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    ‘President Obama’


    By: Caitlin Maguire

    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 Protests, http://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

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      Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »


      By: Caitlin Maguire

      News Round-Up: Friday, April 27th, 2012

      Friday, April 27th, 2012

      The economy slowed its growth in the first quarter of 2012; Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng escapes house arrest; George Zimmerman has received over $200,000 in online donations; The House passes the controversial CISPA bill; and Secret Service agents are being investigated for sexual misconduct during a 2011 trip to El Salvador. Meanwhile, Washington, DC gears up for this weekend’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner; Sarah Michelle Gellar is pregnant with her second child; and Gwenyth Paltrow reveals she suffered from post-natal depression.

      Caitlin

      CRUCIAL:

      (via Reuters) US Q1 growth slows on inventories, weak business spending, http://reut.rs/KgM2P4
      U.S. economic growth cooled in the first quarter as businesses cut back on investment and restocked shelves at a slower pace, but stronger demand for automobiles softened the blow. Gross domestic product expanded at a 2.2 percent annual rate, the Commerce Department said on Friday in its advance estimate, moderating from the fourth quarter’s 3 percent rate. While that was below economists’ expectations for a 2.5 percent pace, a surge in consumer spending took some of the sting from the report and growth was still stronger than analysts’ predictions early in the quarter for an expansion below 1.5 percent.

      China dissident Chen Guangcheng escapes house arrest, http://bbc.in/JrjXYK
      Chen Guangcheng, a blind Chinese activist, has released a video that shows he’s escaped house arrest. Guangcheng was put under house arrest in September 2010 after he protested China’s forced abortions. In the video, he calls attention to the brutal treatment and physical abuse the government has inflicted on his family. He also asks Premier Wen to “open a probe into this corrupt behavior.” Chen has received international support including requests from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that he be released.

      Donations pour in to Trayvon Martin’s killer, http://bit.ly/Ihjlqw
      Mark O’Mara, an attorney for George Zimmerman, has said that his client has received close to $204,000 in online donations from supporters. O’Mara will disclose the money to Judge Kenneth Lester at a hearing taking place today. He also noted that Zimmerman has had problems with his Facebook and Twitter accounts and may shut-down the donation service in case copycats try to make money off of his cause. O’Mara said that Zimmerman needs the money as he “is indigent for the costs.”

      US Secret Service probes El Salvador sex allegations, http://bbc.in/K8al6C
      The Secret Service has opened a new misconduct investigation after it was revealed agents may have paid for sexual favors at a strip club during a 2011 trip to El Salvador. The officers allegedly partook in this misconduct prior to President Obama’s arrival in the country. While in El Salvador, one agent boasted that they “did this all the time” in regards to paying for sex while traveling for the president. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan has said he has yet to find anything “credible” in this new investigation.

      (via The Associated Press) White House threatens to veto student loan bill, http://bit.ly/Ihnqez
      The White House threatened a veto Friday of a Republican bill keeping the interest rates on federal student loans from doubling this summer, objecting that the measure would finance its $5.9 billion cost by abolishing a health care program. The GOP bill would repeal a preventive care program created under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law of 2010. Picking up on a theme that House Democrats have been sounding this week, the White House said that “women in particular” benefit from the program — a message that reflects the Democratic effort to woo women voters by accusing Republicans of waging a war on them.

      Cyber-security bill Cispa passes US House, http://bbc.in/IwctmL 
      The House has passed The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), a bill that would allow the government to detect cyber security threats through easier access to people’s personal web browsing histories. President Obama has already threatened to veto the bill. The White Houes has said that CISPA repeals “important provisions of electronic surveillance law without instituting corresponding privacy, confidentiality and civil liberties safeguards.” Advocates of the bill say that it will allow easier file sharing between Web agencies and security firms.

      CULTURAL:

      Colts draft Andrew Luck at No. 1, http://es.pn/JrlpKO

      Sarah Michelle Gellar expecting second child, http://cbsn.ws/IdLCOg

      Missing Cuban actor, “War Witch” win Tribeca awards, http://reut.rs/IJRtba

      White House Correspondents’ Dinner: Where to Go When Hollywood Hits D.C., http://bit.ly/JfjmFk

      ‘I couldn’t connect with my son… I felt like a zombie’: Gwyneth Paltrow reveals how Chris Martin helped her realize she had post-natal depression, http://bit.ly/KhHrNd

        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: Thursday, April 26th, 2012

        Thursday, April 26th, 2012

        An alleged rocket strike kills 70 in Syria; Charles Taylor has been found guilty of aiding Sierra Leone rebels; LAX TSA screeners are being charged with corruption and drug trafficking; the head of the New England mob has been arrested; a suicide bomber kills three at a Nigerian newspaper; and Obama launches the 2012 presidential race with announced campaign stops. Meanwhile, hologram Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes may join TLC for a reunion tour; viewers will have to keep up with the Kardashians for three more years; and a sneak peak at Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” has been released.

        Caitlin

        CRUCIAL:

        Syria: Massive explosion in Hama ‘kills 70,’ http://bbc.in/IefdaO
        A huge explosion in the city of Hama, possibly caused by a rocket strike, has left 70 Syrians dead. Video footage depicts people pulling bodies out of a crater that is too large to be caused by regular shelling. The Syrian government says the explosion is from the blowing up of a terrorist bomb factory. The Arab League has called an emergency meeting to discuss the attack. Only 13 of the 300 U.N. monitors are in Syria.
        Charles Taylor guilty of aiding Sierra Leone war crimes, http://bbc.in/I7Rd3u
        The Hague has found former Liberian leader Charles Taylor guilty of aiding and abetting rebels in Sierra Leone’s civil war which left 50,000 dead. According to the court, Taylor provided weapons and communications equipment to rebels in return for blood diamonds. Taylor was also found guilty of murder, rape, sexual slavery, cruelty, and enlisting child soldiers. Prosecutors were unable to prove that he commanded the rebels. Taylor is the first head of state to be convicted of war crimes by an international court since the Nuremberg trials
        TSA screeners allegedly let drug couriers through LAX for cash, http://lat.ms/K01ZxU
        Several TSA agents at Los Angeles International Airport have been indicted for corruption and drug trafficking. Allegedly, the agents allowed suitcases filled with cocaine and methamphetamine through airport security in exchange for thousands of dollars. The agents would meet the smugglers, place them in line so that they could check them through the monitoring desk, and then meet them again in the airport bathroom to retrieve their money. The TSA is also facing criticism for patting down a crying four-year-old in Kansas.
        Man Said to Be Acting Head of New England Mob Is Held, http://nyti.ms/Izppsr
        Anthony DiNunzio, the alleged head of the New England mafia, has been arrested after he was recorded bragging that he’d remain the mob’s boss even if he were imprisoned. He was also heard telling members of New York’s Gambino crime family that he would bury disobedient members alive. “You and I get to watch you die in the ground,” he allegedly said. DiNunzio apparently came into power in 2009 and may be responsible for the extortion of Rhode Island strip clubs and other businesses.
        Suicide car bombs hit Nigerian newspaper offices, http://lat.ms/K01ZxU
        Two explosions killed three people at the office of This Day, a newspaper in Nigeria that supports President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan has been a public target for the Islamist guerilla group Boko Haram, although the group has not taken responsibility for the attack. Witnesses say the suicide bomber drove into the building with a Jeep.
        Obama to launch 2012 campaign with first official rallies in Virginia, Ohio, http://bit.ly/IRtfLN
        The Obama campaign has announced its first official campaign stops. On May 5th, President Obama and Michelle Obama will visit Columbus, OH and Richmond, VA. The president has already been traveling to college campuses in campaign stop fashion. He has been speaking to students about reforming student loan-debt and drawing from personal experience on the issue, “I just want everybody here to understand,” the president said,  ”I didn’t just read about this.
        (via ABC News) Texas Gov. Perry Endorses Romney, http://abcn.ws/IbHuym
        Texas Governor Rick Perry endorsed Mitt Romney today, ahead of Newt Gingrich dropping out of the race, which is expected to happen next week. “Mitt Romney has earned the Republican Presidential nomination through hard-work, a strong organization, and disciplined message of restoring America after nearly four years of failed job-killing policies from President Obama and his administration,” said Perry in a statement.
        CULTURAL:
        This Isn’t Weird at All: Britney Spears’ Fiance Gets Shared Legal Control Over Her, http://bit.ly/IUjUCy

        TLC reuniting for a tour with virtual Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes?, http://on.msnbc.com/IzD9nd

        E! network re-ups the Kardashian crew for three more years of reality TV, http://post.cr/IHtIjZ

        First Look at Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Django Unchained’ Is Off The Chain, http://bit.ly/If5S0w

        Katherine Heigl, Josh Kelley Adopt Second Daughter, http://bit.ly/Ic1pu7

          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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          By: Caitlin Maguire

          News Round-Up: Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

          Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

          The first U.S. case of mad cow disease in six years has been reported; the RNC will financially back Mitt Romney; Newt Gingrich will suspend his campaign today; and women have been granted more military service opportunities. Meanwhile, President Obama has an eventful guest appearance on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon;” an unpeaceful Metta World Peace is suspended for seven games; and the ‘Fox Mole’ has his laptop seized.

          Caitlin

          CRUCIAL:

          Marines Moving Women Toward the Front Lines, http://nyti.ms/Ikn1m8
          Following a Pentagon policy released in February, the Marines are allowing women to participate in ground combat battalions and attend infantry-officer school in Quantico, VA. Females will still not able to serve as infantrymen or Special Operations commandos, but they will be able to work in administration, logistics, communications, and motor transport at the battalion level.

          (via CNN) S. Korea curbs U.S. beef sales after confirmation of mad cow disease, http://bit.ly/IpIzAz
          The first U.S. case of mad cow disease in six years sparked fears of illness that prompted at least one major South Korean retailer to suspend the sale of American beef. However, public health officials said the risk for disease for Americans is extremely low given that the affected dairy cow in central California was not part of the human food chain and was not exposed to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) through animal feed. “It was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, so at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health,” said John Clifford, the Agriculture Department’s chief veterinarian.

          Mitt Romney and RNC move to synchronize efforts, http://wapo.st/I5bMO4
          Reince Priebus, head of the Republican National Committee, said on Wednesday that the GOP will use all of its resources to back Romney in his bid for the presidency. The announcement comes after Romney won five primaries last night, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. The RNC has raised $35.5 million this year.

          (via The Washington Post) Obama reaches out to young voters in North Carolina with student-loan issue,http://wapo.st/IcE8Kb
          President Obama reached out to crucial young voters in Chapel Hill, N.C., Tuesday with a promise to keep college affordable, in the first of three campus appearances in three battleground states this week. Speaking to an exuberant crowd of about 8,000 at the University of North Carolina’s flagship campus, Obama made his case that congressional leaders must take action before July to prevent interest rates from doubling on federal student loans. Later Tuesday, he will give a similar speech at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and on Wednesday he will speak at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

          (via POLITICO) Newt Gingrich will suspend his campaign on Tuesday in an announcement in the Washington D.C. area, multiple sources close to the campaign confirmed to POLITICO. It is “highly likely” that Gingrich will endorse Mitt Romney at that time, the sources also confirmed.

          Misconduct in Colombia Varied, an Inquiry Finds, http://nyti.ms/JnAFsc
          Three Secret Service agents accused of misconduct in Colombia will be able to keep their jobs. An inquiry into the agents’ hiring of Colombian prostitutes has found that one officer was unaware the woman was a prostitute and told her to leave when he found out, while another agent brought back a woman who wasn’t a prostitute at all. According to The New York Times, Secret Service rules about picking up women in foreign countries are not very clear.

          Debt Collector Is Faulted for Tough Tactics in Hospitals, http://nyti.ms/InZlMZ
          Accretive Health, one of the largest medical debt collectors in the U.S., is being accused of unsavory collecting practices. The attorney general in Minnesota, where many of these practices took place, has revealed that Accretive collectors would disguise themselves as hospital employees, have access to patients’ medical records, and would demand patients pay for their treatments before they took place. Some collectors even discouraged patients from receiving emergency medical care.

          CULTURAL:

          Fox Mole Joe Muto Says His Laptop Was Seized in Grand Larceny Investigation, http://bit.ly/IDQQjm

          Metta World Peace suspended 7 games for elbow, http://apne.ws/IcCfgq

          Obama On Jimmy Fallon: President Discusses Student Loans, Mitt Romney, Secret Service Scandal,http://huff.to/I1pRNP

          “The Hobbit” sneak peek gets mixed reaction from critics, http://cbsn.ws/IkAydB

          Cuban Actors Flee During Film’s Tribeca Festival Premiere, http://bit.ly/JG9Izk

            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: Kelly Holleran

            NEWS ROUND-UP: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2012

            Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

            The U.S. Department of Justice sues Apple and five other publishers for an alleged monopoly on e-books; George Zimmerman’s attorneys withdraw; an 8.6-magnitude earthquake hits the west coast of Northern Sumatra; Charles Manson is up for parole; and Mitt Romney focuses on the general election after Santorum’s campaign exit. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responds playfully to the creators of “Texts from Hillary Clinton;” Britney Spears may become a judge on ‘The X Factor,’ and Jennifer Lawrence faces criticism from PETA.

            Kelly + Caitlin

            CRUCIAL:

            U.S. Sues Apple, Publishers Over E-Book Pricing, http://on.wsj.com/I2MnGJ
            The U.S. filed an antitrust lawsuit today against Apple, Inc. and five other large publishers, claiming that the companies planned to limit competition for e-books and their pricing. The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. The DOJ alleges that an agreement among the companies was made where retail price competition would stop, retail e-book prices would then increase and Apple would agree to a 30 percent “commission” on each sold e-book. Three of the publishers, Hachette Book Group, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins Publishers Inc., have agreed to settle. The alleged agreement between the companies took place ahead of the introduction of the iPad in 2010.

            Attorneys say Zimmerman is isolated, stressed out, http://bit.ly/HxbDY6
            George Zimmerman, under intense scrutiny after his fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, is making additional headlines as his physical well-being has deteriorated. Zimmerman has said to have lost significant weight and is suffering from high levels of stress. Two lawyers from Zimmerman’s legal team also reported yesterday that they have “lost contact” with Zimmerman and will no longer be representing him as a result. Despite this, Zimmerman has gone against the advice of his counsel by contacting special prosecutor Angela Corey who will decide if he will face charges.

            Tsunami Watch Canceled In Indian Ocean; Quake Struck Near Indonesia, http://n.pr/Iscybc
            An 8.6-magnitude earthquake and an 8.2-magnitude aftershock hit off the west coast of Northern Sumatra this morning, causing local officials to panic over possible tsunamis from the Indian Ocean. But to the country’s relief, the tsunami watch was canceled shortly before 9 a.m. ET and existing waves were minor. Damage from the actual quakes is also being reported as manageable.

            Mass murderer Charles Manson up for parole, http://abcn.ws/HAM33E
            Today a California parole board will meet to determine if Charles Manson could qualify for parole. Manson has been denied parole 11 times. Due to violating prison rules several times over the past five years, possessing weapons, threatening an officer, and using a contraband cell phone, his chances of parole are slim. Manson is serving a life sentence for an L.A. killing spree he conducted in 1969. Manson has not appeared at his hearings since 1997.

            For Romney, a shift – finally – to the general election, http://cbsn.ws/HBHmnY
            Mitt Romney is now completely shifting focus to the general election after Rick Santorum suspended his campaign yesterday.  Now without significant Republican competition, Romney is directing his fundraising and campaigning against Obama. This month, Romney was prepared to buy $3 million worth of ads to campaign against Santorum in Pennsylvania. Conservative media are now questioning how the GOP will welcome Romney after criticizing his policies as being too liberal.

            CULTURAL:

            Britney Spears Nears Deal For ‘The X Factor,’ http://bit.ly/Iw8Kag

            Texts From Hillary founders meet … Hillary Clinton, http://yhoo.it/Ip8qsq

            Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath, Jack White to play Lollapalooza, http://cbsn.ws/IBt31d

            PETA targets ‘Hunger Games’ star Jennifer Lawrence for squirrel-skinning, http://thedc.com/HH8kwk

            ‘Hunger Games’: Gary Ross will not direct sequel ‘Catching Fire,’ http://thedc.com/IBQUOu

              Kelly Holleran
              Bio:

              Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com

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