ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

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April 3, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

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

U.S.

U.S. border authorities hold migrant families in a pen under an El Paso bridge (Los Angeles Times)

Rows of families, including small children and babies, lay directly on the dirt floor. Some had been living like this, exposed to the elements under an El Paso bridge, for four days, held there by U.S. border authorities.

Trump plans to cut U.S. aid to 3 Central American countries (Washington Post)

The move against El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras deepens White House confrontations with Latin America over a surge in irregular migrations, including asylum seekers and others. Critics say the move is counterproductive and might increase migration.

Dems escalate Mueller demands with subpoena  (The Hill)

Democrats say it is up to Attorney General William Barr whether they move forward with a subpoena demanding the full release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.  The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday voted along party lines to authorize Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) to issue the order at a time of his choosing.

Joe Biden, in Video, Says He Will Be ‘More Mindful’ of Personal Space (New York Times)

For five days, Joseph R. Biden Jr. remained in the background as four women came forward saying they had been uncomfortable with the ways he had touched them…On Wednesday, Mr. Biden decided he needed to address the matter — and his future as a possible presidential candidate — personally…He released a seemingly homemade video, laying out his views on connecting with voters emotionally and even physically, and vowing to “be more mindful and respectful of people’s personal space.” “In my career, I’ve always tried to make a human connection — that’s my responsibility, I think,” said Mr. Biden…“I shake hands, I hug people, I grab men and women by the shoulders and say, ‘You can do this.’”

Just How Bad Is the Gender Pay Gap? Brutal, When You Look at a Lifetime of Work  (Time)

Every cause has its day, and Tuesday is Equal Pay Day, a reminder from the National Committee on Pay Equity that there is an ugly disparity between how much men and women earn in America, even when working identical jobs.

House Democrats seek six years of Trump’s tax returns, setting stage for fight

“This request is about policy, not politics,” the Ways and Means Committee chairman said. The president has said he does not plan to hand over his tax returns to Congress — and that he would fight it to the Supreme Court, according to two administration officials.

WORLD

Brunei introduces death by stoning for gay sex and adultery, despite international outcry (New York Times)

A harsh new criminal law in Brunei — which includes death by stoning for sex between men or for adultery, and amputation of limbs for theft — went into effect on Wednesday, despite an international outcry from other countries, rights groups, celebrities and students.

What we aren’t eating is killing us, global study finds (CNN)

Which risk factor is responsible for more deaths around the world than any other? Not smoking. Not even high blood pressure. It's a poor diet. "In many countries, poor diet now causes more deaths than tobacco smoking and high blood pressure," said Ashkan Afshin, an assistant professor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. And it's not just that people are choosing unhealthy options such as red meat and sugary sodas. Just as critical, said Afshin, the lead author of a 27-year global diet analysis published Wednesday in the journal the Lancet, is the lack of healthy foods in our diets, along with high levels of salt.

Here's Who Could Replace Theresa May as U.K. Prime Minister if She's Pushed Out Over Brexit (Time)

In a closed-off meeting in the U.K. Parliament with members of her ruling Conservative Party on Wednesday evening, a beleaguered Theresa May told colleagues she would step down.

George Clooney calls for hotel boycott over Brunei LGBT death penalty (CNN)

Film star George Clooney has called for a boycott of nine hotels because of their links to Brunei, where homosexual acts will from next week be punishable by death…They include the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Bel-Air in Los Angeles, the Dorchester in London and Le Meurice in Paris.

Radiation concerns halt Brussels 5G development, for now (Brussels Times)

In July, the government concluded an agreement with three telecom operators to relax the strict radiation standards in Brussels. But according to the Region, it is now impossible to estimate the radiation from the antennas required for the service.  "I cannot welcome such technology if the radiation standards, which must protect the citizen, are not respected, 5G or not," Environment minister Céline Fremault (CDH) told Bruzz. "The people of Brussels are not guinea pigs whose health I can sell at a profit.”

Facebook to consider live video restrictions after NZ attacks (BBC)

Facebook has promised to explore restrictions on live-streaming, two weeks after it was used during gun attacks on two mosques in New Zealand.


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Comments

Donald Trump & his tax returns:

President Trump told (promised?) Hillary Clinton, and the voters that he would show everyone his tax return statements if she showed hers. This has not happened yet. Why not? Is he hiding something? His unwillingness to do so voluntarily like others have done creates suspicion.

Seriously?

Is this an honest question, or are you just trying to hit your quota for the day in the comments section? Trump is no more required to provide his tax returns then you are, and he'd be a fool to do so. The onIy requirement is that he file a financial disclosure statement, which he's done, and these reports more information than tax returns anyway. If you’re concerned about potential conflicts of interest, you can get your very own copy of his financial disclosure form online. It details every one of his business interests and even includes the amounts of income he received from each one. For those of you who are incapable of using Google, here's a link: Trump's FDS The only people interested in seeing his returns are simply searching for an opportunity to embarrass him, and everyone knows it. And frankly, why should anyone care? I consider it a fundamental right of every American to be able to keep their personal financial information private, and that goes for Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, or anyone else. When Donald Trump declared himself a candidate for President, he opened himself up to public scrutiny, but he didn’t abdicate his right to privacy on matters that are his own personal business. I can't imagine him volunteering to cooperate with this mob in the slightest bit the way he's been treated to this point.

Joe Biden:

Acknowledging the fact there are real, legitimate cases of serious, questionable conduct from men (and women) regarding improper touching - and so much worse, it's rapidly getting to the point where many of us are worried about giving one another a genuine hug. Am I violation this person's space? Is it okay to give a comforting hug to someone who's sad, or in need? To someone we love? I hug others (men & women) at certain moments if I know them well enough, but not every time. Humans thrive on love and a soothing touch. Yet some do not want to engage in this behavior, even when it's not intended to be sexual, and that's okay. I respect that. Yet trying to read someone's emotions and reception to certain types of contact such as a hug or kiss which may or may not violate their moral code and what they allow can be difficult at times, if not impossible. So do we just stop showing human emotion out of fear? Should I apologize to everyone whom I may have offended? I for one have become quite nervous and am very concerned whether to hug - or not. Are handshakes still okay? Actually I don't usually care to shake hands with people, but it has become a social norm, so it's done routinely. Sometimes I don't grasp the proffered hand, and consequently no doubt offend the other. I don't care. If I'm not in the mood, I won't. Especially during flu season. Those who don't want to be hugged could send a strong signal indicating that they are not receptive. This should nearly eliminate negative reactions - even years later...