Arab League observers will soon leave Syria; secret tapes from JFK’s last day have been released; and Mitt Romney’s tax returns are revealed. Meanwhile, 2012 Oscar nominations are out; Tracy Morgan is back at work; and Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler were pleasantly surprised by their pregnancy news.
Caitlin
CRUCIAL:
Gulf Arab states to pull observers from Syria, http://bbc.in/zLYu8K
The Gulf Cooperation Council is preparing to withdraw from Syria causing the Arab League to lose six more observers. The withdrawal comes after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad refused the observers’ proposal that he relinquish power to a deputy and add opposition to the government. Assad called the proposition “flagrant interference.” The head of the observers says their mission is succeeding; however, a Kuwaiti newspaper is reporting that the GCC does not want to be “false witnesses to crimes committed against civilians.” The members of the council, which include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar, are urging the U.N. Security Council to to take “all needed measures … to press Syria to implement the Arab League and the Arab initiative on Syria.”
Secret tapes of JFK’s last days released, http://on.msnbc.com/yF68SC
President John F. Kennedy’s library has released the last 45 hours of his secret tapes that include conversations between him and others regarding Vietnam, Soviet relations, the space race, and his reelection. The tapes are part of 260 hours of private meetings and phone conversations that JFK had recorded. In these last 45 hours, which took place during the final months of his life, Kennedy worries about the disconnect between Washington and the rest of America and discusses reaching young voters. At one point, he introduces Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko to his children, Caroline and John Jr.
(via The Los Angeles Times) Texas’ attorney general announced Monday that the state has sued in federal court for permission to enforce its controversial voter identification law. “The U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that voter identification laws are constitutional,” Atty. Gen. Greg Abbott said in a statement released to The Times. “Texas should be allowed the same authority other states have to protect the integrity of elections. To fast-track that authority, Texas is taking legal action in a D.C. court seeking approval of its voter identification law.” http://lat.ms/zhRXa7
Mitt Romney’s tax returns shed some light on his investment wealth, http://wapo.st/z2bklG
Mitt Romney has released a preview of his tax returns to The Washington Post showing that he made $20.9 million from profits, dividends, and investment interests in 2011. In 2010, Romney paid a 13.9 percent tax rate or $3 million, and in 2011, he paid 15.4 percent. The documents also show that Romney has a Swiss bank account and foreign investments in Luxembourg, Ireland, and the Cayman Islands, all of which are legally taxed and bring in little income. His overall net worth is between $190 million and $250 million.
Julian Assange says he’s launching TV talk show, http://apne.ws/ziJ3ud
According to a statement from Wikileaks, founder Julian Assange is launching a TV talk show that will “draw together controversial voices from across the political spectrum – iconoclasts, visionaries and power insiders—each to offer a window on the world tomorrow.” The statement did not mention how the TV show will be produced or distributed.
Costa Concordia: oil salvage operation under way, http://tgr.ph/yrZFIO
Salvage operations have begun on the Costa Concordia. The crew is inspecting the ship from the inside while another team pumps oil on to an outside barge. It will take four to six weeks to completely empty the fuel. Two more bodies were discovered yesterday, bringing the death toll to 15. 20 people are still missing.
Strongest solar storm since 2005 hitting Earth, http://yhoo.it/w7ZnLs
Earth is currently in the strongest solar storm since 2005. The solar flare began Sunday night and will most likely continue through tomorrow. Radiation from the storm may cause satellite disruptions or communication problems for polar-travelling airplanes. However, effects on earth will not be felt. In 1989, a solar storm caused a blackout in Quebec, and last year a freak storm caused auroras to be seen as far south as Alabama.
CULTURAL:
Oscars nominations 2012: ‘Hugo,’ ‘The Artist’ dominate the field, http://lat.ms/wD56V5
Disney changes dress code to allow employees to grow beards, http://lat.ms/zaWw1i
‘The Boss’ to perform at Jazz Fest, http://bit.ly/zKJ35B
Tracy Morgan: Out of Hospital, Back at Work on ’30 Rock,’ http://reut.rs/wumpQP
Kristin Cavallari, Jay Cutler reportedly surprised by pregnancy, http://bit.ly/A3p2KA
Tags: 30 rock, Academy Awards, andrei gromyko, bruce springsteen, Caroline Kennedy, costa concordia, Disney, GCC, greg abbott, gulf cooperation council, hugo, Jay Cutler, jazz fest, John F Kennedy, Julian Assange, Kristin Cavallari, Mitt Romney, president bashar al-assad, the artist, Tracy Morgan, u.n. security council, WikiLeaks
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Caitlin Maguire Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote @caitlinmagu Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com |
