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    ‘Chris Brown’


    By: Liza Dee

    News Round-Up: Monday, April 8, 2013

    Monday, April 8th, 2013

    In today’s news, the U.S. plans a potential response to North Korea’s aggressive provocations, Margaret Thatcher dies at 87, and six Americans are killed in the deadliest day for Americans in Afghanistan this year, Meanwhile, Chris Brown and Rihanna call it quits, Jay-Z and Beyonce are criticized for vacationing in Cuba, and ACM award winners celebrate victories.

    Caitlin + Liza

    CRUCIAL: 

    U.S. Designs a Korea Response Proportional to the Provocation, http://nyti.ms/ZcORZU
    The United States and South Korea have prepared “counterprovokation plans” to respond to any attacks from North Korea in the most limited way possible so as to prevent escalation into a broader war. Officials say the plan would call for an immediate, proportional “response in kind” to hit North Korea with similar weapons in the event that North Korea makes good on its military threats. Tensions are still on the rise as North Korea has decided to cut off any cooperation with the South and continues to provoke the United States.

    Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first female PM, dead at 87, http://bit.ly/11IMyS8
    Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the only woman ever to hold the position of Prime Minister in Great Britain, died after suffering a stroke Monday morning at the age of 87. Thatcher gained the position of Prime Minister in 1979, leading for 11 years with a signature fierceness that gained her the nickname “The Iron Lady.” A stroke prompted Thatcher to retire from public life in 2002, and she had maintained a low profile in recent years as she continued to suffer strokes.

    Public phase of immigration debate set to begin as Senate negotiators finalize deal, http://wapo.st/16Hygk6
    The Senate’s “Gang of Eight” who have been working on a highly anticipated immigration bill hope to finish their work this week, opening the measures to a heated public debate. The controversial bill includes provisions to secure the border, allow tens of thousands of foreign workers into the country, and grant eventual citizenship to around 11 million immigrants currently living illegally in the U.S. The “Gang of Eight” includes Democratic Senators led by Chuck Schumer of New York and Republicans led by Arizona’s John McCain. “There will be a great deal of unhappiness about this this proposal because everybody didn’t get what they wanted,” McCain said, alluding to the long road of debate the bill is likely to face.

    Six Americans, including three civilians, killed in attacks in Afghanistan, http://wapo.st/16FZycI
    Six Americans, including three civilians and three U.S. troops were killed in two attacks in Afghanistan on Saturday, marking the deadliest day for Americans in Afghanistan this year. The attacks highlighted the continued danger in Afghanistan as the U.S. moves forward with its plan to withdraw its remaining troops within the next 20 months and leave security in the hands of the Afghani army. Among those killed was Anne Smedinghoff, the first State Department diplomat to be killed in Afghanistan since the war began. Smedinghoff, 25, was traveling to deliver books to a school when a car bomb exploded.

    Kerry Said to Revive 2002 Arab Peace Plan During Israel Talks, http://bloom.bg/Y7iUpS
    U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Israel Monday with hopes of reviving stalled 2002 peace talks between Israel and Palestine. Kerry discussed with leaders of each nation the 2002 Arab League-endoresed plan, which called to normalize relations with Israel in exchange for withdrawal from all lands occupied by the 1967 Mideast War. Kerry met with President Abbas of Palestine, who said he will not negotiate until Israel stops construction in the West Bank. Kerry is currently making his third trip to the region this month.

    China rebukes North Korea, says no state should sow chaos, http://reut.rs/10FycR5
    China’s president issued warnings this weekend to North Korea, scolding its regional neighbor for raising regional tensions with threats of nuclear attack on the U.S. and war against South Korea. “No one should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish gain,” President Xi Jinping said. The comments were China’s strongest response yet to the threats of aggression from North Korea that have marked the past month. China, North Korea’s sole financial and diplomatic backer, has expressed frustration with the nation’s positions in recent years.

    CULTURAL: 

    Chris Brown and Rihanna Call it Quits, Says Source, http://eonli.ne/XzwUJD

    Jay-Z, Beyonce Taking Heat for Cuba Trip, http://eonli.ne/Y891nF

    Kardashians Sue Former Stepmom, http://thebea.st/ZcBSay

    ACM Awards 2013: See the Winners Here, http://bit.ly/14YUrX1

    Liza Dee
    Bio:

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

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    By: Liza Dee

    News Round-Up: Monday, April 1, 2013

    Monday, April 1st, 2013

    Prosecutors announce they will seek the death penalty for James Holmes, South Korea promises it will respond if North Korea follows through on threats to launch an attack, and Caroline Kennedy will be named U.S. ambassador to Japan. Meanwhile, the star of MTV’s “Buckwild” has been found dead, Chris Brown confesses that beating women is wrong on “The Today Show,” and Cory Monteith checks into rehab.

    Caitlin + Liza

    CRUCIAL: 

    Prosecutors will seek death penalty against ‘Dark Knight’ theater massacre suspect, http://bit.ly/10swxvI
    Prosecutors will pursue the death penalty for James Holmes, who is accused of killing 12 and injuring 70 when he opened fire at a midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises in July. The announcement came at a court hearing days after the prosecution team publicly rejected Holmes’ lawyers’ offer to have him plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence rather than the death penalty. Holmes’ defense team is expected to argue that Holmes was legally insane at the time he carried out the attack. A final verdict on the case could still be years away, a district judge said.

    South Korea Vows Fast Response to North as U.S. Deploys Stealth Jets, http://nyti.ms/XTgyGM
    South Korea vowed on Monday that it is ready to strike quickly if North Korea carries out any attacks. North Korea had said that the two nations are “entering a state of war” in response to what it called “hostile” U.S. and South Korean joint military drills being and UN sanctions placed on North Korea for its February nuclear test. South Korea changed its engagement rules to allow local units to respond independently and immediately to any attacks without waiting for permission from the capital. North Korea continues to assert that nuclear war is imminent, though it has not yet taken any military action to follow through on these claims.

    Caroline Kennedy to Be Named Ambassador to Japan, http://abcn.ws/YO3HZE
    Caroline Kennedy is expected to be named the U.S. ambassador to Japan, replacing John Roos, who has served as the ambassador since 2009. The appointment of Kennedy, who is the only living child of President John F. Kennedy, has yet to be made official. Caroline Kennedy played a key role in President Obama’s reelection effort, campaigning for him in key states like New Hampshire. She is the author of ten books, and was once strongly considered as a successor to Hillary Clinton’s New York Senate seat.

    Killing of Texas district attorney, wife, seen as targeted, http://reut.rs/ZPGLZr
    A Texas district attorney, Mike McLelland, and his wife Cynthia were found dead on Saturday, just two months after fellow Kaufman County prosecutor Mark Hasse was similarly gunned down. Mayor Darren Rozell of Forney, Texas acknowledged that the murder of a second prosecutor from the same county appeared to be a “planned attack,” and did not rule out a link between the two killings. Authorities have had yet to make any arrests in the murder of Hasse, and McLelland had vowed to bring his killer to justice.

    Keystone XL Spill Risk Troubles Nebraskans, Others Who Point to Previous Spills Like Mayflower, http://huff.to/XmhOqK
    The Keystone Pipeline controversy gained a boost on Friday when an Exxon Mobile pipeline exploded in Mayflower, Arkansas, releasing about 10,000 barrels of tar sands and forcing 40 families to evacuate. The incident fueled continuing protests by rural Nebraskans who oppose the construction of the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline, which would be used to send tar sands oil from Canada through the American midwest to Gulf Coast ports through a 36 inch pipe. To American farmers, the Exxon Mobile spill appeared to be a preview of what might happen if the Keystone pipeline were to explode, endangering animals, crops, and water supply.

    CULTURAL: 

    ‘Buckwild’ Star Shain Gandee Found Dead, http://bit.ly/YWQfQ8

    Chris Brown on ‘Today’– I Finally Learned That Beating Women is Wrong, http://tmz.me/YqreQN

    Glee’s Cory Monteith Checks Into Rehab, http://eonli.ne/1264oNC

    Chace Crawford’s New Gal-Pal: 5 Things to Know About Rachele Goulding, http://eonli.ne/14J8ujk

    Liza Dee
    Bio:

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

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    By: Liza Dee

    News Round-Up, Monday, February 4, 2013

    Monday, February 4th, 2013

    The Baltimore Ravens topple the San Francisco 49ers in the most watched Super Bowl in history; an investigation finds 680 international soccer matches were rigged; and Tagg Romney eyes a run for the Senate. Meanwhile, Beyonce stuns at the Super Bowl halftime show and goes on to announce an upcoming world tour; and Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are spotted back together.

    Caitlin + Liza

    CRUCIAL: 

    Baltimore Ravens Win Super Bowl 46 Over San Francisco 49ers, 34-31, http://huff.to/XSajRV
    The Baltimore Ravens toppled the San Francisco 49ers Sunday night 34 to 31 in what was the longest Super Bowl in history at 4 hours and 14 minutes. A power outage in the third quarter brought the game to a standstill with the Ravens up by 22, and allowed the 49ers to catch their breath and stage a comeback. Yet the Ravens, led by MVP Joe Flacco and veteran Ray Lewis, who was playing in his last game ever, managed to hold off the 49ers. The win marked a sibling rivalry victory for Baltimore coach John Harbaugh, who defeated brother Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the 49ers, and was the most watched Super Bowl in history.

    Investigation Finds Suspected Fixing in 680 Soccer Matches, http://nyti.ms/XaE2r1
    680 international soccer matches are suspected of being fixed according to global law enforcement officials, who announced the results of a 19-month investigation earlier today. Asian criminal organizations that made millions by betting on game results are behind the conspiracies, which included more than 425 people spanning at least 15 countries. Organizations strategically rigged the soccer matches by bribing players and referees in an effort to predetermine game results. Fixed matches included high-profile games such as qualifying games for the World Cup and European Cup as well as two Champions League matches. “This is a sad day for European football, and more evidence of the corrupting influence of organized crime,” said Rob Wainwright, director of Europol, which helped coordinate the investigation. An international arrest warrant was issued for the leader of an Asian criminal group behind most of the fixed matches.

    Ex-Navy sniper, another military vet killed at Texas gun range, http://bit.ly/WHeKCI
    Former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, a record holder for the number of sniper killings in Iraq and author of the best-selling “American Sniper”, was gunned down in Glen Rose Texas Saturday along with fellow military veteran Chad Littlefield. Kyle and Littlefield were visiting a shooting range at the Rough Creek Lodge when they were murdered by suspect Eddie Ray Routh. Routh is also a former Marine and is now in the process of seeking a court-appointed attorney. Kyle, a married father of two, had also founded a nonprofit to help veterans battle post-traumatic stress disorder. A spokesperson for the group remembered him as “an American hero” in a statement.

    Report: Tagg Romney eying Senate, http://politi.co/VKXRpk
    Tagg Romney, son of former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, is considering a run for a Massachusetts Senate seat, according to a Boston Herald report. Tagg, 42, is Mitt Romney’s oldest son and was a frequent face throughout the 2012 campaign. He is founder of Solamere Capital, a venture capital firm in Boston. The Herald also reported that some had called on Mitt Romney’s wife Ann to make a Senate run. A Massachusetts Senate seat opened up when former Democratic Senator John Kerry resigned to accept a post as Secretary of State, and the state’s former GOP Senator Scott Brown announced he will not run to replace Kerry.

    Obama: Drop Gay Ban, Boy Scouts, http://politi.co/11F3ndB
    President Obama pushed the Boy Scouts to drop their ban on gay members in an interview on Sunday as the Boy Scouts of America prepares for this week’s vote on whether to end a national ban on gay members and scout masters. The possible change, which would allow local groups to make decisions as to whether or not to allow gay members, has stirred debate, with former scouts including Texas Governor Rick Perry insisting the ban should stay in place. “My attitude is that gays and lesbians should have access and opportunity the same way everybody else does in every institution and walk of life,” President Obama said.

    Eight killed, more than 30 hurt as bus flips, http://lat.ms/VK3dkN
    At least eight were killed and more than 30 were injured Sunday night when a tour bus collided with a truck and sedan on a narrow mountain road in California. All fatalities came from the bus, which lost control while heading down the mountain and rolled over the truck at least once. The bus was carrying 38 passengers, including children. 27 were taken to the hospital after police spent more than two hours trying to free the injured. “It happened so fast, I don’t know how it all happened,” one passenger said. “This was supposed to be a good day with my companions and then this happened.”

    CULTURAL: 

    Beyonce Super Bowl Halftime Show: Singer Stuns With An All-Out Display, http://huff.to/VzfaYG

    Beyonce Announces New World Tour After Super Bowl Extravaganza, http://bit.ly/UQTOZp

    People’s TV Critic Reviews the Super Bowl Ads, http://bit.ly/WpEJiA

    Selena Gomez Back with Justin Bieber…Again?, http://tmz.me/Uin2mk

    Frank Ocean Will NOT Be Pressing Charges Against Chris Brown, http://bit.ly/Uoa3Q3

    Liza Dee
    Bio:

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

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    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

    Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

    Egypt’s Defense Minister warns of a government collapse; the White House will resume its nomination of Gen. John Allen; the U.S. will expand its role in Mali; President Obama will announce his plan for immigration reform; and Google reveals its map of North Korea. Meanwhile, a Miami clinic is busted for supplying drugs to sports stars; Surfer Garrett McNamara rides a world record 100 foot wave; and Frank Ocean may press charges against Chris Brown.

    Caitlin
    CRUCIAL:
    Egyptians Defy Curfew as Army Warns of ‘Collapse,’ http://rtvote.com/TS5TQ7
    Egyptian Defense Minister Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi posted on Facebook  that there will be “grave repercussions if the political forces do not act” in Egypt. “The continuing conflict between political forces and their differences concerning the management of the country could lead to a collapse of the state and threaten future generations,” wrote Sisi. His warning comes after five days of clashes  that left 52 people dead and hundreds wounded. President Mohamed Morsi issued a state-sanctioned curfew in response to the protests, causing thousands to demonstrate and chant on Monday, “Down, down with Mohamed Morsi.”

    Obama proceeds with Allen nomination as NATO commander in Europe, http://rtvote.com/Xe0X4p
    The White House will go ahead as planned and nominate Gen. John Allen for Europe’s NATO commander. Officials decided to resubmit the nomination to Congress after the Pentagon cleared Allen of any misconduct with Tampa socialite Jill Kelley. In other White House news, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that he will leave his cabinet post.

    Delhi Gang Rape Trial Will Be Held in Delhi, Supreme Court Rules, http://rtvote.com/Xe50Ob
    India’s Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that it will not move the trial of five men convicted of gang-rape and murder out of Dehli. An advocate for the suspects said that the trial should take place in a new location as the media around the case has created a bias. The case, which has caused public outrage in India, charges five men with the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman on a bus. The men could face the death penalty. The court made its ruling based on the decision that the advocate who filed the claim, M.L. Sharma, did not have the authority to represent the suspects — not because his claim was invalid.

    U.S. to Expand Role in Africa, http://rtvote.com/Xe6acq
    On Monday, the U.S. signed an agreement with Niger that allows American military to be stationed on its border with Mali. Mali is currently fighting off Islamist rebels with the help of the French military. The U.S. will create an intelligence-gathering hub in Niger, as well as use drones to monitor militants, in an attempt to help France.

    President Obama, John McCain, Marco Rubio begin immigration dance, http://rtvote.com/Xe1ZgI
    President Obama will reveal his plan for immigration reform today in Las Vegas. On Monday, John McCain and Marco Rubio announced their own bipartisan plan for reform. White House officials say that Obama’s plan will address more of the details relating to immigration form rather than the larger principals found in the Senators’ bipartisan plan.
    Father of Newtown victim heckled at hearing, http://rtvote.com/Xe2Y0y
    Neil Heslin, the father of a 6-year-old Newtown shooting victim, was heckled while testifying at the Connecticut State Legislature on Tuesday. Heslin asked during his testimony why Bushmaster assault-style weapons, like the one shooter Adam Lanza used, were legal in Connecticut, prompting pro-gun advocates to shout “the Second Amendment!.”  Close to 1,500 people — both pro and anti-gun advocates — attended the hearings at the Connecticut capitol.
    Google rolls out detailed map of North Korea – with gulags, http://rtvote.com/14s6MAV
    On Monday, Google announced detailed maps of North Korea. Previously, Google was not able to map North Korea due to limited information. Specifically, North Korean officials would not provide the proper information due to the country’s notorious penchant for secrecy and the fact that only hundreds of citizens have access to the Internet. Google’s map of the country shows hospitals, subways, and schools in the capital of Pyongyang. Maps of the countryside are harder to decipher and some parts show gray zones where 200,000 people are imprisoned in reeducation camps.
    CULTURAL:
    A Miami Clinic Supplies Drugs to Sports’ Biggest Names, http://rtvote.com/Xe3OKG
    Surfer Garrett McNamara ‘rides world record 100ft wave’ in Portugal, http://rtvote.com/Xe49x3

    Singer Frank Ocean wants Chris Brown charged over brawl, http://rtvote.com/TSbAO1

    Girl Meets World Casts Its Star, Cory and Topanga’s Daughter, http://rtvote.com/TSbLJg

    Rick Ross Advised To Increase Security After Escaping Drive-By Shooting, http://rtvote.com/Xe9wwf

    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: Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

    Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

    Egyptian protests of President Morsi continue; GOP Senators criticize Susan Rice after meeting with her; Cyber Monday brings in a record $1.5 billion in sales; scientists and doctors exhume Yasser Arafat’s body; House and Senate Republicans are split on how to handle the “fiscal cliff”; and NJ Governor Chris Christie will run for re-election. Meanwhile, China’s Communist paper publishes an ‘Onion’ story; Angus T. Jones says ‘Two and a Half Men’ is “filth”; and Gabriel Aubry publishes photos of himself post-altercation with Halle Berry’s fiance.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Mursi opponents clash with police in Cairo, http://reut.rs/QHM8Js
    Hundreds of Egyptians are protesting in Tahrir Square for the fifth straight day. The protests are in response to President Mohamed Morsi’s elimination of a legal check on his presidency, although he recently announced that he would scale back his power. Hundreds have been wounded and one has died in the demonstrations. “We don’t want a dictatorship again,” said one protester, Ahmed Hussein, 32.

    (via USA Today) GOP senators criticize Susan Rice after meeting, http://usat.ly/UZsiVo
    After meeting with U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice on Tuesday, three GOP lawmakers say their concerns have only grown about the diplomat’s misleading statements she made about the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya that left the ambassador and three other Americans dead. The meeting with Sens. John McCain, Lindsay Graham and Kelly Ayotte on Capitol Hill came as the White House has signaled it may nominate Rice to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of State. McCain, R-Ariz., has said he may oppose her nomination because she should have known her statements on the Sept. 11 attack were false.

    Cyber Monday bargains click with shoppers, http://nydn.us/TqdyTv
    According to Internet analytical firm comScore, this year’s Cyber Monday sales were up 20% from 2011, bringing in a record $1.5 billion. The number of shoppers on Thanksgiving was also up with 32% more people hitting the stores this holiday. Many retailers started their Cyber Monday sales early, causing Black Friday’s e-commerce shopping to top $1 billion for the first time.

    Yasser Arafat’s body exhumed in Ramallah, http://aje.me/Reonss
    Former Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat’s body was exhumed Tuesday. Arafat died of a stroke in 2004; although, many believe that he was poisoned. Palestinian doctors, with with help from scientists from France, Switzerland, and Russia, are collecting samples from Arafat’s body in order to find a more conclusive cause of death. According to Al Jazeera, Arafat’s body was reburied right after exhumation and Palestinians will not be able to hold a full military funeral.

    House, Senate Republicans split over next moves on ‘fiscal cliff’, http://bit.ly/U99J2u
    According to The Hill, House and Senate Republicans cannot agree on how to handle the “fiscal cliff.” Some GOP Senators want to strike a compromise before the January deadline, while House Republicans prefer to wait in order to revise the tax-code and implement entitlement cuts. Republican Senator Bob Corker has gone on record saying that he has already drafted legislation for the “fiscal cliff” and “it’s only a matter of doing it.” However, House GOP members say that five weeks is not enough time to make the legislative changes they want, especially regarding Medicare.

    NJ Gov. Christie’s Focus: Rebuilding, Re-election, http://bit.ly/VaF4X1
    New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced Monday that he will seek reelection in 2013. Christie, who wants more time to rebuild New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, said “We have a job to do. This job won’t be finished by next year.” The governor has been considered a presidential candidate for the 2016 election, although some Republicans blame Mitt Romney’s loss on his embrace of President Obama in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

    DR Congo rebels set conditions before pullout,     http://aje.me/Upbpaq
    Congolese rebels, known as M23, refuted reports that they’ve retreated from Goma, stating that they will not leave until their demands are met. Congo’s government said they will not entertain peace talks with the rebels until they leave Goma. 500,000 people have fled Goma, Congo’s largest city, due to its current violence. The United Nations has accused Rwanda and Uganda of backing M23, noting that Rwanda’s government and the rebels are ethnic Tutsi. Both countries have denied the claims.

    CULTURAL:

    People’s Daily Quotes the Onion: Kim Jong Eun ‘Sexiest Man Alive’, http://on.wsj.com/ToeXXi

    Angus T. Jones blasts ‘Two and a Half Men,’ calls the hit series ‘filth’, http://nydn.us/TgUFyv

    Chris Brown returns from his Twitter timeout, declaring victory, http://lat.ms/TfJfuT

    Gabriel Aubry says he was badly beaten at Halle Berry’s home, http://lat.ms/Y0kM4f

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the New Batman After All?, http://bit.ly/VaMwS6

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

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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