ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
May 7, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM 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.
- Rep. Hunter opposes possible nominee to head Pentagon’s spy program (The Hill)
- Release of White House email stirs up a new controversy over Benghazi (Los Angeles Times)
- Tea Party takes hit in primary contests (The Hill)
- States must be warned of oil-by-rail cargoes, U.S. says (Reuters)
- For Many, Farming Is A Labor Of Love, Not A Living (NPR)
- Rice backs out of commencement address at Rutgers (Washington Post)
WORLD
- Germany’s wind power chaos should be a warning to the UK (Telegraph)
- Outrage Out Of Moscow As News Of Ukrainian Offensive Spreads (NPR)
- China Could Pass U.S. As Top Economy This Year (NPR)
- US joins hunt for Nigerian girls (BBC)
- Japan, worried about China, strengthens ties with NATO (Reuters)
For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.
U.S.
Rep. Hunter opposes possible nominee to head Pentagon’s spy program (The Hill)
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) on Thursday voiced his opposition to a possible nominee to lead the Defense Intelligence Agency, saying her past work raised “significant concerns” about her qualifications. Hunter criticized Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Army Intelligence Lt. Gen. Mary Legere’s involvement in a controversial Army intelligence project, the Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS-A) program, in a letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
Release of White House email stirs up a new controversy over Benghazi (Los Angeles Times)
A newly released email has again put President Obama and his senior aides on the defensive for their response to the 2012 attack that killed four Americans at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya
Tea Party takes hit in primary contests (The Hill)
The GOP establishment notched big wins on Tuesday night’s unofficial primary season launch, dealing an early blow to Tea Party hopes. But more than signaling a change in direction of the party, the establishment’s willingness to finally engage in contests shows Republicans are more serious and energized than ever to finally take back a prize that’s eluded them for two cycles: Senate control.
States must be warned of oil-by-rail cargoes, U.S. says (Reuters)
U.S. companies moving crude oil via rail must tell state officials when a cargo is moving across their jurisdiction, the U.S. Transportation Secretary said on Wednesday, the latest response to a string of fiery derailments.
For Many, Farming Is A Labor Of Love, Not A Living (NPR)
There are more than 2 million farmers in this country, but most of them have other jobs that bring in the money, retirement benefits and health insurance that they need.... / According to the newly released census of agriculture, more than half of all farmers say it's not their primary occupation. Also, two-thirds of all farms sell less than $25,000 worth of crops or livestock each year. That's not profit — that's total sales.
Rice backs out of commencement address at Rutgers (Washington Post)
Condoleezza Rice, the former Secretary of State and adviser to President George W. Bush, has withdrawn her decision to deliver the commencement address at Rutgers University May 18 due to protests from students and teaching staff objecting to her role in the Iraq War.
WORLD
Germany’s wind power chaos should be a warning to the UK (Telegraph)
Germany has gone further down the 'renewables' path than any country in the world, and now it's paying the price
Outrage Out Of Moscow As News Of Ukrainian Offensive Spreads (NPR)
Moscow has accused the U.S. and EU of destroying hopes for peace in eastern Ukraine by supporting the interim government's attempts to retake towns occupied by pro-Russia militants.
China Could Pass U.S. As Top Economy This Year (NPR)
By one measure, China is poised to become the world's largest economy by the end of the year. Why is this shift happening years before most estimates predicted it would?
US joins hunt for Nigerian girls (BBC)
A team of US experts has been sent to Nigeria to help find more than 200 schoolgirls abducted last month by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
Japan, worried about China, strengthens ties with NATO (Reuters)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, concerned about China's rising military spending and disputes with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea, signed a new partnership agreement with NATO on Tuesday. / The accord, signed by Abe and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen during Abe's visit to NATO's Brussels headquarters, will deepen Japan's cooperation with the Western military alliance in areas such as counter-piracy, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.