Female soldiers pass Army’s ranger test
Two women have now passed the Army’s Ranger test, the most difficult ground combat leadership test in the Army, proving their ability to serve in combat. The military services are poised to allow women to serve in most front-line combat jobs, including special operations forces, senior officials told The Associated Press.
Officials say the Army, Navy and Air Force will not likely seek exceptions to women serving in combat, but according to officials Marine Corps leaders still have some concerns about women in certain combat situations.
Women have historically not been allowed in combat, despite being allowed to serve in the U.S. armed forces, but the ban on women in combat has been lifted as of January 2013. The ban was lifted by Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta.
Military services have until January of 2016 to appeal to make certain military jobs banned from women.
Seattle police officer assists in birth in traffic
Seattle police officer Anthony Reynolds pulled a speeding car over at 3:45 a.m. on August 18, and discovered a husband driver and wife in labor.
Reynolds reported that the driver was speeding and running red lights, but proceeded to help the new mother give birth in the car at the scene.
Reynolds did radio for an ambulance, but they didn’t arrive in time. The mother gave birth to a baby girl in the car just as three other officers arrived.
The entire event was recorded on the dashboard camera of Reynold’s squad car. According to the Associated Press, the family is doing fine.
US-Sinai-Peacekeepers
The Obama administration is reviewing the future of U.S. deployment to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Concern is growing among officials that peacekeepers could be targets of violence from the Islamic State.
Options for the region range from increasing security with greater arms and personnel, to pulling out of the region altogether.
U.S. armed forces have been in the peninsula since the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel since 1979. Current personnel from the U.S. Army monitor the region to maintain compliance to the treaty, but have little offensive capabilities. Personnel from other countries also help to monitor the area.
The peninsula currently represents the most stable border relationship between Israel and an Arab state.
Obama-Iran nuclear deal likely to pass
The Iran nuclear deal supported by President Obama will likely survive in Congress. The controversial deal faces opposition from members of both the GOP and Democratic parties.
Obama has “a great likelihood of success,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in his home state of Kentucky this week. “I hope we can defeat it, but the procedure is obviously stacked in the president’s favor.”
In order to fail in Congress, both the Senate and House would need defection from members of the Democratic party, according to Senate Majority Leader McConnell.
The deal would be a key victory for President Obama’s foreign policy legacy, and would keep the world safe from Iran’s nuclear ambitions, according to deal supporters. Opponents argue that the deal would only strengthen Iran’s nuclear capabilities, adding to the threat to Israel and the world.
Rosie-O’Donnell daughter missing in New York
Police are searching for Rosie O’Donnell’s 17-year-old daughter Chelsea, who has not been seen since leaving the family’s home north of New York City last Tuesday.
O’Donnell’s daughter left the house with a therapy dog. She has not been taking needed medication, according to O’Donnell’s spokeswoman, Cindi Berger.
She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt hoodie, dark ripped blue jeans, gray Converse sneakers and a black backpack. Police authorities in Rockland County, New York have been searching for her since Sunday. O’Donnell tweeted that her daughter may be in New York City, which is about 25 miles south of her home in Nyack.
