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Tuesday, September 22, 2015

September 22, 2015

Pope Francis touches down in the US for politically charged summit
Bishop Christopher Coyne, the incoming director of the communications committee of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, told me that liberals and conservatives who expect Francis to promote their agendas will likely end up frustrated.  
‘Most expensive regulation in history’
The Obama administration is just weeks away from imposing a new ozone particulate standard that manufacturers say will cripple jobs and productivity in the U.S. and leave some firms and industries clinging to life.  
Is Turkey Secretly Working on Nuclear Weapons?
Some months ago it became known that the German Intelligence Service (Bundesnachrichtendienst - BND) was spying on Turkey. Turkey's political leadership was none too happy. Yet the BND has good reasons to keep a watchful eye on Ankara. It is not only the crises in Iraq and Syria, drug-smuggling, people-trafficking and the activities of the PKK that make Turkey a legitimate target for German intelligence. For quite some time, evidence is mounting that Ankara is trying to acquire nuclear weapons.  
France ready to bomb Syria 'in self-defense' – foreign minister
On Monday, French President Francois Hollande said French military sorties in Syria would soon expand to include airstrikes against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).  
U.N. picks four Europeans to lead groups in Syria talks
Ban Ki-moon has appointed the heads of four working groups on Syria, the United Nations said on Tuesday, signaling a step toward talks where warring parties are expected to discuss how to implement a roadmap for peace.  
Ben Carson: I Wouldn't Support a Muslim President
Responding to a question on NBC’s “Meet the Press”, Carson said, "I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that." He added said that Islam, as a religion, is incompatible with the Constitution. 
Vatican to Raise Flag at UN 'Without Fanfare'
The Vatican flag will be raised for the first time at the United Nations on Friday ahead of Pope Francis' address, but there will be no ceremony, the Holy See's mission said Monday, according to AFP.  
Where is Putin leading the Middle East?
Beyond his clear goal of saving Syria's Assad, the Russian president is keeping his cards close to his chest. His meeting with Netanyahu will be closely followed by Washington too, and may affect the way the Israeli prime minister is received in the White House - as an ally or as a client.  
Putin to Netanyahu: Russia’s Actions in Mideast Will Always Be Responsible
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier today to address the changing security situation near Israel’s northern border, with respect to the recent arrival of Russian forces arriving in Syria. “Israel and Russia share a common interest to ensure stability in the Middle East.  
Israel Moves to High Alert for Yom Kippur
Thousands of security personnel and police forces have moved to high alert in advance of the start tonight of the most solemn holy day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. As happens every year and for every major Jewish holiday, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has ordered the complete closure of crossings with Judea, Samaria and Gaza.  
Commercialization Of Legal Pot Has Led To ‘Epidemic’ For Colorado Kids
The results of a new study about the impact of Colorado’s marijuana legalization is raising troubling questions for parents. The study cites a significant increase in marijuana-related traffic deaths, hospital visits and school suspensions. The parents...say they’re concerned about their children seeing messages promoting pot all over town. Activists say it’s the way pot is marketed and sold that has started to create some serious problems.  
The left has its pope
Pope Francis has created political controversy, both inside and outside the Catholic Church, by blaming capitalism for many of the problems of the poor. We can no doubt expect more of the same during his visit to the United States. Pope Francis is part of a larger trend of the rise of the political left among Catholic intellectuals. He is, in a sense, the culmination of that trend.  
Parents of ‘Baby Doe’ arraigned, say daughter was possessed by demons
On Monday arraignment will begin for the parents of the young girl who was found dead in a trash bag along a harbor in Boston in June. The girl’s mother and her boyfriend will be arraigned on murder and accessory charges after the case of “Baby Doe” was solved. She was identified as 2-year-old Bella Bond late last week, following a tip to law enforcement. Her identity had been a mystery for months.  
Russia starts Syria drone surveillance missions: U.S. officials
Russia has started flying drone aircraft on surveillance missions in Syria, U.S. officials said on Monday... The beginning of Russian drone flights underscored the risks of U.S.-led coalition planes and Russian aircraft operating within Syria's limited airspace, without agreeing on coordination or objectives in Syria's civil war.  
US pharmaceutical company defends 5,000% price increase
The head of a US pharmaceutical company has defended his company's decision to raise the price of a 62-year-old medication used by Aids patients by over 5,000%. ...After Turing's acquisition, a dose of Daraprim in the US increased from $13.50 (£8.70) to $750. The pill costs about $1 to produce, but Mr Shkreli...said that does not include other costs like marketing and distribution.  
Presidents agree to reopen Colombia-Venezuela border
President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and his Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, have agreed to gradually reopen their common border. Venezuela closed the border a month ago and launched a major anti-smuggling operation. Mr Maduro says smuggling has led to shortages in parts of Venezuela.  
Egypt 'demolishes thousands of homes' for Sinai buffer zone
Egypt has demolished more than 3,255 homes and other buildings in the Sinai peninsula in violation of international law, Human Rights Watch says. Troops began razing homes along the Gaza border in 2013 to create a "buffer zone" and eliminate smuggling tunnels, after a surge in attacks by militants. But those evicted are given little or no warning, no temporary housing and inadequate compensation, HRW alleges.  
Rouhani suggests Iran's military is best defense against ISIS
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani claimed on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic's military is the biggest force combating terrorism in the Middle East. The Iranian president stated that Tehran was prepared to assist others in the region as it has aided Syria and Iraq, in reference to the battle against the Sunni Islamic State terror group.  
Not a Joke – Saudi Arabia Chosen to Head UN Human Rights Panel
If you were trying to put together a global all-star team of the most authoritarian, human rights abusing nations on earth, not only would Saudi Arabia be at the top of the list, it would be captain of the squad.  
Boy withdraws from school that suspended him over clock
The family of a 14-year-old Muslim student who got in trouble over a homemade clock mistaken for a possible bomb withdrew the boy Monday from his suburban Dallas high school.  
Why Syrian refugees don’t flee to Islamic State caliphate
People around the world have reacted differently to images of refugees desperately trying to reach Europe from Syria’s four-year civil war. Yet one group, Islamic State (IS), may be the most unsettled. Since last year, the jihadi group has tried to set up an idealized Islamic society, or caliphate, and attract Sunni Muslims with its anti-Western message. Instead, hundreds of thousands of Syrian Muslims are now choosing to flee to Western countries.  
Israel, Russia to coordinate military action on Syria: Netanyahu
Israel and Russia agreed on Monday to coordinate military actions over Syria in order to avoid accidentally trading fire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a visit to Moscow.  
Israeli archaeologists say they may have found fabled tomb of biblical Maccabees
Israeli archaeologists may be one step closer to solving a riddle that has vexed explorers for more than a century: the location of the fabled tomb of the biblical Maccabees.