ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

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December 28, 2015 (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.

Extreme weather continues to slam Midwest, south; fatalities rise (USA Today)

A tumultuous weather system driving deadly tornadoes and flash flooding that killed at least 43 people continued its violent march across the Midwest and South on Monday, snarling traffic, grounding hundreds of flights and wreaking havoc for holiday travelers.

New York dam hack underscores threat for connected utilities (CS Monitor)

The ability for hackers to penetrate the network at a small dam in New York reveals the risk of more utilities managing facilities via cell networks and the Internet.

Dems rip deportation plan (CNN)

Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley on Thursday blasted a report that said the Department of Homeland Security is planning raids that would target for deportation families of undocumented immigrants from Central American countries.

TSA can now require full body scanners (CNN)

Under new direction issued last week the TSA has ended a policy that allows any passenger to opt out of an electronic screening.

Cleveland police will not face charges in death of Tamir Rice (Time)

Rice, 12, had a pellet gun when he was killed.

Donald Trump defends Vladimir Putin  (Business Insider)

During a Friday-morning interview with Donald Trump, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was baffled by the Republican front-runner's embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

U.S. Hostages Held In Iran For 444 Days Finally To Get Compensated (NPR)

And now a story about Iran that cropped up in an unlikely place. Inside this year's huge spending bill on Capitol Hill was a reminder of America's complicated relationship with that country. Tucked among the payments to special interest groups was what you might call a Christmas surprise - a provision that would compensate each of the 53 Americans taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979.

Iran deal restricts U.S. more than Congress knew (Jewish World Review)

Members of Congress knew the Iran nuclear deal came with strings attached. They just didn't know how many.

Arizona man indicted in 'Draw Mohammed' event hit with new charges (Reuters)

An Arizona man already accused of aiding two gunmen in an attack on an event in Texas drawing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed had also inquired about using pipe bombs and explosives during the 2015 Super Bowl in Phoenix, court documents said.

WORLD

Islamic leader Baghdadi goads west in rare audio statement(Telegraph)

In what is believed to be his first public message in seven months, ISIL chief warns Israel attacks are imminent.

Iraqi troops retake center of Ramadi from ISIS (New York Times)

Iraqi forces said on Monday they had seized a strategic government complex in the western city of Ramadi from the Islamic State after a fierce weeklong battle, putting them on the verge of a crucial victory following a brutal seven-month occupation of the city by the extremist group.

Australians flee bushfires, lose homes to flames on Christmas Day  (Reuters)

 Fire crews battled into the night on Friday after raging bushfires reduced homes to ashes in a famous Australian beauty spot on Christmas Day, sending residents fleeing for their lives to the sound of blaring sirens.

Somali government bans Christmas celebrations (Reuters) 

The government of Somalia has issued a ban on Christmas and New Year's celebrations in the Muslim country, saying the festivities "have nothing to do with Islam.”

Struggling to absorb asylum seekers, Germany steps up deportations (NPR)

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel says it is her country's responsibility to help anyone fleeing from war: More than a million people have sought asylum in Germany this year, and the German government has been generous in welcoming many of them. At the same time, officials are stepping up deportations, targeting migrants from countries the German government considers "safe," at least in part — even Afghanistan.…Afghans may want to come to Germany for a better life, Merkel said, but her plan is to help them by sending German troops and development aid to Afghanistan.

Muslims protect non-Muslims during Kenya Islamist attack (CS Monitor)

Muslims in a bus in northern Kenyan helped dress non-Muslims passengers in Islamic garb, to prevent Islamic extremists from identifying them for slaughter, witnesses said Monday. / Two people died in the attacks in northern Mandera County when gunmen believed to be Somalia's al-Shabab rebels shot at a bus and truck headed for Mandera town….

Newly crowned Miss Iraq receives threatening phone call: Join ISIS or else (JPost)

Shayma Qassim, 20, won the first beauty pageant to be held in Iraq in 40 years on Saturday. According to the report, following her win, Qassim received a threatening phone call in which she was warned that if she refused to join the ranks of the Islamic State movement she would be kidnapped….

U.S. reports 31 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Reuters)

 The United States and its allies conducted 31 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria on Thursday, the coalition leading the operations said in a statement on Friday.

Afghan militia beheads four Islamic State fighters(Reuters)



Local village militia members loyal to a powerful Afghan lawmaker beheaded four Islamic State fighters and placed their severed heads on the side of a main road in eastern Afghanistan, local officials said on Sunday.

Turkish military offensive kills 110 Kurdish militants in six days: security sources (Reuters)

 Armed clashes persisted on Sunday across Turkey's southeast, where an operation by Turkish forces intensified on the sixth day of a campaign that security sources said had resulted in the death of 110 Kurdish militants.

Floods force mass evacuations in 4 South American countries (AP)

Widespread floods have forced nearly 140,000 people from their homes in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil following days of torrential rains that drenched a region where the countries border each other.

Senegalese police arrest 11 accused of homosexual acts (AP)

Residents in the Senegalese town of Kaolack say police have arrested 11 people accused of homosexual acts….  Homosexual acts are criminalized in at least 34 African countries, including Senegal, where they are punishable by up to five years prison and fines of up to $2,500.

 

 


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