News Roundup: Here's What You Should Know 2/14/2017

By Brody Salazar
@Brody_Salazar

1. Trump's Campaign Aides Repeatedly Spoke to Russia:
Phone records reveal that aides and other associates of President Trump repeatedly contacted senior Russian intelligence officials in 2015. American law enforcement and intelligence agencies intercepted the calls when they were attempting to find evidence of Russian tampering in the 2016 elections, according to American officials. American agencies are searching for proof that the Trump campaign cooperated with Russian attempts to disrupt the election but have been unable to find anything yet. The calls that are being talked about now are just a few of many that the FBI is currently going over.
- Source: The New York Times

2. Michael Flynn Resigns from Security Adviser:
Michael Flynn resigned from his position in the White House amid the finding of secret conversations with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. In addition, it was recently revealed by press secretary Sean Spicer that Trump had concerns about Flynn's lying for over two weeks. Spicer stated the delay between Trump learning of Flynn's deception and the forced resignation was the result of a new president taking his time to decide the fate of Flynn, who had a large role in Trump's campaign.
- Sources: NBC News, The New York Times

3. Russia Fires Missile and Violates Treaty:
A missile was deployed by Russia, which is in violation of a treaty made in 1987. The treaty bans both American and Russian intermediate-range land-based missiles. There are currently two known battalions of missiles. The Pentagon takes the threats very seriously, and are considering possible responses such as supplying Europe with additional missile defense systems. Given the Trump administration's relations with Russia many are unsure of how the new President will react.
 - Source: The New York Times

4. Lawsuit Against ICE:
Daniel Ramirez Medina, 23, came to the US illegally at age 7 but gained protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). DACA is an executive order that grants a work permits and deportation reprieve to any undocumented immigrants who arrive in the country as a child. According to the lawsuit, the arresting agents claimed to know that Medina was protected by DACA but told him he was to be arrested and deported anyway because he was not born in the U.S.. Word of this incident is beginning to spread and some Democratic politicians have begun to speak out about it.
- Source: The Los Angeles Times

5. Science Panel Supports Human Gene Editing:
A science advisory group was formed by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine, and weighed in on the controversial topic of human gene editing. The group deemed it an appropriate action only if it was to prevent a baby from being born with any diseases or disabilities. This was the only situation in which they would find the act acceptable on any level. The convening of the panel is in light of recent milestones made in gene editing in the last year, namely the Crispr-Cas9. This new creation allows for increased precision in the removal and insertion of genetic material. The new advancements are believed to be able to possibly cure cancer, blindness and other serious conditions.
- Source: The New York Times