Arizona Republican<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterm-polls-trump-urges-florida-to-halt-vote-recount-hand-races-to-republicans-176929"> Martha McSally conceded defeat </a>in the race for US Senate seat&nbsp;to her Democratic opponent Kyrsten Sinema.

In a hotly contested ballot, Sinema won by taking a slice of Republican voters including women. The Senate seat was vacated by Republican Jeff Flake, a Trump critic.&nbsp;Sinema has become the first woman in Arizona's 106-year-old history to take the US Senate seat.

Sinema will also be the youngest Senator in the 100-member chamber.

"I just called Kyrsten Sinema and congratulated her on becoming Arizona's first female senator after a hard-fought battle," McSally said in a video statement posted on Twitter.

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Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/kyrstensinema?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kyrstensinema</a>. I wish her success. I’m grateful to all those who supported me in this journey. I’m inspired by Arizonans’ spirit and our state’s best days are ahead of us. <a href="https://t.co/tw0uKgi3oO">pic.twitter.com/tw0uKgi3oO</a>
— McSally For Senate (@MarthaMcSally) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarthaMcSally/status/1062144676822577152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The winner, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, 42, thanked&nbsp;Arizonans and said that she would work to see "common humanity and find common ground".&nbsp;Sinema had expanded her lead each of the last four days. On Sunday evening, Sinema held a lead of 38,197 votes, or 1.72 percentage points.

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As long as I’ve served Arizona, I’ve worked to help others see our common humanity &amp; find common ground. That’s the same approach I’ll take to representing our great state in the Senate, where I’ll be an independent voice for all Arizonans. 
 
Thank you, Arizona. Let’s get to work. <a href="https://t.co/iX6u6VQ9bQ">pic.twitter.com/iX6u6VQ9bQ</a>
— Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) <a href="https://twitter.com/kyrstensinema/status/1062147560796614656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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President Trump had earlier raised doubts over the counting process in Arizona as poll officers took to counting ballots.

"Just out - in Arizona, SIGNATURES DON'T MATCH. Electoral corruption," Trump said on Twitter, adding,"Call for a new Election? We must protect our Democracy!"

There are other Senate battles taking place in Florida and&nbsp;Mississippi&nbsp;which have become too close to call.

In Florida, authorities are conducting a recount for the seat held by Democratic Senator Bill Nelson&nbsp;who is fighting against Republican Rick Scott.

The Mississippi&nbsp;Senate race is headed for a run-off between Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy. Mississippi hasn't&nbsp;sent a Democrat to the US Senate since 1982.

As the ballot was being counted, President Trump on Monday urged Florida election officials to end the recount and declare Republican candidates the winners.

"The Florida Election should be called in favour of Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis in that large numbers of new ballots showed up out of nowhere, and many ballots are missing or forged. An honest vote count is no longer possible-ballots massively infected. Must go with Election Night!" Trump said on Twitter.

Arizona Republican Martha McSally conceded defeat in the race for US Senate seat to her Democratic opponent Kyrsten Sinema. In a hotly contested ballot, Sinema won by taking a slice of Republican voters including women.

Arizona Republican Martha McSally conceded defeat in the race for US Senate seat to her Democratic opponent Kyrsten Sinema. In a hotly contested ballot, Sinema won by taking a slice of Republican voters including women. The Senate seat was vacated by Republican Jeff Flake, a Trump critic. Sinema has become the first woman in Arizona's 106-year-old history to take the US Senate seat. Sinema will also be the youngest Senator in the 100-member chamber. "I just called Kyrsten Sinema and congratulated her on becoming Arizona's first female senator after a hard-fought battle," McSally said in a video statement posted on Twitter. Congrats to @kyrstensinema. I wish her success. I’m grateful to all those who supported me in this journey. I’m inspired by Arizonans’ spirit and our state’s best days are ahead of us. pic.twitter.com/tw0uKgi3oO — McSally For Senate (@MarthaMcSally) November 13, 2018 × The winner, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, 42, thanked Arizonans and said that she would work to see "common humanity and find common ground". Sinema had expanded her lead each of the last four days. On Sunday evening, Sinema held a lead of 38,197 votes, or 1.72 percentage points. As long as I’ve served Arizona, I’ve worked to help others see our common humanity & find common ground. That’s the same approach I’ll take to representing our great state in the Senate, where I’ll be an independent voice for all Arizonans. Thank you, Arizona. Let’s get to work. pic.twitter.com/iX6u6VQ9bQ — Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) November 13, 2018 × President Trump had earlier raised doubts over the counting process in Arizona as poll officers took to counting ballots. "Just out - in Arizona, SIGNATURES DON'T MATCH. Electoral corruption," Trump said on Twitter, adding,"Call for a new Election? We must protect our Democracy!" There are other Senate battles taking place in Florida and Mississippi which have become too close to call. In Florida, authorities are conducting a recount for the seat held by Democratic Senator Bill Nelson who is fighting against Republican Rick Scott. The Mississippi Senate race is headed for a run-off between Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy. Mississippi hasn't sent a Democrat to the US Senate since 1982. As the ballot was being counted, President Trump on Monday urged Florida election officials to end the recount and declare Republican candidates the winners. "The Florida Election should be called in favour of Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis in that large numbers of new ballots showed up out of nowhere, and many ballots are missing or forged. An honest vote count is no longer possible-ballots massively infected. Must go with Election Night!" Trump said on Twitter.

US midterm polls: Republican Martha McSally loses Arizona Senate seat

Doctors issued a chilli warning Tuesday after an American man who ate the world's hottest pepper was struck by excruciating "thunderclap" headaches.

The 34-year-old man`s symptoms began with dry heaves "immediately after participation in a hot pepper contest where he ate one Carolina Reaper," in 2016, said an article published in the medical journal BMJ Case Reports.

The man then developed intense neck and head pain, and for several days experienced brief but intense "thunderclap" headaches. Each lasted several seconds.&nbsp;

After seeking emergency care, tests for various neurological conditions came back negative.&nbsp;

In the end, doctors diagnosed him with a temporary brain condition called "reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome" (RCVS), characterised by the temporary narrowing of blood vessels to the brain.

It was the first reported case of a patient being diagnosed with RCVS after eating a chilli pepper, the authors said.&nbsp;

Often accompanied by "thunderclap" headaches, the condition usually occurs as a reaction to certain prescription medications, or after taking illegal drugs.

"It was a big surprise to everyone," said doctor Kulothungan Gunasekaran of the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, one of the authors of the article that warns of the dangers of playing with chilli fire.The man's symptoms cleared up by themselves and a follow-up CT scan five weeks after the event showed that his arteries had returned to their normal width.

Eating cayenne pepper has previously been linked to heart attacks, the study authors said.&nbsp;

"We would recommend the general public be cautious when eating chilli peppers and to seek medical attention straight away if you develop symptoms like this," Gunasekaran warned.&nbsp;

For those who dare, the Carolina Reaper has a fruity, sweet taste with a hint of cinnamon and chocolate undertones, as well as being extremely hot, according to the website of Guinness World Records.

Last year it named the Carolina Reaper -- a cross between Sweet Habanero and Naga Viper chillies -- as the hottest pepper on Earth. It is grown by a producer in South Carolina.

It rates at an average of 1,641,183 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), according to tests conducted by Winthrop University in South Carolina in 2017.

A Jalapeno can score anything between 2,500 to 8,000 SHU on the scale, Guinness World Records said.

In November 2016, a new record of 120 grammes (just over four ounces) of Carolina Reaper were eaten in one minute at a competition in Arizona.

In November 2016, a new record of 120 grammes (just over four ounces) of Carolina Reaper were eaten in one minute at a competition in Arizona

Doctors issued a chilli warning Tuesday after an American man who ate the world's hottest pepper was struck by excruciating "thunderclap" headaches. The 34-year-old man`s symptoms began with dry heaves "immediately after participation in a hot pepper contest where he ate one Carolina Reaper," in 2016, said an article published in the medical journal BMJ Case Reports. The man then developed intense neck and head pain, and for several days experienced brief but intense "thunderclap" headaches. Each lasted several seconds. After seeking emergency care, tests for various neurological conditions came back negative. In the end, doctors diagnosed him with a temporary brain condition called "reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome" (RCVS), characterised by the temporary narrowing of blood vessels to the brain. It was the first reported case of a patient being diagnosed with RCVS after eating a chilli pepper, the authors said. Often accompanied by "thunderclap" headaches, the condition usually occurs as a reaction to certain prescription medications, or after taking illegal drugs. "It was a big surprise to everyone," said doctor Kulothungan Gunasekaran of the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, one of the authors of the article that warns of the dangers of playing with chilli fire.The man's symptoms cleared up by themselves and a follow-up CT scan five weeks after the event showed that his arteries had returned to their normal width. Eating cayenne pepper has previously been linked to heart attacks, the study authors said. "We would recommend the general public be cautious when eating chilli peppers and to seek medical attention straight away if you develop symptoms like this," Gunasekaran warned. For those who dare, the Carolina Reaper has a fruity, sweet taste with a hint of cinnamon and chocolate undertones, as well as being extremely hot, according to the website of Guinness World Records. Last year it named the Carolina Reaper -- a cross between Sweet Habanero and Naga Viper chillies -- as the hottest pepper on Earth. It is grown by a producer in South Carolina. It rates at an average of 1,641,183 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), according to tests conducted by Winthrop University in South Carolina in 2017. A Jalapeno can score anything between 2,500 to 8,000 SHU on the scale, Guinness World Records said. In November 2016, a new record of 120 grammes (just over four ounces) of Carolina Reaper were eaten in one minute at a competition in Arizona.

Doctors issue warning after world's hottest chilli causes 'thunderclap' headaches

The US states of Texas and Arizona on Friday announced plans to send National Guard troops to the southern border with Mexico after President Donald Trump ordered a thousands-strong deployment to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

The Texas National Guard said it would send 250 troops to the border within 72 hours and had already deployed two Lakota helicopters, while Arizona's governor said he would send 150 personnel next week.

"The Texas national guard is preparing to immediately deploy with supporting aircraft, vehicles and equipment to the Texas-Mexico border," Brigadier General Tracy Norris, the commanding general of the Texas National Guard, told reporters at a briefing.

"This deployment has begun with the movement of equipment and troops today. Within 72 hours the Texas military department will have 250 personnel along with ground surveillance vehicles as well as light and medium aviation platforms," she added.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced his plans in a tweet.

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis signed an order for "up to 4,000 National Guard personnel to support DHS's southern border security mission while under the command and control of their respective governors through September 30, 2018," according to a Department of Defense memo.

The memo set out that troops would not carry out law enforcement activities without the defense secretary's approval and would be armed only in "circumstances that might require self-defense."

Mattis and homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the decision came after their departments "identified security vulnerabilities that could be addressed by the National Guard."&nbsp

"Together, the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense are committed to using every lever of power to support the men and women of law enforcement defending our nation's sovereignty and protecting the American people," they said in a joint statement.

"We will continue to work with the governors to deploy the necessary resources until our nation's borders are secure."

Trump had said on Thursday that the final deployment would range from 2,000 to 4,000 troops, and he would "probably" keep many personnel on the border until his promised border wall is built -- spelling out a lengthy mission.

The move has heightened tensions with Mexico, whose President Enrique Pena Nieto said Trump's "threatening or disrespectful attitudes" were unjustified.

It has also raised questions about who will fund the mission.

The Pentagon could not say where the money would come from and Trump admitted the White House was still "looking at" costs.

If 4,000 troops were deployed, that would be about double the current US military presence in Syria and about half as many as the number of US troops in Iraq.

The National Guard has previously been deployed to help patrol the southern border, including in 2010 under former president Barack Obama, and from 2006-2008 under George W. Bush. Both deployments were limited to around a year.

The Texas National Guard said it would send 250 troops to the border within 72 hours and had already deployed two Lakota helicopters, while Arizona's governor said he would send 150 personnel next week

The US states of Texas and Arizona on Friday announced plans to send National Guard troops to the southern border with Mexico after President Donald Trump ordered a thousands-strong deployment to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration. The Texas National Guard said it would send 250 troops to the border within 72 hours and had already deployed two Lakota helicopters, while Arizona's governor said he would send 150 personnel next week. "The Texas national guard is preparing to immediately deploy with supporting aircraft, vehicles and equipment to the Texas-Mexico border," Brigadier General Tracy Norris, the commanding general of the Texas National Guard, told reporters at a briefing. "This deployment has begun with the movement of equipment and troops today. Within 72 hours the Texas military department will have 250 personnel along with ground surveillance vehicles as well as light and medium aviation platforms," she added. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced his plans in a tweet. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis signed an order for "up to 4,000 National Guard personnel to support DHS's southern border security mission while under the command and control of their respective governors through September 30, 2018," according to a Department of Defense memo. The memo set out that troops would not carry out law enforcement activities without the defense secretary's approval and would be armed only in "circumstances that might require self-defense." Mattis and homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the decision came after their departments "identified security vulnerabilities that could be addressed by the National Guard." "Together, the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense are committed to using every lever of power to support the men and women of law enforcement defending our nation's sovereignty and protecting the American people," they said in a joint statement. "We will continue to work with the governors to deploy the necessary resources until our nation's borders are secure." Trump had said on Thursday that the final deployment would range from 2,000 to 4,000 troops, and he would "probably" keep many personnel on the border until his promised border wall is built -- spelling out a lengthy mission. The move has heightened tensions with Mexico, whose President Enrique Pena Nieto said Trump's "threatening or disrespectful attitudes" were unjustified. It has also raised questions about who will fund the mission. The Pentagon could not say where the money would come from and Trump admitted the White House was still "looking at" costs. If 4,000 troops were deployed, that would be about double the current US military presence in Syria and about half as many as the number of US troops in Iraq. The National Guard has previously been deployed to help patrol the southern border, including in 2010 under former president Barack Obama, and from 2006-2008 under George W. Bush. Both deployments were limited to around a year.

Texas, Arizona announce troop deployments to Mexico border

A woman died of her injuries after being struck by a Uber self-driving vehicle in Arizona, police said on Monday, and the ride hailing company said it had suspended its autonomous vehicle program across the United States and Canada.

The accident in Tempe, Arizona, marked the first fatality from a self-driving vehicle, which are still being tested around the globe, and could derail efforts to fast-track the introduction of the new technology in the United States.

At the time of the accident, which occurred overnight Sunday to Monday, the car was in autonomous mode with a vehicle operator behind the wheel, Tempe police said.&nbsp;

&quot;The vehicle was traveling northbound ... when a female walking outside of the crosswalk crossed the road from west to east when she was struck by the Uber vehicle,&quot; police said in a statement.

A spokesman for Uber Technologies Inc said the company was suspending its North American tests. In a tweet, Uber expressed its condolences and said the company was fully cooperating with authorities.

The accident in Tempe, Arizona, marked the first fatality from a self-driving vehicle, which are still being tested around the globe, and could derail efforts to fast-track the introduction of the new technology in the United States

A woman died of her injuries after being struck by a Uber self-driving vehicle in Arizona, police said on Monday, and the ride hailing company said it had suspended its autonomous vehicle program across the United States and Canada. The accident in Tempe, Arizona, marked the first fatality from a self-driving vehicle, which are still being tested around the globe, and could derail efforts to fast-track the introduction of the new technology in the United States. At the time of the accident, which occurred overnight Sunday to Monday, the car was in autonomous mode with a vehicle operator behind the wheel, Tempe police said. "The vehicle was traveling northbound ... when a female walking outside of the crosswalk crossed the road from west to east when she was struck by the Uber vehicle," police said in a statement. A spokesman for Uber Technologies Inc said the company was suspending its North American tests. In a tweet, Uber expressed its condolences and said the company was fully cooperating with authorities.

Woman dies in Arizona after being hit by Uber self-driving car

The US&nbsp;Supreme Court on Monday required Arizona to continue to issue driver&#39;s licenses to the so-called Dreamers immigrants and refused to hear the state&#39;s challenge to an Obama-era program that protects hundreds of thousands of young adults brought into the country illegally as children.

The case centered on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program created in 2012 under Democratic former President Barack Obama that Republican President Donald Trump already has sought to rescind. Those who signed up for DACA are shielded from deportation and given work permits.

The high court refused to hear Republican-governed Arizona&#39;s appeal of a lower court ruling that barred the state from denying driver&#39;s licenses to people protected under DACA.

&quot;Arizona&#39;s inexplicable attempt to deny driver&#39;s licenses to Dreamers, pursued by two governors for years, has now failed at every level of the federal judiciary,&quot; said Jennifer Chang Newell, an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the immigrants in the case.

The justices on Feb. 26 required the Trump administration to keep DACA in place at least for now, turning away its appeal of a judge&#39;s nationwide injunction that halted the president&#39;s September order to begin winding down the program in March. A second federal judge has since issued a similar injunction.

After DACA was put in place under Obama, Arizona&#39;s governor at the time, Republican Jan Brewer, directed state officials to prevent the program&#39;s recipients from obtaining a driver&#39;s license in the state.

Non-citizens must prove they are authorized to be in the United States to obtain an Arizona driver&#39;s license, such as with a valid federal work permit. The state decided not to accept permits obtained by DACA recipients.

The ACLU sued on behalf of a group of DACA recipients who were denied driver&#39;s licenses. Arizona was the only state to deny licenses to DACA recipients, according to court papers.

The San Francisco-based 9th US&nbsp;Circuit Court of Appeals last year struck down the Arizona policy, ruling that the state cannot develop its own definition of immigrants who are authorized to be in the United States and that only the federal government had that power.

Arizona appealed to the Supreme Court, saying the 9th Circuit&#39;s decision ran roughshod over state sovereignty. Arizona said DACA was enacted through a Department of Homeland Security memo, not legislation in the U.S. Congress or a formal agency rule-making process, and could not supersede state law regulating driver&#39;s licenses.

The Trump administration urged the justices not to take the case, saying the president&#39;s move to rescind the policy means the state&#39;s concerns have already been addressed.

The high court refused to hear Republican-governed Arizona's appeal of a lower court ruling that barred the state from denying driver's licenses to people protected under DACA.=

The US Supreme Court on Monday required Arizona to continue to issue driver's licenses to the so-called Dreamers immigrants and refused to hear the state's challenge to an Obama-era program that protects hundreds of thousands of young adults brought into the country illegally as children. The case centered on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program created in 2012 under Democratic former President Barack Obama that Republican President Donald Trump already has sought to rescind. Those who signed up for DACA are shielded from deportation and given work permits. The high court refused to hear Republican-governed Arizona's appeal of a lower court ruling that barred the state from denying driver's licenses to people protected under DACA. "Arizona's inexplicable attempt to deny driver's licenses to Dreamers, pursued by two governors for years, has now failed at every level of the federal judiciary," said Jennifer Chang Newell, an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the immigrants in the case. The justices on Feb. 26 required the Trump administration to keep DACA in place at least for now, turning away its appeal of a judge's nationwide injunction that halted the president's September order to begin winding down the program in March. A second federal judge has since issued a similar injunction. After DACA was put in place under Obama, Arizona's governor at the time, Republican Jan Brewer, directed state officials to prevent the program's recipients from obtaining a driver's license in the state. Non-citizens must prove they are authorized to be in the United States to obtain an Arizona driver's license, such as with a valid federal work permit. The state decided not to accept permits obtained by DACA recipients. The ACLU sued on behalf of a group of DACA recipients who were denied driver's licenses. Arizona was the only state to deny licenses to DACA recipients, according to court papers. The San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals last year struck down the Arizona policy, ruling that the state cannot develop its own definition of immigrants who are authorized to be in the United States and that only the federal government had that power. Arizona appealed to the Supreme Court, saying the 9th Circuit's decision ran roughshod over state sovereignty. Arizona said DACA was enacted through a Department of Homeland Security memo, not legislation in the U.S. Congress or a formal agency rule-making process, and could not supersede state law regulating driver's licenses. The Trump administration urged the justices not to take the case, saying the president's move to rescind the policy means the state's concerns have already been addressed.

US top court rejects Arizona challenge to 'Dreamers' program

After US and Japan, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-will-super-blood-moon-trigger-mount-mayon-eruption-31325">super blue blood moon is now </a>visible in India over Bhubaneswar in Odisha and Kolkata in West Bengal.

The super blue blood moon was also seen in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, the super blood blue moon was&nbsp;visible in Los Angeles, California and Tokyo.

Residents in Arizona and Los Angeles were the first to witness the sightings. Stargazers in Tokyo were also able to see the first glimpse of the unique celestial phenomena.

Here is the live coverage of the lunar eclipse:&nbsp;

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The super blood moon will be visible in North America, Hawaii, the Middle East, Russia, India and Australia.&nbsp;

Residents in Arizona and Los Angeles were the first to witness the sightings.

After US and Japan, the super blue blood moon is now visible in India over Bhubaneswar in Odisha and Kolkata in West Bengal. The super blue blood moon was also seen in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Earlier, the super blood blue moon was visible in Los Angeles, California and Tokyo. Residents in Arizona and Los Angeles were the first to witness the sightings. Stargazers in Tokyo were also able to see the first glimpse of the unique celestial phenomena. Here is the live coverage of the lunar eclipse: × The super blood moon will be visible in North America, Hawaii, the Middle East, Russia, India and Australia.

Watch Live: Super blue blood moon visible in India & across the world

An Indian-American pharmaceutical billionaire was today charged with leading a nationwide conspiracy in the US by bribing doctors to over-prescribe a potent opioid to patients and committing fraud on insurance firms for profit.

John Nath Kapoor, 74, was arrested by the FBI from his home in Arizona yesterday on charges including racketeering, conspiracy and fraud.

The Amritsar-born entrepreneur and well know philanthropist, who migrated to the US from India in 1960s, is a current member of the Board of Directors of the pharmaceutical company Insys Therapeutics.

A superseding indictment, unsealed in Boston, also includes additional allegations against several former company executives and managers who were initially indicted in December 2016.

&quot;More than 20,000 Americans died of synthetic opioid overdoses last year, and millions are addicted to opioids. And yet some medical professionals would rather take advantage of the addicts than try to help them&quot; said attorney general Jeff Sessions.

&quot;The&nbsp;Justice Department will not tolerate this. We will hold&nbsp;anyone accountable,&nbsp;from street dealers to corporate executives,&nbsp;who illegally contribute&nbsp;to this nationwide epidemic&quot; Sessions said.

The indictment also alleges that Kapoor and six former executives conspired to mislead and defraud health insurance providers who were reluctant to approve payment for the drug when it was prescribed for non-cancer patients.

They achieved this goal by setting up the reimbursement unit, which was dedicated to obtaining prior authorisation directly from insurers and pharmacy benefit managers.

&quot;In the midst of a nationwide opioid epidemic that has reached crisis proportions, Mr. Kapoor and his company stand accused of bribing doctors to over-prescribe a potent opioid and committing fraud on insurance companies solely for profit&quot; said acting US Attorney William D Weinreb.

&quot;Today&#39;s arrest and charges reflect our ongoing efforts to attack the opioid crisis from all angles. We must hold the industry and its leadership accountable - just as we would the cartels or a street-level drug dealer,&quot; he said.

Following the arrest, the company shares fell 23 per cent to USD 5.74, a three-year inter day low.

According to Insys website, Kapoor received his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a BS in Pharmacy from Bombay University in India.

The building that is home to University of Buffallo&#39;s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences bears the name of Kapoor and his wife in recognition of their long-time philanthropic support for the school and the university.

&quot;The university is aware of Dr. Kapoor&#39;s arrest. We became aware of the charges through today&#39;s media reports and therefore it would be premature to comment further or take any action until the university has more information&quot; the university said in a statement.

Kapoor has served on Insys board of directors since its formation in 1990 and has served as Chairman from 1990 to 2004 and Executive Chairman from June 2006 to January 2017.

He also owns a large stake in generic drug maker Akron. According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated to be USD 1.75 billion.

He had stepped down as CEO and chairman of the company in January 2017, a month after six of its former executives, including Kapoor&#39;s predecessor&nbsp;CEO Michael Babich, were arrested and charged with conspiracies to bribe doctors to needlessly subscribe Subsys, which is a Fentanyl spray to treat patients with severe cancer pain, Forbes said.

John Nath Kapoor, 74, was arrested by the FBI from his home in Arizona yesterday on charges including racketeering, conspiracy and fraud.

An Indian-American pharmaceutical billionaire was today charged with leading a nationwide conspiracy in the US by bribing doctors to over-prescribe a potent opioid to patients and committing fraud on insurance firms for profit. John Nath Kapoor, 74, was arrested by the FBI from his home in Arizona yesterday on charges including racketeering, conspiracy and fraud. The Amritsar-born entrepreneur and well know philanthropist, who migrated to the US from India in 1960s, is a current member of the Board of Directors of the pharmaceutical company Insys Therapeutics. A superseding indictment, unsealed in Boston, also includes additional allegations against several former company executives and managers who were initially indicted in December 2016. "More than 20,000 Americans died of synthetic opioid overdoses last year, and millions are addicted to opioids. And yet some medical professionals would rather take advantage of the addicts than try to help them" said attorney general Jeff Sessions. "The Justice Department will not tolerate this. We will hold anyone accountable, from street dealers to corporate executives, who illegally contribute to this nationwide epidemic" Sessions said. The indictment also alleges that Kapoor and six former executives conspired to mislead and defraud health insurance providers who were reluctant to approve payment for the drug when it was prescribed for non-cancer patients. They achieved this goal by setting up the reimbursement unit, which was dedicated to obtaining prior authorisation directly from insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. "In the midst of a nationwide opioid epidemic that has reached crisis proportions, Mr. Kapoor and his company stand accused of bribing doctors to over-prescribe a potent opioid and committing fraud on insurance companies solely for profit" said acting US Attorney William D Weinreb. "Today's arrest and charges reflect our ongoing efforts to attack the opioid crisis from all angles. We must hold the industry and its leadership accountable - just as we would the cartels or a street-level drug dealer," he said. Following the arrest, the company shares fell 23 per cent to USD 5.74, a three-year inter day low. According to Insys website, Kapoor received his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a BS in Pharmacy from Bombay University in India. The building that is home to University of Buffallo's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences bears the name of Kapoor and his wife in recognition of their long-time philanthropic support for the school and the university. "The university is aware of Dr. Kapoor's arrest. We became aware of the charges through today's media reports and therefore it would be premature to comment further or take any action until the university has more information" the university said in a statement. Kapoor has served on Insys board of directors since its formation in 1990 and has served as Chairman from 1990 to 2004 and Executive Chairman from June 2006 to January 2017. He also owns a large stake in generic drug maker Akron. According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated to be USD 1.75 billion. He had stepped down as CEO and chairman of the company in January 2017, a month after six of its former executives, including Kapoor's predecessor CEO Michael Babich, were arrested and charged with conspiracies to bribe doctors to needlessly subscribe Subsys, which is a Fentanyl spray to treat patients with severe cancer pain, Forbes said.

Indian-American billionaire charged with leading pharmaceutical fraud scheme in US

Donald Trump asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions about dropping a criminal case against controversial ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio, a close ally of the Republican president who has since received a pardon, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Trump was advised that closing the criminal contempt case against Arpaio, who was convicted for ignoring a court order to stop detaining illegal migrants, would be inappropriate, said the Post, citing three unnamed sources with knowledge of the conversation.

The Republican leader decided to let the case go ahead, but said he would pardon Arpaio if necessary -- one source said Trump was &quot;gung-ho&quot; about the idea, the Post said.

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<h5>The reported chat stands as evidence of the inability -- or unwillingness -- of the 71-year-old billionaire leader to maintain the traditional distance between the White House and the Justice Department on specific cases</h5>
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The reported chat stands as evidence of the inability -- or unwillingness -- of the 71-year-old billionaire leader to maintain the traditional distance between the White House and the Justice Department on specific cases.

It also bears similarities to two situations that have dogged Trump for months.

One is his alleged bid to influence a federal inquiry into his onetime national security advisor Michael Flynn, and his bid to persuade high-level officials to downplay the possibility of collusion between his campaign team and Russia, which is still under investigation.

The 85-year-old Arpaio, a divisive figure who once had a reputation as &quot;America&#39;s toughest sheriff,&quot; was granted a presidential pardon on Friday -- the first since Trump took office, and one that seemingly did not follow regular protocols.

&quot;He kept Arizona safe!&quot; Trump tweeted, calling Arpaio, the former sheriff of Arizona&#39;s Maricopa County, a &quot;patriot.&quot;

Arpaio had been due for sentencing in October. The move ensured he would serve no time in prison.

Both Trump and Arpaio pushed the &quot;birther&quot; conspiracy theory that former president Barack Obama was not born in the United States. They also found common ground on the campaign trail on illegal immigration.

The move however earned immediate scorn from Democrats, some Republicans and rights groups, who said Trump skirted the normal procedures by not consulting the Justice Department before granting clemency.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told the Post: &quot;It&rsquo;s only natural the president would have a discussion with administration lawyers about legal matters. This case would be no different.&quot;

Trump was advised that closing the criminal contempt case against Arpaio, who was convicted for ignoring a court order to stop detaining illegal migrants, would be inappropriate

Donald Trump asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions about dropping a criminal case against controversial ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio, a close ally of the Republican president who has since received a pardon, The Washington Post reported Saturday. Trump was advised that closing the criminal contempt case against Arpaio, who was convicted for ignoring a court order to stop detaining illegal migrants, would be inappropriate, said the Post, citing three unnamed sources with knowledge of the conversation. The Republican leader decided to let the case go ahead, but said he would pardon Arpaio if necessary -- one source said Trump was "gung-ho" about the idea, the Post said. The reported chat stands as evidence of the inability -- or unwillingness -- of the 71-year-old billionaire leader to maintain the traditional distance between the White House and the Justice Department on specific cases × The reported chat stands as evidence of the inability -- or unwillingness -- of the 71-year-old billionaire leader to maintain the traditional distance between the White House and the Justice Department on specific cases. It also bears similarities to two situations that have dogged Trump for months. One is his alleged bid to influence a federal inquiry into his onetime national security advisor Michael Flynn, and his bid to persuade high-level officials to downplay the possibility of collusion between his campaign team and Russia, which is still under investigation. The 85-year-old Arpaio, a divisive figure who once had a reputation as "America's toughest sheriff," was granted a presidential pardon on Friday -- the first since Trump took office, and one that seemingly did not follow regular protocols. "He kept Arizona safe!" Trump tweeted, calling Arpaio, the former sheriff of Arizona's Maricopa County, a "patriot." Arpaio had been due for sentencing in October. The move ensured he would serve no time in prison. Both Trump and Arpaio pushed the "birther" conspiracy theory that former president Barack Obama was not born in the United States. They also found common ground on the campaign trail on illegal immigration. The move however earned immediate scorn from Democrats, some Republicans and rights groups, who said Trump skirted the normal procedures by not consulting the Justice Department before granting clemency. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told the Post: "It’s only natural the president would have a discussion with administration lawyers about legal matters. This case would be no different."

Trump asked attorney general about dropping Arpaio case, was advised not to: Report

&nbsp;Arizona&nbsp;has run out of execution drugs, including a sedative implicated in botched lethal injections, according to a filing on Friday in a court case challenging the US&nbsp;state&#39;s execution methods.

The&nbsp;Arizona department of corrections&#39; supply of midazolam, a sedative, expired on May 31 and it has not been able to replace it, state lawyers said in the filing in Phoenix&#39;s US&nbsp;District Court.

&quot;What is more, the Department&#39;s source of midazolam has vanished under pressure from death penalty opponents,&quot; the court document said.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of seven death-row inmates who allege that&nbsp;Arizona&#39;s use of midazolam and two other drugs violate the US&nbsp;Constitution&#39;s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Since midazolam was at the heart of the lawsuit, the filing asked the judge hearing the case, Neil Wake, to decide whether the suit was moot.

The document said the Department of Corrections also lacked the execution drugs pentobarbital and sodium thiopental.

Arizona&nbsp;has not carried out an execution since the July 2014 execution of Joseph Wood. He was administered 14 times the allowed doses of midazolam and a narcotic, hydromorphone, and took almost two hours to die.

Midazolam, a relative of Valium, has also been cited in a troubled 2014 execution in Oklahoma. It was at the center of a US&nbsp;Supreme Court decision last year where the court upheld its use in Oklahoma.

After the high court&#39;s ruling,&nbsp;Arizona&nbsp;switched to a three-step protocol of midazolam, a paralytic drug and potassium chloride, which stops the heart.

The protocol was the same as that decided in the Supreme Court case, and state lawyers have argued that midazolam thus was acceptable for use in&nbsp;Arizona.

But Wake has ruled that Supreme Court decisions in the Oklahoma case and another involving midazolam were based only on the facts specific to them.

Drug company Pfizer Inc said last month it had banned the sale of execution drugs, including midazolam. The move cut off the last major US&nbsp;source for drugs in the deadly mixes.

The number of inmates executed in the United State has plummeted since the 1990s, with 14 executions so far this year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. 
 
(Reuters)

State's department of corrections' supply of the sedative midazolam expired on May 31 and it has not been able to replace it

Arizona has run out of execution drugs, including a sedative implicated in botched lethal injections, according to a filing on Friday in a court case challenging the US state's execution methods. The Arizona department of corrections' supply of midazolam, a sedative, expired on May 31 and it has not been able to replace it, state lawyers said in the filing in Phoenix's US District Court. "What is more, the Department's source of midazolam has vanished under pressure from death penalty opponents," the court document said. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of seven death-row inmates who allege that Arizona's use of midazolam and two other drugs violate the US Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Since midazolam was at the heart of the lawsuit, the filing asked the judge hearing the case, Neil Wake, to decide whether the suit was moot. The document said the Department of Corrections also lacked the execution drugs pentobarbital and sodium thiopental. Arizona has not carried out an execution since the July 2014 execution of Joseph Wood. He was administered 14 times the allowed doses of midazolam and a narcotic, hydromorphone, and took almost two hours to die. Midazolam, a relative of Valium, has also been cited in a troubled 2014 execution in Oklahoma. It was at the center of a US Supreme Court decision last year where the court upheld its use in Oklahoma. After the high court's ruling, Arizona switched to a three-step protocol of midazolam, a paralytic drug and potassium chloride, which stops the heart. The protocol was the same as that decided in the Supreme Court case, and state lawyers have argued that midazolam thus was acceptable for use in Arizona. But Wake has ruled that Supreme Court decisions in the Oklahoma case and another involving midazolam were based only on the facts specific to them. Drug company Pfizer Inc said last month it had banned the sale of execution drugs, including midazolam. The move cut off the last major US source for drugs in the deadly mixes. The number of inmates executed in the United State has plummeted since the 1990s, with 14 executions so far this year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. (Reuters)

Arizona says it has run out of drugs for executions

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