ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

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December 29, 2014 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

U.S.

On Christmas, Obama marks end of Afghan combat (USA Today)

President Barack Obama marked the end of more than a decade of combat in Afghanistan by paying tribute to America's military, telling troops on Christmas Day that their sacrifices have allowed for a more peaceful, prosperous world to emerge out of the ashes of 9/11…Thirteen years and $1 trillion later, the U.S. is preparing to pull the vast majority of its combat troops out of Afghanistan by year's end..

Jeb Bush jumps to head of Republicans’ 2016 race (The Hill)

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) is suddenly leading the pack of 2016 presidential hopefuls in the Republican Party. A CNN/ORC poll released on Sunday found Bush with the support of 23 percent of Republicans, 10 percentage points higher than his nearest rival, New Jersey Gov. Chris Cristie.

Half of all children will be autistic by 2025, warns senior research scientist at MIT

 Why? Evidence points to glyphosate toxicity from the overuse of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide on our food.

Poll finds Clinton up 57 points on Warren (The Hill)

Hillary Clinton holds a massive lead over Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in a new poll released by CNN.

As drones are given as gifts, FDA issues warning (CBS)

These quirky robotic flying machines may be the gift of the season. Manufacturers say they've sold 200,000 new unmanned aerial vehicles. While hobbyists are thrilled, the FAA is worried about a burgeoning fleet of personal drones flying into increasingly crowded skies.

If cyberwar erupts, America's electric grid is a prime target (CS Monitor)

Cybersecurity experts say that targets in a cyberwar wouldn't be Hollywood studios but instead the nation's critical infrastructure, which is already under attack by hackers trying to infiltrate, study, and potentially cripple US utilities.

Viral secret Santa story inspires millions (CBS)

A few hours after our Secret Santa story first aired, our social media people noticed something remarkable happening -- viewers sharing it like we have never seen - first across the states and then across the oceans. It's racked up 40 million views and counting.

Requiring Abortion Doctors to Narrate Ultrasound Violates First Amendment, 4th Circuit Rules (Reason)

A North Carolina law requiring physicians to perform an ultrasound, display the sonogram, and describe the fetus to women seeking abortions has been struck down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. Because the intent of these directives is ideological in nature, rather than medically necessary or required for informed consent, they represent compelled speech and are thus in violation of the First Amendment, the court held. 

Getting High Safely: Aspen Launches Marijuana Education Campaign (NPR)

Authorities in the Colorado city have dispersed brochures on the do's and don'ts of marijuana use. They lists facts such as where pot is legal and how long the high takes to set in.

 

WORLD

Air Asia jet “likely at bottom of the sea,” airline official says (CBS)

T he search for a missing Air Asia jet carrying 162 people that disappeared more than 24 hours ago on a flight from Indonesia to Singapore expanded Monday with planes and ships from several countries taking part. A rescue official said the plane is likely "at the bottom of the sea." AirAsia Flight 8501 vanished in airspace thick with storm clouds on its way from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore, and a rescue official said Monday that given the route of the plane he believed the most likely scenario was that it crashed.

Pope’s Christmas message: Iraq and Syria have suffered too long (CNN)

Pope Francis wants to bring hope to Christians and other ethnic and religious groups suffering "brutal persecution" in Iraq and Syria. The Pope used his Christmas Day blessing, "Urbi et Orbi," to draw attention to displaced children and adults in the Middle East "who for too long now have suffered the effects of ongoing conflict," he said, in a reference to the Syrian civil war and increased instability in Iraq with the rise of ISIS.

Coalition strikes kill another ISIS governor (CNN)

The latest ISIS-appointed governor of Mosul was killed in coalition airstrikes on Thursday, according to Iraqi police.

Death toll rises in Greek ferry disaster (CBS)

The evacuation of the Greek ferry that caught fire off Albania has been completed, and only the vessel's captain and four Italian sailors remain on board to assist in the operation, Italian Premier Matteo Renzi said Monday. The latest numbers indicate 414 people have been rescued from the ferry, and a total of seven bodies removed.

After 522 years, Spain seeks to make amends for expulsion of Jews (KPBS)

As night fell recently over the Spanish city of Toledo, Hanukkah candles lit up empty streets outside the medieval El Transito synagogue.

Pope treats homeless to new sleeping bags (AFP)

Pope Francis marked his 78th birthday by ordering the distribution of hundreds of sleeping bags to homeless people in Rome, Vatican officials said Thursday.

France steps up patrols after spate of lone-wolf attacks (Reuters)

 French security forces stepped up security in public places for the Christmas season on Tuesday after three acts of violence in three days left one dead and 30 wounded, reigniting fears of attacks by Islamist radicals

Saudi women drivers referred to terrorism court (AP)

Two Saudi women detained for nearly a month in defiance of a ban on females driving were referred on Thursday to a court established to try terrorism cases, several people close to the defendants said.

Islamic State targeted in 39 strikes by U.S., allies: Task Force

(Reuters) - U.S. forces and their allies staged 39 air strikes on Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria over the past two days, the Combined Joint Task Force said on Friday.

New Russian military doctrine says NATO top threat

(AP) — Russia identified NATO as the nation's No. 1 military threat and raised the possibility of a broader use of precision conventional weapons to deter foreign aggression under a new military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

Third priest killed in dangerous southern Mexico

(AP) — A priest was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head, his diocese said Friday, marking the latest in series of abductions, attacks and highway robberies against Roman Catholic clerics in an area of southern Guerrero state dominated by drug cartels.


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