A suicide bombing kills six Americans in the the city of Kabul, in Afghanistan; Tsarnaev brother leaves a confession note behind in boat; Steven Miller will resign from the IRS; a tornado kills six in Texas; e-mails regarding the Benghazi attack reveal turmoil within the C.I.A.; and the New Orleans Mother’s Day shooting suspect is arrested. Meanwhile, U.S. researchers report a breakthrough in stem cell research, and ‘Downton Abbey’ returns to U.S. TV in January.
Caitlin + Alexis
CRUCIAL:
Suicide bomber targets troops in Afghanistan, http://aje.me/12CJ9Tv
A suicide bombing in Kabul at 8am this morning left 15 dead and 37 more injured. According to police, the bomber attacked a convoy of foreign military vehicles. The explosion is said to have come from a Toyota Corolla and detonated next to two foreign military vehicles. Hezb-e-Islami, a group closely linked to the Taliban, has claimed responsibility. They have also disclosed that the attack was an effort to target U.S. military advisers.
Boston bombings suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev left note in boat he hid in, sources say, http://cbsn.ws/YYcpqF
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the suspects of the Boston bombings, wrote a note in the boat in which he hid that claims responsibility for the April 16th attack. Part of the note disclosed by CBS reads: “When you attack one Muslim, you attack all Muslims.” Dzhokhar also included in his note that his brother, Tamerlan, was a ‘martyr in paradise.’
Obama Administration Sacks IRS Chief AfterTargeting Scandal, http://bit.ly/182pUpY
During the 2012 election, agents of the IRS dishonestly singled out conservative non-profits for additional review. The agency has since admitted to their inappropriate actions. President Barack Obama announcedWednesday that Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has requested and accepted the resignation of Steven Miller, the acting IRS commissioner. Obama also said that his administration will work to end any future misconduct.
Tornado witness: Hail was the size of softballs, http://usat.ly/1463EcY
A fatal tornado in North Texas on Wednesday has killed six and wounded dozens. The storm that hit Southern Granbury has left at least 250 people homeless.
Early E-Mails on Benghazi Show Internal Divisions, http://nyti.ms/10H1xZD
E-mails were released by the White House on Wednesday bringing more attention to last September’s attack in Benghazi, Libya. The State Department and the highest levels of the C.I.A. are being questioned about the events. Hundreds of pages of e-mails have been released showing a disagreement between David H. Petraeus, the then director of the C.I.A., and Michael J. Morell, his deputy, with regard to how much information to disclose to the public. According to officials, Mr. Morell, deleted a reference to extremist threats in Libya in an effort to uphold the reputation of the C.I.A.
Suspect arrested in New Orleans Mother’s Day shooting, http://reut.rs/12CNZQT
New Orleans police arrested suspect Akein Scott, 19, late Wednesday in connection with a shooting at a Mother’s Day parade. Police had identified the suspect on Monday in a surveillance video.
Arizonans to vote next year on sovereignty issue vs. feds, http://bit.ly/12dHDa6
The state House voted Tuesday to allow Arizona to vote next year on whether or not to give themselves the ability to challenge the federal government. According to the Arizona Daily Star, “SCR 1016 would amend the Arizona Constitution to acknowledge the U.S. Constitution is ‘the supreme law of the land to which all government, state and federal, is subject.’”
CULTURAL:
‘Downton Abbey’ to Return in January, After British Broadcast, http://nyti.ms/10ZRQ7n
Christie’s Contemporary Art Auction Sets Record at $495 Million, http://nyti.ms/12cF4Fl
Cannes: Standing O? No. ‘Great Gatsby’ Opens Fest to Lukewarm Applause, http://bit.ly/12DdZeV
Dylan Inducted as Honorary Member of Arts Academy, http://bit.ly/17yw4QO
Arena-Rock Masters, Unafraid to Leave the Lights On, http://nyti.ms/147wp98
