ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

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.

U.S.

Edward Snowden, Whistle-Blower (NY Times editorial) -- When someone reveals that government officials have routinely and deliberately broken the law, that person should not face life in prison at the hands of the same government.  

Pentagon cuts by third places where U.S. troops get danger pay (Reuters)

 The Pentagon said on Friday it had cut by about a third the list of places where U.S. troops get imminent danger pay, dropping locations like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf in a move expected to reduce costs by about $100 million a year.

Court Upholds Border Gadget Searches (Reason)

A federal judge today upheld a President Barack Obama administration policy allowing authorities along the U.S. border to seize and search laptops, smartphones and other electronic devices for any reason....Alarmingly, the government contends the Fourth-Amendment-Free Zone stretches 100 miles inland from the nation’s actual border.

Medicaid Expansion Boosted Emergency Room Visits In Oregon (Reuters)  

If people have insurance coverage, the theory went, they won't end up in the emergency room as often. But an analysis of Oregon's expansion of Medicaid found that people who gained coverage were 40 percent more likely to go to the emergency room.

Yes, Legal Pot Does Cost More Than Black-Market Pot (for Now at Least) (Reason)

The stores are charging as much as $70 for an eighth of an ounce, compared to $20 or $25 per eighth for medical marijuana before recreational sales became legal....

Senator Ron Johnson to sue over healthcare subsidy for Congress (Reuters)

 Republican Senator Ron Johnson planned to file a lawsuit on Monday challenging "special treatment" for members of the U.S. Congress in the application of President Barack Obama's healthcare law.

WORLD

Worst of climate change predictions are the most likely: new study (Common Dreams)

Groundbreaking research on cloud behavior and global warming says 'catastrophic' increase of 4°C or more by 2100 should be expected.

Hezbollah Moving Long-Range Missiles From Syria to Lebanon (NY Times)

 Amid the chaos of Syria’s civil war, Hezbollahhas been moving long-range missiles to Lebanon from bases where it had stored them inside Syria, including long-range Scud D missiles that can strike deep into Israel...  

 Greece takes over as EU president (Marketplace)

Today, Greece takes over the presidency of the European Union, at a time when 27 percent of Greeks are out of work. The country's not winning the award for the most popular member of the EU anytime soon.  For the next six months, Greece will organize meetings, conferences and set policy priorities. Greek politicians say they want the EU to focus on the economy and jobs.

Marine Crisis Team Evacuates American Embassy Staff From South Sudan (KPBS)

The escalating violence in South Sudan has prompted a U.S. Marine crisis response team to evacuate U.S. Embassy staff from the South Sudanese city of Juba on Friday.

Hundreds of Palestinians protest Kerry's visit in Ramallah (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinian protesters on Friday condemned the latest efforts by US Secretary of State John Kerry to advance peace talks with Israel, using chants evoking the Arab uprisings and telling him to go home.

Nine dead after attackers dressed as police enter Mexican prison (Reuters)

 Nine people were killed during a gunfight at a prison in Mexico's violent Guerrero state, after a gang dressed as police officers gained entry on Friday, authorities said.