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President Obama Sending 300 U.S. Military Advisers To Iraq

6/23/2014

Last week, President Obama said that he will be sending up to 300 U.S. military advisers to Iraq, in an effort to assist with training Iraqi military personnel. The President made it very clear that he is "prepared to take targeted and precise military action if and when we determine the situation on the ground requires it."

The first troops will come from forces presently stationed in the Middle East. Troops will be grouped into teams of a dozen each. The first teams will be sent to Baghdad and the surrounding areas, and then to northern Iraq. Their main objective will be to assess the needs and capabilities of the Iraqi forces, and also assist with gathering intelligence.

Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to travel to the Middle East and Europe to speak about the problems in Iraq. President Obama reiterated that the U.S. will not be putting boots on the ground in Iraq. "We always have to guard against mission creep," the president said. "American combat troops are not going to be fighting in Iraq again." Before the announcement, President Obama met with his national security team and leaders of congress.

For more read http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-send-300-us-military-advisers-iraq/story?id=24212956

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President Obama's Plan To Help With Undocumented Children Crossing U.S. Border

6/23/2014

Friday, President Obama announced his plans to help with the influx of undocumented children crossing the U.S. Mexico border.

$100 million dollars in aid will be given to the Central American governments of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador to help reintegrate the illegal migrants returning from the U.S. Also, $161.5 million dollars of aid will be set aside this year, for the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) programs. These programs are critical in helping Central American countries respond to the region's escalating security and governance challenges.

Press Secretary Josh Earnest stated that the administration is addressing this humanitarian crisis. "We're going to open up some additional detention facilities that can accommodate adults that show up on the border with their children. And we're going to deploy some additional resources to work through their immigration cases more quickly, so they're not held in that detention facility for a long time, and hopefully be quickly returned to their home country."

Earnest also said the administration together with Central American countries are focusing on the root of the problem. Specifically, countering an intentional misinformation campaign that is being propagated by criminal syndicates. These people target citizens, tell them that their children will not be sent back to Central America if and when they cross the U.S. Mexico border, and then charge thousands of dollars to escort them.

Vice President Joe Biden traveled to Guatemala on Friday for talks with Central American and Mexican leaders. The Vice President emphasized that "children and adults arriving with their children (in the U.S.) are not eligible to benefit from the passage of immigration reform legislation or from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process." Most of the children crossing the border would not qualify for "amnesty" under the federal DACA program that defers deportation for children brought to the United States previously by their parents or guardians illegally.

For more read http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/20/politics/us-central-american-immigration/

Suspected Mastermind In Benghazi Attacks Captured

6/18/2014

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Today President Obama visited TechShop, a chain of member-based workshops in Pittsburgh. The President announced plans to partner cities, states and the federal government to help entrepreneurs and inventors market their innovations. The plan involves mayors and local leaders from 90 U.S. cities who have pledged to provide physical locations to encourage and assist local inventions.

While speaking at the tech event, President Obama praised U.S. forces for capturing suspected terrorist in the attack on the U.S. consulate compound in Benghazi, Libya.

Between September 12, 2012 and September 13, 2012, Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stephens, U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith and CIA contractors, Tyrone S. Woods and Glen Doherty were killed.

Ahmed Abu Khatallah, is believed to be the mastermind behind the brutal attack, and the first of several suspects to be apprehended. Ahmed Abu Khatallah who was under surveillance for days by U.S. intelligence, was taken into custody this past weekend without resistance.

The President said Abu Khatallah will be brought to U.S. soil to face charges in federal court, "we are all aware of the tragedy that happened in Benghazi where four Americans, including our ambassador there, Chris Stevens, was killed in an attack on a consulate office there."

"I said at the time that my absolute commitment was to make sure that we brought to justice those who have been responsible." The President stated that this sends a "message to the world, that when Americans are attacked, no matter how long it takes, we will find those responsible and we will bring them to justice. Regardless how long it takes, we will find you. I want to make sure everyone around the world hears that message very clearly. My first solemn duty as President and as commander in chief is to keep the American people safe."

"There are a lot of danger, out there and a lot of challenges. Our diplomats serve with incredible courage and valor in some very difficult situations. They need to know that this country has their back and will always go after anybody who goes after us."

For more info visit http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/17/at-tech-event-obama-praises-u-s-forces-for-capturing-benghazi-suspect/

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Dr. Oz Accusd Of Pushing Fake Weight Loss Drugs

6/18/2014

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Today, host of the D. Oz Show, Dr. Mehmet Oz was questioned by senators on Capitol Hill, regarding him making false statements about weight loss products on his talk show.

Senator Claire McCaskill, chairwoman of the subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance, led the panel that looked at false advertising for weight loss products, claiming that the Dr. has made false claims about products that are not supported by scientific evidence.

Democratic Senator For Missouri, Claire McCaskill stated, "The scientific community is almost monolithic against you in terms of the efficacy of the three products you called 'miracles,'" and said that she was discouraged by the "false hope" he gives viewers and questioned his role, "intentional or not, in perpetuating these scams."

"I don't get why you need to say this stuff when you know it's not true. When you have this amazing megaphone, why would you cheapen your show?... With power comes a great deal of responsibility."

Dr. Oz stated that he is not selling magic diet pills, and that he has never sold supplements. He did say that he uses "flowery language" to describe certain products on his show, and that he believes in the products enough to give them to his own family.

Dr. Oz stated to that panel "My job, I feel, on the show is to be a cheerleader for the audience, and when they don't think they have hope, when they don't think they can make it happen, I want to look, and I do look everywhere, including in alternative healing traditions, for any evidence that might be supportive to them,"

In May, the Federal Trade Commission sued the sellers of Green Coffee Beans for deceiving consumers through fake news sites and invented health claims. According to the FTC, weeks after, "The Dr. Oz Show" promoted the benefits of Pure Green Coffee. After that show aired, several companies that marked the product, used video from the Dr. Oz Show to increase sales.

For more information visit http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/17/health/senate-grills-dr-oz/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

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President Obama Announces Plans For Student Loan Relief

6/9/2014

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Today President Obama will announce his plans to expand the criteria for an alternative repayment program to help student borrowers manage their debt. The program which begins Decembet 2015 caps monthly payments for certain federal student loans at 10% of a borrower's discretionary income.

The alternative payment programs include forgiveness programs for on-time payments and public-sector employees. Teachers have options to have their balance canceled after ten years, and Low-income borrowers can have their balance canceled after 20 or 25 years of on-time payments.

For more information http://money.cnn.com/2014/06/08/pf/college/obama-student-loans/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

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John Kerry Defends The Trade Of Taliban Detainees For U.S. Soldier.

6/9/2014

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In an interview with CNN, Secretary of State John Kerry defended the transfer of five Taliban Guantanamo Bay detainees in exchange for U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.

Begdahl disappeared in Afghanistan five years ago, among claims by his platoon that he is a deserter. The Secretary stated that the former detainees are residing in Qatar, and are being closely monitored.

This transfer has sparked outrage among senior members of the House and Senate intelligence committees. In an interview with CBS News’ “Face the Nation," Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein stated “You can’t help but worry about them in Doha.” Arizona Senator John McCain, a former POW in Vietnam, said that the U.S. has does have an "obligation" to bring captured soldier's home, but at what cost?

For more information http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/08/political-chatter-kerry-defends-prisoner-transfer-but-lawmakers-remain-skeptical/?hpt=po_c1

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President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Meet At D-Day Luncheon.

6/9/2014

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Friday, President Obama attended the French-American Commemoration D-Day Ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied Invasion of Normandy. D-Day is the largest historical military invasion by sea. On June 6, 1944, in excess of 160, 000 Allied troops, 5,000 Ships and 13,000 Aircraft joined forces during world War II to fight Nazi, Germany.

President Barack Obama and Russian President, Vladimar Putin were able to take a moment to have a much anticipated conversation while attending the luncheon.

U.S. National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said that the Presidents' informal side meeting lasted no more than 15 minutes. President Obama insisted to Putin that he cease support for pro-Russian separatists, stop the flow of weapons across the Ukranian border and recognize President-Elect Poroshenko as Ukraine's leader.

According to the office of French President Francois Hollande, Poroschenko and Putin were also able to speak regarding plans to discuss a cease-fire.

For more information http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/06/world/europe/obama-putin-france-d-day/index.html?hpt=po_c2

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President Obama Sending 300 U.S. Military Advisers To Iraq

President Obama's Plan To Help With Undocumented Children Crossing U.S. Border

Suspected Mastermind In Benghazi Attacks Captured

Dr. Oz Accusd Of Pushing Fake Weight Loss Drugs

President Obama Announces Plans For Student Loan Relief

John Kerry Defends The Trade Of Taliban Detainees For U.S. Soldier.

President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Meet At D-Day Luncheon.

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