Three die at a Marine base shooting; Obama travels to Jordan on his last stop in the Middle East; Myanmar riots increase fears of widening sectarian violence; and Colorado legalizes same-sex civil unions. Meanwhile, Ryan Gosling takes an acting break, and John Mayer announces his first tour in three years.
Caitlin + Liza
CRUCIAL:
Marine base shooting an apparent double murder-suicide, http://cbsn.ws/YJCEui
Three were killed at Virginia’s Quantico Marine Corps Base Thursday night when a Marine shot a male and female colleague before shooting himself. Authorities have yet to uncover a motive behind the incident, but base commander David Maxwell said a “very lengthy” investigation will ensue. Victims’ names have not been released, but all three were staff members at the base’s Officer Candidates School.
Obama to shore up ally Jordan on last stop in Mideast, http://reut.rs/WEZEOx
President Obama will fly to Jordan on Friday after wrapping up the final day of his first official visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. In Jordan, a key American ally in the Middle East, Obama and King Abdullah are expected to discuss civil war in Syria and prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Obama hopes to reassure Jordan of America’s support as the nation deals with an influx of neighboring Syria’s refugees and handles the “Arab Spring” fallout. Jordan is also one of just two Arab states, the other being Egypt, that has signed peace treaties with Israel, and could be a potential American partner in leading Israeli-Palestinean peace talks.
Colorado Law Allows Same-Sex Civil Unions in ‘Hate State’, http://bloom.bg/10q70Xr
Colorado passed legislation on Thursday legalizing same-sex civil unions, becoming the 15th state to recognize either same-sex marriage or civil unions. The law marks a dramatic departure for Colorado from its reputation as the “hate state,” a label it gained in 1992 when voters passed a constitutional amendment banning local ordinances to protect gay rights. “The gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual community is part of all of us,” Colorado Governor and Democrat John Hickenlooper said. “There’s no excuse that people shouldn’t have the same rights.” Advocates are expected to continue pushing for legalizing gay marriage in the state.
Saturday Postal Pullback in Limbo, http://on.wsj.com/Z8WmQg
The U.S Postal Service says it wants to stop delivering mail on Saturdays starting this summer in an effort to offset its financial struggles, sparking disagreement in Congress over a mandate requiring the postal service to deliver mail six days a week. A bill on government spending for the remainder of the 2013 year includes the same six-day mandate that has stood for thirty years, and is expected to pass in Congress. But some Senate Republicans are pushing to change the bill and drop the mandate, allowing the postal service, which dealt with almost $16 billion in losses last year, to stop delivering six days. The postal service is prepared for a showdown if Congress does not drop the mandate.
Obama in Israel: ‘The Holocaust will never happen again’, http://politi.co/10sqdHS
President Obama visited Israel’s Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem, on Friday, the last day of his visit to the country, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. The president visited the museum’s memorial site dedicated to the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust and delivered a speech at a service held by the museum. “Here on your ancient land, let it be said for all the world to hear,” the president remarked. “The state of Israel does not exist because of the Holocaust, but in the survival of a strong Jewish state of Israel the Holocaust will never happen again.”
Myanmar riots stroke fears of widening sectarian violence, http://reut.rs/ZQvJSJ
Myanmar has declared a state of emergency and martial law in four central townships in response to riots between Buddhists and Muslims that broke out on Wednesday. Twenty have been killed and dozens wounded amidst the riots, and two camps have been set up to hold over 2,000 displaced by fighting. Asia’s newest Democratic country, Myanmar became free from 49 years of military rule in 2011, but ethnic conflicts have plagued the nation ever since. Last year, 110 were killed and 110,00 left homeless after conflict between Buddhists and Muslims broke out in western Myanmar.
CULTURAL:
Ryan Gosling On Taking a Break, http://huff.to/14cejFs
Lindsay Vonn: Tiger Wood’s Past Doesn’t Freak Me Out, http://bit.ly/ZO8p8b
John Mayer Announces First Tour in 3 Years, http://bit.ly/16MgRtp
Lil Wayne: I’m More Than Good After Hospitalization for Seizure, http://eonli.ne/ZZNs8L
Tags: Colorado, Holocaust, israel, john mayer, Jordan, Lil Wayne, lindsay vonn, myanmar, Quantico Marine Corps, Ryan Gosling, Same-Sex Marriage, Tiger Woods, U.S. Postal Service
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Liza Dee Bio: Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com |
