Archive for the
‘News Round-Up’ Category

Democracy Class continued on to Atlanta today with Jermaine Dupri, State Senator Jason Carter, and Kenny Burns teaching and registering voters at Grady High School. Read more at The Examiner’s website: http://exm.nr/lSjiik. Also check out coverage from Atlanta’s popular radio station, V103, which held a rally for the students following the class: http://bit.ly/mmSX4v.

For those monitoring the War on Voting, restrictive voter laws have progressed in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and South Carolina. Rhode Island’s Senate is expected to have its first vote on voter photo identification laws today.

In today’s news, Bin Laden is still leading in the headlines; millions of pages of documents taken from his compound reveal his plans for future terror attacks and also, details of his relations with his followers; in retaliation for Bin Laden’s death, a Somalian branch of Al Qaeda has threatened the life of President Obama’s step-grandmother. Wikileaks has also struck again as a new cable reveals that the U.S. and other countries are in contention to reap the arctic’s resources. The social networks are abuzz with reports that Facebook hired a PR team to spread bad news about Google. Today’s entertainment news shows us that nothing good can last as Leo DiCaprio and Bar Refaeli split after four and a half years.

CRUCIAL:

Bin Laden’s Wife: ‘I Want To Be Martyred With You,’ http://on.msnbc.com/lKVsYZ

Amal Ahmed Abdel-Fatah al-Sada, one of Osama bin Laden’s three wives, rushed the US Navy SEALS when they invaded Bin Laden’s compound May 2. She was shot in the legs, and is currently in custody with Bin Laden’s other wives. Amal al-Sada’s family has said that she was extremely dedicated to Bin Laden, staying in Afghanistan even when he gave her the option of leaving him during a dangerous time.

Attacking CNN: Our Time Asks If Its Polls Miss Adults Under 30? http://huff.to/jpLJwP

Many CNN polls have featured “N/A” under the columns designated for 18-34 year old input. Matthew Segal, co-founder of Our Time, is demanding CNN release polls with this age group’s data. CNN claims that they are unable to poll enough 18-34 year olds because they reach those surveyed through landlines and not mobile phones, which most young people solely use.

KS: “Senate Rejects Attempt To Toughen Voter ID Bill; Schodorf Says She Feels Guilty About Ever Voting For It,” http://bit.ly/kluMbO

After what seems to be a change of heart towards the recently passed voter law, the Kansas Senate has decided to wait til 2013 (notably, after the 2012 election) to institute it. The law requires that voters show proof of citizenship at the polls.

Ron Paul To Launch W.H. Bid Friday, http://politi.co/iyk0l3

Ron Paul will be making his third run for presidency. He will announce his candidacy Friday on Good Morning America.

AIDS Study Marks Prevention Breakthrough, http://on.wsj.com/kpnByN

A new study shows that antiretroviral drugs help in the treatment of AIDS patients and also significantly lessen the patients’ chances of spreading the disease. Specifically, patients taking the drugs were 96.3% less likely to be spread the virus.

Facebook Hired A PR Firm To Plant Anti-Google Stories In The Media, http://bit.ly/l63x5W

Facebook hired PR Firm, Burson-Marsteller to pitch unflattering stories about Gmail’s Social Circle app to different media outlets. After confronted with evidence, both Facebook and Burson-Marsteller admitted to the scheme.

John McCain on “Bin Laden’s Death And The Debate Over Torture:” http://wapo.st/kCEmBi

CULTURAL

Jim Lehrer Steps Down From Regular Anchor Role On ‘PBS Newshour:’ http://wapo.st/kwvOSo

Mary Tyler Moore Set For Brain Surgery: http://bit.ly/lcKYhk

Will Ferrell, Man Of Many Impressions, Tapped for Twain Prize: http://wapo.st/j26gva

‘Two and a Half Men’ Seeking Sheen Replacement As CBS, Warner Bros. Agree To Split Cost: http://bit.ly/mj1td

Leo & Bar Split: http://nyp.st/j73Dkw

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President Obama wants to reach out to the Muslim world after Osama Bin Laden’s death. Also in the Middle East, Libyan rebels make crucial advancements, while the Syrian government is on the offensive with protestors. Meanwhile, Jon Huntsman reaches out to the youth vote by… telling them he listens to Ben Folds? Donald Trump’s ratings plummet (for the presidency, not “The Apprentice”) and Michaele Salahi joins the housewives ranks of Countess Luann de Lesseps and Kim Zolciak with her new single, “Bump it.”

Maegan + Caitlin

CRUCIAL:

Study: 85% Of College Grads To Move Back In With Mom And Dad http://ti.me/ilDXPp

With the unemployment rate for under 25 year olds at 54%, many college grads will be moving back home after receiving their diplomas this year. This report follows on the heels of yesterday’s Huffington Post article, which stressed that President Obama must address the bleak job market to keep Millennials on his side.

Higher Education And Employment  Prospects For Young Adults: A New State-by-State Analysis http://bit.ly/kOc9wl

Young Invincibles has conducted state by state studies of unemployment rates amongst 22-34 year olds. In what seems to be opposing data to the study referenced in the above Time article, the average unemployment rate for this age group is 4% for those with Bachelor degrees and 13% for those with high school degrees.

President To Renew Muslim Outreach http://on.wsj.com/laC14V

President Obama is taking the opportunity to reach out to the Muslim world after Osama Bin Laden’s death. In a speech he will give as early as next week, Obama will stress that the Muslim world is at a cross-roads in progressive relations with the Western world. His administration is still deciding if the President’s speech should delineate a plan for peace relations between Israel and Palestine.

Hunting For The Youth Vote http://on.wsj.com/mqWpn2

Republican Jon Huntsman is reaching out to youth in order to gain name recognition for a 2012 presidential run.

Texas Voter ID Appears To Be Headed To Governor To Become Law http://bit.ly/ivDXTk

Republican legislation that necessitates all Texans to show a photo id before voting will most likely be signed into law after it passed in the Senate on Monday.

Trump Collapses http://bit.ly/kfHLsW

A new poll shows that the amount of people who support Donald Trump’s bid for 2012 has dropped from 26% to 8%.

Wikipedia’s Jimmy Wales Takes Wiki Work Seriously http://usat.ly/jPX0FZ

With Wikipedia’s readership being 87% male, Jimmy Wales has high hopes that its sister site, Wikia, will draw in a larger female audience. With Wikia, users create fan sites for their favorite movies, TV shows, and games.

Rebecca Price’s ‘Where Did Hillary and Audrey Go? Writing Women Out of History’ http://huff.to/mIIJY1

CULTURAL:

White House Crasher Michaele Salahi To Release Single, ‘Bump It,’ This Week: http://bit.ly/j2pdpW

Bristol Palin Says She Had Corrective Jaw Surgery: http://yhoo.it/k5RYSj

Cannes Honorary Award Goes To “Last Tango” Director: http://reut.rs/iBvTZh

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The New York Times releases details on President Obama’s planning for the raid on Osama Bin Laden. US officials will also interview Bin Laden’s widows in hopes to find out more about his life in Pakistan. Looking ahead to 2012, the Huffington Post is reporting that President Obama must address the discouraging job market if he wants to keep Millennials as an ally; Newt Gingrich is showcasing his wife; and Mitt Romney will reveal his stance on health care. Meanwhile, technology news is abound today as Microsoft acquires Skype, Google unveils its new music service, and 23,000 Bit Torrent users find themselves in some legal trouble. In the high-profiled relationship world, Arnold and Maria split after 25 years of marriage, while Kate and Will are little happier than the aforementioned couple as they honeymoon in Seychelles.

Maegan + Caitlin

CRUCIAL:

To Maintain the Support of the Youth Vote, President Obama has to Do More About the Job Market http://huff.to/l3a17t

According to the Huffington Post, research shows that President Obama still has an ally in Millennials. However, many college graduates are entering a discouraging job market that Obama must address in order to keep the youth vote in 2012.

Microsoft to Buy Skype http://bit.ly/kPfk6U

Microsoft is buying the voice-over-Internet company Skype for $8.5 billion.

NATO Increases Bombing Efforts in Libya http://wapo.st/irakWF

In the largest attacks on Tripoli in weeks, NATO bombs targeted areas that would weaken Gaddafi and his forces. The attacks have helped the Rebels to make useful advances.

Immigration Advocates Unhappy with President Obama’s Plans Regarding the Hot Button Issue http://bit.ly/ksc8AZ

Immigration advocates are saying the President Obama’s plan for an all encompassing immigration bill is not immediate or satisfying enough to win over Hispanics in 2012. Advocates would rather he use his executive power to keep deported illegal immigrants, such as college students who would have been protected by the DREAM Act, in the country.

Romney to Address his Position on Health Care this Thursday http://bo.st/iqSJib

Mitt Romney hopes to make clear his position on health care in a speech at University of Michigan Ann Arbor this Thursday. His healthcare plan when he was governor of Massachusetts is said to be similar to Obama’s health care plan. With his speech, Romney hopes to gain the trust of Republicans suspicious that he supports universal health care.

David Brooks on Why America is Less Industrious than Ever: http://nyti.ms/ip19mo

Ezra Klein on Today’s Health Care Reform Court Hearing: http://wapo.st/m0Hqwm

CULTURAL:

Arnold Schwarzengger and Maria Shriver Split After 25 Years of Marriage: http://lat.ms/kumlcI

Michelle Obama Invites Controversial Rapper, Common to the White House: http://bit.ly/l4vRLO

Will and Kate Honeymoon in Seychelles: http://bit.ly/kY60eN

Taylor Momsen and Jessica Szohr are Leaving “Gossip Girl:” http://bit.ly/lRsVdP

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