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(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY JIM FLINK

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

The Pakistani doctor who helped the CIA find — and kill — Osama bin Laden, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison. Now, media outlets like The Telegraph report U.S.-Pakistani relations are at their worst point in years.

Here’s The Wall Street Journal with more on the case of Dr. Shakil Afridi.

“For Pakistan, this was treated as a national security breach, treating this guy like he was a traitor, obviously the U.S. officials have a very different view, they see him as a hero.

Pakistani news outlet DAWN quotes a defense ministry official as asking the U.S. to respect its laws, while at the same time outlining the punishment involved, saying Afridi was sentenced to 33 years in prison.

“... 10 years imprisonment each (for) … conspiracy to wage war against Pakistan or depriving it of its sovereignty … concealing existence of a plan to wage war against Pakistan … and... condemnation of the creation of the state and advocacy of abolition of its sovereignty) ... He was sentenced to an additional three years in jail (for) … assaulting (a) president, governor, etc, with intention to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power...”

Pakistani officials base those charges on the fact, Afridi worked undercover with the CIA to locate Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts in Abbotabad. CBS News explains, Afridi set up a vaccination program hoping to net bin Laden and his relatives.

“Pakistani officials say Afridi’s vaccination ruse, without their permission, helped the U.S. confirm the location of the world’s most wanted terrorist.”

The Telegraph notes, the sentence was issued, not by a federal Pakistani court, but by a more localized, tribal court, which carries with it, a different brand of justice.

“Afridi was not entitled to a lawyer but was given a chance to defend himself and has a right to appeal the verdict … The United States has given Pakistan more than $18 billion in assistance since the September 11, 2001 attacks, but US officials have persistent concerns that some elements of the establishment have maintained support for extremists.”

In an opinion piece for Fox News, a contributor says, the U.S. must do more to pressure Pakistan into freeing Afridi, and demanding more accountability.

“Pakistan has done little to rein in the Al Qaeda affiliates in the country who not only keep bin Laden’s dream alive, but organize attacks to kill Americans in Afghanistan. Further, Pakistan still can’t explain why their country is the preferred vacation destination for high-level Taliban leaders. Rather than make amends for bad behavior, Pakistan is demanding more from the U.S. while it delivers less and less.”

(Image source: New York Magazine)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

A possible break in the Etan Patz case this morning.

He’s the New York boy who went missing in 1979 while walking to the bus stop by himself for the first time.

(Image source: BBC)

(Image source: Ebru News)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

How quickly diplomatic hopes can fade.

World leaders headed into nuclear talks with Iran all smiles after Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator signalled a willingness to cooperate with the international community on its nuclear program by letting inspectors in to its facilities.

The U.S., China, France, Russia and Germany submitted a proposal which — among other requirements — would cap uranium enrichment and scrapping one underground facility. But PBS’s Judy Woodruff reports, Iran...

“...made a counter-offer today, apparently aimed at easing the bite of international economic sanctions.”

Iranian news agency Fars News called that counter-offer a comprehensive package of cooperation.

But the P5+1 group has delayed its response until Thursday night. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful — and that the P5+1 proposal put on the table wasn’t reciprocal enough. As Al Jazeera reports, a string of sanctions have hit the Iranian economy hard.

“Iran wants to see an easing or a delay on those sanctions, but on the other side they say that won’t happen until they see concrete progress.”

So — all stick and no carrot in the first proposal? Iran says previous negotiators had promised balance in the discussions. The Christian Science Monitor suggests world powers didn’t offer Iran much in return for concessions.

“The Iranian reaction to the proposal indicates that a serious disconnect remains between Tehran and global powers about finding the right formula for curbing Iran's nuclear work...”

But part of that – according to CNN — comes from P5+1 fears Iran would get an easing of sanctions and then backtrack on its end of the deal. The network’s John King spoke with Arizona Senator John McCain – an outspoken Iran skeptic who serves as the Senate Armed Services Committee’s ranking member.

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ): “We’ve seen this movie before. There have been numerous other times where they have said they will let the inspectors in. They have denied that they are even embarking on this process when the evidence obviously contradicts that.”

But on Russia’s RT, a political analyst says it’s just that kind of rhetoric from western voices that could threaten any chances of a deal.

“...which stokes resentment of the West treating Iran as some little child, refusing to accept the repeated promises and statements that this is a peaceful nuclear program.”

Sanctions on Iran’s oil exports to European markets are set to kick in July 1st. Talks are expected to continue Thursday.

 

(Image source: Flickr/ezioman)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

Oil prices fell below $90 in New York — erasing gains through 2011. Bloomberg points to multiple factors, like U.S. supplies being at a 22-year high and Iran loosening up on inspections.

“There’s been a sense that Iran was not going to let inspectors in, and that was somehow a violation of sovereignty. But the fact that you actually have the U.S. and NATO meeting in Baghdad, that’s a really big deal.”

Secret Service director Mark Sullivan apologized in his first public statement since the prostitution scandal. Here’s MSNBC.

“Eight agents implicated in the scandal have been forced out. Four are actually fighting to get their jobs back. They say the agency is making them a scapegoat. Sullivan is disputing that claim.” 

Wednesday’s Brussels summit kicks off with all eyes on newly elected French President Francois Hollande. Sky News explains … 

“ … because obviously now the duopoly that has run the summit since the crisis began, of France and Germany, both singing from the same hymn sheet, is now over.”

Egyptians have cast their ballots in the country’s first free presidential election since the fall of Hosni Mubarak 15 months ago. The BBC reports.

“This election is a sign that there’s no going back to the old Egypt, that what happened here really was a revolution. Many voters say a future president who defies the people will face another uprising.”

Image Source: Flickr/FreedomHouse2

(Image source: The Nation)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

A U.S. military drone strike kills at least four people in northwestern Pakistan. 

(Image Source: Al Jazeera)

BY JOHN O’CONNOR

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Egypt’s first post-Mubarak election starts Wednesday in what — by all accounts — is historic.

BBC: “...millions of voters prepare to go to the polls. The country's first ever free presidential elections...”

CNN: “...very excited. Very engaged politically for the first time, really, in this country's history.”

And all the presidential candidates have at least one thing in common. The New York Times points out they’re all...

“...pledging to get the police back to work, restore their morale and teach them about human rights.”

But Ahram is reporting it won’t be easy for a new president to restore stability without certain powers.

“The president will not be able to increase salaries, introduce unemployment allowances, raise the health and education budgets, or do the rest of the things candidates promised to do. The real power in such matters resides, according to the constitutional declaration, with parliament.”

The election is intended to be Egypt’s gateway to democracy, but NPR’s Soraya Sarhaddi says Egyptians are skeptical any real change will result.

"It's extremely difficult for anyone that has been struggling in this revolution from day one to trust — even superficially — that these elections mean anything but a referendum for continued military control."

But according to Al Jazeera’s David Kennedy and CNN’s Hala Gorani, for some, hope is on the horizon.

“Millions of people believe things have changed, will change, and realised their collective potential. Even if all the institutions remain the same, this will not be the same Egypt.”

“This is a country that just two years ago would have never dreamt of a situation in which candidates are running for the presidency in what is expected it be a free and fair election. (FLASH) People are in cafes, out on the street debating, politics openly, loudly, giving people their opinion without fear of retribution.”

Egyptians will have two days to choose from 13 candidates. If no candidate gets a majority, the top two vote-getters will compete in a runoff in mid-June. 

(Image Source: Cowan Global)

BY JIM FLINK

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

The global economy is gradually recovering.  

But the eurozone is in crisis, and could face even more trouble.
That’s the word from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

 

“The euro area remains the single biggest risk to the global economy and recent events have increased that risk. ... There must be a major rebalancing. ... Everyone must do something.”

Specifically, the OECD says, the South must get more competitive, the north must boost demand and wages.  Euronews focuses in on the forecast.

“The OECD forecasts the eurozone’s economy will shrink by .1 percent this year, and grow by just under one percent by next year, with unemployment in the region rising above 11 percent of the workforce next year.”

Believe it or not, the OECD is delivering the good news.
The Daily Mail notes:

“The OECD's forecast is still more optimistic about both the U.S. and Europe than the International Monetary Fund.  Last month the IMF said in its own global economic forecast that the U.S. should expand 2.1 per cent this year, while Europe should shrink 0.3 per cent.”

Wednesday, European leaders will meet to discuss how to address the crisis.
Some see both the OECD and the IMF supporting a eurobond, to stabilize the region.
Analysts at the Wall Street Journal note, neither the eurozone nor the German constitution currently allow for the measure.

“The thing that people are looking for right now are more along the lines of shorter term fixes, shorter term solutions, bank recapitalization, one of foremost of what is in people’s minds to try and restore confidence in Europe....”

But an advisor to German Chancellor Angela Merkel notes, with so many divergent positions within the eurozone, politically speaking, this crisis will either be solved or created by cooperation or the failure to cooperate. Here’s Bloomberg.

“Austerity is certainly needed, if you are in a public deficit. But it depends on the degree ... Once you are in recession, if you try to continue to raise taxes and reduce expenditures, the recession gets worse.”
 

(Image Source: CNTV)

BY MATTHEW PICHT

Is Iran willing to negotiate its nuclear program? The director-general of the UN’s nuclear watchdog group, seems to think so. Yukiya Amano emerged from a weekend visit to Tehran optimistic about proposed cooperation between Iran and the UN. Al Jazeera reports...

“Speaking to reporters at Vienna airport, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said his trip to Tehran saw progress on a stalemate that has lasted for a number of years.”

Amano says he reached an agreement with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, and he expects to sign a deal with Jalili soon.

The announcement comes just before the second round of talks between Iran and six major UN countries, including the U.S. Writing for The Hill — international affairs expert Terri Lodge is optimistic about what these negotiations can accomplish.

“This meeting has the potential to actually accomplish something tangible... Even agreements to discuss additional IAEA inspections or small confidence building measures would mark a successful conference.”

For its part, Iran wants relief from harsh international sanctions, which have crippled Iran’s economy. The BBC says it’s these censures, more than anything else, that have driven Iran to bargaining.

“The sanctions, especially the oil embargo, have been squeezing Iran to an unprecedented level.”

Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA is a positive sign for the upcoming negotiations. An anonymous analyst told the Christian Science Monitor...

“If the positive signals are genuine ... and Iran is not asked to give up enrichment altogether – then a deal is possible ‘that makes everybody happy.’”

But skeptics point out nothing between Iran and the IAEA is on paper yet. The vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council, told Fox News Iran’s cooperation might be a ploy to influence the upcoming negotiations.

“The Iranians are trying to trumpet some progress in terms of cooperation with the UN in advance of the nuclear talks, in a way to set the stage where they could argue that sanctions should be reduced, that the international community really doesn’t have anything to worry about.”

Further complicating matters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the UN coalition not to make any concessions to Iran, calling for a complete halt to Iranian nuclear development.

(Image source: Al Jazeera)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

The UN’s nuclear watchdog says it’s reached a deal with Iran that will allow nuclear inspections to resume. The announcement comes a day before high-level talks between Iran and six UN countries on Iran’s nuclear program. Here’s Al Jazeera.

“Speaking to reporters at Vienna airport, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said his trip to Tehran saw progress on a stalemate that’s lasted for a number of years.”

Members of the Senate intelligence committee revealed a new jihadi web video calling for cyber attacks on U.S. infrastructure. Fox News has details on the video.

“These images are pulled from the tape and specifically claim that the U.S. is vulnerable to cyber attacks in the same way the U.S. airline security system was vulnerable to the hijackers and boxcutters.”

A congressional probe has found the U.S. military is being sold phony parts by equipment suppliers in China. CNN has more.

“Thousands of vital components of U.S. weapons systems originating in Chinese scrap heaps and then sold to you and me, the U.S. taxpayers, as the real deal.”

And a new structure claims the title of world’s tallest tower. Japan’s Sky Tree Tower stands 34 meters taller than the previous record-holder, China’s Canton Tower. Bloomberg has more on the grand opening.

“It officially opened its doors to an estimated 200,000 people today, and it’s surrounded by more than 300 shops and restaurants, a planetarium and an aquarium.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Christina Hartman, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: Al Jazeera)

BY CARISSA LOETHEN

At least 90 are dead and more than 200 wounded after a suicide bomber blew himself up during a military parade rehearsal in Yemen’s capital. A police officer recounts the siege to the Washington Post.

“It all happened so quickly. ...we heard the explosion and saw the soldiers flying in the air. We were told the assailant was a soldier wearing an explosive belt.”

Fox News reports al-Qaeda is claiming credit for the attack.

“Today the Al-Qaeda branch in Yemen released a statement calling the bombing payback for a U.S war on the terror group.”

Unpopular former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down in the wake of the Arab Spring — and the BBC’s Frank Gardner suggests the attack may have been a direct message to his successor.

“This will be a message from the militants to him. You know, we can get you any time. And already in the last few days Al-Qaeda’s replacement for Osama Bin Laden has said we consider him to be just as bad.”

The Christian Science Monitor explains this all comes just one day after American contractors were attacked in Southern Yemen.  al-Qaeda has also claimed responsibility for that attack.

“The trainers were reportedly driving back to their hotel when a car pulled up alongside them and opened fire with an automatic weapon, injuring one American...”

ABC says despite the deadly attack Monday...

… the Yemeni army and the U.S. will continue its fight against Al-Qaeda. It’s not even close to being defeated here yet.”

During President Obama’s live news conference Monday, a reporter asked Obama what the U.S. is going to do to slow the process of anarchy in Yemen.

“...We're going to continue to work with the Yemeni government to try to identify aqap leadership and operations and try to thwart them...”

It remains unclear if the planned parade will go as planned Tuesday.  Yemeni officials say it is a significant event, celebrating the unity between North and South Yemen.

(Image source: Wired)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR ALLIE SPILLYARDS

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

After a long string of aborted missions, SpaceX successfully launched an unmanned rocket on its way to the International Space Station. CNN reports — it’s an historic flight.

“It is the world’s first commercial space station supply flight. NASA hanging its hopes on the mission now that the retired space shuttles are museum exhibits.”

Several people were shot in Oklahoma City just after the Thunder beat the Lakers last night. The shootings took place just blocks from the arena. HLN has more.

“Eight people were reportedly shot at 11:35 pm local time in Oklahoma City. As of now, there is no motive for the shootings.”

Police have arrested a man in connection with the disappearance of a California teenager who went missing two months ago. Here’s Fox News with the details.

“Police arrested this man, 21-year-old Antolin Garcia-Torres, on suspicion of murder and kidnapping. Fifteen-year-old Sierra Lamar was last seen March 16 as she left to catch the school bus.”

The two-day NATO summit ended Monday evening with an agreement on a roadmap for Afghanistan. The plan includes a gradual drawdown of combat troops. Here’s euronews.

“The alliance has now formally backed the U.S. plan, which is a major step towards bringing the unpopular decade-long war to an end. All combat troops are to be pulled out by the end of 2014.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Allie Spillyards, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: U.S. Army)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN
 

He called it a “messy process” but President Obama says NATO is unified in a plan to withdraw from Afghanistan.

At the NATO summit in Chicago world leaders endorsed a pullout strategy that gives Afghan security forces control by mid-2013.

OBAMA: “Our forces broke the Taliban’s momentum. … Afghan security forces have grown stronger...”

The deadline for complete withdrawal is 2014, with NATO leaders calling the plan a responsible transition. But ITV’s Robert Moore has a more cynical take.

MOORE: “It’s always said it's much easier to start a war than to finish one. And so it is proving. … In truth Afghanistan has become unsustainable for the alliance. Judged by many now to be unaffordable, unwinnable and increasingly unpopular.”

A CBS/New York Times poll found in March — support for the war in Afghanistan had hit an all-time low.

That pessimism is not uncommon to find in western press coverage. Here’s Sky News.

“We’ve told the enemy we’re leaving. … So why are we staying any longer?”

The Guardian’s editorial board writes, “...the exit strategy has become all exit and no strategy.”


And while NATO leaders called the timetable a “milestone” — the BBC’s Mark Mardell asks “milestone or millstone?” and writes “It looks like a tombstone and sounds like a millstone.”

Newly-elected French President Francois Hollande had made a campaign promise the French would be out of Afghanistan as soon as possible. Mardell notes...

“Nato's leaders rather ignored him and just hoped no-one else would follow his lead and start elbowing others out of the way in their desire to get home.”

But in a news conference marking the announcement — President Obama acknowledged there was no “perfect” end to the war in Afghanistan. Pledging to stand with Afghanistan — the alliance pledged to help fund Afghan armed forces even after troops withdraw.
 

(Image source: Xinhua)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

The first phase of the controversial European missile defense shield is now “provisionally operational.”

It’s not news Russia is likely to be happy about.

KFQX: “...the European missile defense shield is up and running. It has the capability to shoot down incoming missiles.”
 

Fox News: “Missile defense, a thorny issue, particularly with the, in terms of the Soviet Union.”

The United States says it’s to protect Europe from Iranian missiles, but Russians are skeptical, and say the system is meant to counter Russian nuclear missiles. NPR spoke with a Russian security analyst.

SERGEY ROGOV: “Since very few, if any, experts believe that there is a clear and present danger of Iranian and North Korean threat...”

NATO made the announcement at its summit in Chicago, and in a press release assured Moscow the missile defense system “is not directed against Russia” but rather “against potential threats emanating from outside the Euro-Atlantic area.”

In the meantime, newly inaugurated President Vladimir Putin vowed on the campaign trail to pursue rearmament and revamp the country’s military. On Russia’s RT, one correspondent suggests the missile defense announcement can only heighten tensions.

“The U.S. refuses to give legal guarantees that the system will not be aimed at Russia at some point. So it’s a huge issue that’s not just about trust, but it’s about guarantees.”

But the Christian Science Monitor’s Moscow correspondent Fred Weir suggests — neither side’s fears are rooted in reality.

“NATO claims it needs a shield to defend against hypothetical rogue missile strikes from Iran or North Korea – a threat that does not presently exist – while Moscow complains that the shield currently being installed in Europe might undercut Russia's strategic edge in its later stages, almost a decade hence.”

The system is expected to reach full operational capacity by 2020.

(Image source: ABC)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN
ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

The ex-Rutgers student convicted in March over spying on his roommate’s homosexual encounter has been sentenced to 30-days in prison. Dharun Ravi faced a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison. A Fox News analyst says the light sentence will likely spare Ravi from deportation.

“I believe to be eligible for the deportation, he would have had to be sentenced to a minimum of one year. As I understand it, because that did not happen, deportation now is probably not an issue.”

World leaders at the NATO summit have approved a missile defense shield in Europe, despite condemnation by Russia. Democracy Now! has the details.

“The plan will deploy a U.S. warship armed with interceptors in the Mediterranean, as well as a radar system in a German base.”

Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for today’s deadly bombing in Yemen. While the terror organization has battled the government before, a BBC analyst says it’s unusual for anything like this to happen in the capital.

“Most of the violence this year in Yemen has taken place in the South. … This was meant as a big message to Yemen’s rulers.”

After a less-than-stellar IPO on Friday, Facebook shares continue to tumble. A CNN analyst gives some of the numbers from midday Monday.

“Facebook shares are getting hammered, right now trading down more than nine percent below their IPO price of $38. Shares are at about $35. So much for all the hype, right?”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Christina Hartman, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: Tanjug)

BY DANIELLE CARTER

Serbia has elected populist Tomislav Nikolic over the former Democratic president of 8 years, Boris Tadic. ITV has more on Tadic’s presidential defeat.

“He’s been narrowly beaten in a second-round election runoff by a hardline nationalist and one-time ally of the Serb strongman Slobodan Milosevic.”

Nikolic’s election was an upset, and has some worrying Serbia will backslide in its efforts to join the European Union. Ireland’s RTE news explains, Nikolic appears to be reversing course.

“But a recent convert to the EU cause, he has warned in the past he would not join the 27-member bloc at any cost, making a breakaway Kosovo the red line for EU membership.”

Now Nikolic says he will keep Serbia on the path to EU membership, adding he doesn’t think the election was a referendum on the EU. Serbian news agency Tanjug quotes him, saying:

“I want to establish different relations with Germany, ‘leader of the EU’, with which Serbia can strengthen cooperation in the field of investments, Nikolic, who is also leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) told activists and citizens in Belgrade.”

But RT questions Nikolic’s intentions. One analyst thinks Nikolic may be posturing for the benefit of NATO-owned media.

“He’s gotta take a much more pro-EU, pro-Western line, otherwise he’ll be attacked by the media, not defended by the NGO’s, and generally will be political dead meat.”

Nikolic has been playing to the media quite well. In the end, he came across as more likeable, according to Nick Thorpe of the BBC news.

“Tomislav Nikolic, a 60-year-old populist who rose to prominence as a radical nationalist, comes across as a smiling, grandfatherly figure, a man who enjoys making plum brandy and walking in the woods in the Serbian heartlands.”

Nikolic’s first job will be to appoint a prime minister to form a new government.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

A tragedy on the top of the world. Climbers rushed to summit Mt. Everest over the weekend, but NBC’s Today Show reports the climb turned deadly.

“Three climbers have died descending from the top of Mt. Everest this weekend. Two other climbers have also gone missing since Saturday on the world’s tallest mountain.”

Officials have determined one of the climbers died of altitude sickness, a reaction to low pressure and scarce oxygen. Fox News has more on the victim.

“One of them you see here, 61-year-old Dr. Eberhard Schaaf of Germany. A Canadian and South Korean also died after the three reached the summit and they were on their way back down.”

The already-harsh conditions on Everest were made all the worse the number of climbers trying to make it to the top in a very short time window. A writer for Gather reports, the mountain was so crowded, climbers had to stand in line.

“The month of May usually provides the only ‘ideal’ conditions for reaching the summit. This year, it didn't happen until this past weekend ... The result was a traffic jam of eager climbers, pursuing their dreams despite warnings to not attempt a summit after 11 a.m. Over 150 climbers forged ahead into the ‘death zone’ until as late as 2:30 p.m.”

The climbers apparently hadn’t brought enough oxygen to last through both the climb and the long wait. A climb organizer tells CNN it’s not uncommon for climbers to let the thrill get the better of them.

“Mountaineers often expend all their energy while ascending the mountain and do not think about energy needed to come down. ‘As a result, they become weak and suffer from altitude sickness.’”

Another of Saturday’s climbers, a 73-year-old Japanese woman, became the oldest woman to stand on the summit.

 

(Image source: Wikipedia)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR LAUREN ZIMA

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

Dozens have been killed and hundreds wounded in a suicide bomb attack in Yemen. The attack targeted the country’s military. Here’s euronews.

“Panic among Yemen’s armed forces as a suicide bomber struck a rehearsal for a military parade. … The bomber was reportedly wearing military uniform. Soldiers had been practicing for Yemen’s National Unity Day tomorrow.”

The NATO summit heads into its second day today. While world leaders discuss Afghanistan, Chicago police are bracing for more possible run-ins with protesters. CNN has footage from yesterday’s violent clashes.

“Demonstrators were making their voices heard like this: outside in the streets. Check out the chaotic scene right near the summit site. So far at least 45 people have been arrested.”

A verdict in the John Edwards’ campaign corruption trial could be handed down as soon as today. Here’s HLN.

“Today is the jury’s second day of deliberations. On Friday, they asked the judge to let them look again at copies of checks, a voicemail transcript and other evidence.”

Bee Gees star Robin Gibb passed away Sunday after a long battle with cancer. His career is being celebrated in his native Britain. A music journalist tells ITV Gibb was one the country’s most influential artists.

“When you tell the story of Robin Gibb, you have to use a lot of capital letters and a lot of exclamation points because the Bee Gees were that important. Their catalog is second only to that of Lennon and McCartney.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Lauren Zima, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: Flickr Creative Commons)

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Pakistan blocked its people from Twitter Sunday. Officials say Twitter refused to remove pictures considered offensive to Islam. KTVU reports...

“Twitter refused to remove material related to a competition on Facebook to post depictions of the prophet Mohammed. Pakistan said Facebook has agreed to address the concerns, but Twitter has not.”

Al Jazeera has since reported the country unblocked Twitter.

“Al Jazeera's Asad Hashim in Karachi said he could not access the site from his mobile phone, but was still able to see tweets posted earlier in the day. He said it appeared that the ban had therefore come into effect sometime about 8:00GMT (1pm local time). By 17GMT, Hashim said the ban had been lifted.”

Human rights and anti-censorship groups scoffed at the move. The New York Times has a statement from the Pakistani Human Rights Watch director.

“The government of Pakistan’s ban on Twitter is ill advised, counterproductive and will ultimately prove to be futile as all such attempts at censorship have proved to be.”

Despite the crackdown, The Guardian reports...

“The ban was made largely irrelevant by tech-savvy users. Twitter members... installed proxy servers to shield their web browsing. Once back online, many posted angry tweets about the shutdown.”

@RuwaydaMustafah

"Twitter is banned in Pakistan. Pakistan's interior minister claimed this would never happen. What a liar!"

@BeeDazzeld_

"Twitter banned in Pakistan?! Are you freaking kidding me. Democracy and freedom of speech don't hold any meaning anymore..."

But Pakistan’s citizens haven’t always been free to post opinions on social media sites. The News International notes:

“In 2010... [Facebook] was blocked in Pakistan for the same reason [posting blasphemous content]. Twitter has grown in popularity in the last few years and it is estimated that an approximate 6 million people use it in Pakistan.”

(Image Source: Julie Howden/The Herald)

BY HANK KOEBLER

ANCHOR CARISSA LOETHEN

The man convicted of killing 270 people by planting a bomb on an airplane in 1988 has died from cancer-related complications. Sky News has the details:

"The Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi has died at his home in the Libyan capitol of Tripoli. He was the only person convicted over the terrorist attack in 1988."

Al-Megrahi was sentenced to life in prison in 2001, but was released in 2009 because doctors estimated Al-Megrahi only had three months left to live. He actually ended up surpassing the doctors expectations by almost 3 years.

Bert Ammerman, whose brother died in the bombing, tells Fox News:

“He massacred 270 people, 259 at 31,000 feet in the air. The last thing he deserved was to be around his family and friends in his own home. Now that was despicable.”

A spokesman for the victims’ families tells Huffington Post that Al-Megrahi’s death was to be deeply regretted.

“As someone who attended the trial I have never taken the view that Megrahi was guilty… Megrahi is the 271st victim of Lockerbie.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie told BBC the death was “an end to a chapter of one of the worst terrorist events in Scotland,” and also raised questions about al-Megrahi’s conviction:

“There should be no celebration that Abdelbaset al-Megrahi has died.  Instead it should act as a spur to establish the facts including whether crucial forensic evidence was withheld from the trial.”

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond told BBC and other news outlets that the Lockerbie investigation is still ongoing and that prosecutors never believed al-Megrahi was the only person responsible for the bombing.

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN AND EVAN BUSH

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

The NATO summit in Chicago is underway and though talks have focused on exiting Afghanistan, media are taking the opportunity to weigh in on the alliance’s purpose as war efforts wind down. We’ll breakdown coverage and perspectives from around the world,  including sources in  the US, China, France and the UK, on how NATO should move forward.Here’s CNN characterizing the European perspective.


“The decade-long NATO involvement in Afghanistan has produced what some have described as collective fatigue among European allies and questions about whether NATO should be involved in conflicts outside of Europe’s backyard.”

And as leaders arrive in Chicago, it’s not just speculation, but action. A new president threatens to cut short his country’s involvement in Afghanistan. French president Francois Hollande is standing by an election pledge to withdraw French troops from the country by the end of the year.

France 24 says Hollande quote “faces NATO’s wrath” over the planned early exit.  

“His decision is not expected to go down well with the other leaders of the 28 member states when he comes face-to-face with them over the next two days.”

Allies aren’t the only countries expressing fatigue over NATO’s involvement in the region. China’s state-affiliated Xinhua News Agency portrays the alliance as a warmongering bully and blames it for international disputes. The agency chastises NATO and argues it needs to pipe down on the international stage.

“For NATO, which has realized some of its strategic goals in recent years at the price of other countries, the lasting protests against NATO should serve as an alarm bell for the bloc to curb its preoccupation with armed might. … NATO...should refrain from pursuing its egoistic interests at the expense of others.”

But as we move from East to West, the so-called bully is characterized as a beacon of democracy -- The North American editor for the BBC says, now that NATO is searching for a new role, it shouldn’t shy from aggressively promoting its democratic values. He cites Libya as his hope for NATO’s future.

“Nato could draw its horns in and stick to its stated responsibility to safeguard its members’ freedom. … But this will not be enough. Libya was a striking example of Nato as an instrument of liberal interventionism, the belief that democratic nations have a duty to aggressively promote their values and protect human rights.”

At the beginning of its life, NATO served as a counterweight to the Soviet Union’s military muscle. The Atlantic Sentinel says its an energy -- not arms race -- that could define NATO’s role in the future as nations jockey for resources exposed by a warming...and melting...planet. It notes, NATO has been conducting Arctic war games.

“In good Cold War fashion, [Russia] has resumed patrolling the area with bomber planes and warships while Moscow invested more than a billion dollars in the expansion of the port of Murmansk which is supposed to double its capacity by 2015.”

The summit wraps up Monday.
 

(Image source: BBC)

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck northern Italy early Sunday morning. The US Geological survey reports the quake hit near Bologna. A CNN correspondent phoned in with details.

“You just still have panic. People don’t feel safe because the aftershock is just relentless.”

CNN reports at least seven people died, 50 are injured and many have been displaced by the earthquake. The BBC reports northern Italy felt a 5.3 magnitude quake in January, and there were no injuries. This time, the region was not as lucky. The Italian government believes this earthquake caused “significant damage to the cultural heritage” of the area.

“Every small village and town has its ancient treasures in the form of churches and bell towers and other monuments. But these are old and weak and fragile.”

The BBC reports neither rescue workers nor government officials have been able to determine how badly the historic buildings were damaged. The New York Times recalls a 2009 earthquake in central Italy -- and says that memory doesn’t bode well for future repairs.

“While rebuilding in the region has advanced in many villages, the historic center... itself remains a ghost town and there has been public outcry over delays in reconstruction there.”

Media outlets report Italy’s prime minister, Mario Monti, is scheduled to leave the Chicago NATO summit early because of the emergency. Workers are also still digging through rubble hoping to find survivors.

(Image Source: CBS)

BY JOHN O’CONNOR

ANCHOR CARISSA LOETHEN

More than 50 world leaders met in the U.S. for a NATO Summit where they will discuss Afghanistan. The goal of the summit: To find a common stance for the alliance when it hands over security duties to Afghan forces in 2014. NATO’s Secretary General says the changes will be gradual. The BBC has the comments.

"You will see a gradual change in the roll of our troops from combat to support. It's not a contradiction of our strategy, it's a part of our strategy."

Some of members at the summit have expressed interest in creating a fund to support Afghan forces after NATO troops withdrawal. The US will cover half of the $4 billion-a year fund, but a writer for CNN says funding won’t provide the leadership Afghanistan needs.

“...fears exist among the Afghan population of a grand bargain either between the United States and Pakistan, or between the Afghan government and a resurgent Taliban. This could undo the social gains and ethnic pluralism in current Afghan politics and create fractures in the fragile political balance among Afghanistan's various ethnic powers, exacerbating fears of a civil war once the international troops exit.”

To complicate matters, newly elected French President Francois Hollande has announced he will withdraw all French troops by the end of the year-- two years ahead of what was originally agreed upon by NATO. France 24 reports.

“Hollande will also discuss the exit strategy with Afghan President Hamid Karzai when the two leaders meet for the first time on Sunday. Karzai supports Hollande’s decision for the early withdrawal of France’s troops.”

However, a reporter for SkyNews has discovered other Afghan leaders are uncomfortable with the idea of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, withdrawing, even by 2014.

“If in 2014 ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) leaves this isn’t good news, the Taliban will decide not to do any fighting with ISAF and try to take Afghanistan back.”

Despite some Afghanistan leader’s concerns, President Obama has said by the end of 2014 the Afghans will be fully-responsible for security in the country.

(Image source: CNN)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

At least seven people have been killed after an earthquake struck northern Italy in the middle of the night. Here’s euronews.

“The 6.0 magnitude quake struck near Bologna, a city with a population of about a million people, at around 4am local time. … Officials say as many as 50 people have been injured.”

A tense diplomatic situation between the U.S. and China comes to an end as activist Chen Guangcheng begins his life in the United States. Fox News has footage of his arrival.

“That is Chen and his family, landing in New Jersey yesterday after making a quick exit from Beijing. Remember, he escaped last month after spending months under house arrest and several years in a Chinese prison.”

It was a busy week for Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The company had its big IPO on Friday, then Saturday, guests at Zuckerberg’s house got a surprise when, without warning, he walked down the aisle. Here’s CNN.

“A status update from Zuckerberg on his longtime girlfriend Priscilla Chan — married. Of course, it was announced on Facebook. There’s the wedding photo right there.”

People in parts of the western United States will be able to see a rare “ring of fire” solar eclipse this evening when the moon will cover 94 percent of the sun, leaving a visible ring.

The area from Eureka, California, to Lubbock, Texas, will get the best view. As always, NASA says not to look directly at the sun and to only use solar-safe viewing methods.

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Jim Flink, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image Source: BBC)

BY JOHN O’CONNOR

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

On Friday and Saturday, world leaders met to discuss the fate of Greece in the eurozone at the 38th G8 Summit.

The focal point of the two-day summit: will Greece remain in the euro, and under what conditions? The BBC has comments from the President of the European Commission.

 

“We are working for ‘Plan A.’ ‘Plan A’ is for Greece to remain in the euro, and for Greece to respect its commitments.”
 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European leaders have pressured Greece to continue cutting government spending if it wants to remain in the euro. But recent elections in Greece favored anti-austerity parties. The Guardian reports, Greek voters are torn.

 

“Opinion polls suggest that Greeks want to remain in the euro but do not want to abide by the austerity programme demanded as part of the international deal to finance Greece's debt.”
 

Greece’s far left Syriza party favors staying in the euro, but only with less austerity and more pro-growth policies. U.S. President Barack Obama and newly-elected French President Francois Hollande share this view. Al Jazeera reports, the pair now hope to persuade Germany.

 

“White House officials are hoping the new French President will help convince German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to soften her debt reduction demands.”
 

The Washington Post reports other leaders at the G8 believe Germany must find a balance of stimulus and austerity.

 

“Leaders of the world’s economic powers say Germany should balance its push for European fiscal austerity with doses of stimulus spending to avoid a financial calamity with global repercussions. In talks Saturday, the leaders were looking to build consensus even though a decisive plan of action seemed out of reach for now.”
 

The G8 Summit concludes Saturday, and is followed by a NATO meeting in Chicago where Afghanistan is expected to be the main item on the agenda.

(Image source: U.S. Department of State)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

When he escaped rural house arrest and sought refuge at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng sparked a diplomatic crisis between the United States and China.

Chen’s supporters said the rural thugs who kept the activist under house arrest kept the dissident and his family under constant fear of their lives.

Now, Chen and his immediate family are headed to the United States, where he’ll study law in what international observers are calling a face-saving mission by the Chinese government. The BBC’s Beijing correspondent says China is hoping...

“...that Mr. Chen’s departure marks an end to this diplomatic crisis. … In many ways he was symbolic of a bigger issue. This was about an issue of human rights in China...”

While Chen’s departure got front-page treatment in the western press — there was no mention of it on at least three of China’s biggest news sites.

Human rights activists are calling Chen’s flight out of China a victory, but in the U.S. the editorial board of The Washington Post is mixed.

“It is wonderful that Mr. Chen is free and will have a respite, at least, from the harassment, confinement and beatings he has endured in recent years. It is troubling that he had to leave relatives behind in less certain conditions.”

In fact, Chen himself has expressed similar concerns. Sky News spoke with him via telephone. Here’s what he told the organization.

“I’m filled with thousands of mixed emotions. … My brothers have been illegally detained. There’s still no news on my nephews’ case.”


Chen is expected to study human rights law in New York. He told reporters he’s not seeking asylum in the U.S. and hopes to return to China someday. But ABC News notes — some activists worry he won’t be able to fight for the causes he and his supporters believe in from so far away.

“Recently, the Texas-based activist Bob Fu of ChinaAid has demonstrated that it is possible to protest from afar and make a different sort of impact. Whether Chen can do the same will be seen in New York...”


 

(Image source: The Sun)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

In world news, a teenager in southern Italy is dead after a bomb exploded in front of a girl’s school. ITV has more details.

“Six others were wounded in the explosion which happened in Brindisi. Police are investigating reports that two devices were hidden in bags outside the school.”

Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng is heading to the United States after what international observers are calling a face-saving move by the Chinese government.

“He spent six days in the US Embassy after escaping from house arrest, sparking a diplomatic row between the two countries. … He says he plans was studying law in New York City and he does not know what the future will hold, he will find out when he and his family get to America.”

G8 leaders are meeting at Camp David to discuss — among other topics — the eurozone crisis. Al Jazeera reports — protesters are expected to come out in force, but leaders aren’t likely to be distracted.

“They’re facing questions about Greece possibly exiting the euro. They were quick to say that’s not going to happen.”
JOSE MANUEL BARROSO, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT: “We never comment on Plan B. We’re working on Plan A.”

And it was supposed to be a historic launch to the International Space Station — but SpaceX was forced to cancel after computers found an anomaly in one of the rocket’s engines. CNN has video of NASA’s press conference shortly after the failed launch.

“We're looking at the additional launch opportunities this 22nd looks good, that was pre-planned. The 23rd looks like it's a good date from the trajectory.”

 

(Image source: Facebook)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

Following its record $16 billion IPO, Facebook has options analysts talking about what’s next. Bloomberg explains what the experts are watching for. 

“ … no matter how big the hype is around the listing, unless there is sustained volume and trading in the stock, it’s not going to be a very good options market.”

Mitt Romney has rolled out his first general election ad. It’s reportedly set to run in Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. Here’s CNN. 

Anchor: “This day one ad is all about the economy.”

Reporter: “And by the way, it’s playing in battleground states that are really important to him in this election.”

The conflict in Syria — nuclear weapon threats — and fighting famine — all topics up for discussion at this weekend’s G8 summit. But Fox News notes the most pressing matter on the agenda.

“The leaders of the world economic powers converging on Washington today for the G8 summit as a growing economic crisis in Europe threatens to hurt our economy here at home.”

Amid speculation that Greece could soon leave the eurozone, Germany’s leader called up the Greek president to lend some advice.

“The German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested that Greece actually hold a referendum on its euro membership. This is alongside the general elections that are June, in the middle of next month in June.” 

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. 

(Image Source: The Montreal Gazette) 

BY NICHOLE CARTMELL

After 14 weeks of riots over proposed college tuition hikes, Quebec’s National Assembly is now looking to impose strict regulations governing student protests to curb the violence.  
A reporter for CBC News Montreal explains why students are up in arms.

“It comes the day yet another court injunction failed. Law students at the University of Quebec at Montreal tried to return to class. Protesters swarmed the building, disrupting classes and intimidating those who wanted to attend.”

For a little context, The Montreal Gazette reports, Quebec students pay the lowest rates in Canada for higher education.  The government proposes an increase in fees by $254. Province columnist Michael Den Tandt says the proposed hikes are nothing radical.

“This ‘movement’ has hit a dead end, because the youth of Quebec are not oppressed. Rather, they allowed themselves to become oppressors. In failing to rein in violence in their own ranks, they ceded the high ground.”

Support for the students has fallen The Montreal Gazette reports. But one student group hopes Quebec Premier Jean Charest will reconsider, calling for negotiations over their counter offers.

“We can save money for the citizens and also for the students but still having a university that is of high quality.”

In an opinion piece for The Vancouver Sun, Western Ontario emeritus law professor Ian Hunter calls the student protests pathetic, and says the university system is to blame.


“I wonder if some of the protesting students dimly sense this themselves; anyone who misled them into believing that our current educational shambles will equip them to thrive in the modern world is their real enemy, not Jean Charest.”

A National Post Comment Editor says the student unions are to blame. He suggests Canadian universities should look to mirror U.S. right-to-work laws.

“... perhaps it’s time for universities and governments throughout the country to look for solutions that will prevent hard working students from having their education hijacked by those who feel they have a right to other people’s money.”

If passed, the emergency law could affect more than 20 universities and colleges. Classes would be postponed until August, and the fall semester would begin in October.

(Image source: WREG)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

An alleged police impersonator is under arrest in Mississippi.

(Image Source: GlobalSpin)

BY MATTHEW PICHT

What started as a bloody statement has turned into a murder mystery. Mexican police are now searching for the true identity of the killers responsible for the latest drug cartel atrocity.

“The discovery on Sunday of 49 mutilated bodies in northern Nuevo Leon state is pushing authorities, especially the country’s forensic teams, to their limits.”

The crime was initially attributed to the Zeta cartel; the bodies were discovered in their territory, and nearby gang graffiti seemed to indicate the Zetas.  However, the gang itself has taken action to distance itself from this particular crime.

Banners disavowing Zeta involvement in the massacre were discovered hanging from overpasses Tuesday.  Blog del Narco says the banners accuse the federal government of pinning the crime on the Zetas without bothering to fully investigate the circumstances.

Additionally, analyst Rusty Fleming told CNN this slaughter was more likely a setup.

“Misdirection, misinformation--that’s how they conduct their war. I think this is very likely another cartel that’s trying to hang it on the Zetas.”

If the massacre was the act of a rival gang, InSight Crime suggests...

“...this could be a very extreme case of “heating up the plaza,” narco-speak for when a criminal gang commits acts of violence in another group’s territory in order to attract the attention of the federal government, to damage the dominant group there.”

To find out more, authorities are turning to DNA analysis of the 49 victims, none of whom have been identified. 

(Image Source: Al Jazeera)

BY MATTHEW PICHT

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

As an uneasy ceasefire in troubled Syria continues to degrade, a new U.N. report reveals Iran may be fueling the conflict, supplying the Syrian Army with illegal weapon shipments. CNN has the story...

“According to a confidential U.N. draft report, Iran is violating a ban by the U.N. Security Council on weapon shipments, and that the top recipient for those weapon shipments is Syria.”

The report, which has not yet been finalized, examined three large illegal weapon shipments out of Iran in the past year. The International Business Times reports, its findings condemn the Iranian government in no uncertain terms.

“‘Iran has continued to defy the international community through illegal arms shipments. Two of these cases involved the Syrian Arab Republic, as were the majority of cases inspected by the panel during its previous mandate, underscoring that Syria continues to be the central party to illicit Iranian arms transfers...’”

Iran isn’t the only country reportedly investing in the burgeoning Syrian conflict. According to the Washington Post, the U.S. is supplying defensive and communication equipment to civilian opposition forces.

“The U.S. contact with the rebel military...mark(s) a shift in Obama administration policy as hopes dim for a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Many officials now consider an expanding military confrontation to be inevitable.”

As weapons and supplies pour into Syria from other countries, Al Jazeera questions how much longer the fragile U.N. ceasefire over the region will last.

“Not only are the two sides on the ground ignoring the terms of the ceasefire, but it also seems that foreign countries, which on paper signed up to the Annan plan and its spirit of demilitarization, are in practice and in different ways, both offering supplies which undermine it.”

The U.N. report also discusses Iran’s attempts to circumvent sanctions on its nuclear program, noting that U.N. punitive measures have slowed, but not stopped, Iranian nuclear development.

(Image source: Facebook) 

BY NEWSY STAFF

How much is U.S. citizenship worth? That’s what critics are asking in the wake of Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin renouncing his U.S. citizenship. Here’s Bloomberg.

“Well, it turns out the move could save him $67 million in federal income taxes that are due on his Facebook stake, according to Bloomberg analysts.”

When Facebook goes public, Saverin — who owns four percent of the company — stands to make a $4 billion profit.  Singapore has no capital gains tax.

Journalist David Kirkpatrick — author of The Facebook Effect — tells CBS Morning News, this is very typical of Saverin’s personality.

“I don’t think he’s a big believer in the United States, I think he’s kind of — he’s kind of an opportunist.”

“He’s really shown that is was all about the money for him from the beginning.”

Saverin told the New York Times, this issue is being misrepresented.  He already paid an exit tax when he renounced his citizenship, though it’s likely nowhere near $67 million. Still — he says, this is about where he wants to live and call home.

“This had nothing to do with taxes … I was born in Brazil, I was an American citizen for about 10 years. I thought of myself as a global citizen.”

ABC News notes, Saverin’s explanation notwithstanding, the Facebook co-founder is not alone in dodging taxes from the country that bestowed his riches.

“Saverin is one of a growing number of wealthy Americans dropping their citizenship, multiplying seven-fold since 2008, from 235 to more than 1,700.”

On Thursday, two U.S. senators— Democrats Charles Schumer of New York and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania — announced plans to address this new kind of tax evasion.

“Casey’s office said the bill is called the ‘Ex-PATRIOT’ Act, which stands for the ‘Expatriation Prevention by Abolishing Tax-Related Incentives for Offshore Tenancy’ Act.”

Beyond that, not everyone thinks Saverin is in the wrong. Quora writes...

“Americans are critical partially because they aren't looking at this objectively. Go after megacorporations for tax evasions, not one 30 year old that may never have wanted to be a US citizen in the first place.”

Facebook’s IPO is set to launch Friday.

(Image Source: Bloomberg)

BY EMILY ALLEN

Take the money and run.  Fears about Greece using the Euro in the future have some investors doing just that.  Good Morning America says you can already see its impact on world markets.

“All three U.S. indeces were lower and all the major overseas exchanges were also off overnight all because of the intensifying worries that Greece may default on its debt and pull out of the Euro currency.”

And now, there is fear of a bank run.  In the past week, Greeks have pulled close to $1 billion from the nation’s banks.

It’s possible Greece could switch back to its former currency.

The Washington Post says Greeks are scared their savings would be replaced by the less-valued drachma. So they’re withdrawing their euros and putting them in a safe spot like a German bank but…

“It’s a smart move by those individuals. The problem, though, is that if everyone in Greece does this, it could inadvertently get Greece kicked out of the euro.”

So who’s to blame for Greece’s financial turmoil? CNN says it’s every Greek who doesn’t pay his or her taxes.

In a country with widespread tax evasion, that is a lot of people.

“It’s not the bankers or those who have made fortunes in insurance— although they could probably pay more taxes – it is the vast number of ordinary people who need to pay ordinary taxes.”

And discussion in the Eurozone about Greece isn’t helping. The EU has already given the country two bailouts in order to pay its bills.  One economist tells Today if the 17 countries decide to leave Greece out of the Eurozone…

“...it would provoke ’the mother of all financial crises’. The contemplation of this possibility by EU leaders is making matters even worse. Greece has no chance of recovery while this danger hangs over its economy.”

And Fox News says Greece’s political climate isn’t necessarily a beacon of stability — adding additional anxiety.  

“They can’t even get a government together.  They had elections on May 6th which resolved absolutely nothing. Now today naming a caretaker government, that will be in there just until next month when they have new elections with the hope that that will somehow make things better.”

And The Huffington Post’s Jeffrey Rubin says, that could create a new crisis like the one in 2008.

“A Greek default would start in Athens, but it wouldn't be long before it's felt in Paris, Berlin, New York and Toronto. In today's intertwined financial markets, everyone has exposure to everyone else's problems.”

(Image source: U.S. Census Bureau)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

New data from the United States Census Bureau shows minority births outnumbered white births for the first time in 2011.

(Image source: Flickr)

BY MALLORY PERRYMAN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is officially investigating the Girl Scouts of America. CNN talked with the Catholic League’s Bill Donohue to find out why. 

Catholic League's Bill Donohue: “... the global group, the world group of the Girl Scouts is in favor of abortion-inducing drugs, is in favor of condom use. Does that mean the Girl Scouts of the United States are? We don't know.”

The Girl Scouts are a secular group — but The Christian Post reports, about a quarter of the more than 2 million scouts are Catholic. And while the Girl Scouts are silent on issues like abortion and sexuality...

“...there have been accusations by social conservatives who have questioned the organization's ties to groups such as the Sierra Club, Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam, some of which support family planning and contraception.”

The Daily Beast adds — even though the Girl Scouts aren’t an official Catholic organization, many troops have their meetings in church buildings.

“If [the bishops] determine that membership in the Girl Scouts does not jibe with Catholic teachings, they could either demand that the Girl Scouts change their practices or, in lieu of that, recommend that young Catholic girls drop out of the Girl Scouts.”

An editorial contributor for the Journal and Courier argues — while the church is within its rights to keep secular groups from its properties, it just doesn’t make sense to target America’s cutest cookie pushers. 

“We just can’t figure out why the organization dedicated to the development of girls for a century now keeps getting tossed into the culture war cross hairs.”

The Vatican’s inquiry is just now becoming public knowledge — but an editorial writer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports...

“The church’s investigation has been going on for two years. One would think that would be enough time to find out if the scouts truly are leading young women to hell. Apparently not.”

This year the Girl Scouts organization is celebrating its 100-year anniversary. 

(Image Source: Voice of America)

BY EMILY ALLEN

The trial of former Serb army commander Ratko Mladic is underway in the Hague.

The so-called “Bosnian Butcher” faces 11 war-crimes charges — including genocide, extermination, murder, inhumane acts and deportation.

CNN and CBS explain.

“A Yugoslave War Crime suspect. He’s accused of the killing of nearly 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica in 1995.  The largest slaughter in Europe since World War II.”

“He’s accused of ordering the shelling of Sarajevo.  And targeting areas where civilian casualties were likely to be highest – like the watering taps because the main watering supply was cut.”

Mladic was arrested last year after being on the run for 16 years, reportedly aided by Serbian army comrades and the Serbian state. He was caught hiding in a relative’s garden shed.

The Guardian says the now 70-year-old…

“ … cuts a far more feeble figure than the stocky, bluff and ruddy-faced former Yugoslav artillery officer who gained notoriety during the war. He suffered a stroke while on the run after the war, but the court has rejected his claims he is too sick to stand trial.”

Mladic smirked and shook his head when tribunal judges read the charges against him.  MSNBC reports he also Mladic shared his feelings out loud.

“These obnoxious charges leveled against me.  For these monstrous words, the ones that I have never heard before.”

And many Serbs agree with Mladic. The BBC explains why they still consider him a hero.

“I’m sorry my general is in the Hague. He’s an honorable general that served the Serbian people.  We hope he will defend himself and the honor of the Serbian nation.”

But a father who lost his daughter in the war tells Al Jazeera — he hopes this trial can change some of those pro-Mladic attitudes.

“It’s very important that Mladic be sentenced so that people will know what he is guilty of, because there are many people that don’t know what happened in Sarajevo during the siege.”

Reaching a verdict may take time.  The New York Times reports, it took three years for the court to deliver a decision in the trial of Congolese Warlord Thomas Lumbanga.

(Image source: BBC)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

United Nations observers hope to evacuate their team of monitors from the Syrian town where they came under attack Tuesday.

(Image source: The Guardian)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

In Norway, a man reportedly set himself on fire outside the murder trial of Anders Breivik. The BBC reports the man doused himself with flammable liquid and tried to rush past security.

“The man who police say was seriously injured was stopped as he tried to break through the security fence around the court.”

A JP Morgan shareholders meeting has ended. While chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon faced some heat over the company’s $2 billion loss, Fox Business reports it was a different business practice that drew the most criticism.

“Most of the questions from shareholders and most of the pointed statements … had to do with the way the bank failed to refinance people who might be upside down in their mortgages.”

Just one more complication for the Eurozone crisis. Talks between the German chancellor and the new French president were delayed after Francois Hollande’s plane was struck by lightning. CNN reports.

“We got word that Francois Hollande was on his way to Germany when there was a storm that sort of kicked up and forced his plane back to where it took off from in Paris.”

And President Obama spoke at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service which honors police officers killed in the line of duty. Fox News has the president’s speech.

“The rest of us can never fully understand what you go through, but please know that we hold you in our hearts, not just today but always.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Lauren Gores, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: The Sun)

BY JIM FLINK

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

The News of the World scandal escalates to another level. The Crown Prosecution Service says it will prosecute Rebekah Brooks, her husband Charlie and four others, for allegedly perverting the course of justice.

Here’s The Telegraph with part of the Crown’s statement.

“Rebekah Brooks and Cheryl Carter somewhere between the sixth of July and the ninth of July, 2011, conspired together, permanently to remove seven boxes of material from the archive of News International.”

Immediately, Brooks and her husband struck back, saying they’ll fight the charges. The Sun has their comments...

“We deplore this weak and unjust decision. After the further unprecedented posturing of the CPS we will respond later today after our return from the police station.”

Brooks appears to be up for a fight. And former News of the World editor Phil Hall tells The Telegraph, she’s always volunteered for tough assignments.

“Maybe the bad news that we were going to expose some wrongdoing, or maybe some difficulties that you were having, she would be the person that would have that conversation.”
“She was very good at getting involved in what was most difficult.”

The Daily Beast notes, these are serious charges, and explains possible sentencing should Brooks and her alleged accomplices be found guilty.

“Perverting the course of justice ... is seen as potentially more severe than phone hacking or payments to public officials, the two primary allegations rocking the British wing of Murdoch's news empire. It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment...”

But CNN notes, most who are found guilty and sentenced don’t serve terms of that length.

“I think the maximum that anyone has served in recent years has been about 10 years for perverting the course of justice. It carries about a one to two year sentence per charge.”

(Image source: The Guardian)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR ALLIE SPILLYARDS

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

British prosecutors announced they will charge former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks and her husband with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The BBC has the charges.

“Rebekah Brooks, between the 6th of July and the 19th of July, 2011, conspired with Charles Brooks … to conceal material from officers at the Metropolitan Police Service.”

Strong winds pushed one of Arizona’s wildfires toward the community of Crown King, prompting mandatory evacuations. Here’s HLN.

“One of the wildfires in Arizona doubled in size overnight while you were sleeping, forcing hundreds of people from their homes. Now, it’s one of four fires reported just north of Phoenix.”

JP Morgan’s annual shareholders meeting takes place today in Florida. Investors are expected to ask who knew about the company’s $2 billion loss and when. CNN’s Ali Velshi says there are no good answers to that question.

“One is Jamie Dimon knew, in which case it feeds into what everybody thinks about these banks and greed and all of that. And then there’s the one that he said: he didn’t know. And if he didn’t know, that’s scary, too.”

And French president-elect Francois Hollande officially took office this morning. Here’s euronews.

“Socialist Francois Hollande has been officially sworn in as France’s new president during a ceremony at the Elysée Palace in Paris.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Allie Spillyards, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: Flickr Creative Commons)

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR JIM FLINK

It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. Stanford researchers created a solar panel eye implant that could restore some vision to the blind. A doctor breaks down how the so-called “bionic eye” works:

“When a patient has got this implanted you wouldn’t necessarily know that they had it. The power supply powers the device and then light falls on the device and stimulates the device which then stimulates the nerves in the retina.”

The BBC reports early results of a human clinical trial in the UK helped the blind see light and some shapes. The study in Nature explains a pair of glasses fitted with a video camera records what’s happening in front of a patient and fires light beams onto the retina.

Medical Daily reports a lead author of the study says the new wireless device is a breakthrough because it requires a less invasive surgical procedure.

“It works like the solar panels on your roof, converting light into electric current. But instead of the current flowing to your refrigerator, it flows into your retina.”

New Scientist reports the technology could soon be available to everyone, with a company in California starting clinical trials. But researchers say, it’s difficult to tell just how good vision could be.

“Current prostheses show the basic geometry of a shape, but since large numbers of neurons are activated at once, colours appear at random, similar to when you rub your eyes. Implants that provide real colour vision... are still a long way off.”

Medical Daily reports the implants could help people with Age-related Macular Degeneration regain some of their vision -- a disease which could affect about three million people in the U.S. by 2020.

(Image source: The News & Observer)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR LAUREN GORES

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

John Edwards’ lawyers began presenting his defense today on charges of violating campaign finance laws. A Fox News analyst says it’s possible Edwards himself may take the stand.

“Calling your own client to testify always has some risk for the defense, but remember — John Edwards is a skilled trial lawyer … So you may see the defense wanting to use his persuasive skills.”

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel have agreed to end a weeks-long hunger strike. The prisoners accepted a deal brokered by Egypt. Sky News has some of the terms.

“It’s largely over improving conditions for these prisoners inside the jails — allowing their relatives to see them more often, taking some of them out of long periods of solitary confinement.”

Greece’s political leaders have one last chance to form a government before the country heads to new elections. Euronews reports Greece’s president has been unable to get the pro and anti-austerity camps to see eye to eye.

“Despite warnings Greece could run out of cash unless a new administration is formed, attempts to bridge the gap have so far proved fruitless.”

And while Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg turns 28, his company’s IPO is within sight. But a management firm president tells CNN it’s probably wise to sit out the initial stock frenzy.

(SWV_cnn_:05-:16)
“The mutual funds and the institutional investors are going to be the major ones buying up the stock. So when the stock actually opens, I do believe it’s going to come in probably between 90, maybe even 100 dollars a share when it actually gets released.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Lauren Gores, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: euronews)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

It’s being called a disaster for Germany’s Christian Democratic Union. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party took a beating at the polls in a key regional election Sunday. Euronews has the results.

“The region of North Rhine-Westphalia – Germany’s most populated state – has swung towards the centre-left Social Democrats, who won almost 39 per cent of Sunday’s vote...”

Nearly one in four Germans live in North Rhine-Westphalia, so the state’s elections are sometimes referred to as small general elections. The Telegraph reports the results amount to a rejection of Merkel’s austerity policies.

“In a contest that mirrored the debate in the eurozone between ‘growth’ and austerity, she presented the vote as a battle between ‘thrifty’ Christian Democrats and ‘ever more debt’ run up by the Left.”

But while Chancellor Merkel herself called the loss a “painful, bitter defeat,” she later downplayed the significance of the vote. Economist Oliver Hartwich tells ABC Australia there were more factors at play than economic policy — like the personality of Merkel’s candidate.

“He was running against a state premier who was very popular, who seemed extremely well grounded, was simply more likeable. And I think that in the end decided the election, not so much to do with austerity.”

Hartwich went on to caution -- while the Social Democrats had an impressive showing, the area is one of their traditional strongholds. But German magazine Der Spiegel says by showing Merkel’s party can be defeated, the Social Democrats will be that much more energized for next year’s general elections.

“Self confidence among Germany’s Social Democrats has been in short supply as the party suffered through years of losing elections and members. But the North Rhine-Westphalia vote is the third time in recent months that the SPD and Greens have joined forces to triumph over the center-right.”

Merkel is scheduled to meet with France’s newly-elected president Francois Hollande this week. Analysts expect the relationship to be rocky at first due to Hollande’s anti-austerity platform. But a BBC contributor says electoral pressure may push both leaders toward a compromise.

“He’s got to backtrack, and then now after the whole election in North Rhine-Westphalia actually does Ms. Merkel also have to start changing as well. So excellent. If they’re both having to go through a change, then that could be a suitable opportunity.”

One more election result getting noticed — the rowdy Internet-centric Pirate Party received eight percent of the vote. That means Pirates will have officially hold seats in the state’s parliament.

(Image source: CNN / JP Morgan)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

Three top executives at JP Morgan are expected to leave the company over their role in the bank’s massive trading loss. CNN reports Ina Drew, the highest-ranking of the trio, is expected to resign as early as Monday.

“She is the bank’s chief investment officer. She ran the risk management division, or she oversaw it at least, that was responsible for the bet that cost the nation’s largest bank $2 billion.”

New Department of Defense rules have gone into effect opening 14,000 combat jobs to women. This overturns a 1994 rule barring women from combat-adjacent jobs, like tank mechanic and radio operator. HLN has more.

“Military officials say as positions open women can apply. There are still more than 200,000 military jobs that are only available to men.”

In Germany, a key regional election handed Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic party their worst defeat in decades. Euronews reports this is a serious blow to Europe’s austerity policies.

“The disastrous results for Merkel leave her vulnerable at a time when a backlash against her insistence on fiscal discipline is building across Europe.”

Ugandan forces have captured a high-ranking commander in Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army. A military spokesperson told Al Jazeera the capture of Caesar Achellam will hopefully encourage more fighters to leave the LRA.

“They say they ambushed him Saturday in the Central African Republic after tracking him for weeks in the jungle.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Allie Spillyards, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: Xinhua News Agency)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

Three of Asia’s most powerful nations have agreed to open negotiations on a free trade pact. The BBC reports the talks were borne out of a joint summit Saturday.  

“The announcement follows a meeting in Beijing between China’s Premier Wen Jiabao, South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak and the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.”

Reuters reports the three nations make up almost one-fifth of the world’s economy. China’s Xinhua news agency estimated a free trade agreement between the three nations could lift China’s GDP by up to 2.9 percent — and could take Japan and South Korea’s up .5 and .3 percent respectively.

However, Xinhua does not explain how it reached those figures, and The Wall Street Journal says any trade agreement between the three nations will have to overcome decades-old rivalries and other obstacles. (Video source: NHK World)

“... the free-trade agreement is likely to face hurdles and protracted negotiations before it can go into effect. China has been in free-trade talks with Australia since 2005, but they remain bogged down over issues such as how to treat agricultural goods.”

The summit’s talks also focused on North Korea. South Korea’s Lee Myung-bak tells the media his nation, along with China and Japan, urges the regional aggressor to comply with international pressure. Al Jazeera has his comments.

“We agreed that future nuclear tests and additional provocations by North Korea cannot be tolerated … I especially regard highly China’s advice to North Korea that they should place more importance on improving the livelihoods of the public.”

And, although China has historically been reluctant to get involved in North Korean affairs, its premier placed North Korean cooperation at the center of an effort to make the region safer. According to Daily Yomiuri Online,

“Wen said, ‘The most pressing task is to prevent tensions on the Korean Peninsula from escalating.’ He added that the parties concerned should redouble their efforts to have North Korea ‘return to the right track of dialogue and negotiations.’”

According to The China Post, the nations plan to open their talks trade agreement by the end of the year.

(Image source: Dalai Lama Official Website)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

The Dalai Lama revealed an unconfirmed plot against his life Sunday. The spiritual leader told the Telegraph about reports from inside Tibet of an assassination plot — involving women the Chinese government to poison him.

“In their hair poisoned and scarf poisoned. So, you see, they seek — supposed to seek blessing from me and my hand touch.”

The 76-year-old Nobel laureate still blesses devotees at the temple complex in Dharamsala, India. But Fox News reports this new alleged plot could restrict access to the spiritual leader.

“It’s not known whether the Chinese agents are from China’s government or some other group. The Dalai Lama’s aids are said to be unable to confirm the plot, but there is increased security on the temple grounds.”

The Tibetan government-in-exile’s poor relations with the Chinese government go back decades. ABC reports things have been especially tense lately.

“Reports are China is making a bolder attempt to nullify Tibetan language and culture as it seeks to fully occupy the region. This year alone there have been more than 30 incidents of self-immolation; Tibetans setting themselves on fire in protest of Chinese rule. Nearly all have died.”

The Dalai Lama also said in the interview he’s worried China will interfere with finding his successor, so he might be the last official Dalai Lama. But he says the spiritual institutions of Tibet will be in good hands after he’s gone, and the Guardian reports he has a surprisingly positive outlook on the China-Tibet situation.

“He added that he believed China would change its hardline stance within his lifetime and adopt democratic reforms to safeguard Tibet's economic growth. He said the Chinese should use Buddhist logic to overcome their anger...”

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to receive the $1.8 million Templeton Prize Monday for promoting scientific study of spiritual practices. He will reportedly then give the entire prize away to a so-far unknown recipient.

(Image source: Kathimerini)

BY NATHAN BYRNE

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

Time is running out for Greece to form a coalition and avoid a potential political tailspin.

(Image: CNN)

BY EVAN BUSH

ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS

In Mexico, authorities are piecing together a brutal murder scene in the border town of Monterrey as drug violence persists in the region. The UK’s Channel 4 describes the scene.

“Authorities in Mexico have found the dismembered bodies of more than 40 people dumped on a highway near the northern industrial city of Monterrey.” “The bodies were found in the early hours stuffed in bags.”

As Fox News notes, no one is sure where the bodies came from, and it could take a long time to figure that out. A Nuevo Leon state security spokesman said:

“[T]he fact the bodies were found with the heads, hands and feet cut off will make identification difficult. The bodies were being taken to Monterrey for DNA tests. [Nuevo Leon state Attorney General Adrian] de la Garza said the victims could have been killed as long as two days ago at another location...”

The bodies are thought to be tied to drug violence, though it’s not clear which gang is to blame and none has taken responsibility so far. The BBC says the bodies are a reminder that Mexico’s drug war is growing increasingly brutal.

“The police have an extremely difficult job trying to control of these gangs, they’re extremely well-armed, they’re rich, they’re powerful and they’re very large. They control entire states.”

A reporter for CNN says that although these massacres aren’t all that uncommon in Mexico, and that this murder is particularly striking for sheer numbers. He notes there was another mutilation / murder outside the city of Guadalajara a few days ago.

“In that case, they’ve started to identify some victims. They found a student and a waiter.”

“You worry the drug cartels are picking people up and killing them to make a point.”

Mexico’s drug war has become so violent and so pervasive, some newspapers have stopped reporting on it for fear of gang retribution. The Los Angeles Times describes just how bad it’s been.

“More than 50,000 people have been killed since President Felipe Calderon launched a military-led assault on powerful drug cartels in December 2006. Mexicans on July 1 will vote for Calderon’s replacement. Election news has largely eclipsed reports on drug-war violence, but in recent weeks the mounting death toll has once again earned front-page coverage.”

(Image source: The Guardian)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

Tens of thousands across Spain marched against the nation’s deep austerity cuts Saturday. The BBC reports the protesters filled the streets of downtown Madrid.

“The biggest rallies were in Barcelona and Madrid, where huge crowds gathered. The demonstrations mark a year since the first protests by the movement known as Los Indignados, or The Outraged.”

In the wake of financial crisis, protests across the euro zone have sprung up over the last few weeks in nations like France, Italy, Greece and Portugal. CNN says marchers in Spain defied police orders in their protests.

“They are staying past the 10 p.m. deadline set by the government, which said they could go only ‘til that hour and then they had to clear out. Well, that clearly hasn’t happened.”

The Guardian reports many of the protesters across Spain were among those suffering under the nation’s 23 percent unemployment rate. That figure marks an 18-year high for joblessness. Discontent with the nation’s pro-austerity government was also common throughout the protests.  

“I am ashamed to see that the rich have so much and the poor have to live in misery.”

“The new government has made things much worse than a year ago.”

Despite the protesters’ presence in cities throughout Spain, Al Jazeera reports the government seems to be taking little notice.

“But while there is much hunger for change, the reality is that the Indignados have had little impact on mainstream politics. The country voted in a right-wing government last year, which has implemented the harshest set of public sector cuts in decades.”

And Spain’s El Pais reports on the aftermath of the protests.

“The square in Madrid has reopened after the police cordoned it off. Last night there were 18 arrested, two police officers injured and evictions in cities such as Palma, Cadiz and Valencia.”

The Guardian reports protesters plan to continue their efforts across Spain through May 15 — the one-year anniversary of last year’s demonstrations.

(Image source: CNN/Yahoo!)

BY NATHAN BYRNE

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

Reports say Yahoo’s CEO will resign after recently claiming innocence over his disputed academic record.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY NATHAN BYRNE

ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS

Eight NATO troops have been killed in Afghanistan in the last three days. An Afghan peace envoy now joins that list of casualties.

(Image source: Burbank Police Dept./Los Angeles Times)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

A manhunt is underway near Los Angeles for an FBI agent missing since Friday.

(Image source: PressTV)

BY NATHAN BYRNE

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

Britain’s military is making some noise about an addition to its security arsenal for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The Long Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD, is a sonic gun that can be used as a high-volume loudspeaker or a non-lethal weapon.
Firstpost reports the sound gun has been used to control crowds like the one seen here in Pittsburgh’s 2009 G20 summit.

The U.K. Ministry of Defence confirms the pain-inducing sound gun will be used at the Olympic games, but tells RT …

“ … its primary function will be as a powerful loudspeaker to halt boats traveling along the river. … he refrained from mentioning whether or not the LRAD would be used for riot control during the Olympics.”

A writer for The Mirror says some versions of the LRAD can produce deafening 150-decibel sounds at three feet.

That’s the same sound level you’d get right next to the speakers at a very loud rock concert.
To boot, the device also causes a compression sensation like what you’d feel with your head underwater.

The U.S.-based LRAD Corporation makes the sonic device.
According to the BBC …

“The manufacturer denies it is a weapon … A spokesman for the San Diego-based LRAD Corporation said the 1000Xi was ‘an effective long range communications system … to peacefully resolve uncertain situations’.”

The Associated Press reports LRAD Corporation previously sold the device to the U.S. Army for crowd control in Iraq.
 

(Image source: The New York Times/Eirini Vourloumis)

BY NATHAN BYRNE

(Image source: Al Arabiya)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

Two Turkish journalists imprisoned in Syria have been released to Iran.

(Image source: Dagbladet)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS

The trial of Anders Breivik was disrupted by an unexpected outburst. Sky News has the story.

“The brother of one of Anders Breivik’s victims has thrown a shoe at the killer during his trial. The shoe missed its target and the man was escorted from the courtroom to applause from some other spectators.”

Breivik has admitted to carrying out a killing spree last year in Norway that left 77 dead. The shoe thrower allegedly yelled at Breivik, “You killed my brother! Go to hell!”  A BBC correspondent says considering the gut wrenching testimony lately, it’s amazing this hasn’t happened before.

“This morning they were hearing coroners’ reports detailing, with a life-size dummy, exactly how the victims died: where the exit wounds were, where the entry wounds of the bullets were...”

Breivik seemed unfazed by the attack. The shoe actually hit his lawyer, who was sitting beside him.

After order had been restored, Breivik told the courtroom if anyone wanted to throw something, do it when he’s entering or leaving the room, not at his attorney. (Video source: VGTV)

It’s that sort of calm that has spectators wondering whether the victims’ families aren’t being hurt further by the dignified and respectful courtroom atmosphere. The Wall Street Journal writes:

“While Norwegians in general agree that Mr. Breivik should be treated like any other criminal there is also criticism over the amount of media attention he is getting, and unease at the detached politeness with which he is generally treated in court.”

As the assailant was being escorted out of the courtroom, there was applause, crying and someone shouting “Bravo.” The Christian Science Monitor quotes a Norwegian media analyst who says the outburst was cathartic.

“...it was a ‘relief’ for him and probably also to Norwegians, who are not used to expressing their emotions so openly. ‘He probably did what most [victims’ families] wanted to do...’”

The trial is expected to continue for another five to six weeks.

(Image source: Xbox Kinect)

BY EVAN THOMAS AND JIM FLINK

ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS

Gamers are about the get the full power of web browsing — without ever getting up from the couch. That is, if the rumors are true about XBox 360’s Kinect. Here’s The Verge with the scoop on present and future browsing.

“Microsoft's new Internet Explorer browser for Xbox will expand on this functionality to open up a full browser for the console. … Microsoft has also integrated Kinect gestures and voice control heavily into the experience”

Now, the Xbox 360 already includes Bing voice search, but so far it's been limited to media results. Kotaku says, this would fill a service gap on the 360.

“This rumor has the ring of truth since it's a conceptual extension of the same thinking that brought Bing to the Xbox 360. Integration of social networks like Twitter and Facebook has existed on the 360 for a while now, but there's been a conspicuous lack of robust web-browsing on the home console.”

And Digital Trends notes, it’s a service gap that’s kind of glaring.

“Think about it. You can download movies, music, games, watch college basketball on ESPN, watch Major League Baseball, Game of Thrones through HBO, but if you want to look up somebody’s address in Google Maps, well, you’re out of luck. Even the Wii can do that, and that little box is basically a box of tissues with a disc drive in it.”

Ok, so we get it.  It’s about time. But SlashGear notes, it’s about something more than that — it’s about market share!

“…Internet Explorer has been steadily losing ground to Chrome and Firefox for the last few years, and Microsoft’s Xbox division is one of its undeniable hits. Associating future versions of IE with the Xbox… could be advantageous. The PlayStation 3 and Wii both have browsers built in, though neither is as complete as Internet Explorer.”

While this is still a rumor -— and there’s no official word yet — this Kinection could materialize for real in a matter of weeks.

(Image source: Bloomberg/Irish Times)

BY NATHAN BYRNE 

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

The third attempt to form a coalition government in Greece has failed.
The BBC explains.

“Hopes of forming a coalition government in Greece have been dashed after the head of the anti-bailout Syriza party said he would not join the coalition government.”

A New York Times report says the SEC is now investigating JPMorgan following the bank’s $2 billion loss.

CNN looks at the backlash.

“ … this is why everybody loves to hate big banks and why you hear Congress pounding their fists about tougher regulations. … (FLASH) JPMorgan gambled and lost, making some big, risky bets.”

Indonesian rescue workers say they’ve recovered 12 bodies from this week’s Russian plane crash.
Here’s euronews.

“Most of the dead are Indonesian and aviation officials. Although eight Russians were also on board. Rescuers have been using climbing equipment, including ropes, to scale the near-vertical Mt. Salak … ”

Facebook is stirring more buzz leading up to its IPO.
Chicago’s WBBM highlights a new feature Facebook’s testing.

“It looks like Facebook is considering a pay-for-popularity plan. For two bucks, Facebook will highlight your post. A trial is underway right now, and the option to highlight shows up when you’re posting an update.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)


BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

JPMorganChase CEO Jamie Dimon addressed stockholders in a surprise conference call about the company’s reported $2 billion loss.

(Image Source: CNN/CCTV)

BY EMOKE BEBIAK

ANCHOR CARISSA LOETHEN

A Ferrari PR stunt in China went a bit too far. CNN has the story...

“The wheels of the luxury Ferrari spin as the driver shows off leaving dark tire marks on Nanjing’s historic gate.”

Oops, right? The stunt was meant to mark Ferrari’s 20th anniversary of being on the Chinese market. The BBC explains the backlash caused by the extravagant PR move.

“Touching a nerve in a society where luxury cars are a symbol of wealth and privilege, one user of Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter, writes of the rude insult to Chinese culture.”

Ferrari did apologize for damaging the 600-year-old city wall. The China editor for the Economist tells NPR...

“Ferrari themselves came out and apologized. They know which side their bread is buttered and they know that they can't afford to annoy the people of China, who are now their second biggest market.”

But Ferrari wasn’t the only one revved up after the incident. Autoweek reports on a public outcry against Chinese officials, as well, saying...

“Much of the anger was directed at the Chinese government, which rented the wall for the occasion at a cost of $12,000. City officials say the car company did not have approval for on-wall donuts.”

A blogger for TIME notes once the incident went viral, Chinese authorities were quick to put the brakes on any online chatter.

“The word Ferrari has now been blocked from Chinese microblogs like Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, in what some see as an effort to control criticism of government officials amid a widening divide between China’s rich and poor.”

According to The New York Times, the car was a special edition Ferrari 458 Italia valued at $954,000.

 

(Image source: euronews)

BY NATHAN BYRNE

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

Reports call it the bloodiest attack in Syria’s 14-month conflict.
ITV and ABC’s “Good Morning America” have the headlines.

“At least 55 people have died and nearly 400 have been injured in two explosions in Syria.”

“A major escalation in the uprising there that has now claimed the lives of some 9,000 people.”

Members of the United Nations monitoring team visited the site of the explosions Thursday morning.
Euronews says the U.N. monitors warned strongly against attacks like these.

Reporter: “The head of the U.N. observer mission in Syria has condemned the latest violence to hit the capital Damascus.”

Robert Mood, U.N.’s Syria mission leader: “This is a terrible kind of violence.”

But who was behind the explosions — government forces? Or the Free Syrian Army? CNN reports — it’s unclear.

“Syria blames the attacks on anti-government terrorists. An opposition group claims Syria’s intelligence agency was destroyed.”

The Free Syrian Army denies responsibility  — and an Al Jazeera report questions whether the group has the firepower to pull off such an attack.

That same report criticizes the Syrian government for its response.

“The Syrian government repeated its usual lie about it being the work of terrorist gangs trying to destabilize the country’s infrastructure.”

While the usual suspects in this conflict blame each other, a BBC reporter points out a third force …

“ … that has claimed responsibility for major attacks in the past. The shadowy ‘al-Nusra Battlefront’ emerged in January and has since said it was behind previous car and truck bomb attacks … The group has a distinctly jihadist agenda … there are suspicions it may have links to al-Qaeda.”

A columnist for Lebanon’s The Daily Star doesn’t see compromise on the horizon.

“The Syrian president … won’t implement those features of [UN/Arab League envoy Kofi] Annan’s plan that might undermine his authority. As for the opposition, it has no intention of embracing dialogue unless this leads to Assad’s departure … ”

The U.S. State Department condemned the bombings in a statement Thursday.

 

Image Source: Al Jazeera

BY EMOKE BEBIAK

Algeria held what many call the country’s most open elections ever on Thursday. Yet there was a noticeable lack of enthusiasm on the part of the voters. Al Jazeera reports...

“Across North Africa, people have become genuinely politicised, yet here in Algeria’s most open elections ever, the government has been forced to send out text messages by phone to encourage people to vote.”

Euronews says the government took extraordinary measures to ensure the elections were fair...

“500 foreign observers are monitoring the ballot, billed by President Bouteflika’s ageing establishment as more transparent than ever before. Algerian elections have, for years, been dogged by claims of fraud.”

Algeria is the only country in the North African region where Arab Spring demonstrations were short-lived and not effective. But according to the BBC, last year’s revolutions led Algerian leaders to recognize the need for change saying...

“Under pressure to reform after last year's ‘Arab Spring’ revolts in neighbouring countries, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika approved the establishment of 23 new political parties and an increase in the number of seats in parliament to 462.”

But the Guardian reports President Bouteflika, who has been in power for 12 years, also added last weekend...

"There is no lesson in democracy that we need to learn from the Arab spring, because our spring is Algeria.”

Bloomberg explains Algeria’s war-torn history might be the reason why people are not excited about political upheaval...

“Algeria's lack of enthusiasm for the tumult elsewhere in the region may have something to do with the country's recent past: the exceptionally brutal, decade-long civil war that erupted in 1992 after the government cancelled the second round of voting in parliamentary elections when it became clear Islamists were going to win.”

Voters are apathetic about Thursday’s elections. Many say they don’t believe the elections will bring about real change. A young voter tells Middle East Online...

"The only reason I'm voting is because I'm a young adult and I'm about to enter the job market... I'm afraid one day the authorities somewhere will ask to see my voter's card before granting me access to housing, or employment or even health coverage..."

A writer for All Africa.com adds the elections are “just another opportunity for the country's political elite to gain a semblance of legitimacy.”

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

(Image source: BBC)

BY NATHAN BYRNE AND HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

Rescuers say they’ve found bodies, but no survivors at the site in Indonesia where a Russian plane apparently crashed into a mountain.

(Image source: Wikipedia)

BY NIELS SCHACK NORGAARD

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Greece remains in political disarray four days after its general election. And now, a 5.2 billion-euro bailout from the European Union is at risk because the vote is seen as a referendum on austerity measures that were part of Europe’s bailout package.

Economics professor Christopher Pissarides tells Sky News the situation in Greece could hardly be worse.

“The way I see the situation now, it is so bad, I cannot imagine it being worse, because it has suddenly introduced so much uncertainty into something that was agreed before by the two main parties”

The two majority parties who had led a coalition government lost about half of their seats. Those two parties agreed to the bailout — AND austerity measures — in the first place.  In Germany, chancellor Angela Merkel immediately reacted, saying Greece has to follow the austerity measures imposed by the EU.

MERKEL: “Of course it’s of the utmost importance that the programs that we have agreed with Greece will be continued.”

But John Taylor, CEO of the hedge fund FX Concepts, tells Bloomberg he’s certain the Greeks will turn their backs on Merkel’s demands — and leave the euro zone.

Interviewer: “So, June, July, August – we’re talking about an exit from the euro as soon as that?”
John Taylor: “Yes, exactly. This summer I think it’s very likely. The Europeans aren’t going to give them the money, the IMF aren’t going to give them the okay. They will be out of money in June.”

Polls have shown the Greek population doesn’t want to leave the euro zone. But at the same time the Greeks don’t want to adjust European Union’s demands.

Alexis Tsipras, who leads the anti-bailout party Syriza (pronouncer), which nearly quadrupled its representation in the Greek parliament, failed to gain enough support from other Greek political parties to form a coalition government Wednesday. He handed that responsibility back to Greece’s president.

According to euronews, this means…

“Opinion now seems near unanimous that a second roll of the electoral dice is needed to break the deadlock. However, some complain that a 25 million euro a pop election is expensive in the days of austerity.”

Late on Wednesday, the European Financial Stability Facility announced they would not release a full bailout to Greece. The EFSF will withhold one billion of the 5.2 billion euros because of the instability in Greece.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY SAMANTHA KUBOTA

ANCHOR CARISSA LOETHEN

The search for a missing Russian airplane in Indonesia was impeded after bad weather and darkness prevented aerial searches. There have been varying reports of how many people were aboard the plane - presumed to have crashed - but most reports vary between 44 and 50 people. CNN has more...

“It was only supposed to be in the air for thirty minutes but 21 minutes into the flight it dropped off radar and lost radio contact.”

The plane being tested was the Sukhoi Superjet 100. The LA Times reports the pilot had requested to descend from 10 thousand feet to 6 thousand but dropped off the radar at 6,200 feet. Rescue helicopters went out to look for the plane after it went missing but had to turn back to Jakarta because of bad weather.

“The Indonesian national search and rescue agency then sent soldiers and rescue workers in vehicles to approach the suspected crash site around Salak mountain, rescue agency spokesman … told reporters in Jakarta.”

But still no sign of the plane. Fox News explains hijacking wasn’t likely.

“There are also reports coming out of russia that it could have been hijacked, but there is nothing so far to substantiate that claim.”

The plane had been in the air as a demonstration flight. According to the BBC, those aboard were mostly potential investors and some journalists...

“Most of those aboard are believed to be Indonesian airline representatives but it has been confirmed that there are also eight Russians, including pilots and technicians, and a French citizen. “

If the plane did malfunction, it could mean bad news for the Russian aviation industry. The New York Times outlines the history of aviation in Russia as having a troubled past.

“Much of Russia’s hopes of reviving its commercial aerospace industry are staked on this new model of aircraft. Though it has a storied history of technical accomplishments, the industry has been plagued by safety problems, breakdowns and lethal crashes.”

The plane that went down Wednesday was supposed to change that. In addition to solving some of Russia’s in-house problems, the country had staked some of it’s international hopes on the SuperJet as well. Here’s RT.

“It was really hoped to be a modern revamp of the Russian Aircraft industry, this jet was a modern version that they were trying to market to many international markets.”

(Image source: ABC)

BY NATHAN BYRNE
ANCHOR DAVID EARL   

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

President Obama announced he supports gay marriage. Previously he’d described his position on the issue as “evolving” — but Wednesday afternoon the president said this to ABC’s Robin Roberts...

“...for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”

No word yet on what happened to the Russian plane that disappeared from radar during a demo flight over Indonesia this morning. Here’s Fox News.

“The latest reports suggest that the Russian plane could’ve crashed in Indonesian mountains. There’s also reports coming out of Russia now that it may have been hijacked. But there’ been nothing so far to substantiate that claim.”

TSA officials say they found a disassembled gun inside a four-year-old boy’s stuffed animals at a Rhode Island airport. Neither the boy nor his father claimed to know anything about the gun parts. Now, the boy’s mother is being investigated. Boston’s WHDH describes what the TSA found.

“The main frame was located inside a bear.  A magazine loaded with two rounds was hidden in a bunny and a firing pin was stuffed inside Mickey Mouse.”

The New York Times reports Fannie Mae posted a first-quarter profit and the government-backed mortgage company won’t seek more bailout money.

Peoria’s WMBD explains.

“Fannie Mae earned nearly 3 billion dollars last quarter and will not ask for additional money from the government. It’s the first time the mortgage giant has reported a profit since being taken over by the government in 2008.”

The United States Postal Service is backing off plans to close thousands of rural post offices.
HLN has details on the Postmaster General’s new plan.

“The 13,000 post offices would stay open, but with much shorter hours. Full-time employees could be forced to work part-time. … it could save a half-billion dollars a year. The new strategy would take couple of years to complete … ”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m David Earl, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: BBC)

BY XIAONAN WANG

The Supreme Court of India has halted an ambitious project that would have imported cheetahs from Africa. The Times of India has the reason the court objected to the plan.

“The African cheetah obviously never existed in India. Therefore, it is not a case of intentional movement of an organism into a part of its native range."

The Cheetah Conservation Fund has been working with the Indian government to restore the cheetah to India since 2009.  A specialist from the organization says cheetahs’ wouldn’t have any problem adjusting.

Last year, India’s environment minister told reporters bringing cheetahs back to India is more than just ecological. India’s Daily News and Analysis has his quote.

"It is a matter of deep regret that cheetah have become extinct in India because the word 'cheetah' comes from Sanskrit. … [T]he only mammal to become extinct in India in the last 1,000 years is the cheetah."

According to Voice of America — the cheetah disappeared from India in the 1950s because of over-hunting. An official from Wildlife Protection Society in India tells the blog — halting the importing of cheetahs was the right decision.

“Since we have so many problems protecting and securing a future for our other big cats and endangered species, we don’t need another very expensive headache... It is not worth going through this whole thing when we can't even look after what we have in the wild.”

And a cheetah enthusiast and blogger mentions criticism on the relocation project, suggesting the plan was just money-driven.

“The reintroduction is nothing but a publicity stunt and the wildlife officials involved have nothing but ‘mindless tourism’ as their focus."

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) 

(Image source: BBC)

BY NATHAN BYRNE AND HARUMENDHAH HELMY  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

An explosion injures three Syrian troops escorting a convoy of U.N. observers.

(Image source: Al Jazeera / CNN)

BY ZACH TOOMBS

International broadcaster Al Jazeera was forced to close its Beijing bureau Tuesday after China expelled its lead correspondent. The BBC reports on the latest media hang up in the far east nation.

“Chinese authorities refused to renew the visa of Melissa Chan, the channel’s English reporter, who’s been in Beijing for five years … It’s the first such expulsion of an accredited foreign correspondent in over a decade.”

The Christian Science Monitor cites a spokesman from China’s foreign ministry, who says:

“Foreign journalists should abide by Chinese laws and regulations and abide by professional ethics. I think the relevant journalists are very clear about what kind of regulations they have broken.”

But Al Jazeera says it’s unaware of any broken regulations and China refuses to cite them specifically. In a statement, the news director for Al Jazeera English says:

"Our editorial DNA includes covering all stories from all sides. We constantly cover the voice of the voiceless and sometimes that calls for tough news coverage from anywhere in world … We are committed to our coverage of China. Just as China news services cover the world freely we would expect that same freedom in China for any Al Jazeera journalist.”

The Foreign Correspondents Club of China says it’s “appalled” by China’s expulsion of Al Jazeera — calling the move an attempt to censor and intimidate. CNN says recent controversies might have played a role in the decision.

“The move comes at a time of great tension between Chinese authorities and international journalists heightened by the twin sagas of politician Bo Xilai and human rights activist Chen Guangcheng.”

The Washington Post reports China’s grip on the press has been especially tight since the Arab Spring protests — when anonymous Internet messages called for a similar revolution in China. No movement ever materialized, but The Post writes China remained sensitive to the type of reporting Chan conducted.

“In a February 2011 report, Chan reported on what she described as China’s “imaginary revolution.” She also investigated China’s “black jails,” a network of secret detention centers … Reporters at the time were summoned to the offices of the Beijing police and told that they must have prior approval to report virtually anywhere and to talk to any Chinese citizen.”

The Post also reports China has blocked numerous other media inquiries. 28 permanent postings or temporary reporting trips have been cancelled in the last three years — all because China has rejected or ignored applications for visas.

Image Source: Ekathimerini

BY EMOKE BEBIAK

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

A Greek political party that opposes the EU bailout is struggling to form a coalition government. After the winning New Democracy Party failed to form a government on Monday, runner-up Alexis Tsipras (Seep-Rus) and his Radical Left Coalition got the mandate. AlJazeera reports...

“But Mr. Tsipras will have to be extremely persuasive to pull this off. He needs to bring political enemies together in what would be an unlikely coalition.”

Euronews reports Tsipras is clear about his coalition’s goals.

“Tsipras himself has ruled out any continuation of austerity, and scrapping the IMF and EU bailout deals, and the Communists have ruled out any role in a coalition.”

The Greek Ekathimerini reports Tsipras released a plan he wants as the basis for negotiations. It calls for the immediate cancellation of austerity measures and a reform of the political system. Tsipras wants to make sure the will of the people doesn’t get lost in the political negotiations saying...

“We are not indifferent to whether the country will be governed or not, but we are primarily concerned with the direction in which the country will be governed and whether the people's mandate will be respected.”

If Tsipras fails to form a government by the Friday deadline, the country will have to hold elections again. A writer for the Telegraph explains the outcome of a possible delay...

“A failure to put together a government this week would trigger another election in June, increasing fears that Greece's painful deficit-cutting program – along with Europe's faltering efforts to resolve its debt crisis – could be derailed.”

EU leaders are warning Greece not to abandon austerity measures. The BBC reports European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Tuesday...

"What member states have to do is be consistent, implementing the policies that they have agreed."

According to Reuters, Germany has threatened to withhold aid until Greece continues to comply with the bailout conditions.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)  

(Image source: Richard G. Lugar)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

Here are your top news headlines from Newsy.

Three states are holding Republican primaries today. There are contests in Indiana, West Virginia and North Carolina. But Indiana is getting the most media attention, because a six-term Senator could lose his seat. CNN has the story.

“Senator Dick Lugar of Indiana being challenged by the state’s treasurer. His name is Richard Mourdock. He’s backed by many who are in the Tea Party movement. … And he’s been chipping away at Lugar’s lead.”

The U.S. Border Patrol issued its first new national strategy in eight years. A Fox News analyst has the details.

“The new approach, according to the Associated Press, uses intelligence to identify repeat crossers, identify why they keep coming and what risk they pose to national security.”

Interpol announced it has issued an arrest warrant for the vice president of Iraq, who is accused of running a death squad. Al Jazeera has more.

“Tariq al-Hashemi is suspected of guiding and paying for attacks inside Iraq. These are serious allegations against a man already facing an arrest warrant issued by Iraqi authorities.”

And the author of the wildly popular children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” has died, after complications following a stroke. Here’s CBS.

“Sendak took generations of children on a wild rumpus along with Max, a little boy who was sent to his room without supper. Maurice Sendak was 83 years old.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Megan Murphy, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons) 

BY VICTORIA CRAIG

U.S. authorities say they thwarted a planned terrorist attack aboard a plane headed for the U.S. from Yemen Monday. CBS “This Morning” has the details of the developing story.

“The plot targeted planes bound for the United States using the latest version of the underwear bomb.”

CIA officials say no planes were ever in any danger. Al Jazeera reports, the device used in Monday’s failed attack was similar to the one used during the failed Christmas Day attack in 2009.

“That plot, too, involved a so-called underwear bomb. This latest device seems more sophisticated than the one worn in 2009...Officials say the would-be-bomber was stopped before he could select a target, or purchase a plane ticket.”

But there is a major difference between this attempted attack and the one three years ago. “Fox and Friends” explains the materials used to create this bomb were more subtle.

“It has no metal in it. So the metal detectors at the airport aren’t going to detect it. And apparently it’s got a new and improved detonator which is not good.”

Had the attack not been stopped, U.S. counterterrorism officials say the bomb was viable, though there were flaws that would have impacted the ability for it to detonate properly. The Wall Street Journal has more.

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation now has the bomb and is analyzing its makeup. The agency hopes to better understand tactics being employed by the al Qaeda affiliate that U.S. officials say poses the greatest danger to the U.S..”

An analyst for the BBC explains why the threat from the AQAP – or Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula – where Monday’s attack originated, concerns the White House the most.

“I think it’s a sign that the threat from Al Qaeda in Yemen remains strong...particularly because they have an expert bomb maker Ibrahim Hassan Al Asiri, who was involved in that first attack in 2009 and developed the underwear bomb.”

A correspondent for CNN outlines the most likely response from U.S. officials going forward.

“We should expect to see more drone strikes, more operations against this Al Qaeda organization. The critical thing right now is to make sure there are no more devices out there.”

The Wall Street Journal reports U.S. officials have known about the attack since April when they briefed President Obama. They also asked the Associated Press not to publish a report about it as early as last week because the intelligence operation was underway.

(Image source: ABC)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

Here are your top news headlines from Newsy.

U.S. officials say intelligence agencies foiled a plot to blow up an airliner bound for America, following a covert operation in Yemen. The new bomb was designed to slip past airport scanners. CNN explains.

“The explosive device is similar to the one that was used by the so-called ‘underwear bomber’ back on Christmas Day of 2009, only this time more sophisticated and harder to detect.”

In an email to his supporters last night, Rick Santorum urged them to get behind Mitt Romney. This comes after a heated campaign in which Santorum repeatedly told voters Romney wasn’t conservative enough. HLN has more.

“But now Santorum says that he has a better idea of where Romney stands on the issues. Now, Santorum also says that they agreed President Obama must be defeated and that Romney needs all hands on deck to achieve that goal.”

Bank of America began sending letters to homeowners saying the bank is willing to forgive a portion of the principal balance on mortgages. The move is the result of a settlement with state governments earlier this year. Here's Fox News.

“The average amount that they’re willing to forgive — $150,000. The reduction for qualifying homeowners would amount to monthly savings up to 35 percent.”

And Greece came one step closer to another election, after the head of the winning New Democracy party failed to form a coalition government. Here’s euronews.

“He tried talking to Alexis Tsipras whose radical Left Coalition scored second place in Sunday’s vote, but the young politician is staunchly anti-austerity.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Blake Hanson, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: Peru This Week)

BY ORLA O’MUIRI

First dolphins, now pelicans.  At least 1,200 dead birds have washed up along Peru’s coastline in recent weeks. MSNBC reports.

“Officials are unsure of the causes of this mysterious deaths but hundreds of dead pelicans are washing up on the shore where dead dolphins have been washing up for months”

The Peruvian government has issued a health alert along the northern coastline. They warned local officials to wear gloves, masks and other protective equipment while handling dead birds and animals.

The seabird’s deaths can be added to a growing list. Five sea lions, over 800 dolphins and a turtle have also been found on Peru’s beaches in recent months. The Huffington Post reports.

“It appears the animals have died onshore, rather than at sea. The carcasses have been found in the same place as those of 800 dead dolphins which washed up, bloodied and rotten in Lambayeque between January and April.”

According to Mother Jones magazine the pelicans are still dying. The cause of death remains a mystery.

“It's possible the dolphins and pelicans have been killed by different problems. Take your pick: in the case of dolphins, acoustic impact or disease outbreak (though officials have recently denied morbillivirus); in the case of the pelicans, some suggest starvation.”

The health ministry will not close the beaches but people are advised to stay away until the health alert is lifted. BBC says the locals are getting concerned.

“Peru's main holiday season is over, but the Pacific coast is still popular with surfers. Thousands of Peruvians also depend on the sea for their livelihoods.”

(Image Source: Top News Today)

BY ZAKIYYAH WAHAB

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

You're watching multisource global video news analysis from Newsy.

Israel’s Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of two hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners who sought to be released.

The two prisoners, Bilal Diab and Thaer Halahla, have been on a hunger strike for more than 60 days, protesting their detention without charge. According to Jewish news site JTA, in its decision on Monday, the Court said the two prisoners...

“...remained a terror threat to Israel and that a hunger strike is not enough of a reason to release them.”

But the hunger strikes put Israeli officials in a difficult situation. Al Jazeera reports small groups of protesters are working to put the pressure on authorities to respond to the prisoners’ complaints.

“The groups that are here in the act by West Bank Palestinian groups and those in Gaza as well sending your message of rat saying that if one Palestinian prisoner dies while in Israeli detention on hunger strike they say the situation could deteriorate rapidly.”

As the BBC reports, the judge did express...

“...concern over their deteriorating condition, and referred the military authorities to a legal clause which could allow their release on medical grounds...”

Khader Adnan — the first Palestinian prisoner to go on a hunger strike protest for more than two months — was ultimately released from administrative detention. Adnan says he thinks the example Diab and Halahla are setting is a good one. Ynetnews quotes Adnan as saying —

“If they die, the victory will be even greater... In any case, Israel will be held responsible.”

In Israel’s oldest newspaper, Haaretz, an opinion writer urges the Israeli government to reconsider the case.

“The State of Israel cannot allow Bilal Diab and Thaer Halahla to die of hunger. It does not have the moral legitimacy to do so... It must release [them] and put and an end to the unacceptable practice of administrative detention.”

According to the AFP — Halalheh and Diab’s hunger protest began in February. In mid-April  more than 1,200 Palestinian prisoners joined in on the hunger strike in hopes of securing better conditions or release.

(Image source: euronews)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Sunday’s elections in France and Greece showed voters aren’t fans of the EU’s austerity policies.

France’s Socialist party now holds the presidency for the first time in nearly four decades. (Video source: Al Jazeera)

And the Greek vote shattered the two main parties as voters fled to smaller, anti-austerity fringe parties. (Video source: The Guardian)

That has analysts asking: what does this mean for EU austerity? Some see doom and gloom, like Fox News’s Stuart Varney who commented on the world-wide slump in markets after the election news.

“They hate the election because they can see another debt crisis coming in Europe which will ripple around everywhere. All stock markets around the world are down, Wall Street included. Your 401k takes a hit.”

But opponents of austerity are taking the chance to crow, saying austerity is an all pain, no gain policy. Economist Paul Krugman wrote in his New York Times column that without Nicolas Sarkozy, the austerity treaties have a rocky future.

“What is true is that Mr. Hollande’s victory means the end of ‘Merkozy,’ the Franco-German axis that has enforced the austerity regime of the past two years. This would be a ‘dangerous’ development if that strategy were working, or even had a reasonable chance of working. But it isn’t and doesn’t; it’s time to move on.”

Krugman goes on to suggest the unthinkable: dismantling the euro. Media and economic sources treat that option as taboo, but a blogger for The Economist says even if you want to preserve the euro, austerity might not be the answer.

“The point is that the economy that matters is that of the euro zone as a whole. And when one steps back and looks at the dynamics in play, it becomes clear that the robotic push for national-level austerity across the euro zone is undermining integration and thereby exacerbating the crisis.”

But a CNN analyst says it doesn’t really matter what the voters want — ultimately, the markets will have the final say.

“These are the people celebrating Hollande’s election in France, right? They’re very happy. They’re celebrating. They’re silly people, because they will not get what they want. The markets will impose austerity on France, regardless of whether or not they want that.”

Hollande says he wants to stimulate economic growth to try to lower unemployment. Similar promises have caught on in Greece. But a blogger at Mindful Money says a middle ground may be the best answer.

“Austerity alone is increasingly understood to be an insufficient cure. But completely abandoning the strategy just to appease the voters isn’t the answer either. A more balanced approach between austerity and growth is what is called for...”

Greece’s political future is still up in the air. If a coalition government can’t be formed in the next few weeks, the country could hold another election as early as mid-June.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY STACEY WELSH

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his appointed prime minister returned to power after an inauguration at the Kremlin Monday. Here’s RT.

“Medvedev looked maybe nervous or even sad at times. Vladimir Putin was doing it for the third time, so he looked calm and collected.”

Putin stated his commitment to democracy during the oath. Despite his confident demeanor, The Guardian reports:

“...less than one mile from the Kremlin, riot police moved in to arrest dozens of protesters for shouting ‘Russia without Putin!’ and wearing the opposition movement's white ribbon symbol.”

USA Today reports the inauguration also came a day after about 20,000 people rioted in support of democracy and against Putin’s return to power:

“Putin's election campaign saw him make massive pledges on spending... and he will need to find around $170 billion over the next six years to keep those promises. Failure to do so, analysts say, could see further social unrest.”

The New York Times reports Russian police detained about 700 protesters over the last two days. A liberal citizen told the ‘Times’:

“...the first blood has been spilled, and knowing the Russian character, the situation will now be unpredictable.”

And a blogger for Gulf News doesn’t hold out much hope Putin’s regime can quiet the unrest.

“Trying to ensure stability, the regime is awakening forces that it will not be able to control. The nationalism... that Putin and Medvedev have mobilised against the liberal wave is more dangerous to them.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum, a Russian political theorist tells the Los Angeles Times he expects Putin to rise to the occasion.

“Putin will aim at overseeing a real breakthrough in economy and we also expect to see a more competitive political environment with far greater discharges of political energy and hence a higher degree of political turbulence.”

USA Today also reports changes to Russia’s constitution means Putin will serve for the next six years. A Russian opinion poll also indicates about a third of citizens expect Putin to serve two consecutive terms.

(Image source: Daily Mail)

BY NIELS SCHACK NORGAARD

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

A Greek right-wing extremist party has stunned Europe by collecting seven percent of the votes in the Greek election on Sunday. The Daily Mail has footage of the Golden Dawn party’s leader Nikolaos Michaloliakos just after the election – and he left no doubt of how he wants to use his party’s 21 seats in the parliament.

Reporter: “What will be the first measure of change?
Nikolaos Michaloliakos: “All the illegal immigrants – out of my country, out of my home.”

The party denies being neo-Nazi, but according to the Daily Mail they have adopted the Nazi salute and wear stylized Swastikas as their logo. And speaking to Euronews, the Golden Dawn leader reiterated his policy.

Reporter: “Among other things it wants to expel immigrants and mine the border with Turkey.
Nikolaos Michaloliakos: “The Greeks were always Nationalists. (…) For everyone who is traitor, I don’t care.”

On Sunday, the Greek voters vented their anger on the harsh austerity measures dictated by the European Union and the Greek parties supporting them. Greece’s two principal parties have governed the country for 40 years, but they saw their vote cut in half, as conservative New Democracy became the country’s biggest party with 19 percent of the vote. But, New Democracy has been unable to gather a majority in the Greek parliament – and BBC says the situation is…

”A huge mess. Crisis, instability, uncertainty. Sound familiar? We have been talking about it excessively the past two years here. The political crisis is back with a vengeance. This country has no government.”

Besides the ultra right-wing party Golden Dawn, the party Coalition Of The Radical Left won 52 seats in the parliament - an amazing rise from the 13 seats they won in 2009. And observers fear the crisis in the Eurozone can lead to the rise of extremist parties, says MSNBC’s Europe correspondent.

“There’s a lot to worry about. It’s not only the crypto-fascist party on the right in Greece, it’s also the left-wing party which has a very radical program and probably holds the swing votes in the parliament now.”

The Greek parliament has 300 members, but it looks unlikely anyone will be able to form a majority government. Some say it could even look like Greece’s voters will have to go to the ballot boxes again.

(Image source: PopSci)

BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN

Customs officials in South Korea have made a gruesome find: smuggled capsules... filled with powdered human baby flesh. The Daily Mail reports, some consider the capsules medicinal. We want to warn you: The details are disturbing.

“The grim trade is being run from China where corrupt medical staff are said to be tipping off medical companies when babies are aborted or delivered still-born.”

Medicinal microwaves reportedly dry the corpses — after which they’re reportedly pummeled into powder and then put in capsules. They’re often labeled by smugglers as “stamina boosters” — but the Associated Press reports some believe the capsules cure a wide range of diseases. Al Jazeera reports Korean customs has promised to amp up its efforts to combat the smuggling.
 

“There have been 35 cases of people either trying to bring the capsules in to airports into South Korea or sending them via post from various areas in China.”

Part of the crackdown, according to Al Jazeera, is a special focus on particular airports authorities believe are more popular among traffickers. But South Korea’s Dong-A Ilbo reports...

“To dodge the crackdown, smugglers have mixed the capsules with vegetable extract to make it impossible to discern the color and smell of the capsules, or open packages and replace the contents of ordinary pharmaceutical products with the capsules in a process dubbed ‘box switching.’”

Amazingly, no one has been arrested yet. People caught smuggling the pills said they had no idea what was in them, and officials say the amounts have been so small they were meant for personal use, not resale. But the BBC quotes a health official saying these cure-alls could be poison.

“It was confirmed those capsules contain materials harmful to the human body, such as super bacteria. We need to take tougher measures to protect public health...”

Though Geekosystem adds, “If you’re wondering, no sicknesses have been reported from ingesting the powdered human flesh pills, but one wonders if a person who dabbles in the illegal dead baby pills would admit to said dabbling...”
 

(Image Source:  GeoEye)

BY JIM FLINK

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

For the first time in more than 40 years, Japan has no operating nuclear power plant.

It’s been more than a year since the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster — and every remaining nuclear power plant has been taken offline since.

CBS News the background on what led to the decision.

“That meltdown made the Japanese more than nervous. And today, protesters demanded that all the nation’s 54 remain dark forever.”

Protests have been commonplace in Japan since the nuclear meltdown, as an investigation into government corruption linked to the nuclear industry continues.
Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reports, the Japanese public has lost confidence in its government regarding nuclear safety.

“...the fact is that official examination of the Fukushima nuclear accident is not complete.”

But it is a difficult tradeoff.
Bloomberg reports, Japan’s economy is in recession, and taking a major source of energy out of that equation doesn’t help.

“The utilities ... have been forced to turn to coal, oil and gas-fired plants... Buying and importing those fuels is driving up costs and may lead to higher electric bills...”

Which is why — Al Jazeera reports — some communities are actually mixed as to whether some reactors should ever be brought back online. At least one major electric company — Kansai Electric — says without nuclear power it can’t provide ALL of Japan’s power needs.

“A recent survey by the Asahi newspaper found 51% of people living near the Oi power plant want Kansai Electric to restart the reactors, but include people living elsewhere in the region and the support level drops to 36%.”

But CNN reports, actual fforts by the government to ease the strain — and put power plants back on line — have been met with stiff resistance.

“Post-Fukushima, reactors have come off line in Japan one by one, and when they’ve tried to bring them back on, politicians and utilities have faced a true fight from the community.”

And Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun reports, that means Japan remains in the dark about its energy policy future.

“But the government has yet to chart a course toward a future nuclear energy strategy because it is uncertain if Japan will follow in the footsteps of Germany and graduate from atomic energy or how it will find alternative sources of energy to replace nuclear power.”


 

(Image: The Telegraph)

BY DAVID EARL

In a new video, an American contractor held hostage by Al-Qaeda begs President Obama to meet the terrorist group’s demands. Here’s a portion of the message.

“My life is in your hands Mr. President. If you accept the demands, I live. If you don’t accept the demands, then I die.”

There are eight demands for Warren Weinstein’s life. First, the U.S. must stop airstrikes in the Middle East. And WZVN names some more.

“The U.S. must release all al-Qaeda and Taliban members it has arrested, it must release all prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, and it must release Osama bin Laden’s relatives.”

This video is the first released showing Weinstein in captivity. CNN has the background on the story.

“Weinstein was abducted last August in Pakistan. The 70-year-old Maryland executive has a bunch of health issues including heart problems.”

Weinstein was taken from a compound in Lahore under the protection of security guards. In the video, he tells his wife, Al-Qaeda is giving him his medication … and NBC News points out his setting.

“This video shows Warren Weinstein sitting in a clean outfit, in front of him are large plates of food, and a table stacked with several books.”

CBS News reporter John Miller tells Charlie Rose what the US can do in this situation...

“I mean clearly that’s not something the president can respond to ... between the state department and the intelligence agencies and the FBI … and we’ve seen some of these instances where there have been rescue attempts.”

While news outlets believe the video is genuine, they cannot confirm when or where it was produced. Weinstein had been working in the country for 5 years as a director for aid and advising group J.E. Austin.  

(Image Source: CNN)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY AND STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR DAVID EARL

Here are your top news headlines from Newsy.
 

Al-Qaeda has released a video of Warren Weinstein, the American citizen it captured last year. In the video, the 70-year-old contractor begs President Obama to meet Al-Qaeda’s demands. Here’s CNN with the video.  
 

“If you accept the demands, I live, if you don’t accept the demands, then I die. It’s important that you accept the demands and act quickly and don’t delay...”
 

Vladimir Putin has once again been sworn in as Russia’s president. This only a day after 20,000 took to the streets of Moscow to protest his inauguration. Al Jazeera has more from those protests.
 

“They’re going for people in the crowd, snatching people who they think are ring-leaders and taking them away and arresting them. We’ve seen dozens of people being snatched out of this crowd so far. People don’t want to go home because they don’t think they’ve done what they came to do.”
 

And a historic night for France’s left. After defeating the incumbent, Francois Hollande will be the country’s first left-wing president in 17 years. Here’s euronews.
 

“In his speech in Paris he thanked his supporters and talked of the victory sending a message to other European countries that austerity was not the only way. It was unprecedented, on a night of firsts.”
 

As expected, Greece’s incumbent parties lost support at the ballot box. Pasok, one of the ruling parties, received just 13.5% of the vote — down from 43.9% in 2009. Sky News reports the big winners were the smaller, left-wing, anti-austerity parties.

“Syriza and its leader, Alexis Tsipras, have emerged as the second-largest party. And as this became clear, he described it as a peaceful revolution.”

 

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m David Earl, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY STACEY WELSH

Was Russian communist leader Vladimir Lenin poisoned? Russian historian Lev Lurie came up with that conspiracy theory after he reviewed Lenin’s autopsy records. KSPR explains.

“He died in 1924. ... after several strokes, though the doctor says Lenin didn’t have any risk factors for stroke.”

It’s widely accepted that Lenin died of complications from syphilis, but the International Business Times reports Lurie and a UCLA historian...

“...found that syphilis, though it can lead to strokes, isn't likely to have resulted in such a sudden demise for a man who was generally healthy for his age.”

This led to the juicy conclusion former communist leader and Soviet Union Premier Joseph Stalin could have poisoned Lenin. Medical Daily reports it’s possible Stalin wanted revenge.

“Lenin had criticized Stalin’s rude manners and ambitious nature, and he even suggested that the General Secretary of the Communist Party be taken from Stalin, according to notes Lenin had written shortly before his death.”

This isn’t the first time the theory has been up for discussion. Former Soviet politician Leon Trotsky wrote an article on the subject in 1940. But a neurologist tells MSNBC extreme stress and an ominous family medical history were more likely causes of Lenin’s demise.

“Genetic predisposition to a hardening of the arteries was more likely to have played a role in Lenin's decline.”

MSNBC also points out, poisoned or not, stroke complications or heart disease wouldn’t have given Lenin much more time. The Daily Mail quotes Lurie’s plans to find out for sure:

“The funny thing is that the brain of Lenin still is preserved in Moscow, so we can investigate.”

The New York Times reports a 2003 study concluded Stalin also could have been poisoned to death.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBs

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

In France, Socialist presidential candidate Francois Hollande has won the country’s presidential election over current president Nicolas Sarkozy. The BBC has his victory speech.

“The French people, on this 6th of May, have just chosen change by pushing me to the presidency of the republic.”

Greek voters also went to the polls in the country’s first election since its economic crisis began in 2009. CNN has the results.

“Early exit polls show steep losses for the two main parties that have supported painful austerity measures. Polls also show an ultra-right party making significant gains.”

In Moscow, more than 400 people have been arrested at a demonstration on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration. RT reports, the protest started peacefully.

“... until one of the radical leaders of the opposition, Sergey Udaltsov, called on the crowd to move away from the authorized area and gathered at another spot not agreed with the authorities.”

Vice President Joe Biden said on NBC’s Meet the Press that he’s comfortable with gay marriage rights, drawing comparisons between his views and President Obama’s support for civil unions.

“I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women and heterosexuals are entitled to the same exact rights.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Zach Toombs, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: France 2)

BY KEVIN DUBOUIS

ANCHOR ZACH TOOMBS

Socialist candidate François Hollande won Sunday’s French presidential runoff, giving the country its first Socialist president in almost two decades. France 24 reports.

“According to Ipsos polling institute, the left-wing candidate took 51.9% of the vote to incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy’s 48.1%. Celebrations are underway at the iconic Place de la Bastille in central Paris, the same spot where the last Socialist to win a presidential election, François Mitterrand, celebrated his victory back in 1981.”

Thousands of socialist supporters celebrated their candidate’s victory near the Socialist Party headquarter in Paris. CNN has video of Hollande’s victory speech. (Video source: itele)

“Fellow citizens, French people, the 6th of May have just chosen change by bringing me to the presidency of the French Republic.”

Nicolas Sarkozy conceded his defeat while members of the crowd shouted, “No!” The BBC tries to explain.

“He was an impulsive, energetic leader who became the latest of a long line of politicians to be destroyed by the eurozone crisis and by his own flaws.”

According to the New York Times, the socialists will now have to make some important political decisions.

“Their choice amounts to either doubling down on the left’s traditions and ample — some say, unaffordable — welfare state, or moving farther toward the kinds of reforms aimed at trimming the state and opening French labor markets that Mr. Sarkozy has long promised but has been largely unable to deliver.”

France will hold legislative elections on June 10 and 17. The newly-elected president’s cabinet appointments will likely be impacted by those election results.

(Image source: euronews)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

French voters are casting their ballots for the country’s next president.

A reporter for Al Jazeera says the race appears to be tightening.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY KEVIN DUBOUIS

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s support in Iran’s legislature crumbled as conservatives consolidated their hold Saturday in the second round of parliamentary elections. KTVU reports.

“More election results in Iran show rivals of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have won a majority of seats in the legislature.”

“The Parliament can influence the run-up to the election of Ahmadinejad’s successor, next year.”

The Guardian explains Ahmadinejad had drawn the ire of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei loyalists last year when he appointed top government officials.

“The conservatives had previously backed Ahmadinejad, but then turned against him after he was perceived to challenge the authority of senior clerics. His allies are likely to be ousted from key posts, and his economic policies challenged.”

Ahmadinejad’s opponents have also criticized the Iranian president for an inflation rate of 20 percent with low growth. Bloomberg reports lawmakers recently called the president for an unusual questioning session about his handling of the economy.

“The economic strains have opened rifts within the Iranian leadership. In March, Ahmadinejad became the first president in the history of the Islamic Republic to be summoned by the parliament and questioned about allegations of political and economic mismanagement.”

However, CNN explains Ahmadinejad’s defeat would do little to affect Iran’s foreign affairs.

“The election for a new parliament, known as the Majlis, will ... have no effect on Iran's foreign policy or its position on nuclear program. Those decisions have been and will continue to be made by Khamenei.”

The new parliament will begin its session in late May and, according to The New York Times, it has already announced a political agenda.

“While the members of Parliament in practice often look toward the Iranian leadership for guidance on major policy issues like the nuclear dispute with the West, the incoming Parliament is expected to try to block a second phase of reductions in subsidies for food, fuel and other basics, an unpopular policy that Mr. Ahmadinejad has pushed strongly.”

(Image source: Kathimerini)

BY NATHAN BYRNE

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

Greek voters say they’ll punish the political parties responsible for the country’s current economic crisis.

(Image Source: Fox Sports)

BY AUSTIN ALONZO

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT 

Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but the match was not without controversy.

Chelsea scored on Liverpool early and Didier Drogba’s 51st minute goal made it two - nil. Liverpool clawed back on a 64th minute goal by Andy Carrol and had a chance to equalize in the 82nd minute.

“Suarez! it must be! Is it over the line? ...  Andy Carrol gets up well … no it’s a great save. What a brilliant save from Petr Cech."

Chelsea lifted the FA Cup for the fourth time in 6 years but the club is facing questions going into next season as the futures of star striker Didier Drogba and interm manager Roberto Di Matteo remain uncertain. ESPN’s James Martin commented...

“The players clearly love him -- he's one of the guys, and genuflects to them, which is a key component to what is now a very symbiotic relationship. But is he the man to rebuild this squad? Talking about the "aging" Chelsea players seems a bit silly at the moment; the much talked about problems still exist, but right now, there is no mistaking that Chelsea is cobbling together what could be an incredibly special, if bizarre season.”

Despite a disappointing Premier League season, Chelsea will play Bayern Munich for the Champions League title on May 16th at the Allianz Arena, setting up a potential cup double for the team. But Chelsea will be down several key players, including captain John Terry, after the appeal of the suspensions by the international professional players association FIFpro failed.

The Guardian quoted a representative of FIFpro who blasted UEFA’s decision.

“Anybody committing a serious offence in the semi-final should be awarded a red card and miss the final but the offences that result in a yellow card do not justify the serious punishment of missing the match of your life.”

Chelsea dashed Liverpool’s own hopes for a cup double, putting a damper on an already poor season for the Merseyside club. The former perennial contender is 34 points off of league leader Manchester City and the BBC’s Ben Smith says it’s time for Liverpool to consider replacing former player and club legend Kenny Daglish.

“Liverpool are a different club to the one Dalglish fell in love with. They can no longer compete with the top clubs in the transfer market and the scars of the Hicks-Gillett regime will take some time to repair. … The concern for Liverpool now is that unless they change direction, they are in danger of being stuck on a constant journey from a glorious past to a bright future - and never reaching their destination.”

Chelsea plays German side Bayern Munich for the European Cup at Allianz Arena in Munich on May 19th.
 

(Image Source: The Inquisitr)


BY BLAKE HANSSON

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

President Obama officially kicked off his campaign today with rallies in Columbus, Ohio and Richmond, Virginia. MSNBC says supporters are coming in droves...

“There are already probably a larger event than any event Mitt Romney’s been able to have which is one of the messages the Obama campaign wants to send today.”

The UN-brokered peace plan in Syria — said to be violated again. CNN reports...

“In Syria today, a deadly explosion at a car wash killed at least 5 people. It happened as security forces drove by in a bus. Opposition groups also report separate attacks in Homs killed 2...”

Shaq is now Dr. Shaq. The former NBA great earned his doctorate today. Here’s HLN...

“Shaquille O’Neal spent the last four and a half years going after his doctoral degree in education from Barry University and this weekend Dr. Shaq will graduate with a 3.8 grade point average.”

And get your mint juleps ready race fans — it’s Derby day in Kentucky. Here’s Today...

“This is the best quality field we’ve had in a long time.”

“The favorite is a horse called Bodemeister who never even raced at two, so we’ve also got some new horses in there too.”

Stay with Newsy for more multisource video news throughout the day. For Newsy, I’m Blake Hanson, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.

(Image source: NY Daily News)

BY NATHAN BYRNE  

Here’s a look at your top news headlines from Newsy.

The five accused plotters of 9/11 will be arraigned at Guantanamo Bay today.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY XIAONAN WANG

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng now has his government’s permission to study abroad.  Here is WINK.

“The student and his family will be able to travel to the U.S. so he can accept a fellowship at an American university."

A NPR reporter says the new deal could be a elegant solution for a very difficult diplomatic problem.

“It means that Chen would not have to apply for political asylum, which he's always said he didn't want to do. … And he could also get to study at university, which is something that he's always wanted to do … so if this deal sticks, there'll be a big sigh of relief from all sides.”

The situation can be interpreted in different ways. Here’s The Telegraph.

“They could be an attempt at face-saving ahead of a possible departure by Mr. Chen to the United States, or they could spell an ominous future for him if he remains in China.”

And a Washington Post blogger is not so sure the Chinese will let him go.   

“...if the Chinese didn’t initially let U.S. officials into the hospital to see Chen, as promised, and have already broken their word to him and to us, why would they keep it once Clinton’s plane is out of sight?”

The Guardian says that dissidents in exile can be isolated, but for Chen, that might not be the case.

“...there are networks that can only be built from exile and that have always been a lifeline for dissidents back home...”

According to the Los Angeles Times, however, if Chen decides to leave the country, it might hurt his reputation.

“His shifting positions during the week on whether to stay in China or leave made him appear, to some observers, manipulative or erratic.”

A veteran Chinese law expert tells The Christian Science Monitor that Chen can actually be an academic asset for the U.S.

“This man is one of the world’s leading experts on certain aspects of the Chinese legal system,” he says. “We could learn a lot from him.”

BBC reports that New York University has offered a fellowship to Chen Guangcheng.

 

(Image source: Haaretz/Moti Milrod)

BY KEVIN DUBOUIS

ANCHOR LOGAN TITTLE

The brother of the man who killed Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was released Friday after serving more than 16 years in jail for complicity in the murder. YnetNews has video.

Hagai Amir threw the Victory sign at journalists who gathered in front of the prison. His release is highly controversial in Israel. (video source: Ynet News)

Haaretz reports left-wing activists had gathered outside the jail to condemn Amir’s release.

“... [A] police contingent was present as Amir was released …, because of the presence of his family, as well as both left-wing and right-wing activists. Roughly 40 activists ... were on site to protest Amir’s release. Some activists said to Amir’s family: ‘We will yet wipe the smile off of your faces.’”

The loss of Rabin in 1995 stunned Israel and the world. Some say it dimmed the chance of resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The International Business Times reports...

“Amir has never expressed remorse for his complicity in the murder of peace prize hero Rabin, which for many people destroyed an opportunity for peace in the troubled Holy Land … His brother Yigal Amir, un ultra-nationalist Jewish extremist, is serving a life sentence for gunning down the prime minister.”

According to the BBC, Hagai Amir has always been opposed to any peace talks led by the Israeli government.

“His sentence was extended by another six months in 2006 after he was convicted of threatening the life of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon while preparations were being made for the 2004 withdrawal from Gaza.”

Now that Amir is out of prison, the Times of Israel reports Hebrew language tabloid Maariv has information about his plans.

… [F]riends and supporters of Amir’s will start a Facebook campaign in the coming days to marry off the newly-released convict … Amir’s brother, convicted assassin Yigal Amir, married Russian supporter Larisa Trembovler, in prison, while serving a life sentence.” (original source: Maariv)

But for now, the Jerusalem Post reports Hagai Amir plans to spend Shabbat with relatives.  

“Meanwhile, residents of the West Bank settlement Shavei Shomron were disturbed and surprised that Amir had chosen to spend Shabbat in their community, following his release from prison earlier that morning.”

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY STEVEN SPARKMAN

ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT

Possible new charges for disgraced former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn. The man once famously accused of sexually assaulting a New York hotel maid last year may be charged for another alleged assault in 2010. France 24 explains.

“Judges investigating the various cases of an alleged prostitution ring … they’re investigating now possible rape, which only adds to a ever-thickening file.”

Strauss-Kahn is accused of pimping, money laundering and fraud. But a testimony from one of the women working at Strauss-Kahn’s sex parties described an incident prosecutors referred to as “gang rape.” WJLA explains.

“Authorities are investigating if Strauss-Kahn raped a woman here at the W Hotel in Washington. Investigators say new evidence suggests the financier sexually assaulted a Belgian prostitute at a sex party at the hotel.”

The woman says Strauss-Kahn pinned her down and performed sex acts on her against her will. But while the allegations are serious, the media responded with a yawn.

Like a writer for Jezebel, who called the story the “World’s Least Surprising Gang Rape Accusation.”

And a writer for New York Magazine who, in a bit of an understatement, introduced Strauss-Khan as a “lecherous scandal-magnet.”

A writer for the Atlantic Wire defends the media’s collective shrug, saying it’s just too hard to keep track of the appalling things Strauss-Kahn is accused of.

“Forgive us, but we've lost count of who DSK has allegedly sexually assaulted ... allegedly sexually assaulted but had charges dismissed ... allegedly sexually assaulted but statute of limitations had passed ... oh and there's his current alleged pimping probe too.”

But not all of the ire was directed at DSK. Some of it was directed at the coverage itself. A writer for the American Prospect took issue with the New York Times’ headline, “New Sex Allegations Against Strauss-Kahn.”

“Sexual assault isn't a ‘sex allegation.’ It's a rape allegation. No one cares if DSK is alleged to have had sex. … What we care about is whether he assaulted someone, sexually or otherwise. If someone is arrested for allegedly breaking into a jewelry store and stealing a Rolex, we don't call it a ‘shopping allegation.’”

The court won’t officially start an investigation or charge Strauss-Kahn until after Sunday’s French presidential election. Strauss-Kahn was once a leading presidential hopeful for the Socialist Party.