Midday Roundup: Parents of ISIS victim say they will heal, forgive in time

A life laid down. Peter Kassig’s parents made their first public appearance since their son’s death during a press conference in the United Methodist Church they have attended for the last three decades. Although not widely reported in the mainstream media, Kassig’s parents began their remarks with a paraphrase of John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this: than to lay down his life for another,” Ed Kassig said. He asked for time for the family to mourn, cry, heal “and, yes, forgive.” Despite their own Christian faith, the Kassigs referred to their son by the name he took after converting to Islam in captivity, Abdul-Rahman. They insist his conversion was genuine. “Our hearts are battered, but they will mend,” Paula Kassig said. “The world is broken, but it will be healed in the end. And good will prevail as the one God of many names will prevail.”

Sympathizer. A Virginia woman has been charged with lying to federal authorities about promoting ISIS on social media and offering to help get a terrorist sympathizer to Syria to join the fighting there. Heather Elizabeth Coffman was caught in an FBI sting in which an agent posed as someone who had a friend who wanted to become a martyr. One of Coffman’s multiple Facebook accounts listed her job description as “jihad for Allah’s sake.” The profile featured photos of men holding automatic weapons and the ISIS flag.

Fighting back. Kurdish fighters trying to take back Kobani, the Syrian town on the Turkish border, appear to be gaining ground. The Kurdish forces seized six buildings being used by ISIS militants as a base of operations, confiscating a large quantity of rocket-propelled grenade launchers, guns, and machine gun ammunition. Thirteen ISIS fighters died in the attack. Last month, officials estimated the terror group, also known as Islamic State, controlled as much as 40 percent of the town. Now the militants only hold 20 percent of the territory. “During the last few days, we have made big progress in the east and southeast,” said Idris Nassan, an official in Kobani.

Gnarly nuptials. Charles Manson is getting married. The architect of the “Helter Skelter” killing spree that left seven dead in 1969 plans to wed his 26-year-old girlfriend sometime before the end of the year. Afton Elaine Burton moved to California from Illinois when she was 19 to be near Manson. She has advocated for his release for seven years and maintains he is innocent. Manson, who is 80, reportedly calls her Star. The marriage ceremony will take place in the visitor’s lounge at Corcoran State Prison, where Manson is serving a life sentence. Burton said she hopes her status as Manson’s wife will give her access to more information about the case than she can get as just a “fan.”

Benched. The National Football League has suspended Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson for the rest of the season two weeks after he pleaded no contest to hitting his 4-year-old with a switch hard enough to leave welts and scabs. In announcing the decision, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Peterson showed “no meaningful remorse” for his actions and gave no indication he would act differently in future attempts to discipline his children. Peterson claims he struck a deal with the league, under which he would be reinstated, before pleading guilty to the charges in Texas. He plans to appeal the decision, and the NFL Players Association is standing behind him. The association blasted Peterson’s punishment as inconsistent with NFL policy.

No comment. Bill Cosby, the favorite TV dad of a generation, can’t seem to shake rape allegations that have swirled around him for years. Another woman came forward over the weekend and accused Cosby of drugging and raping her in 1969. Cosby has refused to comment on the claims of four women who all tell a similar story of drugging that led to sexual assault. On Sunday, Cosby’s lawyer issued a statement saying neither he nor his client would address the women’s claims. But the outcry has gotten so bad Cosby has canceled two television appearances. TV industry watchers are speculating about whether the scandal will affect his upcoming show on NBC, planned to premiere next year.