The following is a rundown of the day’s news drawn from other media sources with topics curated just for Money and Markets readers: personal security and freedom, the Middle East crisis, and the economy and finance.
Personal security and freedom
 |
Pro-Life Movement Stronger Than Ever
This youth generation is the most pro-life generation of young people since 1973. And this week our presence will be known as this generation will be the predominant participants in Wednesday’s March for Life in Washington, D.C., and pro-life rallies across the nation.
Parties Seize on Abortion Issues in Midterm Race
Abortion is becoming an unexpectedly animating issue in the 2014 midterm elections. Republicans are using it to stoke enthusiasm among core supporters. Democrats are looking to rally female voters by portraying their conservative opponents as callous on women’s issues.
March for Life Expands to New Cause: Obamacare
“Our belief in the dignity of human life from conception to natural death means caring for every vulnerable member of our society, including but not limited to the lives of all the people the inmate on death row, the person with severe disabilities.”
The Blunt Truth — White House Drug Czar Contradicts Obama on Marijuana
“As documented, marijuana smoke has significantly more carcinogens than tobacco smoke. And as reported by the government’s National Institute on Drug Abuse, adolescent use of marijuana does something that alcohol does not; it causes permanent brain damage, including lowering of I.Q.”
Fugitive U.S. Leaker Snowden ‘Fears for His Life’
Snowden’s lawyer on Tuesday appeared to be referring to an article posted last week by the popular U.S. online website BuzzFeed entitled “American Spies Want Edward Snowden Dead.” The article quoted one Pentagon official as saying: “I would love to put a bullet in his head.”
Middle East news
 |
White House Seeks to Bypass Congress on Iran Deal
The issue of sanctions relief has become one of the key sticking points in the Iran debate, with lawmakers pushing for increased economic penalties and the White House fighting to roll back regulations.
Iranian Warships Dispatched to Atlantic Ocean for the First Time in History
No specific military mission was identified, and no ports of call were mentioned. Bidding farewell to the crews, Rear Admiral Seyyed Mahmoud Moussavi said Iran has a message of peace and friendship for the nations of the world and only seeks to display its defensive power capabilities.
Israelis Wary Over Interim Nuclear Deal Between Major Powers and Iran
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the agreement reached in November between Iran and six world powers for not exacting enough concessions. The deal, he said, keeps Iran’s nuclear train “on the tracks” by allowing low-grade enrichment to continue.
Israel Prime Minister Threatens to Teach Hamas a Lesson ‘Very Soon’
“We have a very clear policy. We prevent terror attacks when we identify them in the making, and we respond forcefully against whoever hurts us,” Netanyahu told reporters at a press conference with visiting Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper.
Economy and finance
 |
Actual Unemployment Is 37.2%, ‘Misery Index’ Worst in 40 Years
Don’t believe the happy talk coming out of the White House, Federal Reserve and Treasury Department when it comes to the real unemployment and the true “Misery Index.” Because, according to an influential Wall Street advisor, the figures are a fraud.
Scientists Predict a ‘Jobocalypse’ as Robots Take Over Manual Jobs
In the future, you’ll see live barmen only in the most exclusive clubs. Your cocktail order will soon be taken and shaken up by ‘bot barmen. ‘A lot of automation will come in from tractors to processors, with drones rounding up sheep or moving cattle,’ says Ben Way.
Record 20% of Households on Food Stamps in 2013
In 2013, the monthly average for individuals on food stamps hit an all-time-high of 47,636,084, according to the USDA, an increase of 1,027,012 of those participating in the program in 2012.
Target to Drop Health Insurance for Part-Time Workers
About 10 percent of Target’s part-time employees, defined as those working fewer than 30 hours a week, use the company’s health plans now, according to an announcement posted on the Minneapolis-based company’s website.
Bill Gates Sees Almost No Poor Countries Left by 2035
“The belief that the world is getting worse, that we can’t solve extreme poverty and disease, isn’t just mistaken. It is harmful,” Gates wrote. “By almost any measure, the world is better than it has ever been. In two decades it will be better still.”
Best wishes,
The Money and Markets Team
