Fresh protests over the anti-Islam film erupt in Pakistan; 33,000 troops leave Afghanistan; and the South Korean navy fires warning shots at North Korean boats. Meanwhile, singer Katy Perry climbs a volcano; and rapper Cee Lo Green has a new film project.
Caitlin + David
Critical
Pakistan: 15 reported killed in clashes between police, anti-video protesters, http://wapo.st/SerNdU
At least 15 people have been killed and dozens injured in a series of protests in Pakistan against the anti-Islamic film “Innocence of Muslims.” Pakistan’s government had declared Friday a national holiday and encouraged angry citizens to peacefully demonstrate. However, according to one critic this move gave “a stamp of approval” to protesters, whose actions would inevitably turn violent. The criticism was vindicated by the violence: 12 dead and 82 wounded in the southern port city of Karachi, and 3 dead with 61 wounded in the northwest city of Peshawar. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf issued a renewed call for peace, saying that violent protests “negate the spirit of Islam.”
Panetta: US Surge Troops out of Afghanistan, http://abcn.ws/RJfalY
33,000 American soldiers previously stationed in Afghanistan two years ago, part of a “surge” ordered by President Barack Obama, have been withdrawn from the country. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced the withdrawal, declaring that the surge had accomplished its objective of “reversing the Taliban momentum on the battlefield and dramatically increasing the size and capability of the Afghan national security forces.” Recent instances of violent “insider” attacks by the Afghan military, however, have cast doubts on the effectiveness of U.S. military strategy. Close to 100,000 NATO troops still remain in Afghanistan, including 68,000 Americans.
South Korea navy ‘fires at North Korea fishing boats’, http://bbc.in/QH0C7B
In response to six North Korean fishing boats crossing a disputed nautical border in the Yellow Sea, South Korean navy vessels fired several warning shots causing the North Korean vessels to retreat. No shots hit any of the North Korean boats, and no North Korean military vessels were involved. According to an unnamed South Korean defense ministry spokesman, machine gun rounds were fired twice at the fishing vessels before they retreated from South Korean waters. Reports say this incident is merely the latest in a series of border crossings by North Korean fishermen.
2012
Obama: Immigration Reform Inaction Was ‘Biggest Failure’, http://huff.to/OMD92V
Speaking on Thursday at a Univision News forum, President Obama said that he failed to pass immigration reforms his administration promised, and cited tough economic conditions and opposition from the Republican party for pushing the reforms to a lower spot on the list of priorities, saying “When we talked about immigration reform in the first year, that was before the economy was on the verge of collapse…my first priority was making sure we didn’t fall into a depression.” He singled out Republican Senator John McCain, Obama’s rival in the 2008 presidential race, saying that McCain had previously supported immigration reform but withdrew his support after Obama’s election. The hosts of the Univision forum, predominantly broadcasting to a Hispanic audience, pressed President Obama on what they called failed promises on immigration reform, and also grilled the President on deportations. Obama’s administration has deported more people per month than any administration previous.
Cultural
Katy Perry Shares a Spiritual Photo Atop a Volcano, http://bit.ly/Pv2ktj
‘Battlestar Galactica’s Ron Moore To Adapt ‘A Knight’s Tale’ As Drama Project For ABC, http://bit.ly/R5rMH9
Who Will Win 2012 Emmy Awards?, http://abcn.ws/SedaaF
Cee Lo Starring In Upcoming Animated Comedy “Hotel Transylvania”, http://bit.ly/PuWUON
Inside New York Fashion Week With Kimora Lee Simmons, http://bit.ly/Sb7nm6
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David Heckman Bio: David is a senior English major at UMBC and Communications Intern with Rock the Vote. Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com |
