The US women’s soccer team advances to the World Cup final, Obama stands strong behind a long-term debt deal, a Brooklyn man has murdered and dismembered an 8 year-old boy, the U.S. may lose its Aaa debt rating, and Minnesota is currently a dry state. Also, two studies show that certain pills can prevent H.I.V. infection, Spotify is coming to the U.S., and Amazon is creating an iPad competitor.
Caitlin, Katie, + Perry
CRITICAL:
Abby Wambach header breaks tie; United States advances to World Cup final, http://es.pn/q8mITj
The US women’s soccer team played a challenging nail-biter against France yesterday. In the end, Abby Wambach and goalie, Hope Solo pulled through to win the game. The Americans will play Japan in the World Cup final on Sunday.
(via National Journal N2K) CONGRESS TAKES AIM AT MURDOCH. A bipartisan chorus of lawmakers is calling for a federal investigation into Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., amid reports that journalists employed by Murdoch’s empire may have hacked the phones of 9/11 victims. Homeland Security Chairman Peter King, R-N.Y., sent a letter Wednesday to FBI Director Robert Mueller calling for an investigation. “It is my duty to discern every fact behind these allegations,” wrote King, noting that he lost 150 constituents in the attacks. Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., echoed King’s call for an investigation as well as congressional hearings: “These latest allegations demand a swift and immediate inquiry by the appropriate agencies into whether any U.S. laws were broken.”
Obama: ‘This May Bring My Presidency Down, but I Will Not Yield’ on No Short-Term Extensions, http://abcn.ws/q8JJbY
“Don’t call my bluff,” President Obama said to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. “I am not afraid to veto and I will take it to the American people.” Obama’s sternness was in response to Cantor’s repeated suggestions that they pass a short-term debt-ceiling increase instead of the grand bargain that the President wants. Republicans have accused the President of storming out of the talks, while the White House says the meeting had simply ended.
House votes to block EPA on water pollution, http://politi.co/q5tDpN
In what was a largely party-line vote, the House of Representatives voted 239-184 to strip the EPA of its authority to regulate state water quality. If the measure were to somehow make it through the Democratic majority in the Senate, then President Obama would veto it.
Brooklyn boy Leiby Kletzky, 8, murdered and dismembered, http://nydn.us/pjepVR
Leiby Kletzky, an 8-year-old boy in Brooklyn, was murdered and dismembered while walking home from summer camp. The man, a stranger whom Kletzky had asked for directions, had no excuse for why he killed the boy. The police found Kletzky’s severed feet in the freezer and the rest of his body in a trash bin two miles away.
Shutdown Hits Happy Hour, http://on.wsj.com/p2C1zj
In Minnesota, more than 300 bars and liquor stores cannot buy beer, wine, or liquor due to their buyers’ cards having expired. The state usually renews these licenses; however, the renewal departments are closed due to Minnesota’s government shut down.
Treasuries, Dollar Weaken on Moody’s Rating Warning, http://buswk.co/qL91I3
Could the United States really default on its loans? With debt ceiling negotiations going poorly, Moody’s Investors Service warns that the country could lose its Aaa debt rating. The rating allows the US to have more credit to borrow money. The warning hashad a ripple effect today, weakening both the dollar and treasuries.
Two Studies Show Pills Can Prevent H.I.V. Infection, http://nyti.ms/puh5xN
Scientists report that modern antiretroviral drugs work to not only treat HIV/AIDS, but prevent it as well. Two new studies show that taking a daily pill in combination with certain AIDS drugs can keep uninfected people from catching the virus. “This is an extremely exciting day for H.I.V. prevention,” said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of AIDS prevention at the CDC.
Spotify Wins Over Music Pirates With Labels’ Approval, http://bloom.bg/oCXJci
Spotify, the music service that lets users stream any song they want in its entirety at no cost, is coming to America. Started in Sweden as something of an experiment to combat piracy with convenience, the iTunes and Pandora competitor is hugely popular in Europe. Americans can now sign up for paid premium accounts or wait for invites to the free, ad-supported version.
Amazon to Battle Apple iPad With Tablet, http://on.wsj.com/pxJcwm
Amazon plans to release a tablet to rival the Apple iPad by October. Amazon’s tablet will run on Google’s Android platform, and it will not have a camera.
CULTURAL:
Emmy Nominations are Announced, http://nyti.ms/qrUQJ8
These Three Will Be Out Of Glee For Season 4, http://bit.ly/oNFbgj
Lady Gaga to intern with Philip Treacy, http://bit.ly/pe9Ix8
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011), http://nyti.ms/nOgO7L
