Largest Withdrawal of U.S. Troops From Syria Underway

Currents News Staff

Hundreds of trucks are on the move as U.S. personnel gather near Hasakah, Syria in route east to the border with Iraq.

The troop withdrawal will take weeks, but the largest ground move of U.S. troops in Syria marks the symbolic end of the major U.S. presence in the region.

Aboard a U.S. military aircraft before landing in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said most of the troops are being deployed to two missions: to help defend Iraq and to perform a counter ISIS mission.

“I think overall, the ceasefire generally seems to be holding. We see a stabilization of the lines, if you will, on the ground, and we do get reports of intermittent fires, this and that. It doesn’t surprise me necessarily, but that’s what we’re that’s we’re picking up as we’re seeing so far,” said Esper.

New York Senator and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer took shots at the withdrawal on October 20, saying “it was clear to me from our meeting at the White House Wednesday that first, the military are extremely upset with what the president did – we heard a little bit about that from General Mattis at the Al Smith Dinner and I talked to him at great length about it – but that second, we don’t have a real plan. This was done on a whim and done precipitously and it’s damaging.”

The Syrian Defense Force press office has said attacks from the Turkish military and Turkish back militants in a 24-hour period resulted in “16 martyrs and three wounded in our ranks.

Turkish forces and their allies continue to launch attacks on Syrian villages despite agreeing to a ceasefire, according to the statement.

Currents News for Friday, October 18, 2019

On the newscast: Rikers Island is closing. Religious leaders playing a big role. Now, the question is what’s next; At the Pope’s historic summit on the Amazon, he takes time to be with indigenous leaders; Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio honored for his life-long ministry dedicated to immigration. The Bishop’s award is acknowledged by the Holy Father himself; A Catholic deacon is helping kids stand up to bullies.

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

Faith Leaders Support Plan to Close Jails on Rikers Island

Currents News Staff

The New York City Council on Oct. 17 passed a plan to close the detention centers on Rikers Island by 2026 and move inmates to four smaller jails in New York City — a project that has the backing of local faith leaders, including Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.

“It’s very clear that the conditions at Rikers are very poor, immoral and subhuman,” Bishop DiMarzio said last month at a press conference in lower Manhattan, where he and other religious leaders called for the jails on Rikers Island to be closed.

“We need to do something, and unless we do, it’s going to stay the way it is,” Bishop DiMarzio said.

Cardinal Dolan agrees. “We ministers are passionate about the closing of Rikers Island and for the continued reform of our justice system. Why? Because simply put, we have to,” he said at the press conference. “God had told us to bring compassion, mercy and justice to those who incarcerated.”

The move from Rikers Island, however, is opposed by residents in the communities where the jails will be located and by Police Commissioner James O’Neill, who said the city won’t be as safe because there won’t be enough prison cells.

The detention centers on Rikers Island have about 7,300 inmates. The four replacement jails will have about 3,300 beds, according to reports. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office projects there will be fewer inmates because of lower crime rates and because of other programs to treat and rehabilitate criminals.

De Blasio originally proposed the plan, which will cost $8.7 billion, in 2017.

The jails will be located at sites of current or past detention centers, including the Brooklyn Detention Complex in Boerum Hill and the now-closed Queens Detention Center in Kew Gardens. The two others will be in the Bronx and Manhattan.

Pope Meets with Indigenous Leaders in Vatican

Currents News Staff

“The children of the jungle praise You, Lord. The poor and forgotten, with an eagerness to be free.” Almost 40 leaders, mostly women of different indigenous Amazonian communities, greeted the pope with this song.

Pope Francis met with them to listen to their experiences and thoughts on the synod.

He also received many gifts, tokens of gratitude for the convening of the synodal assembly.

“The pope is indigenous, the pope is Amazonian,” they said to Pope Francis after putting these feathers on his head.

During their meeting, the pope explained that the Gospel is like a seed that takes the characteristics of the soil that it grows in. This is why he stressed the importance of inculturation for communities to receive the proclamation of Jesus within their own cultures. Pope Francis also warned the indigenous leaders of the dangers of new forms of colonialism.

This encounter ended with a group photo.

Impeachment Investigation: Mulvaney Sparks Firestorm in Washington

Currents News Staff

Was there quid pro quo involved in President Trump’s controversial communications with Ukraine?

The acting White House Chief of Staff told reporters there was, and that they should quote “get over it”.

Mick Mulvaney said the U.S. held back aid to create pressure for an investigation into Trump’s opponents.

“Did he also mention to me in passing the corruption related to the DNC server? Absolutely. No question about that. That’s it, and that’s why we held up the money… And I have news for everybody. Get over it. There is going to be political influence in foreign policy,” said Mulvaney.

Mulvaney’s comments have sparked a firestorm in Washington. Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell of the Intelligence and Judiciary Committee says Mulvaney “co-signed the president’s confession.”

“Mister Mulvaney’s acknowledgment means that things have gone from very, very bad to much, much worse,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

A source familiar with discussions by the president’s legal team says they were stunned. President Donald Trump’s attorney Jay Sekulow said “the legal team was not involved in the acting Chief of Staff’s press briefing.”

Mulvaney later moved to clean-up his comments, saying in a statement: “the president never told me to withhold any money until the Ukrainians did anything related to the server.”

President Trump said he wasn’t fully aware of Mulvaney’s comments, saying “Mick is a good man. I don’t know. I have not heard anything about it.”

Bishop DiMarzio Honored for Service to Migrants

By The Tablet Staff

MANHATTAN — At the Center for Migration Studies annual gala at Battery Gardens restaurant in lower Manhattan on Oct. 17, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio received a Lifetime Service Award for his work in defense of migrants and newcomers.

A letter from Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, congratulated Bishop DiMarzio on behalf of Pope Francis. The letter was read before the bishop’s award was presented.

“Being honored by the Center for Migration Studies is a nice honor,” Bishop DiMarzio said. “I have worked with them practically for the 50 years I have been a priest. I knew the founders; we worked with them, so it is a nice honor. I have been working on the board now for many years. It is a nice thing to have happened.”

Bishop DiMarzio has served as chairman of the Migration Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; chairman of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network; and U.S. representative to the Global Commission on International Migration, a United Nations-sponsored group. He’s also a member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and is chairman of the Migration Policy Institute.

The Center for Migration Studies, or CMS, was celebrating its 55th year of promoting understanding between immigrants and receiving communities. The organization — which was founded in 1964 by the Missionaries of St. Charles, Scalabrinians — has priests, women religious and laypeople who serve immigrants and refugees.

In addition to Bishop DiMarzio, other honorees included the following:

Alexander Aleinikoff, director of the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility, who received the Excellence in International Migration Scholarship Award
Vicky Virgin, research associate, Poverty Research Unit of the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity
Robert Warren, senior visiting fellow at CMS
Carmen Maquilon, director of Catholic Charities Immigrant Services of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, who received the Humanitarian Service Award
Dariusz “Darek” Knapik, owner of Victoria Consulting Services, who received the Immigrant Achievement Award.

Currents News for Thursday, October 17, 2019

On the newscast: Mike Pence and Turkey’s President reach a deal late today to temporarily halt fighting in Syria; An update after a heartwarming reunion of dad and daughter that was first seen on Currents News. What they’re doing now; There’s a lot more jobs than there are workers. The new data is out tonight; As the Amazon Summit is underway, Catholic school children in the rainforest are making a difference

Watch weeknights at 7:00 pm EST on NET-TV in the New York City area on Spectrum, Optimum, and Fios. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notifications about new content.

U.S. and Turkey Agree to Ceasefire in Syria

Currents News Staff

The Trump administration just announced a ceasefire agreement with Turkey halting its incursion in northern Syria.

Speaking in Turkey, Vice President Mike Pence says Kurdish-led forces will withdraw from the safe zone.

Since President Trump ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops from northern Syria, Turkey has bombed the area and there have been reports of executions of Kurds by Turkish forces.

Just yesterday, House lawmakers approved a resolution opposing the Trump administration’s move.

Cameras were not allowed inside during the majority of the U.S. – Turkey ceasefire negotiations.

But right after the hours-long meeting between Turkey and the U.S., Vice President Pence spoke to reporters claiming victory.

“Turkey and the United States of America have agreed to a ceasefire in Syria. It will be a pause in military operations for 120 hours while the United States facilities the withdrawal of YPG from the affected areas in the safe zone and once that is completed Turkey has agreed to a permanent cease-fire,” said Pence.

President Trump touting the deal after landing in Texas for a fundraiser and campaign rally.

“This is an amazing outcome,” said Trump.

Vice President Pence says U.S. sanctions placed on Turkey last week will be lifted once the cease fire becomes permanent. That could happen after Kurdish-led forces leave the safe zone.

“I know it’s already underway as we speak,” said Pence.

Turkish officials told CNN they got exactly what they wanted out of the meeting. But later Turkey’s foreign minister said in a press conference, quote “This is not a ceasefire.”

Before the deal was announced the House approved a resolution opposing president Trump’s decision to remove U.S. troops from Syria.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thinks it could lead to a possible resurgence of ISIS, saying “Calls for the president to show a clear plan for how America will be protected from ISIS.”

Return of Military Dad From Afghanistan Answered Prayer for Queens Family

By Tim Harfmann

Holly Murray is a seventh grader at Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Academy in Belle Harbor, Queens.

Her dad, Navy Commander Cornelius Murray, had been working with Afghan forces inside the country until he was able to come home on October 9.

Currents News first showed you the emotional reunion: a dad surprising his daughter when he unexpectedly arrived in her science class.

Now, they’re enjoying their time together.

“It’s kind of like back to normal, basically,” said Holly. “Kind of just, like, being able to be around him more, and there’s so much less stress.”

Throughout his 30 years in the United States service, Cdr. Murray was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and on the Indian Ocean.

“Out of the four deployments I’ve been on, this was the hardest one, so it was very emotional coming home this time,” Cdr. Murray said.

It’s a return the Murrays had been praying for.

“When I landed in Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, one of the first places I went to was the chapel,” Cdr. Murray explained.

“I just always prayed to God that he was safe, and obviously my prayers were answered,” Holly added.

Cdr. Murray remains on active duty, but he’s hoping to be near his family for at least the next five years.

Elijah Cummings Remembered

Currents News Staff

The American flag that normally flies high above the White House was lowered to half-staff today in honor of one of America’s staunchest civil rights advocates.

Elijah Cummings, a Christian and longtime representative from Maryland died this morning, the reason described only as ‘complications concerning long standing health challenges.’ Cummings is being remembered as a deeply spiritual man and a leader of towering character.

“He lived the American dream and he wanted it for everyone else. He spoke with unsurpassed clarity and moral integrity when he spoke on the floor,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

President Trump tweeted condolences to the family – noting Cummings strength, passion and wisdom – and writing ‘his work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible to replace.”

The President’s tweet continued, “My warmest condolences to the family and many friends of Congressman Elijah Cummings. I got to see first-hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader. His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!”

Cummings was a tireless advocate for the poor and a campaigner for social justice. As Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, he used the powerful position to fight for justice and democracy and to investigate the president and his administration.

Cummings was the son of sharecroppers; whose parents eventually became preachers. His faith was always central in his life and his life’s work.

“He would go to church on Sunday in Baltimore when he could, when he wasn’t traveling. He was a very compassionate man, someone who was very spiritual, and someone who was a fighter til the very end,” said April Ryan of American urban radio networks.

A fighter who battled tirelessly for the Baltimore community he loved and represented for more than two decades, Cummings was not recently seen on capitol hill because of illness.

“He was the Martin Luther King of Baltimore,” said resident Haki Ammi.