SCOTUS will hear historic marriage equality cases today and tomorrow; Amanda Knox must return to Italy for a new trial; North Korea is putting its military in “combat ready” mode; Yahoo buys a 17-year-old’s app for $30 million; and a state in India is installing armed guards and drones to protect rhinos from poachers. Meanwhile, a NFL player may come out soon; a “Breaking Bad” script is stolen from Bryan Cranston’s car; and Dionne Warwick tells TMZ that she owes $10 million in taxes.
Caitlin
CRUCIAL:
Amanda Knox’s Acquittal Overturned: What’s Next?, http://rtvote.com/16VIwrV
Italy’s high court has overturned Amanda Knox’s acquittal, forcing her to once again stand trial for murdering her ex-roommate with whom she studied abroad in Italy. Knox’s lawyer says that she’s upset about having to face trial again but is willing to fight to prove her innocence. It’s not yet clear whether Knox will voluntarily return to Italy or whether she’ll be extradited. She may even face trial in absentia. Knox was acquitted for her roommate’s murder in an appeals court in Perugia in October 2011. She is currently studying creative-writing at the University of Washington.
North Korea issues new threat to U.S. bases, http://rtvote.com/16VKW9Z
North Korean officials have said that they are putting the country’s military in “combat ready” mode. The country is allegedly preparing to strike U.S. bases that it views as “aggressors,” meaning Hawaii and Guam and other places in the Pacific could be at risk. Meanwhile, the U.S. has responded that it can handle any attacks from Kim Jong-un
Cyprus banks remain closed to avert run on deposits, http://rtvote.com/16VLD37
Cyprus’ central bank announced Monday that its banks will not open until Thursday. The announcement came after the government negotiated a bailout deal from the EU in order to avoid bankruptcy. President Nicos Anastasiades said that Cyprus’ second-largest bank, Cyprus Popular, will close and wealthy depositors will lose a great deal of money.
Boris Berezovsky post-mortem finds hanging is cause of death, http://rtvote.com/11HxQ01
British police have said that Boris Berezovsky, one of Russia’s first post-Communist oligarchs and a critic of Vladimir Putin, died from causes consistent with a hanging and that there did not seem to be a violent struggle. His death has cast some suspicions on Putin and is seen as more corruption related to his regime.
Armed Guards, Drones to Protect India’s Rhinos, http://rtvote.com/11Hysmn
The government of India’s state of Assam has installed armed guards and drones to protect rhinos from poachers in its Kaziranga state park. The new laws even protect the guards if they kill a poacher.
A historic moment as same-sex marriage arrives before Supreme Court, http://rtvote.com/16VO85x
The Supreme Court will hear historic cases on marriage equality on Tuesday and Wednesday, including the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8. Gay marriage activists will arge that the Constitution allows for same-sex marriage and that states should not be able to decide on the issue. Today SCOTUS will hear arguments against Proposition 8, which portends that California has the right to decide if marriage is legal only between a man and woman.
SCOTUSBLOG, Reuters: ‘Prop 8 Unlikely to Be Upheld’, ‘Roberts Raises Doubts About California Case,’http://rtvote.com/16VJFQl
The SCOTUS blog is reporting that Proposition 8, an amendment introduced in California that does not legally recognize gay marriage in the state, will most likely not be upheld by the Supreme Court. Today is the first day of oral arguments for the case. While the SCOTUS blog has predicted the striking down of Prop 8, as of 11am, it reported that the court did not have the five votes needed to overturn it. Chief Justice Roberts noted that the case does not address the core issue of same-sex marriage rights, while Justice Kennedy said that he was uncomfortable striking down the measure and would prefer to dismiss the case.
Summly and its teen founder snapped up by Yahoo, http://rtvote.com/16VMQHD
British 17-year-old Nick D’Aloisio has sold his smartphone app Summly to Yahoo for $30 million. D’Aloisio began working on the app, which shortens content to make it easier to scroll, when he was 15-years-old and released it for iPhone four months ago. He will now be Yahoo’s youngest employee and will work from their London office. In regards to the sale, D’Aloisio has said “If you have a good idea, or you think there’s a gap in the market, just go out and launch it.”
CULTURAL:
Pedro’s 2 beers — & $338M ticket, http://rtvote.com/11HxfLW
Some believe atmosphere is safe for gay NFL player to come out, http://rtvote.com/ZUkeun
‘BREAKING BAD’ SCRIPT MISSING AFTER CAR BREAK-IN, http://rtvote.com/11HxBlJ
DIONNE WARWICK: I’M BANKRUPT, Owes $10 Mil in Taxes, http://rtvote.com/11HCvzb
NBC’s ‘Today’ show exposed: Article shares ugly details of NBC’s ratings struggle, http://rtvote.com/11HCECy
