The U.S. is in the dark about North Korea; Kim Jong-il’s body is currently on public display; China has recognized Kim Jong-un as North Korea’s new leader; Gingrich is losing his lead; and Apple has a small victory over Google. Meanwhile, toxic mold may have killed Brittany Murphy; Chaz Bono and Jennifer Elia call off their engagement; and ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ trailer has been released.
Caitlin
CRUCIAL:
Death of Kim Jong Il has U.S. waiting and worrying, http://wapo.st/solGRC
With Kim Jong-il’s death, the U.S. finds itself in a blackout of information from North Korea. As mourning for the leader may take weeks or months, the U.S. and the rest of the world is forced to wait and see what the country’s next move will be. An administration official has told The Washington Post that it was “scary how little” the U.S. knew about Kim Jong-il’s death; it took two days for South Korean and American intelligence to even find out that the dictator had died.
North Korea leader lies in state, http://bbc.in/sjGOMB
Kim Jong-il’s corpse has been put on display in North Korea before the leader’s December 28th funeral. Korean State TV has shown the corpse underneath a red blanket, surrounded by red flowers, and flanked by two guards. The mausoleum Kim’s body has been placed in is the same one that has displayed his father’s body since 1994. It’s uncertain whether Kim’s body will remain on public display after the funeral.
China Recognizes Kim Jong Un as North Korea’s Next Leader, http://bit.ly/uEk6RQ
China has formally recognized Kim Jong-il’s youngest son, Kim Jong-un, as the new leader of North Korea. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin stated that the Chinese government believes that North Korea will continue to support the ruling Workers’ Party and “Comrade Kim Jong-un.” Weimin said he doesn’t know if Kim Jong-un will visit China, but that he is welcome any time. Meanwhile, South Korea showed little sign of caring about Kim Jong-il’s death.
CNN Poll: Gingrich lead gone, dead even with Romney, http://bit.ly/vDbBJF
According to two new national polls, Gingrich has lost his lead and is now dead even with Romney. CNN has Gingrich and Romney tied 28-28, while Gallup has Gingrich two points ahead of the governor. In November, Gallup showed Gingrich with a 14 point-lead. Ron Paul is in third place in both polls.
U.S. Backs Apple in Patent Ruling That Hits Google, http://nyti.ms/vs0J6u
Steve Jobs would be proud. The federal trade agency ruled that HTC infringed on Apple’s patent of “data tapping,” which allows users to make calls from a phone number found in an e-mail or text message. While this is a small victory for Apple, it may be a sign of things to come in other smartphone patent wars. In a statement, Apple said “We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours.”
House Republicans intent on killing Senate payroll tax cut deal, http://wapo.st/v3xnN0
In a closed-door meeting yesterday, House Republicans allegedly referred to themselves as the Scots in Braveheart as they vowed to defeat a payroll-tax extension. Whether this is true or not, they have delayed the vote until today with House Speaker John Boehner predicting its defeat. In response, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that the Senate will not allow for further talks after they passed the extension 89-10. Without an extension, the payroll tax will increase from 4.2 percent to 6.2 percent starting January 1. This increase will raise taxes by $1,000 for the average American family.
Ron Paul back on top in Iowa, new poll says, http://bit.ly/u6KMZQ
The Public Policy Polling report that has Ron Paul leading in Iowa reports that his surge is due to youth support. Among voters under the age of 45, Paul has 33% of the group’s support while Romney has 16%. “Young people and non-Republicans are an unusual coalition to hang your hat on in Iowa, and it will be interesting to see if Paul can actually pull it off,” says the Public Policy Polling report.
CULTURAL:
Shocking New Brittany Murphy Claim Says Toxic Mold May Have Killed Star, http://bit.ly/sDVUHs
‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Trailer: Some Burning Questions, http://on.mtv.com/thDL23
Chaz Bono and Jennifer Elia call it quits, http://bit.ly/sdEC1
CNN’s Morgan won’t name McCartney voicemail source, http://usat.ly/uO9kPs
Little-known actress Rooney Mara is about to get famous, http://bit.ly/vSvrjP
