(Photo: Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

In today’s top news, the U.S. Supreme Court will begin tackling same-sex marriage cases, the former office of Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll has been shut down, and Sherry West, mother of slain baby wants killers dead.

The U.S. Supreme Court will tackle an appeal of California’s ban on same-sex marriage. [CNN]

Florida’s lieutenant governor’s office has been shut down since former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll resigned. [Miami Herald]

Sherry West, mother of the slain baby in Brunswick, Georgia, demands “a life for a life” for the infant’s killer. [WPTV]

Italy’s Supreme Court ruled Amanda Knox should be retried for the death of her ex-roommate. [ABCNews]

2.2 million troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have struggled to readjust to American life according to a new report. [NBC News]

Chicago public school students march against school closing plan. [Chicago Tribune]

Pedro Quezada, a 44-year-old New Jersey man won the $338 million lottery ticket. [NBC News]

North Korea threatens to strike U.S. mainland. [Al Jazeera]

The bullets that killed Colorado prison chief Tom Clements came from the gun found with an inmate. [CNN]

Eight suicide bombers stormed a police compound in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, killing five police officers and injuring four. [LATimes]

In today’s top news, the Senate is scheduled to vote on more than $50 billion in aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy, two Latino men were arrested for hate crimes against a Black family and Chris Brown and Frank Ocean were involved in an “all out brawl” in L.A.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on more than $50 billion in aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy. [CNN]

Three people were arrested for a Brazil club fire that killed 231 and left 82 injured. [Reuters]

A woman in Chicago lost her fourth child to gun violence in a weekend shootout. [AP]

Two Latino men were arrested for hate crimes against a Black family. [CBSNews]

The Obama administration is seeking $32 million to train troops in Mali. [AP]

Chris Brown and Frank Ocean were involved in an “all out brawl” in L.A. [BET]

Ohio Players front man Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner died Saturday at age 69. [BET]

Concern is growing about suicides among military families. [NBCNews]

Former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick sprung from weekend stint in jail. [CNN]

Maligned rapper Snoop Lion has received the blessing of Bob Marley’s son after reggae legend Bunny Wailer called him a fraud. [Grio]

(Photo: Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

In today’s top news, the White House says President Obama supports women in combat, the battery charge lodged against mega-church pastor Creflo Dollar after a fight with his daughter was dropped and witnesses have been called to make statements in the George Zimmerman murder trial.

The White House says President Obama supports women in combat. [AP]

The battery charge lodged against mega-church pastor Creflo Dollar after a fight with his daughter was dropped. [AJC]

Witnesses have been called to make statements in the George Zimmerman murder trial. [BET]

A federal judge says families of those killed in the Aurora, Colorado, movie theater shooting should not be allowed to sue the theater for wrongful death. [NBCNews]

Martin Luther King III says he was deeply moved that President Obama was sworn-in on his father’s bible. [BET]

Whitney Houston’s mother says she questions her own parenting skills. [Reuters]

Tina Turner will soon become a citizen of Switzerland. [AP]

Chief Keef stands to earn $6 million from his record deal with Interscope. [BET]

The U.S. military admits to mistakes in the training of Malian troops. [BBC]

Al Shabab’s Twitter account was disabled after the militant group threatened to kill Kenyan hostages. [BBC]

In today’s top news, the NAACP is looking into Pastor Creflo Dollar’s arrest, George Zimmerman’s wife says she fears for her life after her mug shot was published and a steelworker was awarded $25 million from his employer for racial discrimination.

The NAACP is looking into Pastor Creflo Dollar’s arrest. [Citizen]

George Zimmerman’s wife says she fears for her life after her mug shot was published. [GMA]

A steelworker was awarded $25 million from his employer for racial discrimination. [BuffaloNews]

The U.S. military is expanding its secret military operations across Africa. [WaPo]

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes is slated to launch a fashion line. [BET]

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant are calling off their divorce. [BET]

Burglars hit Kanye West’s L.A. home. [BET]

Detroit may not send any Black representatives to Congress. [Bloomberg]

The ICC seeks a 30-year jail term for Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga. [BBC]

A South African transgender pageant winner was found murdered in his home. [MSNBC]

In today’s top news, FAMU’s board of trustees issued a vote of no confidence for President James Ammons, another man allegedly high on bath salts bites a chunk off of someone’s face and  Lauryn Hill is in hot water for failing to pay taxes on $1.8 million in income.

FAMU’s board of trustees issued a vote of no confidence for university president James Ammons over his handling of the hazing scandal. [BET]

Another man allegedly high on bath salts bites a chunk off of someone’s face. [KATC]

The DOJ claims Lauryn Hill failed to pay taxes on $1.8 million in income. [Reuters]

The CDC says nearly 60 percent of teens are texting and driving. [AP]

Suicides among U.S. troops are rising. [AP]

Basketball Wives star Evelyn Lozada pens a letter to her 7-year-old self. [BET]

Rising rapper Azealia Banks ditches Lady Gaga’s manager for her beau. [BET]

A study shows that regular meditation can help Black teens skirt heart problems later on in life. [ScienceDaily]

A man whose wife was killed in a Nigerian plane crash this weekend is suing Boeing and the estate of the pilot in U.S. court. [CNN]

The Netherlands’ soccer league claims racist chants were yelled at members of the team during a recent training session in Poland. [BBC]

In today’s top news, rapper 2 Chainz says airport officials tried to “assassinate” his swag this week, Colin Powell says he supports same-sex marriage and two female soldiers are suing to end the military restriction on women in combat.

Rapper 2 Chainz says airport officials tried to “assassinate” his swag when they arrested him for his over-sized chain this week. [BET]

General Colin Powell says he supports same-sex marriage. [CNN]

Two female soldiers are suing to end the military restriction on women in combat. [Reuters]

Mother of wrongfully deported teen Jakadrien Turner has filed suit against Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for the mistake. [MSNBC]

NYPD roughs up 15-year-old honor student after mistaking her for a shoplifter. [NYDN]

NY Black radio pioneer and legend Hal Jackson dies at 96. [BET]

First Lady Michelle Obama will host a conference call with students this evening to discuss the presidential election. [BET]

George Zimmerman’s evolving views of the Sanford Police Department are now being aired and scrutinized. [CNN]

South Africa’s infamously impoverished township, Soweto, gets its own fashion week. [AP]

South African officials are suing to have a painting of president Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed removed from public view. [BBC]

In today’s top news, BET.com takes a look back at the contributions of the late, legendary Donna Summer, Trayvon Martin’s autopsy results show that he has marijuana in his system and police say Trayvon Martin’s death was “ultimately avoidable.”

BET.com takes a look back at the contributions of the late, legendary Donna Summer. [BET]

Trayvon Martin’s autopsy results show that he had marijuana in his system. [BET]

Police say Trayvon Martin’s death was “ultimately avoidable.” [CNN]

The Game stars Tia Mowry and Pooch Hall not returning for season 6. [BET]

Satirical cartoon The Boondocks will be returning for another season. [HipHopWired]

Facebook prepares to debut on Wall Street. [Reuters]

Michelle Obama reportedly talked divorce. [New York Post]

Notorious 1980’s drug dealer is arrested in NYC. [AP]

The U.S. to assign an Army brigade to various countries in Africa for training. [AP]

Obama to announce a $3bn plan to boost food security and farm productivity across Africa . [BBC]

In today’s top news, FAMU’s band director has stepped down amid the hazing death controversy, Mitt Romney says he’s “fine” with gay couples adopting children and the U.S. Department of Justice is suing an Arizona sheriff for racial profiling and discrimination against Latinos.

FAMU’s band director has stepped down amid hazing controversy. [CNN]

Mitt Romney says he’s “fine” with gay couples adopting children. [National Journal]

U.S. Department of Justice is suing an Arizona sheriff for racial profiling and discrimination against Latinos. [Reuters]

A Black female U.S. Army pioneer says she was mistreated because of her gender. [NYT]

A Florida teacher faces dismissal after disciplining students with a dog collar. [AP]

Kanye West raps about marrying Kim Kardashian. [BET]

Chris Brown and Rihanna feud over lyrics of new song. [BET]

Study shows Black boys at risk for self-harm. [WBLT]

Egypt holds its first televised presidential debate. [MSNBC]

A Nelson Mandela inspired fashion line will debut in the U.S. soon. [BET]

In today’s top news, President Obama announces an “enduring partnership” between the U.S. and Afghanistan and Tyler Perry’s production studios in Atlanta catch fire.

President Obama announces an “enduring partnership” between the U.S. and Afghanistan. [BET]

Tyler Perry’s production studios in Atlanta catch fire. [CNN]

George Zimmerman’s latest Myspace page is uncovered and reveals disparaging comments about Mexicans. [Miami Herald]

Samuel L. Jackson talks to BET.com about his latest role in Django Unchained. [BET]

Nicki Minaj announces U.S. tour dates. [BET]

African-Americans are taking on the scourge of sex trafficking in Black communities. [UPI]

At least 11 protesters in Cairo, Egypt were killed by an unknown assailant. [BBC]

Women in Ghana are being trained as pilots and health care workers to deliver health materials to isolated communities. [RFI]

In today’s top news, three Texas white supremacists are found guilty of hate crimes for assaulting a Black man, photos surfaced showing U.S. troops posing next to mangled body parts of Afghan corpses and the first lady speaks out on the death of Trayvon Martin.

Three Texas white supremacists are found guilty of hate crimes for assaulting a Black man. [BET]

U.S. troops posed smiling next to mangled body parts of Afghan corpses. [L.A. Times]

The first lady speaks out on the death of Trayvon Martin. [AP]

Michelle Obama shows off her prom picture. [BET]

Witness at Senate hearing says “End Racial Profiling Act” offends police. [BET]

Thousands housed in trailers after Hurricane Katrina may receive payments. [Reuters]

Fans are suing reality show The Bachelor for its failure to cast people of color. [NYDN]

Diddy, Jay-Z top Forbes’s list of the five wealthiest hip hop artists. [Forbes]

An abducted Texas newborn is found alive and safe after woman kills his mother. [MSNBC]

Gulf seafood deformities post-BP oil spill baffle scientists. [AJE]

Mali picks Microsoft official as interim prime minister. [AJE]