Free Republic

US Rep. Ilhan Omar suggested Monday that the press and her political foes are partly to blame for the demise of her marriage. “Ilhan and Ahmed have been the object of speculation and innuendo from political opponents and the media,” according to a statement from her lawyer, referring to the Minnesota congresswoman and her husband, Ahmed Hirsi, and which the rep said he was issuing “on behalf” of Omar. “This has taken a significant toll on Ilhan, Ahmed, and their three children. “As with all marriages, this is intensely personal and a difficult time for their family,” the statement added.

Spanish authorities say around 700 African migrants have charged its barbed-wire border fences in the country’s North African enclave of Melilla, but all were repulsed by Spanish and Moroccan border guards. An official statement says about 500 rushed the border in the first wave Saturday. About 20 stayed atop the 20-foot (6-meter) high fences for 30 minutes, then were escorted away by Moroccan forces. …

DUBAI — Michael Jackson was here yesterday for a lunch at the Burj Al Arab along with a Bahraini delegation. Security was tight at the Burj where he stayed in the Royal suite with a retinue of his own personal bodyguards at hand, and a ring of the local police securing the outer perimeter of the hotel. Media was denied access to the VIP guest and it was not known whether Jackson stayed the night at the hotel, or had left for destinations unknown sometime during the evening. The pop star has been reported to be in Bahrain ever since...