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Monday, December 30, 2013

Cheat Sheet - Up to Speed on Russia’s Bombings

Today: Israel to Pay for All Abortions , 70 Journalists Killed in 2013 , NSA Spied on Assange
Cheat Sheet: Afternoon

December 30, 2013
VOLGOGRAD

A day after a suicide bomber attacked a train station in the southern Russian metropolis of Volgograd, killing 17 and wounding scores more, a second bomb blasted through one of the city's trolley buses during the Monday morning rush hour. At least 14 people were reported dead and more than two dozen wounded—including a six-month-old child—in the second suicide strike. The Daily Beast's Katie Baker breaks down who could be behind the blasts (Chechen rebels) and what it means for the Olympics.

Surprise

Israeli health officials announced Monday that the state would pay for all abortions for women age 20 to 33 starting next year. Subsidized abortions were previously only available in the case of medical emergencies, including rape and sexual abuse. An Israeli medical official says he hopes to make the program universal in the future. "It was brought to our attention that there is a large group of women between 20 and 30 who for various reasons—financial or reasons of secrecy—do not terminate pregnancies," health official Jonathan Halevy said. Women will have to appear before a state committee before terminating a pregnancy.

DANGEROUS

At least 70 journalists were killed on the job in in 2013, with a majority of those killed in Syria, Iraq, and Egypt, according to a report released Monday by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Twenty-nine journalists were killed in Syria alone, and the death toll included citizen journalists, broadcasters working with media affiliated with either the government or the opposition, and correspondents for foreign press. Ten journalists died in Iraq and six more were killed in Egypt, half of whom were killed reporting on demonstrations that overthrew former President Mohamed Morsi. For the first time in a decade, there were no deaths in Mexico, which has long been a dangerous spot for journalists.

FREAKY

Well, look at on the bright side, Julian Assange: you weren't being paranoid. It turns out the National Security Agency did tap into Assange's WiFi at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he is currently holed up while fighting extradition.According to Jacob Appelbaum, who co-wrote the Der Spiegel article that first revealed the NSA's catalog of spying devices, the NSA can control iOS devices and any phone communication from as far as eight miles away. Ecuadorian embassy visitors received welcome messages from a Ugandan company—apparently the messages were installed from a base station installed on the roof, disguised as a cell tower for surveillance purposes. Check your history, Assange, there's bound to be some awkwardness in there.

POP CULTURE PRESIDENT

Presidents, they're just like us. President Obama delighted us all once again when he announced his love of Breaking Bad, but honestly, wouldn't it be embarrassing if he didn't watch Walter White? The Daily Beast's Kevin Fallon on why we shouldn't be shocked that the president likes highbrow cable dramas.


GO WEST YOUNG MAN
South, West Populations Growing
North Dakota's population increased by 3.1 percent.
SAFEST CITY
NYC Murders Hit Record Low
Less than one murder per day.
TRAGIC
F1 Champ Michael Schumacher in Coma
After falling on backcountry ski run in France.
Quack
Phil Robertson: Marry Teen Girls
"Duck Dynasty" star says the ideal age is "15 or 16."
XO
NASA: Beyoncé 'Insensitive'
For using audio from Challenger in new song.
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