Politics
Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel, Proposes Cut Back on US Military
By: Julia Tishman
Photo: New York Post
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced on Monday his plan to cut military spending in the United States. This proposal comes in the wake of Obama promising the removal of all troops by 2014. Currently, the US Military receives $500 billion, but Hagel is planning on reducing this number to the smallest it has been since World War II. Hagel’s proposal intends to modernize the military by focusing on more specialized tactics. The cuts will be to both active and reserve military forces, and the money that is preserved will be directed towards special operations, cyber-warfare and the highly disputed and highly expensive F-35 fighter jet. Hagel also added that 900 Marines would be sent to augment security at US embassies abroad, in order to further alleviate outrage as a result of the attacks in Benghazi in 2012.
Although the Joint Chiefs of Staff have endorsed the proposal, many legislators are nervous about the military cuts because the army will not be large enough if there needed to be more than one military action at a single time. The reaction to Hagel’s proposal is bound to be strong when it is officially proposed next week, especially from legislators representing states with large military bases such as California, Texas and Florida.
Attorney General Eric Holder Advocates to Allow Ex-Felons to Vote
By: Julia Tishman
Photo: Aljazeera
The Obama Administration is coming together with congressional legislators to try to convince the remaining 11 states to allow ex-convicts to vote. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that he is in full support of this legislation and addressed the issue that one in ten people have a criminal background, and therefore, cannot express their right to vote. It is estimated that nearly 5.8 million people in the United States cannot vote because of previous or current felonies. With that being said, many democrats are concerned with allowing violent ex-convicts to vote, but Holder argues that it is not fair to continue to disenfranchise these ex-convicts when they are no longer in the control of the state.
National
Arizona’s Governor Vetoes Anti-Gay Bill
By: Katrina Okano
Photo: USA Today
This past Wednesday, Arizona’s Governor Jan Brewer vetoed a controversial bill that would have allowed businesses the right to deny service to gay and lesbian customers. Although Brewer understands that her decision challenges the marriage and family beliefs of the supporters of the bill, she ultimately believed that the broad wording of the bill would create more problems than it would solve problems. According to Brewer, “Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value. So is non-discrimination.”
Gold Mine in California?
By: Katrina Okano
Photo: Fox News
Eureka! This past week, while on their daily walk with their dog, a Northern California couple stumbled upon one of the greatest treasures ever found in the U.S. Buried in eight decaying metal cans on the couple’s land, these rare Gold Rush-era gold coins are projected to be worth more than $10 million. Unfortunately, according to a 1969 federal court ruling that states that a “treasure trove” is taxable the year it was discovered, the couple will most likely owe about half the treasure’s value to the IRS. However, the couple will still be able to keep a fortune, which they are planning to use to pay off bills and donate to local charities.
International
BREAKING NEWS:
Putin Deploys Russian Troops to Invade Ukrainian Peninsula
By: Katrina Okano
Photo: Reuters
Yesterday the Russian army invaded Ukraine and seized the Ukrainian peninsula, Crimea, a highly contested piece of land that has been largely pro-Russian. This conflict between the two countries has been an ongoing battle ever since the recent upheaval in Ukraine resulted in the ousting of President Yanukovich. With the lack of stability and potential financial crisis, the European Union promised to support Ukraine and urged Russia to let the country move forward as it chooses. Unfortunately, Russian President Putin did not obey President Obama’s orders to back down. As a result, the UN Security Council is holding a meeting today, and countries such as France, Britain, and Germany are calling on Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Entertainment
86th Annual Oscar Award Show on Tonight
By: Katie Graves
Photo: www.televisionwithoutpits.com
The 86th Annual Oscar Awards will air tonight at 7 PM EST on ABC. Ellen Degeneres will be hosting the iconic award show for her second time. Viewers can expect to see Jennifer Lawrence photo bombing, a likely win by Matthew McConaughey, and many tributes to industry personnel who have recently passed away. You should look forward to E’s Red Carpet Show being live streamed online and across television at 5:25 PM EST, as well as Degeneres’ opening monologue, which is sure to spice up the classic award show.
