Tag Archives: US

US Lobbies Vatican for Pope Visit in 2015

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U.S. officials have made their case to the Vatican for Pope Francis to visit the U.S. next year, saying his “message needs to be heard” during a massive church celebration of the family planned for Philadelphia.

The governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter made their pitch Tuesday to Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, whose Pontifical Council for the Family is helping organize the Sept. 22-27, 2015, meeting.

Popes have attended five of the seven World Meetings of the Family, and Francis has made family issues the top priority of his pontificate. But no confirmation of his participation is expected before next year.

 

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Olympic Threat: US Warns Airlines About Toothpaste Tube Bomb

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The Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning to U.S. and some foreign airlines traveling to Russia for the Olympic Games to be on the lookout for toothpaste containers, which some intelligence indicates may actually hold ingredients that could be used to construct a bomb aboard a plane, a senior U.S. official told ABC News.

A federal law enforcement source said the information is largely intended for foreign carriers and the generic threat is not directed at the U.S. homeland. The Russian government has been informed, the source said.

Security in Sochi, Russia, where the Olympics are scheduled to start Friday, has been high for months due to the threat posed to the Games by Islamic militants in the region. Last month Russian authorities announced no liquids would be allowed on planes to Sochi.

 

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Merkel: Trust With US Needs to Be Rebuilt

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the relationship between Germany and the United States as well as the future of a trans-Atlantic free trade agreement have been “put on test” by allegations of massive spying by the U.S. National Security Agency.

During a statement Monday to Parliament, Merkel called the allegations about NSA spying “grave” and said they must be investigated to re-establish trust.

At the same time, Merkel said the alliance with Washington “remains a fundamental guarantor for our freedom and our security.”

Media reports last month that Merkel’s phone had been tapped by NSA operatives unleashed a firestorm of criticism in Germany, which has been among America’s closest European allies since the end of World War II.