News Round-Up: Thursday, April 7, 2011

Will the government shut down tomorrow? Talks are growing more serious with still no agreement to be seen. Tragically, another strong aftershock earthquake hits Japan, and a tsunami is expected to follow. Meanwhile, Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera are expected to leave their respective positions on The Today Show, YouTube is planning a site overhaul and Tina Fey announces baby number two.

CRUCIAL:

With No Sign of a Deal, Barack Obama Turns Up Heat on Congress, http://politi.co/eMJwbB

After what some thought was failing to be involved enough in budget talks, Obama invited both Senate and House leadership to work towards a deal in the Oval Office last night.  He has become more vocal in recent days about the urgency of the budget crisis, saying there is “no reason why we should have a government shutdown”.  However, Congress has as of yet failed to reach a deal for the budget proposal.

Wisconsin Judge Race Heads for Recount, http://on.wsj.com/ehcMGi

In one of the most highly publicized judicial races in recent memory, the Democratic-backed JoAnne Kloppenburg seems to have won victory by a slim margin of 204 votes.  This election is important because it may influence whether or not the Wisconsin Supreme Court to overturn the state’s new collective bargaining law.  The opposition has 3 days to decide whether to ask for a recount.

Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Hits Japan, Tsunami Expected, http://bit.ly/gj5lqH

The latest earthquake hit Japan is being called a strong aftershock and hit near Honshu. Waves of up to 2 meters have been spotted, and a Tsunami is expected to follow.

Australia requiring grim pictures to replace logos on cigarette boxes, http://bit.ly/e3zAFf

Tobacco companies in Australia will be forced to strip all logos from their cigarette packages and replace them with graphic images such as cancer-riddled mouths and sickly children under legislation unveiled Thursday, which the government says will make Australia the world’s toughest country on tobacco advertising.

YouTube Recasts for New Viewers, http://on.wsj.com/i9wGKi

In order to compete with television streaming sites that seem to be on the rise, YouTube will create original programing and post it to its new and improved home page.

Glenn Beck to transition off his daily programming with Fox News, http://fxn.ws/eeI0mT

Fox News and Glenn Beck announced Wednesday that they will team up to produce a slate of new projects for Fox News Channel and its digital spaces. ABC is speculating replacements.

Matt Lauer Leaving the Today Show, http://bit.ly/hWQw40

Matt Lauer has said he will be leaving the show in December 2012 when his contract is set to end. This follows yesterday’s news that Meredith Viera would also be leaving the program.

CULTURAL:

Tina Fey announces she is pregnant with her second child: http://bit.ly/g9lnK7

Hangover 2 trailer pulled for being too offensive: http://bit.ly/f6ekmQ

Lady Gaga confronts anti-gay protester: http://bit.ly/fPRpEz

Flashback! Photos of 90s girl groups and boy bands: http://bit.ly/hWL5D7

LeBron James’ mother arrested in Miami: http://bit.ly/eKJccV

New TLC show tracks the behavior of extreme couponers: http://bit.ly/fUKED2

J.J. Abrams to release a novel in 2012…if the world doesn’t end first: http://bit.ly/e36lh2

‘Atlas Shrugged’ becomes first movie to target Tea Party: http://bit.ly/g9J6XL

Tags: 2011 budget, Atlas Shrugged, Australia, Cigarette, Extreme Couponers, FOX News, Glenn Beck, Government Shutdown, Hangover 2, J.J. Abrams, Japan, Laga Gaga, Lebron James, Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera, Obama, Tea Party, Tina Fey, TLC, Today Show, tsunami, Wisconsin Supreme Court, YouTube

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