Click your heels together three times, because a pair of ruby slippers from the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz” is coming home.

The Minneapolis Division of the FBI announced Tuesday that a missing pair of authentic slippers that Judy Garland wore while playing Dorothy Gale in the musical film has been recovered after more than a decade.

The iconic shoes were stolen from an exhibit in the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in August 2005. A thief made off with one of the world’s most valuable pieces of Hollywood memorabilia after smashing a Plexiglas holding case, Forbes reports. 

The sequined slippers, which were created by Hollywood costume designer Gilbert Adrian, are one of at least four pairs known to exist, according to the Smithsonian.

One pair is displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, donated by an anonymous benefactor who bought them for $15,000 in 1979. 

Another pair was auctioned off for $666,000 in 2000. Actress Debbie Reynolds also owned a pair of the authentic ruby slippers, purchased at auction for $510,000 in 2011.

That is nothing close to the value placed on the stolen pair. The slippers, which were insured for $1 million, may be worth between $2 million and $3 million, John Kelsch, executive director of the Judy Garland Museum, told the Associated Press in 2015.

Thomas Shaw, who owned the missing pair of heels, told Forbes that they were used for close-up shots when Dorthy clicked her heels together. The scene accompanies one of the most famous lines from the movie: “Click your heels together three times and say ‘There’s no place like home’ and you’ll be there.”

The Minneapolis branch of the FBI is holding a news conference to disclose more details into the shoes’ discovery Tuesday at 1 p.m. CT. 

More: Jerry Maren, last surviving Munchkin from ‘Wizard of Oz,’ dies at 98

More: The first look of Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland in ‘Judy’ will send you over the rainbow

 

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Watch live Women’s World Cup qualifier – NI 0-0 Slovakia – Live – BBC Sport

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Spain put the brakes on a sale of hundreds of missiles to Saudi Arabia amid concerns about their use against civilians in the war against Yemen.

The defence ministry has launched a process to cancel the contract between Spain and Saudi Arabia signed in 2015 for 400 laser-guided munitions, and will pay back the $10m already paid for the weapons, broadcaster Cadena Ser reported on Tuesday.

“We confirm the news,” an unnamed spokeswoman at the defence ministry said, declining to give any more details.

The ministry said last month it had never sold arms that could be used against a civilian population, and condemned the killing of non-combatants in Yemen. 

The Saudi embassy in Madrid did not immediately respond to emailed questions and follow-up calls by The Associated Press.

Human rights groups have denounced Western arms sales to Saudi Arabia and its allies in a war the United Nations says has killed more than 10,000 people and left 8.4 million on the brink of famine.

‘Important precedent’

Spain is the fourth-largest provider of military equipment and weapons to the Gulf state, according to Amnesty International.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, an independent global security database, said the United States, Britain and France are Saudi Arabia’s main arms suppliers.

Last year, Saudi Arabia reportedly agreed to  buy  $7bn worth of precision-guided munitions from the United States.

Andrew Smith, a spokesman from the UK-based Campaign Against Arms Trade, said Spain’s decision has put a lot of pressure on the Saudi-led coalition.

“It sets an incredibly important precedent across Europe and to the governments who are continuing to arm and support this brutal bombardment, such as the US and the UK who have sold by far the most weapons,” Smith told Al Jazeera.

Smith said he hopes the Spanish government stays “true to its word”.

“We also hope that it does apply pressure internationally and that it does call for other governments to do the same,” he added.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have led a military coaltion fighting against Houthi rebels in Yemen since March 2015.

Amnesty’s Rasha Abdul Rahim told Al Jazeera Spain’s move was only a first step and it should cancel all arms sales to Saudi Arabia, not just the 400 missiles.

“These kinds of munitions have been used in attacks against hospitals, homes, and markets time and time again,” Rahim said. “It’s high time such action has been taken.”

The alliance has faced increasing calls for restraint in its bombing campaign, particularly following an attack that hit a school bus and killed 51 civilians, including 40 children, last month.

UN human rights investigators say all sides may have committed war crimes in the conflict.

The war in Yemen has become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis with more than 22 million people in desperate need of food, medicine, and other assistance.

SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies

White House chief of staff John Kelly frequently lost his temper and referred to President Donald Trump as “unhinged” and an “idiot,” author Bob Woodward writes in his new book “Fear: Trump in the White House.”

The book also describes a president obsessed, angry and paranoid about the Russian investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller.

The Washington Post said it obtained a copy of the 448-page book before its release. Woodward, an associate editor at the Post, rose to stardom with his coverage of the Watergate break-in that brought down President Richard Nixon.

Woodward cites as his sources hundreds of hours of interviews with mostly unnamed Trump aides and others. According to the book, Kelly often vented his frustration with Trump.

“He’s an idiot,” Kelly is quoted as saying. “It’s pointless to try to convince him of anything. He’s gone off the rails. We’re in Crazytown. I don’t even know why any of us are here. This is the worst job I’ve ever had.”

More: Trump tweets warning on Syria as offensive targets last rebel stronghold

More: ‘Fake social,’ ‘fake search’ are the new ‘fake news’ for Trump

The Post reports that a recurring theme of the book is the efforts of Trump aides to control his impulses, hiding papers so Trump can’t sign them and talking the president down from what were viewed as bad ideas.

The book claims that at one point, Trump’s then-personal attorney John Dowd felt he had to convince Trump that he would commit perjury if he talked to Mueller. So Dowd staged a practice grilling that provoked a string of contradictions and lies.

“This thing’s a … hoax,” Trump finally said, before deciding he didn’t want to testify after all.

Woodward writes that Trump’s national security team was concerned the president showed little interest in world affairs. Trump even complained about the military spending involved in joint exercises and other activities aimed at maintaining a strong presence on the Korean Peninsula.

“We’re doing this in order to prevent World War III,” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reportedly told the president.

“Mattis was particularly exasperated and alarmed, telling close associates that the president … had the understanding of — ‘a fifth- or sixth-grader,’ ” Woodward writes.

Trump has become famous for mocking political foes – referring to Sen. Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas, North Korean leader Kim as little rocket man – but the book shows he can be equally tough on his allies. Trump is quoted as describing Reince Priebus, Kelly’s predecessor, as “a little rat. He just scurries around.”

Former national security adviser H.R. McMaster was victimized for his wardrobe, with Trump saying he wore cheap suits “like a beer salesman.” And he was harsh and blunt with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, telling him “I don’t trust you. I don’t want you doing any more negotiations. … You’re past your prime.”

The White House did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment on the book. And Woodward says he sought to interview Trump for the book, but his team declined. Later, however, Trump reached out to Woodward seeking an interview in a phone call the author recorded.

Woodward said he asked Kellyanne Conway and others with the White House for access to the president but was rejected.

“Well, a lot of them are afraid to come and talk, or — you know, they are busy,” Trump responded. “I’m busy. But I don’t mind talking to you.”

Woodward warned the president that it was a “tough” book.

“Right. Well, I assume that means it’s going to be a negative book,” Trump responds. “But you know, I’m some — I’m sort of 50 percent used to that. (Laughter) That’s all right. Some are good and some are bad. Sounds like this is going to be a bad one.”

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With the first week of results in the books, the Amway Coaches Poll saw a bit of shuffling from the preseason rankings. The top five teams remained the same, but even there a minor switch occurred.

Alabama retained the top spot following a decisive win against Louisville. The Crimson Tide received 59 of 63 first-place votes cast this week. Clemson holds steady at No. 2 with three No. 1 nods. Georgia slipped ahead of Ohio State at No. 3, though the now-fourth-ranked Buckeyes retained one first-place vote. Oklahoma continues to round out the top five.

The next group of five looks considerably different. Wisconsin climbed a spot to No. 6, followed by No. 7 Auburn. The Tigers picked up three positions after toppling then-No. 6 Washington. Notre Dame also gained three places to No. 8 after staving off Michigan. Stanford moves up four to No. 9, nudging ahead of No. 10 Penn state. The Nittany Lions escaped in overtime against noted giant killer Appalachian State but lost a spot in the rankings.

TOP 25: The complete Amway Coaches Poll

Stock up: LSU. The Bayou Bengals made the biggest jump of the week, vaulting nine spots to No. 15 after a dominant performance against …

Stock down: Miami (Fla.). The Hurricanes, ranked eighth in the preseason, tumbled all the way to No. 21 following the loss to LSU.

Stock up: Virginia Tech. The Hokies made the final statement of the weekend, smothering Florida State on the road. They gained three places to No. 14.

Stock down: Washington. The Huskies fell five spots to No. 11 after the tough loss to Auburn.

Stock up: West Virginia. The Mountaineers also made a three-spot jump to No. 17 on the heels of a sound thumping of Tennessee.

Stock down: Michigan. The Wolverines took an eight-position hit to check in at No. 22 after the rough outing at Notre Dame.

New kids on the block: No. 24 South Carolina, No. 25 Florida.

College dropouts: Florida State, Texas.

 

A jubilant Scotland celebrated wildly as they clinched their first-ever spot at a Women’s World Cup finals with a dramatic victory over Albania.

Knowing they had to better the result of Group 2 leaders Switzerland, who were away to Poland, to qualify automatically, Scots nerves were shredded as Shelley Kerr’s side clung to a 2-1 lead while the Swiss pushed for a winning goal.

Upon the news that the match had ended goalless in Poland, Kerr’s Scotland had just a matter of seconds to hold on before the referee’s whistle signalled an outpouring of emotion on the pitch.

Kim Little put Scotland ahead early on before Megi Doci levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Jane Ross’ header hit the back of the net to put the Scots back ahead against the Albanians, triggering a frantic 22 minutes for the visitors to hold on and hope Poland kept a clean sheet in Mielec.

The chance Scotland thought they wouldn’t get – analysis

Scotland faced Switzerland in Paisley on Thursday knowing a two-goal winning margin would put their destiny in their own hands.

After a tense 2-1 win, there was a sense of deflation as attempting to secure a play-off place then became a more realistic target.

Their mission was clear going into this encounter. With that play-off place a likelihood, they could afford to go all-out in attack and make sure they ended their campaign on a high.

If all went their way in Albania and Poland, the Scots would be celebrating a place at their first World Cup.

It surely could not be as simple as that – not for a country whose hopes have been dashed so often.

It remained goalless in Poland and the Scots bullied the tiring Albanians as those in attendance watched the clock. And the score elsewhere.

As the final whistle came and the sun dipped low behind the Loro Borici stadium there was disbelief. Scotland had done it.

Early goal set the tone – report

As predicted, Albania set out to close Scotland’s game down on what was a rough surface in Shkoder.

The opening goal visibly settled them though. A cross from Lisa Evans found a composed Lizzie Arnot who neatly delivered the ball into the box where Erin Cuthbert was waiting, but it was Little who seized the moment and rifled it home.

From there the Albanian debutant goalkeeper Viona Rexhepi did well to block further attempts from the creative Cuthbert and Ross for the Scots, and Manchester United forward Arnot made herself a particular nuisance for the defence.

Lee Alexander was rarely tested in the Scotland goal and perhaps that is why Kerr’s side were caught off-guard when a momentary lack of concentration allowed the hosts to level through Doci on half-time.

After a scrappy restart the Scots regained some of their earlier composure, an Emma Mitchell shot smacked off the inside of the post as they began to ramp up their attacks.

Their persistence eventually paid off in the 68th minute when a free-kick found the head of Ross to put Scotland ahead once more.

A third looked possible but instead the visitors opted to keep possession and see the game out.

‘The players respond so well to Shelley’ analysis

Former Scotland striker Julie Fleeting

It’s absolutely huge. To make history, these players taking us to a World Cup finals after such an incredible campaign is wonderful for the national side and girls’ and women’s football in general.

Shelley had taken over a fantastic squad of players from predecessor Anna Signeul. She’s put her own stamp on the squad, changed the style of play and introduced some young, exciting players.

The players respond so well to her coaching and you can see everything she asks of them, they manage to perform on the field.

The United Nations’ mission in Libya says rival armed groups in Tripoli have reached a ceasefire agreement to end heavy fighting that has rocked the capital for more than a week.

The announcement on Tuesday came after Libyan authorities said that the death toll from the violence had risen to at least 61. Scores of people were also wounded.

“Under the auspices of (UN envoy Ghassan Salame), a ceasefire agreement was reached and signed today to end all hostilities, protect civilians, safeguard public and private property and reopen Mitiga airport in Tripoli,” the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) mission said.

Under the auspices of SRSG @GhassanSalame, a ceasefire agreement was reached + signed today to end all hostilities, protect civilians, safeguard public and private property + reopen Meitiga Airport in #Tripoli #Libya pic.twitter.com/0J5bu4OsLq

— UNSMIL (@UNSMILibya) September 4, 2018

Fierce battles broke out in Tripoli’s southern districts on August 27 after the Seventh Brigade, an armed group based in Tarhouna, 65km southeast of the capital, launched a surprise offensive against rival militias.

A UN-backed truce was reached the next day but clashes resumed shortly after, forcing authorities to close Tripoli’s only functioning airport.

The violence prompted the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli to declare a state of emergency on Sunday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed reported from Tripoli that the situation remained tense, with sporadic fighting and indiscriminate rocket fire hitting residential areas.

Facebook blackout 

On Monday, the social media website Facebook was blocked in Tripoli and the surrounding cities.

Libyan utility LPTIC, which owns the two state-run telecoms firms, said in a statement that a lack of security had led to outages. Maintenance engineers were unable to reach some stations which had stopped working due to a lack of power.

It did not comment on Facebook’s blocking.

Access to the web is controlled by state firms and monitored by security bodies which are effectively controlled by armed groups working with the weak GNA.

Independent national media based inside Libya scarcely exists as journalists often face threats from armed groups or officials unhappy with critical coverage

Libya slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising that overthrew and ruler Muammar Gaddafi and led to his death.

The country is governed by rival authorities in Tripoli and the country’s east, both of which are backed by an array of militias. 

SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies

Jon Kyl, once one of the most powerful Republicans in the U.S. Senate, will return to Capitol Hill to succeed the late Sen. John McCain, The Arizona Republic has learned.

Gov. Doug Ducey is scheduled to unveil the 76-year-old as McCain’s successor at a 10 a.m. news conference at the Arizona Capitol, after notifying McCain’s wife, Cindy, and other key political figures of his decision.

Kyl, who served alongside McCain during his 18 years in the U.S. Senate, will fly to Washington, D.C., following Ducey’s announcement. He retired in 2013 after rising to become the second-highest-ranking Republican senator.

Kyl has agreed to serve at least through the end of the year, a representative for Ducey said. If he opts to step down after the end of the session, the Republican governor would be required to appoint another replacement, the aide said.

The governor, who has long called Kyl a mentor, contacted the former senator in the hours following McCain’s Aug. 25 death. The two have forged a close bond and are like-minded, pro-growth conservatives.

Ducey sought someone who could quickly step into the seat to wrap up McCain’s unfinished business, the governor’s aide said. Kyl brings a depth of knowledge on issues key to Arizona, from water and natural resources to Native American relations.

MORE: Native American tribes fight for clean water and more money

He is respected among seasoned Republicans and is leading President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, through the confirmation process. Last year, Kyl was the “sherpa” for Jeff Sessions’ contentious nomination to become attorney general.

In a tweet, McCain’s widow, Cindy, expressed support for the appointment. “Jon Kyl is a dear friend of mine and John’s. It’s a great tribute to John that he is prepared to go back into public service to help the state of Arizona,” she wrote.

Ducey: ‘No one in Arizona more prepared’

“There is no one in Arizona more prepared to represent our state in the U.S. Senate than Jon Kyl,” Ducey said in a statement. “He understands how the Senate functions and will make an immediate and positive impact benefiting all Arizonans. I am deeply grateful to Senator Kyl for agreeing to succeed his friend and college of so many years.

“Every single day that Jon Kyl represents Arizona in the United States Senate is a day when our state is being well-served.”

Kyl represented Arizona in the U.S. Senate from 1995 through Jan. 3, 2013. There, he served as minority whip, the second-highest position in the Republican conference. Before ascending to the Senate, he served in the House of Representatives from 1987 to 1995.

The decision had weighed on Ducey’s mind since last year, when McCain received his brain-cancer diagnosis. The governor refused to publicly discuss any potential appointment and condemned those lobbying for McCain’s seat while the late senator was still serving.

That changed on Aug. 25 in the hours following McCain’s death. In a conversation with Kyl, the governor told him he wanted to name him as McCain’s successor and that Kyl “was the best person to take this seat,” the aide said.

Kyl got back to Ducey the next day after consulting with his wife. He told the governor he would be willing to serve until at least the end of the year.

“He felt a sense of service, largely because it was John McCain’s seat and he had served with him for so long,” the aide said.

Kyl could assume the office as soon as Tuesday night

Ducey will submit a certificate of appointment to the U.S. Senate secretary Tuesday. An aide is flying the paperwork to Washington, D.C., and will hand-deliver it to the secretary’s office.

Kyl could be sworn in as early as Tuesday night, though Wednesday is more likely, the aide said.

Kyl will return to a chamber where Republicans narrowly hold control and where votes can be unpredictable.

On Tuesday, the chamber began deliberating the Kavanaugh nomination. A Senate committee hopes to vote later this month to send Kavanaugh’s nomination to the full Senate to get him on the bench before the midterm elections.

Democrats are protesting Trump’s selection and the process Republicans are using to vet Kavanaugh.

Kyl and Ducey met when Ducey first considered running for office, and the governor has said he views Kyl as a model public servant.

After leaving the Senate, Kyl joined the high-powered Washington, D.C., law firm Covington & Burling. As senior adviser, he helps clients on issues ranging from tax, health care, defense, national security and intellectual property.

In 2006, Time magazine named Kyl one of America’s 10 best senators.

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