By: Meredith Francis ~Campus News Editor~
AirAsia Flight 8501 black box recovered
The second of two black box recording devices was recovered from the AirAsia Flight 8501 wreckage in the Java Sea on Jan. 13. Officials say that the recovery of the data recorders is a major breakthrough in understanding the cause of the crash. The plane disappeared on Dec. 28 after the pilot was denied a request to climb to a higher altitude to avoid bad weather. Of the 162 people on board, 48 bodies have been recovered. This was the fourth commercial airline crash in 2014 that resulted in over 100 deaths.
Senate to debate Keystone XL Pipeline bill
Despite a promise to veto the Keystone XL Pipeline bill from President Obama, the Senate voted to begin debate on a bill that would allow an oil pipeline to be built from Canada to Texas. The House has already passed the bill, but the Senate lacks the twothirds Republican majority that would be necessary to overcome a veto from the White House.
Former Egyptian president Mubarak may be freed
Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak could be freed four years following the revolution that ousted him. Egypt’s high court overturned the last remaining conviction against Mubarak, which means he could be released. Mubarak was sentenced to three years in prison in May 2014 on charges of diverting public funds for personal use. Mubarak has been ill for months and has served much of his sentence in the hospital.
Obama to announce cyber security plans
President Obama announced on Jan. 13 that he will address plans to increase cyber security in his upcoming State of the Union address. Obama said that he thinks he can find common ground with Speaker John Boehner and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell to pass legislation that would strengthen cyber security. This announcement comes in the wake of the cyber attacks on Sony by North Korean hackers prior to the release of “The Interview.”
