San Diego search dog aids in search for survivors

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2013 (San Diego) – One of the worst tornadoes in recorded history has ravaged the Okalahoma City suburb of Moore, killing at least 51 people, injuring 120 including many children, and destroying 500 homes. The two-mile-wide twister destroyed an elementary school and entire neighborhoods nearby.

Eight Search Dog Foundation rescue teams have been dispatched to search the rubble for survivors.  One of the search dogs, George, was recruited from Labradors and Friends Dog Rescue Group in San Diego.

May 16, 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.

• White House pushes media shield law (Washington Post)
• IRS: First heads roll (The Hill)

• Companies won't face charges in condor deaths    (Los Angeles Times)

• Senate overwhelmingly approves water infrastructure bill  (Sacramento Bee)
• U.S. Safety board is proposing tougher drunk driving standards (CNN)
• Associated Press: Feds Secretly Obtained Reporter Phone Logs (NPR)
• Holder Defends Subpoena Of Journalists' Phone Logs
• Monsanto: The behemoth that controls 90 percent of soybean production (Marketplace.org)
• Exactly what did the IRS want to know?  (NPR)
• Who is profiting from charters? The big bucks behind charter school secrecy, financial scandal and corruption (Alternet)
• Texas man held on pipe bomb charges denies role in fertilizer plant blast  (Chicago Tribune)
• Tsarnaev 2011 murders? Boston-bombing brothers also could be linked to earlier deaths. (Christian Science Monitor)

WORLD

• Award goes to Pakistani girl shot by Taliban (U-T San Diego)
• Mexico sets shelters as volcano shakes, spews ash (U-T San Diego)
• Ex-dictator convicted of genocide in Guatemala (U-T San Diego)
• Rat meat and Chinese food safety (BBC)

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May 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:

NATIONAL

• Navy Launches Its First Drone Squadron (NPR)
• GM recalls more than 38,000 sedans over circuit board glitch (Reuters)
• Guantanamo hunger strike lays bare detainees growing desperation (Huffington Post)
• Survey: US home prices up 10.5 pct. in past year (KPBS)
• New arrests hint at unseen side of Boston bombing suspect (+video) (Christian Science Monitor)
• Will Bureaucracy Keep The U.S. Drone Industry Grounded? (NPR)
• Recent U.S. college graduates disillusioned, underemployed: poll (Reuters)
• Official: We knew Benghazi was a terrorist attack "from the get-go" (CBS News)
• Immigration reform: When is family reunification also 'chain migration'? (Christian Science Monitor)
• FBI: Minnesota raid disrupts planned terror attack (U-T San Diego)
• Exclusive: At Texas fertilizer plant, a history of theft, tampering  (Reuters)

WORLD

• Ethical fashion: Is the tragedy in Bangladesh the final straw? (NPR)
• In Japan: Running Out Of Places To Put Radioactive Water (NPR)
• Israel launches airstrike in Syrian capital (U-T San Diego)
• Israel's Netanyahu says would put peace deal to referendum  (Reuters)
• Jordan opposes 'confederation' with Palestinians (Jerusalem Post)
• Amazon Indians occupy controversial dam to demand a say (Reuters)
• To Silence Discontent, Chinese Officials Alter Workweek (NPR)
• Thousands of Sunnis flee Syrian coast after mass killings (Christian Science Monitor)
• Human Rights in Russia at Dangerous Low (Huffington Post)
• North Korea Reportedly Moves Missiles Off Launch Status (NPR)
• Back-to-back blasts in Pakistan highlight election risks (Christian Science  Monitor)
• Bishops Remain Missing After Capture In Syria (NPR)
• Attack on train in Mexico injures 10 migrants (U-T San Diego)
• Eurozone Unemployment Reaches Record High (Reason)
• North Korea sentences American to 15 years hard labor (Reuters)

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May 1, 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.

• Boston police: 3 more in custody for Boston bombing (10 News)
• Colorado court rules marijuana smokers may be fired (Christian Science Monitor)
• Bombing suspects' mom also in terror database (U-T San Diego)
• Tamerlan Tsarnaev Spoke Of Jihad With Mother, Reports Say (NPR)
• U.S. gives big, secret push to internet surveillance (CNet)
• Lawmakers, aides may get Obamacare exemption (Politico)
• As Injuries Rise, More Calls to Refuse The 'Cinnamon Challenge' (NPR)
• The FAA Strikes Again, the FAA Brags (Wall Street Journal)
• Congress Acts On Flight Delays, What's Next? (NPR)
• Court: State can block out of state use of FOIA

WORLD

• EU bans pesticides over bee fears (Reuters)
• Canada thwarts "al Qaeda-supported" passenger train plot (Reuters)
• Russia detains 140 suspected Islamic extremists (U-T San Diego)
• Once-touted corruption cases collapse in Mexico (U-T San Diego)
• Iraq: 51 dead in clashes, bombing as tensions rise (U-T San Diego)
• Defecting Syrian officer 'told to use WMD' (Jerusalem Post)
• Taliban vow suicide and "insider" attacks in new spring offensive (Reuters)
• Japan court rejects demand to evacuate children (U-T San Diego)
• Israel shoots down drone from Lebanon: Israeli military (Reuters)
• 14 killed in clashes in 3 western Mexico towns (U-T San Diego)
• More Than 50 Dead So Far in Run Up to Pakistani Elections (Reason)

April 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.

• Midwest sees record floods, road closures, runaway barges, and evacuations (Christian Science Monitor)
• Honda recalls over 225,000 SUVs and minivans in U.S., Canada (Reuters)
• Police: Bombing suspects planned more attacks (U-T San Diego)
• ACLU eyes Boston bombing suspect's Miranda rights (U-T San Diego)
• Suburb becomes war zone in days after bombings (U-T San Diego)
• Editorial: Feds need to probe Nevada's busing of mentally ill patients (Sacramento Bee)
• Texas fertilizer company didn't heed disclosure rules before blast (Reuters)
• Volunteer firefighting force decimated in Texas fertilizer plant explosion (Christian Science Monitor)
• Charges dropped against man in ricin letters case  (Sacramento Bee)
• Hackers compromise Associated Press Twitter account, tweet false report of White House attack (Christian Science Monitor)

WORLD

• Senate Immigration Bill Calls For A Drone-Patrolled Border (KPBS)
• US finalizing arms sales to Israel, Arab nations (U-T San Diego)
• China quake toll rises; rescue squads face setbacks (Jerusalem Post)
• Magnitude 6.9 quake strikes Sichuan region of China: USGS  (Reuters)
• France legalizes gay marriage after harsh debate (U-T San Diego)
• Police Arrest Former Pakistani Ruler Musharraf (NPR)
• Afghan girls' school feared hit by poison gas  (Reuters)
• Officials: At least 185 killed in Nigeria attack (U-T San Diego)

SCIENCE AND HEALTH

• Trees On Top Of Skyscrapers? Yes! Yes, Say I. No! No, Says Tim (NPR)
• CDC: U.S. Hospitals Should Be Vigilant For Bird Flu (NPR)

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April 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.

• Miss. Man arrested in ricin scare (CNN)
• After blast horror, many Bostonions extend kindness to runners (Reuters)
• Supreme Court to consider adoption case of American Indian girl (Reuters)
• Japanese Car Makers Recall Millions Of Vehicles Over Faulty Airbags (NPR)
• AP source: Immigration bill could exclude many  (Sacramento Bee)
• Postal Service backs down on cutting Saturday mail (Sacramento Bee)
• Pentagon study: N. Korea can launch nuke missile (Jerusalem Post)
• U.S. offers to help Iran after deadly quake (Reuters)
• Poverty plagues Obama’s America; press based in booming cities shrugs (Daily Beast)
• FOIA documents suggest IRS may have ignored court ruling on email privacy (Raw Story)
• Even 'Highly Motivated' Students Aren't Ready For College (NPR)
• Bailed-Out Banks Used Billions Meant For Small Business Aid To Repay TARP Funds (Huff Post)
• A Legal Twist In The Effort To Ban Cameras From Livestock Plants
• Idaho restricts drone use by police agencies amid privacy concerns
• Checks Threaten Gun Rights  (Reason)
• Internet-based attacks hit emergency call centers. What's the damage? (Christian Science Monitor)
• Secret Service investigating hack of director's information (Reuters)

WORLD

• Anonymous 'hacks' North Korea pages (BBC)
• Volcano spews ash in central Mexico (U-T San Diego)
• Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad resigns (U-T San Diego)
• Some 50,000 flee Sudan into Chad after Darfur clashes (Reuters)
• New leak found at Fukushima plant water storage pool: regulator (Reuters)
•  Report: Soil sample confirms WMD use in Syria (Jerusalem Post)
• Hungary promises changes after EU threat in amendment row (Reuters)
• 23,085 soldiers have fallen protecting Israel (Jerusalem Post)
• Palestinian funerals draw thousands in tense West Bank  (Reuters).  
• Turkish police uncover plot to bomb synagogue (Jerusalem Post)

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April 10, 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:

NATIONAL

• Monsanto’s next target: democracy (Alternet)
• Obama’s budget proposal: Cut Medicare, cut Social Security (Common Dreams)
• Kansas set to enact life-starts-"at fertilization" abortion law  (Reuters)
• As VA Backlog Grows, ‘Baffled’ Veteran Allies Begin To Turn On President (Daily Beast)

WORLD

• Former UK Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher dies at 87 (CBS)
• North Korea warns embassies of conflict risk as missiles move(Reuters)
• "We are broke," U.N. says as Syria refugee funds dry up(Reuters)
• Palestinians simmer with anger ahead of Kerry visit (Reuters)
• Report points to worldwide rise in anti-Semitic incidents (Christian Science Monitor)

HEALTH AND SCIENCE

• Proposed FDA safety rules frustrate tree farmers (Washington Post)
• U.S. judge lifts ‘morning after pill’ age limit (BBC)
• Human Cases Of Bird Flu In China Draw Scrutiny (NPR)
• The reef that regenerated (Daily Mail)

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April 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.

• New Visa Would Allow At Least 20,000 Low-Wage Workers To Come To U.S. (NPR)
• Expert: Recent Attacks On Justice Community 'Really Unprecedented' (NPR)
• IRS weighs changes to Obama healthcare investment tax rules (Reuters)
• Fracking’s latest scandal: earthquake swarms (Mother Jones)
• Want a U.S. visa? Got a spare $500,000? (American Public Media)
• Americans On Disability Play An Increasingly Important Role In The Economy (NPR)
• Obama administration moves ahead with sweeping rules requiring cleaner gasoline (Washington Post)

WORLD

• North Korea to restart nuclear reactor in weapons bid (Reuters)
• From The Stone Age To The Digital Age In One Big Leap (NPR)
• Why is the US shifting its missile defense out of Europe? (Christian Science Monitor)
• Vigilantes seize town in Mexico, arrest police (Christian Science Monitor)
• Pope washes women’s feet in break with church law (Yahoo! News)
• How potent are North Korea’s threats? (BBC)
• Al-Qaida linked group doubles size in Syria (Jerusalem Post)
• Putin flexes Russian military muscle in naval exercise (Reuters)
•  Banks score major win in private Libor suits (Reuters)

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April 3, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights brings you cutting edge news each week that could impact your health and our future.

• Delay seen in health law feature for small firms (UT San Diego)
• Could Wind Turbines Be Toxic To The Ear? (NPR)
• US quake linked to oil wastewater (BBC)
• Sand From Fracking Could Pose Lung Disease Risk To Workers (NPR)
• Certificate-of-Need Laws Prevent Access to Lifesaving Medical Technology (Reason)

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March 28, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--Health and Science Highlights brings you news on the cutting edges in these fields. 

On the science front, have earthquakes mastered the secrets pursued by alchemists since the days of legend? The journal Nature Geoscience writes about the ability of earthquakes to vaporize water in faults, depositing gold. Plus beekeepers are suing the EPA-- and a new study shows pesticides are affecting bees memories and navigation skills.

On the health front, does aspirin reduce cancer risk? A study in the Journal Cancer this week suggests it might. The Community Asthma Initiative at Boston's Children's Hospital may provide a model for Medicare and insurance companies to keep costs down while preventing asthma. Speaking of governments involvement in health, this week the New York Superior Court struck down New York City's soda ban as "arbitrary and capricious," while the Mayor defiantly promised to challenge the decision.

In perhaps the most far reaching health development of the week, a new peer reviewed study lead right here in San Diego indicates that Down Syndrome may be caused by the lack of an important brain protein, SNX27-- and may lead to development of therapies that can reverse the syndrome if treatment is started up to as late as puberty.

For links to these stories and more, scroll down.

March 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.

• Federal government takes on domestic drone legislation (Marketplace Tech)
• 5 possible outcomes of the Supreme Court Prop 8 case (CBS)
• Former Bush Aide Pushes 'Conservative Case' For Gay Marriage (NPR)
• Automakers pitch in to help Detroit as state takeover begins (Reuters)
• Grocers reject genetically modified salmon (Voice of San Diego)
• Reinflating the Housing Bubble: Department of Agriculture Edition (Reason)

WORLD

• North Korea calls Hawaii and U.S. mainland targets (New York Times)
• US to ramp up its anti-missile defenses following North Korean threats (Christian Science Monitor)
• U.S. Pledges $200 Million To Jordan To Aid With Syrian Refugees (NPR)
• VIDEO: Iraq doctors report birth defect rise (BBC)
• West Bank hosts Obama, Gaza sends rockets  (CS Monitor)
•  Iran will destroy Israeli cities if attacked: Khamenei (Reuters)
• Europe's Central Bank Issues Cyprus Ultimatum (NPR)
• Mursi warning stirs fears in Egypt opposition (Reuters)

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March 21, 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.

• Assault weapons ban dropped from Senate bill (NBC)
• States' aid to public colleges has fallen 28 percent since 2008 (Reuters)
• Rand Paul wins  CPAC straw poll (The Hill)
• Sen. Rand Paul introduces fetal personhood bill to outlaw all abortions (RawStory)
• First-ever cyberattack on US election points to broad vulnerabilities (Christian Science Monitor)
• Prop. 37 Died, but the Food-Labeling Fight Lives (Voice of San Diego)
• Census shows record 1 in 3 US counties are dying (Sacramento Bee)
• Report makes chilling forecast on Northwest quake (Sacramento Bee)

WORLD

• Islamist law takes hold in rebel-held Syria (Washington Post)
• Syria, rebels accuse each other of firing a chemical weapon (Washington Post)
• Pope Francis wants Church to be poor, and for the poor (Reuters)
• New Pope Criticized For His Association With Argentina's Dirty War (NPR)
• Flight to nowhere: Refugees’ plight is worsening (The Economist)
• Venezuela to probe Chavez cancer poisoning accusation (Reuters)
• Israeli lawyer goes after Abbas, Hamas in ICC (Jerusalem Post)
• Co-Founder Of Khmer Rouge Dies; Ieng Sary Escapes Judgment For Genocide (NPR)
• Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood says UN proposal on women will destroy the world (Christian Science Moitor)

SCIENCE AND HEALTH

• Could Brazilian waxing increase STD risk? (Fox)
• Driving coast to coast with no gas – on water and sunshine (USA Today)

March14, 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. 

• Ryan budget plan combines old cuts, new tax revenues (Washington Post) 
• Paul Ryan’s budget: Social engineering and a side of deficit reduction (Washington Post) 
• The hot air in wind power (Wall Street Journal)
• A Lasting Legacy of the Fukushima Rescue Mission: Part 1 Radioactive Contamination of American Sailors (Energy Matters)
• Journalism schools try out drones—and test legal boundaries (U.S. News)
• House Democrats demand President release full legal basis for drone strikes (RawStory)
• Rand Paul's Filibuster: The Latest Example of Why We Need "President's Questions"  (Reason)
• State of Ore. backs Klamath Tribes water rights (Sacramento Bee)
• The fire sale at the White House (Jewish World Review)
• Justice issues order supporting photojournalist taking pictures of police  (Media Law)
• How more than $8 billion in US taxpayers' money went to waste in Iraq (Christian Science Monitor)
• Dow's 'Record Highs' Misleading Without Including Inflation (NPR)
• Dianne Feinstein ignites debate over veterans with PTSD and guns  (Daily Beast)
• Judge: DHS Must Release Body Scanner Safety Reports (Reason)

WORLD

• Jorge Mario Bergoglio: Who is the new pope? (Global Post)
• Francis is first Pope from Americas: Austere Jesuit who modernized Argentine church (Fox News)
• Mexico's lower house passes bill to remove lawmaker immunity  (Reuters)
• Chinese Farmers Revolt Against Government Land Grab  (NPR)
• U.N. Security Council Hits North Korea With More Sanctions After Nuclear Test (NPR)
• Bomber kills at least nine people in Kabul during Hagel’s visit to Afghanistan  (The Hill)
• U.S. envoy walks out of nuclear meeting over Iran's Israel remark (Reuters)
• Syrian rebels seize U.N. peacekeepers near Golan Heights  (Reuters)
• Christian homes torched by Pakistani mob (Christian Science Monitor)
• Khmer Rouge genocide: justice delayed may be justice denied (Reuters)

HEALTH/SCIENCE

• Microsoft fined $730 million over browser choice (Christian Science Monitor)
• Flights from NY airport fueled by cooking oil (UT San Diego)
• National Security Letters Target Thousands of Google Accounts (Reason)
• Newly discovered cell could heal damaged tissue, organs, researchers say  (Jewish World Review)
• Can Milk Sweetened With Aspartame Still Be Called Milk? (NPR)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

March 7, 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:

NATIONAL

• Carrier cancellation heats up sequester fight as cuts take effect (The Hill)
• But what do the cuts mean for me? A sequester FAQ for the rest of us (Slate) 
• Goal to cut deficit by $4 trillion in reach (Sacramento Bee) 
• Sequester puts more cancer patients at risk of dying, researchers say  (Daily Beast) 
• Military foreclosure rates raise concerns (U-T San Diego, based on New York Times story) 
• DHS freed over 2,000 immigrants since February (Sacramento Bee) 
• Military draft registration: Goodbye to the draft board? (Christian Science Monitor) 
• Democrats turn to FCC to reveal secret donors behind political ads (The Hill) 
• Birds May Use 'Sound Maps' To Navigate Huge Distances (NPR) 

INTERNATIONAL 

• Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez dies (CNN) 
• Mexican president warns party over graft: No one is untouchable (Reuters) 
• The Holocaust just got more shocking (New York Times) 
• Afghan Government Bans Some American Forces For Links To Killings And Torture (NPR) 
• In Depressed Spain, ATMs That Dispense Free Cash (NPR) 
• Assad forces take Aleppo village, reopening supply line (Reuters) 
• Volcanic eruptions might lessen greenhouse effects (CS Monitor) 

HEALTH/SCIENCE 

• MIT Invents A Machine That Can Look At Batman's Face And See His Heart Beating (NPR – fascinating video) 
• Doctors report first cure of HIV in a child (USA Today) 
• New drug doubles risk of pancreatitis (Ivanhoe Newswire)

 Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

February 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:

NATIONAL

• Supreme Court Makes It Harder To Challenge Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (NPR)
• Cap Cod community considers taking down wind turbines after illness, noise (Fox)
• Needy families can apply for pet food stamps through donation-based program(ABC News 5)
• Threat of sequestration looms as deadline approaches (CBS)
• Justices asked to void marriage law provision (U-T San Diego)
• Cash-Strapped Postal Service To Launch A New Clothing Line (NPR)
• The true size of the National Debt (Washington Post)
• Mom takes on smart meters over privacy, security and health (Jewish World Health)
• Those terrible first few minutes: Revisiting active shooter protocols for schools (FBI Bulletin)
• iDoctor: Could a smart phone be the future of medicine?  (NBC)

WORLD

• Mexico's 'Crisis Of Disappearance': Families Seek Answers  (NPR)
• UK convicts 3 Islamists for plotting another 9/11 (Jerusalem Post)
• Heritage sites of national significance under threat from wind farms (British Telegraph)
• For Taliban victims, Pakistani peace talks feel like betrayal (Christian Science Monitor)
• Bulgarian government resigns amid growing protests (Reuters)
• Sunspots: Huge and growing fast, says NASA (Christian Science Monitor)
• 'Gazans seek elections as Hamas support declines' (Jerusalem Post)

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February 21, 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:

NATIONAL

• States join battle over drone fights (The Hill)
• The Voting Rights Act: Under fire (Ebony)
• Sequestration could mean across the board pain (CBS)
• FTC advises consumers to keep eye out for unauthorized charges on credit card bills (ABC)
• Kerry comes out swinging on climate change (The Hill)
• Pentagon informs Congress of plans to furlough 800K civilian workers (The Hill)
• In US, big strides in reducing domestic violence (CS Monitor)
• Farmer's Fight With Monsanto Reaches The Supreme Court (NPR)
• Who will clean up after the nuclear plants? (Christian Science Monitor)
• Alaska brewery plans to use beer as source of green energy (Fox)

WORLD

• Meteor blast injures 1,000 in Russia (CNN)
• Ozone hole shrinks to new low (Christian Science Monitor)
• Journalist rips ‘pro-life’ Republicans for seeking to cut infant nutrition program (Raw Story)
• GOP lawmakers propose $30 million a year to fund cops in schools program (The Hill)
• India farmers’ rice revolution (UK Guardian)
• U.K. Slaughterhouses Raided As Europe's Horse Meat Scandal Widens (NPR)
• A glimpse of Mexico's new crime fighting strategy (Christian Science Monitor)
• Chernobyl hit by roof collapse (BBC)
• The Afghan Battle Over A Law To Protect Women (NPR)
• Foreigners arrested for trying to spread Christianity in Libya (Reuters)

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February 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.

• REI CEO named head of Department of Interior (Sustainable Business)
• A Secretary  to match the setting (New York Times)
• US military deaths in Afghanistan at 2,045 (U-T San Diego)
• U.S. withdrawing 34,000 troops from Afghanistan within a year (Reuters)
• US gas prices jump 25 cents over past 2 weeks (Sacramento Bee)
• Mississippi tornado hits Hattiesburg, leaves no fatalities (+video) (Christian Science Monitor)
• Navajo, Hopi tribes struggle without water in Southwest cold snap (Reuters)
• Massive power outages as ‘Nemo’ storm lashes northeast (USA Today)
• Death By Drone, And The Sliding Scale Of Presidential Power (NPR)
• Solar industry grapples with hazardous wastes  (Sacramento Bee)
• 'Every new car' connected to web by 2014 (BBC)

WORLD

• Vatican announces Pope to step down by end of February (10 News)
• Bizarre stories of the 4 other popes who resigned in the last  1,000 years (Washington Post)
• Exiting U.S. general says Afghan women's rights are key (Reuters)
• Pakistan Says U.S. Drone Strikes Violate Its Sovereignty (NPR)
• Iran's Khamenei rebuffs U.S. offer of direct talks (Reuters)
• Irish marchers protest nationwide against austerity (Reuters)
• Exclusive: U.N. monitors see arms reaching Somalia from Yemen, Iran (Reuters)

HEALTH

• Folic acid in pregnancy  may help lower autism risk (CNN)
• DePuy Hip Implant Problems In San Diego (KPBS)
• Chain Restaurants Boost Sales With Lower-Calorie Foods (NPR)
• Lenses could 'cure colour-blindness' (BBC)
• Pig Manure Reveals More Reason To Worry About Antibiotics (NPR)

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February 7, 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:

NATIONAL

• Latest job numbers signal economic recovery (CBS)
• John Kerry sworn in as Secretary of State (Boston.com)
• The biggest public land grab (Canyon Country Zephyr)
• Are Mini-Reactors The Future Of Nuclear Power? (NPR)

WORLD

• Defiant Iran plans to speed up nuclear fuel work (Reuters)
• Iran says US offer of direct talks a 'step forward, but...' (Christian Science Monitor)
• Israel on airstrikes in Syria: When we say something, we mean it (Christian Science Monitor)
• Turkish leftist group claims U.S. embassy bombing: website (Reuters)
• Iran launches monkey into space, showing missile progress (Reuters)
• Explosion at Mexican oil giant Pemex offices kills 14 (Reuters)
• Solomon Islands hit by five-foot tsunami, leaving six dead (+video) (Christian Science Monitor)

SCIENCE AND HEALTH

• Birds May Use 'Sound Maps' To Navigate Huge Distances (NPR)
• With Elbows, Cortisone Shots May Hurt More Than Help (NPR)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

January 30, 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

• Egypt's leader declares emergency after clashes (Reuters)
• Canadian opposition introduces bill that makes secession easier (Reuters)
• Images suggest NKorea ready for nuke test  (U-T San Diego)
• After threatening the US, North Korea turns its ire on South Korea (U-T San Diego)
• Around The Globe, Women Already Serve In Combat Units (NPR)
• Violence flares on anniversary of Egypt uprising (Jerusalem Post)
• Russian forces kill three militants in North Caucasus (Reuters)
• 15,000 crocodiles escape in South Africa? Police need herding help after floods (Christian Science Monitor)
• Russia's Vladimir Putin says West is fomenting jihadi 'blowback' (Christian Science Monitor)
• Muslim ‘modesty patrol’ stalking streets of London (Jerusalem Post)
• Court rejects Saudi blogger case (BBC)

NATIONAL

• Title IX redux? Education Dept. says school sports can't shut out disabled. (Christian Science Monitor)
• Court won't hear challenge to Clean Air Act rule (U-T San Diego)
• Regulator: Huge cuts coming to New England fishing (U-T San Diego)
• Shocking: Reporting Factory Farm Abuses to be Considered ‘Act of Terrorism’ If New Laws Pass  (Alternet, reprinted at San Diego Free Press)
• Anonymous threatens Justice Dept. over hactivist death (CNN)
• Court: Obama appointments are unconstitutional (U-T San Diego)
• Court says EPA overestimates biofuels production (AP)
• Pentagon researches new life for dead satellites (Sacramento Bee)
• Court overturns another Guantanamo conviction (Reuters)
• Pentagon To Dramatically Expand 'Cyber Warrior' Force (NPR)

HEALTH

• New Norovirus Strain Rips Through The U.S. (NPR)
• Scientists create 'tractor beam' (BBC)
• Heroin: Small cities, even rural towns face growing problems (Christian Science Monitor)
• Long-term aspirin 'blindness link' (BBC)
• New lingo for consumers: health overhaul glossary (U-T San Diego)
• Health insurance exchanges will transform market (U-T San Diego)
• Bird, Plane, Bacteria? Microbes Thrive In Storm Clouds (NPR)
  

January 24, 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:

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

U.S.

• House approves debt limit extension, presses Senate to pass budget (The Hill)
• Pentagon lifting ban on women in combat, opening new opportunities (Christian Science Monitor)
• Women in combat: Will they have to register for the draft? (Christian Science Monitor)
• TSA removing virtual strip search body scanners (CNN)
• OPEC forecasts record US oil supply growth in 2013 (Christian Science Monitor)
• How Older Parenthood Will Upend American Society (New Republic)

WORLD

• North Korea to target U.S. with nuclear, rocket tests (Reuters)
• Idle No More movement sweeps Canada and beyond as aboriginals say enough is enough  (Indian Country Today)
• Syrian opposition leaders fail to form government (Reuters)
• Algerian hostage-takers threaten further attacks (Jerusalem Post)
• Jakarta, Indonesia's megacity of 10 million, is under water (+video) (Christian Science Monitor)
• Egypt opposition leader aims to break Islamist dominance (Reuters)
• Blast, drone kill 13 al Qaeda-linked militants  in Yemen (Reuters)
• Raised on Hatred (New York Times)

HEALTH/SCIENCE

• Algae Fuel Could Help Solve The Navy’s Oil Dependence  (KPBS)
• It's Legal For Some Insurers To Discriminate Based On Genes (NPR)
• Warnings from a flabby mouse [strong link between endocrine disruptors and obesity] (NY Times columnist Nicholas Kristof)
• TA researchers: Genome can reveal surname (Jerusalem Post)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

January 16, 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 to offer most comprehensive gun control in decades (Washington Post)
• Under Construction: The World's Largest Thermal Solar Plant (NPR)
• Can police use your silence against you? Supreme Court to decide. (CS Monitor)
• Computer Users Should Disable Java 7 Owing To Security Flaw, Experts Say (NPR)
• From Corn Belt To Main Street: The Drought's Far-Reaching Grasp (NPR)
• Widow sues psychiatrist in Colo. theater shootings (U-T San Diego)
• For energy solutions, 'think small' (+video)(Christian Science Monitor)
• 'Python Challenge' Asks Floridians To 'Harvest' Snakes (NPR)  

WORLD 

• Northern Irish youths pelt Catholic church in latest "flag riots" (Reuters)
• U.S. Provided 'Technical Assistance' In Botched French Raid, Obama Says (NPR)
• Bad Even For Beijing: Smog Hits Extreme Levels (NPR)
• Shi'ite protests spread across Pakistan after killings (Reuters)
• Palestinian premier urges Arabs to pay pledged aid (U-T San Diego)
• Storm heightens crisis for Syrian refugees (Jerusalem Post)
• Preacher alarms many in Egypt with calls for Islamist vice police (Reuters)

HEALTH

• Women With A Berry-Snacking Habit May Have Healthier Hearts (NPR)
• UCSD team invents brain cell breakthrough (U-T San Diego)
• Flu reaches epidemic level in U.S.: CDC says (Reuters)
• Pap Test May Detect More Than Just Cervical Cancer (NPR)
• FDA requires sleeping pill makers to lower dosage (KXII)
• Diet drinks 'linked' to depression (BBC)
• Does lead poisoning make you violent? (BBC)
• U.S. Ranks Below 16 Other Rich Countries In Health Report (NPR)
• UC San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center Listed among Nation’s Best Heart Hospitals (Scoop San Diego)

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January 10, 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.

• Congress less popular than cockroaches (Salon)
• High court to tackle Native American adoption dispute (CNN)
• Congress lets Violence Against Women Act wither away (MSNBC)
• New immigration policy aims to limit family separations (KPBS)
• Disappearing Mule Deer A New Reality Throughout Western U.S. (NPR)
• Gabrielle Giffords takes on the gun lobby (CNN)
• Texas school can force teenager to wear locator chip: judge (Reuters)
• Hillary Clinton released from hospital after treatment of blood clot (Los Angeles Times)
• Fiscal cliff deal sneaks in Wall Street gifts, NASCAR perks (Huffington Post)
• Al Jazeera buys Al Gore’s Current TV (CBS)
• Canadian oil sands pollute nearby lakes. Report is blow to Keystone pipeline.(Christian Science Monitor)
• State Department made "grievous mistake" over Benghazi: Senate report (Reuters)

WORLD

• Indian proposes ban on child labor (Washington Post)
• UN says more than 60,000 dead in Syrian civil war (U-T San Diego)
• Malala's father given diplomatic role in UK(U-T San Diego)
• Protecting Native rights: idle no more  (LA Progressive)
• Biofuels cause pollution, not as green as thought - study (Reuters)
• Online comments hurt science understanding, study finds (Journal of Science)

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January 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.

• Bill to avert fiscal cliff heads to House after Senate approves it 89-8 (U-T San Diego)
• Storms on U.S. Plains stir memories of the "Dust Bowl" (Reuters)
• Agricultural Committees Agree To Farm Bill Extension (NPR)
• The real lessons of Columbine: Psychiatric drugs induce violence (Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Colorado)
• Details of Toyota sudden acceleration settlement (Sacramento Bee)
• U.S. soldier suicides outnumber combat deaths in 2012 (CBS)
• Award-winning PVC cell pushes efficiency higher – to 44% (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
• Airlines Fear Pilot Shortage Amid New Federal Safety Rules ( NPR)
• US snow storm claims more lives (BBC)
• Congress extends foreign surveillance law (U-T San Diego)

WORLD

• State Department made "grievous mistake" over Benghazi: Senate report (Reuters)
• Yemen: Al-Qaida offers bounty for US ambassador (U-T San Diego)
• Protests in India after Delhi rape victim dies (CNN)
• India files murder charges against suspects in brutal gang rape  (CNN)
• Egypt's Morsi signs Islamist constitution into law (Jerusalem Post)
• Cabinet resignations deal setback for Egypt's Mursi (Reuters)
• Egypt to pursue relationship with Hezbollah Jerusalem Post)
• Targeting of Israel civilians violates war laws: HRW (JWR)
• Muslim scholars and clerics: suicide bombings are un-Islamic.(Christian Science Monitor)

HEALTH

• How A Drug Shortage Hiked Relapse Risks For Lymphoma Patients (NPR)
• Brain scan can sort dementia by type (BBC)
• Like Girls, Boys Are Entering Puberty Earlier ( NPR)

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December 26, 2012 -- (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.

• Business groups grow frustrated over impasse in ‘fiscal cliff’ talks (The Hill)
• Immigrants Welcomed: A City Sees Economic Promise (NPR)
• Nearing fiscal cliff, wind industry waits (North County NPR)
• American wind industry proposes to phase out tax credits (Hydrogen News)
• End the Wind Production Tax Credit (U.S. News and World Reports)
• NRA defends call for armed guards at schools (Reuters)
• Audits looking for undocumented immigrants on the rise (Christian Science Monitor)
• Few tests done at toxic sites after superstorm (U-T San Diego)

WORLD

• North Korea could have U.S. within missile range, says South (Reuters)
• Mayan temple damaged in tourists’ ‘apocalypse’ frenzy (Raw Story)
• India rape protests; reporter shot dead (Sky News)
• AP Exclusive: Palestinians aim to isolate Israel  (U-T San Diego)
• UN confirms Hezbollah fighting for Assad in Syria (Jerusalem Post)
• Thousands of Islamists clash with opponents in Egypt (Christian Science Monitor)
• Risk For Pakistan's Polio Workers Escalates (NPR)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

December 19, 2012 -- (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.

Mass shooting at Connecticut elementary school:

• Fear of being committed may have caused Connecticut gunman to snap (Fox)
• After a 1996 mass shooting, Australia enacted strict gun laws. It hasn’t had a similar massacre since. (Slate)
• Feinstein says bills to ban assault weapons will be a priority (La Mesa Patch)
• Newtown tragedy could put mental health in spotlight (USA Today)
• 'I Am Adam Lanza's Mother'  (Huffington Post)
• How many more Mondays? Changing a culture of glorified violence (San Diego Free Press)
• Sandy Hook: Police say shooter forced his way into school (Christian Science Monitor)
• School adviser: Gunman a loner who felt no pain (U-T San Diego)

Other national news:

• Kerry favorite to become Secretary of State (CBS)
• Deficit deal offers chance for salvation for 112th Congress (The Hill)
• Boehmer offers debt ceiling increase in cliff compromise (Washington Post)
• Obama’s new offer on fiscal cliff could lead to deal (New York Times)
• Flight of hypocrisy: Feds fine oil companies, give pass to wind farms killing birds (Fox)
• Cyberattacks on US banks resume, aiming to block their websites-tied to Hamas (Christian Science Monitor)
• Good Tidings Of Great Joy: Google Maps App Released For iPhone (NPR)
• Turn that down: FCC orders TV ads to lower volume (RawStory)
• Government PR surges amid media cuts (UT-San Diego)
• Illegal immigration drops after decade-long rise (U-T San Diego)
• 'We've Got Bigger Fish To Fry' Than Going After Pot Smokers, Obama Says (NPR)
• Mormon Women Dare To Wear Pants To Church (NPR)

WORLD

• Death toll from Typhoon tops 1,000 in Philippines (CNN)
• 'Syrian jets bomb Palestinian camp in Damascus' (Jerusalem Post)
• Codex committee: you can’t tell people that nutrients prevent disease! (Alliance for Natural Health)
• U.S. Officials: Syria Has Prepared Several Dozen Chemical Bombs (NPR)
• Police in Facebook global arrests (BBC)
• Egyptian women claim judge barred them from voting (U-T San Diego)
• Why Africa's lions are rapidly disappearing (Christian Science Monitor)
• Lack of food stunts Chad children, damages minds (U-T San Diego)
• New Palestinian group declares 3rd Intifada (Jerusalem Post)
• Russia raids activists in 'revolution' probe (Jewish World Review)
• Egypt court gives Christian 3 years for blasphemy (U-T San Diego)
• The Israeli Periphery (Jewish World Review)
• Israeli expansion threatens West Bank Bedouin (Al Jazeera)
• E.U. Votes To Have A Single Regulator For Its Banks (NPR)
• Japan’s ABE sees difficult road ahead (Al Jazeera)

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December 12, 2012 -- (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.

• Bracing for fiscal cliff, investors move assets (Washington Post)
• Public backs fiscal cliff compromise; will Washington listen? (CBS)
• USDA chief: Rural American becoming less relevant (Associated Press)
• Washington state lights up as smoking marijuana becomes legal (UK Telegraph)

WORLD

• Egypt president scraps decree that sparked protests (Reuters)
• Protest at Egypt president's palace turns violent (UT San Diego)
• NATO warns Syria not to use chemical weapons (Reuters)
• Thousands accept postal service buyout deal  (cbsnews)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

December 5, 2012 -- (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.

• Is fracking contaminating U.S. livestock?   (AllGov.com)
• Prop 8 supporters, opponents, await Supreme Court decision (Sacramento Bee)
• Report finds 69% of pork contaminated with bacteria (Eatocracy, citing Consumer Reports data)
• Female combat vets push to overturn wartime restrictions (UT San Diego)
• Senate votes to tighten sanctions on Iran (UT San Diego)
• Analysis: Democrats' discord undercuts Obama estate tax push (Reuters)
• House GOP committee chairs will all be white men in next Congress (Huffington Post)
• What happens to women denied abortion? This is first scientific study to find out (i09)

WORLD

• Cairo’s Tahrir Square fills with anti-Morsi protesters (BBC)
• ADL: Anti-Israel campus activity rising after Gaza conflict (Jerusalem Post)
• Joint U.S.-Afghan Base Attacked By Taliban In Eastern Afghanistan (NPR)
• Egypt’s top court shuts down, blames Islamic protesters (Reuters)
• Change to royal succession agreed (BBC) 

HEALTH & SCIENCE

• Is Alzheimers Type 3 diabetes? (New York Times)
• Why are cows tails dropping off? (The Nation)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

November 28, 2012 -- (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 reflecti 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.

• Supreme  Court blocks Illinois law banning taping of police (Chicago Tribune)
• More Republicans break with Norquist on anti-tax pledge (Washington Post)
• U.S. Fiscal cliff: Death, taxes and the GOP (BBC)
• U.S. gas prices see sharpest dip since 2008 (CNN)
• Millions will qualify for new options under health care law in next few months; most have no idea (Washington Post)
• Five economic trends to be thankful for (Washington Post)

WORLD

• Electronic tracking: New constraint for Saudi women (France24)
• Anger as Hungarian far-right leader demands list of Jews (Reuters)
• Spanish company involved in nuclear smuggling scheme with Iran (Reuters)
• Clinton announces cease fire between Israel and Hamas (The Hill)
• With Clinton’s shuttle diplomacy success, focus shifts to long-term Mideast solution (Washington Post)
• Egypt: Who holds the power? (BBC)
• Egyptian judges prepare for a strike (NPR)
• Call for noise based wind buffer laws (Queensland Country Life)

HEALTH

• Grapefruit and pills mix: warning (BBC)
• Abortion rate drops 5%, largest drop in decade (LA Times)
• Rare Meat Allergy Caused By Tick Bites May Be On The Rise  (NPR)
• Dogs being trained to sniff out ovarian cancer (CBS News)
• FDA halts operations at peanut butter plant (UT San Diego)
• Smoking rots brain, says study (BBC)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

November 20, 2012 --  (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 reflecting 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.

• Home prices rise in 81% of U.S. cities as markets recover (Bloomberg)
• How the U.S. mortgage settlement can help military members (U-T San Diego)
• BP settles with U.S. for $4.5 billion in Gulf spill (Sacramento Bee)
• 2 BP workers indicted on manslaughter counts (Sacramento Bee)
• Obama insists on tax hike in “fiscal cliff” deal (Reuters)
• Secession petitions now filed in all 50 states (Yahoo News)
• Rick Perry does not support secession (CNN)
• Federal Wildlife Services makes a killing in animal-control business(Sacramento Bee)
• Obama vows action on climate change for future generations (RawStory)
• Toxic flame retardant detected in popular soda (Rodale Press, publisher of Prevention Magazine)
• Judge approves FTC's $22.5M fine of Google  (Politico)
• Jindahl: End ‘dumbed down conservatism’ (Politico)
• Petraeus case shows ease of government email snooping (Reuters)

WORLD

Israel-Palestine conflict:

• Obama: Israel has ‘every right’ to defend itself from Gaza missile attacks (U.S. News)
• Israeli official:Truce to begin in hours; IDF drops warning leaflets in Gaza (Haaretz)
• After rockets hit Tel Aviv area, IDF renews aerial assault on Gaza   (Haaretz)
• US Senate expresses firm support of Israel (YNet news)
• Turkish PM in Cairo vows support for Gaza (U-T San Diego)
• Gunmen kill six alleged collaborators in Gaza  (Reuters)
• IAF strikes 4 terrorists hiding in media building (Jerusalem Post)
• Lebanese army dismantles rockets aimed at Israel (UT-San Diego)
• Israel assassinates Hamas military chief in Gaza (Sacramento Bee)

Other world news:

• Scandal in Ireland as woman dies in Galway ‘after being denied an abortion’ (The Guardian)    
• Egyptian jihadist urges demolition of Sphinx, pyramids  (Jerusalem Post)
• Iran ready to double nuclear work in bunker: IAEA (Reuters)

HEALTH

• Cells reverse paralysis in dogs (BBC)
• Vegetative patient: “I’m not in pain” – breakthrough research (BBC News)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

November13, 2012 --  (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 reflecting 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.

• War opens inside GOP on immigration (The Hill)
• Can police collect DNA before conviction? Supreme Court to hear case. (Christian Science Monitor)
• Supreme Court appears ready to nuke the Voting Rights Act (Mother Jones)
• CIA Director David Petraeus resigns, cites extramarital affair (NBC News)
• Obama wins Florida, sweeping all battleground states (CNN)
• George P. Bush gears up for political run in Texas (KPBS)
• Obama, Boehner reiterate plan to work on ‘fiscal cliff’ but offer differing ways to do so (Washington Post)
• Marijuana legalization victories could be short-lived (Reuters)
• After Sandy, communities mobilize a new kind of disaster relief (Common Dreams)
• West Nile cases still climbing as temperatures drop (NPR)

WORLD

• To combat sanctions, Iran buys up gold (NPR)
• Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists ( UK Telegraph)
• Strong earthquake off Guatemala kills at least 48 (Reuters)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.