More than 100 death row inmates are waiting to see if the Supreme Court will decide whether or not their death sentences are null and void. These cases are being re-examined by the Supreme Court due to the fact that the convicted criminals were sentenced to death by a judge and not a jury. The Supreme court ruled two years ago that only a jury and not a single judge could hand a defendant the death penalty, according to MSNBC.
NASA remains skeptical concerning space travel
NASA has turned down Russia’s idea of having a year-long space mission. The U.S. has been using Russian space shuttles since the explosion of the Columbia on Feb. 1, 2003. Astronauts and cosmonauts typically spend six months in space. Russia hoped to extend the trips by a year, which would allow them to offer space trips to paying customers, according to MSNBC.
Amish move out of Pa.
Over the past four years around 300 Pennsylvania Amish have moved to Wisconsin in order to farm much cheaper land. These individuals were also seeking to get away from the amount of temptations of the modern world they the choose not to take part in. Wisconsin is now the fourth largest Amish community in the United States; Pa. ranks as the second largest, according to the Washington Post.
5 years since Columbine shooting
Tuesday, April 20 marked the fifth anniversary of the Columbine High School shootings in Colorado. Twelve students were killed in 1999 by Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. The two gunman then shot themselves. Students at Columbine had the day off, but many chose to go to the school and silently remember their peers who were murdered, according to CNN.
Bush standing firm
President Bush defended his reasons for going to war in Iraq and the controversial Patriot Act. The President has been fighting to keep his presence above Kerry in the polls. Bush had been trailing behind Kerry, but in the most recent poll he was slightly ahead, according to MSNBC.
CEO of McDonald’s Dies at 60
McDonald’s CEO, Jim Cantalupo died due to a heart attack the company’s worldwide convention in Orlando, Fl. Cantalupo had recently been successful with introducing salads, adult happy meals and fruit to the fast food chain. These new menu additions helped their shares to rise to 54 percent. Cantalupo will be replaced by Charlie Bell who worked side by side with the former CEO, according to Reuters.
Tribunal to hold Hussein trial
Iraq’s governing council announced Tuesday that they will be setting up a tribunal in order to hold a trial for former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein. Hussein will be defended by French lawyer Jacques Verges, according to CNN.
