| If Trump pursues tariffs, Mexico could walk from NAFTA negotiations, minister says Posted: 27 Feb 2017 02:49 PM PST ![If Trump pursues tariffs, Mexico could walk from NAFTA negotiations, minister says]( "If Trump pursues tariffs, Mexico could walk from NAFTA negotiations, minister says") In the latest chapter of the evolving relationship between Mexico and the United States, Mexican economy minister Ildefonso Guajardo has warned that his country will walk away from any negotiations on revising the North American Free Trade Agreement if the US insists on imposing tariffs on Mexican goods. As long ago as September, as a presidential candidate, Donald Trump hammered NAFTA as "the worst trade deal maybe ever signed anywhere," and he has made no secret of his determination to renegotiate its terms. It is, however, just one part of a troubled relationship between the two countries, clouded not least by the proposed border wall and concerns in Mexico about a possible surge in deportations from the US.
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| Father of Navy SEAL slain in Yemen raid calls for investigation Posted: 27 Feb 2017 02:38 PM PST ![Father of Navy SEAL slain in Yemen raid calls for investigation]( "Father of Navy SEAL slain in Yemen raid calls for investigation") The father of a Navy SEAL killed during a controversial anti-terrorism raid in Yemen has demanded an investigation into the operation and its planning.
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| Five years after Trayvon Martin’s death: What’s changed? Posted: 27 Feb 2017 02:33 PM PST ![Five years after Trayvon Martin's death: What's changed?]( "Five years after Trayvon Martin's death: What's changed?") Trayvon Martin would have been 22 years old this month, had he not been shot and killed by the head of the local neighborhood watch in Sanford, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2012. The movement that began with a gut reaction to the tragic shooting, and subsequent acquittal of the shooter, has led to an important reconnection with uncomfortable racial issues that remained out of sight and out of mind for decades, says Wornie Reed, director of the Race and Social Policy Research Center at Virginia Tech, to The Christian Science Monitor via email.
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| Why does President Trump want to add $54 billion to the defense budget? Posted: 27 Feb 2017 02:28 PM PST ![Why does President Trump want to add $54 billion to the defense budget?]( "Why does President Trump want to add $54 billion to the defense budget?") In a Monday morning telephone call with reporters, unnamed White House officials revealed that President Trump's forthcoming federal budget plan will include a $54 billion increase – nearly 10 percent – in national defense spending. The Trump administration plans to offset elevated expense with large-scale cuts to foreign aid, as well as to yet-unspecified domestic agencies. While specific details of Mr. Trump's budget are scheduled to be further elucidated during his joint-session speech to Congress Tuesday night, the proposed budget changes carry the potential of drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle.
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| White House drops Obama-era discrimination claim against Texas voter ID law Posted: 27 Feb 2017 02:15 PM PST ![White House drops Obama-era discrimination claim against Texas voter ID law]( "White House drops Obama-era discrimination claim against Texas voter ID law") The Trump administration has dropped a discrimination claim against a controversial Texas voter ID law, marking a shift from former President Barack Obama's administration, which sought to challenge the measure, deemed one of the country's strictest voting requirements. Voting legislation has become a hot topic of debate both politically and in the courtroom, as voting rights advocates seek to protect or expand access to the ballot and courts generally follow suit in their decisions. Backers of voter ID laws, usually Republicans, argue that they provide necessary checks on voter fraud, but researchers have found scant evidence that widespread voter fraud has taken place.
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| Jewish centers open doors again after fifth recent wave of bomb threats Posted: 27 Feb 2017 01:47 PM PST ![Jewish centers open doors again after fifth recent wave of bomb threats]( "Jewish centers open doors again after fifth recent wave of bomb threats") At least 19 community centers and day schools received threats on Monday, the national Jewish Community Centers Association told NBC. Most were reopened within a couple of hours, after police did a sweep of the facilities and determined the calls to have been hoaxes. "The Jewish community is back in business," Paul Goldenberg, the director of the Secure Community Network, told the Associated Press. Monday's threats are the fifth wave of bomb threats targeting Jewish institutions since January, and come on the heels of vandalization at two Jewish cemeteries in Philadelphia and St. Louis.
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| George W. Bush carefully weighs in on Trump's administration. Is he breaking tradition? Posted: 27 Feb 2017 12:59 PM PST ![George W. Bush carefully weighs in on Trump's administration. Is he breaking tradition?]( "George W. Bush carefully weighs in on Trump's administration. Is he breaking tradition?") After staying silent during the eight-year term of his own immediate successor, former President George W. Bush carefully responded to President Trump's first month in office on Monday, voicing his support for a free press and an investigation of the administation's ties with Russia. "I think we all need answers," Mr. Bush said on NBC's "Today" show Monday, where he was discussing his new book of portraits and stories of US veterans. Former presidents rarely make public comments about those who follow them, part of a tradition that marks the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next.
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| With ISIS besieged in western Mosul, civilians decide now's the time to flee Posted: 27 Feb 2017 12:36 PM PST ![With ISIS besieged in western Mosul, civilians decide now's the time to flee]( "With ISIS besieged in western Mosul, civilians decide now's the time to flee") Every time the Islamic State knocked on the door of the west Mosul home, two things would happen. Ahmed, a former Iraqi police officer, would race to an underground hiding place. "I am alone, a woman," Waha, a mother of four, recalls telling the IS militants each time, appealing to their professed respect for Muslim women.
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| The problem with the claim that Trump is on a 'dictatorial path' Posted: 27 Feb 2017 10:42 AM PST ![The problem with the claim that Trump is on a 'dictatorial path']( "The problem with the claim that Trump is on a 'dictatorial path'") Back when he was a Republican senator, Attorney General Jeff Sessions once called President Obama an "emperor." Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey once called him a "dictator." Four years ago Donald Trump, too, was part of the chorus. "Why is @BarackObama constantly issuing executive orders that are major power grabs of authority?" Mr. Trump tweeted in 2012, pointing to a defense-related order. Now that Trump is president, and has unleashed his own wave of executive actions, Republicans have responded with applause, Democrats with alarm.
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| For Syrian refugees in Lebanon, a drive to build community amid pressing challenges Posted: 27 Feb 2017 10:30 AM PST ![For Syrian refugees in Lebanon, a drive to build community amid pressing challenges]( "For Syrian refugees in Lebanon, a drive to build community amid pressing challenges") Syrian refugees were pouring into Lebanon in 2014, fleeing the civil war. The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) and nongovernmental organizations were scrambling to register and provide services for these families, most of whom hoped to return to Syria when the war was over. Because Lebanon has a history dating back to the Palestinian diaspora of not providing camps for refugees, the displaced were finding shelter wherever they could.
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| Why did Philip Bilden, Trump's pick for Navy secretary, withdraw? Posted: 27 Feb 2017 10:28 AM PST ![Why did Philip Bilden, Trump's pick for Navy secretary, withdraw?]( "Why did Philip Bilden, Trump's pick for Navy secretary, withdraw?") The announcement came roughly a week after the Pentagon issued a statement on Feb. 19 saying Bilden had assured Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis that he remained committed to serving as Navy secretary and that Mr. Mattis had confidence that Bilden was "the right leader" for the position. In bowing out, Bilden became the second Trump nominee to lead one of the armed forces to withdraw due to conflict-of-interest rules.
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| US regulator set to tamp down on privacy rules Posted: 27 Feb 2017 10:11 AM PST ![US regulator set to tamp down on privacy rules]( "US regulator set to tamp down on privacy rules") The Trump administration appears set to begin scaling back Federal Communications Commission regulations approved last year to further protect Americans' digital privacy and security.
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| Could South Korea see second impeachment? Posted: 27 Feb 2017 10:09 AM PST ![Could South Korea see second impeachment?]( "Could South Korea see second impeachment?") South Korea's corruption scandal took another twist Monday, as Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn – acting as president since President Park Geun-hye's impeachment in December – refused special prosecutors permission to extend their investigation by 30 days. The investigation team made the request to allow time for questioning of the impeached president, who has been temporarily stripped of her powers until the Constitutional Court decides whether or not to uphold her impeachment – a decision expected next month.
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| Will Jeff Sessions recuse himself from Russia probe? Posted: 27 Feb 2017 10:01 AM PST ![Will Jeff Sessions recuse himself from Russia probe?]( "Will Jeff Sessions recuse himself from Russia probe?") Recommended: Sochi, Soviets, and czars: How much do you know about Russia? Critics argue that Sessions, a top adviser to President Trump during his 2016 campaign, should remove himself from any investigations into Russia's role in the election.
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| Money being raised to repair vandalized Jewish cemetery, this time in Philadelphia Posted: 27 Feb 2017 07:19 AM PST ![Money being raised to repair vandalized Jewish cemetery, this time in Philadelphia]( "Money being raised to repair vandalized Jewish cemetery, this time in Philadelphia") Police on Sunday morning reported that about 100 headstones had been knocked over at the Mount Carmel Cemetery, with the vandalism thought to have taken place the previous night. The incident comes just one week after roughly 170 headstones were damaged at a Jewish cemetery in University City, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis. The wave of anti-Semitic acts prompted President Trump to speak out for the first time last week, as he condemned the threats as "horrible," "painful," and "a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil." The statement followed repeated calls for the White House to address the recent uptick in anti-Semitic hate crimes and widespread backlash after the White House omitted any mention of Jews in its statement marking Holocaust Memorial Day last month.
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| Bernie Sanders calls for 'total transformation' of Democratic Party Posted: 27 Feb 2017 07:10 AM PST ![Bernie Sanders calls for 'total transformation' of Democratic Party]( "Bernie Sanders calls for 'total transformation' of Democratic Party") Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) urged Democrats on Sunday to undertake an overhaul of the party's message as they move forward in the uncertain era under President Trump and seek to regain lost seats in midterm and local elections. "We need to open up the party to working people, to young people and make it crystal clear that the Democratic Party is going to take on Wall Street, it's going to take on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry, it's going to take on corporate America that is shutting down plants in this country and moving our jobs abroad," he added. Senator Sanders's remarks came just a day after Democrats voted to select former Labor Secretary Tom Perez to head the Democratic National Committee over Rep. Keith Ellison (D) of Minnesota.
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| Trump and the rise of the extreme right Posted: 27 Feb 2017 05:08 AM PST ![Trump and the rise of the extreme right]( "Trump and the rise of the extreme right") Church Militant makes no apologies. Church Militant's criticism of Judaism and Islam is such that it is "on the spectrum" of hate groups, according to the Taskforce on Hate and Terrorism in Washington.
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| How a Delaware state Senate campaign attracted more than 1,000 volunteers Posted: 26 Feb 2017 03:02 PM PST ![How a Delaware state Senate campaign attracted more than 1,000 volunteers]( "How a Delaware state Senate campaign attracted more than 1,000 volunteers") Stephanie Hansen scored a 58-42 percent special election victory in Delaware on Saturday, ensuring that Democrats will maintain control of the state Senate. Ms. Hansen was aided by more than 1,000 volunteers from around the country, many of whom identified as first-time activists. The unusually high turnout, some volunteers say, is a reflection of a larger surge in civic engagement among Americans frustrated with the presidential election outcome in the weeks and months following Mr. Trump's victory and inauguration.
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| How vital is Facebook for free expression? Posted: 26 Feb 2017 12:25 PM PST ![How vital is Facebook for free expression?]( "How vital is Facebook for free expression?") Is your politically-charged Facebook post, an Instagram photo of your last vacation, or Snapchat account a vital, Constitutionally protected right, or a privilege that can be taken away? While the state argues that the law blocks sexual predators from gathering information on potential victims, the plaintiff counters that the sweeping ban constitutes an infringement of the First Amendment and puts those on the registry outside of political conversation. Interpreting the First Amendment has proven a daunting task for courts throughout US history.
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| Why did a Fox News program host a Swedish national security commentator who is unknown in Sweden? Posted: 26 Feb 2017 12:24 PM PST ![Why did a Fox News program host a Swedish national security commentator who is unknown in Sweden?]( "Why did a Fox News program host a Swedish national security commentator who is unknown in Sweden?") On a Thursday segment of Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor," host Bill O'Reilly directed a debate over crime and immigration in Sweden. On one side of the issue was a Swedish newspaper reporter Anne-Sofie Naslund, who argued against the notion that immigration was making her country dangerous. On the other side was a man named Nils Bildt, who was identified onscreen and verbally as a "Swedish defense and national security advisor."
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| Trump says he'll skip the White House Correspondents' Dinner: Is that a bad thing? Posted: 26 Feb 2017 10:19 AM PST ![Trump says he'll skip the White House Correspondents' Dinner: Is that a bad thing?]( "Trump says he'll skip the White House Correspondents' Dinner: Is that a bad thing?") The announcement, which came one day after the White House blocked a number of news organizations from attending a briefing with the press secretary, marks the latest development in the tumultuous relationship between the new administration and the press. "A few days ago, I called the fake news 'the enemy of the people,' and they are.
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| Who decides on US ground combat in Syria? Posted: 26 Feb 2017 09:16 AM PST ![Who decides on US ground combat in Syria?]( "Who decides on US ground combat in Syria?") In coming days, President Trump is expected to decide whether to send thousands of combat troops into Syria to attack Islamic State. If he does seek to put so many American soldiers on the ground, the commander in chief must first get the approval of Congress, where constitutional authority for war belongs. For decades, starting during the cold war and later after the 9/11 attacks, Congress has steadily given up much of its responsibility to define the use of violence in the name of the American people.
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| Will Tom Perez unite the Democratic party? Posted: 26 Feb 2017 09:05 AM PST ![Will Tom Perez unite the Democratic party?]( "Will Tom Perez unite the Democratic party?") The Democratic National Committee voted Saturday to select former Labor Secretary Tom Perez to head the group, bring an end to a contentious race that pitted the more centric ideology of the party under former President Barack Obama against the progressive agenda of Sen. Bernie Sanders. Mr. Perez edged out Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, who received the backing of Senator Sanders (I) of Vermont, in an unprecedented second round of voting, taking 235 of the 435 votes. In a nod to the party's more progressive wing, Perez has selected Mr. Ellison to serve as deputy chairman of the party.
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| South Sudan and the lure of a gleaming new capital Posted: 26 Feb 2017 06:59 AM PST ![South Sudan and the lure of a gleaming new capital]( "South Sudan and the lure of a gleaming new capital") Morocco agreed to fork over $5 million to help the world's youngest country decide whether it should build itself a brand new capital city. In particular, the South Sudanese wanted to know if it was feasible to pick up their current national government in Juba and transport it about 130 miles north to a sparsely inhabited, swampy patch of land in the geographical center of the country called Ramciel. Across the globe, from Kazakhstan to Nigeria to the United States, many countries have concocted new capital cities soon after independence as a way of quite literally constructing a new national identity – brick by brick.
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| Businesses step up to help preserve Rome's history Posted: 26 Feb 2017 04:00 AM PST ![Businesses step up to help preserve Rome's history]( "Businesses step up to help preserve Rome's history") Barely a month goes by in Italy without a major archaeological discovery coming to light. For a country built on the remains of Etruscan ports, Roman cities, and ancient Greek colonies, that is no surprise. Italy is still trying to recover from the global economic crisis and struggles to find the money to look after its 51 World Heritage sites – the most of any country in the world – let alone the thousands of other, lesser-known discoveries.
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| Why does the race for DNC chairman matter? Posted: 25 Feb 2017 02:24 PM PST ![Why does the race for DNC chairman matter?]( "Why does the race for DNC chairman matter?") The Democratic Party's 447 National Committee members elected former Obama labor secretary Tom Perez to be their new party chair on Saturday, in an unusually contentious race for what amounts to the top job for a party in transition. Mr. Perez, a favorite with the more centrist wing of the party allied with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, won 235 votes to the 200 captured by Rep. Keith Ellison (D) of Minnesota, a favorite with progressives who was leading slightly in polls coming into Saturday, according to CNN. The son of Dominican immigrants, Perez will become the first Latino to hold the post.
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