The U.S. closes its embassy in Syria due to security concerns; Egypt criminally charges 19 Americans despite U.S. warnings; Obama is ahead of Romney in a hypothetical election poll; a 6.9-magnitude quake hits in the Philippines; and internet censorship expands to India. Meanwhile, Netflix now faces competition after a Red Box and Verizon merger; Giants claim victory in the Super Bowl, and Gisele Bundchen has choice words for Patriot receivers. Also, ‘Will & Grace’ is rumored to return.
Kelly + Caitlin
CRUCIAL:
Rescuers dig to reach trapped in Philippines quake, http://apne.ws/ApBjzx
A 6.9-magnitude quake hit off the Negros Island in the Philippines, killing at least 13 people with 40 believed missing. As many as 30 houses were buried with rescuers furiously digging to save people trapped in their homes. Philippine seismologists have issued a tsunami alert for the central islands as huge waves washed over a beach resort in La Libertad. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 44 miles north of Dumaguete city on Negros and hit at a depth of 29 miles. The area is about 400 miles southeast of the capital, Manila.
Egypt Defies U.S. by Setting Trial for 19 Americans on Criminal Charges, http://nyti.ms/wLMs55
19 Americans and two dozen others are being put on trial by Egypt’s government in a criminal investigation into the foreign financing and licensing of their nonprofit groups. The prosecutions come as Egypt has received staunch warnings from Washington military officials on continuing the criminal investigation. The tension could jeopardize the $1.55 billion Egypt expects in aid from the United States. While there is a broader Egyptian investigation into as many as nine nonprofit groups, the primary targets are American-financed groups, specifically, the National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute. Of the 43 people facing charges, 19 are American, 16 are Egyptian, and 8 are of other nationalities. All 43 people have been banned by the Egyptian government to travel, though no arrests have been reported yet.
U.S. closes embassy in Syria, senior State Department officials say, http://bit.ly/AmEPfd
After the Syrian government refused to address security concerns, the U.S. State Department has pulled remaining staff out of the U.S. embassy, which is located off of a busy street in Damascus. All 17 employees have left the country after Syrian authorities refused to restrict traffic and secure barriers around the embassies. Officials cite that the turmoil and violent situation in the country made it impossible for operations to continue and for staff to remain. Concerns rose about security last month after deadly car bombings at the offices of two Syrian security branches in Damascus. During the intermission, Poland will serve as the U.S. protecting power in Syria.
Obama holds edge over Romney in general election matchup, poll finds, http://wapo.st/Ac1kCN
In a hypothetical general-election matchup poll, Obama comes out on top of GOP frontrunner Romney, 52 to 43 percent amongst all Americans, and 51 to 45 percent amongst registered American voters. Romney is coming off a second consecutive victory in the Nevada caucuses. The poll was conducted in between Obama’s State of the Union address and as Republicans were in the middle of campaigning for primaries. 55 percent of those who closely followed the Republican races say they disapprove of GOP candidates’ negative campaigning. By 2 to 1, Americans say the more they learn about Romney, the less they like him.
Verizon, Redbox combine to start streaming video service, http://usat.ly/ydCu5U
Redbox and Verizon Communications are teaming up to start a video streaming service later this year that will directly challenge Netflix. The online service will further bolster Verizon’s presence in home entertainment as it continues the expansion of its FiOS cable services. So far, no prices or details of the service have been announced. The merger looks to capitalize not only on the gravitation to online streaming, but also Netflix’s alienation when it started charging separately for DVDs-by-mail service. Redbox is arguably one of the biggest DVD rental services in the country, with more than 28,000 kiosks in drugstores and supermarkets.
Google, Facebook remove content on India’s order, http://apne.ws/sz7wS9
Indian political and religious leaders acted on weeks of government pressure for 22 Internet giants to remove photographs, videos, or text considered “anti-religious” or “anti-social.” Google India removed several web pages today when a New Delhi court announced that Facebook, Google, Youtube and Blogspot, among many other sites, had two weeks to present further plans for regulating their networks. India is Facebook’s third-fastest growing market, after the U.S. and Indonesia. The censorship in India follows as Twitter adopted a new policy that would allow tweets to be deleted in countries where the content breaks local law.
CULTURAL:
Giants Edge Out Patriots For Super Bowl Win, http://n.pr/xXOFVb
Gisele Consoles Brady, Rips Bleepin’ Patriots Receivers After Loss, http://cbsloc.al/zLzEng
The Best and Worst Super Bowl Commercials of 2012, http://ti.me/x0lnZO
Keck’s Exclusives: Will & Grace Reunited! http://bit.ly/zsBUOy
