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    Posts Tagged
    ‘chuck hagel’


    By: Liza Dee

    News Round-Up: Friday, February 15, 2013

    Friday, February 15th, 2013

    Oscar Pistorius will be charged with murder; an asteroid will narrowly miss Earth; and debris from a meteor showers Siberia. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga’s cancelled tour will cost her millions; cops pose for pictures with 2 Chainz after arresting him for marijuana possession; and IFC acquires Lindsy Lohan’s latest film.

    Caitlin + Liza

    CRUCIAL: 

    Oscar Pistorius weeps as court hears murder charge, http://bbc.in/Z1nEKC
    Prosecutors announced in court that they would pursue a “premeditated murder” charge in the case of Oscar Pistorius, the South African Olympic and Paralympic track star accused of killing his girlfriend. Pistorius, who is still being held in police custody, released a statement saying he will dispute the charge in the “strongest terms.” Sources claim South Africa is stunned by the events surrounding Pistorius, a national hero who became the first double-amputee to compete in track at the London Olympic Games.

    Asteroid will buzz Earth, miss by 17,150 miles, http://abcn.ws/Um7T26
    An asteroid the size of an apartment will narrowly miss Earth by about 17,150 miles, NASA is reporting. Though scientists are certain the rock will not hit Earth, its passing provides an opportunity for scientists to learn how to keep future asteroids at bay and also motivates astronauts to step up preventative measures. If an asteroid of this size were to hit, it would release an energy equivalent to 2.4 million tons of TNT.

    Debris and a Boom, Likely from a Meteor, Hit Siberia, http://nyti.ms/WMTkVu
    Over 1,000 people were injured when fragments of a meteor began falling in Western Siberia this morning, along with a shock wave that damaged buildings across the area. Russian scientists say a bolide, or 10-ton meteor, caused the blast, and most injuries resulted from shards of shattered glass. Area residents saw a huge flash followed by the sounds of car alarms, set off by the sonic boom. The Russian government has deployed seven airplanes and 20,000 on foot to search for fallen meteorites.

    Republicans relish extended Hagel confirmation fight, http://politi.co/XDt0Jm
    Senate Republicans succeeded in delaying the confirmation of Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense for another week, with a 58-40 vote that left Democrats unable to come up with the 60 votes needed to end the Republican filibuster. Democrats say they remain confident Hagel will be confirmed at the next Senate vote which will take place after a ten day recess.

    Weary passengers fan out for homes after finally getting off crippled cruise ship, http://wapo.st/Z2MiL6
    The Carnival cruise ship that caught fire off the coast of Mexico finally docked in Mobile, Alabama, after 4,200 passengers had spent five days on a ship with no electricity or working toilets. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are looking into what caused the fire and investigating how to prevent such incidents in the future. Carnival has cancelled its cruises until at least April and is promising passengers a full refund and future cruise discounts in addition to $500 in compensation. “We pride ourselves on providing our guests with a great vacation experience, and clearly we failed in this case,” said Carnival CEO Gerry Cahill.

    GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell supports bill to legalize hemp production, http://nbcnews.to/12JF6DL
    Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell forged an unlikely alliance with Oregon Senate Democrats Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to cosponsor a bill allowing American farmers to grow hemp. McConnell and fellow senator Rand Paul claim allowing the growth of industrial hemp would give Kentucky farmers an economic lift. “During these tough economic times, this legislation has the potential to create jobs and provide a boost to Kentucky’s economy and to our farmers and their families,” McConnell said. Though the Chamber of Commerce in McConnell’s home state of Kentucky supports legalization of hemp, law enforcement groups worry it could lead to marijuana legalization.

    CULTURAL: 

    Lady Gaga Tour Cancellation Will Cost Millions, http://huff.to/YknVY6

    2 Chainz ARRESTED for Weed– Says Cops Wanted Pics, http://tmz.me/Z2lzOx

    Lindsay Lohan Starrer ‘The Canyons” Acquired by IFC, http://bit.ly/12pu8I7

    Taylor Swift Ex Conor Kennedy Arrested, http://eonli.ne/XCt5kb

    Liza Dee
    Bio:

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

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    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Thursday, February 14th, 2013

    Thursday, February 14th, 2013

    American Airlines and US Airways announce an $11 billion merger; Oscar Pistorius is arrested after allegedly shooting his girlfriend; a Clinton donor says Hillary will run in 2016; the Carnival Triumph finally docks in Mobile, AL; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Republicans plan to block Chuck Hagel’s nomination; and Gen. John Allen may retire. Meanwhile, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, love letters between LBJ and Ladybird are released; a new report says the ‘The Bachelor’ is celibate; and celebrities and environmentalists are arrested protesting the Keystone pipeline.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    AMERICAN, US AIRWAYS ANNOUNCE $11 BILLION MERGER, http://rtvote.com/15feZsB
    US Airways and AMR, the owner of American Airlines, will take part in an $11 billion merger that will combine the two companies into the largest airline in the world. The company will keep the American Airlines name and be headed up US Airways CEO Doug Parker. In a statement Thursday Parker said, “The combined airline will have the scale, breadth, and capabilities to compete more effectively and profitably in the global marketplace.” 72% of ownership will go to AMR creditors with the rest going to US Airways shareholders.

    PISTORIUS ARRESTED AFTER WOMAN SHOT AT HIS HOME, http://rtvote.com/XOV525
    South African Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius was arrested Thursday after allegedly shooting his girlfriend in his home. Pistorius, who is a double-amputee, had reportedly mistaken Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder when he shot her with a 9 mm. The athlete, known as Blade Runner, will appear in court later today.

    Big donor claims Bill Clinton told him Hillary’s running for prez in 2016, http://rtvote.com/XOWvKf
    Angelo Tsakopoulos, a Greek-American real-estate mogul, said Thursday that Bill Clinton had revealed to him in a private conversation that Hillary would run for president in 2016. Tsakopoulos alleges a close relationship with the couple and has been one of the biggest donors to Clinton’s political campaigns.

    Passengers count hours on ‘floating petri dish’ of a cruise ship as it limps to port, http://rtvote.com/15fjrax
    The Carnival Triumph will dock in Mobile, AL today after an engine fire caused its systems to go down five days ago. The ship became a “floating petri dish” after electricity failure caused sanitary systems to go down and sewage to seep down the walls. Passengers were forced to defecate in bags and urinate in showers, as well as wait close to four hours for food. Carnival will refund passengers for the trip and compensate them an extra $500. The ship will no longer be in service moving forward.

    (via POLITICO Breaking News) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday that Republicans are planning to block the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be secretary of Defense, and aides said Democrats don’t yet have the 60 votes to break a GOP filibuster on the nomination. That would leave the nomination in limbo as the Senate heads into a week-long recess.

    Source: Gen. Allen may retire, http://rtvote.com/15flgEq
    Rumors are circulating that Marine Gen. John Allen may retire as he feels he’s “being pushed out for a variety of reasons,” primarily the e-mail scandal between him and Tampa socialite Jill Kelley. Although Allen was cleared of wrongdoing in the situation that entwined him with General David Petraeus’ own scandal, he fears that it will taint his new post as NATO’s supreme allied commander in Brussels.

    5.8M women have used ‘morning after’ pill, http://rtvote.com/Ygstib
    The National Center for Health Statistics has conducted a survey of 12,279 women between 2006 and 2010 that shows 11% or 5.8 million American women ages 15 to 44 have used emergency contraception or “the morning after pill.” Half of the women used the pill because they feared their method of birth-control had failed, while the rest of the women surveyed had unprotected sex. 23% of women ages 20 to 24 said they had used the pill, while only 5% of women ages 30 to 44 fell into the same category.

    CULTURAL:

    LBJ AND LADY BIRD COURTSHIP LOVE LETTERS RELEASED, http://rtvote.com/15fk5Vw

    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West touch off security breach at JFK Airport, http://rtvote.com/15fkcAv

    ‘The Bachelor’ star Sean Lowe is celibate, report says, http://rtvote.com/XP49nC

    ‘Die Hard’ lives on in fifth installment released Valentine’s Day, http://rtvote.com/11IIuUE

    Celebs, enviros arrested at WH pipeline protest, http://rtvote.com/11IIyDO

    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: Wednesday, February 13, 2013

    Wednesday, February 13th, 2013

    President Obama advocates for bipartisanship and economic reforms in his State of the Union speech; Marco Rubio responds with a now infamous swig of water; Christopher Dorner is presumed dead from a fire; the pope gives his last public mass before his retirement; the Senate Armed Services Committee approves Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense; and a New York Times reporter finds that calorie listings on foods can be highly inaccurate. Meanwhile, a rare Affenpinscher named Banana Joe wins the Westminster Dog Show; Justin Bieber says The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney should be ‘slapped around;’ and more revealing pictures of Kate Middleton are set to be released.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Obama Pivots Left on Economy in State of the Union Speech, http://rtvote.com/11GAtzA
    In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Obama advocated for bipartisanship within the government and economic reforms. “It’s not a bigger government we need, but a smarter government that sets priorities and invests in broad-based growth,” he said. Obama went on to call for an increased minimum wage, a reformed pre-school education system, carbon regulation, immigration reform, and stricter gun laws.

    Did the police start fire that killed Christopher Dorner?, http://rtvote.com/15cBX3i
    The search for Christopher Dorner is over as a cabin he barricaded himself in was burned to the ground last night. Unconfirmed audio for a police scanner points to police starting the fire, which most likely killed Dorner. The ex-LAPD officer stole a car and shot two officers, killing one, during a shootout where he escaped into the cabin.

    Marco Rubio Winsome in Response to Obama, Rand Paul Mostly Feisty, http://rtvote.com/YdwJz2
    On Tuesday night, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio responded to President Obama’s State of the Union speech on behalf of the Republican party. Rubio attacked the president for his stance on taxes and government spending. A particularly memorable moment was when Rubio paused to drink from a water bottle in the middle of speaking. The moment immediately went viral on the Internet. On Good Morning America, Rubio said in regard to the sip, “God has a funny way of reminding us we’re human.”

    Pope Says Exit Is for ‘Good of the Church’, http://rtvote.com/11GF7O3
    In what is most likely his last public Mass as pope, Benedict XVI said that he is resigning for the “good of the church.” He also went on to thank his followers for their “love and support.” He cited his health as the reason for his retirement, explaining that he could no longer carry out his responsibilities effectively. The pope’s resignation will take effect February 28.

    Senate Armed Services Committee approves Hagel 14 to 11, http://rtvote.com/YdxW9u
    The Senate Armed Services Committee approved Chuck Hagel as the president’s Secretary of Defense. Hagel was barely approved with the committee voting 14 to 11 to have his nomination go to a vote in the Senate.

    Thai insurgents attack army base, troops kill 16, http://rtvote.com/11GE0Ol
    Sixteen Muslim insurgents were killed by Thai troops in a raid on Wednesday morning. The insurgents were trying to invade a military base in northern Thailand when Thai marines opened fire. The attack indicates the increased number of Muslim insurgents entering Thailand, which is a Buddhist-controlled country.

    Casey Neistat finds that calorie listings on foods can be highly inaccurate in “Calorie Detective,” http://rtvote.com/15cHxTz

    CULTURAL:

    “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin expecting child with new wife, http://rtvote.com/11GDMa3

    Lady Gaga suffers ‘show injury,’ postpones tour for a week, http://rtvote.com/XLmUZl

    Want a Dog Like Banana Joe? There Are 7 For Sale in America, http://rtvote.com/11GG1tU

    Chi Magazine Defends Kate Middleton Baby Pics: U.K. Channel ITV Apologizes for Showing Unblurred Cover,http://rtvote.com/11GG6he

    Justin Bieber Responds to Black Keys’ Drummer Grammy Diss, http://rtvote.com/11GG8Wg

    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, January 11th, 2013

    Friday, January 11th, 2013

    The U.S. orders a review of Boeing 787s;  the student that opened fire at CA’s Taft Union High Schol had intended targets; President Obama and President Hamid Karzai will meet to discuss troop levels in Afghanistan; campaign staffers report that Michele Bachmann still has not paid them; and the NYPD will review 800 rape cases due to mishandling of DNA evidence. Meanwhile, Iran will respond to ‘Argo’ with its own film; Justin Bieber’s former bodyguard sues him; and Justin Timberlake is ready to make new music.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Dreamliner investigation: U.S. orders review of Boeing 787s, http://trib.in/VrJlV3
    The FAA will conduct an investigation of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner after two separate incidents on aircrafts in Japan. The Dreamliner gained a great deal of attention when it was first introduced for its sophistication and technology; however, it has been plagued with mishaps and production delays.

    Taft Union school shooting: Boy had ‘intended targets,’ police say, http://lat.ms/XSPDQ3
    Kern County, CA police say the 16-year-old student who fired a shotgun in a Taft Union High School classroom Thursday had “intended targets.” The suspect burst into the class he was supposed to be attending and shot one student two to four times before trying to shoot another. A teacher and school supervisor talked the student into putting the gun down and evacuated the rest of the classroom safely. “They did a great job of protecting the kids,” said Ed Whiting, the chief of the Taft Police Department. “We can’t thank them enough for what they did today.” One victim is in critical condition while the teacher suffered a minor pellet wound to his head.

    Plea decision looms in James Holmes’ Aurora theater shooting case, http://bit.ly/VSApVM
    Colorado Judge William B. Sylvester ruled Thursday that there is enough evidence to try James Holmes for the shooting that killed 12 people and wounded 70 in an Aurora, CO movie theater.  The ruling ties Homes to 166 counts of murder, attempted murder, and other weapons charges. As a result, Holmes will be held without bail and arraigned Friday. Defense lawyers have said that they are not ready to plea and will most likely ask for a delay. Holmes’ lawyers have said that he is mentally ill, causing some to believe that he will plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

    Afghan troop levels top agenda for Obama-Karzai talks, http://reut.rs/VqqsBH
    President Obama will meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai Friday to discuss withdrawing U.S. troops from the country by 2014. The White House has been considering removing all troops with some suggesting that this “zero option” will be an important bargaining chip in Obama’s discussion with Karzai. White House aides say that it’s not likely any decisions will be made during Friday’s talk, and that it could be months before Obama decides how many troops to remove from Afghanistan. Chuck Hagel, Obama’s nomination for Defense Secretary, will most likely support removing as many troops as possible.

    Bachmann still hasn’t paid presidential campaign staffers, http://bit.ly/WxBn8N
    Peter Waldon, the former national field coordinator for Michele Bachmann’s presidential campaign, has said that Bachmann has refused to pay five staffers. Waldon claims that the staffers are owed $5,000 and that Bachmann has $2,000,000 towards her campaign. Bachmann allegedly will not pay the owed funds until the staffers sign a nondisclosure agreement saying they will not tell members of the media about any “unethical, immoral, or criminal activity” witnessed on the campaign trail.

    New York Examines Over 800 Rape Cases for Possible Mishandling of Evidence, http://nyti.ms/USKQgr
    The NYPD said Friday that it will review 843 cases of rape where a lab technician overlooked or mishandled DNA evidence. According to the medical examiner’s office, supervisors have found 26 cases where the technician did not find biological evidence when it did actually exist. The director of forensic biology at the examiner’s office said that these errors are false negatives instead of false positives and that “nobody was wrongfully convicted” due to the mistakes. The cases in review span from 2001 to 2011, when the technician worked in the examiner’s office.

    BIDEN SEEKS VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY INPUT ON GUNS, http://bit.ly/WHJgYS
    Vice President Biden will meet with representatives from the videogame industry Friday to gauge videogames’ influence on violent behavior. On Thursday, Biden and his gun control task force met with heads of the NRA for more than 90 minutes. The meeting has been described as an open and frank discussion, but neither side came out of it showing signs of negotiating. Biden is set to present his ideas regarding gun laws to President Obama early next week.

    CULTURAL:

    Film to Present Iran’s View of ‘Argo’ Events, http://nyti.ms/VMPqbY

    JUSTIN BIEBER Sued By Ex-Bodyguard: He Punched & Berated Me!, http://tmz.me/10iQhrE

    Inside the Critics Choice Movie Awards: What You Didn’t See on TV, http://bit.ly/WJ8kPi

    Sharon Osbourne Slams Lady Gaga After Kelly Critique, Calls Her “Hypocrite” and “Bully”, http://eonli.ne/ZQ6qn0

    Justin Timberlake is “ready” for new project, http://bit.ly/ZCfN55

    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, January 8th, 2013

    Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

    The Wall Street Journal reveals more about the 23-year-old rape and murder victim in New Dehli; the Bipartisan Policy Center says the U.S. may default on its debt as early as February 15th; an Afghan soldier kills a British soldier and wounds six more; Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly announce their campaign for gun control; Israeli officials are worried about Chuck Hagel’s nominations; and a $1 million lottery winner in Illinois is poisoned. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles split after two months of dating; David Bowie releases a new single; and Current TV staffers are unhappy about the channel’s sale to Al Jazeera.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    New Delhi Attack: The Victim’s Story, http://on.wsj.com/THNeUD
    The Wall Street Journal is revealing more about the young woman who was raped and murder in New Dehli. The 23-year-old girl, who was only 5 feet 3 and 90 pounds, has been described as a hardworking physiotherapy student who made extra money emceeing recitals and working at a call center. Before her fatal attack, the victim had gone to a mall with a male friend to shop and see “Life of Pi.” Later that day, her attackers went on a “joy ride” on a bus one of them drove and offered to drive the pair home. A few of the suspects posed as passengers before attacking the young woman and her friend.

    U.S. may default on its debt half a month earlier than expected, new analysis shows, http://wapo.st/UG3sws
    Analysis from the Bipartisan Policy Center shows that the U.S government could default on its debt as early as February 15th and as late as March 1st, which is half a month earlier than expected. The government hit its debt limit on December 31st, but the Treasury Department was able to stave it off  by enacting “extraordinary measures.”

    Afghan Soldier Kills British Soldier, Wounds 6, http://abcn.ws/13e4NPT
    In the first insider attack of 2013, an Afghan soldier killed a British soldier and wounded six more at the Patrol Base Hazrat in the Nahri Sarraj district of Helmand province. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the shooting saying that the suspect was killed at a security checkpoint during his escape. Last year, 45 insider attacks claimed the lives of 61 people in Afghanistan.

    Hagel nomination unnerves some in Israel, http://bit.ly/Wr9Xkm
    Israeli officials are reportedly uneasy about President Obama’s decision to nominate Chuck Hagel as the U.S. Secretary of Defense. The former Republican senator’s positions on Iran’s nuclear program, Palestinian relations, and refusal to sign a letter recognizing Hezbollah as a terrorist group is not in agreement with Israel’s stance on these issues.  ”I support Israel, but my first interest is I take an oath of office to the Constitution of the United States, not to a president, not to a party, not to Israel,” Hagel has said. “Because of his statements in the past, and his stance toward Israel, we are worried,” said Reuven Rivlin, the speaker of the Israeli parliament. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not comment on the matter.

    Illinois man killed by cyanide poisoning after striking it rich in lottery, http://bit.ly/TINvXf
    Investigators have discovered that one month after Urooj Khan of Illinois won $1 million in the lottery, he was poisoned to death. It was originally determined that Khan died of natural causes; however, a new investigation has found cyanide in body. The Indian immigrant and businessman allegedly jumped for joy after discovering his winnings in June. Police are now looking for suspects in his murder.

    Giffords Ready to Make A Push on Gun Control, http://on.wsj.com/UDzWLE
    Former Representative Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly are expected to announce a fundraising effort and call for stricter gun regulations during on Tuesday. Giffords, who was shot in the head two years ago, has yet to be involved in gun lobbying efforts. However, she and her husband have spoken about gun control on social media and in public. After a visit to Newtown, Kelly wrote on his Facebook page: “This time our response must consist of more than regret, sorrow and condolence.”

    CULTURAL:

    ‘Bama Bashes Notre Dame 42-14 in BCS Title Game, http://abcn.ws/ZlXuRC

    Taylor Swift, Harry Styles split, http://usat.ly/UwN0wV

    David Bowie releases ‘Where Are We Now?’, http://bit.ly/10c2le0

    Current TV staffers rip Al Gore for sale to Al Jazeera, http://fxn.ws/VMMXOk

    Pregnant Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Buy $11 Million Mansion, http://eonli.ne/VQtlIB

    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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