IRAQ
Iraqi Yazidi pleads for international help
SINJAR, Iraq (AP) — A fleeing member of Iraq’s Yazidi religious minority is sending a desperate plea to the outside world.
In the barren wastes where tens of thousands of refugees have fled for their lives from Islamic militants, a Yazidi man told Kurdish TV that thousands of them have died and feel abandoned by the international community.
Speaking through an interpreter, he said members of his ancient faith community aren’t seeking money, oil or advancement. He said they only want “a safe zone, somewhere on the globe” where Yazidis can live in peace.
Militants with the Islamic State group that overran the Yazidis’ main city condemn them as apostates and devil worshippers.
In the U.S., Yazidis who have settled in Lincoln, Nebraska, have been trying to bring attention to their peoples’ plight in Iraq.
Sound:
272-a-07-(Gulie Khalaf (JOO’-lee kah-LAHF’). Yazidi American activist, in AP interview)-“off as prostitutes”-Yazidi American activist Gulie Khalaf says her community has heard from Yazidi women captured by militants from the Islamic State group. (12 Aug 2014)
< 274-a-12-(Gulie Khalaf (JOO’-lee kah-LAHF’). Yazidi American activist, in AP interview)-“brother got beheaded”-Yazidi American activist Gulie Khalaf says the atrocities in Iraq are striking close to home. (12 Aug 2014) < 273-a-08-(Gulie Khalaf (JOO’-lee kah-LAHF’). Yazidi American activist, in AP interview)-“out of there”-Yazidi American activist Gulie Khalaf says Yazidis are desperate to escape from their Iraqi homeland. (12 Aug 2014) < 270-a-13-(Gulie Khalaf (JOO’-lee kah-LAHF’). Yazidi American activist, in AP interview)-“not Muslim people”-Yazidi American activist Gulie Khalaf says her community wants to bring attention to the plight of Yazidis in Iraq. (12 Aug 2014) < VATICAN-IRAQ Vatican to Muslim leaders: Condemn Iraq barbarity VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican is urging Muslim leaders to denounce the “barbarity” of the Islamic State’s attacks against Christians and other minorities in Iraq, saying Muslim leaders’ credibility is on the line. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, which deals with the Muslim world, said Tuesday that the forced expulsions and massacres of Christians shamed humanity and couldn’t be justified by any religion. The office said the “unspeakable criminal acts” — the beheading, crucifying and hanging of bodies in public places, the abduction of women and girls as spoils of war, and the destruction of Christian religious symbols — required a “clear and courageous stance on the part of religious leaders, especially Muslims.” It added: “If not, what credibility will religions, their followers and their leaders have?” Sound: 188-v-27-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor)–The Vatican is urging Muslim leaders to denounce attacks by the militant group Islamic State against Christians and other minorities in Iraq. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (12 Aug 2014) < POLICE SHOOTING-MISSOURI-DREAM Family: Missouri shooting victim had eerie dream FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — Relatives of a Missouri teenager who was fatally shot by a policeman say he had an eerie dream shortly before his death. Pastor Charles Ewing said Tuesday that his nephew Michael Brown Jr. had confessed Jesus as his savior a couple of weeks before Saturday’s shooting. Ewing said Brown then had a dream in which he saw a body covered by a sheet and told his family he believed the world would one day know his name. Ewing said the public attention surrounding Brown’s shooting has fulfilled that dream in a way his nephew could not have expected. Relatives have described Brown as gentle despite his large size. Cousin Eric Davis said Brown quit his high school football team before playing a game because didn’t want to hurt anyone. Sound: 250-a-08-(Pastor Charles Ewing, uncle of Michael Brown Junior, in AP interview)-“was gonna happen”-Pastor Charles Ewing, uncle of Michael Brown Junior, says his nephew had told his stepmother about a dream he had with a body covered by a sheet. (12 Aug 2014) < 249-a-11-(Pastor Charles Ewing, uncle of Michael Brown Junior, in AP interview)-“with a sheet”-Pastor Charles Ewing, uncle of Michael Brown Junior, says Brown’s stepmother described what might have been a premonition. (12 Aug 2014) < 251-a-08-(Eric Davis, cousin of Michael Brown Junior, in AP interview)-“to hit people”-Eric Davis, cousin of Michael Brown Junior, says his cousin didn’t want to hurt anyone. (12 Aug 2014) < EBOLA-AMERICANS Son of woman with Ebola says she is getting better ATLANTA (AP) — The son of a North Carolina-based missionary says his mother is doing well as she’s being treated for the Ebola virus in an Atlanta hospital. Jeremy Writebol told NBC’s “Today” show that Nancy Writebol’s eyes are getting brighter and she’s even joking a little. Jeremy Writebol said he had been concerned his mother might not make it when she was taken out of an ambulance at Emory University’s hospital last week after being flown from Liberia. A second American, Dr. Kent Brantly, was able to walk from the ambulance into the hospital. Writebol said doctors have said they expect his mother to recover, though they haven’t elaborated. He also said he wouldn’t be surprised if his parents want to return to Liberia after she recovers. Sound: 216-a-10-(Jeremy Writebol, son of missionary Nancy Writebol, in interview)-“wrench, wrenching moment”-Jeremy Writebol, son of missionary Nancy Writebol, says it was alarming to watch his mother’s arrival in Atlanta. COURTESY: NBC’s Today Show ((Mandatory on-air credit)) (12 Aug 2014) < 215-a-09-(Jeremy Writebol, son of missionary Nancy Writebol, in interview)-“a little bit”-Jeremy Writebol, son of missionary Nancy Writebol, says his mother seems to be recovering from Ebola. COURTESY: NBC’s Today Show ((Mandatory on-air credit)) (12 Aug 2014) < 217-a-11-(Jeremy Writebol, son of missionary Nancy Writebol, in interview)-“see her again”-Jeremy Writebol, son of missionary Nancy Writebol, says he greeted his mother from behind a hospital window. COURTESY: NBC’s Today Show ((Mandatory on-air credit)) (12 Aug 2014) < 218-a-11-(Jeremy Writebol, son of missionary Nancy Writebol, in interview)-“through the window”-Jeremy Writebol, son of missionary Nancy Writebol, says he thanked the other Ebola patient, Dr. Kent Brantly. COURTESY: NBC’s Today Show ((Mandatory on-air credit)) (12 Aug 2014) < EBOLA UN: OK to use untested Ebola drugs in outbreak MADRID (AP) — The World Health Organization has declared that it’s ethical to use untested drugs and vaccines in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa although the tiny supply of one experimental treatment has been depleted and it could be many months until more is available. The last of the drug is on its way to Liberia for two stricken doctors, according to a public relations firm representing Liberia. The U.S. company that makes it said the supply is now “exhausted.” A Spanish missionary priest who died Tuesday in Madrid was the third person to receive the experimental treatment called ZMapp. Two American missionaries who received it in recent weeks are said to be improving. The outbreak has killed more than 1,000 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria. SKOREA-POPE-MARTYRS Korean martyrs’ descendants feel pride and burden SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Some died more than 200 years ago, but the 124 Korean Catholic martyrs who will be honored by Pope Francis this week still have a hold over many of their descendants — even some whose families are now Buddhist or Protestant. It will be a proud moment for them Saturday when Francis beatifies the martyrs, the last step before sainthood. The 124 martyrs perished from 1791 to 1888 as Korean rulers tried to cut off Western influence. During his five-day visit, which begins Thursday, Francis is expected to encourage young Catholics to spread the faith and not get caught up in what he often calls a materialistic, “throwaway” culture. It’s the first papal visit to South Korea in 25 years. US-NKOREA-AMERICAN DETAINED Wife of detained American asks for mercy for him LEBANON, Ohio (AP) — The wife and three children of an American man charged with “anti-state” crimes in North Korea have apologized to the communist country and pleaded for its government to show him mercy, saying in a statement they’re “desperate for his release and return home.” The family of 56-year-old Jeffrey Edward Fowle of Miamisburg, Ohio, appeared at a news conference where attorney Tim Tepe (TEEP) read their statement. Fowle was detained sometime after he arrived in North Korea on April 29 for what the country says are hostile acts that violated his tourist status. He is suspected of leaving a Bible in a nightclub in the northern port city of Chongjin. Tepe has said Fowle was not on a mission for his church, that he was in North Korea on vacation as part of a tour and “loves the adventure of experiencing different cultures and seeing new places.” CHURCH VOLUNTEER BEATEN Police seek suspect who kidnapped, beat woman OCALA, Fla. (AP) — Police in Ocala, Florida, are looking for a man who kidnapped and beat a church volunteer who was providing meals to the needy. Ocala police say the 69-year-old woman got into her car Monday night after serving meals when a man hiding inside put a knife to her neck and told her to drive. Police say he told her to pull over, put a rope around her neck and dragged her from the car, then beat her with a small club. Police say the man ordered her back into the car and removed her dentures when she tried to bite him. Police say the suspect later beat the woman unconscious in a parking lot. She later awoke and found the man gone, and managed to report the incident. CHENEY SCHOOL APOLOGY Cheney School District regrets religious assembly CHENEY, Wash. (AP) — Some public school officials in Washington state have apologized to the parents of a middle school student for allowing a religious missionary to speak at a mandatory student assembly. Cheney (CHEE’-nee) School District Superintendent Deb Clemens says training is underway to prevent such mistakes in the future. The Spokesman-Review reports that Gary Horton, a former Army Ranger, referred to children as lambs, himself as the sheepdog and the Lord as his shepherd. Horton told the newspaper he has no regrets and believes that his right to freedom of speech trumps separation of church and state. BRIDAL STORE-LESBIAN COUPLE Pa. shop: No wedding gowns for lesbian couple BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A bridal store’s refusal to sell wedding gowns to two women who planned to marry each other is stirring debate in a Pennsylvania town. The Press Enterprise of Bloomsburg reports that the women tried to schedule an appointment but were turned down. W.W. Bridal Boutique owner Victoria Miller told the newspaper that “providing those two girls dresses for a sanctified marriage would break God’s law.” Miller’s attorney, Al Luschas, says the shop owner has a “liberty interest” in refusing to take part in a process that would violate her “firmly and honestly held religious beliefs.” Bloomsburg Town Council members said they would consider whether to propose legislation that would ban businesses from refusing to serve gays and lesbians. NUDE SUNBATHER Utah nude sunbather to fight lewdness charges FARMINGTON, Utah (AP) — A 76-year-old man who police say was sunbathing nude in his backyard next to a church parking lot has pleaded not guilty to lewdness charges. The Standard-Examiner of Ogden reports that Myron Lee Kipp was in a Farmington, Utah, court Tuesday. Kipp pleaded not guilty to four counts of lewdness involving a child and three counts of lewdness. Court documents show a police officer who was called to Kipp’s house by neighbors on March 5 could see the man from the church parking lot. The backyard fence is chain link with no privacy slats. When confronted, a completely nude Kipp told the officer it was his property and he could do what he wanted. Several parents said they and their children could see the man from the parking lot. ISRAEL-GAY IMMIGRANTS Israel OK’s gay Jews to immigrate with spouses JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says it will now allow Jews to immigrate to Israel with their non-Jewish same-sex spouses. In a directive publicized Tuesday, Israeli Interior Minister Gideon Saar told immigration authorities not to differentiate between married gay and straight couples. Israeli law grants citizenship to Jews and close non-Jewish relatives who move to Israel. Israel does not permit gays to marry in the country, but recognizes same-sex marriages if they were performed legally abroad. It is generally tolerant toward gays. Gays serve openly in Israel’s military and parliament, and Israel’s Supreme Court grants gays family rights including inheritance and survivors’ benefits. PALESTINIANS-TARGETING GAZA’S MOSQUES Israel targeting mosques hurts Gaza social fabric NUSEIRAT REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip (AP) — Only the minaret still stands after an Israeli airstrike reduced Gaza’s Al-Qassam Mosque to a heap of concrete, iron rods and dust. Hours after the pre-dawn attack, rescue workers searched in the rubble, residents gathered — and plainclothes Hamas security agents mingled among them. Also known as the Grand Mosque, it was one of 63 that Israel has destroyed in its monthlong war with Hamas, according to Palestinian officials. The reason, Israel says, is that Hamas is using mosques to stockpile weapons and rocket launchers, and to hide tunnels used to infiltrate into Israel and carry out attacks. Gaza’s Hamas rulers deny the accusation, saying Israel is waging a war against Islam. On the ground, many Gazans react the same, saying Israel is attacking their faith.
