Presidential inaugurations are usually considered to be stiff and subdued affairs, though this year’s featured a series of moments that lightened the mood, be it intentional or accidental. Sasha and Malia Obama used the inauguration as a chance to steal the show, with photos catching the first daughters dancing and taking photos of themselves on their iPhones, as well as photo bombing a picture of President Obama and First Lady Michelle.
Speaking of photo bombing, President Clinton and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) seemed to be embroiled in a contest for the best photocreep of the evening, with Schumer sneaking in on a shot of the President being sworn in, while Clinton peaked around during Kelly Clarkson’s song. Schumer, of course, also responded during Beyonce’s performance.
The First Lady also caused a few stories herself when she reportedly rolled her eyes during a conversation between the President and Speaker of the House John Boehner (D-OH) at the post-inauguration luncheon. With no audio of the conversation and no comments on the matter, it remains unseen what the conversation was about. And on the subject of her new bangs, President Obama said “To address the most significant event of the weekend, I love her bangs. She looks good. She always looks good.”
Northeast Ohio sees rise in house sales in 2012
A 13.4 percent rise in home sales in Northeast Ohio in 2012, bringing the market to the highest level it has been in at least four years, which mimicked the rise in the national housing market. Sales and prices have not returned to their pre-recession levels and will probably never return to what they were during the height of the real estate bubble. Across the state as a whole, sales were up 12.7 percent. 2012, therefore serves as evidence of the market finally reaching rock bottom and beginning to recover after years of dragging down the economy.
Source: Cleveland.com
New Mexico shooting leaves five dead, 15-year-old arrested
Five people, three of them children, were found shot at a home outside Albuquerque, New Mexico on Sunday. Each victim was shot multiple times, and one of the weapons used was an assault rifle. A 15-year-old boy, who may be a family member of the unidentified victims, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death. While the victim names have been unreleased, the home belongs to Greg and Sarah Griego. Greg Griego is a chaplain for the Albuquerque Fire Department and was involved in several prison ministries. There has been no indication of motive so far.
Source: CNN.com
Syrian rebels focus on Northern airbase downfall; see it as the start of the end
In what rebels are calling the final battle, lightly armed fighters have begun attacking a helicopter base 15 minutes away from the Syrian border with Turkey. It is the last government-controlled territory between Turkey and the Syrian city, Aleppo. Many feel that once the base has been captured, the North will be liberated. The siege on the airbase illustrates a major shift in just one year, with rebels have gone from being hunted in their homes to now attacking one of the largest bases in the country. The rebels have suffered losses in the siege, with two top commanders in the Northern Storm Brigade wounded.
Source: CNN.com