In today’s news, Occupy Wall Street protesters have raised $300K; Iran will investigate the plot to kill the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US; President Obama will engage in a three-day bus tour this week; and Michelle Bachmann and Donald Trump will host a “tele-town hall” tonight. In other news, the St. Louis Cardinals will take on the Texas Rangers in the World Series, and Giuliana Rancic has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Coral + Caitlin
CRUCIAL
Occupy Wall Street Shows Muscle, Raises $300K, http://n.pr/p1OuU9
As of today, the Occupy Wall Street protests have been going on for one month. And for a month’s work, it has raised close to $300,000 and has also gained storage space filled with donated supplies. The money has been raised through the demonstration’s website and from donations taken in Zucotti Park. The group has also organized a demands committee to determine whether or not they will place concrete demands. So far the group is split; some believe set demands are the ultimate goal while others think they would be futile.
Kenya sends troops into Somalia to hit al-Shabab, http://bbc.in/o59SSH
Kenya’s foreign minister has sent troops into neighboring Somalia to target the Islamic insurgent group al-Shabab. Moses Masika Wetangula said Kenya was “defending itself,” after a spate of suspected al-Shabab kidnappings. Eyewitnesses say at least 25 armored Kenyan vehicles were seen in the Somali town of Dhobley, while unidentifiable warplanes struck two al Shabab bases in southern Somalia. Al Shabab has vowed to fight off the Kenyan attackers, while Somalia’s diplomat at the United Nations called the move “a very serious territorial intrusion by a foreign country.”
Iran says happy to examine US plot allegations, http://reut.rs/pgFXx2
The US has foiled an alleged Iranian plot to kill the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US last week in DC. Iran has since asked Washington to send over the evidence of the Iranian plot so officials can investigate it and prove that it is “baseless propaganda.” “We are prepared to examine any issue, even if fabricated, seriously and patiently, and we have called on America to submit to us any information in regard to this scenario,” said Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.
BP reaches $4bn settlement over Deepwater Horizon disaster, http://bit.ly/pf182W
BP has reached a $4 billion dollar settlement with a former partner over claims related to last year’s deadly explosion and oil spill at the offshore drilling platform. The partner, Anadarko, had held a 25-percent stake in the Macondo well when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded. Andarko filed gross negligence claims against BP after the disaster. However, BP claims it is not solely responsible for the disaster and that this settlement proves it. Anadarko has dropped the negligence suit.
American “elated” in NZ after South Pole rescue, http://bit.ly/rgFSPp
On Monday, an American who was working in the South Pole was rescued and taken to New Zealand before falling ill. Renee-Nicole Douceur, 58, of Seabrook., N.H., landed in Christchurch, which was the closest location with a treatment center. Doucer asked her employer, Raytheon Polar Services, to airlift her out in August after having what doctors think was a stroke. However, her request was denied due to weather conditions. Speaking by phone, Douceur said on “The Early Show” she’s “elated” to be in New Zealand and is feeling great, but is still experiencing visual impairment and difficulty speaking.
Voters may have to wait at least a minute per person in line, http://bit.ly/nGLm6Q
Following the mock election last Tuesday, the Madison, WI city clerk’s office put together statistics that show voters will have to wait at least one minute per person in line. The mock election was held to give voters and poll workers an idea of how the 2012 presidential election will run with Wisconsin’s new voting laws. Traditionally, Madison has two election officials stationed at each polling booth. In the mock election, there were more poll workers stationed. If Madison continues to use two election officials, voters could wait up to four minutes times the number of people in line.
In swing state tour, Obama to urge Congress to get to work this week on pieces of jobs bill, http://wapo.st/qb7jA7
President Barack Obama is combining campaigning for his jobs bill with campaigning for his re-election. This week, the President will urge Congress to get to work on his jobs bill with a three-day bus tour through North-Carolina and Virginia, two states that will be critical in his re-election. Later, he will travel west to Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. Campaigning in these regions is meant to reduce Obama’s need to win Ohio and Florida, two states his team fears they cannot pull this election.
(via TPM) Bachmann And Trump Now Taking Your Phone Calls, http://bit.ly/nfVLcT: Donald Trump is scheduled to join Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) on Monday night for a “tele-town hall” meeting to talk about economic issues. Voters can call in from anywhere in the nation to ask the pair questions. Even though Trump hasn’t officially endorsed a candidate, this is the first time that he is participating in an event with any candidate. You may visit the link to find out where to go to sign up to call in to the pair tonight.
Amazon Signs Up Authors, Writing Publishers Out of Deal, http://nyti.ms/nxkCYu
Amazon is beginning to make publishing companies obsolete. The company is set to publish 122 books this fall in both physical and e-book form. Publishing veteran Laurence Kirshbaum was hired to help pull in big names in fiction and non-fiction. “Publishers are terrified and don’t know what to do,” said Dennis Loy Johnson of Melville House. Amazon signed its first deal with the self-help author Tim Ferriss, and last week it announced a memoir by the actress and director Penny Marshall.
Wireless Users Will Get Alerts on Excess Use, http://nyti.ms/rjpYKw
Under an agreement reached by carriers and the Federal Communications Commission, cell phone users who are nearing their usage limits will now be alerted so they do not rack up overage charges. The agreement is meant to help customers save money since companies usually charge high fees for going over minutes and data usage. Within 12 months, the companies will begin delivering alerts for free either by text or voice.
CULTURAL
Michael Tomasky brings up “Romney’s Worst Nightmare,” http://bit.ly/nUW96k
Charles Krauthammer discusses “Dibs on the Rich,” http://trib.in/pu0Oo8
Pujols, Cardinals take wild ride to World Series, http://bit.ly/omuudF
Dan Wheldon was an engaging young champion, http://lat.ms/q0Mop0
Giuliana Rancic reveals she has breast cancer, http://bit.ly/raWuRo
Lady Gaga Does Marilyn Monroe At President Clinton B’Day, http://on.mtv.com/pwJ6Qp
Jay-Z and Kanye Expand Tour Again, http://p4k.in/o6dQxX
