Today’s Must-Read is The No-Nonsense, Non-Alarmist, Essential Guide to the Flu. In case you haven’t heard, there’s actually a flu epidemic and it’s pretty serious, so make sure to check it out. Below are today’s other top stories.
PERSON
Twitter-user Simeon Campbell, who was allegedly in a Los Angeles mall movie theater when two gunmen took 14 hostages overnight. Two hundred people were stuck in the theaters as LAPD attempted to defuse the situation. Apparently, one victim was stabbed and another sexually assaulted.
@buzzfeedent this is some of the people waiting outside in the lobby! The whole section is blocked off! twitter.com/Simisim04/stat…
— Simeon Campbell (@Simisim04) January 11, 2013
QUOTE
“The NRA is hearing not just from Beltway elites and the chattering class, but real Americans all over the country that are hoping the NRA is not going to compromise on any of the principles of the Second Amendment, nor are we going to support banning guns. But we’re willing to listen.”
- An NRA official, on a talk with Joe Biden on gun control. The NRA has reportedly increased by 100,000 members since Sandy Hook. The Vice President is expected to deliver new gun policy recommendations to the president on Tuesday.
IMAGE
President Obama and President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai met today at the White House, and Obama announced that U.S. troops would begin taking a reduced role in Afghanistan this spring.
Limo bearing US and Afghan flags enters WH northwest driveway to West Wing portico to drop off Pres Karzai. twitter.com/markknoller/st…
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 11, 2013
TOPIC
Sleeping pills. Women are now being advised by the FDA to cut their dosage of sleeping pills like Ambien and Lunesta in half.
NUMBER
$100 – That’s how much it will cost to send a message to Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook. Will he reply, though?
HEADLINE
“Taft Student in critical condition following campus shooting” – in The Bakersfield Californian. Details of yesterday’s school shooting are still coming out. The alleged shooter, a student, reportedly had a hit list of targets.
WORD
Flu activity is so high in the United States that 3,710 people have been hospitalized for it since October 1, and 20 kids have died this season from the flu.
VIDEO
Quentin Tarantino, director of Academy Award nominee Django Unchained, got angry at an interviewer after being asked about the violence in his films:
TWEET
Everyone’s a little surprised Ben Affleck didn’t get a best director Oscar nom for Argo. Some of us aren’t taking it well.
My housekeeper won’t shut up about trying to get money to her dying mom in Mexico and I’m like, “BEN AFFLECK WASN’T NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR!”
— Jenny Johnson (@JennyJohnsonHi5) January 11, 2013
CONTROVERSY
Climate change. The New York Times has an interesting read today about the world’s recent rash of extreme weather. But are these droughts, fires, hurricanes, and other meteorological events caused by human-made global warming?
CAUSE
Australian firefighters. Have you read about the recent fires in Australia? Help the Volunteer Firefights of Australia.
Bonus: NEWS YOU CAN USE
How are recent veterans dealing with PTSD? With yoga. If you’ve been stressed out, yoga can help!
Images used under Creative Commons licensing, including icons from The Noun Project.
