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CARLOSMOND — BRITISHROYALNAVY Migrants disembark from an inflatable cra , collected by the British Royal Navy that is continuing its Safety of Life at Sea Mission, aboard HMS Bulwark in the Mediterranean Sea between Italy and North Africa on Wednesday. ByLorneCook The Associated Press BRUSSELS The Euro- pean Union forged ahead Wednesday with a plan to ease pressure on nations dealing with an influx of Mediterranean migrants by requiring other countries to share the burden, despite some strong opposition. The proposed system would set maximum refu- gee limits for each country in the EU based on popu- lation, employment levels and other factors. The ex- act details have not been hashed out, but the gen- eral idea is that once a country reaches its max- imum, migrants seeking asylum there could be sent to other countries, which would have to take them in. "It is not acceptable for people around the EU to say, 'Yes, stop people dying in the Mediterranean,' and at the same time remain si- lent when the question is raised, 'What should hap- pen to these people?'" Eu- ropean Commission Vice President Frans Timmer- mans said. Countries including Hungary, Slovakia and Es- tonia have already rejected the plan, meaning it is un- likely to pass without ma- jor caveats and concessions. But the EU's executive commission sees it as key to forcing the 28 European Union countries to show solidarity with Italy, Greece and Malta, which have been overwhelmed this year by migrants fleeing war and poverty in places like Syria and Eritrea who arrive on their shores after danger- ous trips across the Medi- terranean. British interior minister Theresa May said her coun- try would not take part in a quota system as it would only encourage more peo- ple to risk their lives. Brit- ain, Ireland and Denmark would be exempt anyway under special agreements. "We cannot do anything which encourages more people to make these per- ilous journeys — or which makes it easier for the gangs responsible for their misery. That is why the U.K. will not participate in a mandatory system of resettlement or relocation," May wrote in The Times of London. Timmermans said that "what will make the situ- ation worse is doing noth- ing," and expressed hope that the British govern- ment would carefully study the agenda for tackling the problem the commission unveiled Wednesday. Separately from the quota scheme, the com- mission will also recom- mend at the end of May that 20,000 people who are eligible for asylum be allowed to enter the EU and be distributed among member countries. That resettlement pro- posal is part of a broader migration agenda made public by the commission Wednesday laying out a calendar for new action and proposals for mobiliz- ing funds, resources and EU border, police and asy- lum agencies. REFUGEE LIMITS European Union forges ahead with quota plan for migrants By Lynne O'donnell and Amir Shah The Associated Press KABUL,AFGHANISTAN Gun- men stormed a guesthouse in the Afghan capital as it hosted a party for foreign- ers, and authorities said five people, including an Amer- ican, were killed during an hourslong siege that ended early Thursday morning. Six people were wounded and 54 hostages rescued. Kabul police chief Gen. Abdul Rahman Rahimi said the attack began at 8:30 p.m. local time Wednesday, when gunmen opened fire at the restaurant of the Park Pal- ace Hotel. He had no break- down on the nationalities of the victims, but a U.S. Em- bassy spokeswoman said an American was among the dead. Throughout the stand- off, sporadic gunfire echoed around the guesthouse in a central neighborhood that is hometoUnitedNationscom- pounds and a foreign-run hospital. At one point two explosions could be heard and four ambulances later arrived to the scene. Amin Habib, a U.S. citizen from Los Angeles, told The Associated Press that a party was going on at the hotel to honor a Canadian when the gunmen stormed the guest- house.He saiddozensofpeo- ple, including foreigners and U.S. citizens, were inside the hotel at the time. U.S. Embassy spokes- woman Monica Cummings said in an email statement that a U.S. citizen was killed in the attack, although she had no further details and did not identify the victim. She said the U.S. Embassy was in close contact with Afghan authorities and was working to obtain more in- formation."Ourthoughtsare with the families of the vic- tims," she said. Amar Sinha, India's am- bassador to Afghanistan, said he believed at least six of the hostages were Indian citizens. Canada's Foreign Affairs Spokeswoman Caitlin Work- mansaidallstaffattheCana- dian Embassy in Kabul were "safe and accounted for." AMERICAN KILLED Afghan police: Guesthouse siege ends with 5 dead, 6 wounded ALLAUDDIN KHAN — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Afghan security forces inspect the site of a Park Palace Hotel attack by Taliban militants in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday. Gunmen stormed a guesthouse in the Afghan capital used by both foreigners and locals, sparking a gun battle with police. The Associated Press GENEVA A rare Burmese ruby set in a platinum ring with diamonds sold for $30.3 million at auction, setting a world auction re- cord for any ruby and for any stone by Cartier, ac- cording to Sotheby's. The buyer and history of the piece, with the ruby weighing in at 25.59 carats, was not disclosed. It was auctioned Tuesday as part of the annual Mag- nificent and Noble Jewels sale by Sotheby's Geneva. The price of the cushion- shaped "Sunrise Ruby" had been estimated prior to the sale at $12 million to $18 million. It is known for its "pigeon blood" red color and set be- tween heptagon-shaped di- amonds weighing 2.47 and 2.70 carats. The piece is signed Cart- ier. The auction house called a natural ruby from Burma of this size and color ex- tremely rare. The ring broke an auction record for any ruby per carat. In all, the sale totaled $160.9 million and in- cluded three other center- pieces from Cartier. A pink diamond ring once owned by Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, the niece of Na- poleon I, sold for $15.9 mil- lion. WORLD RECORD Ra re B ur me se r ub y se ll s fo r $3 0. 3M MARTIAL TREZZINI — KEYSTONE A Sotheby's employee wears a ruby and diamond ring by Cartier during a preview at the Sotheby's auction house in Geneva, Switzerland. Planningtodig? One FREE call to 811 gets your underground utilities marked so you can dig safely. pge.com/DigSafely "PG&E" refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. ©2014 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved. ForadsstartingMay30orearlier! ONLYavailablebyphonetoour Nor-Cal Classified Call Center 1-800-855-667-2255 JustaskforNo-ClipCouponpricing! CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS ONLY! Sorry, no refunds for early ad cancellation at this pricing! The aMAYzing NO-CLIP COUPON Private Party Classified Liner Ads Minimum 3 lines, 5 days Rental liner ads Minimum 3 lines, 5 days Garage and Yard Sale ads Minimum 2-day run Print edition + e-edition + website www.redbluffdailynews.com 50% OFF REGULAR PRICING | NEWS | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 8 A