(Image sources: NBC, Fox News, CNN, Flickr/JessicaFM, ABC/Fox)
BY TRACY PFEIFFER
ANCHOR JIM FLINK
This is Newsy Now and here are the headlines you need to know.
In world news-- American Amanda Knox has made a last-ditch appeal to an Italian court and awaits a verdict on her fate.
Knox has been in prison in the country for four years after she and her former boyfriend were convicted of sexually assaulting and murdering her British roommate, Meredith Kercher.
NBC’s Lester Holt describes the final plea.
LESTER HOLT, NBC TODAY:“I think everyone one of us reacted to the site of her being escorted in there. She appeared unsteady on her feet. When she spoke, she began to almost break down immediately, but then found her voice. She followed RS, both of them pleading for the court to free them after four years fighting these murder charges. By the time they were finished, Matt, at least one juror I saw was in tears.”
Also in world news-- U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is in Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country would join peace talks without preconditions -- but has resumed construction on a settlement that Palestine says is a deal breaker.
Fox News has Panetta’s concerns.
LEON PANETTA, U.S. SECY OF DEFENSE: “It’s pretty clear that, at this dramatic time in the Middle East, when there have been so many changes, that it is not a good situation for Israel to become increasingly isolated. That’s what’s happening.”
GRETCHEN CARLSON, FOX NEWS: “Well, Panetta will be meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to try to restart peace talks. He’s also expected to urge the Israelis to improve relations with Egypt and Turkey.”
To entertainment-- ask and you shall receive. Showtime and Netflix have confirmed-- Arrested Development is coming back. Sort of.
ANCHOR 1, ABC: “Fans who’ve been mourning the demise of the beloved underdog TV series ‘Arrested Development’ have a little reason to celebrate this morning.”
ANCHOR 2, ABC:“Creators of the cult classic say it will come back to TV for a limited run as a prequel to a big screen movie. As for when and where, a Tweet from co-star Jason Bateman says ‘It’s true, we will do ten episodes and the movie, probably shoot them all together next summer for a release in early ‘13.’”
In U.S. news-- California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill blocking male circumcision bans.
“California’s governor has signed a bill into law that stops local governments from banning male circumcision. A San Francisco group opposed the practice and wanted the procedure cut citywide. It was on the city’s November 8th ballot, but a judge ordered it removed, saying the state should not regulate such a practice.”
Finally in health news, Danes could start feeling the consequences of unhealthy foods -- in their pocketbooks.
MSNBC’s Morning Joe explains more about Denmark’s so-called “fat tax.”
MIKE BRZEZINSKI: “Under the measure, all foods will now have an additional cost based on saturated fat content. This means the price of butter will almost double. …So guess what happened over the weekend? Shoppers hoarded fatty favorites like pizza, meat, and their beloved butter. But the new law may not last long. According to European legal experts, the EU is investigating if the tax poses competition issues.”
Stay with Newsy for more analysis on news throughout the day. For Newsy Now, I’m Jim Flink, highlighting the top headlines making you smarter, faster.
