TODAY'S TALKING POINTS 09-28-15

TODAY'S TALKING POINTS

Luxury condos will likely replace the “Ground Zero Mosque.” Years after developer Sharif El-Gamal pitched a hugely controversial plan to build an Islamic community space and prayer center near the site of the former World Trade Center, he submitted a new proposal for a 667-foot-tall glass skyscraper that would offer residential units at more than $3,000 per square foot. It might spark another debate about an oversupply of housing for the ultra-rich.

Pope Francis made a promise to victims of sexual abuse. On the last day of his whirlwind visit to the U.S., the pope promised "careful oversight" so sex abuse crimes in the church wouldn't be repeated. But for some survivors of abuse, his words were far from comforting.

France launched its first airstrikes at the Islamic State group in Syria. “We are acting in self-defense,” French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said, after learning that the extremist group was training there for attacks on Europe. Their bombs decimated one of the group’s training camps.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will address the U.N. General Assembly for the first time in 10 years and have a serious chat with U.S. President Barack Obama today about a solution to the Syrian crisis that’s displaced hundreds of thousands of Syrians in search of a new home. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg vowed to help bring Internet access to refugees in U.N. camps so they can access aid and connect with family.

Voters supported Catalonia's secession from Spain. So many people voted in this weekend's election that they ran out of ballots, and in the end the pro-separatist parties won a majority. This is something many Catalans really want, but Spain promised to block any move for independence in court.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Organizing Committee pitched five new sports. With the goal of inspiring more young athletes, the group suggested sports like skateboarding and surfing. The International Olympic Committee will review the proposed events and make a final decision by August 2016.