In today’s news, an Afghan gunman kills an American citizen in Kabul; the NYPD has been caught on tape pepper spraying Occupy Wall Street protesters; a Michigan State University study changes what we knew about youth voting; and Obama takes a jab at Perry and the GOP debate audience. In entertainment news, Molly Sims is married and Colin Powell jumps on the book bandwagon.
Coral + Caitlin
CRUCIAL
Congress Stays in Washington as Shutdown Looms, http://bit.ly/o83ho3
Congress will stay in Washington this week to prevent a government shutdown, as it made no progress over the weekend. FEMA is using 30 to 40 million dollars a day to aid victims of hurricane Irene. The government’s yearly budget must be agreed upon soon as disaster aid could run out Tuesday. The Senate is scheduled to vote on a bill on Monday that will fund the government until November 18th and give it enough time to figure out its budget for the rest of the fiscal year.
Gunman Kills American at Kabul CIA Office, http://on.wsj.com/r74T7Q
Late Sunday night, an Afghan gunman killed one American citizen and wounded another at the Central Intelligence Agency’s office in Kabul. The attacker was said to have the trust of the CIA and was a possible informant. The gunman attacked alone and used an American weapon for the assault.
Occupy Wall Street: Demonstration Turns Violent with Pepper Spray; 80 Protesters Arrested [VIDEO], http://bit.ly/nxSgGE
New York police have been caught on tape trapping Occupy Wall Street protesters in an orange net and pepper spraying them, supposedly without provocation. 80 people were said to have been arrested that day including arrests for disorderly conduct and obstructing vehicular and pedestrian traffic in addition to assault of a police officer.
Army to cut 8.6% of troops, http://bit.ly/oUnUVG
In March, the Army will begin to cut 50,000 troops; the cuts will be over 5 years. “We feel that with the demand going down in Iraq and Afghanistan, and given the time to conduct a reasonable drawdown, we can manage (the force reduction) just as we have managed drawdowns in the past,” Army Times quotes Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick as saying.
India floods situation worsens in UP, Bihar and Orissa, http://bbc.in/nSD04I
More than 80 people have died due to the flooding in India. Heavy rains in Uttar Pradesh (UP) have killed more than 30 people. The monsoon rains have been affecting the area for the past two weeks, and they are expected to continue for at least two more days. The Indian Air Force has been called in to help as hundreds of thousands have been forced to climb on top of houses or trees to seek relief from the waters.
Study “changes our understanding” of youth voting behavior, http://bit.ly/p62I0d
Michigan State University (MSU) has performed a study that shows low-income students are more likely to vote if they are engaged in political activism. Before, the thought was that students were either involved in protests or voting but uncommonly both. MSU’s research suggests if high school civics teachers engage their classes in discussions about social issues and politics, students will be more likely to head to the polls.
Obama takes shots at Perry, GOP debate audiences, http://wapo.st/o1QUug
President Obama’s campaign is in full swing, and he’s taking shots at Governor Rick Perry. On Sunday, at a fundraiser at the Silicon Valley home of John Thompson, chairman of Symantec Corporation, Obama made remarks saying, “a governor whose state is on fire, denying climate change.” He also scrutinized the GOP debate audience, calling them out for cheering at the prospect of an uninsured man dying and for booing gay service men.
The end of straw polls?, http://wapo.st/rv4fr0
Presidential Candidate Herman Cain won the P5 straw poll in Florida on Saturday. The P5 poll has been won by the later GOP nominee for the past 32 years. However right now, Cain does not seem to be a likely candidate for the nomination. As a result, candidates are considering no longer participating in straw polls. Candidate Mitt Romney, a front runner for the election, has even opted to not campaign in the the straw polls this year.
Netflix nabs DreamWorks, Amazon signs Fox, http://bit.ly/poytCU
Many Netflix subscribers have become disappointed in the company. However, Netflix is taking a step in the right direction by announcing a partnership with DreamWorks that will begin in 2013. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Instant Video is shaping up to be a tough competitor, as it will partner with FOX film and television.
CULTURAL
Todd G. Buchholz reviews, “Germany’s Mediterranean Envy,” http://nyti.ms/oy1IZW
John Avlon discusses the GOP’s “Jeers for a Gay Soldier,” http://bit.ly/nkdDbB
Doritos Creator Dies at 97, http://bit.ly/qlolhH
Kenya’s Nobel peace laureate Wangari Maathai dies, http://bit.ly/oCIBgY
Colin Powell Writes New Book, http://bit.ly/oksQm0
Molly Sims Marries Scott Stuber, http://bit.ly/qPPrfz
