News briefs-International and National

RACHEL RANDER
CATHOLIC VALUES COLUMNIST

National 

Campuses Seeking To Be Named Sanctuary Campuses” 

Colleges and universities are looking to be named “sanctuary campuses” after pressure from activist groups and immigrant students because of Donald Trump’s election. Colleges want to prevent illegal immigrant students, called “DREAMers” after the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, from being deported under immigration laws that are expected to be more heavily enforced under Trump’s presidency. Activists in California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota and Texas are pressuring both private and public universities to protect these students. While Trump has not spoken about “sanctuary campuses,” he did announce his plan to end temporary legal status to illegal alien students. Many states, including Illinois and New Mexico, have policies granting students financial aid regardless of their immigration status.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/12/03/universities-exploring-sanctuary-status-for-immigrants.html

 

China Files Complaint Against The US 

China’s foreign ministry has filed a complaint with the US government after President-elect Donald Trump accepted a congratulatory phone call from the leader of Taiwan. China considers Taiwan a “breakaway province,” according to BBC. Taiwan split from China in 1949, and the US cut formal ties with Taiwan in 1979. The US, being Taiwan’s only crucial ally, provides it with weaponry for its defense. According to the White House, Mr. Trump’s call is not a signal of changing foreign policy, and reports say that news of his call only reached the White House after it had taken place.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-38194371

 

Jill Stein Escalates Recount

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, after citing a court ruling that voters requesting a recount are required to pay a $1 million bond, said she will “escalate” her election recount in Pennsylvania. Stein said “The judge’s outrageous demand that voters pay such an exorbitant figure is a shameful, unacceptable barrier to democratic participation.” She is also seeking recounts in Michigan and Wisconsin, because of concerns over rigged election counts.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/03/politics/jill-stein-drops-pennsylvania-recount/index.html?adkey=bn

 

International

South Korean President Faces Impeachment 

South Korean President Park Geun-hye faces possible impeachment if she does not announce her resignation before her term ends in February 2018. The president was involved in a classified information scandal where a non-government member received classified documents. Park does not face legal threats because the South Korean president is given immunity, but the other person involved faces charges of abuse of power fraud and coercion. Park’s own party suggested that she  resign, or at the least specify a resignation date, by April 30.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/03/asia/south-korea-impeach-park/index.html

 

Final Tributes To Fidel Castro

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro died at age 90 on Nov. 25. His brother Raul Castro led final tributes to Fidel in Santiago. He announced that no monuments or roads would be named after the late leader, and that no statues or busts will be erected, all at the request of Fidel. Large crowds greeted the funeral procession at Saturday, and his ashes were buried on Sunday. Many in the group at Santiago were in support of the leader, but many regard him as a socialist dictator. Fidel’s health began to decline in 2006, forcing him to resign and have his brother Raul take over.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38198834

 

Pope Francis Declares American Priest Martyr

Pope Francis has declared an American priest killed in Guatemala’s civil war a martyr, opening the path to his sainthood. He signed a martyred degree on Thursday. The priest, Rev. Stanlet Rother of Oklahoma, was killed in 1981 when he was translating the New Testament into an Indian dialect. Those declared martyrs have slightly different qualifications for sainthood than do regular candidates. They do not need a Vatican-certified miracle to be beatified, but one is necessary for sainthood. Pope Francis believes that there were many more priests killed for the faith during Latin America’s dictatorships.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/12/02/pope-oks-martyrdom-decree-for-us-priest-killed-in-guatemala.html