A massive fire causes hundreds to evacuate Southern California; unemployment drops to a 4-year low; Rhode Island legalizes same-sex marriage; the Tsarnaev brothers originally planned an attack on Fourth of July; the death toll from the Bangladesh factory collapse surpasses 500; and a rare snowstorm pounds Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Meanwhile, 33 students are suspending after “twerking;” Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies; and Reese Witherspoon pleads no contest.
A massive fire on the Pacific Coast near Malibu has forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their Southern California homes. ”I opened the door, and the whole mountain was on fire,” said Ventura County resident Paul Doebler, 80. The brush fire has already burned 8,000 acres and damaged 15 homes. Only 10% of it has been contained.
Unemployment Drops to 4-Year Low, http://rtvote.com/Hjsai8
The economy added 165,000 jobs in April, and unemployment has dropped to a 4-year low of 7.5%. The number of jobs added in March has also been revised up, totaling 138,000 for the month. Economists say that, despite the good numbers, the economy is still slow. 400,00 jobs were added in the first two months of the year and since then, the growth has declined.
Official: July Fourth celebration Boston bombers’ original target, http://rtvote.com/11HdsHS
Dzokhar Tsarnaev told investigators Thursday that he and his brother, Tamerlan, had originally planned their bombings for Fourth of July. However, they finished making their bombs early and as a result, chose to attack on New England’s Patriots’ Day. Tamerlan’s body was returned to his family Thursday, causing outrage that it arrived at a funeral home 30 miles south of Boston. His body will not be sent to Russia as Dagestan has refused to conduct his funeral.
Prosecutor in Bhutto Killing and Mumbai Attacks Is Assassinated in Pakistan, http://rtvote.com/104PxWf
Chaudhry Zulfikar Ali, the prosecutor for the murder of ex-Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has been assassinated. He was driving to work in an Islamabad suburb when assailants on motorcycles ambushed his car. No one has claimed responsibility for the killing. Former military chief Pervez Musharraf is being charged with Bhutto’s death.
Death toll from Bangladesh building collapse rises above 500, http://rtvote.com/11Hewf6
The death toll in the Bangladeshi factory collapse has surpassed 500. On Thursday, Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Abud Maal Abdul Muhith said the event was “not really serious.” He added, “These are individual cases of … accidents…. It happens everywhere.” Muhith insisted that the collapse would not adversely affect the country’s garment industry. However, last month, Disney stopped manufacturing its apparel in Bangladesh, causing some to speculate that other companies could follow.
Rare May snowstorm pounds Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, http://rtvote.com/107Bcme
A rare May snowstorm hit Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa on Thursday. Areas of Wisconsin received 18 inches of snow, while some parts of Minnesota received 15. Both states have had snow in May before; however, this particular snowstorm hit the usually unaffected southern part of the states. Three cities in Iowa broke their records for May snowfall, with 11 inches received in Algona and 10.5 inches received in two other towns.
Attack on Syria village leaves ‘dozens dead,’ http://rtvote.com/11HgTyk
Between 50 and 100 Syrians are estimated to be dead after Syrian government forces invaded the al-Baida village. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the number of casualties may have exceeded 100, and that many of the dead were executed by shooting or stabbed. In what looks like bad news for diplomacy efforts, the United Nations–Arab League envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, has chosen to resign his post. On Thursday, President Obama said he is “looking at all options” regarding U.S. action in Syria.
Rhode Island has become the tenth state to legalize gay marriage. The House passed the measure with 56 votes in favor of the bill and afterwards, legislators broke into a rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” The bill, which Governor Lincoln Chafee has signed, will allow same-sex marriages to begin August 1st. Couples in civil unions will also be able to change their status to married. “At long last, you are free to marry the person you love,” Chafee said.
Founding Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies, http://rtvote.com/11HgRXp
REESE WITHERSPOON PLEADS NO CONTEST …Hubby Pleads Guilty to DUI, http://rtvote.com/107DG4f
Summer movie guide 2013, http://rtvote.com/18i1xWm
Rolling Stones Charging $600 Per Seat, Tour Not Sold Out, http://rtvote.com/1050V4n
