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    ‘Justin Bieber’


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    News Round-Up: Friday, March 15th, 2013

    Friday, March 15th, 2013

    President Obama unveils a new energy plan; Republican Senator Rob Portman reverses his stance on gay marriage; Syria and Lebanon move closer to war; a new Senate report shows JPMorgan Chase deliberately hid the bank’s wrongdoings; Mitt Romney gets the “b-list” treatment at CPAC; a grand jury is investigating Senator Robert Menendez; and more mothers say they prefer to work full-time. Meanwhile, a salt-stained violin emerges as The Titanic’s most important artifact; Judge Judy is sued over china and flatware; and Justin Bieber says he doesn’t need to go to rehab.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    JPMorgan Faulted on Controls and Disclosure in Trading Loss, http://rtvote.com/12VXmj4
    A new 300-page report from the Senate shows that JPMorgan Chase, the U.S.’s biggest bank, deliberately altered documents and ignored internal controls as they built up trading losses. The report also reveals that Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase’s CEO, lied to regulators in order to cover up the bank’s wrongdoings. The report was released one day before the Senate will question leading bankers and regulators at a hearing. “While we have repeatedly acknowledged significant mistakes, our senior management acted in good faith and never had any intent to mislead anyone,” said a spokeswoman for JPMorgan Chase.

    Mitt Romney gets B-list treatment at CPAC, http://rtvote.com/12VVzKO
    Mitt Romney will give his first public speech since the election to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday. Sources say that Romney has been receiving the “B-list” treatment at the conference. “He’s kind of last year,” said former New Hampshire state representative Laurie Pettengill. Republicans in attendance say that their snubbing of Romney is not meant as punishment, but rather a signal that the party is ready to move on.

    EU rejects Franco-British push on arms for Syrian rebels, http://rtvote.com/ZN40ls
    Syria’s foreign ministry issued a stern warning to the Lebanese government Friday, saying that they will not tolerate Lebanese rebels hiding near the border and sneaking into Syria. The foreign ministry said that these rebels have little regard for its country’s people or laws. The Syrian government has kept silent on the issue for a while, signaling that it could be ready to strike soon.

    Grand jury investigating Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), people familiar with probe say, http://rtvote.com/15QFUdv
    A grand jury is currently investigating Democratic New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez’s relationship with his confidant and major donor Dr. Salomon Melgen. The incidents in question include a port-security contract in the Dominican Republic that Menendez may have helped Melgen secure, as well as the Senator aiding the doctor in Medicare fraud. Earlier this year, Menendez was accused of allowing Melgen to pay for his trips to the Dominican Republic, where he allegedly met with prostitutes. Sources tell The Washington Post that the grand jury has subpoenaed Melgen’s financial records.

    More Moms Say Full-Time Work Is Ideal, http://rtvote.com/15QDCLj
    A new Pew Research survey reveals that 37% of mothers would prefer to work full-time, up from 21% in 2007. The poll shows a “strong correlation” between financial security and the amount mothers would like to work, with around 47% saying they “don’t have enough to meet basic expenses.” Surveyed women who were wealthy from means other than their jobs preferred to work part-time or not at all.

    Obama Seeks $2 Billion in Research on Cleaner Fuels, http://rtvote.com/12W0203
    President Obama will reveal a “blueprint for a clean and secure energy future” on Friday. The plan would ideally be funded from $2 billion from federal oil and gas leases over the next ten years, with the money going towards research on clean-energy vehicles. White House officials say Obama will present the plan as a piece of “all-of-the-above energy strategy,” which includes increased oil and gas development, research and development for clean-energy sources, loan guarantees for new nuclear plants, and research into long-term alternatives for fossil fuels. The president will work to implement his strategy piece-by-piece instead of trying to pass climate-change legislation through Congress.

    CNN Exclusive: One conservative’s dramatic reversal on gay marriage, http://rtvote.com/12VWL0I
    Republican Ohio Senator Rob Portman, who co-sponsored the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, told The Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday that he has had a “change of heart” on the issue of same-sex marriage. “I’ve come to the conclusion that for me, personally, I think this is something that we should allow people to do, get married,” Portman said. Portman’s reversal of opinion happened when his son Will told him that he was gay. As a result, the Senator now views the topic “from the position of a father.”

    CULTURAL:

    Rafael Nadal crushes Roger Federer to make semi-finals at Indian Wells, http://rtvote.com/16xakmk

    Musician’s salt-stained violin emerges as the most important relic from the Titanic, http://rtvote.com/15QFbcb

    Lawsuit says Judge Judy conspired to buy $500,000 worth of jointly owned china and flatware for a pittance to hurt a co-worker’s estranged wife, http://rtvote.com/16xcSkv

    Justin Bieber lashes out at press, denies rehab rumors, http://rtvote.com/16xsPa8

    Jay-Z confirms Great Gatsby executive producer role, http://rtvote.com/ZNmp1v

    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: Monday, March 11th, 2013

    Monday, March 11th, 2013

    Japan observes a moment for silence on the twoyear anniversary of the deadly tsunami; the main suspect in the Delhi gang-rape case commits suicide; South Korea considers creating a nuclear arsenal; and a new test may detect Alzheimers decades in advance. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber cancels his concert in Portugal; Princess Lilian of Sweden dies; and Holly Madison defends naming her daughter Rainbow.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Fukushima Nuclear Cleanup Bogged Down in Bureaucracy, Could Take Decades,http://rtvote.com/ZDtd1B
    At 2:46 pm on Monday, Japan observed a moment of silence on the two year anniversary of the tsunami that killed 16,000 people and caused a nuclear plant meltdown. A 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered the tsunami that ruined thousands of homes on Japan’s northern Pacific coast, forced 160,000 people to evacuate, and caused the biggest nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

    Delhi gang-rape case accused commits ‘suicide’, http://rtvote.com/12IbL2g
    The main suspect in the Delhi gang-rape case that killed a 23-year-old woman was found dead after an apparent suicide in his high-security prison cell. Prison authorities say the 33-year-old man hanged himself using just his clothes. At the time, inmates and a guard were present causing some to blame the prison for a lack of security. The suspect’s father says his son was murdered as he was threatened numerous times in prison.

    South Korea Flirts With Nuclear Ideas as North Blusters, http://rtvote.com/15HMaEm
    South Korea, which normally ignores North Korea’s threats, has a heightened sense of anxiety after North Korea claimed the countries’ peace treaty to be invalid. A recent poll shows that two-thirds of South Koreans want to create their own nuclear weapons in response to North Korea’s increasingly belligerent warnings against the U.S. and South Korea. On Monday, the U.S. and South Korea conducted military drills in case North Korea executes any of its threats.

    Syria: the story behind one of the most shocking images of the war, http://rtvote.com/ZDx9iX
    A shocking photo from Syria has gone viral on the Internet. The picture shows the executed bodies of men laying in a dried out river; their eyes are covered and their hands are bound. The Guardian has investigated the depiction, revealing that 110 young men had been executed and had vanished from regime areas or while traveling to regime areas. Syrian officials claim that a terrorist group carried out the executions and that they are not responsible.

    (via The New York Times) Ex-Mayor of Detroit Convicted in Corruption Case, http://rtvote.com/15HS5td
    Kwame M. Kilpatrick, a former mayor of Detroit, was found guilty on Monday of a range of charges, including corruption and fraud, at the completion of a five-month trial. Jurors reached consensus on 40 of the 45 charges leveled against Mr. Kilpatrick and his co-defendants, the judge in the trial said. The verdicts brought to a close a trial in which prosecutors laid out a complex case against Mr. Kilpatrick and his co-defendants — including his father, Bernard, and a city contractor, Bobby W. Ferguson — arguing that they had used the mayor’s office to enrich themselves for years through shakedowns, kickbacks and bid-rigging schemes.

    Alzheimer’s blood test could give early diagnosis, http://rtvote.com/15HQyDo
    British researchers are developing a new test that can reveal a person’s chances of developing Alzheimers later in life. The test looks for proteins normally associated with the disease and can better target treatments for those who have a chance of developing it.

    CULTURAL:

    Tiger’s all-around game shines in win, http://rtvote.com/12IkfX3

    JUSTIN BIEBER Cancels Concert Because of Empty Seats, http://rtvote.com/ZDAgY8

    Barbara Walters: Elisabeth Hasselbeck Is Not Being Fired from The View, http://rtvote.com/ZDCzum

    Welsh-born Princess Lilian of Sweden dies, aged 97, http://rtvote.com/16m8XH9

    Holly Madison: Daughter Rainbow Won’t Be “Traumatized” by Her Name — Is She Right?,http://rtvote.com/16m8Zi1

    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, March 8th, 2013

    Friday, March 8th, 2013

    February’s jobs numbers has unemployment at a 4-year-low; North Korea ends its peace treaty with South Korea; Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law is arraigned in New York City; flight attendants and pilots resist a new TSA policy that would allow small knives on planes; political leaders head to Venezuela for Hugo Chavez’s funeral; John Brennan has been confirmed as CIA Director; the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would impose stricter laws on gun trafficking; and Information Week tells us the five coolest changes to Facebook’s news feed. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber is making headlines after being hospitalized AND attacking a paparazzo; Joy Behar will leave ‘The View’; and Kelly Osborne suffers a seizure on-set.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    After Sanctions Vote, 2 Koreas Ratchet Up Attack Threats, http://rtvote.com/Zx5SP3
    In response to new UN Security Council sanctions, North Korea has ended its peace treaty with South Korea. The country has threatened nuclear attacks on the United States, saying it will send Washington into a “sea of fire.” A top general has confirmed that Pyongyang has nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles that are ready to be fired at any time. South Korea has warned North Korea about its nuclear ambitions, saying that if the country does attack then Kim Jong-un’s regime “will be erased from the earth.”

    Homeland Chair: Osama bin Laden’s Son-in-Law ‘Cooperating’, http://rtvote.com/Y0ixe9
    Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law, Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, has been indicted and will be arraigned in New York City on Friday. Abu Ghaith has appeared in al Qaeda videos after 9/11 and is being charged with conspiring to kill Americans. He is one of the highest ranked al Qaeda officials to stand trial in New York.

    NEW TSA POLICY ON KNIVES, BATS SPARKS BACKLASH, http://rtvote.com/Zx7JDH
    The Flight Attendants Union Coalition, which is made up of five unions and 90,000 flight attendants, has created a petition demanding to reverse the TSA’s new policy that small knives, golf clubs, and baseball bats be allowed on planes. “Our nation’s aviation system is the safest in the world thanks to multilayered security measures that include prohibition on many items that could pose a threat to the integrity of the aircraft cabin,” said the coalition. The pilots association has also denounced the measures, saying terrorism is still a “real threat.” If the policy is not overturned it will go into effect on April 25th.

    (via The New York Times) Unemployment at 4-Year-Low as U.S. Hiring Gains Steam,http://rtvote.com/XXRDVf
    Bolstered by a healthier private sector, the United States economy gained 236,000 jobs in February, well above what had been expected, while the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, its lowest level since December 2008. The gains were broad-based, the Labor Department said Friday, with sectors ranging from manufacturing to business services turning in healthy results. Construction was especially strong, adding 48,000 jobs, a sign that the recovery in the housing market is beginning to translate into new jobs.

    A FUNERAL, AND A SWEARING IN, FOR VENEZUELA, http://rtvote.com/Y0hquU
    At least 30 political leaders have traveled to Venezuela for Hugo Chavez’s funeral. Cuban President Raul Castro, Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, New York Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks, former Massachusetts congressman William Delahunt, and many others will be in attendance as Chavez’s week of mourning continues. Vice President Nicolas Maduro, whom Chavez chose as a replacement, will be sworn in today as well.

    (via The Washington Post) With Brennan as CIA chief, Obama puts in place 3rd key member of his national security team, http://rtvote.com/Y0p60h
    John Brennan took over Friday as director of the CIA, the finishing touch on President Barack Obama’s national security team for his second term.The White House said Vice President Joe Biden swore Brennan in during a private ceremony in the Roosevelt Room, the morning after he won Senate confirmation amid a contentious debate. Republicans had blocked his nomination but lifted their delay after the administration bowed to their requests for clarification about the president’s power in using drones.

    (via Information Week) Facebook News Feed: 5 Coolest Changes, http://rtvote.com/XXS2ah

    CULTURAL:

    JUSTIN BIEBER COLLAPSES IN LONDON, HOSPITALIZED, http://rtvote.com/Zx9EI9

    Joy Behar Departing ‘The View’, http://rtvote.com/Y0pCeV

    Justin Bieber Lunges at Paparazzi, Gets Restrained by His Own Bodyguard, http://rtvote.com/XXSeX5

    Kelly Osbourne recovering after on-set seizure, http://rtvote.com/XXShSH

     

    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: Liza Dee

    News Round-Up: Friday, March 1, 2013

    Friday, March 1st, 2013

    Cuts from the sequester could be implemented in a matter of hours; the Vatican is currently without a pope; and a Florida man is swallowed up by a massive sinkhole. Meanwhile, Michelle Obama defends her controversial Oscars appearance, Justin Bieber celebrates his birthday by partying until 6 A.M., and Daniel Radcliffe might star in the next “Frankenstein” movie.

    Caitlin + Liza

    CRUCIAL: 

    Countdown to spending cuts: a matter of hours, http://bit.ly/ZOiDcB
    Expectations are low that Washington will reach a deal that will prevent $85 million in spending cuts, known as the sequester, from going into effect later Friday. With just hours left, many Congressmen left the House for the weekend, signaling they have given up on negotiations. Though the president is set to meet with congressional leaders throughout the day, experts say the two sides are not likely to come to an agreement. If the sequester goes into effect, spending cuts will slash funding for government agencies across the board.

    Vatican takes first steps running Pope-less Church, http://apne.ws/Y3WMqV
    The Vatican began its “sede vacante” with Pope Benedict’s official resignation on Thursday night, taking the first steps of its transition period without a pope. Several key Vatican officials who will temporarily take charge of running the church will meet on Monday to set a date for the conclave, the election of the next pope. The College of Cardinals will likely elect Benedict’s successor within the next 20 days, and will also discuss challenges currently facing the Catholic church.

    Florida Sinkhole: Rescue Crews Try to Reach Man Swallowed by Massive Chasm, http://huff.to/XH628f
    A Florida man was swallowed up by a sinkhole that opened up beneath his bedroom on Friday, requiring rescue crews to help extract him from the huge chasm. Officials estimate the sinkhole was 30 feet wide at the surface and reached 100 feet across below the surface. Though the outside of the house was left completely intact, the entire bedroom was swallowed up. The man’s brother was also in the house at the time of the collapse, and was unsuccessful in his rescue attempt. “He was screaming my name. I could swear I heard him hollering my name to help him,” the brother said. The man is still missing and may be dead.

    Death Toll From Bangladesh Unrest Reaches 44, http://nyti.ms/XL7Fys
    At least 44 were killed in a clash between protesters and security forces in Bangladesh on Thursday, when violence erupted after a special war crimes tribunal sentenced an Islamic leader to death. Protestors took to the streets to celebrate the sentencing of Delawar Hossain Sayedee, who committed crimes against humanity during the country’s 1971 war for independence from Pakistan, and demanded further justice for leaders of Sayedee’s Islamic party, Jamaat. Furious Jamaat members have called for a nationwide strike, with bloodshed erupting and party members fighting police officers. Jamaat holds that the government is manipulating the war crimes justice system to attack political rivals.

    Chinese TV Special on Executions Stirs Debate, http://nyti.ms/Z6C6Aw
    The Chinese government aired a two-hour television broadcast on Friday during which four foreign drug traffickers were sent to their deaths by lethal injection. The program ended just before the execution of the men, who were accused of killing 13 Chinese sailors two years ago, and included graphic images of triumphant police officers and of the accused men in shackles. Heated debate ensued over whether the broadcast was a long-awaited show of justice or a tasteless display of violence. “Rather than showcasing rule of law, the program displayed state control over human life in a manner designed to attract gawkers,” criminal law professor Han Youyi said.

    President Obama calls for U.S. Supreme Court to strike down California’s gay marriage ban, http://bit.ly/YLsflR
    President Obama urged the Supreme Court to strike down California’s Proposition 8 on Thursday, saying the voter-approved gay marriage ban violates equal rights for same-sex couples. Though President Obama has expressed his support for gay marriage, his comments on Thursday mark the first time the administration has targeted a state’s right to outlaw same-sex marriage. The federal government had previously refrained from taking a stance in the last three major gay rights cases. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments challenging Proposition 8 on March 26.

    CULTURAL: 

    Michelle Obama Defends Controversial Oscars Appearance, http://bit.ly/XL1wT2

    Justin Bieber Celebrates His Birthday Shirtless, Parties Until 6 A.M., http://usm.ag/Z2ls3D

    Daniel Radcliffe in Final Talks to Star in Fox’s “Frankenstein”, http://bit.ly/Z2INlW

    Jennifer Lawrence Says She Sets Up Bradley Cooper, http://bit.ly/13tenjv

     

    Liza Dee
    Bio:

    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

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