In 2007, "Forbes" identified Minneapolis as the world's fifth cleanest city.

(meta data) TITLE: Which Are The World's Cleanest Cities?

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# Which Are The World's Cleanest Cities?

In the world, as a rule of thumb, the North is clean and the South is dirty.

Indeed only two of the top-25 cleanest cities in the world are below the Equator--Auckland, New Zealand, and Wellington, New Zealand.

The cleanest cities are largely located in countries noted for their democracy and their industrialization.

The only Asian cities represented are in Japan.

There are no top-25 clean cities in South or Central America, Africa and Australia.

The U.S. has five of the top 25; Canada, a strong five, with the top spot its city of Calgary; Europe has 11 of the top 25; and Japan has three.

The 25 cleanest cities are located in 13 countries.

It may not be accidental that these countries are among the highest in purchasing power parity according to the World Development Indicator database of the World Bank.

Twelve are in the top 20, and only New Zealand lags in wealth, at No. 37 on the list of world's wealthiest.

#### In Pictures: The World's Cleanest Cities

To be clean a city has to face and solve many problems that otherwise lead to unsanitary conditions and poor health as well as possible economic stagnation.

Producing energy for industry, homes and transportation has to be planned and executed reasonably, and this means some form of regulation and control.

To be clean means organizing what is done with waste.

Landfills are being closed or filled up.

Recycling is the only long-range answer, but this takes civic discipline, a system and preferably a system that turns a profit.

Green only works well when it results in greenbacks.

In addition a city has to look closely at its transportation infrastructure (roads, rail, air, subways) and their impact upon being clean or going dirty or staying dirty.

The logistics infrastructure is also critical in terms of efficiency that can translate into money and fuel savings that in turn affect cleanliness (air quality, water quality and ground quality).

Taken all together as with clean energy generation, waste control, recycling and various levels of infrastructure reorganization, the challenge is formidable.

Some will recommend taking on one challenge at a time, and this may be what President Bush has in mind with ethanol.

Bush's advocacy of ethanol is a step towards cleaner fuel and in turn cleaner cities.

The idea is also controversial as the resources available for ethanol are directly related to the food supply chain.

There can be great friction over sharing such resources.

Some are advocating inputs beyond corn grain.

"One of the most abundant potential resources we have is the nonfood parts of the corn plant, including the stalks, leaves and husks," says Dr. Michael Pacheco, director of the National Bioenergy Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The figures for the cleanest cities are derived from studies by the Mercer Human Resources Consulting that cull from 300 cities, identifying overall quality of living as well as special reports on regions.

It is interesting to note that size does not appear to be a factor either in terms of size of population or physical size of the city.

The most common trait in common to each is a focus on high tech, education and headquartering of national and international companies along with an extensive public transit system.

#### Would $100,000 Boost Your Business?

About 5.1% used all other forms of transportation, including taxicab, motorcycle, and bicycle. About 5.9% of working city of Minneapolis residents worked at home. In 2015, 18.2% of city of Minneapolis households were without a car, which decreased to 17.1% in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Minneapolis averaged 1.35 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8 per household.
 Minneapolis ranked 27th in the nation for the highest percentage of commuters by bicycle in 2011, and was editorialized as the top bicycling city in "Bicycling's Top 50" ranking in 2010. Ten thousand cyclists use the bike lanes in the city each day, and many ride in the winter. The Public Works Department expanded the bicycle trail system from the Grand Rounds to 56 mi (90 km) of off-street commuter trails including the Midtown Greenway, the Light Rail Trail, Kenilworth Trail, Cedar Lake Trail and the West River Parkway Trail along the Mississippi. Minneapolis also has 40 miles (64 km) of dedicated bike lanes on city streets and encourages cycling by equipping transit buses with bike racks and by providing online bicycle maps. Many of these trails and bridges, such as the Stone Arch Bridge, were former railroad lines that have now been converted for bicycles and pedestrians.


The city was cited for its bicycle lanes, buses and LRT.

(meta data) TITLE: Which Are The World's Cleanest Cities?

(meta data) PUBLISHER: https://www.facebook.com/forbes

Forbes Insights with Teradata: Forbes Analytics+

iShares BrandVoice: Invest With A Purpose: The ETF Revolution Is Here

Microsoft Shift BrandVoice: Behind The Shift

Own it: The Modern Guide to Buying a Home

# Which Are The World's Cleanest Cities?

In the world, as a rule of thumb, the North is clean and the South is dirty.

Indeed only two of the top-25 cleanest cities in the world are below the Equator--Auckland, New Zealand, and Wellington, New Zealand.

The cleanest cities are largely located in countries noted for their democracy and their industrialization.

The only Asian cities represented are in Japan.

There are no top-25 clean cities in South or Central America, Africa and Australia.

The U.S. has five of the top 25; Canada, a strong five, with the top spot its city of Calgary; Europe has 11 of the top 25; and Japan has three.

The 25 cleanest cities are located in 13 countries.

It may not be accidental that these countries are among the highest in purchasing power parity according to the World Development Indicator database of the World Bank.

Twelve are in the top 20, and only New Zealand lags in wealth, at No. 37 on the list of world's wealthiest.

#### In Pictures: The World's Cleanest Cities

To be clean a city has to face and solve many problems that otherwise lead to unsanitary conditions and poor health as well as possible economic stagnation.

Producing energy for industry, homes and transportation has to be planned and executed reasonably, and this means some form of regulation and control.

To be clean means organizing what is done with waste.

Landfills are being closed or filled up.

Recycling is the only long-range answer, but this takes civic discipline, a system and preferably a system that turns a profit.

Green only works well when it results in greenbacks.

In addition a city has to look closely at its transportation infrastructure (roads, rail, air, subways) and their impact upon being clean or going dirty or staying dirty.

The logistics infrastructure is also critical in terms of efficiency that can translate into money and fuel savings that in turn affect cleanliness (air quality, water quality and ground quality).

Taken all together as with clean energy generation, waste control, recycling and various levels of infrastructure reorganization, the challenge is formidable.

Some will recommend taking on one challenge at a time, and this may be what President Bush has in mind with ethanol.

Bush's advocacy of ethanol is a step towards cleaner fuel and in turn cleaner cities.

The idea is also controversial as the resources available for ethanol are directly related to the food supply chain.

There can be great friction over sharing such resources.

Some are advocating inputs beyond corn grain.

"One of the most abundant potential resources we have is the nonfood parts of the corn plant, including the stalks, leaves and husks," says Dr. Michael Pacheco, director of the National Bioenergy Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The figures for the cleanest cities are derived from studies by the Mercer Human Resources Consulting that cull from 300 cities, identifying overall quality of living as well as special reports on regions.

It is interesting to note that size does not appear to be a factor either in terms of size of population or physical size of the city.

The most common trait in common to each is a focus on high tech, education and headquartering of national and international companies along with an extensive public transit system.

#### Would $100,000 Boost Your Business?

About 5.1% used all other forms of transportation, including taxicab, motorcycle, and bicycle. About 5.9% of working city of Minneapolis residents worked at home. In 2015, 18.2% of city of Minneapolis households were without a car, which decreased to 17.1% in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Minneapolis averaged 1.35 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8 per household.
 Minneapolis ranked 27th in the nation for the highest percentage of commuters by bicycle in 2011, and was editorialized as the top bicycling city in "Bicycling's Top 50" ranking in 2010. Ten thousand cyclists use the bike lanes in the city each day, and many ride in the winter. The Public Works Department expanded the bicycle trail system from the Grand Rounds to 56 mi (90 km) of off-street commuter trails including the Midtown Greenway, the Light Rail Trail, Kenilworth Trail, Cedar Lake Trail and the West River Parkway Trail along the Mississippi. Minneapolis also has 40 miles (64 km) of dedicated bike lanes on city streets and encourages cycling by equipping transit buses with bike racks and by providing online bicycle maps. Many of these trails and bridges, such as the Stone Arch Bridge, were former railroad lines that have now been converted for bicycles and pedestrians. In 2007, "Forbes" identified Minneapolis as the world's fifth cleanest city.


A certification and assurance was announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

(meta data) TITLE: Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough - The New York Times

(meta data) PUBLISHED DATETIME: 2016-11-13

Skip to contentSkip to site indexMiddle EastLog InToday's PaperMiddle East|Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough

# Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough

ImageYemenis digging graves for children killed when their school bus was hit during an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition in August.CreditCreditAgence France-Presse — Getty Images

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Despite attacks that have killed dozens of civilians at a time, the Trump administration on Wednesday certified that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are doing enough to minimize the deadly impact of their military campaign in Yemen.

The certification, announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was legally required to allow American military aircraft to continue refueling warplanes belonging to the two Gulf nations, the dominant members of an Arab coalition fighting a brutal war in Yemen that has helped create the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Pompeo's move came amid rising concern in Washington about the coalition's prosecution of the war and worries among some lawmakers that American weapons were being used to commit war crimes and that American officials could be held liable.

In its efforts to oust Yemen's Houthi rebels from the capital, Sana, the coalition has bombed weddings, funerals, factories and other civilian infrastructure, often with munitions acquired from the United States.

The aerial assaults have elicited harsh criticisms from United Nations investigators and human rights groups, who have also accused the Houthis of violating the laws of war.

Last month, the coalition launched an airstrike near a bus full of students on a religious outing, killing dozens in an attack that Human Rights Watch called "an apparent war crime."

In response to similar assaults, Congress included in a defense bill signed by Mr. Trump last month a clause that required Mr. Pompeo to certify that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were doing enough to avoid harming civilians.

Without that certification, they would lose the aerial refueling services provided by the United States.

In his statement on Wednesday, Mr. Pompeo said they were doing enough.

"The governments of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are undertaking demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure resulting from military operations of these governments," Mr. Pompeo said.

He also said that ending the war in Yemen was "a national security priority" and that the United States would continue working with Gulf allies to pursue peace talks and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid.

ImageHouthi demonstrators denouncing an offer by the Saudi-led coalition to pay compensation for victims of an airstrike in Yemen in early September.

The charity Oxfam, a longtime provider of assistance to Yemeni civilians, denounced the decision as having enabled the continuation of a horrific war.

"The State Department demonstrated that it is blindly supporting military operations in Yemen without any allegiance to facts, moral code or humanitarian law," Scott Paul, a policy advocate for the group, said in a statement.

"This administration is doubling down on its failed policy of literally fueling the world's largest humanitarian crisis."

The war in Yemen began in 2014, when the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival, seized control of the country's northwest, including the capital, sending the government into exile.

In March 2015, a military coalition of Arab nations led by Saudi Arabia launched a bombing campaign aimed at ousting the Houthis and restoring the government.

It has so far failed to achieve either objective, and the war has led to widespread hunger and the spread of dangerous diseases, like cholera.

The intervention has been a dilemma to officials in both the Obama and Trump administrations, who had to choose between supporting close Gulf allies who have spent many billions of dollars on American weapons and holding them accountable for waging war in a way that rights groups and others say has caused egregious harm to civilians.

The United States has offered some assistance in the campaign, sharing intelligence, helping Saudi Arabia protect its southern border and refueling coalition jets in midair, but United States officials say they play no role in target selection.

Much of the debate has revolved around the best way for the United States to influence the coalition's actions.

Some have argued for punitive steps, like curtailing military aid.

Others have counter-argued that American disengagement could worsen matters.

It was the counterargument that prevailed on Wednesday, at least in part because of the strong relationships between the White House and the Gulf countries.

In Washington, some Trump administration officials tracking the war in Yemen have increasingly expressed anxieties over the civilian deaths in internal conversations, said Andrew Miller, deputy director for policy at the Project on Middle East Democracy.

Those include officials working on the issue at the State Department and Defense Department, he said.

ImageDamage to a cholera treatment center in Yemen supported by Doctors Without Borders after an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition airstrike last June.

CreditEssa Ahmed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

"I do think there is growing concern, although it hasn't reached the point that has translated to a change in policy," said Mr. Miller, who worked on Middle East policy on the National Security Council in the Obama administration and was a State Department official.

Mr. Miller said there is "reticence" among some policymakers, including among political appointees, on strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates "because of the question of whether war crimes are being committed."

However, those officials have little or no direct access to the White House and Cabinet members.

And Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump's son-in-law and the top White House adviser on the Middle East, is in close touch with Saudi and Emirati officials.

"Gulf relations are impaired by the sense among Saudis and Emiratis that all they need is Trump and Kushner, and they don't need anyone else," Mr. Miller said.

Saudi officials say the coalition exerts great efforts to minimize harm to civilians and has established an internal body to investigate reported violations of the laws of war.

Early this month, the coalition admitted "mistakes" in the bombing of the school bus and said those responsible would be held accountable.

The certification signed by Mr. Pompeo said the Trump administration had recognized that "civilian casualties have occurred at rates that are far too high."

But it said the coalition had taken steps to improve, including developing a no-strike list of sensitive targets and putting Saudi pilots through American training on avoiding civilian deaths.

Rights groups have said similar efforts have been going on for years and appeared to have had little effect.

Some openly dismiss the coalition's professed interest in investigating itself.

A recent report by Human Rights Watch about the coalition's investigative body said it had failed "to provide credible, impartial and transparent investigations into alleged coalition laws-of-war violations."

Others, too, accuse the coalition of doing too little.

Larry L. Lewis, a former State Department official who visited Saudi Arabia five times in 2015 and 2016 to help the country's air force improve its targeting and investigations, said the certification showed that the administration either lacked the will to push the coalition to improve or did not know what it meant to do "everything possible" to reduce civilian casualties.

"There's more that can be done," Mr. Lewis wrote in an email.

"Whether the U.S. government is willing to do more is another matter."

Edward Wong contributed reporting from Washington.

A version of this article appears in print on , Section A, Page 11 of the New York edition with the headline: Civilians Keep Dying in Yemen, but U.S. Says Saudis Are Doing Enough.

Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe

## Dozens of Dead in Yemen, and Blame Pointing in Both Directions

## U.S. Fingerprints on Attacks Obliterating Yemen's Economy

## 44 Small Graves Stir Questions About U.S. Policy in Yemen

Timeline.:Military intervention.:Saudi-led intervention in Yemen.

The United Arab Emirates has also spearheaded an active role against fighting AQAP and ISIL-YP presence in Yemen through a partnership with the United States. In an Op-Ed in "The Washington Post," Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, described that the intervention has reduced AQAP presence in Yemen to its weakest point since 2012 with many areas previously under their control liberated. The ambassador claimed that more than 2,000 militants have been removed from the battlefield, with their controlled areas now having improved security and a better delivered humanitarian and development assistance such as to the port city of Mukalla and other liberated areas.
 An Associated Press investigation outlined that the military coalition in Yemen actively reduced AQAP in Yemen without military intervention, instead by offering them deals and even actively recruiting them in the coalition because "they are considered as exceptional fighters". UAE Brigadier General Musallam Al Rashidi responded to the accusations by stating that Al Qaeda cannot be reasoned with and cited that they killed many of his soldiers. The UAE military stated that accusations of allowing AQAP to leave with cash contradict their primary objective of depriving AQAP of its financial strength. The notion of the coalition recruiting or paying AQAP has been thoroughly denied by the United States Pentagon with Colonel Robert Manning, spokesperson of the Pentagon, calling the news source "patently false". The governor of Hadramut Faraj al-Bahsani, dismissed the accusations that Al Qaeda has joined with the coalition rank, explaining that if they did there would be sleeper cells and that he would be "the first one to be killed". According to "The Independent", AQAP activity on social media as well as the number of terror attacks conducted by them has decreased since the Emirati intervention.


The certification and assurance stated that maximum efforts are being taken by the Saudi-led coalition to avoid civilian casualties.

(meta data) TITLE: Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough - The New York Times

(meta data) PUBLISHED DATETIME: 2016-11-13

Skip to contentSkip to site indexMiddle EastLog InToday's PaperMiddle East|Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough

# Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough

ImageYemenis digging graves for children killed when their school bus was hit during an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition in August.CreditCreditAgence France-Presse — Getty Images

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Despite attacks that have killed dozens of civilians at a time, the Trump administration on Wednesday certified that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are doing enough to minimize the deadly impact of their military campaign in Yemen.

The certification, announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was legally required to allow American military aircraft to continue refueling warplanes belonging to the two Gulf nations, the dominant members of an Arab coalition fighting a brutal war in Yemen that has helped create the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Pompeo's move came amid rising concern in Washington about the coalition's prosecution of the war and worries among some lawmakers that American weapons were being used to commit war crimes and that American officials could be held liable.

In its efforts to oust Yemen's Houthi rebels from the capital, Sana, the coalition has bombed weddings, funerals, factories and other civilian infrastructure, often with munitions acquired from the United States.

The aerial assaults have elicited harsh criticisms from United Nations investigators and human rights groups, who have also accused the Houthis of violating the laws of war.

Last month, the coalition launched an airstrike near a bus full of students on a religious outing, killing dozens in an attack that Human Rights Watch called "an apparent war crime."

In response to similar assaults, Congress included in a defense bill signed by Mr. Trump last month a clause that required Mr. Pompeo to certify that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were doing enough to avoid harming civilians.

Without that certification, they would lose the aerial refueling services provided by the United States.

In his statement on Wednesday, Mr. Pompeo said they were doing enough.

"The governments of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are undertaking demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure resulting from military operations of these governments," Mr. Pompeo said.

He also said that ending the war in Yemen was "a national security priority" and that the United States would continue working with Gulf allies to pursue peace talks and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid.

ImageHouthi demonstrators denouncing an offer by the Saudi-led coalition to pay compensation for victims of an airstrike in Yemen in early September.

The charity Oxfam, a longtime provider of assistance to Yemeni civilians, denounced the decision as having enabled the continuation of a horrific war.

"The State Department demonstrated that it is blindly supporting military operations in Yemen without any allegiance to facts, moral code or humanitarian law," Scott Paul, a policy advocate for the group, said in a statement.

"This administration is doubling down on its failed policy of literally fueling the world's largest humanitarian crisis."

The war in Yemen began in 2014, when the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival, seized control of the country's northwest, including the capital, sending the government into exile.

In March 2015, a military coalition of Arab nations led by Saudi Arabia launched a bombing campaign aimed at ousting the Houthis and restoring the government.

It has so far failed to achieve either objective, and the war has led to widespread hunger and the spread of dangerous diseases, like cholera.

The intervention has been a dilemma to officials in both the Obama and Trump administrations, who had to choose between supporting close Gulf allies who have spent many billions of dollars on American weapons and holding them accountable for waging war in a way that rights groups and others say has caused egregious harm to civilians.

The United States has offered some assistance in the campaign, sharing intelligence, helping Saudi Arabia protect its southern border and refueling coalition jets in midair, but United States officials say they play no role in target selection.

Much of the debate has revolved around the best way for the United States to influence the coalition's actions.

Some have argued for punitive steps, like curtailing military aid.

Others have counter-argued that American disengagement could worsen matters.

It was the counterargument that prevailed on Wednesday, at least in part because of the strong relationships between the White House and the Gulf countries.

In Washington, some Trump administration officials tracking the war in Yemen have increasingly expressed anxieties over the civilian deaths in internal conversations, said Andrew Miller, deputy director for policy at the Project on Middle East Democracy.

Those include officials working on the issue at the State Department and Defense Department, he said.

ImageDamage to a cholera treatment center in Yemen supported by Doctors Without Borders after an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition airstrike last June.

CreditEssa Ahmed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

"I do think there is growing concern, although it hasn't reached the point that has translated to a change in policy," said Mr. Miller, who worked on Middle East policy on the National Security Council in the Obama administration and was a State Department official.

Mr. Miller said there is "reticence" among some policymakers, including among political appointees, on strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates "because of the question of whether war crimes are being committed."

However, those officials have little or no direct access to the White House and Cabinet members.

And Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump's son-in-law and the top White House adviser on the Middle East, is in close touch with Saudi and Emirati officials.

"Gulf relations are impaired by the sense among Saudis and Emiratis that all they need is Trump and Kushner, and they don't need anyone else," Mr. Miller said.

Saudi officials say the coalition exerts great efforts to minimize harm to civilians and has established an internal body to investigate reported violations of the laws of war.

Early this month, the coalition admitted "mistakes" in the bombing of the school bus and said those responsible would be held accountable.

The certification signed by Mr. Pompeo said the Trump administration had recognized that "civilian casualties have occurred at rates that are far too high."

But it said the coalition had taken steps to improve, including developing a no-strike list of sensitive targets and putting Saudi pilots through American training on avoiding civilian deaths.

Rights groups have said similar efforts have been going on for years and appeared to have had little effect.

Some openly dismiss the coalition's professed interest in investigating itself.

A recent report by Human Rights Watch about the coalition's investigative body said it had failed "to provide credible, impartial and transparent investigations into alleged coalition laws-of-war violations."

Others, too, accuse the coalition of doing too little.

Larry L. Lewis, a former State Department official who visited Saudi Arabia five times in 2015 and 2016 to help the country's air force improve its targeting and investigations, said the certification showed that the administration either lacked the will to push the coalition to improve or did not know what it meant to do "everything possible" to reduce civilian casualties.

"There's more that can be done," Mr. Lewis wrote in an email.

"Whether the U.S. government is willing to do more is another matter."

Edward Wong contributed reporting from Washington.

A version of this article appears in print on , Section A, Page 11 of the New York edition with the headline: Civilians Keep Dying in Yemen, but U.S. Says Saudis Are Doing Enough.

Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe

## Dozens of Dead in Yemen, and Blame Pointing in Both Directions

## U.S. Fingerprints on Attacks Obliterating Yemen's Economy

## 44 Small Graves Stir Questions About U.S. Policy in Yemen

The United Arab Emirates has also spearheaded an active role against fighting AQAP and ISIL-YP presence in Yemen through a partnership with the United States. In an Op-Ed in "The Washington Post," Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, described that the intervention has reduced AQAP presence in Yemen to its weakest point since 2012 with many areas previously under their control liberated. The ambassador claimed that more than 2,000 militants have been removed from the battlefield, with their controlled areas now having improved security and a better delivered humanitarian and development assistance such as to the port city of Mukalla and other liberated areas.
 An Associated Press investigation outlined that the military coalition in Yemen actively reduced AQAP in Yemen without military intervention, instead by offering them deals and even actively recruiting them in the coalition because "they are considered as exceptional fighters". UAE Brigadier General Musallam Al Rashidi responded to the accusations by stating that Al Qaeda cannot be reasoned with and cited that they killed many of his soldiers. The UAE military stated that accusations of allowing AQAP to leave with cash contradict their primary objective of depriving AQAP of its financial strength. The notion of the coalition recruiting or paying AQAP has been thoroughly denied by the United States Pentagon with Colonel Robert Manning, spokesperson of the Pentagon, calling the news source "patently false". The governor of Hadramut Faraj al-Bahsani, dismissed the accusations that Al Qaeda has joined with the coalition rank, explaining that if they did there would be sleeper cells and that he would be "the first one to be killed". According to "The Independent", AQAP activity on social media as well as the number of terror attacks conducted by them has decreased since the Emirati intervention. A certification and assurance was announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.


The certification and assurance legally authorized American military to refuel coalition military aircraft.

(meta data) TITLE: Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough - The New York Times

(meta data) PUBLISHED DATETIME: 2016-11-13

Skip to contentSkip to site indexMiddle EastLog InToday's PaperMiddle East|Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough

# Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough

ImageYemenis digging graves for children killed when their school bus was hit during an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition in August.CreditCreditAgence France-Presse — Getty Images

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Despite attacks that have killed dozens of civilians at a time, the Trump administration on Wednesday certified that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are doing enough to minimize the deadly impact of their military campaign in Yemen.

The certification, announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was legally required to allow American military aircraft to continue refueling warplanes belonging to the two Gulf nations, the dominant members of an Arab coalition fighting a brutal war in Yemen that has helped create the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Pompeo's move came amid rising concern in Washington about the coalition's prosecution of the war and worries among some lawmakers that American weapons were being used to commit war crimes and that American officials could be held liable.

In its efforts to oust Yemen's Houthi rebels from the capital, Sana, the coalition has bombed weddings, funerals, factories and other civilian infrastructure, often with munitions acquired from the United States.

The aerial assaults have elicited harsh criticisms from United Nations investigators and human rights groups, who have also accused the Houthis of violating the laws of war.

Last month, the coalition launched an airstrike near a bus full of students on a religious outing, killing dozens in an attack that Human Rights Watch called "an apparent war crime."

In response to similar assaults, Congress included in a defense bill signed by Mr. Trump last month a clause that required Mr. Pompeo to certify that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were doing enough to avoid harming civilians.

Without that certification, they would lose the aerial refueling services provided by the United States.

In his statement on Wednesday, Mr. Pompeo said they were doing enough.

"The governments of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are undertaking demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure resulting from military operations of these governments," Mr. Pompeo said.

He also said that ending the war in Yemen was "a national security priority" and that the United States would continue working with Gulf allies to pursue peace talks and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid.

ImageHouthi demonstrators denouncing an offer by the Saudi-led coalition to pay compensation for victims of an airstrike in Yemen in early September.

The charity Oxfam, a longtime provider of assistance to Yemeni civilians, denounced the decision as having enabled the continuation of a horrific war.

"The State Department demonstrated that it is blindly supporting military operations in Yemen without any allegiance to facts, moral code or humanitarian law," Scott Paul, a policy advocate for the group, said in a statement.

"This administration is doubling down on its failed policy of literally fueling the world's largest humanitarian crisis."

The war in Yemen began in 2014, when the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival, seized control of the country's northwest, including the capital, sending the government into exile.

In March 2015, a military coalition of Arab nations led by Saudi Arabia launched a bombing campaign aimed at ousting the Houthis and restoring the government.

It has so far failed to achieve either objective, and the war has led to widespread hunger and the spread of dangerous diseases, like cholera.

The intervention has been a dilemma to officials in both the Obama and Trump administrations, who had to choose between supporting close Gulf allies who have spent many billions of dollars on American weapons and holding them accountable for waging war in a way that rights groups and others say has caused egregious harm to civilians.

The United States has offered some assistance in the campaign, sharing intelligence, helping Saudi Arabia protect its southern border and refueling coalition jets in midair, but United States officials say they play no role in target selection.

Much of the debate has revolved around the best way for the United States to influence the coalition's actions.

Some have argued for punitive steps, like curtailing military aid.

Others have counter-argued that American disengagement could worsen matters.

It was the counterargument that prevailed on Wednesday, at least in part because of the strong relationships between the White House and the Gulf countries.

In Washington, some Trump administration officials tracking the war in Yemen have increasingly expressed anxieties over the civilian deaths in internal conversations, said Andrew Miller, deputy director for policy at the Project on Middle East Democracy.

Those include officials working on the issue at the State Department and Defense Department, he said.

ImageDamage to a cholera treatment center in Yemen supported by Doctors Without Borders after an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition airstrike last June.

CreditEssa Ahmed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

"I do think there is growing concern, although it hasn't reached the point that has translated to a change in policy," said Mr. Miller, who worked on Middle East policy on the National Security Council in the Obama administration and was a State Department official.

Mr. Miller said there is "reticence" among some policymakers, including among political appointees, on strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates "because of the question of whether war crimes are being committed."

However, those officials have little or no direct access to the White House and Cabinet members.

And Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump's son-in-law and the top White House adviser on the Middle East, is in close touch with Saudi and Emirati officials.

"Gulf relations are impaired by the sense among Saudis and Emiratis that all they need is Trump and Kushner, and they don't need anyone else," Mr. Miller said.

Saudi officials say the coalition exerts great efforts to minimize harm to civilians and has established an internal body to investigate reported violations of the laws of war.

Early this month, the coalition admitted "mistakes" in the bombing of the school bus and said those responsible would be held accountable.

The certification signed by Mr. Pompeo said the Trump administration had recognized that "civilian casualties have occurred at rates that are far too high."

But it said the coalition had taken steps to improve, including developing a no-strike list of sensitive targets and putting Saudi pilots through American training on avoiding civilian deaths.

Rights groups have said similar efforts have been going on for years and appeared to have had little effect.

Some openly dismiss the coalition's professed interest in investigating itself.

A recent report by Human Rights Watch about the coalition's investigative body said it had failed "to provide credible, impartial and transparent investigations into alleged coalition laws-of-war violations."

Others, too, accuse the coalition of doing too little.

Larry L. Lewis, a former State Department official who visited Saudi Arabia five times in 2015 and 2016 to help the country's air force improve its targeting and investigations, said the certification showed that the administration either lacked the will to push the coalition to improve or did not know what it meant to do "everything possible" to reduce civilian casualties.

"There's more that can be done," Mr. Lewis wrote in an email.

"Whether the U.S. government is willing to do more is another matter."

Edward Wong contributed reporting from Washington.

A version of this article appears in print on , Section A, Page 11 of the New York edition with the headline: Civilians Keep Dying in Yemen, but U.S. Says Saudis Are Doing Enough.

Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe

## Dozens of Dead in Yemen, and Blame Pointing in Both Directions

## U.S. Fingerprints on Attacks Obliterating Yemen's Economy

## 44 Small Graves Stir Questions About U.S. Policy in Yemen

The United Arab Emirates has also spearheaded an active role against fighting AQAP and ISIL-YP presence in Yemen through a partnership with the United States. In an Op-Ed in "The Washington Post," Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, described that the intervention has reduced AQAP presence in Yemen to its weakest point since 2012 with many areas previously under their control liberated. The ambassador claimed that more than 2,000 militants have been removed from the battlefield, with their controlled areas now having improved security and a better delivered humanitarian and development assistance such as to the port city of Mukalla and other liberated areas.
 An Associated Press investigation outlined that the military coalition in Yemen actively reduced AQAP in Yemen without military intervention, instead by offering them deals and even actively recruiting them in the coalition because "they are considered as exceptional fighters". UAE Brigadier General Musallam Al Rashidi responded to the accusations by stating that Al Qaeda cannot be reasoned with and cited that they killed many of his soldiers. The UAE military stated that accusations of allowing AQAP to leave with cash contradict their primary objective of depriving AQAP of its financial strength. The notion of the coalition recruiting or paying AQAP has been thoroughly denied by the United States Pentagon with Colonel Robert Manning, spokesperson of the Pentagon, calling the news source "patently false". The governor of Hadramut Faraj al-Bahsani, dismissed the accusations that Al Qaeda has joined with the coalition rank, explaining that if they did there would be sleeper cells and that he would be "the first one to be killed". According to "The Independent", AQAP activity on social media as well as the number of terror attacks conducted by them has decreased since the Emirati intervention. A certification and assurance was announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The certification and assurance stated that maximum efforts are being taken by the Saudi-led coalition to avoid civilian casualties.


The certification and assurance has affirmed to continued its support.

(meta data) TITLE: Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough - The New York Times

(meta data) PUBLISHED DATETIME: 2016-11-13

Skip to contentSkip to site indexMiddle EastLog InToday's PaperMiddle East|Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough

# Yemen Civilians Keep Dying, but Pompeo Says Saudis Are Doing Enough

ImageYemenis digging graves for children killed when their school bus was hit during an air strike by the Saudi-led coalition in August.CreditCreditAgence France-Presse — Getty Images

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Despite attacks that have killed dozens of civilians at a time, the Trump administration on Wednesday certified that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are doing enough to minimize the deadly impact of their military campaign in Yemen.

The certification, announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was legally required to allow American military aircraft to continue refueling warplanes belonging to the two Gulf nations, the dominant members of an Arab coalition fighting a brutal war in Yemen that has helped create the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Pompeo's move came amid rising concern in Washington about the coalition's prosecution of the war and worries among some lawmakers that American weapons were being used to commit war crimes and that American officials could be held liable.

In its efforts to oust Yemen's Houthi rebels from the capital, Sana, the coalition has bombed weddings, funerals, factories and other civilian infrastructure, often with munitions acquired from the United States.

The aerial assaults have elicited harsh criticisms from United Nations investigators and human rights groups, who have also accused the Houthis of violating the laws of war.

Last month, the coalition launched an airstrike near a bus full of students on a religious outing, killing dozens in an attack that Human Rights Watch called "an apparent war crime."

In response to similar assaults, Congress included in a defense bill signed by Mr. Trump last month a clause that required Mr. Pompeo to certify that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were doing enough to avoid harming civilians.

Without that certification, they would lose the aerial refueling services provided by the United States.

In his statement on Wednesday, Mr. Pompeo said they were doing enough.

"The governments of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are undertaking demonstrable actions to reduce the risk of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure resulting from military operations of these governments," Mr. Pompeo said.

He also said that ending the war in Yemen was "a national security priority" and that the United States would continue working with Gulf allies to pursue peace talks and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid.

ImageHouthi demonstrators denouncing an offer by the Saudi-led coalition to pay compensation for victims of an airstrike in Yemen in early September.

The charity Oxfam, a longtime provider of assistance to Yemeni civilians, denounced the decision as having enabled the continuation of a horrific war.

"The State Department demonstrated that it is blindly supporting military operations in Yemen without any allegiance to facts, moral code or humanitarian law," Scott Paul, a policy advocate for the group, said in a statement.

"This administration is doubling down on its failed policy of literally fueling the world's largest humanitarian crisis."

The war in Yemen began in 2014, when the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival, seized control of the country's northwest, including the capital, sending the government into exile.

In March 2015, a military coalition of Arab nations led by Saudi Arabia launched a bombing campaign aimed at ousting the Houthis and restoring the government.

It has so far failed to achieve either objective, and the war has led to widespread hunger and the spread of dangerous diseases, like cholera.

The intervention has been a dilemma to officials in both the Obama and Trump administrations, who had to choose between supporting close Gulf allies who have spent many billions of dollars on American weapons and holding them accountable for waging war in a way that rights groups and others say has caused egregious harm to civilians.

The United States has offered some assistance in the campaign, sharing intelligence, helping Saudi Arabia protect its southern border and refueling coalition jets in midair, but United States officials say they play no role in target selection.

Much of the debate has revolved around the best way for the United States to influence the coalition's actions.

Some have argued for punitive steps, like curtailing military aid.

Others have counter-argued that American disengagement could worsen matters.

It was the counterargument that prevailed on Wednesday, at least in part because of the strong relationships between the White House and the Gulf countries.

In Washington, some Trump administration officials tracking the war in Yemen have increasingly expressed anxieties over the civilian deaths in internal conversations, said Andrew Miller, deputy director for policy at the Project on Middle East Democracy.

Those include officials working on the issue at the State Department and Defense Department, he said.

ImageDamage to a cholera treatment center in Yemen supported by Doctors Without Borders after an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition airstrike last June.

CreditEssa Ahmed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

"I do think there is growing concern, although it hasn't reached the point that has translated to a change in policy," said Mr. Miller, who worked on Middle East policy on the National Security Council in the Obama administration and was a State Department official.

Mr. Miller said there is "reticence" among some policymakers, including among political appointees, on strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates "because of the question of whether war crimes are being committed."

However, those officials have little or no direct access to the White House and Cabinet members.

And Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump's son-in-law and the top White House adviser on the Middle East, is in close touch with Saudi and Emirati officials.

"Gulf relations are impaired by the sense among Saudis and Emiratis that all they need is Trump and Kushner, and they don't need anyone else," Mr. Miller said.

Saudi officials say the coalition exerts great efforts to minimize harm to civilians and has established an internal body to investigate reported violations of the laws of war.

Early this month, the coalition admitted "mistakes" in the bombing of the school bus and said those responsible would be held accountable.

The certification signed by Mr. Pompeo said the Trump administration had recognized that "civilian casualties have occurred at rates that are far too high."

But it said the coalition had taken steps to improve, including developing a no-strike list of sensitive targets and putting Saudi pilots through American training on avoiding civilian deaths.

Rights groups have said similar efforts have been going on for years and appeared to have had little effect.

Some openly dismiss the coalition's professed interest in investigating itself.

A recent report by Human Rights Watch about the coalition's investigative body said it had failed "to provide credible, impartial and transparent investigations into alleged coalition laws-of-war violations."

Others, too, accuse the coalition of doing too little.

Larry L. Lewis, a former State Department official who visited Saudi Arabia five times in 2015 and 2016 to help the country's air force improve its targeting and investigations, said the certification showed that the administration either lacked the will to push the coalition to improve or did not know what it meant to do "everything possible" to reduce civilian casualties.

"There's more that can be done," Mr. Lewis wrote in an email.

"Whether the U.S. government is willing to do more is another matter."

Edward Wong contributed reporting from Washington.

A version of this article appears in print on , Section A, Page 11 of the New York edition with the headline: Civilians Keep Dying in Yemen, but U.S. Says Saudis Are Doing Enough.

Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe

## Dozens of Dead in Yemen, and Blame Pointing in Both Directions

## U.S. Fingerprints on Attacks Obliterating Yemen's Economy

## 44 Small Graves Stir Questions About U.S. Policy in Yemen

The United Arab Emirates has also spearheaded an active role against fighting AQAP and ISIL-YP presence in Yemen through a partnership with the United States. In an Op-Ed in "The Washington Post," Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, described that the intervention has reduced AQAP presence in Yemen to its weakest point since 2012 with many areas previously under their control liberated. The ambassador claimed that more than 2,000 militants have been removed from the battlefield, with their controlled areas now having improved security and a better delivered humanitarian and development assistance such as to the port city of Mukalla and other liberated areas.
 An Associated Press investigation outlined that the military coalition in Yemen actively reduced AQAP in Yemen without military intervention, instead by offering them deals and even actively recruiting them in the coalition because "they are considered as exceptional fighters". UAE Brigadier General Musallam Al Rashidi responded to the accusations by stating that Al Qaeda cannot be reasoned with and cited that they killed many of his soldiers. The UAE military stated that accusations of allowing AQAP to leave with cash contradict their primary objective of depriving AQAP of its financial strength. The notion of the coalition recruiting or paying AQAP has been thoroughly denied by the United States Pentagon with Colonel Robert Manning, spokesperson of the Pentagon, calling the news source "patently false". The governor of Hadramut Faraj al-Bahsani, dismissed the accusations that Al Qaeda has joined with the coalition rank, explaining that if they did there would be sleeper cells and that he would be "the first one to be killed". According to "The Independent", AQAP activity on social media as well as the number of terror attacks conducted by them has decreased since the Emirati intervention. A certification and assurance was announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The certification and assurance stated that maximum efforts are being taken by the Saudi-led coalition to avoid civilian casualties. The certification and assurance legally authorized American military to refuel coalition military aircraft.


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FutureLearn partners with top international universities and specialist organisations to offer online courses and degrees.

Since our launch in 2013, we've run hundreds of courses on a diverse range of topics, which have attracted over seven million learners from around the world.

We're always happy to talk if you're interested in

World-leading academic institutions known for their teaching and research across a variety of fields.

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

Università per Stranieri di Siena (UniStraSi)

Organisations with expertise in a specific area and education as part of their mission.

CIPD - Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

The Global Travel and Tourism Partnership (GTTP)

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC)

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe (PRACE)

UNESCO UNITWIN Complex Systems Digital Campus

Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences

A centre within a University, recognised around the world for its expertise in a particular subject area.

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Centres of excellence renowned for their expertise in their chosen subject areas.

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Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Shanghai International Studies University (SISU)

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Università per Stranieri di Siena (UniStraSi)

Organisations with expertise in a specific area and education as part of their mission.

CIPD - Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

The Global Travel and Tourism Partnership (GTTP)

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC)

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe (PRACE)

UNESCO UNITWIN Complex Systems Digital Campus

Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences

A centre within a University, recognised around the world for its expertise in a particular subject area.

Darden School of Business, University of Virginia

HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education

Northumbria University Institute of the Humanities

University of Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development

Centres of excellence renowned for their expertise in their chosen subject areas.

Jindal Centre for Social Innovation + Entrepreneurship

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

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There are a lot of benefits to becoming a FutureLearn partner - from building a global brand to attracting future students.

We're always looking for top institutions committed to advancing education, maybe you could be our next partner.

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On 20 May 2018, Pope Francis announced that he planned to make Ladaria a cardinal.

(meta data) TITLE: Pope Francis announces that he will create 14 new cardinals in June | America Magazine

[Weekly]Catholic Book Club: Book reviews and literary discussion [Weekly]The Word: Sunday reflections on Scripture and daily life [Weekly]Convivir: Accompanying and celebrating U.S. Catholic Latinos

[Weekly]Livestream Alerts: Never miss a live discussion from AmericaThe Issue: Editors' picks from the latest edition of America magazine [Every 2 weeks]FaithVatican Dispatch

# Pope Francis announces that he will create 14 new cardinals in June

Pope Francis arrives in procession to celebrate Mass marking the feast of Pentecost in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 20.

The pope at his "Regina Coeli" announced that he will create 14 new cardinals June 29.

Show Comments (1)Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication.

Baron Corvo1 year 3 months agoAdvertisementMore: Vatican / Pope Francis Gerard O'Connell

Gerard O'Connell is America's Vatican correspondent.

1Why more U.S. Catholics should know about St. Alberto Hurtado, S.J.David J.W. Inczauskis, S.J.2What will it take to keep young people in the church?

Katie Prejean McGrady3David Brooks on his life-changing pilgrimage with St. Augustine and

Dorothy DayBill McGarvey4Review: Sister Helen Prejean's fiery soulColleen Dulle5'Blinded by the Light' is a song-and-dance celebration of Bruce SpringsteenKerry Weber

Your source for jobs, books, retreats, and much more.

The science is in: Faith can be effective against adolescent depressionAll youth counselors should be aware of this connection.

Jane Cooley FruehwirthAugust 19, 2019Five

years ago ISIS tried to wipe out the Yazidis.

Have we forgotten them?"There is no hope, no future here.

"Kevin ClarkeAugust 19, 2019'Blinded by the Light' is a song-and-dance celebration of Bruce Springsteen'Blinded by the Light' captures the angst and joy of being a teenager.

Kerry WeberAugust 16, 2019Education grants for prisoners are not only practical, they also promote human dignityA

bill to restore Pell grants for those in prison would be an investment in human capital, writes Raymond Moylan, but more importantly it honors the principles of Catholic social teaching and strikes a blow against "throwaway culture.

On 1 July 2017, Pope Francis appointed Ladaria as Prefect of CDF succeeding Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller. Ladaria also succeeded to the offices held "ex officio" by the Prefect:  President of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei", President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and President of the International Theological Commission.


The date he planned to make Ladaria a cardinal was on 28 June.

(meta data) TITLE: Pope Francis announces that he will create 14 new cardinals in June | America Magazine

[Weekly]Catholic Book Club: Book reviews and literary discussion [Weekly]The Word: Sunday reflections on Scripture and daily life [Weekly]Convivir: Accompanying and celebrating U.S. Catholic Latinos

[Weekly]Livestream Alerts: Never miss a live discussion from AmericaThe Issue: Editors' picks from the latest edition of America magazine [Every 2 weeks]FaithVatican Dispatch

# Pope Francis announces that he will create 14 new cardinals in June

Pope Francis arrives in procession to celebrate Mass marking the feast of Pentecost in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 20.

The pope at his "Regina Coeli" announced that he will create 14 new cardinals June 29.

Show Comments (1)Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication.

Baron Corvo1 year 3 months agoAdvertisementMore: Vatican / Pope Francis Gerard O'Connell

Gerard O'Connell is America's Vatican correspondent.

1Why more U.S. Catholics should know about St. Alberto Hurtado, S.J.David J.W. Inczauskis, S.J.2What will it take to keep young people in the church?

Katie Prejean McGrady3David Brooks on his life-changing pilgrimage with St. Augustine and

Dorothy DayBill McGarvey4Review: Sister Helen Prejean's fiery soulColleen Dulle5'Blinded by the Light' is a song-and-dance celebration of Bruce SpringsteenKerry Weber

Your source for jobs, books, retreats, and much more.

The science is in: Faith can be effective against adolescent depressionAll youth counselors should be aware of this connection.

Jane Cooley FruehwirthAugust 19, 2019Five

years ago ISIS tried to wipe out the Yazidis.

Have we forgotten them?"There is no hope, no future here.

"Kevin ClarkeAugust 19, 2019'Blinded by the Light' is a song-and-dance celebration of Bruce Springsteen'Blinded by the Light' captures the angst and joy of being a teenager.

Kerry WeberAugust 16, 2019Education grants for prisoners are not only practical, they also promote human dignityA

bill to restore Pell grants for those in prison would be an investment in human capital, writes Raymond Moylan, but more importantly it honors the principles of Catholic social teaching and strikes a blow against "throwaway culture.

On 1 July 2017, Pope Francis appointed Ladaria as Prefect of CDF succeeding Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller. Ladaria also succeeded to the offices held "ex officio" by the Prefect:  President of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei", President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and President of the International Theological Commission. On 20 May 2018, Pope Francis announced that he planned to make Ladaria a cardinal.


(meta data) TITLE: Megan Rapinoe - #SheBelieves: historic ticker-tape parade in NYC for U.S. women's national soccer team - Pictures - CBS News

(meta data) PUBLISHER: https://www.facebook.com/CBSNews

Trump arrives for G-7 summit amid trade war with China

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Brazil's leader says he might send military to fight Amazon fires

Front lawn becomes a stage for house-ridden boy

"It's kinda crazy": Kid influencers make big money

David Koch, GOP donor and philanthropist, has died at age 79

# Team USA parades NYC's "Canyon of Heroes"

Screams and a blizzard of confetti cheered the World Cup winning U.S. women's soccer players as they rolled up New York City's 'Canyon of Heroes' on Friday, July 10, 2015 in the first ticker-tape parade honoring a women's sports team.

The team defeated Japan by a score of 5-2 in the final of World Cup competition on July 5, 2015 to earn a third title, the most for any country in women's World Cup history.

Here, Megan Rapinoe (center) flourishes the Women's World Cup trophy as Carli Lloyd (left), who scored three goals in the final, holds a selfie-stick as they ride on a float in the parade.

People throw confetti from the top of a building in New York City during a ticker-tape parade for the U.S. women's national soccer team, July 10, 2015.

Carli Lloyd, left, and Megan Rapinoe, holding the World Cup trophy, great the crowds during a ticker-tape parade for the 2015 World Cup champions in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Also in the photo are New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, center, First Lady Chirlaine McCray, second from right, and U.S. women's team coach Jill Ellis, far right.

Fans of the U.S. women's soccer team cheer during the ticker-tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory over Japan on July 10, 2015.

The USWNT went undefeated during their cup run with six victories and one scoreless tie.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Soccer players Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe, First Lady Chirlane McCray and U.S. Coach Jill Ellis wave to crowds from aboard a float in the New York City ticker- tape parade for the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's Soccer Team, July 10, 2015.

A plane flies a banner that reads, "@Ultraviolet: FIFA-Equal Pay 4 Equal Play," at the start of the ticker-tape parade for the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

The U.S. Women's World Cup team members stand on floats during their ticker-tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015.

Fans of the U.S. women's soccer team cheer during the ticker-tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015 to celebrate their World Cup final win over Japan on Sunday, July 5.

Paper falls from buildings during the ticker-tape parade for the U.S. women's soccer team up Broadway in lower Manhattan to celebrate their World Cup final win over Japan in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Fans of the U.S. women's soccer team cheer during the ticker-tape parade to celebrate their World Cup title in New York City on July 10, 2015.

Fans cheer as the U.S. women's national soccer team ride past in floats during the ticker-tape parade up Broadway in lower Manhattan, July 10, 2015.

Hope Solo waves to people along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade for the 2015 World Cup champions in New York City, July 10, 2015.

People peer out the window of a McDonald's to watch the ticker-tape parade along Broadway for the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A band marches in the ticker-tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015 celebrating the World Cup victory for the U.S. women's soccer team in the final against Japan on Sunday, July 5.

Fans line Broadway to see the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Kerry Haughton, U.S. Army, gets her flag back from Heather O'Reilly after she autographed it along the parade route in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Thousands of fans cheer as the World Cup winning U.S. women's soccer team make their way up Broadway during a ticker-tape parade in New York, July 10, 2015.

U.S. women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe (center) holds the Wold Cup trophy as she rides a float with teammate Carli Lloyd (left) and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio during the ticker-tape parade up Broadway in lower Manhattan in New York City on July 10, 2015.

A U.S. women's soccer fan is covered in American flags during the ticker-tape parade celebrating the team's World Cup victory in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Abby Wambach (at left on float) looks up during the ticker-tape parade for the U.S. Women's World Cup soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Members of the World Cup winning U.S. women's soccer team, including Whitney Engen (right), make their way up Broadway during a ticker-tape parade in New York City.

U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer during the ticker-tape parade in New York City celebrating the team's World Cup victory, July 10, 2015.

Clergy members stand outside Trinity Church as the U.S. women's soccer team passes by in floats during the ticker-tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015.

Fans cheer during a ticker-tape parade celebrating Team USA's World Cup final win in New York City on July 10, 2015.

Tobin Heath (center) of the U.S. women's soccer team waves to fans during the ticker-tape parade celebrating the U.S team's World Cup final victory in New York City on July 10, 2015.

A young fan cheers Team USA in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Fans line the parade route as the U.S. women's national soccer team passes by in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A woman holds a sign, "Who run the world? Girls," during the ticker-tape parade for the U.S. women's national soccer in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Team USA supporters cheer as floats go past during a victory parade for the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A popular social media hashtag #SheBelieves is referenced on signs held by soccer fans along the parade route in New York City, July 10, 2015.

After receiving the gift of an NYPD hat, U.S. goalie Hope Solo poses with a New York police officer at the end of the ticker-tape parade in honor of the women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrates the Champion U.S. women's soccer team at a City Hall ceremony following a ticker-tape parade, July 10, 2015.

Rachelle Albano cheers the U.S. women's national soccer team at a ceremony at City Hall in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Alex Morgan (L-R), Sydney Leroux and Cristen Press wave to fans at the start of a ceremony at City Hall in New York City, honoring their accomplishments in the 2015 World Cup, July 10, 2015.

A fan decked out in red, white and blue waits to see the U.S. women's national soccer team and reigning World Cup champions at a ceremony at City Hall in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A young girl wears a soccer-themed bow in her hair during the victory celebration for the 2015 World Cup champion team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A young fan waits to see the U.S. women's national soccer team and reigning World Cup champions at a City Hall ceremony in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Megan Rapinoe shows off the key to the city she received on the steps of City Hall from Mayor Bill de Blasio, right, and First Lady Charlaine McCray, second from right, in New York City, July 10, 2015.

At left is Robin Roberts of "Good Morning America."

Abby Wambach speaks to the audience at a City Hall ceremony for th U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

U.S. women's national soccer team and reigning 2015 World Cup champions are showered in confetti at the end of a ceremony at City Hall in New York City after receiving keys to the city, July 10, 2015.

Abby Wambach kisses the World Cup trophy on the steps of city hall after the team was given keys to New York City, 10, 2015.

A flag-wrapped fan exits the City Hall ceremony for the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Following the United States' win at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Harris and her teammates became the first women's sports team to be honored with a Ticker Tape Parade in New York City.


(meta data) TITLE: Megan Rapinoe - #SheBelieves: historic ticker-tape parade in NYC for U.S. women's national soccer team - Pictures - CBS News

(meta data) PUBLISHER: https://www.facebook.com/CBSNews

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# Team USA parades NYC's "Canyon of Heroes"

Screams and a blizzard of confetti cheered the World Cup winning U.S. women's soccer players as they rolled up New York City's 'Canyon of Heroes' on Friday, July 10, 2015 in the first ticker-tape parade honoring a women's sports team.

The team defeated Japan by a score of 5-2 in the final of World Cup competition on July 5, 2015 to earn a third title, the most for any country in women's World Cup history.

Here, Megan Rapinoe (center) flourishes the Women's World Cup trophy as Carli Lloyd (left), who scored three goals in the final, holds a selfie-stick as they ride on a float in the parade.

People throw confetti from the top of a building in New York City during a ticker-tape parade for the U.S. women's national soccer team, July 10, 2015.

Carli Lloyd, left, and Megan Rapinoe, holding the World Cup trophy, great the crowds during a ticker-tape parade for the 2015 World Cup champions in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Also in the photo are New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, center, First Lady Chirlaine McCray, second from right, and U.S. women's team coach Jill Ellis, far right.

Fans of the U.S. women's soccer team cheer during the ticker-tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory over Japan on July 10, 2015.

The USWNT went undefeated during their cup run with six victories and one scoreless tie.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Soccer players Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe, First Lady Chirlane McCray and U.S. Coach Jill Ellis wave to crowds from aboard a float in the New York City ticker- tape parade for the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's Soccer Team, July 10, 2015.

A plane flies a banner that reads, "@Ultraviolet: FIFA-Equal Pay 4 Equal Play," at the start of the ticker-tape parade for the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

The U.S. Women's World Cup team members stand on floats during their ticker-tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015.

Fans of the U.S. women's soccer team cheer during the ticker-tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015 to celebrate their World Cup final win over Japan on Sunday, July 5.

Paper falls from buildings during the ticker-tape parade for the U.S. women's soccer team up Broadway in lower Manhattan to celebrate their World Cup final win over Japan in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Fans of the U.S. women's soccer team cheer during the ticker-tape parade to celebrate their World Cup title in New York City on July 10, 2015.

Fans cheer as the U.S. women's national soccer team ride past in floats during the ticker-tape parade up Broadway in lower Manhattan, July 10, 2015.

Hope Solo waves to people along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade for the 2015 World Cup champions in New York City, July 10, 2015.

People peer out the window of a McDonald's to watch the ticker-tape parade along Broadway for the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A band marches in the ticker-tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015 celebrating the World Cup victory for the U.S. women's soccer team in the final against Japan on Sunday, July 5.

Fans line Broadway to see the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Kerry Haughton, U.S. Army, gets her flag back from Heather O'Reilly after she autographed it along the parade route in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Thousands of fans cheer as the World Cup winning U.S. women's soccer team make their way up Broadway during a ticker-tape parade in New York, July 10, 2015.

U.S. women's soccer player Megan Rapinoe (center) holds the Wold Cup trophy as she rides a float with teammate Carli Lloyd (left) and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio during the ticker-tape parade up Broadway in lower Manhattan in New York City on July 10, 2015.

A U.S. women's soccer fan is covered in American flags during the ticker-tape parade celebrating the team's World Cup victory in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Abby Wambach (at left on float) looks up during the ticker-tape parade for the U.S. Women's World Cup soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Members of the World Cup winning U.S. women's soccer team, including Whitney Engen (right), make their way up Broadway during a ticker-tape parade in New York City.

U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer during the ticker-tape parade in New York City celebrating the team's World Cup victory, July 10, 2015.

Clergy members stand outside Trinity Church as the U.S. women's soccer team passes by in floats during the ticker-tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015.

Fans cheer during a ticker-tape parade celebrating Team USA's World Cup final win in New York City on July 10, 2015.

Tobin Heath (center) of the U.S. women's soccer team waves to fans during the ticker-tape parade celebrating the U.S team's World Cup final victory in New York City on July 10, 2015.

A young fan cheers Team USA in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Fans line the parade route as the U.S. women's national soccer team passes by in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A woman holds a sign, "Who run the world? Girls," during the ticker-tape parade for the U.S. women's national soccer in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Team USA supporters cheer as floats go past during a victory parade for the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A popular social media hashtag #SheBelieves is referenced on signs held by soccer fans along the parade route in New York City, July 10, 2015.

After receiving the gift of an NYPD hat, U.S. goalie Hope Solo poses with a New York police officer at the end of the ticker-tape parade in honor of the women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrates the Champion U.S. women's soccer team at a City Hall ceremony following a ticker-tape parade, July 10, 2015.

Rachelle Albano cheers the U.S. women's national soccer team at a ceremony at City Hall in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Alex Morgan (L-R), Sydney Leroux and Cristen Press wave to fans at the start of a ceremony at City Hall in New York City, honoring their accomplishments in the 2015 World Cup, July 10, 2015.

A fan decked out in red, white and blue waits to see the U.S. women's national soccer team and reigning World Cup champions at a ceremony at City Hall in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A young girl wears a soccer-themed bow in her hair during the victory celebration for the 2015 World Cup champion team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

A young fan waits to see the U.S. women's national soccer team and reigning World Cup champions at a City Hall ceremony in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Megan Rapinoe shows off the key to the city she received on the steps of City Hall from Mayor Bill de Blasio, right, and First Lady Charlaine McCray, second from right, in New York City, July 10, 2015.

At left is Robin Roberts of "Good Morning America."

Abby Wambach speaks to the audience at a City Hall ceremony for th U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

U.S. women's national soccer team and reigning 2015 World Cup champions are showered in confetti at the end of a ceremony at City Hall in New York City after receiving keys to the city, July 10, 2015.

Abby Wambach kisses the World Cup trophy on the steps of city hall after the team was given keys to New York City, 10, 2015.

A flag-wrapped fan exits the City Hall ceremony for the U.S. women's national soccer team in New York City, July 10, 2015.

Following the United States' win at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Harris and her teammates became the first women's sports team to be honored with a Ticker Tape Parade in New York City. Each player received a key to the city.


Their members choose the Senators of the Dutch Senate.

(meta data) TITLE: Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal - English

## Logo Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal

logo Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal, woordmerk

dubbele pijl omlaagWhat is the function of the Senate?

dubbele pijl omlaagHow do the two houses of the Dutch Parliament differ?

dubbele pijl omlaagWhy have a bicameral system?

dubbele pijl omlaagHow did the Senate come into existence?

dubbele pijl omlaagHow are bills dealt with by the Senate?

dubbele pijl omlaagWhat else do members of the Senate do?

In this document you will find general information about the election, procedures and history of the Senate.

The 75 members of the Senate (Eerste Kamer) of the Dutch Parliament (the States General) are elected by the members of the twelve Provincial Councils and three Electoral Colleges from the Caribean part of the Netherlands.

These elections are indirect: the voters elect the members of the Provincial Councils and the Electoral Colleges, who in turn elect the members of the Senate.

As the members of the Senate are not elected directly by the voters, they are rather more remote from the realities of daily politics.

The criteria for membership are the same as those for the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) of the Dutch Parliament.

Since the 1983 revision of the constitution the Senate is elected in its entirety every four years by the members of the Provincial Council.

In 2017 the possibility to elect the members of the Senate through the Electoral Colleges in the Caribean part of the Netherlands has been anchored in the constitution.

The elections take place within three months of the Provincial Council and Electoral Colleges elections.

The Senate's main duties are in the legislative field, but it also plays a role in scrutinising the actions of the Government.

Formally the Senate can only reject or accept legislation.

In practice, however, it has rather more possibilities and debates are of importance.

For example, statements made by government ministers in debates on bills (draft legislation) can play a role in future lawsuits.

The debates in the Senate contribute to the interpretation of a law.

Moreover, members of the Senate can elicit undertakings from ministers about the implementation of a law.

Like their counterparts in the House of Representatives, members of the Senate are entitled to put written questions to the Government.

The debate on the Government's budget also gives them the opportunity to debate current and future policy with the government.

## How do the two houses of the Dutch Parliament differ?

Members of the House of Representatives are full-time politicians, whereas members of the Senate are part-timers who often hold other positions as well.

They receive an allowance which is about a quarter of the salary of the members of the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives is mainly engaged in day-to-day politics.

As such, it calls ministers to account, holds debates on new policy and undertakes detailed examination of bills.

As noted previously, the Senate is rather more remote from day-to-day politics, if only because the parliamentary parties in the Senate are not formally bound by a government programme.

The Senate is concerned only with the broad outline of policy.

It can operate rather more independently than the House of Representatives.

The Senate has a revising role in relation to draft legislation.

Its members do not have the right to amend bills (the right of amendment).

They can only vote on them and either accept or reject them.

Furthermore, the members of Senate make much less use of the right to ask written questions than the members of the House of Representatives.

Finally, the House of Representatives has exercised its right to institute an inquiry on several occasions, particularly in recent years, whereas the Senate has to date never exercised this right.

The bicameral system (system of two chambers) was introduced in 1815 when the Senate was established.

The Senate has remained in existence ever since, despite occasional criticism of its existence and functioning.

In due course there came to be wider acceptance of the value of a second chamber as an institution that assesses bills by reference to its own criteria after they have passed through the House of Representatives.

The legislative process can be fairly protracted.

Sometimes it takes five or six years before a bill becomes law.

The Government and the House of Representatives often amend the text of a bill during this process.

Furthermore, new information and ideas may emerge while a bill is passing through Parliament.

The main purpose of revision is to ascertain whether the final bill is of sufficient quality and to ensure that it does not conflict with the constitution or international treaties or jeopardise the rights of citizens disproportionately.

The legislation as a whole must also remain affordable.

## How did the Senate come into existence?

The Senate has existed since 1815, the year in which it was instituted by King William I.

When the Netherlands and Belgium were united in 1815 the Belgians in particular pressed for the introduction of a bicameral system.

In its early years the Senate served as a bulwark of the Crown (i.e. the King and his ministers) since it was still able to block bills that displeased the King.

Such bills were usually private member's bills from the House of Representatives.

At that time, the members of the House of Representatives too were elected indirectly.

The members of the Senate were not elected, but were confidants of the King and were appointed for life.

The Senate remained in existence after the separation from Belgium in 1830.

Much changed in the political sphere as a result of the introduction of a new constitution in 1848.

The position of the Senate and the criteria governing eligibility to stand for election were among the changes.

Monitoring the quality of legislation gradually came to be the main function of the Senate after 1848.

It thus became a revising chamber or 'Chambre de reflection'.

## How are bills dealt with by the Senate?

Directly after a bill has been passed by the House of Representatives it is sent to the Senate.

Here the bill is submitted to a parliamentary committee.

The committee decides whether the bill can be immediately put on the agenda of the full chamber or whether there should first be preparatory study of the bill.

If a bill is immediately put on the agenda of the full chamber, it will be passed as a formality without a debate.

The preparatory study of a bill consists mainly in written correspondence and the exchange of documents.

The members of the committee present the views of their parliamentary party in writing and put questions to the Government.

The Government replies in a note or memorandum of reply.

Sometimes, there may be several rounds of correspondence, but one is generally considered sufficient.

After the written preparations have been completed, the Senate is notified that the bill is ready for debate by the full chamber.

In due course the bill is then put on the plenary agenda.

## What else do members of the Senate do?

The main function of members of the Senate is to scrutinise and revise bills.

To do this effectively, they read the official papers and reports as well as letters and articles from newspapers and periodicals.

The members sometimes receive hundreds of letters before a bill is dealt with.

Members of the Senate also confer internally and externally.

Internal consultations are held for the most part within the parliamentary party or committee concerned.

The procedure to be adopted is one of the matters discussed in the committee meetings.

External consultations are held with organisations and citizens.

Sometimes members receive visitors or delegations.

And in special circumstances a committee may decide to hold a hearing.

Members of the Senate also have the right to ask the Government written questions about issues unconnected with a bill.

However, they make only limited use of this right.

The general view is that scrutinising the policy and actions of the Government is first and foremost the responsibility of the House of Representatives.

The Senate currently consists of 13 fractions:

VVD (People's Party for Freedom and democracy, 12 seats)

CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal, 9 seats)

"The Senate presents itself" is a film about the Senate and its members.

It shows the Senators at work as part-time politicians and as citizens with their own profession.

The scrutiny of the quality of the legislative bills is a priority for the Senators.

"The Senate presents itself" (Film, 16:55 minutes)

Biography President of the Senate Ankie Broekers-Knol

The Senate of the States General (brochure)

"European Senates convene on 22 May in Dutch Senate"

The electoral colleges for the Senate (in Dutch: "kiescolleges voor de Eerste Kamer") are the electoral colleges of the three public bodies of the Netherlands located in the Caribbean Sea.