Daily News Recap (3-4-15)

Compiled by Holly Henrichsen
Assistant Web Content Manager

[An announcement for] Texas State students; the online self-service registration system will be opening up on March 23 for students to register for classes for the Summer and fall semesters. The registration period begins at 6 am on the March 23 for students academically eligible. Students are advised to take advantage of this early registration because classes fill up quickly.
-Travor Frank

The 21 year old man charged with the Boston Marathon bombing underwent trial earlier this morning. The prosecutors and the young man’s defense attorneys shocked the court with their agreeing opening statements. They all stated that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was, in fact, responsible for the attack but Judy Clarke, a famed attorney, argued that he was coerced by his older brother into being a participant to the crime. Tsarnev is also accused of killing a police officer days after the bombing. There is currently no verdict regarding the ongoing trial.
-Au’Bryana Johnson

The Senate failed to override President Obama’s veto today that would have approved construction of the controversial Keystone XL Oil Pipeline. According to New York Times, Republicans used the debate on the vote to attack Obama for his years of delay in making a decision about the proposed 1,179 -mile pipeline. The pipeline would move about 800-thousand barrels of carbon-heavy petroleum per day from the oil sands of Canada to ports and refineries in the Gulf Coast. Since the project would cross international borders, The State Department has the authority to approve or deny the project but the ultimate decision is expected to come from the president. Obama indicated the he vetoed the bill not only because the bill would have removed his authority to make the final decision on the project, but environmental groups and several leading climate change scientists argued that it’s construction makes it easier to move heavily polluted petroleum from the Canadian oil sands. Studies from the State Department conclude that the process of extracting the oil sands petroleum produces about 17 percent more planet-warming carbon pollution that conventional oil.
-Eryka Villarreal

A documentary covering a gang rape that happened in 2012 has caused much controversy among the media. The man awaiting the death penalty on behalf of one Indian woman’s rape and death is being interviewed in the documentary. According to CNN, his unremorseful comments about the crime is causing uproar in India and has forced the government to take legal action about the airing of the documentary. Some feel that the airing of the documentary raises awareness about rape but others feel that the documentary gives the criminal a platform to justify the act. As of right now, an Indian court has restricted the publication of the film.
-Au’Bryana Johnson

Alabama’s Supreme Court have ordered state judges to stop issuing same-sex marriage licences. According to BBC News, a federal ruling that said banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional; however, the court in Alabama has decided that it does not preclude state law being followed which defines marriage being between a man and a woman.The U.S. Supreme Court has already decided the ban on same-sex marriage is deemed unconstitutional, but will decide whether individual state can follow their own licensing laws in June.
-Allie Ibarra