Howard Koplowitz

Howard Koplowitz reports on crime and breaking news events for International Business Times. Howard formerly worked on IBT's continuous news desk, where he covered trending topics. He joined IBT in March 2012.

Previously, Howard covered political corruption, health, crime and other beats for TimesLedger Newspapers in Queens, New York, where he won several national and state awards for his reporting.

Howard graduated from the SUNY-Albany, where he received a bachelor's degree in political science and minored in journalism.

@howardkoplowitz

Ireland Gay Marriage Vote Results Live Stream: How To Watch Coverage On Historic Referendum

Ireland may become the first country to legalize gay marriage through a vote among citizens.

Read Hillary Clinton's State Department Emails About Benghazi, Sidney Blumenthal

Among the 300 pages of private emails released on Friday are messages relating to the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Immigration Reform 2015: Illegal Immigrants Given Work Permits Shows Incompetency Of Obama Administration, Texas Attorney General Says

Some 2,000 illegal immigrants were given work permits. Texas' attorney general said that shows executive actions on immigration shouldn't go forward.

Rand Paul NSA Filibuster: Where Do The 2016 Candidates Stand On Spying?

Rand Paul is the most vocal opponent of the NSA's bulk data gathering. But what about other 2016 candidates?

Waco Biker Shooting Giving Bars Pause About Letting Gangs In

A rally has been canceled and biker bars are taking precautions after Sunday's shootout in Waco.

Iowa Straw Poll Hurts Conservative Candidates, Empowers 'Washington Ruling Class,' Mike Huckabee Says

Though the poll usually favors candidates from the conservative wing of the GOP, Huckabee said that participating would "further empower the Washington ruling class.”

North Korea Sponsors Terrorism? Senate Bill Wants Pyongyang Back On US Terror List, Calls For Increased Sanctions

North Korea was taken off the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list in 2008.

NHTSA Budget 2016: Highway Safety In Danger If Congress Doesn't Give $908M, Agency Head Says

The NHTSA wants $908 million, but Congress says money won't impact record recalls.

Iowa Democrats Call Hillary Clinton 'Not Perfect,' But Who Else Is There?

A focus group took issue with Clinton's campaign strategy in Iowa, but say there's no real alternative.

Iranian Ayatollah Rules Illegal Afghan Children Deserve To Go To School In Iran

"No Afghan child ... must be kept from an education," said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

China Building Collapse: Up To 21 People Missing After Landslide In Guiyang

The nine-story residential building collapsed following a landslide, according to the government.

Election 2016: Will Millennials Become 'Crazy In Love' With Hillary Clinton After Beyoncé Endorsement?

Celebrities can help candidates raise money and drive turnout, but to what extent?

Amtrak Crash 2015 Cause: Windshield Crack Not Due To Gun, But Derailment Investigators Don't Know What's To Blame

It wasn't from a gunshot, but investigators into the deadly Amtrak train crash don't know what else could have caused the windshield crack.

Russia Freedom Of Speech: Social Media Program Looks For Protest Information Created By Pro-Kremlin Group

Dubbed Laplace’s Demon, the program can monitor social networks and pass word of "threats" to the Kremlin.

Iowa Straw Poll Results 2015: Does GOP Contest Still Matter For Presidential Candidates?

Jeb Bush is skipping it, and most prospective 2016 GOP candidates haven't committed to the ritual early-voting event.

Lindsey Graham Running For President? South Carolina Senator Will Make 2016 Presidential Announcement Soon

Lindsey Graham is set to announce whether he'll run for president in his native South Carolina on June 1.

ISIS Arrest In Erbil: 6 Islamic State-Linked Members Planned Attacks In Iraq, Kurds Say

The six people were planning attacks on Erbil, in northern Iraq, according to Kurdish authorities.

Are US Trains Safe? Derailments Declining, But Rail Travel Still Twice As Deadly As Europe

The European Union had half as many deaths per million kilometers of track compared to the United States.

South Carolina Train Accident: Injuries Unknown

Details are not immediately clear, including whether the train was a freight or passenger locomotive.

Hillary Clinton On Abortion: Where Does She, 2016 Presidential Candidates Stand?

Hillary Clinton is critical of banning late-term abortions. Marco Rubio is leading the Senate fight against them.

Amtrak Train Crash 2015 Cause: Engineer Brandon Bostian Was 'Reckless,' Philadelphia Mayor Says

The comments by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter about the Amtrak train driver are being viewed by NTSB board members as a rush to judgment.

TPP Vote 2015: Senate Reaches Agreement To Move Fast-Track Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Authority

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is the cornerstone of President Obama's trade agenda.

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Amtrak Crash 2015 Cause: Is Conductor To Blame For Derailment? Speed Eyed In Fatal Incident

The NTSB has not confirmed reports that the train was going twice the speed limit as it entered a curve, and early reports confused the roles of conductor and engineer.

Amtrak Derailment 2015: America's Failing Infrastructure Goes Beyond Railroads

The stretch of track in Philadelphia where an Amtrak train derailed Tuesday night is known for its maintenance issues. All across the U.S. it's the same story.

Marco Rubio Foreign Policy Speech Live Stream: Where To Watch 2016 GOP Candidate's Address And What He'll Say

Excerpts of the speech released by Marco Rubio's presidential campaign was sparse on details.

TPP Agreement: Where Do 2016 Presidential Candidates Stand On The Trans-Pacific Partnership?

Most Republicans in the race are siding with President Obama on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. But Obama has no backing for his trade agenda from Democratic candidates.