February 6, 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.

• To save lives, it's time for our cars to 'talk', US says. Are there risks? (CS Monitor)
• U.S. abortion rate falls to lowest level in 40 years (RawStory)
• U.S. safety agency says 22 million vehicles recalled in 2013  (Reuters)

WORLD

• Airlines warned on possible Olympics toothpaste bombs (USA Today)
• Volcanic ash smothers part of Indonesia, kills 15 (CNN)
• Should E.U. Police Be Given Darth Vader-Like Powers to Stop Cars Remotely? (Reason)
• More than 400 dead dolphins on north Peru coast (UT San Diego)

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January 23, 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.

• Blogger gets same speech protections as traditional press: U.S. court  (Reuters)
• As CA’s drought deepens, a sense of dread grows (NY Times)
• Tech firms say Obama’s proposals fall short of expectations (Washington Post)
• . Obama bans spying on leaders of U.S. allies, scales back NSA program (Reuters)
• Civil Libertarians Respond to Obama's NSA Reforms - Meh! (Reason)
• NSA collects millions of text messages daily in 'untargeted' global sweep (The Guardian)
• Senator Feinstein encounter with drone surveillance (Politico)
• North Carolina ultrasound abortion law ruled illegal by judge (Reuters)
• U.S. states could turn to firing squads if execution drugs scarce (Reuters)
• U.S. seeks UNESCO World Heritage site status for Alamo, missions  (Reuters)
• U.S. Air Force hit with cheating scandal in nuke missile wing (Reuters)
• Horse slaughter blocked by federal law (U-T San Diego)
• U.S. judge rules against government in no-fly challenge (Reuters)
• Benghazi attack: Senate report slams State Department, intelligence agencies (+video) (CS Monitor)
•  Would a 'third party' protect your phone data better than the NSA? (CS Monitor)
• Who's enrolling for health insurance? Not the uninsured (APM Marketplace)

WORLD

• Not impossible: 3D printing arms for children of war (RawStory)
• Ukraine leader, defying West, signs laws against protests  (Reuters)
• Kiev protesters hold mirrors to police - literally - as new confrontation looms (CS Monitor)
• Thousands of Afghans face cold, hungry winter as aid goes missing (Reuters)
• How Rouhani triumphed: Iranian election could spell trouble for hard-liners (CS Monitor)
• Mexico vigilante leader wants cartel bosses dead, not captured (Reuters)
• Egypt's constitutional referendum: It's not about democracy any more. (+video) (CS Monitor)
• Israel shoots down Gaza rockets, responds with air strikes (Reuters)

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

January 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.

• Edward Snowden, Whistle-Blower (NY Times editorial)
• Pentagon cuts by third places where U.S. troops get danger pay (Reuters)
• Court Upholds Border Gadget Searches (Reason)
• Medicaid Expansion Boosted Emergency Room Visits In Oregon (Reuters)  
• Yes, Legal Pot Does Cost More Than Black-Market Pot (for Now at Least) (Reason)
• Senator Ron Johnson to sue over healthcare subsidy for Congress (Reuters)

WORLD

• Worst of climate change predictions are the most likely: new study (Common Dreams)
• Hezbollah Moving Long-Range Missiles From Syria to Lebanon (NY Times)
•  Greece takes over as EU president (Marketplace)
• Marine Crisis Team Evacuates American Embassy Staff From South Sudan (KPBS)
• Hundreds of Palestinians protest Kerry's visit in Ramallah (Jerusalem Post)
• Nine dead after attackers dressed as police enter Mexican prison (Reuters)

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

December 19, 2013 (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.

•  
• Arts and culture contribute more to U.S. economy than tourism (Marketplace.org)
• Veterans fight federal budget provision (WAVY TV)
• Judge rules polygamy protected under freedom of religion (ABC)
• US judge rules NSA data sweep an 'indiscriminate and arbitrary invasion' (CS Monitor)
• Navy expands sonar testing despite troubling signs (KPBS)
• Michigan passes ‘rape insurance’ bill (MSNBC)
• Obama “keep your plan” promise labeled lie of the year by Politifact (CBS)

WORLD

• China makes history with Jade Rabbit moon rover landing (Yahoo News)
• North Korea Kim’s uncle executed (The Nation)
• What does 74% youth unemployment feel like? (APM Marketplace)
• Amazing photos capture snow covering Middle East (UT San Diego)

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

December 4, 2013 (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.

• Health law business site delayed one year (UT San Diego)
• Boeing: 15 airlines warned over high-altitude ice (BBC)
• Reid, Democrats trigger ‘nuclear’ option, eliminate filibusters on most nominees (Washington Post)
• Reason Foundation Study Details Depths of Green Energy Crony Capitalism (Reason)
• Obama: Iran nuclear deal limits Iran ability to create nuclear weapons (CNN)
• Ford recalls 2013 Escape SUVs for seventh time (Reuters)
• Pot smokers arrested for DUI: A record high in Washington (CS Monitor)
• U.S. May Be Producing 50 Percent More Methane Than EPA Thinks (NPR)
• Judge Suspends Sentencing Of Would-Be Bomber After NSA Revelations(NPR)
• Intelligence committee heads: Terror threat rising  (AP)

 WORLD

• Pope Francis attacks ‘tyranny’ of unfettered capitalism,’idolatry of money’ (ABC news)
• Pope ramps up charity to be near poor, sick (USA Today)
•  Israel says kills three Qaeda-linked militants in West Bank (Reuters)
•  Egypt expels Turkish ambassador, Turkey retaliates (Reuters)
•  Tiananmen Square attack was 'jihadi operation,' claims Islamist group (CS Monitor)
•  Islamist rebels capture Syria's largest oilfield: activists (Reuters)
•  Adulterers may be stoned under new Afghan law, official says  (Reuters)
•  Iran says to continue building at Arak nuclear site despite deal
• Syrian refugee children are becoming the family breadwinners (CS Monitor)
• Dutch privacy watchdog says Google breaks data law (Reuters)
• North Korea says U.S. citizen Merrill E. Newman is a criminal, arrested for hostile acts (Reuters)

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

November 14, 2013 (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.

• Obama will allow insurance companies to extend current plans (Los Angeles Times)
• Home Ownership At Lowest Level In Nearly Two Decades (NPR)
• Custody battles rage over rape conceived kids (MSNBC)
• Invasion: 7,500 drones in U.S. airspace within 5 years, FAA warns (Washington Times)
• Welcome Back, Carter! Labor Participation Drops to 1978 Levels. (Reason)
• Philadelphians Elect First Whig Since 19th Century (NPR)
•  Navy scandal spans globe, climbs ranks (UT San Diego)

WORLD

• One of world’s strongest storms slams into Philippines (CBS)
• Philippine typhoon survivors beg for help as rescuers struggle (Reuters)
• Putin allies submit bill to punish separatism with prison (Reuters)
•  Survey Finds Anti-Semitism 'On The Rise' In Europe (NPR)
• Mexico frees 61 kidnap victims held near U.S. border (Reuters)
• Pakistani private schools ban Malala's book (UT San Diego)
• Public executions in North Korea? Report raises fear of new repression (+video) (CS Monitor)
• The Coming Betrayal of Israel (Jewish World View)
• Saudi rejects U.N. Security Council seat, opening way for Jordan (Reuters)
• China, Cuba, Russia, Saudi elected to top U.N. rights body (Reuters)

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

October31, 2013 (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.

• Family of woman killed in drone strike arrive in U.S. for Congress Visit (RawStory)
• Bank of America is found guilty in Countrywide mortgage fraud (Los Angeles Times)
• Report: Memos Unmask Pakistan's Approval Of Drone Strikes (NPR)
• Warrantless surveillance evidence faces court test in 'terrorist' case (The Guardian)

WORLD

• German paper says Obama aware of spying on Merkel since 2010 (Reuters)
• U.S. Spying Update: Europe Fumes And Protesters Rally In D.C. (NPR)
• NSA monitored calls of 35 world leaders after US official handed over contacts (The Guardian)
• Germany, France demand 'no-spy' agreement with U.S.  (Reuters) 
• US spying in Europe: Will it backfire on Google and Facebook? (CS Monitor)

For excerpts and links to full stories, scroll down.

October 17, 2013 (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.

• S&P: Shutdown cost U.S. economy at least $24 billion (The Hill)
• Lawmakers launch budget talks as government restarts (Reuters)
• Business groups stand by Boehner, plot against Tea Party (Washington Post)
• Shutdown deal averts catastrophe but leaves economy in peril (Washington Post)
• US adults score below average on worldwide test (AP)

Global

• Palestinian shot dead in base attack (BBC)
• Nobel laureates urge Putin to free Greenpeace activists (BBC)
• Pregnant indigenous Mexican women face hospital discrimination (LA Times)
• For Now, No War Crimes Charges Against Syrian Regime (NPR)
• North Korea Has Restarted Nuclear Reactor, South Korea Says (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories, scroll down.

October 3, 2013 (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.

• Obamacare open enrollment begins: What you need to know Oct. 1 (CBS)
• U.S. government shuts down as Congress can’t agree on spending deal (CNN)
• GOP puts new price on debt hike (The Hill)
• Why the healthcare law scares the GOP (New York Times)
• Soaring number of elderly women living in extreme poverty (RawStory)
• "For Their Own Protection": Children in Long-Term Solitary Confinement (Reason)
• Fighting fires with aging tankers from another era (Los Angeles Times)
• Immigrant activists will attempt to cross back into U.S. (Raw Story)
• US sending bankrupt Detroit $300 million. Think 'stimulus,' not 'bailout.' (+video) (CS Monitor)
• U.S. deputy nuclear commander suspended during investigation (Reuters)
• JPMorgan In Talks To Avoid Criminal Charges (NPR)

WORLD

• Defected Syrian general: Assad will never cede chemical arsenal
• How Likely is a Nairobi-Style Attack in the US? (Reason)
•  Unleashing Boy Scouts To Counter Drug Cartels (KPBS)
• Two Marine Generals Forced To Retire After Taliban Attack On Base(AP)
• Kenya says 'at war' with al Shabaab, faces security questions (Reuters)
•  New leak at Japan nuke plant due to tank overflow (U-T San Diego)
• Jellyfish invade, shutdown Swedish nuclear reactor (CS Monitor)
•  Pakistan rocked by another major earthquake (CS Monitor)
• Hundreds rally in Spain protesting the monarchy (U-T San Diego)
• Greek Neo-Nazi Party Arrests Follow High-Profile Murder
• Multiple Car Bombs Wreak Havoc In Baghdad, Killing Dozens (NPR)
• China's power capacity will double by 2030, report says (CS Monitor)
• Fugitive Snowden short-listed for European rights prize (Reuters)
• Tropical storm Wutip hammers Vietnam, Thailand (+video) (CS Monitor)
• Mexico rescues 73 suspected kidnap victims near U.S. border (Reuters)

Click “read more” and scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

September 18, 2013 (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.

• Obamacare, spending showdown heats up in house (CNN)
• Gunman opens fire at Washington D.C. naval yard; 13 dead (Reuters)
• U.S. oil group says FBI warns fuel storage operators to be on alert (Reuters)
• Time Magazine's "America's Weak and Waffling" Cover Not Featured in America (Reason)
• Better pay for home health care workers under U.S. Labor rule, CA Bill (Sacramento Bee)
• How Detroit went broke: The answers may surprise you - and don't blame Coleman Young  (Detroit Free Press)

WORLD

• ‘War crime’: UN finds sarin gas used in Syria chemical attack (CNN)
• Report: Syria is transferring chemical weapons to Hezbollah to avoid international inspection (JPost)-
• 34 dead as big storms hit Mexico on opposite coasts (KUSI)
• Deadly Mexico storms kill 42, floods strand thousands (Reuters)

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Senate committee approves military strike; full Congressional authorization still needed to launch war

By  Miriam Raftery

September 4, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – Should the U.S. attack Syria? What are the potential remifications for the U.S. and the world?  What are the key issues and arguments on all sides of this compelling questions -- and where do your representatives stand?

President Barack Obama has asked Congress for approval to launch a military air strike against Syria amid indications that the Syrian president  used chemical weapons against civilians in his own country, including children.  Today, the Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee voted 10-7 to approve limited authorization. Chairman John Kerry said there is "no question" that Syria used chemical weapons in violation of international law. The full Senate and the House of Representatives must both approve the action.

In the interest of providing our readers with a variety of views and information on this important issue, we’ve rounded up articles from around the world and across the nation in our special section below. Click any headline to view full text of these articles. We've even included "9 questions about Syria you were too embarassed to ask" for those who haven't kept up with the news on this emerging world crisis. 

Syria news stories:

August 28, 2013 (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.

• Obama orders release of report justifying Syria strike (CNN)
• Facebook says countries sought data on 38,000 users in first half of 2013 (Reuters)
• After six budget showdowns, big government is mostly unchanged  (Washington Post)
• A face in the crowd: say goodbye to anonymity (CBS)
• Secret Ruling Found NSA's Surveillance Violated Constitution (NPR)
• Inside The Beef Industry's Battle Over Growth-Promotion Drugs (NPR)
• Beware of Warrior Cops (Reason)
• The FISA Court Didn’t Even Know NSA Was Collecting Some Domestic Communications (Reason)
• New Details On How U.S. 'Helped Saddam As He Gassed Iran'(NPR)
• Bradley Manning: 'I Am A Female,' Call Me Chelsea (NPR)  

WORLD

• Fears of food and water poisoning after Damascus gassings
• Tens Of Thousands Flee Syria After Alleged Chemical Attacks (NPR)
• Mexico officials find mass grave east of capital (U-T)
• Do rockets in Israel indicate Al Qaeda presence in Lebanon? (CS Monitor)
• Israel says bombed Lebanon in retaliation for rocket attack (Reuters)
• Israel military: 4 rockets fired, none hit country (AP)
• Bodies still being found after alleged Syria chemical attack: opposition (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, scroll down.

August 14, 2013 (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.

• Amber Alerts: How successful have they been in saving abducted kids? (CS Monitor)
• Why Jeff Bezos bought the Washington Post (Business Week)
• U.S. Fast Food workers protests growing over ‘starvation’ wages (RawStory)
• Justice Department to Investigate DEA Surveillance Operations (Reason)
• Rep. McClintock Says the US Should Grant Snowden Amnesty  (Reason)

WORLD

• Yemen says it stopped massive militant operation (CS Monitor)
•  Drone strike kills six suspected militants in Yemen (Reuters)
•  Israel says it intercepts rocket launch near Egypt's Sinai
• US providing $15m to fund for Syrian opposition (AP)
• UN: Nearly 35 million migrants are under age 20 (AP)

 Click “read more” and scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

August 8, 2013 (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:

WORLD

• Interpol issues global security alert after prison breaks (Reuters)
• U.S. to extend some embassy closures up to a week (BBC)
• Exclusive: Japan nuclear body says radioactive water at Fukushima an 'emergency' (Reuters)
• Cafes shut, sports fields empty as war returns to Iraq (Reuters)
• Arab Gulf countries plan tougher anti-Hezbollah sanctions than EU (Jerusalem Post)
• Snowden gets job offer from Russia's Facebook (Reuters)
•  Dozens dead, stranded after flash floods in Afghanistan, Pakistan (Reuters)
• Yemen drone strike and US evacuation: Signs of drone war intensification? (CSS Monitor)
• Sudan ejects U.N. refugee agency staff from North Darfur (Reuters)

U.S.

• Mom sues US government in Indian girl's adoption (U-T San Diego)
• Bradley Manning faces up to 128 years in prison  (AP)
• Whistleblower: Protection Act Doesn't Cover Enough People (NPR)
• What is XKeyscore, and can it 'eavesdrop on everyone, everywhere'? (+video) (CS Monitor)
• N.S.A. Said to Search Content of Messages to and From U.S. (NY Times)
  

July 18, 2013 (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.

• Florida jury acquits George Zimmerman in killing of teenager (Reuters)
• Everybody Sues NSA over Surveillance (Reason)
• Journalism Is an Act, Not a Profession (Reason)
• Soldier Prescribed Controversial Anti-Malarial Drug Before Afghan Massacre(KPBS)  
• Uh, Hooray for Transparency? Government Propaganda Now Legally Available in America (Reason)
• U.S. regulators fine Barclays for energy price manipulation (Marketplace.org)
• Driving somewhere? There's a gov't record of that (U-T San Diego)

WORLD

• Egypt set to receive U.S. jets, despite recent overthrow (Christian Science Monitor)
• Mexico May Ease Restrictions On Foreign Ownership Of Property (KPBS)
• Japan nuclear regulator alarmed at Fukushima contamination reports (Reuters)  
• Bangladesh gives former Islamist leader life term for war crimes
• Mexico Captures Powerful Drug Cartel Leader (KPBS)
• Human toll of Syria's civil war echoes Rwandan genocide, says UN (Christian Science Monitor)