Dick Clark Passes Away

Famous television and radio host Dick Clark passed away from a heart attack on Wednesday, April 18. Clark suffered the heart attack after undergoing prostate surgery at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. on April 17.

David Dreier, congressman and friend of Clark, said, “All of a sudden, he got a feeling in his arm about 9:30 in the morning, and he was gone by 11:15. It turned out to be a massive heart attack.” Clark was 82 years old.

Clark was well-known for hosting “American Bandstand,” which was American television’s longest-running variety show. He was also the host of “Pyramid” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” which broadcasted New York’s Times Square celebrations all over the world.

In a statement released to the media, President Barack Obama spoke of his and his wife’s sadness over the passing of Clark.

Obama said, “He introduced decades’ worth of viewers to the music of our times. He reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer.”

“And, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into our homes to ring in the New Year. But more important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel – as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was. As we say a final “so long” to Dick Clark, America’s oldest teenager, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends – which number far more than he knew,” he continued.

Romney Speaks on Student Debt

Both President Obama and Mitt Romney spoke out about rising student debt issues in the past week. The goal was to entice young voters to vote for each respective party. According to the New York Times, Obama is making a full-court press in the upcoming week to “extend low rates on government-subsidized loans through the next year.”

Romney announced on Monday, April 23, that he supported Obama’s measure, even though some fellow Republicans disagreed.

Romney said, “I think young voters in this country have to vote for me if they’re really thinking of what’s in the best interest of the country and what’s in their personal best interest.”

Current college students rank jobs and unemployment as their most dire issue. Federal deficit and education are not far behind. As student loan debt increases, new graduates are finding it more and more difficult to find jobs, pay off their debt, and even later in life, buy homes and have families.

Obama’s popularity with young voters and his win had much to do with his stance on these issues.

James Kvaal, policy director for the Obama campaign, said, “We think that he has the right vision and the right answers that are going to appeal to these voters.”

Hudson Stands at Trial

Jennifer Hudson, a popular singer and actress, traveled to Chicago on April 23 to take the stand against her former brother-in-law William Balfour. Balfour was accused of shooting Hudson’s seven year-old nephew, brother, and mother in the Englewood area of Chicago in 2008.

The reason behind the shootings was said to be the increasing jealousy and possessiveness of his wife, Julia Hudson, Hudson’s sister. When Hudson heard of the shootings, she traveled to Chicago from Florida in order to identify her mother, Darnell Donerson, her brother Jason Hudson, and nephew Julian King.

Balfour pleaded not guilty at the trial. According to the New York Times, Balfour’s lawyers stated that law enforcement authorities felt special pressure to solve the case quickly, which led them to focus on Balfour even though there was a lack of physical evidence against him.

A prosecutor said that Balfour had previously threatened his wife, including pledging that he would kill her family and then her.

Hudson commented on Balfour saying, “I tried to keep my distance with William any chance I got. Where he was, I tried not to be.”

Microsoft and Facebook Align

Facebook and Microsoft are planning to make a deal that will allow them to become just as powerful on the internet as Google. Rebecca Lieb, an analyst at a research firm called Altimeter, said, “This is almost certainly a move against Google.”

The agreement between the two companies was announced on Monday, April 23. Just two weeks ago, Microsoft bought 925 patents held by AOL for over $1 billion. The company then sold 70 percent of the patents to Facebook for $550 million.

The two companies believe that most of the patents regarding mobile, web, and instant messaging technologies will be given to Facebook. Microsoft retained the patents involving internet searching.

According to Ted Ullyot, general counsel of Facebook, “The deal is another significant step in our ongoing processes of building an intellectual property.” The agreement between the two companies might also help Facebook in its patent feud with Yahoo.