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EAST HELENA The Republican candidate for Montanas empty U.S. House seat worked to align himself with President Donald Trump on Thursday while standing next to Trumps son, who played up protecting the Second Amendment to a crowd of about 300 during his second trip to the state in less than a month.

Greg Gianforte, a Bozeman technology entrepreneur who lost a bid for governor last fall in his first foray into Montana politics, spoke with Donald Trump Jr. at the Kleffner Ranch in East Helena, the first of four rallies statewide in Butte, Sidney and Great Falls.

Are we going to have somebody whos going to defend our way of life against federal overreach and work with President Trump, or are we going to have someone who falls in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi? Gianforte said to loud cheers. A large red barn was filled with supporters and one protester who, after interrupting Trump Jr. to ask if the president would release his tax returns, was escorted out of the event.

Gianforte is facing Democrat Rob Quist, a musician from Creston, and Libertarian Mark Wicks, an Inverness rancher, in a special election May 25. Montanas lone U.S. House seat is empty after Trump appointed Ryan Zinke to lead the Interior Department.

At the end of April, several hundred turned out for rallies with Trump Jr. in Kalispell, Hamilton, Billings and Bozeman. Vice President Mike Pence is coming to Billings on Friday for another rally. Quist's campaign has said former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, will visit the state on behalf of Quist, though a date has not been announced. Sanders beat Hillary Clinton in Montana's Democratic presidential primary.

Both Trump Jr. and Gianforte on Thursday encouraged people to return their ballots, which went out at the start of the month. The election, which is on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, could hinge on who shows up to vote. Turnout for special elections is typically low, and Republicans are concerned about Democratic momentum sparked by frustration with Trumps election last November.

In January about 10,000 participated in the Womens March in Helena, many holding signs objecting to Trump. Quists events around the state have brought in large crowds, even in more rural and Republican areas.

Youd better be voting because the other side is voting, Trump Jr. said. Theyre going crazy, theyre raising money from the coasts. Stay vigilant, stay active, vote before May 25.

Montana's Republican Attorney General Tim Fox also spoke, as did Chris Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Association.

Fox, who has been asked by the state Republican party to run against U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, in 2018, said his party is gathering momentum in the state, taking over all but one statewide office in last falls election. But that doesnt mean Republicans can coast, he said.

Were riding the wave, but you cant stay on top of the wave unless youre paddling hard. The work is just beginning in many ways. We've got to push through the finish line.

Quist communications director Tina Olechowski tried to play up energy behind the Democratic candidate, releasing a statement saying:

"The momentum is behind Rob Quist with Montanans across the state supporting Rob as an independent voice who will protect Montana's public lands, fight for affordable health care and support tax cuts for small businesses and working families, not millionaires."

Polls have shown the race is close, with aGravis Marketing poll released earlier this week showing Gianforte leading by 8 percentage points,with a margin of error of 4.6 percent.

Trump Jr. said Gianforte would help the president further his agenda in Washington. Because of Gianfortes vast personal wealth, Trump Jr. said the Republican candidate could not be bought by special interests.

Gianforte sold his company RightNow Technologies to Oracle in 2012 for $1.8 billion.

I know hes going to help my father along, because the deck is really stacked," the younger Trump said."Its stacked against us, even from people in our own party. Weve all seen that."

In Butte, Trump Jr. called this historically Democratic town a "Trump Democrat town," trying to link Butte's past as a copper mining town to the plight of the coal industry. While Trump won the presidential race in Montana by 20 percentage points last November, Democrat Hillary Clinton took Butte by 14 percentage points.

Near the end of Trump Jr.'s speech in Helena, a protester interrupted to ask about the presidents tax returns. Trump has not released his returns, something that has historically been done by presidential candidates and became an issue both during and after the election.

Mark Girdler was booed and escorted out by volunteers as Trump Jr. said returns that were released show his father paid more than Sanders and former President Barack Obama.

Mark Girdler of Helena, brown hat, is forced out of a Greg Gianforte rally after shouting about President Donald Trump's tax return, while Donald Trump Jr was speaking.

When asked why he paid the money to see candidates he disagreed with, Girdler said he feels compelled to point out its hypocritical of millionaires to say theyll take care of the little people.

This is my country. Im a patriot, he said. He (Trump) embarrasses me.

Girdler was not the only protester at the events statewide, though he appeared to be the only one to enter a rally.

Marlene Simms, a Helena resident, said she came to the East Helena rally by herself because shes concerned about Trumps administration so far, particularly excessive time spent golfing. As far as Gianforte, she said shes concerned about his position on health care. Gianforte initially declined to give his opinion on the bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but later said on a taped call that he was thankful a plan to repeal and replace was underway.

Marlene Simms, a Helena resident, holds a protest sign outside a Greg Gianforte campaign rally in East Helena, Mont.

Outside the rally in Butte, about 150 people gathered to protest, including a coalition of local Democrats, Butte Area Rising Coalition and individuals. In Helena, several protesters lined up on the road outside the driveway in Helena, but several dozen parked along the highway a half mile away. They held signs in support of Quist, ones questioning Gianfortes wealth and his ability to relate to Montanans, and in opposition to the GOPs health care proposal. Many of those protesters said the Trump administration prompted them to be involved beyond voting each cycle.

Republican congressional candidate Greg Gianforte meets with supporters after a campaign rally May 11, 2017 at the Kleffner Ranch in East Helena, Mont.

Diane Mercier and Tracie Olson, both of Helena, came to the event Thursday in East Helena even though theyd both already cast their ballots for Gianforte. Mercier said she voted for Gianforte because of his conservative and Christian views.

I like his family values. And also because he is a businessman and knows all about how to build a business and create jobs.

Mercier said she is a lifelong conservative, but both she and Olson said they vote more on the candidate and issues rather than along party lines.

I look at the people, at the issues, Olson said.

In his short speech, Trump Jr. took time to criticize the media, saying the press has been dishonest about his father and family.

Trump Jr. told a story in which a reporter called a college friend of his for information and then asked the friend if they could point (the reporter) in the direction of someone who could give me an alternative viewpoint.

At that point, the crowd booed. Trump Jr. continued, This was a journalist, they couldn't accept that maybe he was a decent guy, that there wasnt a story here. They couldnt just accept that. They had to actually see information, find someone who doesnt like me. Thats the media were dealing with, thats the dishonesty were dealing with.

Several at the event said they dont know where to look to find news that is accurate. Mercier said she looks to conservative news outlets and media, while Olson said she does not trust those.

When asked if Gianfortes efforts this election to align himself with Trump have swayed their opinions, the women paused.

Donald Trump as a person, hes brash. I do not like him as a person that you see on TV, Mercier said. But I really feel strongly there needs to be a shakeup in Washington, D.C., and hes trying to do what needs to be done.

She said Congress has stood in the way of what Trump is trying to do.

Marie Bomar, also of Helena, was more supportive of Trumps presidency so far.

Hes certainly shaken up the world.

Helena resident Del Lonnquist, left, said he feels like the Washington press and Washington elite Democrats are Carterizing Trump, saying at the start of former president Jimmy Carter's term in the White House the Washington press corps tried to paint him as a peanut farmer from Georgia and the same is happening now.

Helena resident Del Lonnquist said he feels like the Washington press and Washington elite Democrats are Carterizing Trump, saying at the start of former president Jimmy Carter's term in the White House the Washington press corps tried to paint him as a peanut farmer from Georgia and the same is happening now.

He couldnt tell his story, Lonnquist said. Of course he didnt have Twitter.

Originally posted here:
2nd Amendment, hunting and fishing highlight Trump Jr.'s visit to Montana - Billings Gazette

BBC News

Migrant crisis: UN says 250 missing in shipwrecks BBC News The central Mediterranean route for illegal migration to Europe is currently the busiest. It is also one of the most deadly, the UN says. "Since the beginning of 2017, one person out of 35 has died on the sea journey from Libya to Italy," UN High ... and more »

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Migrant crisis: UN says 250 missing in shipwrecks - BBC News

Europe

19:08 09.05.2017 Get short URL

Following a conference inThessaloniki, Greece, May 8, onthe need for "a truly European solution tothe refugee crisis based onthe principle ofrespect forfundamental human rights," the president ofthe Global Progressive Forum, Socialists and Democrats, Enrique Guerrero Salom, said EU members had a duty toengage toresolve the crisis byworking together.

"Our duty is topromote a common progressive approach tothe refugee and migration crisis based onrespect forhuman rights and solidarity betweenEU institutions and member states. I express my gratitude tothe Greek people and authorities fortheir efforts and democratic approach tothis humanitarian crisis," said Salom.

"EU member states must now take uptheir responsibilities ina spirit ofsolidarity foraccelerated and steady relocation fromGreece and Italy. We must urgently find solutions especially interms ofrelocation and integration," he said.

"With a budget ofUS$272 million, this year our focus is ontwo key objectives: tomove refugees fromcamps torented accommodation and tomove away fromcatering toa cash system and communal kitchen facilities," European Commissioner forhumanitarian aid and crisis management Christos Stylianidis said.

"Our commitment is tocontinue helping the Greek authorities intheir response tothe refugee crisis. We will continue toprovide our assistance tothose who need it most, ina neutral and impartial way," he said.

"We express our solidarity withthe Greek citizens, withthe local and regional authorities, withthe efforts ofthe Greek government. But we must push forrelocation tocontinue, forthe Dublin regulation totake intoaccount the realities ofthe present circumstances and foran initiative tolower tensions withTurkey. The precious agreement gives us time tobreathe, butwe must use this time wisely," said Socialist and Democrat (S&D) MEP Miltos Kyrkos.

The Commission, 2015, promoted the controversial scheme torelocate 160,000 fromItaly and Greece torelieve pressure onboth countries, butthe scheme has so far only relocated a little over16,000 just ten percent ofthe original target, which itself was reduced to98,255.

Disagreements

There are two relocation plans onthe EU agenda: the Greece-Italy relocations designed totake the weight offthose two counties and redistribute refugees acrossEU member states according toa mandatory quota system and the EU-Turkey deal torelocate "irregular migrants" (those refused asylum) back toTurkey inreturn ona one-for-one basis forSyrian refugees inTurkey being relocated aroundEU member states.

REUTERS/ Michalis Karagiannis

However, according tothe Commission, so far only 18,119 have been relocated underthe relocation scheme (as atMay 9, 2017). The Commission has threatened topunish any member state that still refuses toallocate spaces forrefugees bySeptember 2017 two years afterthe original agreement was made.

"Today we had an excellent discussion onthe safety ofour borders and the integration ofthe refugees " Our priority is toprotect the children, especially the unaccompanied ones, while maintaining a balance inour priorities and supporting the Greek and European people living inextreme poverty, sincecountries likeGreece and Italy have been guarding the borders formany years and the resulting cost ofthe migration crisis is unbearable. We need toexchange best practices and form a holistic strategy toface the crisis," said S&D MEP Eva Kaili.

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MEPs Call for Solidarity, 'Urgent Solution' Over Migrant Crisis - Sputnik International

From waves of dinghies setting off from Libya to the appearance of privately-funded rescue ships, the face of the migration crisis in the Mediterranean has changed greatly over the past few years.

Overcrowding dinghies

Up until 2014, people traffickers took migrants headed for Europe out into international waters on "mother ships" before transferring them to smaller boats.

But when Rome launched Mare Nostrum in late 2013, Italy began to catch smugglers in international waters, forcing the criminals to change tactics, stay in Libyan waters and put people out to sea in expendable rubber boats which easily sank.

Their business model changed too. In early 2015 many Syrians - who had previously accounted for about 25 percent of passengers departing from Libya and could afford to pay more for the journey - switched to the Balkan route.

Photo: Giovanni Isolino/AFP

To recover their loses in the central Mediterranean, traffickers upped the number of passengers per vessel. They also largely stopped issuing satellite phones, meaning those in trouble could not call for help.

In 2015 Italy's coast guard registered 676 dinghies - 80 percent of which had a satellite phone on board - carrying an average of 103 people. By 2016 the number of dinghies had risen to 1,094 - with only 45 percent carrying a satellite phone, but each with an average of 122 passengers.

Mass departures stretched rescue resources to the limits: over 13,000 people were saved in five days at the end of May 2016, another 14,000 in four days in August - including a record of 7,000 in one day - and 10,800 at the start of October.

Tragedies bring rescuers

In 2014, about 70 percent of migrants were rescued by the Italian navy and coast guard, and 24 percent by commercial ships. But amid complaints it was serving as a "bridge to Europe" for migrants, Italy axed Mare Nostrum.

The safety line was cut, but departures continued, and after two shipwrecks killed 1,200 people in April 2015 the European Union beefed up its Frontex border control's Operation Triton and launched the Sophia anti-smuggling operation.

The tragedies also prompted the launch of privately-funded rescue vessels, with up to a dozen boats taking part at present.

Photo: Andreas Solaro/AFP

The larger boats combined rescued 26 percent of migrants in 2016, while the smaller ones handed out life jackets and gave emergency care to those in distress while help from bigger vessels arrived.

Italy's navy and coast guard still perform 40 percent of rescues, while the Sophia operation carries out 13 percent and Frontex 7.5 percent, according to the coast guard.

Despite their efforts, over 4,500 migrants died or were missing and feared drowned in 2016, and another 1,000 have met the same fate this year. Some succumb to the cold or dehydration, or are suffocated by fuel fumes, or trapped in overcrowded boats.

READ MORE: Why Italy is seeing a surge in winter migrant arrivals

A profitable business

In total, nearly 550,000 migrants arrived in Italy between 2013 and 2016, and 37,000 have landed in the country so far this year.

Photo: AFP

According to Sophia, some Libyan coastal areas derive 50 percent of their income from smuggling migrants. A dinghy with 100 passengers can fetch up to 67,000 euros ($73,000), while a wooden boat with 400 people can earn up to 380,000 euros.

Frontex estimates the business has a turnover of between four and six billion euros.

READ MORE: Italy arrests suspected migrant traffickers for 'inhumane treatment'

EU's strategy

The European Union is in the process of training and equipping Libyan coast guards so they will be able to prevent departures or at least stop boats reaching international waters.

So far this year over 4,000 migrants have been intercepted, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

The idea is that they be escorted back to camps in Libya, and then returned to their home countries where possible.

But human rights organizations have said the chaotic situation in crisis-hit Libya makes it impossible to declare it a safe place to return migrants, while many of those fleeing war or persecution cannot be simply returned home.

By Fanny Carrier

READ ALSO: Meet the Italian doctor giving hope to thousands of migrants

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The changing face of the Mediterranean migrant crisis - The Local Italy

Last October, then-U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson attempted to explain the 23-percent increase in illegal immigration apprehensions along the southwest border in one year. Border security alone cannot overcome the powerful push factors of poverty and violence that exist in Central America, Johnson argued. Ultimately, the solution is long-term investment in Central America to address the underlying push factors in the region.

Central America remains violence- and poverty-ridden. But under the leadership of President Trump and DHS Secretary John Kelly, apprehensions of illegal immigrants along the southwest border have dropped significantly. According to the Washington Times, southwest border crossings are at their lowest point in 17 years.

In a DHS report released on Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced that only 11,000 individuals were apprehended along the southwest border in April. This decrease in apprehensions is likely not a fluke: Indeed, every month that Trump has been in the Oval Office, the number of apprehensions along the southwest border has declined. In February, Trumps first full month in office, there were 18,000 apprehensions; one month later, there were 12,000. These numbers sit in stark contrast to those in November and December (when President Obama was still in office but Trumps presidential transition was underway), which saw 47,000 and 43,000 apprehensions, respectively.

DHS spokesman David Lapan reasoned that the decrease in apprehensions occurred because of the change in our enforcement policy. People in Central America are waiting and watching what happens rather than taking the long journey, Lapan said, adding, When you get here, its likely you will be caught and returned to your country.

It seems that the U.S. didnt need to make a long-term investment in Central America to decrease illegal immigration; it just needed to enforce its immigration laws.

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Illegal Immigration Decreases Significantly Along Southern Border - National Review