President Obama will reveal a corporate tax reform plan; two more journalists have died in Syria; Iran relations sour over nuclear negotiation talks; and Romney and Santorum duke it out in various national voting polls. Meanwhile, Google plans to sell “Terminator” glasses to augment the smartphone; President Obama continues his singing career; and Adele joins M.I.A. in flipping the bird on television.
Kelly + Caitlin
CRUCIAL:
Obama to offer corporate tax reform plan, http://bit.ly/z5cZfo
President Obama’s corporate tax reform plan will be unveiled by the Treasury Department today. The plan aims to reduce the rate paid by corporations, which would lower the overall tax rate from 35 percent to 28 percent. A senior administration official says that the lower rate would be funded by eliminating tax loopholes, subsidies, and expanding business taxes. The tax plan proposes more manufacturing research, development, and production of clean energy. It will also cut taxes and simplify the tax code for small U.S. businesses and entrepreneurs. The current corporate tax rate is among the highest in the world, with critics complaining that it discourages foreign investment and prohibits U.S. companies from competing internationally.
2 Western journalists killed in Syria, opposition activists say, http://bit.ly/y74OJo
Amid heavy shelling in the Syrian city of Homs, it’s reported that two Western journalists have been killed. The Sunday Times of London confirmed that British newspaper journalist Marie Colvin, who stayed in Syria a day later than originally planned in order to work on a story, has died. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe has also confirmed that journalist Remi Ochlik was killed in a bombing. The deaths follow The New York Times’ loss of reporter Anthony Shadid, who was working in eastern Syria when he suffered a fatal asthma attack. In addition, twenty-seven Syrians were killed on Wednesday. The dead include 20 from the Bab Amr neighborhood of Homs, where Colvin and Ochlik were stationed.
UN nuclear agency reports failed Iran talks, http://bit.ly/zU7sqn
After a trip to Iran to investigate the country’s nuclear weapon strides, the U.N. nuclear agency is reporting failure, with an official citing not being able to “find a way forward” to talk with Iran about suspected arms. In addition to this, Tehran is resisting demands to discuss any nuclear activity even with international sanctions against Iran growing. Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency had hoped to talk to Iranian scientists about their weapons program and inspect documents related to nuclear work. Officials are reporting that they will try to remain in constructive spirits with Iran. It is now up to the 35-nation IAEA board to decide on its next response.
NBC Poll: Romney, Santorum deadlocked in Michigan; Romney leads in Arizona, http://on.msnbc.com/wmr1HZ
A week out before the Republican presidential primary in Michigan, a new poll shows Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are in a tie in Michigan, while Romney holds a cushioned lead in Arizona. Romney holds 37 percent of support in Michigan while Santorum holds 35 percent. Ron Paul is reported to have 13 percent and Newt Gingrich is coming in last with 8 percent.
Santorum Up 9 Points Among Republican Voters, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Obama Edges Santorum, But Romney Is Too Close To Call, http://bit.ly/zHKdKO
In a national poll, former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum now leads the Republican presidential race by 35 percent. Mitt Romney has scored 26 percent among nationwide Republican and Independent voters. In a November match-up, Obama shows to edge out Santorum, 47 to 44 percent, but still contends a close race with Romney, 46 percent to 44 percent. Newt Gingrich weighs in with 14 percent of support while Ron Paul holds 11 percent.
Google to Sell Heads-Up Display Glasses by Year’s End, http://nyti.ms/z4QYPU
Doing away with the hassle of rummaging in pockets to find a smartphone, Google is creating a pair of glasses that will be able to stream information in front of the wearer’s eyeballs in real time. The glasses will go on sale publicly by the end of the year and are expected to cost around $250 to $600. The glasses will be Android-based, with a small screen sitting a few inches from the wearer’s eye. They will have a small camera built in which will monitor the wearer’s world and relay information about surrounding locations, buildings, and friends nearby. The product is reported to resemble a pair of Oakley Thumps.
CULTURAL:
President Obama sings ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ with B.B. King and Buddy Guy, http://wapo.st/yHYtkI
Adele flips off producers at Brit Awards, http://bit.ly/AkcI30
Kourtney Kardashian Reveals Sex of Baby, http://eonli.ne/A7Vap4
‘Amazing Race’ producer Jeff Rice found dead in Africa of suspected poisoning, http://thedc.com/xlfF3B
Massive Pink Diamond Discovered in Australia, Worth Over $10 Million, http://huff.to/zcnjeY
Tags: adele, Alain Juppe, Amazing Race, Android, anthony shadid, Arizona, Australia, B.B. King, Barack Obama, Buddy Guy, Google, Homs, International Atomic Energy Agency, iran, Jeff Rice, Kourtney Kardashian, m.i.a., Marie Colvin, Michigan, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Oakley, President Obama, Quinnipiac University, Remi Ochlik, rick santorum, Ron Paul, Syria, Tehran, Terminator, Treasury Department, U.N. nuclear agency, United Nations
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Kelly Holleran Bio: Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com |
