq’s Iran-backed Shiite paramilitary forces have been working their way through less glamorous territory: vast deserts west and south of the city that run along and across Iraq’s border with Syria.

The territory, dotted with small villages and dusty roads, is home to key supply lines into neighboring Syria and connecting Iraq’s north to the capital Baghdad. Control of the IraqiSyrian border would be a key strategic prize for the mostly Shiite paramilitary forces and their backer Iran, who also supports the

Smoke rises during heavy fighting between Islamic State militants and Iraqi special forces in the industrial area of west Mosul, Iraq. While Iraq’s conventional military has been slowly clearing the Islamic State group from inside Mosul’s complex urban terrain, Iraq’s Iran-backed Shiite paramilitary forces have been working their way through less glamorous territory.

(AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

government of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

One division of the Iraqi government-sanctioned paramilitary group known as the Popular Mobilization Forces first reached Iraq’s

border with Syria on Monday after securing a string of small villages west of Mosul and south of Sinjar, according to Ahmed al-Asadi, the group’s spokesman.

“This will be the first step to

the liberation of the entire border,” he said.

The PMF began Monday’s operation by pushing IS militants out of the center of the town of Baaj, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Syrian border. Once the town was retaken a unit was dispatched to secure the village of Um Jrais along the border.

“This victory will also be an important incentive for the Syrian Arab Army to secure the entire border from the Syrian side,” al-Asadi said, referring the Assad’s government forces.

As the PMF secure more of the border region, they plan to “erect a dirt barricade and dig a trench,” said Sheikh Sami alMasoudi, a paramilitary group leader. Iraq’s border with Syria has long been a haven for smugglers and insurgent activity.

The Nineveh foothold would give the paramilitary forces considerable leverage politically and militarily in Iraq after the fight against IS is concluded, according to Maria Fantappie, the senior Iraq researcher for the International Crisis Group, a non-governmental research firm. “The Iranians have been prioritizing something that the U.S. has overlooked: control over strategic roads, rather than control of the Sunni communities,” Fantappie said explaining that the U.S.-led coalition’s fight against IS has largely focused on retaking cities while the PMF have instead focused on transit and supply lines.

Control of roads and borders also allows the paramilitary forces to divide Iraq’s Sunni community geographically and politically, Fantappie said.q

WORLD NEWS A11

Tuesday 30 May 2017

North Korean missile launch may be testing rivals, not technology

By FOSTER KLUG HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea’s latest missile test Monday may have less to do with perfecting its weapons technology than with showing U.S. and South Korean forces in the region that it can strike them at will.

South Korean and Japanese officials said the suspected Scud-type short-range missile flew about 450 kilometers (280 miles) on Monday morning before landing in Japan’s maritime economic zone, setting off the usual round of condemnation from Washington and the North’s neighbors.

It’s the latest in a string of test launches by North Korea as it seeks to build nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland, a drive that puts North Korea high on the list of foreign policy worries for Japan, Washington and Seoul.

North Korea already has an arsenal of reliable shortrange missiles. While North Korean scientists could be tweaking them — for instance, developing a new solid-fuel short-range missile — the North tests these shorter-range missiles much less than it does its less dependable, longerrange missiles.

This sets up the possibility that North Korea hopes to use the test to show it can hit U.S. targets near and far and emphasize its defiance of U.S.-led pressure on its missile and nuclear programs, which has included vague threats from President Donald Trump

and the arrival in Korean waters of powerful U.S. military hardware. Scuds are capable of striking U.S. troops in South Korea, for instance, and the two newly developed missiles tested earlier this month have potential ranges that include Japan, Guam and even, according to some South Korean analysts, Alaska.

The missile was launched from the coastal town of Wonsan, the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. It landed in Japan’s exclusive maritime economic zone, which is set about 200 nautical miles off the Japanese coast, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said. He said there was no report of damage to planes or vessels in the area.

North Korea is still thought to be several years from its goal of being able to target U.S. mainland cities with nuclear ICBMs. South Korea says North Korea has conducted nine ballistic missile tests this year, including one in which four missiles were launched on the same day.

North Korea’s state-controlled media had no immediate comment on Monday’s test, but re-

A woman watches a TV screen showing a file footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at Seoul Train Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, May 29, 2017. North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile that landed in Japan’s maritime economic zone Monday, officials said, the latest in a string of test launches as the North seeks to build nuclear-tipped ICBMs that can reach the U.S. mainland.

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

leased a statement, without mentioning the launch, that accused Seoul and Washington of “aggravating the situation” on the Korean Peninsula by conducting joint military drills and other “reckless acts.”

On Sunday, North Korea also said leader Kim Jong Un had watched a separate, successful test of a new type of anti-aircraft guided weapon system.

The report didn’t say when the test happened.

The official Korean Central News Agency cited Kim as ordering officials to massproduce and deploy the system all over the country so as to “completely spoil the enemy’s wild dream to command the air.”

Trump has alternated between bellicosity and flattery in his public statements about North Korea, but his administration is still working to solidify a policy on handling the North’s nuclear ambitions.

Monday’s launch was North’s Korea’s third ballistic missile launch since South Korean President Moon Jae-in was inaugurated on May 10. He has signaled an interest in expanding civilian exchanges with North Korea, but it’s unclear if he’ll be able to push anytime soon for major rapprochement while the North continues to make serious advances in its nuclear and missile programs.q

South African ruling party backs scandal-tainted Zuma JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A leader of South Africa’s ruling party says calls for the resignation of scandaltainted President Jacob Zuma benefit opposition efforts to dislodge the party that has led the country since the end of white mi-

nority rule in 1994.

Gwede Mantashe, secretary general of the African National Congress, spoke on Monday about the need for party unity after some ANC members campaigned in vain for Zuma’s ouster at a high-level meet-

ing over the weekend.

While Mantashe’s comment suggests Zuma will continue to retain significant support within the divided ruling party despite concerns about alleged government corruption, many in the party

attribute the ANC’s poor performance in local elections last year to scandals surrounding the president.

They are also concerned about a dip in popularity ahead of national elections in 2019.q

A12 WORLD

Tuesday 30 May 2017

NEWS

Brazil’s federal police worried about new justice minister

Brazil’s President Michel Temer attends a meeting with airport operators at Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Monday, May 29, 2017. Brazil’s top prosecutor has opened investigations into the president for alleged obstruction of justice and passive corruption. Temer, then vice president, rose to the presidency a little over a year ago when President Dilma Rousseff was suspended and then removed for illegally managing the federal budget.

(AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

By MAURICIO SAVARESE Associated Press SAO PAULO (AP) — The union representing Brazil’s federal police investigators expressed concerns Monday about how probes into government corruption will be handled by the newly named justice minister, who is a personal friend of President Michel Temer.

Torquato Jardim, who will oversee the investigators and other members of the federal police department, in the past has criticized the “Car Wash” corruption probe that has now spread to include alleged bribes by a construction company of politicians around Latin America.

Jardim was appointed to

the post on Sunday by Temer, who himself is under investigation for alleged obstruction of justice and corruption. The unpopular president has seen his support in Congress shrink amid growing pressures for him to step down. He denies any wrongdoing and has said he won’t resign.

The union of federal po-

lice investigators said in a statement Sunday night that members had no idea the appointment of Jardim was coming. It added that the change in justice ministers “brings concerns and uncertainty over the possibility of interference in the work performed by the federal police.”

Jardim is Brazil’s third justice minister in about a year. He has criticized federal police investigations, raids and strategies in the recent past.

He replaced Osmar Serraglio, who was also criticized in the past by the police investigators union.

There were reports Serraglio would take over Jardim’s previous position as transparency minister, but Temer had not confirmed that.

Employees in several offices of the Transparency Ministry put up signs and banners protesting Serraglio getting that post.

Serraglio had been under pressure to resign as justice minister after he was linked to a corruption investigation in the meat business, but he stayed on the job until Temer decided to bring Jardim in. The presi-

dent did not explain why he made the change.

Until a few years ago, Jardim was a member of Brazil’s top electoral court, which on June 6 will launch a trial that could remove Temer from office on charges of illegal campaign financing as well as strip impeached former President Dilma Rousseff of her right to run for office for up to eight years.

Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes, who serves as chairman of the sevenjudge electoral court, said Monday that it’s not up to the judges to resolve Brazil’s political crisis.

“The trial will be on legal issues,” said Mendes, who has also been Temer’s personal friend for decades.

The justice also said it wouldn’t be surprising if one of the members of the court decided to review the case, which would stop the sessions for an undefined amount of time.

Mendes defended Temer’s choice of Jardim for the Cabinet position, saying after an event in Sao Paulo that “he is very respected and he will certainly do his job very well.”q

Top Dominican official among 12 detained in bribery scandal

By EZEQUIEL LOPEZ Associated Press SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — A cabinet member and nearly a dozen other people including top-level officials in the Dominican Republic’s government were detained Monday in a widening international bribery scandal involving the Brazilian company Odebrecht, authorities said.

Prosecutors said those implicated also include three legislators, a former pub-

lic works minister, a former Senate president, two former directors of a regulatory electricity group and a businessman. They are scheduled to appear in court to face charges including money laundering and illegal enrichment.

“We can qualify this as an unprecedented event because of the multitude of crimes and the positions of power of those involved,” said Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez.

Attorneys for Dominican

Industry and Commerce Minister Tamistocles Montas, former Public Works Minister Victor Diaz Rua and former Senate president Andres Bautista and others could not be immediately reached for comment.

The attorney general said he would request that the suspects be held for 18 months in prison as a preventive measure while the investigation continues.

Rodriguez also said he will demand that the immunity

automatically granted to legislators be lifted in this case.

The suspects were detained after Odebrecht told U.S. prosecutors that it paid $92 million in bribes to Dominican officials since 2001 to secure 17 key government contracts.

The company moved its “bribery bureau” to the Dominican Republic from Brazil several years ago and built highways, dams and a coal-burning power plant.

Construction of the $2 bil-

lion, 720-megawatt plant was awarded to Odebrecht in 2013 even though the company’s bid was the highest of all those submitted and more than $500 million above the limit set by the country’s Congress.

The bribes were part of an overall $788 million that Odebrecht paid to officials in 10 Latin American countries and two African ones to obtain multimilliondollar contracts with local governments.q

LOCAL A13

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Memorial Day Ceremony Held on Eagle Beach at Costa Linda

EAGLE BEACH - On Memorial Day morning in 2002 four US armed forces veterans, their friends and

families gathered on Eagle Beach, Aruba, at the Costa Linda Beach Resort. The purpose of the gathering was to honor all those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

The simple ceremony has since become an annual event and has welcomed veterans from all nations to take part. We are pleased

to say that since that first ceremony participation has indeed increased significantly.

From the beginning we have attempted to keep the ceremony simple, solemn, and apolitical. We’ve kept it solemn for obvious reasons, simple because of the ages of some of our vets who might find it difficult to stand in the sun too long, and apolitical because we were/are all visitors in Aruba and understood that the raising of the American flag or the singing or playing of the Stars Spangled banner might offend some island residents.

We also soon realized that we had attracted veterans from other nations – Holland, Aruba, and South Africa to mention a few.

So in fairness to all, we thought that large national banners and anthems would be inappropriate.

However, we encourage participants to wear any uniforms or national symbols they wish to wear. In-

vited by the Costa Linda Vets, families and friends, Veterans gathered on the beach at 10:00am on May 29, 2017 to form The De-

memorial wreath of flowers was placed in the surf.

There was then a reading of a verse from ‘The Fallen’

by R.L. Binyon, followed by

tail. We asked that viewers leave the area of the beach clear between The Detail and the surf.

There was a call to atten-

the playing of ‘Taps’ and the Presentation of Arms by the Detail. The Detail was then dismissed.

There was coffee, juice

tion followed by a reading of the poem ‘We Stand by the Sea’ (anonymous) as a

and donuts provided by the Costa Linda Beach Resort.q

A14 LOCAL

Tuesday 30 May 2017

At Gold Coast:

Construction of First Phase of Boca Druif & Boca Grandi Condos Concluded

WEST PUNT - Gold Coast, Aruba’s largest residential community, located on Malmokweg, overlooking the wetland nature reserve, is pleased to announce the completion of the first cluster of Boca Druif and the slightly more spacious Boca Grandi Condos.

The second cluster of condos located in the Mangroves V6 section, on the south side of the residence, will commence construction in the summer of 2017, to be delivered to owners in May 2018.

The just finished 12 condos are completely sold out,

and the second phase, currently gearing up for construction, is selling briskly, informs developer Fito Croes.

When that second phase of Boca Druif and Boca grandi Condo wraps up next year, the original master planned community will celebrate 100% delivery on the plan finalized for development more than ten years ago.

When finished, Gold Coast will boast over 260 residences, in 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses, single level 3 bedroom condos, and 3 and 4 bedroom villa homes, set among 26 acres of lush landscaping, pic-

Outside on the terrace overlooking the free form, zero entry pool, the bar commands the right hand side, while the rest of the gorgeous open space is home to White Modern Cuisine. The restaurant also enjoys a glass enclosed airconditioned dining room.

The Club House garden is bordered with fusia bougainvillea planted in the sugar white beach sand overlooking the Malmok wetland nature reserve.

White Modern Cuisine and chef Urvin Croes had garnered many accolades and his fans now include

turesque plazas, and fountains, within the walls of a fully secure community.

The design of Gold Coast Residence was conceived by the dynamic Croes family members, whose original vision now results in beauty, quality, style, security, and convenience, properly financed and well constructed, in strict adherence to budgets and timetables.

The stylish Boca Druif and Boca Grandi Condos, with 2 and 3 bedroom options, are spacious one story condos, tastefully appointed and equipped with the latest energy saving, state-ofthe-art appliances.

The 2 bedroom Boca Druif

Condos measure 115m2, and are available on both the ground and the upper floors. The upper floor condos feature 2 balconies and a private rooftop terrace overlooking the beautiful outdoors. Owners may enjoy the private roof top terrace designed to comfortably entertain guests or just relax.

The 3 bedroom Boca Grandi condo, with a larger footprint, 129m2, is available on both the ground and upper floor. The ground floor condos enjoy a spacious patio while the upper floor condos feature 2 balconies and a private rooftop terrace overlooking the beautiful outdoors. The private roof top terrace was designed to comfortably entertain guests or just relax.

The property offers more than 50 parking spaces, and the pairing of beautiful landscaping with ample parking creates a highly functional yet truly enjoyable recreational living environment.

Gold Coast resort amenities within the community include two swimming pools, children’s pool, barbecue grills, 24-hour gated security, and concierge services.

An ongoing vacation rental program has proven very popular and the inventory of rental homes is expected to total up to 40 by the end of the year.

The Gold Coast Residence rental program, offers a unique alternative vacation product and provides an ideal opportunity for

those looking to invest in an island home to “sample” the island lifestyle experience offered to homeowners, even before making the purchase. It also provides great value for families or couples traveling together, and looking for the extra space that only a residence provides. Additionally, the savings are substantial when one compares the rental price of a Gold Coast Residence to any of Aruba’s fine 4 star resorts’ accommodations.

The cherry on the cake, the club house, inaugurated last year, is located at the far end of residence.

Guests may drive through the gates and down rows of lushly gardened homes and condos. The club’s porte cochere features a bronze art piece by local artist Gilbert Senchi, a conch, splashing water into a lovely round pool in the driveway.

The main lobby is beautifully tiled, and open air; the comfy sitting corners in front of the check in desk are set up to efficiently receive guests upon arrival.

food-lovers from every segment of our island society including many overseas visitors.

The young creative chef is Aruban-born. He was trained in the Netherlands and in Italy, enjoying a solid career since finishing culinary school, winning gastronomic awards, and working in fine establishments including the Michelin starred Grand Hotel Karel V, in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Upon his return to the island Chef Urvin, at a pivotal moment in his career, he spread his wings to open his own restaurant, White, promoting the harmony between food and wine, balancing quality and flavor, in their purest form.

Chef Urvin tweaks his menu a number of times a year, based on locally-grown products, and continued to work with local fishermen, growers and foragers on their variety and availability.

Visit Gold Coast Residence for a meal, or move in for a lifetime.

LOCAL A15

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Cheesecake Anyone? It’s The Holiday Of Shavuot -Jewish Holiday of Shavuot to be Celebrated with Dairy Flair PALM BEACH - At a unique crossroads between religion and cuisine, the Holiday of Shavuot, celebrating the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai some 3,300 years ago, has become a celebration of fine dairy cuisine as well. Shavuot is celebrated for two days beginning at sundown on Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

As the Torah was given, and the laws of kosher dining were first received, the Jewish People were not yet capable of properly preparing beef and poultry and as such ate dairy. The rest is history.

Exquisite cheesecakes, pesto pastas, lasagna, souffles and of course, cheesecakes all take center stage during this ancient celebration. Some suggest that this has contributed to the renewed

popularity this holiday has seen.

When thinking Jewish Holidays, Passover, Chanukah and Yom Kippur come to mind. Nevertheless, Shavuot is considered one of Judaism’s major holidays and was in fact a “pilgrimage” when all of Israel would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate in the Temple.

“No, it isn’t all about the food,” said Rabbi Ahron Blasberg of Chabad Aruba.

“What is important is that the community is joining together, hearing the Ten Commandments and celebrating the Torah. But the good food certainly helps!”

Chabad Aruba welcomes the community and tourist to join us to the Ten Commandments service followed by a dairy brunch.

The Shavuot celebrations are free of charge and all are welcome to join, regardless of Jewish affiliation

or background.

Event Recap: -What: Ten Commandments & dairy brunch -Where: Chabad Aruba, Salina Cerca 13F -When: May 31st 11:00am What is the holiday of Shavuot?

More than 3,000 years ago, the Jewish people received the Torah from G-d at Mount Sinai. Shavuot literally means “weeks” and marks the completion of

the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot. Shavuot customs include all-night Torah study, listening to the recitation of the Ten Commandments, the reading of the Book of Ruth, eating dairy products and adorning the synagogue and home with flowers.

For more information, contact Rabbi Ahron Blasberg at 592-7613 or visit online at www.jewisharuba.comq

A16 LOCAL

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Special Island Guests Honored at The Mill Resort

PALM BEACH - Recently the Aruba Tourism Authority had the great pleasure of honoring a very special couple as Goodwill Ambassadors at The Mill Resort. The symbolic honorary title is presented in the name of the Minister of Tourism as a token of appreciation to guests who visit Aruba for 20-to-34 consecutive years.

The honorees were Mr. Russell and Mrs. Laurie Slaby.

Russell and Laurie are big fans of The Mill Resort, and they say they love Aruba very much because of the friendly people, the climate, beaches, restaurants, relaxation and being on Aruba and staying at The Mill Resort is like being home for them!

The certificate was presented by Ms. Emely Ridderstaat representing the Aruba Tourism Authority together with friends and associates from The Mill Resort.q

SPORTS A17

Tuesday 30 May 2017

This image provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, May 29, 2017, shows Tiger Woods.

Associated Press

OPEN ACT

Tiger Woods blames medications for his arrest on DUI charge DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer Tiger Woods attributed an “unexpected reaction” to prescription medicine for his arrest on a DUI charge that landed him in a Florida jail Monday for nearly four hours.

Woods, the 14-time major champion who had back surgery five weeks ago, was arrested on suspicion of DUI at about 3 a.m. Monday and taken to Palm Beach County jail. He was released on his own recognizance.

An arrest report might be available on Tuesday, Jupiter Police spokeswoman Kristin Rightler said.

“I understand the severity of what I did and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Woods said in a statement Monday evening. “I want the public to know that alcohol was not involved. What happened was an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications. I didn’t realize the mix of medications had affected me so strongly.”

Continued on Page 22

Djokovic makes winning start on Agassi’s watch Serbia’s Novak Djokovic plays a shot against Spain’s Marcel Granollers during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. Monday, May 29, 2017.

Associated Press Page 19

A18 SPORTS

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Dillon wins Coca-Cola 600 in for first NASCAR Cup victory

PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Austin Dillon passed an out-of-gas Jimmie Johnson two laps from the end in the Coca-Cola 600 for his first NASCAR Cup victory, returning the iconic No. 3 car to Victory Lane early Monday.

Dillon, the grandson of Hall of Fame car owner Richard Childress, was among several drivers who chose not to pit down the stretch.

Johnson ran out of fuel on Lap 399, and Dillon was able to cruise to victory over Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr., who led the most laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the third straight season.

“It hadn’t sunk in. I can’t believe it,” Dillon said.

“We’re in the chase baby.

It’s awesome.”

Dillon did his signature belly slide celebration in the damp grass at Charlotte, outlasting a rain delay

Austin Dillon (3) passes Jimmie Johnson (48) en route to winning the NASCAR Cup series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Monday, May 29, 2017.

Associated Press

of nearly 1 hour, 40 minutes and several established drivers to take his first

checkered flag.

Dillon is the 10th driver to pick up his first Cup win in

the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race.

Dillon closed racing’s big-

gest day with the surprise victory, following Sebastian Vettel’s win in Formula One’s Monaco Grand Prix and Takura Sato’s victory in the Indy 500.

Truex took the lead for the final time with 67 laps left, sweeping past Busch to move out front. Truex pitted a final time with 33 laps left, confident he’d be able to hold on after everyone cycled through a last stop.

Matt Kenseth was fourth, and Denny Hamlin fifth.

Kurt Busch finished sixth, followed by rookie Erik Jones, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who finished 10th in his final Coca-Cola 600 as a fulltime driver.

Harvick, who started on the pole, overcame wheel problems to finish in the top 10 for a seventh straight time in the Coca-Cola 600.

Johnson limped home to finish in 17th.q

SPORTS A19

Tuesday 30 May 2017

With Agassi along for a bit, Djokovic opens defense in Paris HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer PARIS (AP) — If Novak Djokovic was hoping to take a little pressure and attention off himself after some rough results, he might very well have found the perfect way to do that by adding Andre Agassi as a coaching consultant of sorts for the French Open.

Well, for up to a week of the tournament, anyway.

With Agassi seated in the stands, generally expressionless during the match and silent afterward, the No. 2-seeded Djokovic was not always at his cleanswinging best while beating Marcel Granollers 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 on Monday to begin the defense of the title that allowed him to complete a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros a year ago. “I mean, it’s hard to say whether there is significant difference on the court, because it’s only a few days that we are together,” Djokovic said. “So it’s going to take a little bit of time. ... I’m patient and, for us, this is a great way to start off our collaboration and friendship and get to know each other and then see where it takes us.”

On a relatively quiet Day 2, Rafael Nadal started his pursuit of a record 10th French Open championship with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Benoit Paire.

Other seeded men ad-

vancing included No. 5 Milos Raonic, No. 7 Marin Cilic and No. 10 David Goffin, while No. 14 Jack Sock, the top-ranked U.S. man, and No. 31 Gilles Simon — both in Nadal’s section of the draw — plus No. 32 Mischa Zverev all lost.

Defending women’s champion Garbine Muguruza and former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki won in straight sets, but two seeded American women joined Sock on the way out: No. 19 CoCo Vandeweghe and No. 25 Lauren Davis.

Leave it to the No. 4-seeded Nadal to win relatively simply and then lament a portion of his performance.

“For me,” he said, “it’s important to serve a little bit better than what I did today.” Djokovic made it sound as if Agassi’s role right now is more about offering life advice than tennis tips. Sunglasses perched atop his shaved pate, leaning forward with his chin resting on his hands and elbows on his knees, Agassi occasionally applauded during the 2½-hour firstround match. Later, Agassi — who counts the 1999 French Open among his eight Grand Slam titles — declined to take questions from a reporter.

Djokovic, for his part, had plenty to say about their partnership, which sounds more like a brief experiment than the start of a

Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to France’s Benoit Paire during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, Monday, May 29, 2017 in Paris.

Associated Press

long-term arrangement, even if that’s what the Serb insisted he hopes it can become.

“Well, he’s going to stay ... I hope, ‘til the end of this week. Then he has to leave, because he has some scheduled ... things that he cannot reschedule.

So that’s all,” said Djokovic, whose 29 unforced errors were one more than Granollers’ total. “I’m going to try to use the time spent with him as best as I can, as best as we can. So far, plenty of information, plenty of things to kind of process.”

A year ago, when Djokov-

ic finally fulfilled his quest to win a trophy in Paris, he was working with Boris Becker — who was on hand Monday and visited with Agassi — and Marian Vajda. But Djokovic split with those coaches, as well as other members of his entourage, hoping to regain the groove that made him the first man in nearly a half-century to win four consecutive majors.

Since then, though, the highlight for Djokovic was a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open. Otherwise, he lost his No. 1 ranking to Andy Murray and lost in the third round of Wimbledon, the

first round of the Rio Olympics and the second round of the Australian Open.

“You’re developed to kind of flip the next page very quickly. Whether or not you win or lose in a big tournament, there is another big one coming up in a matter of weeks’ time or even less. So for me, it was really strange to get to feel what I felt the end of last season,” Djokovic said, “because I always, even when I would face that before in my career, I felt that I would overcome it very quickly.”

This time, he acknowledged, that didn’t happen.q

Miyazato cites lack of motivation for retirement from LPGA AP Sports Writer TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Ai Miyazato says she has decided to quit the LPGA Tour at the end of the season because she lost her motivation for the sport after years of struggling to win again.

Miyazato, who was ranked No. 1 and captured 25 professional titles during her career, has not won a tournament in five years and said that lack of success has diminished her drive to keep going.

“I’ve been struggling to maintain my motivation

for the past four or five years,” she told a news conference in Tokyo on Monday, three days after the LPGA announced her decision to retire.

“Being a professional is all about results and lately I wasn’t able to achieve good results.”

Miyazato joined the LPGA Tour in 2006 and has earned more than $8 million in her career but has fallen down the rankings and is currently outside the top 100.

She does not have a top-10 finish this season and had only one last year.

There were rumors in the Japanese media that Miyazato was retiring because she was getting married but the 31-yearold said she has no plans to tie the knot and her real reason for quitting was somewhat less romantic.

“I’ve found it hard to stay focused even in training which I could always do before,” she explained.

Miyazato does not have a major title — her best results were ties for third at the Women’s PGA Championship (2006, 2010) and the Women’s British

Japanese golfer Ai Miyazato speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, May 29, 2017.

Associated Press

Open (2009) — but she is one of only nine players to make it to No. 1 since

the women’s world golf rankings were introduced in 2006.q

A20 SPORTS

Tuesday 30 May 2017

White Sox bats back Miguel Gonzalez in 7-3 win over Tigers CHICAGO (AP) — Miguel Gonzalez took a perfect game into the seventh inning while Todd Frazier hit a two-run homer as the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers.

Gonzalez (4-5) allowed three runs and six hits in 7 2/3 innings while breaking a five-start losing streak. The right-hander retired his first 18 batters before Andrew Romine led off the seventh with a hard one-hop liner to shortstop Tim Anderson, who couldn’t field the ball cleanly and was originally charged with an error. Alex Avila followed with a single, and Romine’s ball was later changed to a hit.

Melky Cabrera and Matt Davidson also homered, helping the White Sox take three of four in the series.

David Robertson got two outs for his seventh save.

Detroit right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (4-4) allowed seven runs and eight hits in five innings.

YANKEES 9, ATHLETICS 5 NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his first career grand slam as the New York Yankees took full advantage of Oakland’s shoddy defense.

Michael Pineda (6-2) tossed six innings of three-hit ball to win his third straight start.

Aaron Hicks and Chris Carter each had an early sacrifice fly as the AL East leaders scored five unearned runs and took two of three in a well-pitched series.

Judge connected with two outs in the third for his 16th home run, tying Mike Trout of the Angels for the big league lead.

Khris Davis hit his 15th home run for the A’s, who committed two more costly errors to raise their season total to 49. The fielding failures put starter Andrew Triggs (5-4) in tough situations. He went six innings and gave up one earned run — but even that could have been prevented if not for a poor throw by the weak-armed Davis in left.

RAYS 8, TWINS 6, 15 INNINGS MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Evan Longoria and Logan Morrison hit back-to-back homers in the 15th inning after Steven Souza Jr. drove in

the tying run with a single with two outs in the ninth as the Tampa Bay Rays outlasted the Minnesota Twins in a game that lasted 6 hours, 26 minutes.

In the longest game in Target Field history, Minnesota resorted to using Wednesday’s scheduled starter, Hector Santiago (4-4), in the 15th. He allowed the decisive home runs on consecutive pitches to the first two batters of the inning.

The Rays took the lead in the 14th on Corey Dickerson’s single off Justin Haley to make it 6-5. Pinch-hitter Robbie Grossman answered with an RBI single in the bottom half to extend the game for the Twins.

Despite allowing the run in the 14th, Alex Colome (1-2) got the win. Erasmo Ramirez, the scheduled starter Monday for the Rays, pitched a perfect 15th for his first save.

RANGERS 3, BLUE JAYS 1 TORONTO (AP) — Joey Gallo hit his 15th home run and Andrew Cashner posted a rare road win as the Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays to snap their longest losing streak of the season at five.

Toronto had won five in a row.

Cashner (2-4) gave up one run in seven innings. The right-hander had been 0-9 in 18 road starts since September 2015. Keone Kela pitched the eighth. Matt Bush gave up a pair of singles in the ninth, but held on for his sixth save.

Gallo hit an opposite field solo shot to left off Joe Biagini (1-3) in the fourth, his eighth homer in May. Gallo ranks third among AL home run leaders, one behind Mike Trout of the Angels and Aaron Judge of the Yankees.

INDIANS 10, ROYALS 1 CLEVELAND (AP) — Jason Kipnis went 4 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs while Josh Tomlin pitched his first complete game in two years as the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals.

Austin Jackson drove in three runs for Cleveland and Carlos Santana had three hits and two RBIs. Mi-

Detroit Tigers center fielder Alex Presley can’t make the play on a ball hit for a solo home run by Chicago White Sox’s Matt Davidson in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 28, 2017, in Chicago.

chael Brantley and Jose Ramirez also had three hits apiece.

Tomlin (3-6) tossed a six-hitter for his first win since April 30. It was the right-hander’s first complete game since Sept. 15, 2015, also against Kansas City and No. 5 for his career.

Danny Duffy (4-4) allowed six runs in four-plus innings in his shortest outing of the season for the Royals, who got a homer from rookie Jorge Bonifacio in the fifth.

MARINERS 5, RED SOX 0 BOSTON (AP) — Christian Bergman rebounded from a miserable start with seven

shutout innings as the Seattle Mariners halted Boston’s season-high six-game winning streak.

Bergman (2-2) allowed four hits, walked two and struck out two. Robinson Cano hit a two-run homer and Guillermo Heredia a solo shot for the Mariners, who averted a three-game sweep with just their second win in nine games. Seattle was shut out the first two games.

Rick Porcello (3-6) gave up 11 hits, but only two runs in 6 1/3 innings.

ASTROS 8, ORIOLES 4 HOUSTON (AP) — George Springer homered during a

six-run second inning, sending Lance McCullers and the Houston Astros over Baltimore for the Orioles’ season-worst seventh straight loss.

Springer connected for the second straight game, helping the Astros overcome a 3-0 deficit against Alec Asher (1-3).

McCullers (6-1) allowed five hits and three runs — two earned — in six innings. His streak of 22 scoreless innings ended when Jonathan Schoop hit a two-run homer in the first.

Mark Trumbo added a solo homer for the Orioles.q

SPORTS A21

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Trout sprains thumb as Angels lose to Marlins The Associated Press MIAMI (AP) — Mike Trout sprained his left thumb stealing second base Sunday as the Los Angeles Angels took a thumping without him, losing 9-2 to the Miami Marlins.

Trout yelled in pain as he rose after sliding headfirst in the fifth inning. He was examined by a trainer, stayed in the game, but was replaced in the sixth.

X-rays were negative and there was no immediate timetable regarding his return. The reigning American League MVP was 0 for 2 when he departed with the Angels trailing 4-2. He finished 2 for 9 in the series to drop his average to .337.

Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton had three hits, including his 13th home run, and J.T. Riddle hit his third homer and drove in three runs. Jose Urena (3-2) won despite a career-high six walks in five innings.

PADRES 5, NATIONALS 3 WASHINGTON (AP) — Ryan Schimpf hit a two-run homer as the San Diego Padres avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Washington Nationals.

The Padres had only one run and six hits with 31 strikeouts in back-to-back losses in games started by Washington’s Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg to begin the series. San Diego bounced back by matching its season high with 14 hits, with 12 coming off starter Joe Ross (2-1).

NL home run leader Bryce Harper was among four starters out of the lineup for Washington. The game

Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout grimaces after stealing second during the fifth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, May 28, 2017, in Miami. Trout injured his thumb on the play.

Associated Press

was delayed 1 hour, 20 minutes by rain.

Four relievers, including Kirby Yates (1-0), pitched 4 2/3 hitless innings following starter Jhoulys Chacin’s latest bumpy road appearance. Brandon Maurer worked the ninth for his sixth save.

DODGERS 9, CUBS 4 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cody Bellinger and Kike Hernandez led an offensive outburst with three-run homers that upstaged the anticipated duel between aces Jon Lester and Clayton Kershaw to help the Dodgers beat Chicago and sweep the Cubs in three games at home for the first time since

August 2012.

Lester and Kershaw were rocked for 10 runs and 18 hits in a combined 7 2/3 innings of their first career matchup. The left-handers that own three World Series titles (Lester), three Cy Young Awards (Kershaw) and 10 All-Star nods failed to retire the side in order in any inning. Lester (3-3) gave up six runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings for Chicago. Kershaw allowed four runs and a career hightying 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings.

The Cubs stranded 10 runners against him.

Josh Fields (2-0) got the victory, striking out two in 1 2/3 innings.

REDS 8, PHILLIES 4 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Adam Duvall hit a pair of two-run homers while Patrick Kivlehan had two solo shots as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies.

Scott Schebler also connected for the Reds and Scott Feldman (4-4) allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings. The Reds took two of three to win a series in Philadelphia for the first time since August 2006.

Andrew Knapp hit a threerun homer for the struggling Phillies, who have lost nine consecutive series. They’re 6-22 in that span. Phillies starter Zach Eflin (0-3) al-

lowed seven runs and nine hits, including four homers, in five innings.

ROCKIES 8, CARDINALS 4 DENVER (AP) —Gerardo Parra hit a three-run homer as the Colorado Rockies beat the St. Louis Cardinals.

Colorado built a 4-0 lead on Alexi Amarista’s runscoring groundout in the second and Parra’s drive in the fourth off Lance Lynn (4-3). St. Louis got back into it on homers from Jedd Gyorko and Greg Garcia in the sixth. Tommy Pham’s solo shot to center off Chris Rusin in the seventh made it 4-3.

BREWERS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 5 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Domingo Santana hit his first career grand slam as the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers held off the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Nelson (3-3) departed after striking out 10 in seven innings and Arizona scored four times in the eighth off relievers Oliver Drake and Carlos Torres. With the tying run at the plate, Jacob Barnes forced pinch-hitter Paul Goldschmidt to fly out to end the threat. Barnes also worked the ninth for his second save this year.

Diamondbacks starter Patrick Corbin (4-5) gave up seven runs on 10 hits.

GIANTS 7, BRAVES 1 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Johnny Cueto pitched six strong innings and Brandon Crawford drove in three runs for the Giants.

Cueto (5-4) bounced back from his roughest stretch with San Francisco.q

A22

Tuesday 30 May 2017

SPORTS

Extra parity in women’s golf helps Ko keep No. 1 ranking NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — So Yeon Ryu and Ariya Jutanugarn each had a chance to take over the No. 1 ranking in women’s golf over the weekend.

Instead, all they did was switch places at No. 2.

Lydia Ko remained atop the Rolex Rankings on Monday for the 84th consecutive week. She’s managed to stay at No. 1 despite being winless so far in 2017 — and despite skipping last week’s LPGA Tour event in Michigan. In a season of unusual parity in women’s golf, nobody has been able to catch her.

Ryu was second and Jutanugarn third heading into the Volvik Championship at Travis Pointe Country Club, and there were a number of scenarios in which one of them could have moved to No. 1 by finishing near the top in that event. Instead, Ryu finished tied for 56th, snapping a streak of 11 straight top-10 showings.

played at Stanford, was empathetic. Begay was arrested for aggravated drunken driving in 2000 when he ran into a car outside a bar in New Mexico.

He was sentenced to 364 days in jail, with all but seven days suspended.

“It’s embarrassing for Tiger, something that you can’t go back and change,” Begay said on Golf Channel from the NCAA men’s golf championship in Sugar Grove, Illinois, where he was working for the network. “I’ve been there myself. ... But it was a turning point in my life. Hopefully, it’s something he’ll learn from, grow from, take responsibility for and use it to make some changes.”

Woods has not been seen at a golf tournament since he opened with a 77 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in February, withdrawing the next day because of back spasms. He was in Los Angeles for the Genesis Open, run by his Tiger Woods Foundation, but he did not come to the course

at Riviera because of his back.

He was at the Masters, but only to attend the dinner for past champions.

Woods, who had been No. 1 longer than any other golfer, has not been a factor since his last victory in August 2013 as he battled through back surgeries from a week before the 2014 Masters until his most recent fusion surgery on his lower back a month ago.

It was the first time Woods has run into trouble off the golf course since he plowed his SUV into a tree and a fire hydrant outside his Windermere, Florida, home in the early morning after Thanksgiving in 2009, which led to revelations that he had multiple extramarital affairs.

A police report then showed that a Florida trooper who suspected Woods was driving under the influence sought a subpoena for the golfer’s blood test results from the hospital, but prosecutors rejected the petition for insufficient information.q

Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, left, and Marina Alex playfully lean on each other as they wait to putt on the 17th green during the final round of the LPGA Volvik Championship golf tournament at the Travis Pointe Country Club, Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Associated Press

Jutanugarn ended up tied for 21st. Jutanugarn moved past Ryu and is No. 2 in the new rankings, but her performance wasn’t nearly

enough to overtake Ko. “I think that is not really important for me,” Jutanugarn said Sunday. “I think, to be honest, I really

Continued from Page 17

Woods apologized to his family, friends and fans and said, “I expect more from myself, too.”

“I will do everything in my power to ensure this never happens again,” he said.

Woods, whose 79 victories rank No. 2 on the PGA Tour’s career list, has not competed for nearly four months. He is out for the rest of the season while he recovers from fusion surgery performed April 20 in Texas.

In an update posted Wednesday on his website, he said the surgery provided instant relief from pain and that he hasn’t “felt this good in years.”

Police said Woods was arrested on Military Trail, a sixlane road, south of Indian Creek Parkway. Woods did not say in his statement where he had been or what he was doing at that hour. Jail records show that the 41-year-old was booked into jail at 7:18 a.m. and released at 10:50 a.m.

want to improve my game, and go out and have fun.”

Jutanugarn, who is from Thailand, won five times in 2016 and took player-

of-the-year honors, but she’s without a victory this season. Ko, who is from New Zealand, hasn’t won either and is only 17th on the money list.

None of the top players in the Rolex Rankings was much of a factor in Ann Arbor, with fourth-ranked Lexi Thompson finishing tied for 65th. Shanshan Feng of China won the tournament , giving the LPGA 12 different winners in 12 events this year. The last time there were no repeat winners this long into the season was in 1991, so the tour appears to have an impressive amount of depth right now.

Of course, with nobody else able to dominate for any extended period, Ko has been able to keep the No. 1 ranking despite only one top-five finish in 2017.

Ryu, who is from South Korea, won the ANA Inspiration after Thompson was penalized four strokes following a rules violation reported by a television viewer. q

In this Dec. 4, 2016, file photo, Tiger Woods reacts after a putt during the final round at the Hero World Challenge golf tournament, in Nassau, Bahamas.

Associated Press

The jail released a booking photo of Woods in a white T-shirt.

Rightler, the police spokeswoman, said she did not have details about the circumstances leading to Woods’ arrest, nor did she have any information about whether the arrest involved drugs or alcohol.

His agent at Excel Sports, Mark Steinberg, did not respond to a voicemail from

The Associated Press seeking comment. PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said the tour would have no comment.

Woods said in his statement that he fully cooperated with law enforcement and thanked Jupiter Police and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for being professional.

Notah Begay, a roommate of Woods when they

TECHNOLOGY A23

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Zuckerberg urges Harvard grads to build a world of ‘purpose’ BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Zuckerberg returned Thursday to Harvard, where he launched Facebook and then dropped out, telling graduates it’s up to them to bring purpose to the world, fight inequality and strengthen the global community.

“Change starts local. Even global changes start small — with people like us,” the Facebook CEO said. He shared stories about graduates such as David Razu Aznar, a former city leader who led the effort to legalize gay marriage in Mexico City, and Agnes Igoye, who grew up in conflict zones in Uganda and now trains law enforcement officers. “And this is my story too,” Zuckerberg added.

“A student in a dorm room, connecting one community at a time, and keeping at it until one day we can connect the whole world.”

Such lofty talk now comes naturally to Zuckerberg, a 33-year-old billionaire who has committed to giving away nearly all of his wealth. In February, he sketched out an ambitious, if vague, vision for Facebook that committed the company to developing “social infrastructure” that would help build a “global community that works for all of us.” But it also strikes a sharp contrast with the criticism Facebook has taken recently — not so much for connecting the world (a big chunk of it, anyway) as for failing to anticipate how vulnerable that connectedness could be to those who abuse it.

JOURNEY BACK Zuckerberg, who like the graduates is a millennial, started Facebook in his dorm room in 2004. What began as a closed net-

Facebook CEO and Harvard dropout Mark Zuckerberg delivers the commencement address at Harvard University commencement exercises, Thursday, May 25, 2017, in Cambridge, Mass.

Associated Press

working site for Harvard students is now a global communications force with nearly 2 billion members.

Facebook’s founding was the subject of a Hollywood movie, “The Social Network,” in 2010.

Facebook’s effect has been profound. It has connected people who would have never met otherwise, letting them form supportive networks online and offline. And it has allowed people to communicate in developing countries even if they don’t have a phone number or a smartphone.

But it has also served to spread misinformation bordering on propaganda, hateful views and bullying, reflecting the worst parts of humanity back to us.

In his commencement speech, in interviews and

in his February manifesto, Zuckerberg is decidedly optimistic about all that.

He’s been saying he wants to make the world more open and connected for more than a decade now, and he doesn’t relent.

HIGHER PURPOSE He told the graduates how, when Facebook’s investors and executives wanted him to sell the company early on, he resisted. “You see, my hope was never to build a company, but to make an impact,” he said.

But as a young CEO, he never explained this to his co-workers, and the subsequent fight “tore our company apart.”

“I wondered if I was just wrong, an impostor, a 22 year-old kid who had no idea how the world worked,” Zuckerberg said.

“Now, years later, I understand that is how things work with no sense of higher purpose. It’s up to us to create it so we can all keep moving forward together.”

Later in the speech, Zuckerberg’s voice cracked with emotion as he talked about a high school student he mentors who is living in the U.S. illegally.

When Zuckerberg asked him what he wants for his birthday, the student started talking about others he wanted to help, and asked for a book on social justice.

“Here is a young guy who has every reason to be cynical,” Zuckerberg said, his eyes welling with tears.

“He wasn’t sure if the country he calls home — the only one he’s known — was going to deny him his dream of going to college.

But he wasn’t feeling sorry for himself. He wasn’t even thinking of himself.”

If he can do this, Zuckerberg said, “then we owe it to the world to do our part too.”

Zuckerberg isn’t all talk on this front. He signed the “Giving Pledge” commitment to donate the majority of his money in 2010; five years later, he upped that to 99 percent. Together with his wife, pediatrician Priscilla Chan, he formed the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropic organization focused on advancing science and education.

HONORARY DEGREE Zuckerberg follows another famous Harvard dropout, Bill Gates, who spoke before its graduates a decade ago.q

A24 BUSINESS

Tuesday 30 May 2017

World shares muted as investors await raft of economic data

By KELVIN CHAN AP Business Writer HONG KONG (AP) — World stock markets were listless Monday as investors look to a raft of economic data this week and as holidays in several key markets crimped trading volume.

KEEPING SCORE: In Europe, France’s CAC 40 dipped 0.1 percent to close at 5,332.47, while Germany’s DAX edged up 0.2 percent to 12,628.95. Markets in Britain and the United states were closed for holidays.

GLOBAL OUTLOOK: A full slate of economic reports this week will give investors plenty to digest, beginning with eurozone business and consumer confidence readings on Tuesday. China’s latest official factory and service industry purchasing managers’ indexes, out Wednesday, will be among the most watched, with analysts looking to see if the gauge indicates that manufacturing growth momentum slows further. The ISM index for U.S. manufac-

People walk past an electronic board showing Hong Kong share index outside a local bank in Hong Kong, Monday, May 29, 2017. Stock markets in Asia were subdued in holiday-thinned trading Monday as investors hunkered down ahead of a raft of economic data later this week that will provide fresh insight into the world economy.

(AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

turing is due a day later. U.S. private and official payroll numbers are also scheduled for release. They’ll give fresh clues on employment and hiring in the world’s

No. 1 economy and could bolster Fed policymakers’ reasoning as they prepare to gradually raise interest rates again.

MARKET TALK: “Muted mar-

ket action on Friday night, holidays in the U.K. and U.S. tonight and a data deluge starting tomorrow all militate against major market moves,” said Michael Mc-

Carthy, chief strategist at CMC Markets. “Investors and trader may hold out for important reads on the world’s largest economies this week.”

ASIA’S DAY: Stock indexes in the region drifted between losses and gains. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index ended a fraction lower at 19,682.57, and South Korea’s Kospi dipped 0.1 percent to 2,352.97. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.2 percent to 25,701.63, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.8 percent to 5,707.10.

Markets in mainland China and Taiwan were closed for holidays.

ENERGY: Oil futures extended a recovery from sharp losses last week. Benchmark U.S. crude rose 44 cents to $50.24 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The contract rose 90 cents on Friday. Brent crude, the international standard, gained 40 cents to $52.55 a barrel in London.q

As Melania Trump puts focus on high-end luxury, market grows

By COLLEEN BARRY Associated Press MILAN (AP) — U.S. First Lady Melania Trump opened

a window onto the luxury world over the weekend when she wore a $51,000 designer jacket to a lunch

on the sidelines of a global summit in Sicily.

While the revelation sent many into sticker shock, the

reality is that those kinds of prices belong to the most exclusive high end of haute couture that operate at the highest level of hand craftsmanship, accessible only to the very few.

“For the brands, they need to do it, to have the attention and to keep the research and development high,” said Claudia D’Arpizio, a senior partner at Bain & Company consulting. “There is not a real public for that. I would say very few women in the world are buying haute couture. While for the rest, I think people are spending money, but they are more cautious about value.”

A floral applique jacket like the one Mrs. Trump purchased for the G-7 outing, for example, would require many seamstress hours of hand embroidery.

Dolce&Gabbana did not release any details of the materials, but Stefano Gabbana celebrated its high-profile outing on Instagram.

Looking beyond the upper-

most tiers of indulgence, a new Bain study shows that sales of global luxury goods leveled off last year from a period Chinese-fueled euphoria. They are expected, however, to grow again this year, despite uncertainty generated by the recent Manchester attack and changing U.S. travel policies.

Sales of luxury apparel, jewelry, accessories and beauty products last year totaled 249 billion euros ($280 billion), compared with 251 billion euros in 2015. They are expected to grow by 2 percent to 4 percent this year.

The forecasts reflect improved confidence in Europe, which suffered declines after terror attacks in Paris, and solid performance in China. They will offset a slowdown the United States due largely to the strong dollar and uncertainty over travel policy.

“Local customers are buying again, both in Europe and China,” D’Arpizio said.q

BUSINESS A25

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Fund manager Q&A: Emerging markets funds

By ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Investors have been betting heavily on emerging markets stocks this year, and the strategy appears to be paying off.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Investment Market Index, which covers securities across developing nations, is up nearly 16 percent this year, according to FactSet. Compare that with the Standard & Poor’s 500 index, which is up 7.2 percent.

Fund investors are piling in. Through the first four months of this year, net flows into emerging market U.S. funds totaled $26.17 billion, according to Morningstar. That’s an increase of more than 20 percent from the net flows that went into emerging markets funds in all of 2016.

Why such a focus on emerging markets funds?

David Semple, portfolio manager for the VanEck Emerging Markets Fund (GBFAX), points to a couple of factors: Better-thanexpected earnings from companies in developing nations and the prospect of higher short-term interest rates, which traditionally has been a precursor to better growth.

“That underpinning in terms of fundamentals is very positive in terms of the ability to sustain what has been a very good rally so far this year,” Semple says.

His fund focuses on companies in the developing world with potential for growth at a reasonable

in companies where we have a high degree of confidence that profitability will be growing on a persistent basis. We have to identify those companies that have that structural growth and then have a strong discipline about not paying too much for them.

price, which often means small-cap stocks. It is up 22.5 percent this year, according to FactSet. Semple spoke with the AP about where emerging market stocks are headed.

Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Q. Is this a good time to get into investing in emerging market funds?

A: Rather than say this is necessarily a good time, I’ll run through four different things people should be looking at.

The first is the dollar. A strongly appreciating dollar is not good for emerging markets. It sucks liquidity out of emerging markets.

It reduces earnings and there’s a translation effect of what emerging market companies can achieve and how that’s translated back to developed market based investors.

The second is rates. The short end of the curve moving up in the U.S. is not something to be feared.

Traditionally it’s tied to better growth prospects.

The third element is, broadly speaking, politics. We’re talking about big structural changes which come as part of the disenfranchisement of lower skilled workers in developed markets in favor of emerging market consumers and middle class, who have seen their incomes go up. But if you see protectionism and trade tariffs actually happening, then that would tend to be a negative for emerging markets. So as the administration’s agen-

Q: What’s an example of a company that fits your criteria?

A: Tencent in Hong Kong. It is an internet company that has one of the largest communities after Facebook.

Most of their users spend more than an hour a day on their properties. That’s a company which optically looks expensive but which we think is justified by the growth of it.

This photo provided by Van Eck Associates Corporation shows David Semple. Investors have been betting heavily on emerging markets stocks in 2017, and the strategy appears to be paying off. Why such a focus on emerging markets funds? Semple, portfolio manager for the VanEck Emerging Markets Fund (GBFAX), points to a couple of factors: Better-than-expected earnings from companies in developing nations and the prospect of higher short-term interest rates, which traditionally has been a precursor to better growth.

(Larry Lettera/Van Eck Associates Corporation via AP)

da has moved perhaps away from that, then that’s positive for emerging markets.

The most important: In the last four or five years, emerging markets companies have disappointed in terms of earnings. That has changed over the last year, where emerging markets companies, on the whole, have produced better earnings than expectations and have certainly lived up

to those expectations.

Q. How do you go about selecting companies for the fund?

A: It focuses on companies with structural growth at a reasonable price. By that we mean visible and persistent growth. Which means we steer away from some of the more cyclical elements of emerging markets, like energy or materials. And we tend to invest

Q: What sets one emerging market fund apart from another?

A: If it walks, talks and looks like the index, there’s not really much reason to look past them. But our view very strongly is that the index represents, as it always does, what has happened, not what’s going to happen. We would argue strongly that at this juncture what is going to happen or where the success will be in emerging markets looks very different from what the index constituents will tell you to invest in now.

So you have to look for a manager that is being active. And it means basically not being beholden to this historic construct of what emerging markets used to be. Because we’re changing.

A26 COMICS

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Mutts

Conceptis Sudoku

6 Chix

Blondie

Mother Goose & Grimm

Baby Blues

Zits

Yesterday’s puzzle answer

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

CLASSIFIED A27

Tuesday 30 May 2017

American Living Continued on page 7

Moon had had his own struggles, with PTSD, after coming home from the war. He hadn’t been able to offer much support when Jon died, he said, but things had changed for him in recent years.

Now the head of a nonprofit arts organization for veterans, called Warrior Songs, Moon asked Sonja if she’d be interested in helping create a song for his group’s second album. This one will focus on telling the stories of women in combat, as well as the mothers, wives and sisters who’ve lost loved ones to war.

The Warrior Songs CDs are given free of charge to veterans and are intended to be a source of support and healing.

In honoring Jon — and telling her own story — Sonja, now 33, also saw a chance to move forward and to stay sober.

“I just really woke up when I realized I know that my brother was willing to die for me and our country,” she said. “I better be willing to live and take advantage of what I DO have.”

She agreed to play a violin solo for the song and soon began practicing again.

She also began building a new violin, work she’d set aside to focus on instrument repair.

This winter, Moon recorded an interview with Sonja, and she gave him some of her journal entries. He then shared those materials with songwriter Kevin Welsh, who wrote the resulting song, titled “Star in the Dark.”

“Hey brother, where you gone?” the song begins.

“It’s been too long since you’ve been home.

“They called it ‘casualty.’

“It doesn’t seem casual to me.”

This month, Sonja recorded the violin accompaniment for the song at a studio in suburban Milwaukee. Her parents, Kay and Jon Sr., were there, too. They recalled the son who, in 2005, showed up with Army brochures to tell them he’d be leaving in 36 hours for basic training at Fort Hood, Texas.

“You know there’s a war going on?” his mother recalled saying to him.

“Yes, I do,” he said with a determined look. Though worried, his parents gave him their full support.

Now their daughter is the major focus.

“Who knew what kind of healing would come from this process?” Moon said of Sonja’s personal journey in helping create the song, which is being released this weekend on the Warrior Songs website.

Still, it was clear that she was nervous. She’d never played in a recording studio before and was still feeling rusty.

To help keep her calm, she placed photos of Jon on a nearby music stand. Then she played a solo that would, like the song itself, become a message of another kind, much more public than those slips of paper hidden inside a violin that may never be seen.

As she finished, audio engineer Jonathon Leubner smiled. “That’s lovely,” he said. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Well,” she replied through a studio microphone, “let’s all thank my brother.”

Online: Warrior Songs: http:// www.warriorsongs.org Sonja’s site: http://www. sonjaviolin.com/

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A28 SCIENCE

Tuesday 30 May 2017

What if U.S. quits climate deal? Doesn’t look good for Earth

BY SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Earth is likely to reach more dangerous levels of warming even sooner if the U.S. retreats from its pledge to cut carbon dioxide pollution, scientists said. That’s because America contributes so much to rising temperatures.

President Donald Trump, who once proclaimed global warming a Chinese hoax, said in a tweet Saturday that he would make his “final decision” this coming week on whether the United States stays in or leaves the 2015 Paris climate change accord in which nearly every nation agreed to curb its greenhouse gas emissions.

Leaders of seven wealthy democracies, at a summit in Sicily, urged Trump to commit his administration to the agreement, but said in their closing statement that the U.S., for now, “is not in a position to join the consensus.”

“I hope they decide in the right way,” said Italy’s prime minister, Paolo Gentiloni. More downbeat was German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said the leaders’ talks were “very difficult, if not to say, very unsatisfactory.”

In an attempt to understand what could happen to the planet if the U.S. pulls out of Paris, The Associated Press consulted with more than two dozen climate scientists and analyzed a

In this Jan. 20, 2015 file photo, a plume of steam billows from the coal-fired Merrimack Station in Bow, N.H.

special computer model scenario designed to calculate potential effects.

Scientists said it would worsen an already bad problem and make it far more difficult to prevent crossing a dangerous global temperature threshold.

Calculations suggest it could result in emissions of up to 3 billion tons of additional carbon dioxide in the air a year. When it adds up year after year, scientists said that is enough to melt ice sheets faster, raise seas higher and trigger more extreme weather.

“If we lag, the noose tightens,” said Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer, coeditor of the peer-reviewed journal Climatic Change.

One expert group ran a worst-case computer simulation of what would happen if the U.S. does not curb emissions, but other nations do meet their targets. It found that America would

add as much as half a degree of warming (0.3 degrees Celsius) to the globe by the end of century.

Scientists are split on how reasonable and likely that scenario is.

Many said because of cheap natural gas that displaces coal and growing adoption of renewable energy sources, it is unlikely that the U.S. would stop reducing its carbon pollution even if it abandoned the accord, so the effect would likely be smaller.

Others say it could be worse because other countries might follow a U.S. exit, leading to more emissions from both the U.S. and the rest.

Another computer simulation team put the effect of the U.S. pulling out somewhere between 0.1 to 0.2 degrees Celsius (0.18 to 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit).

While scientists may disagree on the computer simulations they over-

whelmingly agreed that the warming the planet is undergoing now would be faster and more intense.

The world without U.S. efforts would have a far more difficult time avoiding a dangerous threshold: keeping the planet from warming more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

So the efforts are really about preventing another 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit (0.9 degrees Celsius) from now.

“Developed nations — particularly the U.S. and Europe — are responsible for the lion’s share of past emissions, with China now playing a major role,” said Rutgers University climate scientist Jennifer Francis.

“This means Americans have caused a large fraction of the warming.”

Even with the U.S. doing what it promised under the Paris agreement, the world is likely to pass that 2 degree mark, many scientists said.

But the fractions of additional degrees that the U.S. would contribute could mean passing the threshold faster, which could in turn mean “ecosystems being out of whack with the climate, trouble farming current crops and increasing shortages of food and water,” said the National Center for Atmospheric Research’s Kevin Trenberth.

Climate Interactive, a team of scientists and computer modelers who track glob-

al emissions and pledges, simulated global emissions if every country but the U.S. reaches their individualized goals to curb carbon pollution. Then they calculated what that would mean in global temperature, sea level rise and ocean acidification using scientificallyaccepted computer models.

By 2030, it would mean an extra 3 billion tons of carbon dioxide in the air a year, according to the Climate Interactive models, and by the end of the century 0.3 degrees Celsius of warming.

“The U.S. matters a great deal,” said Climate Interactive co-director Andrew Jones. “That amount could make the difference between meeting the Paris limit of two degrees and missing it.”

Climate Action Tracker, a competing computer simulation team, put the effect of the U.S. pulling out somewhere between 0.1 to 0.2 degrees Celsius (0.18 to 0.36 Fahrenheit) by 2100. It uses a scenario where U.S. emissions flatten through the century, while Climate Interactive has them rising.

One of the few scientists who plays down the harm of the U.S. possibly leaving the agreement is John Schellnhuber, the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the scientist credited with coming up with the 2 degree goal.q

PEOPLE & ARTS A29

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Some women-only screenings planned for ‘Wonder Woman’ The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Take a seat, “Thor.”

Scattered plans among Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas to host women-only screenings of the upcoming “Wonder Woman” movie have produced both support and some grumbling about gender discrimination.

Various locations have taken to social media in response, including the operators of the Brooklyn theater promising on Twitter to funnel proceeds from women-only screenings in early June to Planned Parenthood.

And by women only, they mean staff, too.

Some of the screenings were already selling out despite social media haters, many of whom are men, and several have been added.

The offer of special screen-

In this May 25, 2017 file photo, Gal Gadot arrives at the world premiere of “Wonder Woman” in Los Angeles.

Associated Press

ings began recently in Austin, Texas, where Alamo

has held specialty screenings in the past for military

veterans and others. As for “Wonder Woman,” the

Alamo in Brooklyn posted a statement online saying what better way to celebrate the most iconic superheroine than with “an all-female screening?”

“Apologies, gentlemen, but we’re embracing our girl power and saying ‘No Guys Allowed’ for several special shows at the Alamo Downtown Brooklyn.

And when we say ‘Women (and people who identify as women)only,’ we mean it. So lasso your geeky girlfriends together and grab your tickets to this celebration of one of the most enduring and inspiring characters ever created.”

The movie opens June 2 based on the DC Comics character.

It was directed by Patty Jenkins and stars Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince.q

A30 PEOPLE

Tuesday 30 May 2017

& ARTS

International flamenco festival set to mark 30 years RUSSELL CONTRERAS Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Dancers from across the U.S. and Spain will gather in New Mexico for the 30th anniversary of a preeminent international flamenco festival.

The event organized by the world-renowned National Institute of Flamenco will be held June 10th through the 17th in Albuquerque.

Flamenco is a form of Spanish dance and folk music that developed from Romani music and dance more than two centuries ago.

Festival Flamenco Internacional De Alburquerque will feature internationally known flamenco dancers, along with workshops, history lectures and events for children.

Here are some things to

In this May 19, 2017 photos, flamenco performer Giovanna Hinojosa dances during a show at Tablao Flamenco in Albuquerque, N.M. Associated Press

know: THE PERFORMERS Nearly 60 dancers, singers and musicians are scheduled to perform in theaters at the University of New Mexico and the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

They include award-winning dancers Marco Flores and Rosario Toledo, of Spain.

On some nights, the artists will finish the evening at Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque, a new venue at a hotel in the city’s Old Town where dancers and musician give spontaneous performances.

Workshops at the annual festival include beginner to advanced classes in repertory, costuming, castanets and guitar.

THE IMAGES This year’s gathering also will showcase the work of the late photographer Douglas Kent Hall. He worked with the National Institute of Flamenco to

document the event by capturing a number of images of dancers from some of the first festivals.

On June 17, National Institute of Flamenco executive director Eva EnciniasSandoval will give a free flamenco lecture at the National Hispanic Cultural Center encompassing the event’s history. Twenty photographs by Kent Hall will be on display during the speech.

THE FIRE The National Institute of Flamenco is located in Albuquerque, which was founded by Spanish settlers and is considered the flamenco capital of the U.S.

The institute’s mission is to preserve and promote flamenco’s history and culture through performance and education.

In December 2013, a fire destroyed its offices, including decades of festival photos, documents and clothing.

The institute then took part in many fundraisers and garnered support from Albuquerque businesses to eventually land a new home near the University of New Mexico on historic Route 66.

The organization continues to operate a conservatory and now runs Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque.q

PEOPLE & ARTS A31

Tuesday 30 May 2017

How Hollywood is giving its biggest stars digital facelifts LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Johnny Depp is 53 years old but he doesn’t look a day over 26 in the new “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie — at least for a few moments. There was no plastic surgeon involved, heavy makeup or archival footage used to take the actor back to his boyish “Cry Baby” face, however. It’s all post-production visual effects, and after a decade of refining the process since Brad Pitt ran the gamut of time in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” it’s becoming commonplace in major Hollywood movies.

Depp is just the latest mega-star to get the drastic de-aging treatment on screen, joining the ranks of Robert Downey Jr. (in “Captain America: Civil War”), Michael Douglas (in “Ant-Man”), Kurt Russell (in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”) and scores of others getting digital facelifts to play younger versions of themselves. In the old days, a lucky unknown lookalike (or look enough alike) could have scored the part of young Jack Sparrow or Tony Stark. Now, if the film has the budget, the stars get to have it both ways — and audiences get a nostalgic flashback.

Lola Visual Effects is responsible for Depp’s transformation, and most of the Marvel tricks, which have included making Chris Evans scrawny for the original “Captain America” and Hayley Atwell some 70 years older for the sequel.

Lola was the pioneer behind “Benjamin Button,” too, and sells their services to all the major studios. It’s one of a handful of vendors that have gotten in the socalled “beauty work” business. It’s often meant to go unnoticed (like removing a blemish), and is generally buried under mountains of confidentiality agreements.

In the case of Depp, and most of Lola’s de-aging work, the process starts with capturing a performance from the actor and

This combination of photos released by Disney, shows the character Jack Sparrow at two stages of his life in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”

Associated Press

then manipulating it. This isn’t always necessary — “Rogue One” recreated the late Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin without him, and Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia using doubles — but it was critical for “Pirates.”

“No one else can be Jack Sparrow,” said Gary Brozenich, the Oscar-nominated VFX artist who oversaw visual effects for the film. “Trying to do a digital approximation ... audiences would see right through it.”

Brozenich and the filmmakers decided to bring Depp back to how he looked around the time of “21 Jump Street” and “Cry Baby” and went through a number of iterations, over the course of six months, to arrive at the perfect age (roughly 26) — which Depp, Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer had to sign off

on. The final shots, of which there are 20-25, took about 15 artists a year of work.

That Depp has been famous since that age was both a blessing and a curse for the production. They had numerous reference points to work with, but, so would the audience.

“Working on the human face is one of the, if not the most challenging thing to do,” said Trent Claus, the visual effects supervisor for Lola VFX. “People can tell when there is something amiss. Even if they can’t put their finger on what is wrong, they can tell that something is wrong.”

And while the artists have gotten better over the years and have mostly managed to avoid drifting into the dreaded uncanny valley — the term used to describe the eerie feeling you get when looking at a digital person who is

near-lifelike, but not quite enough — there are still trouble spots.

“One of the things that we struggle with is the bottom of the chin. As you get older there tends to be a lot of sag and extra skin that develop underneath the jaw,” Claus said. “It is unfortunately not just a simple task of removing the wrinkles because the skin isn’t going to be responding the same as it did when you were younger. You have to change not only the way it looks on the outside but how it moves and reacts to movement and expressions.”

To counteract this, productions will often shoot a younger double to mimic an actor’s performance, which they will use as a reference point for how the younger skin should behave and look in certain lights.

“We’re constantly fighting making it look lifelike. One of the advantages of the process that we use is by keeping the original actor, we have that starting point of life, of reality,” Claus said.

It makes the whole process harder, but, “It’s worth it.”

Reactions, lately have been mixed, ranging from nostalgic delight and “how’d they do that” curiosity to dismay and wariness about its future.

New York Magazine critic David Edelstein wrote that the “recreations” are “far more disturbing in their real-world implications than the fictional destruction of planets and galaxies.”

For New York Times critic Manohla Dargis, Russell’s younger visage was “weird” and “disrupting.”

“It makes you contemplate whether this Benjamin Button-style age-reversing is going to become an increasingly standard (and creepy) industry practice,” she wrote.

“Pirates 5” co-director Espen Sandberg isn’t as dark about it.

“For me it’s just another storytelling tool and I think it’s really cool,” he said.

And for the VFX artists, it’s only the beginning.

“Right now what we’re using it for is a very nuts and bolts solution to a problem.

There’s a different and more creative future for it,” Brozenich said. “There can be even crazier, more creative uses for it ... maybe a hybrid of several actors.”

He thinks the next step is a digital character that plays a larger part, and not just a flashback. After all, the young Han Solo movie isn’t using a de-aged Harrison Ford or Billy Dee Williams — they’ve cast Alden Ehrenreich and Donald Glover.

“We have digital characters that are a primary part of (films), like Rocket and Groot from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ ... But they’re never a full-on human performer that plays a key role throughout the duration of a feature film,” he said. “I think that that’s really the Holy Grail.”q

A32 FEATURE

Tuesday 30 May 2017

A sister uses her gifts to send messages to fallen soldier MARTHA IRVINE AP National Writer NEENAH, Wis. (AP) — She begins each time by sharpening her tools, with the sound of metal on metal echoing through the sunlit old house she calls both home and workshop. Making a violin is a methodical art. For Sonja St. John, that structure is a necessity — and the routine, in many ways, a saving grace.

“It’s a way to stay on track even when chaos can be happening right outside,” she says. She finishes each new violin with another ritual, by gluing a small, handwritten message inside. This began as a light gesture, with favorite fortunes from cookies placed inside with a wink as hidden signatures of sorts from her, the violin maker. But the notes she leaves now have become far more personal and meaningful.

Each is different, but they are often a tribute to those

Violins hang in the workshop in Sonja St. John’s Neenah, Wis., home on Monday, May 8, 2017. Her brother, Jon St. John died in 2007 in the Iraq war. Among other things, Sonja has found solace in her career, making and restoring violins.

Associated Press

beginning her career after graduating from the Chicago School of Violin Making. She has a vivid memory of sliding to her kitchen

friend to have around,” she said, noting how music had always been a bonding point for them. He’d teach her about his favorite rock bands. She introduced him to jazz violin.

But in the years after his death, Sonja stopped playing, as grief enveloped her.

She got married in 2008 and divorced seven years later. After moving back to Neenah, her Wisconsin hometown, to be near her parents, she increasingly tried to drown that grief with alcohol, so much so that she checked into re-

hab more than once.

“I was very sick for quite a long time,” she said.

Her grandmother had died of heart problems shortly after Jon’s death but, as Sonja saw it, she really died of heartache. Truth was, her own heart also had been broken for years.

Then, last fall, she received a note from Jason Moon, a musician and himself an Iraq war veteran whom she’d first met as a teenager, when they played music together. Moon had had his own struggles, with PTSD, after coming home

from the war. He hadn’t been able to offer much support when Jon died, he said, but things had changed for him in recent years.

Now the head of a nonprofit arts organization for veterans, called Warrior Songs, Moon asked Sonja if she’d be interested in helping create a song for his group’s second album. This one will focus on telling the stories of women in combat, as well as the mothers, wives and sisters who’ve lost loved ones to war.

The Warrior Songs CDs are given free of charge to veterans and are intended to be a source of support and healing.

In honoring Jon — and telling her own story — Sonja, now 33, also saw a chance to move forward and to stay sober.

“I just really woke up when I realized I know that my brother was willing to die for me and our country,” she said. “I better be willing to live and take advantage of what I DO have.”

She agreed to play a violin solo for the song and soon began practicing again.

She also began building a new violin, work she’d set aside to focus on instrument repair.

This winter, Moon recorded an interview with Sonja, and she gave him some of her journal entries.q

Violins hang in the workshop in Sonja St. John’s Neenah, Wis., home on Monday, May 8, 2017.

Associated Press

who’ve given of themselves in some way, members of the military included. Her most recent one reads: “In honor of past, present and future souls of courage and wisdom.”

The person foremost on her mind when she writes those messages is her brother, Jon St. John, an Army specialist who died a decade ago when a roadside bomb exploded near the military vehicle in which he was the gunner.

Jon, Sonja’s only sibling, was 25. She was 22 and just

floor, her back against the cupboards, when her parents shared the news in a phone call.

This was her big brother, her fishing buddy and protector, tall and strong-willed but also kind in sometimes surprising ways. Her favorite photo of the two of them together was taken at one of her violin recitals in 2002.

He’d come home from college, wearing what she figures was probably his nicest sweater, and brought her flowers.

“He was just always a good

Sonja St. John plays violin during a recording session on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at SurroundinSoundStudio in Wauwatosa, Wis. Associated Press