The world braces for North Korea’s upcoming missile test; two shooting suspects in Tulsa have been arraigned; the U.S. Navy will deploy a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf; and President Obama is doing well amongst swing-state Independent voters; meanwhile, Jessica Biel goes wedding dress shopping; Clint Eastwood sues a furniture company; and Mattel develops a ‘Hunger Games’ Barbie.
Kelly H. + Caitlin
CRUCIAL:
Tulsa Shooting Suspects Set For Arraignment, http://n.pr/Hvwad1
Two men were arrested Sunday in connection with a Tulsa shooting spree that killed three black residents and wounded two others. The two men, who are also roommates, are expected to be arraigned this morning. They face possible charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and firearms possession. Speculation is increasing whether or not the shooting was racially-motivated, with investigations into the suspects’ Facebook accounts being conducted.
U.S. Navy deploys second aircraft carrier to Persian Gulf amid rising tensions with Iran, http://bit.ly/IijmIh
The U.S. navy has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region. After failed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program in January and amid proposed talks with world leaders from the United Nations, the deployment is the fourth time in the past decade that the Navy has operated two aircraft carriers in that region. The USS Enterprise, which is nuclear powered, will help support military operations in Afghanistan and anti-piracy efforts off of Somali’s coast. U.S. Navy commanders commented that the deployment does not signify a response to any threat.
South Korea says North preparing for nuclear test, http://bit.ly/HtUgGD
Satellite images have revealed a new underground tunnel in North Korea, which appears to be for nuclear testing. The excavation in northeast North Korea, where nuclear tests were previously conducted in 2006 and 2009, looks almost complete. The possibility of further nuclear testing and exploration is now being taken into account as North Korea has also announced its plans to launch a long-range rocket over South Korea and Japan. Major world powers and neighboring countries have urged North Korea to cancel its launch plans, observing that the new evidence of testing indicates possible plans to fire missiles on other countries.
President Obama leads among ‘swing independents,’ http://politi.co/HsOMOL
In a poll conducted amongst 1,000 “swing independents,” who voted in the 2008 presidential election, and who do not list Obama nor Romney as strongly favorable or unfavorable, Obama outranks Romney 57 percent to 41 percent. Overall, the independents polled in about a dozen battleground states prefer Obama but identify ideologically closer to Romney. About 15 percent of the electorate, roughly 40 percent of independents, authentically swing between parties. The independent pollers were also asked what issues they were angriest about. They listed in order that they were most frustrated with congressional gridlock, the national debt and the Wall Street bailouts.
CULTURAL:
Jessica Biel Power Shops in Paris, http://bit.ly/HrQ1gJ
‘Hunger Games’ Barbie: Mattel Debuts Katniss Everdeen Doll, http://bit.ly/Huma5s
Clint Eastwood sues furniture company, http://thedc.com/HXb8Ef
Whitney Houston funeral cost NJ taxpayers $187k, http://thedc.com/Iv2DRK
Photos: Bubba Watson Wins The Masters 2012, http://bit.ly/HuucwW
The Titanic sinks again, on TV and movie screens, http://bit.ly/HBvzXW
