BY MELISSA SIEGLER
STAFF WRITER
American captive killed during airstrikes against Islamic State
ISIS is claiming that an American hostage, Kayla Mueller, was killed during the airstrikes by Jordan against the Islamic State. According to a New York Times article, Mueller was an aid worker from Arizona and had been held captive for 17 months. Both the American and Jordanian governments are highly skeptical of this claim saying that it is purely “cynical propaganda.” Mueller’s name was not released to the public until this point for fear that doing so may endanger her life further. Jordan increased its airstrikes after the execution of Jordanian pilot, Lt. Moath al-Kasasbeh, at the hands of ISIS in late January.
Brian Williams under investigation for false account of his time in Iraq
NBC is launching an official investigation into its top news anchor, Brian Williams, after he gave a false account of his trip to Iraq at the beginning of the war in 2003. In 2013, while recalling his time in Iraq, Williams said that the helicopter in which he was traveling was brought down by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). A Fox News article indicated that this version is contradictory to what he said of the events right after their occurrence. In 2003, he reported that it was another helicopter in his convoy that was brought down.
Williams has since apologized saying, “I made a mistake in recalling the events of 12 years ago … I would not have chosen to make this mistake. I don’t know what screwed up in my mind that caused me to conflate one aircraft with another.”
Pope Francis to address Congress
Pope Francis has accepted Speaker of the House John Boehner’s invitation to address Congress during his visit to the United States in September 2015. This is the first time a pontiff has been invited to speak to Congress. A Fox news article reported that Pope Francis will visit the White House as well as the United Nations in New York City; he will also hold a rally in Philadelphia.
“In a time of global upheaval, the Holy Father’s message of compassion and human dignity has moved people of all faiths and backgrounds,” said Boehner. “His teachings, prayers and very example bring us back to the blessings of simple things and our obligations to one another.”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/02/05/boehner-pope-francis-to-address-congress-on-sept-24/