Senate Republicans slam House Republicans for defeating the payroll tax-cut; Kim Jong-un will not have absolute power as leader of North Korea; 8 U.S. troops have been charged in relation to a comrade’s suicide; pundits discuss Ron Paul’s youth appeal; and the most expensive apartment in Manhattan’s history has been purchased by a 22-year-old. Meanwhile, “The Hobbit” trailer has been released, and HBO has cancelled three of its shows.
Caitlin
CRUCIAL:
Obama, Boehner square off in payroll tax fight, http://bit.ly/vCymnY
House Republicans have started to leave for their vacations after rejecting a Senate bipartisan compromise for extending the payroll tax-cut. As a result, angry Senate Republicans are slamming their counterparts. “It is harming the Republican Party,” Senator John McCain said on CNN. An anonymous Republican Senator added, “This is a colossal fumble by the House Republicans. Their inability to recognize a win is costing our party our long-held advantage on the key issue of tax relief. It’s time for Boehner and [House Majority Leader Eric] Cantor to look these rookies in the eye and explain how the game is won or lost.”
8 U.S. soldiers charged in death of comrade in Afghanistan, http://wapo.st/thCRS9
Eight U.S. soldiers are being charged with counts relating to the alleged suicide of one of their comrades. 19-year-old Pvt. Danny Chen died in Kandahar in October after being mentally and physically abused by his fellow troops. The troops are being charged with dereliction of duty, negligent homicide, and reckless endangerment; they have also been transferred or relieved of their duties. The U.S. military unsealed the charges today but declined to answer whether or not Chen’s death was a suicide.
Exclusive: North Korea’s military to share power with Kim’s heir, http://reut.rs/sd9YM0
A source tells Reuters that Kim Jong-il’s heir, Kim Jong-un, will not have absolute power as ruler of North Korea. Instead he will rule with his uncle, Jang Song-thaek, and military leaders. Kim will still head the ruling committee; however, this is the first time since 1948 that North Korea is not led by a single ruler. According to Reuters, Kim Jong-il made these arrangements before his death. Jang Song-thaek, Kim Jong-un’s uncle who he will share power with, is married to Kim Jong-il’s sister who has been characterized as a “mean drunk” by her rivals.
Billionaire’s Daughter Pays Record Sum For NYC Pad, http://onforb.es/vUNS2q
The most expensive apartment in Manhattan’s history has been sold to a 22-year-old girl. Ekaterina Rybolovleva, the daughter of Russian billionaire, Dmitriy Rybolovlevagary, has paid $88 million for former Citigroup Chairman Sandy Weill’s 6,744-square-foot, 10-room condominium. Rybolovleva is a student at an undisclosed U.S. college and will stay in the condo when she visits New York City.
Gary Johnson to drop out of GOP primary to run as Libertarian, http://politi.co/suURuM
Former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson has dropped out of the GOP primary to run as a Libertarian instead. Johnson, who has not caught on with voters and appeared in one debate, had stated that “there’s not much hope” for his chances in the Republican race. Johnson has not officially announced his party switch, but the Libertarian Party chairman told POLITICO that Johnson’s decision is “the worst kept secret.” His formal announcement will be made December 28 in Santa Fe.
Chinese Computer Hackers Hit U.S. Chamber of Commerce, http://fxn.ws/vpPTIZ
According to the Wall Street Journal, a group of Chinese hackers attacked the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the country’s largest pro-business lobby, in 2009 and 2010. The hackers gained access to everything stored on the lobby’s systems, including information about its 3 million members. Apparently, they were targeting four Chamber employees who worked on Asia policy, stealing six weeks worth of their e-mails. It may even be possible that the hackers had access to the network for more than a year as the breach was finally discovered in May of 2010. The Chamber has since overhauled its network security.
Wendy’s Stages a Palace Coup, http://on.wsj.com/tv7W3q
Wendy’s is set to overtake Burger King to become the second largest U.S. fast-food chain in sales. This is the first time Wendy’s has overtaken Burger King since Wendy’s inception in 1969. Wendy’s gains of $8.42 billion in sales this year comes without the chain opening any new restaurants. In fact, it operates 5,800 restaurants while Burger King has 7,200. McDonalds is still the number one U.S. fast-food chain with more restaurants than Wendy’s and Burger King combined and almost four times their sales.
CULTURAL:
Tolkien fans get first glimpse of The Hobbit film, http://tgr.ph/v5pw0p
HBO Cancels ‘How To Make It In America,’ ‘Bored to Death’ And ‘Hung,’ http://bit.ly/uRwnBp
Prince Harry Heading Back to Afghanistan, http://eonli.ne/sJ7bbT
David Copperfield outbid for Orson Welles’ Oscar, http://bit.ly/rEGUsJ
Slim Dunkin Reportedly Murdered After Fight Over Candy, http://on.mtv.com/u6LkOK
