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Robert McElroy goes further than pope has done and says conflict fails ‘criterion of right intention’

Cardinal Robert W McElroy, the archbishop of Washington DC, has said that the US-Israeli war with Iran is “not morally legitimate”, going further than the pope has done in his more moderate appeals for an end to the war.

In an interview with the Catholic Standard this week, McElroy said: “The criterion of just cause is not met because our country was not responding to an existing or imminent and objectively verifiable attack by Iran.”

“As Pope Benedict declared categorically, Catholic teaching does not support preventative war, ie a war justified by speculation about events in the future,” he said. “If preventative war were to be accepted morally, then all limits to the cause for going to war would be put in extreme jeopardy.”

McElroy also argued that the conflict fails the “criterion of right intention” arguing that in his opinion, “one of the most worrying elements of these first days of the war in Iran is that our goals and intentions are absolutely unclear, ranging from the destruction of Iran’s conventional and nuclear weapons potential to the overthrow of its regime to the establishment of a democratic government to unconditional surrender,” he said. “You cannot satisfy the just war tradition’s criterion of right intention if you do not have a clear intention.”

He added: “Our current war effort does not meet Catholic just war teaching because it is far from clear that the benefits of this war will outweigh the harm which will be done.”

His remarks this week came as Cardinal Blase J Cupich of Chicago issued a statement on Saturday condemning a White House social media video that mixed footage of the war with clips from action movies.

“A real war with real death and real suffering being treated like it’s a video game – it’s sickening,” Cupich wrote.

Pope Leo XIV has issued a series of more moderate appeals for dialogue and ending the conflict.

“Let us raise our humble prayer to the Lord that the roar ​of bombs may ​cease, that ⁠weapons may fall silent, and that space may be opened for ​dialogue in which the voices of peoples ​can ⁠be heard,” the pope said on Sunday at the Angelus prayer, according to Reuters.

The Holy See traditionally maintains diplomatic neutrality, but last week the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, told Vatican Media: “If states were to be recognized as having a right to ‘preventive war,’ according to their own criteria and without a supranational legal framework, the whole world would risk being set ablaze.”

“This erosion of international law is truly worrying: justice has given way to force; the force of law has been replaced by the law of force, with the conviction that peace can arise only after the enemy has been annihilated,” Parolin said.

In his interview this week, McElroy said that since the United States and Israel launched their attack on Iran,he has encountered “a very significant level of anxiety” about the conflict among parishioners.

“Almost everyone rightly believes that the Khamenei regime has been for decades a brutal and repressive government that has spread terrorism throughout the world and should be replaced,” he said, “but there is immense concern that this war will spiral out of control and embroil the United States in ever greater depth.”

Some parishioners, he added, have told him they are worried about their children who are serving in the military while others, he said, have recalled the previous US wars in Iraq and “the lack of peace or unity that they produced despite major American casualties and immense costs”.

At the same time, McElory also noted that some parishioners also believe that “in spite of these realities, now is the time for the United States to end the theocracy in Iran and install a more friendly and more peaceful government.”

McElroy said that he believes it was “essential for Catholics in our Archdiocese to pray for peace and an immediate end to this conflict”.

He added that “as citizens and believers, we should inform our political representatives of our positions on this unfolding war, giving our own guidance to this land we love so deeply” and also “should comfort those in our families, our parishes and our communities who are anxious, that the consolation of the Holy Spirit will be with them.

“Finally, and most importantly we must insure that this war does not turn into a prolonged conflict, lurching from goal to goal and from strategy to strategy,” he said. “One of the most important Catholic teachings on war and peace is that nations have the strict obligation to end a war as soon as possible. This is particularly true when the decision to go to war was not morally legitimate.”

MIDLAND, VA / ACCESS Newswire / March 10, 2026 / Smith-Midland Corporation (NASDAQ:SMID), a leading producer of innovative precast concrete products for infrastructure, transportation, and building construction, announced it will manufacture and supply $1.6M of its proprietary SlenderWall^® architectural precast cladding system for a new luxury residential redevelopment project located in Washington D.C.

The project incorporates Smith-Midland's SlenderWall^® system, a lightweight architectural precast panel system with integrated steel studs designed to reduce structural loads, while delivering durability and architectural versatility. The panels will be manufactured at Smith-Midland's Virginia plant, with production scheduled to begin in May 2026 and on-site erection expected to start in September 2026. The project is owned by Morningstar Community Development and constructed by Orion Habitats Company.

"SlenderWall continues to be an ideal solution for urban redevelopment projects where structural efficiency and architectural design must work together," said Matthew Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Smith-Midland Corporation. "This project presented unique design considerations, including multiple building shape changes from the ground floor to the roofline, and SlenderWall's design flexibility allows us to accommodate those transitions while maintaining the project's architectural vision."

The facade design incorporates a ribbed form liner pattern, adding visual texture and depth to the building's exterior. The panel layout required careful coordination to address the building's changing geometry as the structure rises, highlighting the versatility of the SlenderWall system in complex architectural applications, adding to Smith-Midland's growing portfolio of SlenderWall installations across the Mid-Atlantic region, where the system is increasingly used for multi-family, mixed-use, and urban developments.

About Smith-Midland Corporation

Smith-Midland develops, manufactures, licenses, rents, and sells a broad array of precast concrete products for use primarily in the construction, transportation, and utility industries.

Smith-Midland Corporation has three manufacturing facilities in: Midland, VA, Reidsville, NC, and Columbia, SC, and a J-J Hooks^® Safety Barrier rental firm, Concrete Safety Systems. Easi-Set Worldwide, a wholly owned subsidiary of Smith-Midland Corporation, licenses the production and sale of Easi-Set products, including J-J Hooks and SlenderWall^®, and provides diversification opportunities to the precast industry worldwide. For more information, please call (540) 439-3266 or visit www.smithmidland.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ significantly from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, product demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing, capacity and supply constraints or difficulties, the uncertainties arising from the policies of the United States Government, the risk of less government spending on infrastructure than anticipated, inflationary factors including potential recession, our material weaknesses in internal controls, cyber security risks, general business and economic conditions, our debt exposure, our high level of accounts receivables, the effect of the Company's accounting policies and other risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor Relations:Steven Hooser or John BeislerThree Part Advisors, LLC(214) 872-2710

SOURCE: Smith-Midland

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) WASHINGTON, U.S., March 10. The U.S.-Azerbaijan Trade and Business Conference, hosted by the United States-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC), has kicked off in Washington D.C., Trend's special correspondent reports.

The theme of the conference is“U.S.-Azerbaijan Trade & Business Agenda: Connecting Markets–Building Future”.

The conference, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Chamber, brings together senior government officials, business leaders, investors, and financial sector representatives to chart the next phase of U.S.-Azerbaijan economic collaboration.

The event will feature a keynote session on strengthening bilateral trade and strategic cooperation, as well as panel sessions on technology driving growth, energy infrastructure, strengthening U.S.-Azerbaijan financial cooperation.

The conference started with welcoming remarks by Natig Bakhishov, USACC Executive Director, opening Remarks by Reza Vaziri, Chairman of the Board of Directors, USACC and Khazar Ibrahim, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States.

The participants include Elnur Aliyev, First Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, Jeffrey Kessler, Under Secretary for Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, Orkhan Zeynalov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Reggie Singh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy and Critical Minerals, U.S. Department of State,

Rovshan Najaf, President, SOCAR, Afgan Isayev, Vice President, SOCAR, Kenneth Angell, Managing Director, U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Carl B. Kress, Regional Director, Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), Ruslan Khalilov, CEO, Baku Stock Exchange (BSE).

Moreover, high-ranking representatives of McLarty Associates, Honeywell, NEQSOL Holding, Visa, Bechtel, AECOM, Nobel Energy Americas, U.S. Exim Bank will address the panel discussions.

The event participants will also witness the ceremony of signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and HAIMAKER Inc on Potential Partnership for Developing a Next Generation Digital Platform and Ecosystem in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The document will be signed by Elnur Aliyev, First Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan and Su Le, CEO & Co-Founder, HAIMAKER Inc.

One of the highlights of the conference will be the Awards Presentation Ceremony for recognition of exceptional corporate and institutional leadership advancing bilateral commerce and economic cooperation.

Since its establishment in 1995, USACC has served as the leading platform fostering commercial, economic, and cultural ties between the United States and Azerbaijan. Over the past three decades, USACC has played a pivotal role in promoting dialogue between the public and private sectors, facilitating trade and business diversification and economic cooperation between the two nations.

Will be updated

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WASHINGTON, DC – March 04, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –

Washington DC Boxed Lunches has expanded its breakfast catering services to accommodate the increasing demand for convenient morning meal solutions from corporate clients throughout the Washington metropolitan area. The expansion addresses the growing need for reliable breakfast options as more companies return to in-person meetings and early morning corporate events.

The catering company, which has established itself as a provider of office meal solutions in the nation’s capital, reports a significant uptick in requests for breakfast catering services over the past several months. The expanded breakfast menu now includes a wider variety of options ranging from traditional continental breakfast boxes to hot breakfast selections, all designed to meet diverse dietary requirements and preferences.

“The demand for Washington DC Boxed Lunches boxed breakfast catering has grown substantially as organizations recognize the value of providing quality morning meals for their teams,” said a spokesperson for Washington DC Boxed Lunches. “Companies are hosting more breakfast meetings, early training sessions, and morning networking events, and they need a reliable partner who can deliver consistent quality and convenience.”

The expansion comes as workplace dynamics continue to evolve, with many organizations using catered meals as a way to encourage office attendance and foster team collaboration. Morning meetings have become particularly popular as professionals seek to maximize productivity while accommodating flexible schedules.

Washington DC Boxed Lunches has structured its breakfast offerings to serve various group sizes, from small team meetings to large corporate gatherings. Each breakfast box is individually packaged, ensuring food safety and making distribution simple for event organizers. The company emphasizes its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, supporting both quality and local suppliers.

The breakfast menu expansion includes options for various dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free selections. This comprehensive approach ensures that all attendees at corporate events can enjoy a satisfying morning meal regardless of their dietary needs.

Beyond traditional breakfast items, the company has introduced protein-rich options and lighter continental choices to cater to different preferences and meeting styles. The service includes delivery directly to office locations throughout Washington DC, eliminating the logistical challenges often associated with morning event planning.

The timing of this expansion aligns with broader trends in corporate catering, where convenience and reliability have become paramount. As companies navigate hybrid work arrangements and seek ways to bring teams together meaningfully, catered meals serve as both a practical solution and an employee appreciation gesture.

Washington DC Boxed Lunches specializes in providing comprehensive catering solutions for businesses and organizations throughout the Washington DC area. The company offers a full range of catering services, including boxed lunches, office catering, breakfast catering, individual lunch box catering, and delivered meal services. Known for its commitment to quality ingredients and reliable delivery, the company serves corporate clients ranging from small businesses to large government contractors, providing customized meal solutions that meet specific dietary requirements and budget considerations.

For more information about Washington DC Boxed Lunches, contact the company here:

Washington DC Boxed LunchesWashington DC Boxed Lunches(202) 978-5640info@washingtondcboxedlunches.comWashington DC Boxed Lunches1835 3rd St NE Apt 2B Washington, DCWashington, DC 20002

Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. XPRMedia and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact pressreleases@xpr.media

Reading comprehension is at an all-time low in America, to the point where it’s a crisis. Now is the best time for more parents to encourage their children to read. Nobody understands how fun a day at the library can be for a young child, and it can literally change their life for the better. Now, a Washington, DC podcaster has something to say after two parents were judged for having their children spend some time reading before vacation. Apparently, it’s akin to child abuse if you have structured reading time.

Podcaster Saron, (TikTok/SaronThings) posted a TikTok video reacting to a photo of two children reading, which went viral on social media. The caption reads: “POV: You’re on vacation but your parents are strict and make you reads before take off.” According to Saron, the mother, Vidya, an influencer who posts various vlogging content, received a lot of hate for making her children read on their flight.

Zooming in for dramatic effect, Saron then asks, “What the [expletive] is wrong with you people? They’re raising their children to be competent, intellectually stimulated, literate, critical-thinking adults. And they’re still taking them on vacation!” They look pretty content, too. Vidya’s son even looks up and gives his mother a beaming smile.

Saron continues: “If you think that’s abuse, you should not have children. You shouldn’t have children. Your child will be left behind.” She then brings up the fact a lot of kids can barely string together a sentence. And it certainly doesn’t help that children and college students widely use AI tools like ChatGPT.

So, what’s the harm in having some structured reading time? Clearly, they like to read; otherwise, they wouldn’t have e-readers. And when they get to their destination, they’ll have plenty of opportunities for fun and making memories.

In reality, requiring them to set aside some reading time will not hurt anyone. In fact, it only benefits them, even if they don’t see it that way now. It’s better than letting them sit on their phones or tablets for hours every day. That’s not good for a child’s brain—or an adult’s brain, for that matter. “You want to tell a parent who is actually doing the right thing to ‘slow their roll?’ Shut up!” Saron says.

One commenter chimed in, “God forbid she wants her children to be LITERATE!!!!”

Another commenter said, “Mind you, Vidya’s kids LIKE reading.” In the same thread, someone responded, arguing that it was because they weren’t “allowed to do anything else.” As if going on vacation isn’t doing ‘something else.’

Perhaps more parents need to consider giving their children downtime to sit back and read a good book. You never know how much of a difference it could make in their lives. You don’t have to go as hard as Vidya does; just teach your kids the joy of reading.