Kerry Approved by Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Senator John Kerry was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday morning.

He was unanimously agreed upon, during a meeting taking place during Senator Marco Rubio's absence.

Tuesday afternoon, the entire Senate is expected to fully confirm him as the next Secretary of State.

Current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has already welcome him as her successor, praising his work as the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

His opponents point out his draft dodging and verbal attacks of important US allies, like Israel, as strong reasons why he shouldn't have even been considered for the top diplomatic post.

Yemen War With Al Qaeda Heats Up

Al Qaeda has announced that reinforcements are arriving, after Yemen's military began a new offensive, on Monday.

Fighters by the hundreds have been seen pouring into the region around Manaseh.

Yemen's military has committed about eight thousand troops to eliminating Al Qaeda's presence there.

US drones regularly makes strikes against Al Qaeda, in Yemen, but none have been reported, despite the reports of massed Al Qaeda troops.

This will be the largest battle of the war, ever since Al Qaeda moved in and took over much of southern Yemen, in 2010.

Review: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

We all know the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel who's parents ditched them in the woods. They then found a house made of candy. Unfortunately, it was a trap laid out by a witch, who wanted young children to eat.

But what happens after they kill the witch? They become witch hunters, of course. Hansel and Gretel travel the area, picking up bounties on witches.

Eventually, they meet a grand witch, who could be their match. But while battling her, they find out the secrets of their past.

This latest Hollywood retelling of classic tales is action packed. It's a good, entertaining hour and twenty-seven minute movie, for adults. The movie deserves it's R rating, with a bit of nudity, some language and clear innuendo, not to mention lots of violence and gore.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, hit theaters January 25. Starring Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, and Femke Janssen.

Review: Snooze an AM Eatery

If you're looking for a nice place to go to breakfast or brunch, Snooze is that place.

Having heard of them for some time now, I'd heard nothing but good, except for the possible wait times.

On Sunday, I finally got to try them, and it was well worth it.

I had the Eggs Any Style, but subbed a cinnamon roll pancake for the toast, and a Snooze Julius: think orange juice, vodka, and whip cream.

The food was superb, and there was enough of it that I ended up with left overs.

To top it off, the staff was extremely friendly.

When you go, reservations are probably a good idea, as it can quite easily be at least an hour wait.

It's not a cheap place, about twenty a person, though you can pick through the menu and be cheaper, but well worth the price for an occasion.

They are also an ecofriendly company, with ninety percent of wastes going towards recycling and composting.

All of their locations use local food products, whenever possible.

The company is also active in supporting local events, especially charity ones.

With five locations in Colorado and one in San Diego, you should go give them a try, just remember they're only open til 14:30.

Snooze will definitely be getting a return visit from me.

A Thousand People Require Helicopter Rescues From Floods in Australia

Flooding continues to be a major problem for Queensland, Australia.

Four people have been killed by the raging waters.

Flash flooding struck many areas, but hardest hit was Bundaberg.

The Burnett River rapildy flooded it's banks, on Tuesday, causing around one thousand people to have to be rescued by helicopter.

New South Wales is also seeing flooding, after up to two feet of rain fell.

Evacuations were ordered in both states, as the government tries to keep as many people as possible out of harm's way.

Rains are expected to last through Wednesday, as the storm slowly moves out to sea.

Colorado Democrats Block Bill to Allow Concealed Carry Amongst Teachers

Colorado senate chamber

On Monday, Colorado Democrats defeated a bill that would've allowed teachers and staff to carry guns at schools.

Senate Bill 9 failed to pass the Senate Judiciary Committee, and was voted down three to two, straight down party lines.

Current laws block concealed weapons from being on school campuses, but the bill would've allowed each school district to decide whether to allow them, amongst staff and teachers.

Teachers had joined the Republican state senators, in arguing that gun free zones don't work and that allowing concealed carries, among properly trained people, was a good thing.

Other teachers, as well as teacher unions had been amongst those opposed to the idea, arguing that guns need to be further restricted.

Chicago Hits 40 Homicides After Bloody Weekend

Over the weekend seven people were killed and six wounded, by gunmen, in Chicago.

Chicago now has forty homicides, just so far this year.

Despite having the strictest gun laws, the city remains the US city with the most gun violence.

Almost all of the gun violence is gang related.

For nearly thirty years, Chicago had a total gun ban, but it was struck down by the Supreme Court, in 2010, as violating the Constitution.

Since then, the city has passed multiple ordinances, which stop just short of coming to a full ban.

The city regularly brags about how many guns it confiscates, weekly displaying the confiscations.

During 2012, Chicago confiscated nearly 7,500 guns.

Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy is asking for stricter laws and stronger punishment, for anyone who violates the gun laws.

Opponents of the laws say that the problem isn't a lack of gun laws, but too many.

They believe that if the public had freer access to guns then they could defend themselves, and gangs would be more wary.

In support of this, they point to stats from other states that have more gun access, but less gun violence.

3D Star Wars Films on Hold Indefinitely

On Monday, Lucasfilm released some information that will disappoint some Star Wars fans.

Plans had been for each of the first two Star Wars' trilogies to be released in 3D, over the next few years.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace, came out in 3D, last February and the other five movies had been to follow.

Now though, those plans are on hold.

Lucasfilms does not foresee 3D releases occurring, as all efforts have now been changed to focus on the creation and upcoming release of Episode VII, in 2015.

It is not seen as a cancellation, but a long term delay.

Yemen and Al Qaeda Battle it Out on Monday

Yemen tanks and troops moved against an Al Qaeda stronghold, on Monday.

Al Qaeda was holding hostages in the town of al-Bayda, and negotiations had collapsed.

In an apparent retaliation, a suicide bomber hit a military checkpoint, in Radda.

Eleven Yemeni soldiers were killed and another seventeen were wounded, in the blast.

A separate attack, near Radda, launched by gunmen, killed three Yemeni troops, who were on patrol.

Many southern towns were taken by Al Qaeda, in 2011.

Since then Yemen, backed by the US, has worked to remove them.

Sikh Religious Daggers Allowed in Alberta Courtrooms

In a landmark decision, Alberta is allowing daggers in court rooms.

The decision allows for Sikhs to carry their ceremonial kirpan daggers, into courtrooms.

Kirpans can't be longer than four inches, and Sikhs are required to carry them, by their faith.

Under the new policy, Sikhs will be required to let security know that they have their kirpan with them, and it must stay sheathed.

Ontario is considering a similar policy, as well.