British, US experts join search for kidnapped Nigerian girls; report criticizes Nigerian army
LAGOS, Nigeria — The international effort to rescue the 276 schoolgirls being held captive by Islamic extremists in northeastern Nigeria was boosted Friday when British security experts joined the Nigerian and American forces trying to rescue the missing students.
As the worldwide effort got underway the weakness of the Nigerian military was exposed in a report issued by Amnesty International.
Britain said its aim was not only to help with the current crisis but to defeat Boko Haram.
“The team will be considering not just the recent incidents but also longer-term counter-terrorism solutions to prevent such attacks in the future and defeat Boko Haram,” the Foreign &Commonwealth Office said in a statement Friday.
The American team was joined by six additional military officers and more are expected soon, said Pentagon spokesman Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby. The U.S. officers will do a “gap analysis,” an assessment to identify what the Nigerian military needs that the U.S. could provide in the search for the girls, he said.
RNC changes rules on presidential debates as Koch-backed group plans $125 million effort
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Lunging for control of the GOP ahead of high-stakes elections, the Republican National Committee on Friday took steps to end free-for-all presidential debates and vowed to punish potential contenders who participate in rogue forums.
At the same time, an independent organization with deep ties to the conservative Koch brothers has elected to spend $125 million on the battle for control of the Senate this fall, giving the 168-member central party meeting a stark reminder that outside groups will have significant sway over Republican political fortunes through the 2016 presidential race.
One of those potential presidential contenders, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, publicly broke with the GOP over voting rights, saying in an interview that officials should stop passing state laws that tighten controls on voting. The New York Times published the article Friday, the same day Paul spoke at a luncheon during the RNC meeting.
As he opened the party’s meeting, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said the national committee can’t control everything in politics. “But we have an important mission,” he said, “and we’re going to get the job done.”
As he spoke, reports circulated that Americans for Prosperity plans to escalate its television advertising across the nation, improve voter data collection and strengthen its 31-state ground operation. It was a bracing reality check for the RNC: Despite the committee’s efforts, the GOP establishment won’t be the only one setting Republican priorities.
Veterans relay frustration over ‘broken system’ to Sen. McCain at Phoenix forum
PHOENIX — Several veterans voiced their anger and frustration to Sen. John McCain on Friday over what they call a broken Veterans Affairs system as the Republican said that reported lapses in care in Phoenix are part of a nationwide problem that needs to be fixed.
“Friends, this is not a unique situation as far as Arizona is concerned,” McCain said. “I emphasize everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but this appears to be a problem of nationwide implications.”
The VA has been under fire in recent weeks, ever since critics contended that administrators in Phoenix kept an off-the-books list to conceal long wait times as 40 veterans died waiting to get an appointment. Similar problems have since been reported in other states. McCain hinted at possible prosecution in the Phoenix cases.
“If these allegations are true, there a violation of law. It’s not a matter of resignations, it’s a matter whether somebody goes to jail or not,” said McCain, evoking thunderous applause from the crowd of more than 100 people.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said this week he has ordered an audit of access to care at all VA medical centers. Three executives of the veterans hospital in Phoenix have been placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into allegations of corruption and unnecessary deaths at the facility.
By wire sources
