Cheat Sheet - George Clooney on How to Stop An Inferno in South Sudan

Today: Preventing South Sudan's Inferno , Putin Frees Former Oil Tycoon , NYC Bans E-Cigs in Public Spaces December 20, 2013 AFRICA 1. George Clooney on How to Stop an Inferno in South Sudan The world's youngest country stands on the precipice of a new civil war which threatens to hurl South Sudan back into the violence from which it just emerged. For the South Sudanese who fought and suffered so dearly for their independence, and for those around the world who supported the new state, the development is tragic and disappointing—but hardly surprising. George Clooney and co-founder of the Enough Project John Prendergast, reveal what the country's leaders and the international community can do to contain the crisis. Read it at The Daily Beast NOBAMACARE 2. Obama Delays More Health Rules More delays for Obamacare: in a surprise announcement late Thursday, the Obama administration announced a year-long extension for Americans whose health plans have been canceled under the new regulations. Facing criticism last month as old plans were axed, Obama decided to let insurance companies continue offering plans that didn't meet the new requirements; now, people with canceled plans will be allowed to claim a "hardship" exemption from having insurance, keeping them from being fined. The change, which drew immediate criticism from health insurers, was driven by a group of Democratic senators who face tough re-election campaigns next year. Read it at The Washington Post GOODBYE, GULAG 3. Putin Frees Former Oil Tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a free man for the first time in 10 years. Russia's former oil tycoon was released immediately from a prison camp following Vladimir Putin's pardon Friday morning. Khodorkovsky is Russia's most famous prisoner and one of Putin's biggest political enemies. The pardon of Khodorkovsky, the former chief executive of Yukos Oil, was surprising since officials said they were preparing additional criminal charges against him just two weeks ago.  Read it at The New York Times SO LONG, SMOKERS 4. NYC Bans E-Cigs in Public Spaces It won't be long until smokers are forced back onto the chilly sidewalks. New York City has banned the increasingly popular electronic cigarettes from bars and restaurants after the City Council passed a bill that tacks the device onto a 2002 prohibition of smoking in public spaces. Advocates argue the e-cigarettes, which emit vaporized nicotine, give off potentially unsafe emissions, while critics argue there isn't enough scientific basis. The ban will go into place 120 days after Mayor Bloomberg signs it, which he is expected to do. Read it at The Wall Street Journal MONEY TRAIL 5. Terrorists for Human Rights The U.S. government this week divulged that Abdul Rahman Omeir al-Naimi, a Qatari history professor and human-rights activist, was also a major financier for al Qaeda. Working under the assumption that he was an activist for Islamist political prisoners al-Naimi ordered the transfer of $600,000 to al Qaeda and its affiliates in Iraq, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen over the course of 11 years. The Daily Beast's Eli Lake on how human-rights advocacy can also be used as political cover for jihadist networks. Read it at The Daily Beast TOP SECRET Israel's Mossad Trained Mandela Tried to turn him into a Zionist. RICH KID Zuckerberg Tops CEO Pay List, Again Made $3.3 billion in 2013. EMBATTLED 'Duck' Family Stands by Patriarch Says remarks were "coarse," but basically right. TRY THAT AGAIN India Asks Court to Review Gay Ban Supreme Court to take up petition soon. CASTING Paul Rudd to Star in 'Ant-Man' Rumored to have beaten out Joseph Gordon-Levitt. GQ 25 Most Stylish Men of 2013 BUZZFEED The New Power On The Ground in Syria MINITIME America's Most Highly Taxed Destinations 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. Why Reality Stars Like Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson Can't Be Real by Tricia Romano The Tao of Jennifer Lawrence by Kevin Fallon Real-Life Walter White by Michael Daly

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