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    ‘al qaeda’


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Friday, January 20, 2012

    Friday, January 20th, 2012

    France threatens to remove troops from Afghanistan; Iran shuts down toy stores for selling Barbie dolls; Gingrich releases his tax returns; and time to start paying for Showtime and HBO, the U.S. government has shut down Megaupload. Meanwhile, President Obama makes our “entertainment” section again this week – this time for singing Al Green at a fundraiser.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL: 

    France threatens to pull its troops out of Afghanistan early, http://usat.ly/x55oyw
    France has threatened to pull its troops out of Afghanistan after an Afghan troop killed four French NATO personnel. The deaths bring the number of French casualties in Afghanistan to 82. “The French army is not in Afghanistan so that Afghan soldiers can shoot at them,” President Sarkozy said. Afghan President Hamid Karzai will meet with Sarkozy in Paris next week. Six NATO soldiers were killed in a separate helicopter crash early this morning. Early signs indicate that they were Americans.

    Iran shuts down shops selling Barbie dolls, http://apne.ws/wct2rX
    Iran has confiscated Barbie dolls and shut down dozens of toy stores for selling them. An unnamed Iranian police official said that this marks a “new phase” in the country’s crackdown against “manifestations of Western culture.” Iran has banned the sale of Barbie dolls since the mid-1990s.

    Gingrich paid just under $1M in taxes for 2010, http://usat.ly/yvNyHC
    Gingrich kept his promise and released his tax return for 2010 during last night’s GOP debate. He paid taxes of $994,708 on an adjusted gross income of $3,142,066. On Wednesday, Gingrich said he paid an effective tax rate of 31% while Mitt Romney admitted earlier this week that he pays “closer to 15%.” Gingrich also said that if he were to debate Obama, it would be a battle of knowledge and a teleprompter. After being booed, Romney said he would release his tax returns once he’s the nominee. Ron Paul noted that he’s too embarrassed to show his numbers next to Romney and Gingrich while Santorum said his taxes are on his home computer.

    Treasure haul as N.Z. police raid Megaupload guru, http://bit.ly/wSPIGB
    Yesterday, New Zealand police raided the fortified mansion of Megaupload founder “Kim Dotcom,” who is now being accused of online piracy in one of the largest cases of of copyright theft in U.S. history.  Armed officers arrested Kim Schmitz, a 37-year-old German citizen with New Zealand and Hong Kong residency, denying him bail with three other men on Friday in a court appearance. Police seized a pink Cadillac, a sawed-off shotgun, and froze millions of dollars in cash after raiding Schmitz’s mansion. The U.S. government shut down Megaupload yesterday causing a hacking sweep of government websites.

    Senior al Qaeda figure killed in drone strike, http://reut.rs/wdbxtT
    U.S. officials said Thursday that a “senior operations organizer” for al Qaeda was killed by a drone strike in Pakistan last week. Aslam Awan was the last member of a Pakistan-based al Qaeda cell that Pakistani police have been trying to eliminate since 2008.

    Wildfire Near Reno Destroys More Than 20 Homes, http://nyti.ms/z5bt5P
    More than 10,000 people had to evacuate their homes Thursday after a brush fire became out of control in Reno, Nevada. The fire started Thursday and has already damaged several homes. 82 mph winds caused the brush fire to become fast-moving. The area had gone a record 56 days without rain before a snowfall occurred earlier this week.

    (via POLITICO) The Supreme Court has thrown out the Texas redistricting maps drawn by a San Antonio federal court. “Because it is unclear whether the District Court for the Western District of Texas followed the appropriate standards in drawing interim maps for the 2012 Texas elections, the orders implementing those maps are vacated,” the court wrote in its decision.

    CULTURAL: 

    President Obama sings Al Green’s ‘Let’s Stay Together,’ http://usat.ly/xNdcME

    Elton John’s Husband Backtracks On Madonna Statements, http://on.mtv.com/zFAsXQ

    Lana Del Rey: ‘I Don’t Love Live Television,’ http://on.mtv.com/wUXnFP

    This year’s Sundance shorts go online, http://usat.ly/xAkgnT

      Caitlin Maguire
      Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
      @caitlinmagu
      Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

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      By: Caitlin Maguire

      News Round-Up: Friday, September 30, 2011

      Friday, September 30th, 2011

      Top al Qaeda leader Anwar al Awlaki has been killed; the Occupy Wall Street protests gain crucial support; Mexico City considers pre-determined marriage contracts; Senator Dick Durbin slams Bank of America’s new debit card fee; Maine’s Secretary of State sends a threatening letter to college students; and Ohio’s voting laws will now be on the 2012 ballot. Meanwhile, Disney may release more classics in 3D; and will we be Keeping Up with the Mandelas?

      Coral + Caitlin

      CRUCIAL:

      Officials Thought They Might Kill Awlaki on 9/11 Anniversary, http://abcn.ws/o4Rmvm
      Anwar al Awlaki, a top al Qaeda leader from Yemen, has been killed by the US. The US had been tracking him for months and had the chance to kill him on the anniversary of 9/11; however, officials waited for a moment when he was away from civilians. Awlaki was “very operational” and heavily involved in plotting terrorist attacks. He was killed in Yemen in a deliberate airstrike on his compound.

      Occupy Wall Street Protests Poised to Grow Rapidly With Union Support, http://bit.ly/pEN6t8
      Over the past few weeks, the Occupy Wall Street protests have consisted of a few hundred people; however, it is poised to grow larger as a number of major unions are planning to join the demonstrations. On Tuesday, over 700 uniformed pilots marched for better pay and on Wednesday, the New York Transit Workers Union executive board unanimously voted to support the protests. The union even took to its Twitter to ask its 38,000 followers to join a march on October 5.

      ‘Til 2013 do us part? Mexico mulls 2-year marriage, http://reut.rs/p3JUjM
      Leftists in Mexico City are proposing reformation of the civil code so that couples can decide on the length of their marriages before tying the knot. The minimum contract would be for two years and include provisions on children and property in case of a split. Half of marriages in Mexico City end in divorce, and leftists claim these contracts would take the pain out of the process. The church, which is already angry with Mexico City’s legalization of gay marriage, calls the contract “absurd.”

      Durbin Slams Bailed-Out Bank of America Over New Debit Card Fee, http://fxn.ws/nknqQS
      Democratic Senator Dick Durbin is calling out Bank of America after it announced that it will charge a $5 monthly fee to all customers who make purchases on their debit cards. “It seems that old habits die hard for Bank of America. After years of raking in excess profits off an unfair and anti-competitive interchange system, Bank of America is trying to find new ways to pad their profits by sticking it to its customers,” Durbin said in a statement.

      Board of Governors passes tuition for illegal immigrants, http://bit.ly/qPBaRq
      On Monday, a Rhode Island state higher education board passed a law that allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition fees to attend Rhode Island public colleges and universities. Under the new policy, the students must have graduated from a Rhode Island high school and attended it for at least three years. They will also have to seek legal status as soon as they are eligible.

      Maine Elections Chief Uses GOP List To Intimidate Student Voters And Encourage Them To Re-Register In Another State, http://bit.ly/q0cz7t
      Last week, Republican Maine Secretary of State Charles Summers sent a threatening letter to out-of-state college students who are legally registered to vote in Maine. The letter noted that they could possibly be violating election law and should re-register in another state. The letter said that Summers “was presented with a list of 206 University of Maine students with out-of-state home addresses and asked to investigate allegations of election law violations.” In encouraging them to re-register elsewhere, he stated, “you are no longer claiming to be a Maine resident, I ask that you complete the enclosed form to cancel your voter registration in Maine.”

      New Ohio elections law put on hold after groups deliver petitions to put issue on ballot, http://bit.ly/rgpO5d
      A coalition of liberal organizations, voting activists, and labor groups submitted over 300,000 signatures to have an Ohio law that restricts early voting be put on the ballot in 2012. This means that Ohio voters will decide on the measure and the law will not be in effect for the the 2012 elections.

      (via POLITICO Breaking News) Florida’s presidential preference commission has set the state’s primary for Jan. 31, a move certain to push the four states authorized to hold early-nominating contests into early January. Friday’s 7-2 vote came after 25 minutes of discussion regarding Jan. 3, Jan. 31 and March 6 as possible dates.

      Republicans in Congress beat Democrats on tweets, http://wapo.st/obF317
      With most Millennials living online and one-third of them using the internet to connect with government officials, it’s become increasingly important that politicians interact and engage with young people on Twitter. According to the Washington Post, young people see politicians who do not tweet as “almost insignificant.” Currently, 86% of House Republicans tweet compared to 75% of House Democrats. In the Senate, 47 Republicans use Twitter along with 41 of the 51 Democrats and 2 independents. It’s important that these politicians use Twitter as a source of interaction instead of a talking points platform. Heather Smith, President of Rock the Vote, touted having “a real conversation. Talk about the issues and engage [young people] in authentic ways….Be yourself, use the technology and people will write back.”

      CULTURAL:

      “Mother of Hip-Hop” Sylvia Robinson Dead at 75, http://bit.ly/nGQom2

      “Lion King” spawns more 3D classic re-releases, http://bit.ly/qhculT

      Nelson Mandela’s granddaughters to star in upcoming reality series, http://bit.ly/qVTjpy

      Milestones in Literature: Courtney Love Is Penning a Memoir, http://ti.me/nFVTGP

        Caitlin Maguire
        Bio: Caitlin is the Marketing & Operations Manager for Rock the Vote
        @caitlinmagu
        Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

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        By: Katie Scholick

        News Round-Up: Thursday, July 21, 2011

        Thursday, July 21st, 2011

        In today’s news, Obama considers a short-term hike in the debt ceiling, nearly half of the U.S. population is facing extreme heat, some non-News Corp tabloids may have utilized phone hacking, Al-Qaeda is planning an animated film to recruit kids, and Quiznos may be going out of business. Also, student body presidents speak out on the debt, social media use may haunt job applicants, the space shuttle Atlantis is on the verge of its final landing, and Anonymous claims a breach of NATO security.

        Caitlin, Katie, + Perry

        CRITICAL:

        As Debt Talks Intensify, Obama Opens Door to Short-Term Hike in Debt Ceiling,         http://wapo.st/puipVK
        President Obama is considering a short-term debt deal if it will ultimately lead to a larger, more long-term plan. Obama’s willingness to bargain stems from Republicans’ continuous refusal to raise taxes. With no debt deal in sight, Wall Street has started planning for a debt default.

        Nearly Half of U.S. Population Facing Extreme Heat,         http://bit.ly/qQW4oL
        It’s no news that it’s hot outside. However, some may be unaware that the triple digit temperatures are due to a deadly heat wave already responsible for 22 deaths. The heat wave has caused it to be 129 degrees in Iowa and 123 in Minnesota. It’s moving East this weekend, with heat advisories already in effect.

        In Court, Suggestions of Hacking Beyond the News of the World,         http://nyti.ms/qXi2s9
        More phone hacking incidents may have occurred, and this time it seems News Corp is not responsible. Former reporters from British tabloids, “The People” and “The Sunday Mirror,” have come out saying their respective papers used phone hacking and private detectives to dig up dirt on subjects.

        Al-Qaeda Plans Cartoon Recruiting Film for Kids,         http://apne.ws/p73qUu
        Al-Qaeda is working on a “Disney-like” animated film to recruit children to join the terrorist group. The film would depict boys taking part in killings and terror plots. Some believe the propaganda may fail, as adults could disapprove of the blatant attempt to recruit their children.

        House Dems say state voter-ID laws a GOP plan to suppress minority votes,         http://bit.ly/ov2EK3
        While Republicans support voter-identification laws as a way of ensuring that only legal U.S. citizens vote, several House Democrats are arguing that these laws are a coordinated attempt to suppress minority and elderly votes.

        (via POLITICO Playbook)         FIRST LOOK – National Press Club, 1:30 p.m., “Student Body Presidents Speak Out on Debt: 116 Student Body Presidents representing nearly 2 million college students from 40 states”: “A coalition of nearly 120 collegiate student body presidents [will release] a letter today calling on President Obama and Congressional leaders to reach a deal to raise the federal debt ceiling … The student-led initiative … began on Georgetown University’s campus last week.”

        Social Media History Becomes a New Job Hurdle,         http://nyti.ms/r3ZrHS
        Social Intelligence, a year-old start-up, provides companies with a detailed report of potential employees’ past social media activity. Proving background checks may be a thing of a past, Social Intelligence scours job applicants’ Facebooks, Twitters, Tumblrs, and Myspaces, reporting any scandalous pictures or opinions to potential employers.

        Space Shuttle on Verge of Final Landing,         http://yhoo.it/oxoIgb
        The U.S. space shuttle, Atlantis has made its final landing at Kennedy Space Center today. The landing marks the end of NASA’s space shuttle program, which launched 135 shuttles and 355 astronauts into space.

        Anonymous Hacking Group Claims Breach of NATO Security, Access to Restricted Material, http://wapo.st/qEF4zo
        The hacking group, Anonymous has hacked NATO’s cyber system. The group announced on Twitter that it would be “irresponsioble [sic]” to post any of the confidential information. However, the group seems to have had a change of heart as it has just announced it will post some of the restricted files in the coming days.

        CULTURAL:

        Sarah Palin Is Going to Be a Grandmother Again, http://gaw.kr/rhOaPD

        Sofia Vergara’s next role: Politician’s wife? http://bit.ly/nu2lI2

        Lindsay Lohan Facing New Lawsuit — Assault & Battery, http://bit.ly/r2DG5m

        Bruno Mars Tweets Excitement About VMA Nominations, http://on.mtv.com/ot1Wnt

          Katie Scholick
          Bio: Duke University, Class of 2013 Majoring in Psychology, Certificate in Markets and Management.

          Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

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          By: Katie Scholick

          News Round-Up: Thursday, June 30, 2011

          Thursday, June 30th, 2011

          Hackers have crippled al-Qaeda’s network, the Senate will have a shortened July 4th weekend, Britain is experiencing huge strikes over pensions, and more than 1,000 are hurt after Egyptian police clash with youth.  Also, a group of Senators have sent a letter urging the DOJ to review the validity of voter photo id laws: http://bit.ly/iVgUdb.

          Caitlin, Katie, + Perry

          CRITICAL:

          Hacker attack cripples al-Qaeda Web communications, http://on.msnbc.com/kRH0Kq

          Hackers have left al-Qaeda without a “single trusted” means of Internet communication. The well-coordinated and sophisticated attack seems government based; it is similar to a past cyberattack where the UK government replaced al-Qaeda bomb making instructions with cupcake recipes.

          (via POLITICO Breaking News) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid just announced the Senate will return on Tuesday after a quick July 4 break – “because we have work to do.” President Obama said Wednesday that Congress should stay in session to finish the debt ceiling talks.

          Britain faces massive strikes over pension changes,           http://wapo.st/kVG4RW

          750,000 public sector employees across Britain are on a one-day strike over proposed changes to their pension system. The strike may be the biggest in decades. It follows the British government’s announcement of plans to cut $128 billion in public spending over four years.

          Egypt police clash with youths; over 1,000 hurt, http://reut.rs/kJQLKa

          More than 1,000 people were injured in Cairo after police fired tear gas at “hundreds of stone-throwing Egyptian youths.” The violence began yesterday when families held an event honoring loved-ones killed in the uprisings that ousted ex-president Mubarak.

          Senators Urge DOJ to Review Photo ID Laws, http://bit.ly/iVgUdb

          Senator Michael Bennet from Colorado has led a group of U.S. Senators in sending a letter urging the U.S. Department of Justice to carefully examine the potential of voter disenfranchisement in states considering photo ID laws. Since January, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Kansas and Tennessee have all passed restrictive photo ID laws. Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire and North Carolina have tentative Governor vetoes on similar legislation.

          Politically-Charged Churches: Turning-Off America’s Youth? http://bit.ly/mK7ylG

          Some young people disapprove of the way their churches mix politics and religion, creating “moral issues out of everything, even out of economical issues.” 15% of religious voters say they receive political information from their churches, but many argue that it isn’t a problem, believing that politics and religion are “inseparable.”

          Rhode Island Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill,           http://n.pr/j4EFGx

          The Rhode Island Senate has approved a bill to allow same-sex civil unions, giving the unions the same rights married couples receive. Gov. Lincoln Chafee says he’s inclined to sign; however, some gay marriage advocacy groups want Chafee to veto the bill instead. The groups say that the bill is overly broad and that it should not allow religious institutions to ignore civil union rights.

          News Corp. Lost at Least $1 Billion on MySpace, http://bit.ly/k9jttG

          In 2005, News Corp. bought MySpace for $580 million. When it sold the website this week, it received $35 million. When the cost of running and re-engineering the site is taken into account, Newscorps’ losses total around $1.3 billion. Lucky for shareholders, News Corp. is doing just fine with profits of $2.9 billion in the last four quarters.

          CULTURAL:

          Game’s Producer Robbed Of $12G’s Worth Of Jewels During Video Shoot, http://bit.ly/mMKxaD

          To Catch a Predator host who traps sex perverts in TV stings ‘caught cheating on his wife’… by hidden cameras, http://bit.ly/mrFKYq

          Jonathan Rhys Meyers Hospitalized After Suicide Attempt: Report, http://bit.ly/ivLeFc

          UK Organization Calls Eminem ‘Evil’ Over New Video ‘Space Bound,’ http://bit.ly/ktjSmZ

            Katie Scholick
            Bio: Duke University, Class of 2013 Majoring in Psychology, Certificate in Markets and Management.

            Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

            Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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            By: Katie Scholick

            News Round-Up: Friday, June 17, 2011

            Friday, June 17th, 2011

            Saudi women fight the ban on female drivers, Weiner’s successor will likely have lame-duck status, and a man is arrested for suspicious activity near the Pentagon.  Also, Conservatives may be able to harness the youth vote, and Idaho is ranked in the top third of the Rock the Vote scorecard.

            Caitlin, Katie, + Perry

            CRITICAL:

            ‘Saudi women, start your engines:’ Campaign against driving ban hits the road, http://wapo.st/j4eipm

            Several women in Saudi Arabia defied the country’s ban on female drivers by taking to the country’s capital’s streets on Friday. One supporter said that some Saudi men even drove around in women’s clothes to confuse the police. In addition to driving, Saudi women cannot vote, and must get permission from a male guardian to work or travel.

            For Weiner’s Successor, Perhaps, Lame-Duck Status, http://nyti.ms/jtB6zD

            Weiner is out, but who’s in? Whoever wins the special election to replace Anthony Weiner in New York will likely see his or her new district eliminated in 2012, meaning the candidate will have to run against another incumbent for reelection.

            Al Qaeda-related statements, backpack found in suspicious vehicle stopped near Pentagon, http://nyp.st/k1gCIE

            The FBI, the Pentagon Police, and the US Park Police rushed to the Pentagon and nearby Arlington National Cemetery this morning to arrest a man due to alleged terrorist activity. The man, a naturalized US citizen from Ethiopia, is suspected of planting “suspicious devices” in the area. His car reportedly contained ammonium nitrate, notebooks with al Qaeda references, and 9mm shells.

            B.C. Premier promises to expose rioters to public gaze, http://bit.ly/jimhAW

            Canada’s two national stereotypes, politeness and hockey-obsession, clashed when the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals. Vancouver fans rioted violently in the streets, looting, turning over cars and setting fires. 100 people have already been arrested. Police have vowed to use photos and videos taken by spectators to track track down more.

            Rock the Vote: Idaho in Top Third for Young Voters, http://bit.ly/jKxVz3

            Rock the Vote ranks Idaho 18th in the Voting System Scorecard. The state does have same-day registration, but it also requires voters show a photo ID at the polls.

            Conservatives may be able to harness youth disillusionment in 2012, http://bit.ly/lHJ3xD

            With young people currently worried about their futures, unemployment, and student loan debt, Conservatives may be able to harness the youth vote.  In a recent poll, only 31% of respondents age 18-29 approve of how Obama has handled youth unemployment, while 44% of respondents do not approve.

            Memory Implant Gives Rats Sharper Recollection, http://nyti.ms/lyxzpG

            By testing a device that imitates the firing patterns of neurons, scientists have proven that cognitive function of the brain can be improved. The implant restored lost memory function and strengthened recall of new information. This discovery could lead to the development of devices for humans who suffer from dementia, stroke, or other brain injuries.

            CULTURAL:

            ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2′ Trailer: 5 Key Scenes, http://bit.ly/lUpoKv

            ‘Green Lantern’ Opens To $3.35M Midnights, http://bit.ly/jgsR02

            Britney Spears Kicks Off ‘Flashiest’ Tour Yet, http://on.mtv.com/iGROuK

            Is J.K. Rowling Working On More Harry Potter? http://bit.ly/jBOl67

            Rick Ross Praises Tupac At 40th Celebration, Mike Epps Gives $10k, http://bit.ly/iPIHvB

              Katie Scholick
              Bio: Duke University, Class of 2013 Majoring in Psychology, Certificate in Markets and Management.

              Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

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