North Koreans begin a national mourning period for the death of Kim Jong-il; Kim’s son, Kim Jong-un, will take over for his father despite rumored turmoil; Ron Paul currently leads in Iowa; Romney continues to receive income from Bain Capital; and Apple is planning its TV takeover. Meanwhile, MTV announces its “Power 12″ election campaign, and the third engagement is a charm for Britney Spears.
CRUCIAL:
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il dies ‘of heart attack,’ http://goo.gl/m8ssu
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il died Saturday of a heart attack. Kim, who suffered the heart attack while riding a train, had been in power for 17 years. The news was made public on Monday when a woman wearing black announced it on Korean state television. When the news broke, people began crying in the streets of Pyongyang. Kim’s funeral will be held December 28, and the period of national mourning will end December 29. His body will be in a mausoleum where his father Kim Il-sung’s corpse is on public display. Kim’s official North Korean obituary paints a different picture than those of other publications, making statements like “He turned the DPRK into an invincible political and ideological power in which single-minded unity has been achieved.”
Kim Jong-il, North Korean Dictator, Dies, Kim Jong-un Takes Over, http://goo.gl/xc7Qi
Kim Jong-un, Kim Jong-il’s third son, will take over for his late father as leader of North Korea. Not much is known about about Kim, including his age; although, it’s rumored that he is in his 20s. Kim was briefly educated in Sweden, and his father began grooming him for a take-over last year. According to the New York Times, some intelligence believes he planned two attacks on South Korea last year in order to prove himself as a leader. Korean state television is now proclaiming him “the great successor” and is telling the Korean people to “faithfully revere respectable comrade Kim Jong-un.” Considering the two days between Kim Jong-il’s death and its announcement, some believe Kim will just serve as a figurehead of the party due to leadership struggles behind the scenes.
Pa. voter ID bill undergoes changes, http://goo.gl/9xyRC
In response to complaints that Pennsylvania’s new voter ID bill disenfranchises young people and the elderly, the PA State Senate Government Committee has added an addendum that allows identification issued by colleges and nursing homes to be valid at the polls. Also, voters without proper ID will be able to cast a provisional ballot that will be valid if they send in a copy of their ID via fax, mail or in person within six days of casting the ballot.
Paul Leads in Iowa, http://goo.gl/iPk9o
According to a new poll from Public Policy Polling, Ron Paul is leading in Iowa with 23%. Mitt Romney trails behind him with 20%, and Newt Gingrich is in third with 14%. In fact, Newt Gingrich has dropped 13% in two weeks. Iowa voters say they favor Ron Paul because he has campaigned the hardest in the state. He even leads Romney 26-5 percent with voters who say it’s “very important” that a candidate spends a great deal of time in the state.
Buyout Profits Keep Flowing to Romney, http://goo.gl/NoEsf
Even though Mitt Romney left Bain Capital in 1999, he is still receiving millions of dollars a year from the company. Apparently before he left, Romney negotiated a very lucrative retirement package that enables him to receive profits from all of Bain’s deals. Romney’s opponents may attack the candidate for profitting from layoffs, such as the massive firings Bain made after acquiring KB Toys. His retirement package has also been taxed at 15% instead of the 35% for ordinary income.
Apple Plots Its TV Assault, http://goo.gl/iNu50
Apple executives have been meeting with media executives to discuss the future of television at Apple’s hand. Potential technology includes an Apple TV set that provides shows and movies through wireless streaming. Viewers may also be able to pause their shows and movies and resume watching them on their iPhones or iPads, which would also serve as remote controls. One person from the meetings says a Siri component may also be possible as discussions have included voice and gesture commands for controlling the TV.
Exclusive: Secret U.S., Taliban talks reach turning point, http://goo.gl/12JH9
Reuters is reporting that secret discussions between the U.S. and Taliban “have reached a critical juncture.” The U.S. is considering transferring Guantanamo Bay inmates into Afghan custody in exchange for the Taliban’s denouncement of international terrorism and their entering of peace talks with Afghanistan. Reuters is still reporting that a diplomatic breakthrough “is a longshot.”
CULTURAL:
For Election Year, MTV Drops ‘Choose or Lose’ Slogan, http://goo.gl/3KS39
“Dancing With The Stars” winner J.R. Martinez to be a dad, http://goo.gl/qyNx5
Will Britney Spears’ Third Marriage Be Her Best Yet?! Source: “You Can’t Even Compare the Chances!,”http://goo.gl/yomJZ
Daniel Craig is offered deal to play James Bond five more times, http://goo.gl/xNEPi
Paul McCartney to release album of covers, two new songs, http://goo.gl/Kykkj




