July 17, 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.

• Gunman kills 4 marines at Chattanooga military site (New York Times)
• 1,800 undocumented immigrants re-arrested after release, report says (CS Monitor) 
• Boy Scouts committee approves allowing gay adults as leaders (Reuters)
• Why is the US Army cutting troops? (CS Monitor)
• Land Rover Recalls 65,000 Vehicles Over Unlatching Doors (NPR)
• CIA documents raise questions about spy agency's domestic data collection (CS Monitor)
• Report: Mergers Have Cut Airline Competition At Many Airports, Raising Fares (NPR)
• Canada cools to resisters of US's Iraq War. What's changed since Vietnam? (CS Monitor)

 Mexico

• Mexico kingpin 'Chapo' Guzman stages brazen jailbreak in blow to president (Reuters)
• DEA documents show 'El Chapo' began escape plots in 2014 (AP)
• Mexican cops arrest 2 allegedly building cartel radio system (San Diego Union Tribune)

Middle East

• Iran Nuclear Pact Could Spark Buildup Of Conventional Weapons (NPR)
• Interview: Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu On Iran Nuclear Deal (NPR)
• Iran nuclear deal should be scrutinized carefully: Khamenei (Reuters)
• Iraq gets first funding to rebuild war-struck regions (Reuters)
• UN report: 15,000 civilians killed in Iraq in 16 months (AP)
• U.S. steps up air strikes on Islamic State targets in Iraq: statement (Reuters)
• UN calls on Palestinians for information on missing Israelis (AP)
• Houthi attack sets refinery ablaze in Yemeni city Aden (Reuters)

Europe and Asia

• Greece licks wounds after bailout vote, ECB move expected (Reuters)
• IMF criticizes EU bailout of Greece. Other paths to economic stability?  (CS Monitor)
• Hungary starts building anti-migrant fence on Serbian border (San Diego Union-Tribune)
•  Which aid relief charities spend the most on fundraising? (Reuters Foundation)
• Crackdown on human rights lawyers intensifies in China (CS Monitor)

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

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2015 (El Cajon ) – El Cajon’s City Council voted Tuesday to move forward on plans to build a Hampton Inn with upscale restaurants on the site of the former police station on Fletcher Parkway near North Magnolia Avenue.  The action comes after last month’s approval to bring a Marriott Hotel to town.

“Revitalization of El Cajon has a snowball effect,” Councilman Gary Kendrick told East County Magazine. Since approval of the Marriott deal, he says, “our phone has been ringing off the hook from investors because they know  that Marriott does their homework.”

July 16, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Genetic Tweaks Are Restoring Hearing In Animals, Raising Hopes For People (NPR)
• States Make Laws To Protect Patients From Hidden Medical Bills (NPR)
• Biohackers Aim To Make Homebrew Insulin, But Don't Try It Yet (NPR)
• Trial over fate of frozen embryos underway in San Francisco (Reuters)
• Planned Parenthood says secret video distorts tissue donation program (CS Monitor)
• Even Mild Mental Health Problems In Children Can Cause Trouble Later (NPR)
• Why Sit-Down Meals May Be Just As Unhealthful As Fast Food (NPR)
• Smoking 'may play schizophrenia role' (BBC)
• Cancer immunotherapy approved in UK (BBC)
• 10 Drugs That May Cause Memory Loss (AARP)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• The future of travel? A tube called Hyperloop (Reuters)
• Why webcam indicator lights are lousy privacy safeguards (CS Monitor)
• Crazy paving: Rotterdam to consider trialling plastic roads (BBC)
• Is Google Photos storing your pictures without your knowledge? (CS Monitor)
• Malware And Hacking Forum Darkode Is Shut Down; Dozens Arrested (NPR)
• HostGator stops sending private encryption keys in plain text (CS Monitor)

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

July 16, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Join the La Mesa Police Department and Heartland Fire and Rescue in celebrating the 4th annual “National Night Out against Crime” and Emergency Preparedness Fair Event, Tuesday, August 4th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the La Mesa Police Station Parking lot (8085 University Avenue - same location as the La Mesa Farmers Market).

East County News Service

July 16, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – President Barack Obama has announced that the U.S. Department of Labor will propose extending overtime pay protections to nearly 5 million American workers, including over 400,000 Californians. This proposal would increase the current overtime protection threshold, guaranteeing overtime pay to most salaried workers earning less than $50,440 per year if they work more than 40 hours a week.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos, left: Three of the five special needs children in Zeldin's care.

July 11, 2015 (Rancho San Diego) – Friends describe Debra Zeldin as an “angel.”  Twice named the County’s foster parent of the year, she has taken in over 60 foster children, specializing in those with special medical needs.  She currently has five children in her care, including a blind, 6-year-old boy for whom she helped obtain a kidney transplant and a 10-year-old girl with muscular dystrophy who  just came home from the hospital when Zeldin discovered her van had been stolen. Two of the children use wheelchairs and one is on a tracheotomy curently.

Now Zeldin needs help –and a friend has launched a fundraising drive to raise money for repairs, since the thieves who stole her van had no insurance or assets and Zeldin’s insurance company has informed her that her policy lacked comprehensive coverage.

July 16, 2015 (Ramona)—The winemakers at Grant James Vineyard in Ramona say the best way to experience wine is dining in the vineyard. So they’re serving up Friday night dinners all summer long with a host of creative chefs.  Below are the delicious details on upcoming culinary events in the vineyard.

Food Bank Distribution July 18

School Supply Drive through August 9

July 16, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Journey Community Church currently has two outreach programs underway in La Mesa.

East County News Service

July 16, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Congressman Duncan Hunter, who represents the 50th District, will be the keynote speaker at the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Marie Callender's (6950 Alvarado Road, San Diego, CA 92120). The public is welcome to attend and have the opportunity to hear from our energetic and knowledgeable Congressman. 

East County News Service

July 16, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is reaching out to refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants in the U.S. to help identify and prosecute those committing human rights violations in other countries.

Kern County family sues Governor Jerry Brown and state oil & gas regulator on the grounds that Latino school children face undue threats to their health and safety 

July 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Today, a Kern County family is suing Governor Jerry Brown, claiming that California’s new fracking regulations do not protect the health of Latino public school children. The lawsuit, filed by the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment, argues the new fracking regulations illegally discriminate against Latino public school children, who are disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of fracking in their neighborhoods, including noxious fumes and illnesses that plaintiffs allege were caused by fracking exposure.

By Ariele Johannson

July 15, 2015 (Mt. Helix) --The magic of Mary Poppins rises up on Mt. Helix this week - as she did in the sky above London - in this favorite  childhood story performed by Christian Community Theater. Mary Poppins: the Broadway Musical runs from July 9-August 2, 2015 and is the second summer production since CCT’s return to the Mt. Helix outdoor amphitheater. The players act, sing and dance their way into the hearts of the audience in this charming story of childhood and redemption, with a few surprises along the way.

All-new seasonal treatments and spa-inspired fare are carefully curated to soothe and rejuvenate with a nod to the Anza-Borrego Desert

July 13, 2015 (Borrego Springs) -- When it comes to summertime relaxation, there’s no better place than the spa to prep for long, laid-back days and fun in the sun. This season, the luxurious Spa at La Casa del Zorro is offering a suite of new services and a health-centric menu to help guests feel bright, brilliant and beautiful inside and out.

East County News Service

July 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Perhaps not surprising in a city known for hosting ComiCon, San Diego State University’s Comic Arts Collection is one of the fastest growing academic comic collections on the west coast, SDSU’s news center reports.

By Miriam Raftery

July 14, 2015 (Sacramento) – A bill to protect grocery workers from being fired because of changes in store ownership has been approved by the full State Senate with a 22-14 vote.  Assembly Bill 359, authored by San Diego Democratic Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez, previously passed the Assembly with a 46- to 27 vote and will now be submitted to Gov. Jerry Brown for signature.