In his first interview with a U.S. television news station since leaking information about NSA surveillance programs, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden sits down with NBC News’ Brian Williams for a one hour primetime special. The interview, which was conducted last week, will air this Wednesday and NBC News has released...
What my grandfather taught me about Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time for remembering the men and women who died while serving in our nation’s armed forces. Every year, as I pay respect to those fallen, I’m also reminded of my grandfather, who we lovingly called “Poppy.”
Poppy served in World War II, and I’ve previously honored him on...
Candy tycoon Poroshenko declares victory in Ukraine election

Sunday was election day in Ukraine, and while turnout appeared heavy at polling stations in Kiev, it was a different scene in portions of the east. Nonetheless, Petro Poroshenko declared victory after preliminary exit polls signaled he’d won the majority of the votes.
From CNN:
Billionaire Petro Poroshenko declared victory Sunday in Ukraine’s...
Still hunting for Brussels Jewish Museum shooter (Update – Video of shooting)

A shooting at the Jewish Museum of Belgium in Brussels left three dead and another severely injured on Saturday. (Update: Fourth person has died.)
From CNN:
Three people were killed and another was seriously injured in a shooting Saturday at the Jewish Museum of Belgium in Brussels, Belgian officials said.
A person arrived by...
Friday Night Links

Some links for your Friday evening reading.
- “Naked guy at White House”… from Mashable, Man Strips Naked at White House Gate, Gets Tackled By Secret Service
- #MemeFail… from Twitchy,
U.S. deploys 80 troops to aid in search for kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls

The White House said Wednesday that the United States has deployed approximately 80 Armed Forces personnel to Chad “as part of the U.S. efforts to locate and support the safe return of over 200 schoolgirls who are reported to have been kidnapped in Nigeria,” according to a letter sent...
Six Iranians arrested after dancing to Pharrell’s ‘Happy’ on video (updated)

Six young Iranians were arrested earlier this week after a video was posted online in which they were featured dancing to Pharrell Williams’ hit song “Happy.”
From CNN:
Apparently, dancing...
China unhappy after cyber espionage charges

China is not taking lightly the recent announcement that the United States has charged five Chinese military officers with conspiring to hack into computers of commercial entities in the U.S. for competitive and economic advantage.
In response to Monday’s announcement, China’s Assistant Foreign Minister summoned U.S. ambassador to China, Max Baucus, to...
U.S. charges Chinese military officers in cyber espionage case

The Justice Department today announced the indictment of several Chinese military officers over accusations of economic cyber espionage against American companies and organizations.
From the Wash...
Chinese territorial claims spark violent protests in Vietnam

Tensions between China and Vietnam have recently escalated after more than two weeks of conflict over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
From CNN:
China has evacuated more than 3,000 of its citizens from Vietnam and is sending ships to retrieve more of them after deadly anti-Chinese violence erupted last week...
RIP Miss Beazley

Former President George W. Bush announced today that the family’s beloved Scottish Terrier, Miss Beazley, was put to rest after battling an illness.
In a statement posted on his Facebook p...
Friday Night Links

Some links of interest for your Friday evening reading and viewing.
- Expect more pandering to the base… via HotAir, Dem poll: Half of young Obama voters don’t plan to vote blue in November
- After the news earlier this week, now this… via the Washington Free Beacon, Fired NYT Editor Pulls Out of...
Issa issues new subpoena for Kerry in Benghazi investigation

The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Thursday issued a new subpoena for Secretary of State John Kerry to testify about his department’s response to requests for information regarding the September 11, 2012 attacks in Benghazi.
From the House Oversight and...
Glenn Greenwald sells film rights to his Edward Snowden book

Glenn Greenwald’s book on Edward Snowden and the NSA is apparently headed for the big screen.
From the Hollywood Reporter:
Sony Pictures Entertainment has optioned film rights to Glenn Greenwald’s No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State.
The book by Greenwald, whose reporting on the revelations contained in...
White House opposes ransom for kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls

The White House voiced its opposition Tuesday to any ransom or other concessions in exchange for the release of more than 250 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped last month.
From the Washington Post:
The Obama administration underscored its opposition to any offer of ransom or o...
Boko Haram video claims to show kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls

In a new video that claims to show some of the Nigerian girls recently kidnapped from a school in Chibok, a purported Boko Haram leader said the girls would only be released if exchanged for militant prisoners in custody.
From Agence France-Presse:
Boko Haram’s leader said in a new video obtained by AFP...