CheatSheet - Saudi Woman Beheaded for Sorcery

Today: Romney Goes After 'Erratic' Gingrich , Supremes to Weigh AZ Immigration Law , Perry Blames Lousy Debates on Bad Back December 12, 2011 EXTREME 1. Saudi Woman Beheaded for Sorcery Saudi Arabia executed a woman Monday for practicing magic and sorcery, which is banned in the ultra-conservative kingdom. But it obviously doesn't ban beheading, which was how Amina bin Abdulhalim Nassar was killed, according to the interior ministry. The woman was convicted for claiming she could treat people's illnesses using witchcraft. Another woman was executed in October, reportedly for setting her husband's house on fire, killing him. Saudi Arabia has beheaded 73 people this year. Read it at Agence France Presse GLOVES OFF 2. Romney Goes After 'Erratic' Gingrich Mitt Romney didn't waste much time in the new week in going after new GOP frontrunner Newt Gingrich. The former Massachusetts governor said Monday morning on Fox News that Gingrich demonstrated "erratic outspokenness" when he called Palestinians an "invented people" last week. Romney said that tendency "may be great in a campaign but not great for someone running for president." The Romney campaign simultaneously sent out an email to reporters calling Gingrich an "unreliable leader," as many pundits believe Gingrich came out on top in the Iowa debate on Saturday, and polls show Gingrich with a comfortable lead in the key states of South Carolina and Florida. Romney's email singled out a public-service announcement Gingrich had done with then–House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on climate change in 2008, which Gingrich has characterized as the "dumbest single thing I've done in recent years." Read it at USA Today ON THE DOCKET 3. Supremes to Weigh AZ Immigration Law Arizona's hotly contested immigration law is headed to the Supreme Court. The high court announced in a brief statement on Monday that would it rule on whether the state could enforce the legislation, which has currently been put on hold by the Obama administration. The law, SB 1070, requires all immigrants to have their paperwork on them at all times and asks police officers to check for the documents during routine traffic stops if there's reasonable suspicion that the person may be an alien. Recent appointee Elena Kagan will recuse herself due to her work on the case when she was solicitor general. Read it at CBS News EXCUSE 4. Perry Blames Lousy Debates on Bad Back My dog ate my homework. To be fair, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he's not making any excuses on his stalled GOP presidential campaign, though he is. In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Perry explained that his recovery from his July back surgery affected his debate performances. "I would suggest to you that I was pretty fatigued," he said. "No excuses. It was error. It is what it is." Then he goes on to be a bit too honest. "Look, if anybody is looking for the perfect candidate, I'm not it." He also said that it's too late to regret his performances. "Looking back and trying to 'would have, could have, should have' is an interesting question to ask, but the facts are the facts." Read it at Des Moines Register CREEPY 5. Van Der Sloot's New Victim? The Dutch sociopath accused of murder sits in a dirty Peruvian prison awaiting trial. But is a doctor from Florida his new conquest, and has he just charmed another victim? Christopher Dickey and Andrea Zarate report. Read it at The Daily Beast BACKLASH Billionaire to Challenge Putin Mikhail Prokhorov announces presidential run. WITHDRAWAL Obama Hails 'New Day' In Iraq In joint conference with Iraqi P.M. AUTOBIOGRAPHY Roger Ailes Writing Tell-All Book Fox News chief could bank $4 million. BLING Liz Taylor's Jewels Hit the Block From the 'Mike Todd Diamond Necklace' to emeralds from Richard Burton. MAYDAY American Airlines Could Ax 30 Rock After star Alec Baldwin blew up on flight. 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 The Yes List Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. Newt's Craziest Comments by The Daily Beast Women Rise With the Prize by Swanee Hunt 20 Most Generous Cities by The Daily Beast

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