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    News Round-Up: Monday, May 14th, 2012



    May 14th, 2012

    A plane crash in Nepal leaves 15 dead; JPMorgan’s CIO resigns after $2 billion in losses; Cyprus’ president will not run for re-election; a new poll shows that most americans support same-sex unions; and the Obama campaign launches a Bain Capital attack ad. Meanwhile, the most popular baby names of 2011 are revealed; Jay-Z will announce a two-day music festival in Philadelphia; and ‘Modern Family’ start Sarah Hyland discusses her recent kidney transplant.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Plane crash in northern Nepal kills 15 people, http://bbc.in/IRf3lR
    Fifteen are dead after a small aircraft carrying 21 people crashed into a Nepalese hillside Monday. A majority of the passengers were traveling to Muktinath temple, a religious site in a mountainous region of Nepal. The plane was attempting to land as it crashed into a muddy slope. Plane crashes involving small aircraft carriers are all too common in the mountainous terrain of Nepal. Among those who survived were two Danish passengers and two Indian infants.

    JPMorgan CIO chief Drew quits after trading loss, http://reut.rs/JOZ5rN
    Ina Drew, JPMorgan’s Chief Investment Officer, resigned Monday after it became clear that she approved trades that led the company to $2 billion in losses. Two of Drew’s subordinates are also expected to resign. JPMorgan’s CEO said in a statement that Drew’s “vast contributions to our company should not be overshadowed by these events.”

    (via Bloomberg) Cypriot President Christofias Says He Won’t Seek Re-election, http://bloom.bg/IRuJpb
    Cypriot president Demetris Christofias said he won’t seek reelection when Cypriots hold presidential elections in February, saying his main task of uniting the divided island hadn’t been accomplished. “The Cyprus issue hasn’t been resolved and I don’t see any definitive progress in coming months,” Christofias told reporters in Nicosia today. “I won’t seek to be re-elected as president. The government will continue according to the constitution with its tasks until it handovers to the new government.” Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded its northern part in response to a Greek inspired coup. The two communities failed to make any progress toward reunification in talks which resumed in 2008, four years after Greek Cypriots rejected a United Nations sponsored settlement plan which Turkish Cypriots accepted.

    Poll: Most Americans support same-sex unions, http://cbsn.ws/JASuDk
    One week after President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage, a CBS News/New York Times poll shows that 38% of Americans believe in same-sex marriage while 24% believe in same-sex civil unions. 33% of Americans believe that there should be no legal recognition of gay couples. The poll results are evidence that support for gay marriage rights has increased over time and is strongest amongst young people. 53% of 18 to 44-year-olds said same-sex couples should be allowed to get married.

    Obama campaign airing first ad critical of Romney’s role in private equity firm, http://wapo.st/J4uf2q
    In an ad released today, President Obama’s campaign takes a negative look at Mitt Romney’s time at Bain Capital. The ad shows GST Steel, which was acquired and then closed down by Bain Capital while Romney was there. “They made as much money off it as they could and they closed it down, they filed for bankruptcy, without any concern for the families or the communities,” says former GST employee Joe Soptic in the ad. “It was like a vampire. They came in and sucked the life out of us.” The ad will run in battleground states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Colorado.

    (via The Associated Press) Greek parties try to form government, stocks tank, http://bit.ly/Jqs6zm
    Fierce political rivalries kept Greece from resolving its leadership crisis as an anti-bailout party refused Monday to return to power-sharing talks.
    For the ninth straight day, Greek party leaders were struggling to form a coalition government, riven by differences over the harsh austerity measures demanded by international creditors in return for rescue loans. The impasse means the debt-stricken country is facing the prospect of another national election next month after holding an inconclusive ballot May 6. Talks led by President Karolos Papoulias failed Sunday to break the impasse, and he invited party leaders back Monday evening to try again. The turmoil in the eurozone nation took a toll on markets across Europe, with shares on the Athens Stock Exchange down 4.4 percent at 584.29 in afternoon trading.

    Panama fisherman adrift at sea sues Florida cruise line for not helping, http://on.msnbc.com/JdzZla
    Eighteen-year-old Panamanian fisherman Adrian Vazquez is suing Princess Cruises after one of its cruise ships did not pick him and two others up while they were stranded at sea for 16 days. Vazquez and his two companions were stranded for two more weeks after the liner passed them by. During these two weeks, Vazquez was the only one to survive. He was eventually found near the Galapagos Islands. According to Princess, passengers did not notify the captain about the stranded fishermen.

    CULTURAL:

    Jay-Z set to announce 2-day Philly music festival, http://on.wsj.com/KmuSVy

    Jacob, Sophia top 2011′s list of most popular baby names from United States, http://cbsn.ws/JPKLzg

    ‘Modern Family’ Star Sarah Hyland Reveals Kidney Transplant, http://bit.ly/Jw2n5F

    ‘Avengers’ Star Chris Hemsworth Welcomes Daughter India, http://on.mtv.com/JPLVen

    Memphis soul bassist ‘Duck’ Dunn dies, http://bit.ly/JA2Pik

     

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com


    News Round-Up: Friday, May 11th, 2012



    May 11th, 2012

    An egregious mistake creates huge losses for JPMorgan; Russia’s Foreign Minister says outside countries are responsible for yesterday’s blasts in Damascus; a shoe-thrower interrupts Anders Breivik’s trial; more details are revealed about the double-agent who foiled the Yemeni bomb plot; Mitt Romney tries to side-step gay rights and shift the nation’s focus back to the economy; and President Obama raises $15 million at George Clooney’s fundraiser. Meanwhile, NBC makes some big changes to its line-up; Russell Brand will host the MTV Movie Awards; and Serena Williams has a new rap song.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    JP Morgan sends Wall Street lower, http://reut.rs/Kf9DF6
    Stock index futures are down today after JPMorgan called an emergency conference call with investors to reveal a trading loss of $2 billion due to “egregious mistakes” on a hedging strategy. As a result, the biggest U.S. bank by assets will most likely post a loss of $800 million this quarter; before this error, it was due to post a $200 million profit. The mistake was from a trader called the “London Whale,” who amassed a outsized position that hedge funds bet against.

    Opposition: Syrian regime orchestrated bombings, http://bit.ly/JIB32d
    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Beijing on Friday that “outside forces” executed the twin blasts that killed at least 40 in Damascus yesterday. “Some countries are inciting outside forces to interfere into the Syrian situation, which is unacceptable,” Lavrov said, although he would not specify the countries he believed responsible. The Syrian government has blamed “terrorists” for the attacks, while the opposition says the government is responsible.

    (via USA Today) Shoe-thrower interrupts Norway killing trial, http://usat.ly/KMIGJS
    The trial of Anders Behring Breivik was interrupted briefly Friday when the brother of one of his 77 victims hurled a shoe at the confessed mass killer and yelled, “Go to hell,” before being escorted from the court room, police and witnesses said. It was the first outburst from the normally subdued crowd watching the terror trial in Oslo’s district court since the proceedings began in mid-April. Breivik — a self-styled, anti-Muslim militant — has been charged with terrorism, admitting he carried out a bomb-and-shooting rampage that stunned Norway on July 22

    Saudi agent in bomb plot held UK passport, source says, http://bit.ly/Jj705T
    More details have been revealed about the CIA double-agent who foiled the Yemeni underwear bomb plot. The agent is Arabic with a British passport and has lived in the UK for many years. He was recruited by Saudi antiterrorist agencies after he had become involved with a group of jihadists and had the ability to pass for a terrorist.

    (via The Seattle Times) NAACP launches voter registration push in Georgia, http://bit.ly/JjajXZ 
    Saying it won’t let recently enacted voter ID laws suppress turnout, the NAACP on Wednesday launched a nationwide drive to register thousands of mostly minority, student and elderly voters before the Nov. 6 elections. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People says these groups could be the ones most affected by laws requiring them to show identification before they can exercise their right to vote.

    Los Angeles event brings $15 million to Obama campaign, http://lat.ms/K6igR4
    In what may be the largest campaign haul to come from one night, George Clooney’s soiree at his Hollywood home garnered the Obama campaign $15 million. For $40,000 a plate, the likes of Diane Von Furstenberg, Robert Downey Jr, and James Brolin were able to rub shoulders with the president and listen to him speak.  ”Obviously yesterday we made some news,” Obama told the crowd.  ”But the truth is it was a logical extension of what America is supposed to be.”

    Romney to shift focus from gay rights to economy, http://apne.ws/INV8CV 
    Mitt Romney is trying to shift the nation’s focus back to the economy after President Obama historically endorsed same-sex marriage. Romney has his work cut out for him as his next campaign stop is in North Carolina, where voters recently decided to ban gay marriage in their state’s constitution. He also will be delivering the commencement address at Liberty University, which was founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell, a strong opposer of gay rights.

    CULTURAL:

    NBC Announces Renewal of Parenthood, 30 Rock, http://bit.ly/JpeT6r

    “Milk” screenwriter warms to Obama after gay marriage announcement, http://trib.in/J5hdMY

    Russell Brand To Host 2012 MTV Movie Awards, http://on.mtv.com/K6wMrR

    Reese Witherspoon’s mom sues her father for bigamy, http://on.msnbc.com/IQMusj

    Serena Williams Make Her Rap Debut With New Song, http://on.mtv.com/KQpQMr

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com


    Student Loan Update



    May 10th, 2012

    Yesterday was a big day for young people in our country — with the President citing that the acceptance of marriage equality is generational and with the student loan interest rate battle continuing on the Senate floor.

    Monday’s 52-45 vote on the Democratic sponsored Senate 2343 (Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act) was nearly party-line. BUT Senator Reid, a key vote, actually voted “no” to maintain the procedural ability to demand another vote once a compromise a reached.  Should the parties agree to a compromise, Senator Reid can bring the legislation up for a vote.

    At this point, both parties’ political rhetoric blames the other side for why they can’t compromise on funding for the bill.  Both parties — and coalition groups — believe a compromise is on the horizon though.

    Through the week, coalition groups are organizing students, and their parents and grandparents, to call their members, and push the “Don’t Block My Rate” campaign through social media channels.  In that spirit, the House Democrats are hosting a Twitter Town Hall tomorrow at 11:30am ET (#AskDems and #DontDoubleMyRate).

    Below are some news clips to read more about yesterday’s vote:

    New York Times. Republicans in Senate Block Bill on Student Loan Rates. By Jonathan Weisman. 5/8/12. Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked consideration of a Democratic bill to prevent the doubling of some student loan interest rates, leaving the legislation in limbo less than two months before rates on subsidized federal loans are set to shoot upward.  Senators said quiet negotiations had begun to resolve the impasse, but Democrats sought to raise the political pressure, vowing to take to the Senate floor to show the cost of inaction for students in their states.  The vote was the Senate Republicans’ 21st successful filibuster of a Democratic bill this Congress, which started in January 2011.  But the student loan filibuster may be the highest-profile stalemate yet, because unlike those earlier bills, this one is not likely to be abandoned.

    Associated Press. Student-loan bill stalled in Senate. By Alan Fram. 5/9/12. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said the vote showed that despite GOP claims that they support preventing an increase in student loan rates, “Republicans showed today that it’s only talk.”  He also noted that the likely GOP presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, supports a temporary extension of today’s low rates and needled, “I suggest he pick up the phone and call Senator McConnell.”  That was a reference to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), who said the battle is a phony one manufactured by Democrats to woo votes from students. Both parties say they want to extend low interest rates.

    Bloomberg. U.S. Senate Republicans Block Student Loan Rate Freeze Plan. By Kathleen Hunter. U.S. Senate Republicans blocked Democrats’ proposal to cover the cost of a one-year freeze in government student loan interest rates by requiring some professional services firms to pay withholding taxes on their income.  The Senate, in a 52-45 vote with 60 required, didn’t advance the plan to avert a July 1 increase in college-loan interest rates to 6.8 percent from 3.4 percent. No Republicans joined Democrats in voting for the measure.  “Over the last few weeks, Senate Republicans have repeatedly claimed they support efforts to keep interest rates low for federal student loans,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said before the vote. The Nevada Democrat urged Republicans to “end the needless filibuster” of the Democratic proposal.

    Talking Points Memo. After Brief Detour, Senate GOP Returns To Obstruction. By Sahil Kapur. 5/9/12. Senate Republicans’ Tuesday filibuster of a Democratic bill to avert a student loan interest rate hike signals a return to familiar territory for the party. The move comes after a brief detour that spurred speculation about whether, with the general election in full swing, Republicans were ready to ease up when it comes to blocking hot-button issues.  The context is an effort by the GOP — and its presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney — to save face with key voting constituencies that strongly favor Democrats and could swing the election: women, young voters and Hispanics.

    Politico. Student loan bill blocked in Senate. By Seung Min Kim. 5/8/12. The legislation failed to muster the 60 votes needed to break a GOP-led filibuster. Senate Republicans vehemently opposed the measure because it would’ve eliminated a tax loophole for certain businesses – a move the GOP called a tax hike on job creators.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) argued that closing the loophole is not a new tax and said he’s more than willing to give Senate Republicans a vote on their alternative plan.  “If they want some other way to pay for it, let’s take a look at it,” Reid said before the vote. “Let them offer that. The stakes in this debate are too high to let partisanship get in the way.”

    Washington Examiner. GOP blocks loan freeze, Dems vow retaliation. By Susan Ferrechio. 5/8/12. Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked legislation that would freeze student loan rates while raising taxes on some small businesses. Democrats have promised to retaliate politically while the two parties hammer out an all-but-certain deal in the near future.  Democrats announced Tuesday they will showcase on the Senate floor examples of hardship experienced by loan-burdened students in an effort to paint the GOP as insensitive to the needs of young people. President Obama and his party have been eagerly seeking the support of voters in the 18-to-29 age range, a group that helped the party reclaim the White House in 2008 and that Democrats need to push Obama to a second term in November.

    The Hill. To fix student loans, respect education. By Rep. Rosa DeLauro. 5/8/12.  The House Republican majority recently passed a budget that deeply slashes Pell Grants for nearly 10 million college students and allows student loan interest rates to double in July. While Democrats began working to prevent this interest rate increase, which would cost the average college student about $1,000 per year of school, one Republican member deemed it and rising college costs a “distraction” from our real problems. What Republicans never seem to understand is that keeping college affordable for students and families is vital not just to the growth of our economy, but to the continued existence of the middle class. In this tough economy, people are turning to colleges and job training because they know that is the future for them, their families and the country. 

    The Hill. Student loans latest casualty of politics. By Rep. Phil Roe. 5/8/12. Since our economic downturn, college graduates have suffered tremendously, experiencing fewer and fewer job opportunities. Nearly half of college graduates are unemployed or underemployed, and debt from student loans is piling up — totaling more than $1 trillion. We need to address these problems with real solutions that give America’s next generation sustainable opportunities for future employment.  An Associated Press analysis of government data reports that half of college graduates are either jobless or are underemployed. All of this has occurred despite policies — most notably the stimulus — enacted in the name of solving this economic crisis. These policies have led to soaring deficits and debt as far as the eye can see.

    The Hill. Debate on student loan debt doesn’t go far enough. By Robert Appelbaum. 5/8/12. As Congress debates the extremely narrow issue of whether to extend the current 3.4% interest rate on Federal Student Loans, or to let that rate expire and, thus, double to its previous level of 6.8%, both sides of the aisle are missing an opportunity to do something unique, decisive and bold: adopt legislation that forgives excessive student loan debt after a reasonable repayment period.  Representative Hansen Clarke (D-Mich.) introduced an unprecedented piece of legislation in March – H.R. 4170, The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, in response to over 660,000 people who signed a petition I started in favor of student loan forgiveness. Yet, despite the public outcry, only one member initially stepped up to put his name and reputation on the line in order to draw attention to the ever-growing crisis of student loan debt.  Rep. Clarke has taken on the role of Champion for the educated poor – the 36 million Americans who are drowning under the weight of their student loan debts. A new petition I started in favor of H.R. 4170 currently has over 939,000 signatures.

    Christian Science Monitor. Student loans: GOP filibuster blocks Senate move to freeze low rates. By David Grant. 5/8/12. Senate Republicans successfully filibustered a Democratic proposal to extend low rates on student loans Tuesday. While both parties say they want the legislation passed, it has fallen prey to polarized election-year politics.  Republicans largely held together in a party-line, 52-to-45 vote that fell short of the 60 votes needed to move the bill to full consideration. The devil, of course, is in the “offset.” Senate Democrats proposed what they call the “Newt Gingrich/John Edwards rule,” that would prevent wealthy individuals from shielding some of their income from payroll taxes by incorporating themselves as S corporations. The rule was so named because Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Edwards both used this financial device.

    The Fiscal Times. Student Loan Bill Caught in a Web of Politics. By Eric Pianin. 5/9/12.  Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked Democrats from acting on a bill aimed at preventing a doubling of interest rates on federal student loans this summer. While both sides and the Obama administration insist they favor legislation that would spare millions of students and graduates a huge boost in their college debt, a festering feud over how to offset cost of holding the interest rate at 3.4 percent is threatening to scuttle the efforts.  The election year dispute highlights a major philosophical and political divide between the two parties, with Democrats insisting that wealthier Americans be required to pay more in taxes to cover necessary spending and to help reduce the deficit, while Republicans insist that any tax increase would hurt the economic recovery  and should be avoided at all costs.

    Amanda Brown
    Bio: Amanda Brown is Rock the Vote's Director of Development and a proud Dartmouth alum.

    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com


    News Round-Up: Thursday, May 10th, 2012



    May 10th, 2012

    At least 40 are dead after twin blasts in Damascus; prosecutors wrap up their case against John Edwards; wreckage from this week’s Russian plane crash is discovered; Democrats demand that the national convention be moved from Charlotte; and after coming out in support of same-sex marriage, President Obama asks for donations and calls out Mitt Romney for ‘backwards’ views. In the entertainment world, Anna Faris and husband Christ Pratt are expecting; Blink 182 cancels tour dates; Rihanna is hospitalized after the Met Gala; and Britney Spears signs a $15 million ‘X-Factor’ deal.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Dozens dead in twin Damascus blasts, http://aje.me/K5ms0T
    Two explosions left 40 people dead and 170 injured in Damascus Thursday. The attacks took place near an intelligence building for security forces and could be heard throughout Syria’s capital city. No one will take responsibility for the blasts; the Syrian government blames the opposition while the opposition claims security forces have carried out attacks near government buildings before.

    Prosecutors won’t call Rielle Hunter in John Edwards trial, http://bit.ly/K1RnNY
    Federal prosecutors will wrap up their case against John Edwards today. They are not expected to call Edwards’ mistress and mother of his four-year-old daughter, Rielle Hunter, to the stand. Legal experts say that it’s not in the prosecutors’ best interest to do so unless Hunter can directly link money she received to two wealthy campaign donors. Edwards’ attorneys will ask the judge presiding over the case to dismiss the charges.

    (via The Associated Press) All passengers feared dead after Russian plane on demo flight crashes in Indonesia,http://fxn.ws/ISRlrQ
    Rescuers discovered the shattered wreckage of a new Russian-made passenger plane Thursday that smashed into the side of an Indonesian volcano during a flight to impress potential buyers. All 45 people on board were feared dead.Due to the remoteness of the crash site and the steep, rugged terrain, the bodies will be placed in nets and lifted by ropes to a hovering chopper, national search and rescue agency spokesman Gagah Prakoso said. Heavy mist was hampering visibility, however, forcing the postponement of evacuations until Friday. “So far we haven’t found any survivors, but we are still searching,” he said as teams of soldiers, police and volunteers continued to troop up the slopes.

    Angry opponents of N.C. amendment call for moving Democratic convention from Charlotte, http://bit.ly/KSPQGn
    Close to 20,000 Democrats have signed a petition to move the Democratic National Convention from Charlotte after North Carolina voters decided to pass Amendment One, which bans same-sex marriage in the state’s constitution. The petition, called “Move the Convention,” is from Gay Marriage USA and demands that the convention be in a “state that upholds equality and liberty, and treats ALL citizens equally.” Democratic officials said yesterday that the convention will not be moved to a new location.

    After marriage announcement, Obama makes money pitch, http://bit.ly/JAi0tp
    A little while after President Obama told ABC News that he supports same-sex marriage, his campaign sent out an e-mail asking for donations. “Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer: I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry,” the email said. “More than 1.9 million people like you power this campaign. If you can, please donate today.”

    (via Christian Science Monitor) New Obama video slams Romney as ‘backwards’ on gay marriage,http://bit.ly/IWaKsM
    President Barack Obama’s campaign moved quickly Thursday to capitalize on his newly announced support for gay marriage, releasing an Internet video that calls his Republican challenger backward on the highly divisive social issue. Obama broke from his long-claimed indecision on the issue to express outright support for the right of homosexual couples to marry. He spoke during an ABC television interview Wednesday. On Thursday morning, his campaign released an Internet video titled “Mitt Romney: Backwards on Equality.” It opens with Obama saying same-sex couples should have the right to marry, then shows a clip of Romney saying Wednesday that he opposes gay marriage and favors rolling back some rights for same-sex couples.

    (via USA Today) Obama campaign helps supporters with new election laws, http://usat.ly/KcEMJl
    New voter ID and registration rules are on the books in 17 states and more are in the pipeline, so the Obama campaign is giving volunteer organizers and voters a crash course on the new election laws. Experts say these new rules could diminish participation among young and minority voters — two groups that are key to President Obama’s re-election strategy. In Florida, where a new law requires political parties to certify organizers registering voters and turn over signed forms within 48 hours or face steep fines, the campaign has begun training volunteers on the details. In Wisconsin, where — barring a successful legal challenge — a new photo ID rule will be in effect, Obama volunteers have hosted talks over sandwiches at private homes and public libraries about the new requirements…. Heather Smith, executive director of Rock the Vote, a non-partisan voter advocacy group targeting young people, said the rules could be a significant roadblock for young voters. About 50% of eligible young voters cast ballots in the 2008 election and voted for Obama by 2-to-1.

    CULTURAL:

    London 2012 Olympics: torch lighting ceremony – as it happened, http://bit.ly/Jg6NAs

    Rihanna hospitalized for exhaustion after Met Gala, http://nyp.st/LXUOXT

    Travis Barker’s Emergency Surgery Forces Blink-182 to Cancel Tour Dates, http://eonli.ne/IWcimI

    Celebrity stylist Vidal Sassoon dead at 84, http://trib.in/IF5dTS

    Anna Faris & Chris Pratt Expecting First Child, http://bit.ly/J3e8Nb

    Britney Spears signs $15 million X Factor deal, http://bit.ly/KcID8Y

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com


    News Round-Up: Wednesday, May 9th, 2012



    May 9th, 2012

    A Russian plane has disappeared in Indonesia; North Carolina voters pass Amendment One; Senate Republicans block the Democratic student loan bill; a prison inmate captures 40% of the West Virginia Democratic primary vote; Senator Lugar is defeated in Indiana’s GOP primary; and a doctor in Houston live tweets brain surgery. Meanwhile, Pippa Middleton will be moving to NYC; Tom Gabel of Against Me! comes out as transgender; two male masseurs have accused John Travolta of sexual assault; and Delta pulls its ads from “The Daily Show.”

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Qaeda bomber adept at breaching aviation security, http://reut.rs/KLZfQL
    Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri, formerly one of the most dangerous militants in al Qaeda, has been arrested after making a non-metallic underwear bomb that could pass through airport security undetected. Asiri, who survived a drone attack last year, created the bomb for an attack that was supposed to take place on the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death. The plot was foiled after Asiri handed the bomb over to a CIA double-agent posing as the would-be bomber.

    Syriza’s Tsipras to meet Greece’s pro-bailout parties, http://bbc.in/Km7YM5
    Alex Tspiras, Greece’s far-left leader who is responsible for forming the country’s government, has said that although he finds the EU’s bailout terms “barbaric,” he will still meet with pro-bailout parties Wednesday. If the two sides cannot negotiate terms then Greece may have new elections in a few weeks. Tspiras has said that he would consider refusing the EU’s bailout in order to avoid its austerity regulations. In response, Germany stated that if Greece refuses the bailout then it will receive absolutely no aid. Tspiras has received support from Greece’s small left-wing party, the Democratic Left, as well as the country’s center-right party.

    (via CNN) Russian plane disappears in demonstration flight in Indonesia, http://bit.ly/Jx2Dj7 
    Russia’s newest civilian airliner disappeared Wednesday from radar screens during a half-hour demonstration flight in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, state-run RIA Novosti news service reported. There were 44 passengers on board. The plane went missing at about 2 p.m. in the area of Bogor, West Java, Indonesian Transportation Ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan told Metro TV. The pilots requested permission to descend from 10,000 feet to 6,000 feet, air traffic controllers said. After that, all radio contact was lost. The plane began making its descent but vanished from radar screens at 6,200 feet in a mountainous area. By the time the plane was due to return it should have burned up its fuel, RIA Novosti said.

    Obama ‘disappointed’ over N.C. marriage ban, http://politi.co/KaD6zV
    President Obama issued a statement saying that he was “disappointed” in North Carolina voters’ decision to pass an amendment to their state’s constitution that would only legally recognize a marriage between a man and a woman. Amendment One passed 61% to 39% after a heavy outpouring of religious voters and support from Billy Graham. The vote saw North Carolina’s largest primary turnout in years. Gay-rights groups will protest the law starting today, and same-sex couples will seek marriage licenses in Wilson and Durham before the law goes into effect in January 2013. Two protestors were arrested in Asheville last night.

    (via Reuters) US Senate Republicans block Democratic student loan bill, http://reut.rs/JeqHrX
    U.S. Senate Republicans blocked on Tuesday a White House-backed bill that would end a tax break for the wealthy in order to pay for an extension of low-interest loan rates for federal student loans. On a mostly party-line vote of 52-45, Democratic backers of the measure fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to clear a Republican procedural roadblock. Regardless, both sides are expected to reach a compromise to prevent a doubling on July 1 of the 3.4 percent interest rate on undergraduate Stafford loans for more than 7 million students.

    A Texas prison inmate gets votes in Democratic primary in West Virginia, http://wapo.st/JZkFwQ
    President Obama lost about 40% of the vote in West Virginia’s Democratic Primary yesterday. The votes went to a prison inmate, Keith Judd, who is incarcerated for making threats at the University of New Mexico over a decade ago. Judd paid $2,500 and filled out a form to get on the state’s ballot, although a Democratic Party spokeswoman says he does not a have a delegate for the Democratic National Convention. Meanwhile, Obama lost 18% of the vote in Oklahoma to Randall Terry, an anti-abortion activist.

    (via The New York Times) Before Primary Win, Mourdock Sought to Block Chrysler’s Bailout, http://nyti.ms/IIEC7m
    Richard Mourdock set the political world abuzz late on Tuesday when he defeated the incumbent Senator Richard G. Lugar in Indiana’s Republican primary, reflecting the power of his conservative and Tea Party backers by ousting a fixture of the Senate…. Mr. Mourdock [is known] for his most notable endeavor in his tenure as Indiana state treasurer: unsuccessfully trying to block Chrysler‘s government-sponsored bankruptcy in the summer of 2009. Such was the fervor of his case that he took his fight all the way to the steps of the Supreme Court.

    Houston Hospital to Live Tweet Brain Surgery, http://bit.ly/Jf67Hz
    Houston neurosurgeon Dr. Dong Kim is live tweeting a brain surgery today starting at 8:30 am. A colleague of Kim’s will live tweet from the operating room, a video camera will  take overview shots, and a photographer will be taking pictures. Kim is removing a tumor from a 21-year-old patient who experiences seizures. He is live tweeting as part of a teaching experience. The photos and information can be found on Twitter, YouTube, TwitPic, CoverItLive, and Pinterest.

    CULTURAL:

    Delta pulls ‘Daily Show’ ads over ‘vagina manger’ skit, http://bit.ly/KaGL0G

    Tom Gabel of Against Me! Comes Out as Transgender, http://bit.ly/Lcx1AF

    Pippa Planning New York Move, http://bit.ly/JfDhW2

    Lawyer for John Travolta Accusers — More Masseurs Will Sue, http://bit.ly/IQeOd9

    Brad Pitt Is the New Face of Chanel No. 5, http://bit.ly/IQf5gg

    ‘The Voice’ champion checks in the morning after winning, http://usat.ly/IY31fa

    Caitlin Maguire
    Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
    @caitlinmagu
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com