Cheat Sheet - Kate Middleton & Prince Harry’s Phones ‘Hacked’

Today: 'Duck Dynasty' Suspends Robertson , Putin to Pardon Khodorkovsky , West Virginia Heathers: Was Skylar Neese Murdered by Her Best Friends? December 19, 2013 ROYALLY HACKED 1. Kate & Harry's Phones 'Hacked' Rupert Murdoch's News of the World intercepted Kate Middleton and Prince Harry's voicemails in order to gain embarrassing personal details about their lives, prosecutors in a London alleged on Thursday. In a 2006 message, left by Kate's then-boyfriend Prince William, he says "Hi baby, it's me," then later refers to her as "babykins." In another, left on Harry's phone, William takes on a falsetto voice and pretends to be the younger prince's then-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy. It is the first time the Murdoch media empire has been accused of directly accessing the phones of senior members of the royal family. Nico Hines and Peter Jukes on the explosive allegations. Read it at The Daily Beast waders no more 2. 'Duck Dynasty' Suspends Robertson Duck Dynasty isn't taking Phil Robertson's homophobic comments in stride. The patriarch of the hit A&E program has been suspended indefinitely from the reality show after telling GQ magazine that gay behavior leads into bestiality and then "sleeping around." He added that the "sin" was "not logical." The network told E! it's "extremely disappointed" in Robertson's comments that "are based on his own personal beliefs." Read it at E! News SHOCKER 3. Putin to Pardon Khodorkovsky Russian President Vladimir Putin shocked the world Thursday morning by announcing he would immediately pardon jailed oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky. The richest man in Russia was convicted of fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering in what was widely considered to be a politically motivated trial. Amnesty International considers Khodorkovsky to be a prisoner of conscience.  Read it at RT WEST VIRGINIA 'HEATHERS' 4. Was Skylar Neese Murdered by Her Best Friends? West Virginia teens Skylar, Rachel, and Shelia were the best of friends—until one of them went missing. Six months after 16-year-old Skylar disappeared, the cherubic brunette was found stabbed to death. Her body was discovered only after Rachel admitted to investigators that she and Shelia—who she claims was the ringleader—had killed their "bestie." In May, Rachel pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. But Shelia, whose trial is due to begin on January 28, insists that she is innocent. How did these teenagers go from being best pals to alleged murderers? The Daily Beast's Caroline Linton reports. Read it at The Daily Beast SAFE FLIGHT 5. Max Baucus to Be China Ambassador President Obama is reportedly set to nominate Montana Democratic Sen. Max Baucus as the next ambassador to China. Baucus, the third longest-serving senator in this Congress, already announced he wouldn't seek reelection in 2014 and his early departure could leave a Senate spot open for Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock to appoint someone—widely speculated to be Lt. Gov. John Walsh, who is already running for the seat. Putting him on a plane to China would also remove one of the Affordable Care Act's critics, a happy accident, no doubt. Baucus has experience in China, too: He's traveled there extensively and has worked on trade issues with Beijing since the 1990s. Read it at The Daily Beast HELLISH Brits Pull Citizens From S. Sudan Amid fears of looming civil war. friends, again Senate Passes Budget Deal Will now go to Obama. YOU'RE OK Blood Pressure Markers Moved Fewer older patients to be medicated. JUSTICE Men Guilty in U.K. Beheading 'Holy war' defense rejected. MOOCHERS Rep. to Poor Kids: No Free Lunch Ga. politico says students can sweep a floor. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. News According to: Syrian Refugee Crisis More than 2 million Syrian refugees are enduring a harsh winter and terrible living conditions in neighboring countries. See how global news outlets are reporting on their plight. More Videos The 'Killer Robot' Olympics by Christopher Dickey Obama's Premature Political Obits by Michael Tomasky Rising Stars of 2014 by Kevin Fallon

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