Recent documents show that Arab's longest-serving current monarch has disguised his ownership of properties through series of offshore firms.

Pandora papers have reportedly revealed that King Abdullah II has spent decades gathering an international luxury property empire worth over $100 million, ranging from the clifftops of Malibu, California, to Washington DC and on to central London’s most exclusive postcodes.

As per the records shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists with the Guardian, the BBC and other media outlets around the world, Abdullah has disguised his ownership through a series of offshore companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The multimillion-dollar properties were acquired as US economic and military aid to Jordan quadrupled.

The most expensive of the king’s purchases revealed in the Pandora papers is a vast clifftop property on California’s Malibu coast.&nbsp;

It is described as a “resort hotel-like mega-mansion”, which contains 26 rooms.

Pandora papers reveal that it was bought by Abdullah in August 2014 for $33.5 million. This is estimated to be a record price for property in the area.&nbsp;

The king then acquired the two neighbouring properties. In the previous two years, Abdullah had acquired three condominiums in Washington DC for a total of $13.8 million.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pandora-papers-reveal-putins-alleged-mistress-has-assets-worth-100-million-report-418025">Also read |&nbsp;Pandora Papers reveal Putin's alleged mistress has assets worth $100 million: Report</a>

He has also secretly acquired a portfolio of seven luxury UK properties, including three in Belgravia, London. The UK properties are estimated to have a current market value of about £28m million.&nbsp;

Also, the UK was sending up to £100 million a year in bilateral aid to Jordan during much of the time covered by the papers.

The Guardian quoted Abdullah's lawyer as saying, “HM [His Majesty] has not at any point misused public monies or made any use whatsoever of the proceeds of aid or assistance intended for public use … HM cares deeply for Jordan and its people and acts with integrity and in the best interests of his country and its citizens at all times.” 
Hours before the launch of Pandora papers, Jordan blocked the ICIJ website.&nbsp;

As a response, The Royal Hashemite court also issued a statement that the published media reports "included inaccuracies and distorted and exaggerated the facts."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pandora-papers-leak-anil-ambani-sachin-tendulkar-jackie-shroff-named-check-list-of-other-high-profile-indian-names-418066">Also read |&nbsp;Pandora papers leak: Anil Ambani, Sachin Tendulkar, Jackie Shroff named, check list of other high-profile Indian names</a>

"It is no secret that His Majesty owns a number of apartments and residences in the United States and the United Kingdom. This is not unusual nor improper. His Majesty uses these properties during official visits and hosts officials and foreign dignitaries there," read the statement. It further claimed that the&nbsp;properties have not been&nbsp;publicised out of security and privacy concerns. This is not out of secrecy or an attempt to hide them.&nbsp;

Also,&nbsp;companies were registered in external jurisdictions to manage and administer the properties and to ensure strict compliance with all relevant legal and financial obligations, says the statement. "The cost of these properties and all related expenditures have been personally funded by His Majesty. None of these expenses have been funded by the state budget or treasury," read the report.&nbsp;

Recent documents show that Arab's longest-serving current monarch has disguised his ownership of properties through series of offshore firms. Pandora papers have reportedly revealed that King Abdullah II has spent decades gathering an international luxury property empire worth over $100 million, ranging from the clifftops of Malibu, California, to Washington DC and on to central London’s most exclusive postcodes.

Recent documents show that Arab's longest-serving current monarch has disguised his ownership of properties through series of offshore firms. Pandora papers have reportedly revealed that King Abdullah II has spent decades gathering an international luxury property empire worth over $100 million, ranging from the clifftops of Malibu, California, to Washington DC and on to central London’s most exclusive postcodes. As per the records shared by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists with the Guardian, the BBC and other media outlets around the world, Abdullah has disguised his ownership through a series of offshore companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The multimillion-dollar properties were acquired as US economic and military aid to Jordan quadrupled. The most expensive of the king’s purchases revealed in the Pandora papers is a vast clifftop property on California’s Malibu coast. It is described as a “resort hotel-like mega-mansion”, which contains 26 rooms. Pandora papers reveal that it was bought by Abdullah in August 2014 for $33.5 million. This is estimated to be a record price for property in the area. The king then acquired the two neighbouring properties. In the previous two years, Abdullah had acquired three condominiums in Washington DC for a total of $13.8 million. Also read | Pandora Papers reveal Putin's alleged mistress has assets worth $100 million: Report He has also secretly acquired a portfolio of seven luxury UK properties, including three in Belgravia, London. The UK properties are estimated to have a current market value of about £28m million. Also, the UK was sending up to £100 million a year in bilateral aid to Jordan during much of the time covered by the papers. The Guardian quoted Abdullah's lawyer as saying, “HM [His Majesty] has not at any point misused public monies or made any use whatsoever of the proceeds of aid or assistance intended for public use … HM cares deeply for Jordan and its people and acts with integrity and in the best interests of his country and its citizens at all times.” Hours before the launch of Pandora papers, Jordan blocked the ICIJ website. As a response, The Royal Hashemite court also issued a statement that the published media reports "included inaccuracies and distorted and exaggerated the facts." Also read | Pandora papers leak: Anil Ambani, Sachin Tendulkar, Jackie Shroff named, check list of other high-profile Indian names "It is no secret that His Majesty owns a number of apartments and residences in the United States and the United Kingdom. This is not unusual nor improper. His Majesty uses these properties during official visits and hosts officials and foreign dignitaries there," read the statement. It further claimed that the properties have not been publicised out of security and privacy concerns. This is not out of secrecy or an attempt to hide them. Also, companies were registered in external jurisdictions to manage and administer the properties and to ensure strict compliance with all relevant legal and financial obligations, says the statement. "The cost of these properties and all related expenditures have been personally funded by His Majesty. None of these expenses have been funded by the state budget or treasury," read the report.

Pandora papers: King of Jordan's property empire reportedly worth over $100 million

Poland's&nbsp;president&nbsp;has decided to sign a&nbsp;bill&nbsp;that would set&nbsp;limits on the ability of Jews to recover&nbsp;property&nbsp;seized by Nazi German occupiers and retained by post-war communist rulers, drawing fury from&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;which branded the law anti-Semitic.

"I made a decision today on the act, which in recent months was the subject of a lively and loud debate at home and abroad," Andrzej Duda said in a statement published on Saturday. "After an in-depth analysis, I have decided to sign the amendment."

Before World War Two, Poland had been home to one of the world's biggest Jewish communities, but it was almost entirely wiped out by the Nazis and Jewish former&nbsp;property&nbsp;owners and their descendants have been campaigning for compensation.

Up to now, Jewish expatriates or their descendants could make a claim that a&nbsp;property&nbsp;had been seized illegally and demand its return, but Polish officials argued this was causing uncertainty over&nbsp;property&nbsp;ownership.

In 2015&nbsp;Poland's&nbsp;Constitutional Tribunal ruled there should be specific deadlines after which administrative decisions over&nbsp;property&nbsp;titles could no longer be challenged. Changes to the law were adopted by the Polish parliament earlier this week.

The&nbsp;bill&nbsp;sets a 30-year&nbsp;limit&nbsp;for restitution&nbsp;claims.

The issue of Jewish&nbsp;property&nbsp;rights in Poland is further complicated because, unlike other EU states, it has not created a fund to give compensation to people whose&nbsp;property&nbsp;was seized.

'Immoral law'

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the law and said&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;would not simply stand by at its approval. "It is a shameful decision and a disgraceful contempt for the memory of the Holocaust," he said in a statement.

Israel's foreign minister, Yair Lapid, said: "Poland today, for the first time, approved an anti-Semitic and immoral law." In response, the head of&nbsp;Israel's embassy in Warsaw was being called back immediately, he said.

"Poland has tonight become an anti-democratic, non-liberal country that does not honour the greatest tragedy in human history," Lapid said in a statement.

A new ambassador to Warsaw will not be sent at this stage, Lapid said. He also suggested&nbsp;Poland's&nbsp;ambassador to&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;extend his vacation and not return to the country.

"He should use the time he has on his hands to explain to the Poles what the Holocaust means to&nbsp;Israel's citizens and the extent to which we will not tolerate contempt for the memory of those who perished and for the memory of the Holocaust. It will not stop here," Lapid said.

Israel&nbsp;was discussing further steps with the United States, he added.

The Polish foreign ministry said in a statement it disapproves of the&nbsp;Israeli foreign ministry's behavior, adding that the government "will take appropriate political and diplomatic actions, bearing in mind the principle of symmetry in bilateral relations."

"The steps taken by&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;are seriously damaging our relationship," the ministry also said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said Washington was deeply concerned that the Polish parliament had passed the&nbsp;bill, and urged Duda not to sign it into law.

Washington is one of Warsaw's most important allies, but relations between the two countries have been strained by the&nbsp;property&nbsp;issue, as well as other issues such as plans to introduce changes that the opposition says aim to silence a U.S.-owned news channel critical of the government.

The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) on Saturday urged the Polish government to work on resolving the issue of&nbsp;property&nbsp;seized in the past.

"Democracy &amp; justice hits new low in Poland, as&nbsp;President&nbsp;Duda&nbsp;signs&nbsp;a law making it virtually impossible for all former Polish&nbsp;property&nbsp;owners to secure redress for&nbsp;property&nbsp;illegally seized during the Communist era," Gideon Taylor, chair of operations of the WJRO, said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Poland's president has decided to sign a bill that would set limits on the ability of Jews to recover property seized by Nazi German occupiers and retained by post-war communist rulers, drawing fury from Israel which branded the law anti-Semitic.

Poland's president has decided to sign a bill that would set limits on the ability of Jews to recover property seized by Nazi German occupiers and retained by post-war communist rulers, drawing fury from Israel which branded the law anti-Semitic. "I made a decision today on the act, which in recent months was the subject of a lively and loud debate at home and abroad," Andrzej Duda said in a statement published on Saturday. "After an in-depth analysis, I have decided to sign the amendment." Before World War Two, Poland had been home to one of the world's biggest Jewish communities, but it was almost entirely wiped out by the Nazis and Jewish former property owners and their descendants have been campaigning for compensation. Up to now, Jewish expatriates or their descendants could make a claim that a property had been seized illegally and demand its return, but Polish officials argued this was causing uncertainty over property ownership. In 2015 Poland's Constitutional Tribunal ruled there should be specific deadlines after which administrative decisions over property titles could no longer be challenged. Changes to the law were adopted by the Polish parliament earlier this week. The bill sets a 30-year limit for restitution claims. The issue of Jewish property rights in Poland is further complicated because, unlike other EU states, it has not created a fund to give compensation to people whose property was seized. 'Immoral law' Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the law and said Israel would not simply stand by at its approval. "It is a shameful decision and a disgraceful contempt for the memory of the Holocaust," he said in a statement. Israel's foreign minister, Yair Lapid, said: "Poland today, for the first time, approved an anti-Semitic and immoral law." In response, the head of Israel's embassy in Warsaw was being called back immediately, he said. "Poland has tonight become an anti-democratic, non-liberal country that does not honour the greatest tragedy in human history," Lapid said in a statement. A new ambassador to Warsaw will not be sent at this stage, Lapid said. He also suggested Poland's ambassador to Israel extend his vacation and not return to the country. "He should use the time he has on his hands to explain to the Poles what the Holocaust means to Israel's citizens and the extent to which we will not tolerate contempt for the memory of those who perished and for the memory of the Holocaust. It will not stop here," Lapid said. Israel was discussing further steps with the United States, he added. The Polish foreign ministry said in a statement it disapproves of the Israeli foreign ministry's behavior, adding that the government "will take appropriate political and diplomatic actions, bearing in mind the principle of symmetry in bilateral relations." "The steps taken by Israel are seriously damaging our relationship," the ministry also said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said Washington was deeply concerned that the Polish parliament had passed the bill, and urged Duda not to sign it into law. Washington is one of Warsaw's most important allies, but relations between the two countries have been strained by the property issue, as well as other issues such as plans to introduce changes that the opposition says aim to silence a U.S.-owned news channel critical of the government. The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) on Saturday urged the Polish government to work on resolving the issue of property seized in the past. "Democracy & justice hits new low in Poland, as President Duda signs a law making it virtually impossible for all former Polish property owners to secure redress for property illegally seized during the Communist era," Gideon Taylor, chair of operations of the WJRO, said in a statement sent to Reuters.

Israel furious as Poland's president signs bill to limit property claims

A multi-million-dollar property sale by the US Consulate in Hong Kong has been put on hold because it has not received permission from Beijing.

The two countries have been at loggerheads for months over trade, human rights and a clampdown on Hong Kong, with Beijing increasingly willing to wield its economic power to push back against what it says is American interference in internal affairs.

This particular deal for six luxury pads in a swanky part of the island would have seen the US State Department pocket US$330 million. But it appears to have fallen victim to growing tensions between Washington and Beijing, who insisted it was no ordinary property transaction and needed a specific go-ahead.

Hong Kong's Hang Lung Properties had agreed to pay HK$2.6 billion for the six plots earlier this year. But on Wednesday, it said the sale could not be completed as scheduled, because Hong Kong's Land Registry had not received written consent from Beijing.

The company said it had received a letter from the Land Registry advising that the "sale of the property involves foreign affairs between the People's Republic of China and the US, and should not be regarded as an ordinary commercial activity".

Hang Lung said it had been told the US government had a "diplomatic obligation" to make a written application to Beijing at least 60 days prior to any intended real estate transaction in Hong Kong, and obtain written consent for it; and that the Land Registry could not proceed without this.&nbsp;The company noted that it was not made aware of this requirement beforehand.&nbsp;

A multi-million-dollar property sale by the US Consulate in Hong Kong has been put on hold because it has not received permission from Beijing. The two countries have been at loggerheads for months over trade, human rights and a clampdown on Hong Kong, with Beijing increasingly willing to wield its economic power to push back against what it says is American interference in internal affairs.

A multi-million-dollar property sale by the US Consulate in Hong Kong has been put on hold because it has not received permission from Beijing. The two countries have been at loggerheads for months over trade, human rights and a clampdown on Hong Kong, with Beijing increasingly willing to wield its economic power to push back against what it says is American interference in internal affairs. This particular deal for six luxury pads in a swanky part of the island would have seen the US State Department pocket US$330 million. But it appears to have fallen victim to growing tensions between Washington and Beijing, who insisted it was no ordinary property transaction and needed a specific go-ahead. Hong Kong's Hang Lung Properties had agreed to pay HK$2.6 billion for the six plots earlier this year. But on Wednesday, it said the sale could not be completed as scheduled, because Hong Kong's Land Registry had not received written consent from Beijing. The company said it had received a letter from the Land Registry advising that the "sale of the property involves foreign affairs between the People's Republic of China and the US, and should not be regarded as an ordinary commercial activity". Hang Lung said it had been told the US government had a "diplomatic obligation" to make a written application to Beijing at least 60 days prior to any intended real estate transaction in Hong Kong, and obtain written consent for it; and that the Land Registry could not proceed without this. The company noted that it was not made aware of this requirement beforehand.

US consulate Hong Kong property sale stuck in diplomatic row

National Real Estate Development Council lauded the Goods and Services Tax <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/relief-for-homebuyers-gst-on-under-construction-flats-slashed-to-5-affordable-housing-to-attract-1-199371">rate cut on real estate announced on Sunday</a>.

The council's national president Niranjan Hiranandani said, "Industry lauds the GST rate cut on real estate to 5 per cent on non-affordable and 1 per cent on affordable housing without the input tax credit. This will bring big relief to the home buyers."

However, he added that the rate on cement was expected to get reduced but that did not happen.

Hiranandani added, "The GST rate on cement has not been reduced as was expected, at 28 per cent it remains among the highest taxed inputs for construction."

In an attempt to give a boost to the real estate sector, the GST Council on Sunday decided to reduce the tax on affordable housing properties without input tax credit to one per cent.

The effective GST of 5 per cent shall be applicable without ITC on residential properties outside the affordable segment, which was also decided by the GST Council at its 33rd meeting.

According to a press statement issued after the GST Council meeting, the definition of affordable housing shall be "a residential house/flat of carpet area up to 90 sqm (square meter) in non-metropolitan cities and towns and 60 sqm in metropolitan cities having value up to Rs 45 lakh, both for metropolitan and non-metropolitan cities."

"Metropolitan cities are Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR (limited to Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad), Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai (whole of MMR or Mumbai Metropolitan Region,"&nbsp;said the statement.

"Intermediate tax on development right such as TDR (transfer of development rights), JDA (joint development agreements), (lease premium), FSI (floor space index) shall be exempted only for such residential property on which the GST is payable,"&nbsp;further stated the statement.

National Real Estate Development Council lauded the Goods and Services Tax rate cut on real estate announced on Sunday. The council's national president Niranjan Hiranandani said, "Industry lauds the GST rate cut on real estate to 5 per cent on non-affordable and 1 per cent on affordable housing without the input tax credit.

National Real Estate Development Council lauded the Goods and Services Tax rate cut on real estate announced on Sunday. The council's national president Niranjan Hiranandani said, "Industry lauds the GST rate cut on real estate to 5 per cent on non-affordable and 1 per cent on affordable housing without the input tax credit. This will bring big relief to the home buyers." However, he added that the rate on cement was expected to get reduced but that did not happen. Hiranandani added, "The GST rate on cement has not been reduced as was expected, at 28 per cent it remains among the highest taxed inputs for construction." In an attempt to give a boost to the real estate sector, the GST Council on Sunday decided to reduce the tax on affordable housing properties without input tax credit to one per cent. The effective GST of 5 per cent shall be applicable without ITC on residential properties outside the affordable segment, which was also decided by the GST Council at its 33rd meeting. According to a press statement issued after the GST Council meeting, the definition of affordable housing shall be "a residential house/flat of carpet area up to 90 sqm (square meter) in non-metropolitan cities and towns and 60 sqm in metropolitan cities having value up to Rs 45 lakh, both for metropolitan and non-metropolitan cities." "Metropolitan cities are Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR (limited to Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad), Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai (whole of MMR or Mumbai Metropolitan Region," said the statement. "Intermediate tax on development right such as TDR (transfer of development rights), JDA (joint development agreements), (lease premium), FSI (floor space index) shall be exempted only for such residential property on which the GST is payable," further stated the statement.

National Real Estate Development Council lauds GST rate cut

In this yard in the Texas town of Mission, they played as children, learned how to fish, picked cotton and gathered watermelons.&nbsp;

But because it's on the border with <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-raised-to-79-in-mexico-pipeline-blast-new-focus-on-fuel-theft-191662&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjT8rm5iv7fAhUMpY8KHc8fD8gQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0CA6sDow_1lZ4t-OjwETAO">Mexico</a>, the Cavazos family could lose their property — to Donald Trump's border wall.

They are not going down without a fight.

In his sister Eloisa's dining room, Jose Alfredo Cavazos — who goes by Fred — displays the numerous letters sent by the federal government.

"Our property right now is in... the danger of being no more," says the 69-year-old, who lives next door to his sister, and uses a wheelchair to get around.

Construction seems inevitable: financing for the portion of the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/dr-congo-court-declares-tshisekedi-president-outraging-opponents-191652&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjG4YnQiv7fAhUFbo8KHXF7CgsQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1zTyiaj1figdxyXfInzu0B">president</a>'s much-awaited border wall that would pass through the Cavazos' property in the Rio Grande Valley was approved by Congress in March 2018.

It is separate from the wider debate about border wall funding that has roiled Washington for weeks, sparked a showdown between <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-reiterates-demand-for-wall-attacks-media-191492&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjw-fTsiv7fAhUTS48KHT4xDRkQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw165HyUbOwPbYj8U-SRgPI0">Trump</a> and Democratic lawmakers, and led to the longest government shutdown in American history.

The federal government has already surveyed the land, which mainly belongs to Eloisa — the first step towards construction. The family opposed the move, and the government filed suit, winning the initial case.

The Cavazos clan is not giving up just yet, though. They have appealed the initial decision, and are being represented on a pro bono basis by the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Raison de Vivre

Fred Cavazos runs his hand over the maps attached to each official document in the pile.&nbsp;

If the wall is built as planned, it will run along the levee that keeps the land from flooding — and will block his access to his land, where he tends a small herd of cattle and goats.

His other worry is that the family will lose revenue earned by renting out small riverside homes, often used as weekend getaways. Fred says the family makes about $35,000 a year from rentals, and they cannot live without it.

After all, who would want to come to spend a relaxing weekend staring at a giant concrete wall, or even towering steel slats? Would tenants even be allowed to cross back and forth?

"It's an unknown to us," says Rey Anzaldua, a cousin of the Cavazos siblings and Fred's best friend.

"It would still be our land... but it wouldn't have any value at all."

Beyond the financial strains, the very real possibility of seeing the family land split up has upset the entire clan.

Since their ancestors came from Spain and settled here in the 18th century, the family has "been losing land for so many years," said Anzaldua, who turns 74 this month.

With a Vietnam veteran cap and a sticker on his Jeep that says "No border wall," Anzaldua is bitter: "This land to us is worth more than money — we have an actual love for the land."

To boot, Fred is "totally disabled. This land is actually what keeps him alive," Anzaldua said.

Cavazos manages to get by despite his physical issues, helping Eloisa to collect the rent.&nbsp;

"If he didn't have this, I don't think he'd last very much longer," Anzaldua said.

Stall for as long as possible&nbsp;

Roy Snipes is a local priest who helps take care of the historic 19th century La Lomita chapel in Mission. His parish rents land from the Cavazos family for summer camps.&nbsp;

The church itself, which is classified as a historic monument, should not be affected by the wall construction, but it would end up in a sort of no man's land between the barrier and the river.&nbsp;

For Snipes, who has lived here for 26 years, building the wall would "desecrate a sacred place."

It also would likely keep undocumented migrants from visiting the church, which has been a safe place for them in the past.

"Nobody comes down here expecting to be interrogated and to present papers," says Snipes, a 73-year-old nicknamed the "Cowboy Priest" who sports a Stetson and a large metal cross over his white robe.

The local diocese also refused to allow the government to survey the land, and federal authorities filed a complaint. A decision is expected in February, according to the attorney for the diocese, David Garza.&nbsp;

No one here is under any illusions — it's going to be a tough battle.

"It's difficult to fight the government," Anzaldua said.

"To be very honest with you, what we want to do is we want to delay as much as we can," he explained.&nbsp;

"We would like to fight for long enough so maybe Trump will be out of office and some of this will stop."

In this yard in the Texas town of Mission, they played as children, learned how to fish, picked cotton and gathered watermelons. But because it's on the border with Mexico, the Cavazos family could lose their property — to Donald Trump's border wall.

In this yard in the Texas town of Mission, they played as children, learned how to fish, picked cotton and gathered watermelons. But because it's on the border with Mexico, the Cavazos family could lose their property — to Donald Trump's border wall. They are not going down without a fight. In his sister Eloisa's dining room, Jose Alfredo Cavazos — who goes by Fred — displays the numerous letters sent by the federal government. "Our property right now is in... the danger of being no more," says the 69-year-old, who lives next door to his sister, and uses a wheelchair to get around. Construction seems inevitable: financing for the portion of the president's much-awaited border wall that would pass through the Cavazos' property in the Rio Grande Valley was approved by Congress in March 2018. It is separate from the wider debate about border wall funding that has roiled Washington for weeks, sparked a showdown between Trump and Democratic lawmakers, and led to the longest government shutdown in American history. The federal government has already surveyed the land, which mainly belongs to Eloisa — the first step towards construction. The family opposed the move, and the government filed suit, winning the initial case. The Cavazos clan is not giving up just yet, though. They have appealed the initial decision, and are being represented on a pro bono basis by the Texas Civil Rights Project. Raison de Vivre Fred Cavazos runs his hand over the maps attached to each official document in the pile. If the wall is built as planned, it will run along the levee that keeps the land from flooding — and will block his access to his land, where he tends a small herd of cattle and goats. His other worry is that the family will lose revenue earned by renting out small riverside homes, often used as weekend getaways. Fred says the family makes about $35,000 a year from rentals, and they cannot live without it. After all, who would want to come to spend a relaxing weekend staring at a giant concrete wall, or even towering steel slats? Would tenants even be allowed to cross back and forth? "It's an unknown to us," says Rey Anzaldua, a cousin of the Cavazos siblings and Fred's best friend. "It would still be our land... but it wouldn't have any value at all." Beyond the financial strains, the very real possibility of seeing the family land split up has upset the entire clan. Since their ancestors came from Spain and settled here in the 18th century, the family has "been losing land for so many years," said Anzaldua, who turns 74 this month. With a Vietnam veteran cap and a sticker on his Jeep that says "No border wall," Anzaldua is bitter: "This land to us is worth more than money — we have an actual love for the land." To boot, Fred is "totally disabled. This land is actually what keeps him alive," Anzaldua said. Cavazos manages to get by despite his physical issues, helping Eloisa to collect the rent. "If he didn't have this, I don't think he'd last very much longer," Anzaldua said. Stall for as long as possible Roy Snipes is a local priest who helps take care of the historic 19th century La Lomita chapel in Mission. His parish rents land from the Cavazos family for summer camps. The church itself, which is classified as a historic monument, should not be affected by the wall construction, but it would end up in a sort of no man's land between the barrier and the river. For Snipes, who has lived here for 26 years, building the wall would "desecrate a sacred place." It also would likely keep undocumented migrants from visiting the church, which has been a safe place for them in the past. "Nobody comes down here expecting to be interrogated and to present papers," says Snipes, a 73-year-old nicknamed the "Cowboy Priest" who sports a Stetson and a large metal cross over his white robe. The local diocese also refused to allow the government to survey the land, and federal authorities filed a complaint. A decision is expected in February, according to the attorney for the diocese, David Garza. No one here is under any illusions — it's going to be a tough battle. "It's difficult to fight the government," Anzaldua said. "To be very honest with you, what we want to do is we want to delay as much as we can," he explained. "We would like to fight for long enough so maybe Trump will be out of office and some of this will stop."

In Texas, a family fights to keep Trump wall off property

More than 500 IPS officers, including DGPs and IGPs, have failed to file their property details for the year 2016, which may lead to denial of promotion and cancellation of vigilance clearance, officials have said.

According to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, all Indian Police Service officers are required to file their Immovable Property Return (IPR) in a prescribed format by January 31 every year.

However, as of March 31, 2017, as many as 3,390 IPS officers had filed IPR, out of the total cadre strength of 3,905 IPS officers, a home ministry official said.

Failure to declare details of property by the IPS officers may force the home ministry to take action against the erring officials. This could include denial of promotion and vigilance clearance.

The home ministry is the cadre controlling authority of IPS officers.

Many of the IPS officers who have failed file their property returns are Director Generals of Police, Additional Directors General of Police and Inspector Generals of Police, another official said.

Facing the peculiar situation of such a large number of IPS officers not declaring property details, the home ministry has directed all state governments and Union Territory administrations to seek the explanation from all the IPS officers who have not filed their IPR.

According to the Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and the Limits for Exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Amendment Rules, 2014, all central government employees except those working as peons or multi-tasking staff need to file property returns.

The rules are also notified under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act.

The government had also issued a form for filing these returns which also seeks declarations of cash in hand, bank deposits, investment in bonds, debentures, shares and units in companies or mutual funds, insurance policies, provident fund, personal loans and advance given to any person or entity, among others.

The employees need to declare motor vehicles, aircraft, yachts or ships, gold and silver jewellery and bullion possessed by them, their spouses and dependent children, the official said.

All Indian Police Service officers are required to file their Immovable Property Return by January 31 every year.

More than 500 IPS officers, including DGPs and IGPs, have failed to file their property details for the year 2016, which may lead to denial of promotion and cancellation of vigilance clearance, officials have said. According to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, all Indian Police Service officers are required to file their Immovable Property Return (IPR) in a prescribed format by January 31 every year. However, as of March 31, 2017, as many as 3,390 IPS officers had filed IPR, out of the total cadre strength of 3,905 IPS officers, a home ministry official said. Failure to declare details of property by the IPS officers may force the home ministry to take action against the erring officials. This could include denial of promotion and vigilance clearance. The home ministry is the cadre controlling authority of IPS officers. Many of the IPS officers who have failed file their property returns are Director Generals of Police, Additional Directors General of Police and Inspector Generals of Police, another official said. Facing the peculiar situation of such a large number of IPS officers not declaring property details, the home ministry has directed all state governments and Union Territory administrations to seek the explanation from all the IPS officers who have not filed their IPR. According to the Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and the Limits for Exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Amendment Rules, 2014, all central government employees except those working as peons or multi-tasking staff need to file property returns. The rules are also notified under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act. The government had also issued a form for filing these returns which also seeks declarations of cash in hand, bank deposits, investment in bonds, debentures, shares and units in companies or mutual funds, insurance policies, provident fund, personal loans and advance given to any person or entity, among others. The employees need to declare motor vehicles, aircraft, yachts or ships, gold and silver jewellery and bullion possessed by them, their spouses and dependent children, the official said.

515 IPS officers fail to declare property details, may face action

Scouting for funds, Air India is in advanced discussions with public sector lender SBI for sale of at least two residential properties that could net nearly Rs 50 crore, airline and banking sources said.

While the government moves ahead with the process for strategic stake sale, the loss-making airline continues to work on the strategy to divest non-core assets.

Saddled with more than Rs 50,000 crore debt, Air India recently sought loans worth over Rs 1,500 crore to meet working capital requirements.

Against the backdrop of the severe financial crunch, the airlines talks with the State Bank of India (SBI) assumes significance in terms of raising additional monetary resources.

The discussions between Air India and SBI are at an advanced stage with respect to sale of two residential properties in South Mumbai, sources told PTI.

While the final contours of the deal are being worked out, an airline source said the sale is expected to fetch around Rs 46 crore.

Despite trying to dispose of such assets, so far Air India has managed to sell only four of its flats in Mumbai to SBI for Rs 90 crore.

These properties are located at upmarket Peddar Road in South Mumbai.

The carrier has been in possession of some properties which are lying vacant and unused for a long time. These include parcels of land as well as residential and commercial estate in India and abroad.

Among others, the carrier has leased out almost the entire space at its previous headquarters at Nariman Point to various government agencies.

As per the turnaround/financial restructuring plan approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) back in 2012, Air India is required to monetise its assets and generate Rs 5,000 crore by way of sale, leasing or developing an asset as a joint venture.

Under the plan, the carrier is to get financial assistance to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore over a 10-year period.

Air India is in advanced discussions with public sector lender SBI for sale of at least two residential properties that could net nearly Rs 50 crore.

Scouting for funds, Air India is in advanced discussions with public sector lender SBI for sale of at least two residential properties that could net nearly Rs 50 crore, airline and banking sources said. While the government moves ahead with the process for strategic stake sale, the loss-making airline continues to work on the strategy to divest non-core assets. Saddled with more than Rs 50,000 crore debt, Air India recently sought loans worth over Rs 1,500 crore to meet working capital requirements. Against the backdrop of the severe financial crunch, the airlines talks with the State Bank of India (SBI) assumes significance in terms of raising additional monetary resources. The discussions between Air India and SBI are at an advanced stage with respect to sale of two residential properties in South Mumbai, sources told PTI. While the final contours of the deal are being worked out, an airline source said the sale is expected to fetch around Rs 46 crore. Despite trying to dispose of such assets, so far Air India has managed to sell only four of its flats in Mumbai to SBI for Rs 90 crore. These properties are located at upmarket Peddar Road in South Mumbai. The carrier has been in possession of some properties which are lying vacant and unused for a long time. These include parcels of land as well as residential and commercial estate in India and abroad. Among others, the carrier has leased out almost the entire space at its previous headquarters at Nariman Point to various government agencies. As per the turnaround/financial restructuring plan approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) back in 2012, Air India is required to monetise its assets and generate Rs 5,000 crore by way of sale, leasing or developing an asset as a joint venture. Under the plan, the carrier is to get financial assistance to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore over a 10-year period.

Air India to sell 2 properties to SBI, may fetch Rs 50 crore

Israel&#39;s Supreme Court has ruled that Franz Kafka&#39;s manuscripts are the property of the National Library of Israel, ending a lengthy legal battle, judicial sources said in Monday. 
 
The nation&#39;s top court on Sunday rejected an appeal by the heirs of Max Brod, a friend of Kafka and the executor of his estate to whom he had willed his manuscripts after his death in 1924. 
 
Kafka had instructed Brod to burn the manuscripts after his death but his friend did not honour that request and took them with him when he fled the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and emigrated to Palestine. 
 
On his death in 1968, Brod bequeathed the papers to his secretary Esther Hoffe, with instructions to give them to the &quot;Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the municipal library in Tel Aviv or another organisation in Israel or abroad.&quot; 
 
But Hoffe, who died in 2007, instead kept them and shared them between her two daughters -- sparking multiple legal battles. 
 
In the trial against Hoffe&#39;s heirs, which began in 2009, the state of Israel demanded they hand over all the documents, which included unpublished writings, arguing it was Brod&#39;s last will. 
 
Hoffe&#39;s daughters refused, however, saying the papers -- estimated to be worth millions of dollars -- had been given to their mother by Brod and therefore she could dispose of them any way she wanted. 
 
 
 
Hoffe had during her lifetime sold the original manuscript of &quot;The Trial&quot; -- considered by some to be one of Kafka&#39;s best work -- for $2 million. 
 
The Hoffe family kept the bulk of the collection locked away in bank safety deposit boxes in Israel and Switzerland and over the years sold some papers to collectors. 
 
(AFP)

The top court rejected an appeal by the heirs of Max Brod, a friend of Kafka's whom he had willed his manuscripts to after his death in 1924

Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that Franz Kafka's manuscripts are the property of the National Library of Israel, ending a lengthy legal battle, judicial sources said in Monday. The nation's top court on Sunday rejected an appeal by the heirs of Max Brod, a friend of Kafka and the executor of his estate to whom he had willed his manuscripts after his death in 1924. Kafka had instructed Brod to burn the manuscripts after his death but his friend did not honour that request and took them with him when he fled the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and emigrated to Palestine. On his death in 1968, Brod bequeathed the papers to his secretary Esther Hoffe, with instructions to give them to the "Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the municipal library in Tel Aviv or another organisation in Israel or abroad." But Hoffe, who died in 2007, instead kept them and shared them between her two daughters -- sparking multiple legal battles. In the trial against Hoffe's heirs, which began in 2009, the state of Israel demanded they hand over all the documents, which included unpublished writings, arguing it was Brod's last will. Hoffe's daughters refused, however, saying the papers -- estimated to be worth millions of dollars -- had been given to their mother by Brod and therefore she could dispose of them any way she wanted. Hoffe had during her lifetime sold the original manuscript of "The Trial" -- considered by some to be one of Kafka's best work -- for $2 million. The Hoffe family kept the bulk of the collection locked away in bank safety deposit boxes in Israel and Switzerland and over the years sold some papers to collectors. (AFP)

Israeli Supreme Court says Kafka's manuscripts are property of National Library

Interior minister Theresa May opened up a strong lead on Tuesday in what is now a three-horse race to become Britain&#39;s next Prime Minister, but the first stage of voting was overshadowed by post-Brexit carnage for property investors and the Pound. 
 
In symptoms of market concern about the economic impact of leaving the European Union, sterling hit new 31-year lows and three funds investing in British property said they were suspending trading because too many people were rushing to withdraw their money at once. 
 
May won 165 votes in a first ballot of Conservative members of parliament and Andrea Leadsom, a junior energy minister, won 66, increasing the likelihood that Britain will get only its second woman Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher. Justice secretary Michael Gove was third on 48. 
 
Former defence minister Liam Fox won the fewest votes, 16, and was eliminated from the battle to replace David Cameron, who has said he will step down after Britons voted in a June 23 referendum to break away from the EU. 
 
Soon afterwards, work and pensions minister Stephen Crabb, who placed fourth with 34 votes, said he was pulling out and throwing his &quot;wholehearted support&quot; behind May. Fox said he would also back her.&nbsp; 
 
May, 59, said: &quot;There is a big job before us: to unite our party and the country, to negotiate the best possible deal as we leave the EU, and to make Britain work for everyone.&nbsp;I am the only candidate capable of delivering these three things as Prime Minister, and tonight it is clear that I am also the only one capable of drawing support from the whole of the Conservative Party.&quot; 
 
&#39;No coronation&#39; 
 
The drawn-out selection process will ultimately be decided by about 150,000 Conservative Party members in September, once MPs have whittled the field down to two candidates. 
 
Given strong eurosceptic sentiment among grassroots Conservatives, Leadsom, 53, and Gove, 48, remain in contention. Both were leading voices in the victorious Leave campaign, while May favoured remaining inside the 28-nation EU. 
 
Leadsom backer Stewart Jackson told Sky News: &quot;This shows she&#39;s ready to go all the way, there isn&#39;t going to be a coronation&quot; of May. 
 
In the meantime, signs are multiplying that concern about the impact of Brexit on trade, investment and business confidence is starting to hit the economy. 
 
The 4.4-billion-Pound ($5.7 billion) Property Portfolio run by M&amp;G Investments, the fund arm of insurer Prudential, was the latest to suspend business on Tuesday afternoon. Insurer Aviva&#39;s fund arm had earlier stopped trading in its 1.8-billion-Pound UK Property Trust, while Standard Life Investments suspended a 2.9-billion-Pound fund late on Monday. 
 
Shares plunged in other property-related funds, and asset managers and insurers were also hit. 
 
The Pound, which has borne the brunt of market concern about potential damage to the economy, plumbed new 31-year lows and is now down more than 12 per cent since the referendum.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;There is evidence that some risks have begun to crystallise. The current outlook for UK financial stability is challenging,&quot; the Bank of England said, announcing measures to encourage banks to keep lending. 
 
In a possible blow to London&#39;s financial centre, Germany&#39;s Deutsche Boerse signalled on Tuesday that the headquarters of a European giant to be created from its merger with the London Stock Exchange Group may now have to be outside the United Kingdom. 
 
Voters were bombarded in the run-up to the referendum with warnings from Cameron and a host of financial institutions and think tanks that Brexit would plunge Britain into a self-inflicted recession by jeopardising its access to the EU&#39;s tariff-free single market. 
 
The Leave campaign derided such arguments as &#39;Project Fear&#39;, arguing Britain would prosper by regaining &#39;independence&#39; from Brussels and freeing itself to set its own laws, clinch its own trade deals and set a cap on immigration - something it cannot do under EU rules allowing free movement throughout the bloc. 
 
&#39;Bloody difficult woman&#39; 
 
Whoever wins the Conservative leadership and the keys to 10 Downing Street will have to stabilise the economy and unify a party that was deeply split by the referendum campaign. 
 
The victor will also need to decide when to initiate divorce proceedings with the EU, and how to extricate Britain from 43 years of membership while trying to negotiate favourable terms of trade. 
 
The most seasoned candidates in the field are May and Gove, who stunned colleagues and commentators alike when he abruptly withdrew his support for former London mayor Boris Johnson last week, effectively forcing him from the race. Leadsom entered parliament only six years ago after a long career in financial services, and has never served in the cabinet. 
 
Gove and Leadsom have both argued forcefully that the next prime minister should come from the winning side in the referendum, which would disqualify May. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve managed to bring people together across the Conservative Party behind a hopeful and optimistic message of change, and I hope that I&#39;ll be able to take that message to the country,&quot; Gove said. 
 
In unguarded comments earlier on Tuesday, caught on camera and broadcast by Sky News, former Conservative minister Ken Clarke made disparaging remarks about all three contenders, saying that with Gove as Prime Minister &quot;we would go to war with at least three countries at once&quot;. 
 
He described May as &quot;a bloody difficult woman&quot;, but no more difficult than Thatcher, in whose cabinet he served. He added that she was &quot;good&quot;, but lacking in foreign policy experience. 
 
Of Leadsom, Clarke said: &quot;She does have experience in the city...She is not one of the tiny band of lunatics who think we can have a sort of glorious economic future outside the (EU) single market. So long as she understands that she&#39;s not to deliver on some of the extremely stupid things she&#39;s been saying.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

The victor will need to decide when to pull out of the EU, and how to favourably extricate Britain after 43 years of membership

Interior minister Theresa May opened up a strong lead on Tuesday in what is now a three-horse race to become Britain's next Prime Minister, but the first stage of voting was overshadowed by post-Brexit carnage for property investors and the Pound. In symptoms of market concern about the economic impact of leaving the European Union, sterling hit new 31-year lows and three funds investing in British property said they were suspending trading because too many people were rushing to withdraw their money at once. May won 165 votes in a first ballot of Conservative members of parliament and Andrea Leadsom, a junior energy minister, won 66, increasing the likelihood that Britain will get only its second woman Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher. Justice secretary Michael Gove was third on 48. Former defence minister Liam Fox won the fewest votes, 16, and was eliminated from the battle to replace David Cameron, who has said he will step down after Britons voted in a June 23 referendum to break away from the EU. Soon afterwards, work and pensions minister Stephen Crabb, who placed fourth with 34 votes, said he was pulling out and throwing his "wholehearted support" behind May. Fox said he would also back her. May, 59, said: "There is a big job before us: to unite our party and the country, to negotiate the best possible deal as we leave the EU, and to make Britain work for everyone. I am the only candidate capable of delivering these three things as Prime Minister, and tonight it is clear that I am also the only one capable of drawing support from the whole of the Conservative Party." 'No coronation' The drawn-out selection process will ultimately be decided by about 150,000 Conservative Party members in September, once MPs have whittled the field down to two candidates. Given strong eurosceptic sentiment among grassroots Conservatives, Leadsom, 53, and Gove, 48, remain in contention. Both were leading voices in the victorious Leave campaign, while May favoured remaining inside the 28-nation EU. Leadsom backer Stewart Jackson told Sky News: "This shows she's ready to go all the way, there isn't going to be a coronation" of May. In the meantime, signs are multiplying that concern about the impact of Brexit on trade, investment and business confidence is starting to hit the economy. The 4.4-billion-Pound ($5.7 billion) Property Portfolio run by M&G Investments, the fund arm of insurer Prudential, was the latest to suspend business on Tuesday afternoon. Insurer Aviva's fund arm had earlier stopped trading in its 1.8-billion-Pound UK Property Trust, while Standard Life Investments suspended a 2.9-billion-Pound fund late on Monday. Shares plunged in other property-related funds, and asset managers and insurers were also hit. The Pound, which has borne the brunt of market concern about potential damage to the economy, plumbed new 31-year lows and is now down more than 12 per cent since the referendum. "There is evidence that some risks have begun to crystallise. The current outlook for UK financial stability is challenging," the Bank of England said, announcing measures to encourage banks to keep lending. In a possible blow to London's financial centre, Germany's Deutsche Boerse signalled on Tuesday that the headquarters of a European giant to be created from its merger with the London Stock Exchange Group may now have to be outside the United Kingdom. Voters were bombarded in the run-up to the referendum with warnings from Cameron and a host of financial institutions and think tanks that Brexit would plunge Britain into a self-inflicted recession by jeopardising its access to the EU's tariff-free single market. The Leave campaign derided such arguments as 'Project Fear', arguing Britain would prosper by regaining 'independence' from Brussels and freeing itself to set its own laws, clinch its own trade deals and set a cap on immigration - something it cannot do under EU rules allowing free movement throughout the bloc. 'Bloody difficult woman' Whoever wins the Conservative leadership and the keys to 10 Downing Street will have to stabilise the economy and unify a party that was deeply split by the referendum campaign. The victor will also need to decide when to initiate divorce proceedings with the EU, and how to extricate Britain from 43 years of membership while trying to negotiate favourable terms of trade. The most seasoned candidates in the field are May and Gove, who stunned colleagues and commentators alike when he abruptly withdrew his support for former London mayor Boris Johnson last week, effectively forcing him from the race. Leadsom entered parliament only six years ago after a long career in financial services, and has never served in the cabinet. Gove and Leadsom have both argued forcefully that the next prime minister should come from the winning side in the referendum, which would disqualify May. "I've managed to bring people together across the Conservative Party behind a hopeful and optimistic message of change, and I hope that I'll be able to take that message to the country," Gove said. In unguarded comments earlier on Tuesday, caught on camera and broadcast by Sky News, former Conservative minister Ken Clarke made disparaging remarks about all three contenders, saying that with Gove as Prime Minister "we would go to war with at least three countries at once". He described May as "a bloody difficult woman", but no more difficult than Thatcher, in whose cabinet he served. He added that she was "good", but lacking in foreign policy experience. Of Leadsom, Clarke said: "She does have experience in the city...She is not one of the tiny band of lunatics who think we can have a sort of glorious economic future outside the (EU) single market. So long as she understands that she's not to deliver on some of the extremely stupid things she's been saying." (Reuters)

May leads three-horse PM race as Brexit hits Pound and property

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