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    ‘Osama bin Laden’



    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



    News Round-Up: Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

    Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

    A Russian plane has disappeared in Indonesia; North Carolina voters pass Amendment One; Senate Republicans block the Democratic student loan bill; a prison inmate captures 40% of the West Virginia Democratic primary vote; Senator Lugar is defeated in Indiana’s GOP primary; and a doctor in Houston live tweets brain surgery. Meanwhile, Pippa Middleton will be moving to NYC; Tom Gabel of Against Me! comes out as transgender; two male masseurs have accused John Travolta of sexual assault; and Delta pulls its ads from “The Daily Show.”

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Qaeda bomber adept at breaching aviation security, http://reut.rs/KLZfQL
    Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri, formerly one of the most dangerous militants in al Qaeda, has been arrested after making a non-metallic underwear bomb that could pass through airport security undetected. Asiri, who survived a drone attack last year, created the bomb for an attack that was supposed to take place on the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death. The plot was foiled after Asiri handed the bomb over to a CIA double-agent posing as the would-be bomber.

    Syriza’s Tsipras to meet Greece’s pro-bailout parties, http://bbc.in/Km7YM5
    Alex Tspiras, Greece’s far-left leader who is responsible for forming the country’s government, has said that although he finds the EU’s bailout terms “barbaric,” he will still meet with pro-bailout parties Wednesday. If the two sides cannot negotiate terms then Greece may have new elections in a few weeks. Tspiras has said that he would consider refusing the EU’s bailout in order to avoid its austerity regulations. In response, Germany stated that if Greece refuses the bailout then it will receive absolutely no aid. Tspiras has received support from Greece’s small left-wing party, the Democratic Left, as well as the country’s center-right party.

    (via CNN) Russian plane disappears in demonstration flight in Indonesia, http://bit.ly/Jx2Dj7 
    Russia’s newest civilian airliner disappeared Wednesday from radar screens during a half-hour demonstration flight in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, state-run RIA Novosti news service reported. There were 44 passengers on board. The plane went missing at about 2 p.m. in the area of Bogor, West Java, Indonesian Transportation Ministry spokesman Bambang Ervan told Metro TV. The pilots requested permission to descend from 10,000 feet to 6,000 feet, air traffic controllers said. After that, all radio contact was lost. The plane began making its descent but vanished from radar screens at 6,200 feet in a mountainous area. By the time the plane was due to return it should have burned up its fuel, RIA Novosti said.

    Obama ‘disappointed’ over N.C. marriage ban, http://politi.co/KaD6zV
    President Obama issued a statement saying that he was “disappointed” in North Carolina voters’ decision to pass an amendment to their state’s constitution that would only legally recognize a marriage between a man and a woman. Amendment One passed 61% to 39% after a heavy outpouring of religious voters and support from Billy Graham. The vote saw North Carolina’s largest primary turnout in years. Gay-rights groups will protest the law starting today, and same-sex couples will seek marriage licenses in Wilson and Durham before the law goes into effect in January 2013. Two protestors were arrested in Asheville last night.

    (via Reuters) US Senate Republicans block Democratic student loan bill, http://reut.rs/JeqHrX
    U.S. Senate Republicans blocked on Tuesday a White House-backed bill that would end a tax break for the wealthy in order to pay for an extension of low-interest loan rates for federal student loans. On a mostly party-line vote of 52-45, Democratic backers of the measure fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to clear a Republican procedural roadblock. Regardless, both sides are expected to reach a compromise to prevent a doubling on July 1 of the 3.4 percent interest rate on undergraduate Stafford loans for more than 7 million students.

    A Texas prison inmate gets votes in Democratic primary in West Virginia, http://wapo.st/JZkFwQ
    President Obama lost about 40% of the vote in West Virginia’s Democratic Primary yesterday. The votes went to a prison inmate, Keith Judd, who is incarcerated for making threats at the University of New Mexico over a decade ago. Judd paid $2,500 and filled out a form to get on the state’s ballot, although a Democratic Party spokeswoman says he does not a have a delegate for the Democratic National Convention. Meanwhile, Obama lost 18% of the vote in Oklahoma to Randall Terry, an anti-abortion activist.

    (via The New York Times) Before Primary Win, Mourdock Sought to Block Chrysler’s Bailout, http://nyti.ms/IIEC7m
    Richard Mourdock set the political world abuzz late on Tuesday when he defeated the incumbent Senator Richard G. Lugar in Indiana’s Republican primary, reflecting the power of his conservative and Tea Party backers by ousting a fixture of the Senate…. Mr. Mourdock [is known] for his most notable endeavor in his tenure as Indiana state treasurer: unsuccessfully trying to block Chrysler‘s government-sponsored bankruptcy in the summer of 2009. Such was the fervor of his case that he took his fight all the way to the steps of the Supreme Court.

    Houston Hospital to Live Tweet Brain Surgery, http://bit.ly/Jf67Hz
    Houston neurosurgeon Dr. Dong Kim is live tweeting a brain surgery today starting at 8:30 am. A colleague of Kim’s will live tweet from the operating room, a video camera will  take overview shots, and a photographer will be taking pictures. Kim is removing a tumor from a 21-year-old patient who experiences seizures. He is live tweeting as part of a teaching experience. The photos and information can be found on Twitter, YouTube, TwitPic, CoverItLive, and Pinterest.

    CULTURAL:

    Delta pulls ‘Daily Show’ ads over ‘vagina manger’ skit, http://bit.ly/KaGL0G

    Tom Gabel of Against Me! Comes Out as Transgender, http://bit.ly/Lcx1AF

    Pippa Planning New York Move, http://bit.ly/JfDhW2

    Lawyer for John Travolta Accusers — More Masseurs Will Sue, http://bit.ly/IQeOd9

    Brad Pitt Is the New Face of Chanel No. 5, http://bit.ly/IQf5gg

    ‘The Voice’ champion checks in the morning after winning, http://usat.ly/IY31fa

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



    News Round-Up: Tuesday, May 8, 2012

    Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

    The U.S. foils a Yemeni terrorist bomb plot; hundreds of Russians protest Putin’s inauguration; China expels Al Jazeera; a Thai man imprisoned for insulting the queen via text message dies in jail; North Carolinians vote on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage; and Santorum endorses Romney. Meanwhile, legendary children’s author Maurice Sendak has died; Prince Harry woos DC; and Andre 3000 will star as Jimi Hendrix in a new biopic.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Bomb plot shows new level of sophistication, lawmaker says, http://bit.ly/Jnvf0D
    U.S. officials have thwarted a Yemeni terrorist plot that involved a sophisticated bomb that was crafted to pass through airport security and board a plane to the United States. In response to the foiled terrorist plot, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that “terrorists keep trying” to kill Americans and as a result, we must remain “vigilant.” The FBI has seized the bomb and is analyzing it. Officials have stated that no Americans are at risk from the foiled plot and that the terrorists could have been retaliating on the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death.

    Russian protest leaders held as Putin, Medvedev swap, http://reut.rs/JPK0oy
    Hundreds of Russians took to the streets to protest Vladimir Putin’s presidential inauguration yesterday. The demonstrations saw the arrest of two of the highest-profile opposition leaders and some of the biggest protests since the days of the Soviet Union. The controversial election has named Putin as Russia’s new president after spending four years as the country’s prime minister. Dmitry Medvedev will serve as prime minister now that Putin has taken his place as president. The switch has caused many to call the elections a sham. Since Sunday, close to 700 protestors have been arrested after clashing with police as they tried to clear the streets for Putin’s elaborate inauguration.

    China Expels Al Jazeera Channel, http://nyti.ms/JUmNWu
    China has forced Al Jazeera to shut down “its China news operations of its English-language channel.” The Chinese government will not say why it has refused to renew reporter Melissa Chan’s journalist visa or press credentials. The government has also refused to allow another correspondent to replace her. The last time Chinese officials banned a reporter was in 1998.

    Thai man dies during 20-year jail term for insulting queen, http://bit.ly/JtsacR
    A man in Thailand who had been sentenced to 20 years in jail after sending text messages deemed insulting to the queen died in prison yesterday. Amphon Tangnoppakul, known as “Uncle SMS,” was arrested in 2010. He denied sending the messages but was still given one of the harshest sentences on record for insulting the queen. The cause of Tangnoppakul’s death is not clear. On Friday, he complained of stomach pains and was sent to a correctional-facility prison for treatment.

    NC in the national spotlight as voters weigh in on gay marriage ban in state’s constitution, http://wapo.st/JdoyLp
    Voters in North Carolina will go to the polls today to decide on a controversial decree that would ban same-sex marriage in the state’s constitution. The law has drawn criticism and comments from Bill Clinton and Billy Graham, leaving the state divided. 500,000 people have voted early on the amendment. Early results show that there is a generational divide regarding the issue. Voters 65 and over favor the ban 2 to 1. In Winston-Salem, the city council voted to oppose the amendment.

    Santorum endorses Romney: ‘All hands on deck,’ http://politi.co/JtpEDx
    In an e-mail to supporters Monday, Rick Santorum endorsed Mitt Romney for president saying, “Governor Romney will be that nominee and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical election of our lifetime.” Santorum and Romney had recently met in Pittsburgh where Santorum outlined “the issues most important to conservatives.” Santorum also added that he “strongly encouraged Romney that he add more conservative leaders as an integral part of his team.”

    Mom, daughter found dead; 2 sisters still missing, http://bit.ly/KZISlw
    The FBI is looking for a man who is suspected of kidnapping a Tennessee mother and her three daughters. Adam Mayes was a family friend to Jo Ann Bain and her 14, 12, and 8 year-olds. Bain’s body and that of her eldest daughter has been found behind a house that belongs to Mayes in Northern Mississippi. Mayes is believed to be armed and dangerous and to have the youngest daughters still with him.

    CULTURAL:

    Maurice Sendak, Author of Splendid Nightmares, Dies at 83, http://nyti.ms/JnBLEr

    Harry Charms Pants Off DC Crowd As Colin Powell Makes Bizarre Diana Reference, http://bit.ly/Jbi6tw

    Matthew Fox Popped for DUI, http://bit.ly/IVT1MJ

    Alessandra Ambrosio Welcomes a Baby Boy, http://eonli.ne/IZ7JGo

    Andre 3000 set to shoot Jimi Hendrix biopic, http://bit.ly/IHR6kw

    Charlize Theron Steps Out with Jackson, http://bit.ly/JbkSix

    Beyonce Dazzles At Met Fashion Gala, http://on.mtv.com/IHRpMh

    Investors buy CBGB name, plan NYC music festival, http://cbsn.ws/Jbl2GJ

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



    News Round-Up: Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

    Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

    Documents reveal Osama bin Laden plotted the assassination of President Obama; British Parliament says Rupert Murdoch is unfit to run News Corp; protestors around the globe take to the streets on May Day; and Hillary Clinton heads to China to meet with Chen Guangcheng. Meanwhile, Khloe Kardashian does not want audiences “keeping up” with her anymore; The trailer for ‘Dark Knight Rises’ is released; and Buzzfeed tells us why May is going to the best month ever.

    CRUCIAL:

    Protesters Prepare, Police Brace for May Day Protestshttp://bit.ly/JzuCAR
    In honor of May Day, workers across the globe are planning to protest for better pay. Thousands of employees in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan are demonstrating for wages that are on par with global consumer prices. In Greece, workers have planned rallies protesting the government’s austerity cuts. Meanwhile, the Occupy Movement has launched its spring awakening movement, calling for  “no work, no school, no shopping, no banking” throughout the United States. Occupy spokesman Mark Bray says that the call to action will show that  “99 percenters make things run in this country.”

    Osama bin Laden ‘considered changing name of al-Qaeda before death,’ http://bit.ly/IEnmmg
    John Brennan, the Obama administration’s top counterterrorism official, has revealed that documents found in Osama bin Laden’s compound show he was plotting the assassinations of President Obama, General Petraeus, and other U.S. officials. The documents also reveal that Bin Laden was thinking about changing the name of al Qaeda. Due to “disaster after disaster,” it seemed he believed the terrorism network was a “shadow” of its former self and that its leadership would “no longer be relevant.” Meanwhile, Mitt Romney has criticized Obama for touting his assassination of Bin Laden, saying “even Jimmy Carter” would have done it. In response, Obama quoted a 2007 speech where Romney stated, “It’s not worth moving heaven and earth, spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person.”

    British Lawmakers: Rupert Murdoch Unfit to Run News Corp., http://bit.ly/Itz5Xz
    Members of the British Parliament’s House of Commons, Culture, Media, and Sport investigating News Corp’s phone hacking scandal said yesterday that Rupert Murdoch is “not a fit person” and as a result, should not be head of News Corp. The report also noted that Murdoch “turned a blind eye and exhibited willful blindness,” in regards to the company’s scandals. The 11-member House argued that if he had been “entirely open” to News Corp’s shareholders and lawmakers then the illegal phone hacking would have been discovered and dealt with much sooner. The report also said that James Murdoch and three News International executives, Les Hinton, Colin Myler, and Tom Crone, should be held responsible for the scandals.

    (via CNN) 5 arrested in alleged plot to blow up Cleveland-area bridge, http://bit.ly/ICYDBY
    Five suspects, some of whom describe themselves as anarchists, were arrested after allegedly conspiring to blow up a bridge near Cleveland, the FBI said Tuesday. “The public was never in danger from the explosive devices” because an undercover FBI agent was involved and the explosives were inert, the bureau said in a news release.

    Clinton heads to China and into dissident drama, http://reut.rs/InAqf3
    U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to China yesterday to meet with blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng at the US Embassy in Beijing. While officials from both China and the U.S. have not made any comments about Guangcheng’s house arrest escape, some are speculating that he will demand to stay in China and pursue his activism. On Monday, President Obama said that China has to improve its rights for citizens but did not mention Guangcheng. Chen’s supporters have said that Chinese police admitted that Guangcheng’s escape does not break any laws.

    How Apple Sidesteps Billions in Taxes, http://nyti.ms/JzsVTO
    The New York Times has revealed that Apple’s subsidiaries in low-tax areas have allowed it to save $2.4 billion in taxes. Instead of keeping its profits in California where its based, Apple has been sending its funds to Reno, NV where the corporate tax rate is zero. The company also has tax-saving subsidiaries in places like Ireland and the British Virgin Islands. Last year, Apple paid $3.3 billion on its $34.2 billion profits worldwide. Apple’s studied accounting tactics have been deemed legal.

    CULTURAL:

    Ann Romney on Mitt: ‘There’s a wild and crazy man inside there,’ http://bit.ly/KsnzGZ

    Tony Nominations: Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Nixon Score Nods—but Did Spider-Man Snag Anything in Its Web?,http://eonli.ne/IOXqC7

    Dark Knight Rises’ New Trailer Released, http://eonli.ne/JPQ2Lw

    Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom: Why We’re Taking “Time Off” From E! Reality Show, http://bit.ly/IDzEgT

    23 Reasons Why May Is Going To Be The Best Month Ever, http://bit.ly/KDtAFk

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



    News Round-Up: Friday, March 9, 2012

    Friday, March 9th, 2012

    Syrian opposition rejects talks with President Bashar al Assad; the Taliban has threatened attacks if Pakistan does not release Osama bin Laden’s widows; and the Obama administration comes out in support of Invisible Children’s Kony bill. Meanwhile, Rock the Vote will debut its “Scan to Vote” QR t-shirts at SXSW. Make sure to follow us on Twitter at @Rockthevote and at Facebook.com/rockthevote for updates from the festival.

    Caitlin

    CRUCIAL:

    Syria opposition chief rejects talks, http://bit.ly/wgryD4
    Burhan Ghalioun, the head of the rebel Syrian National Council, has refused Kofi Annan’s suggestion that the opposition hold talks with Syrian president Bashar al Assad. In an interview with the Associated Press, Ghalioun said the request was unrealistic and that Annan had failed the Syrian people. Annan will meet with Assad this weekend.

    (via POLITICO Breaking News) The economy added 227,000 jobs in February and the unemployment rate held steady at 8.3 percent, the Labor Department reported Friday.

    Pakistan Taliban demand release of bin Laden’s widows, threaten attacks, http://reut.rs/wHwQjm
    The Taliban has vowed to carry out suicide attacks if the Pakistani government, police, and military do not release Osama bin Laden’s three widows from their custody. On Thursday, Pakistan’s government charged the women with entering the country illegally. Pakistan has been interviewing them to find out how bin Laden managed to stay in the country without being discovered. The Tehrik-e-Taliban, the branch of the Taliban that has promised attacks, has executed major assaults against an American consulate and an American naval base.

    U.S. and Afghanistan Agree on Handover of Prisoners, http://nyti.ms/A3rlSB
    The United States has agreed to hand over 3,200 Afghan prisoners, most of them Taliban insurgents, to the Afghan government far sooner than expected. In what some think is an effort to make up for the NATO burning of Q’rans, the United States will allow for a six-month transition period for the prisoners as opposed to releasing them in 2014 as originally planned.

    Kony 2012 campaign gets support of Obama, others, http://wapo.st/A6LKRb
    The Obama administration has come out in support of an online film aimed at drawing attention to Joseph Kony, the Ugandan leader of the Lord Resistance’s Army, a violent and child-kidnapping militaristic group. The film, released by charity Invisible Children, has gone viral, garnering 48 million views on YouTube and Vimeo. Invisible Children has also created a bill to bring aid and peace to Uganda, and The White House has confirmed its support of the bill. Despite this, Invisible Children has been criticized for oversimplifying the situation in Uganda and for also being factually incorrect.

    (via POLITICO) At SXSW, register to vote QR codes, http://politi.co/x6EIp9
    At this year’s South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, Warby Parker, a hip eyeglass company based out of New York, and Rock the Vote are teaming up on “Scan to Vote” QR code t-shirts that will allow users to register to vote directly from whatever smartphone they use to scan the QR code…. The shirts can be found from March 12 to March 14 at Warby Parker’s Citizen Circus at SXSW, an annual conference that focuses on music, technology, and film.

    CULTURAL:

    Facebook Co-Founder Buys The New Republic, http://bit.ly/AvNqyu

    Smacketology: a tournament to determine The Wire’s greatest character, http://es.pn/xghfsJ

    Jessica Biel Finally Shows Off Her Massive Engagement Ring With Justin Timberlake, http://eonli.ne/yxCb9v

    South by Southwest: Five Things to Know About the Texan Film Festival, http://eonli.ne/yVupNU

    ‘Disco Inferno’ singer Jimmy Ellis dies at age 74, http://bit.ly/x55Fxx

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