White House to increase number of refugees

The White House is planning to increase the number of refugees accepted into the United States from around the world to at least 110,000 in 2017. Secretary of State John Kerry briefed Congress on Tuesday about the administration's decision and has stated over the past year that the United States would seek to welcome 100,000 refugees in 2017 -- and if possible, would accept more. The increase -- from 70,000 during 2013-2015 to 85,000 in 2016 to the plan of 110,000 in 2017 -- is more than a 57% increase in refugee arrivals since 2015 and consistent with the administration's belief that all countries should do more to help vulnerable people.

In Other News An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 struck northern Colombia on Tuesday night. 21 young plaintiffs (ranging in ages 8 to 19) are suing President Obama and various federal agencies over what they call the United States' failure to protect their right to a future not wrecked by climate change. It's a lawsuit that makes a constitutional argument that young people and unborn generations are being discriminated against because they don't have the right to vote but will be most affected by runaway warming. At the Tuesday preliminary hearing, Judge Ann Aiken listened to arguments from representatives of both sides. Aiken likely will decide within 60 days whether the case can go to trial. According to Fanatics, which is the biggest retailer of NFL merchandise and operates the official NFL online store, there have been more Carson Wentz jerseys sold than any other player in the league since Sunday. To round out the top 5: Odell Beckham Jr., Tom Brady, Dak Prescott, and Antonio Brown. Four Paralympians ran the 1500m faster than anyone at the Rio Olympics final. Matt Centrowitz of the U.S. won the Olympic gold medal at this year’s Olympics with a time of 3 minutes and 50 seconds. The winning time at the Paralympics was 3:48.29. Although the Olympic race Centrowitz ran in was a very strategic and slow race for an Olympic final, it is still incredibly impressive that four Paralympians ran a faster time.