Catholic bishops focus on traditional marriage
BALTIMORE – U.S. Roman Catholic bishops, at their first assembly since gay marriage became legal nationwide, vowed Monday to uphold marriage as only the union of a man and a woman and to seek legal protections for those who share that view.
Some bishops said they were committed to reversing the U.S. Supreme Court same-sex marriage ruling last June. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas, said a concerted effort was needed to “build a consensus” to do so. As a model, he pointed to new state laws that have made it harder to obtain an abortion, even as the procedure remains legal nationwide.
“I don’t think because five Supreme Court justices changed the public policy on such a fundamental issue that we should just accept it. ,” Naumann said at the gathering of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.
Myeloma drug wins accelerated approval
TRENTON, N.J. – A Johnson & Johnson drug won Food and Drug Administration approval Monday for treating the incurable blood cancer multiple myeloma in patients who’ve failed prior therapies and have few options left.
Darzalex is the first biologic drug and first monoclonal antibody – a genetically engineered drug designed to target diseased tissue and spare healthy cells – approved for multiple myeloma. The cancer, which occurs in infection-fighting white blood cells in the bone marrow, will strike 26,850 Americans and kill about 11,240 people in 2015.
Darzalex, known chemically as daratumumab, helps immune system cells attack malignant multiple myeloma cells by binding to a protein on their surface. The infused drug is then believed to trigger death of tumor cells though multiple mechanisms, according to Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen biologic drug unit.
Egypt, Palestinians reach border deal on Monday
RAMALLAH, West Bank – A senior Palestinian official says the Palestinian Authority has reached an agreement with Egypt to reopen the Gaza Strip’s main border crossing, bypassing the territory’s Hamas rulers.
Azzam al-Ahmad, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said Monday the deal was recently reached in Cairo. He said it aims to open the Rafah crossing “to the maximum possible” to allow the movement of students, laborers, medical patients and even commercial goods.
Such a deal could bring great relief to Gaza, the borders of which are largely sealed by an Israeli and Egyptian blockade. It could also mark a setback for Hamas, which seized control of Gaza from Abbas in 2007.
New Jersey mall drops pay-for-Santa policy
CHERRY HILL, N.J. – Santa Claus is free again.
A New Jersey mall on Monday eliminated a requirement that parents pay $35 to $50 for a photo or video package for their kids to get into a Santa exhibit.
The decision to charge for an attraction that had been free last year sparked anger from many parents, some who said the fee inherently pushed away low-income families and ran counter to the spirit of the holiday.
Associated Press
