Pro-democracy protests continue despite challenges Hundreds of Hong Kongers are protesting for full suffrage. At the height, tens-of-thousands of people joined activists. Protesters are blocking key roads in HK financial district. Local businesses say they’ve lost money from the protests. Clashes between police and activists reignited Wednesday. A video allegedly shows HK police beating a protester. HK officials say activists …
Catholics and Gays
Catholic Church evolves language on homosexuality More context and information The “document” seems to be a transcript from the current 2-week synod (a “synod” is a meeting of Church leadership) The Church is trying to reconcile accepting homosexuals within their communities without betraying their current doctrine on family/marriage. The usual heavy-handed condemnation of homosexuality is noticeably absent. Gay unions are still …
ISIS Taking More Ground
Terror group closes on Baghdad The fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria is not going well. The US is conducting airstrikes but ISIS is still advancing. ISIS came within 15.5 miles (25 km) of Baghdad airport. Iraqi forces are threatening to flee unless US intervenes. But Iraq officials say they don’t want US ground forces. In Kobani, a key …
Ebola Around the World
Spanish nurse 1st to contract Ebola outside Africa A nurse’s assistant in Spain has been diagnosed with Ebola. She is the 1st person to contract the virus outside of Africa. Doctors suspect she was infected removing a protective suit. There have been a total of 8 confirmed cases in Europe. Meanwhile, the 1st Ebola patient in the US has died …
SCOTUS Won’t Hear It
Supreme Court will not take up gay marriage cases Gay marriage bans in 11 states were ruled unconstitutional. 5 states challenged the ruling hoping to keep their ban. Those 5 challenges were headed to the Supreme Court. Surprisingly, SCOTUS declined to rule on them. That means the bans in the 5 states remain unconstitutional. Same-sex couples in those 5 states …
Ebola in the US
It was only a matter of time A man in Dallas has been diagnosed with Ebola. He traveled from Liberia to the US to visit family. People leaving Liberia are screened for Ebola. He first experienced symptoms 4 days after arriving in US. This means his airport test would have been negative. Ebola is only spread through contact with bodily …
Protests in Hong Kong
Tens of thousands protest for democracy Hong Kong was a British colony until they gave it back in ‘97. The deal was that for 50 years HK would govern itself. China is an autocracy which means it’s ruled by 1 party. People in HK don’t want China telling them what to do. In July, 500k people marched for democracy in …
Lots of News Today
Beheadings, dolphins, Indonesia US • A man beheaded a co-worker after getting fired. • He was shot and is now in a hospital in Oklahoma. Indonesia • Indonesians lost the right to directly elect local authorities. • Supporters say direct regional elections are too expensive. Japan • The annual dolphin hunting season has begun in Japan. • Conservationist groups condemn …
Airstrikes in Syria
Jets from several countries hit 12 locations US, Saudi, French, and UAE jets have hit ISIS targets in Syria. The growing coalition against ISIS is targeting their money. The strikes were aimed at oil refineries used by ISIS. Still, ISIS has access to ~$1 billion stolen from Iraqi banks. ISIS has likely now spread its commanders among civilians. The Netherlands, …
Climate Change Summit
World leaders meet to discuss solutions at UN assembly The UN General Assembly happens this week in New York. Tuesday is the UN Climate Summit. World leaders will discuss solutions to climate change. Notably absent from the summit are India and China. In 2013, the 2 nations produced 1/3 of carbon emissions. On Monday, climate change protestors held marches. Around the …