Gay sex, blackmail allegations against Vatican
The Vatican tonight in full damage control after two Italian papers claim that Pope Benedict's health is not the reason he's stepping down.
They write a top-secret report claims the Pope is stepping down because some senior priests are being blackmailed by male prostitutes.
The Vatican denies the allegations.
But the accusations matter as the church searches to fill one of the most powerful jobs on earth.
OutFront Tonight: Barbie Nadeau from the Daily Beast who's covering the story from Rome and Raymond Arroyo, anchor of the Global Catholic TV Network.
Zimmerman letters of support and disdain revealed
A candlelight vigil in Sanford, Florida, tomorrow night, will mark the one-year anniversary of Trayvon Martin's death.
George Zimmerman, who has been charged with second-degree murder acknowledged shooting the unarmed teen, but said it was in self-defense. Attorneys for the Martin family accuse Zimmerman of racially profiling Martin and shooting him "in cold blood."
The case has divided the country and Zimmerman has received hundreds of cards and letters from the public expressing both support and condemnation.
Our David Mattingly has been granted an exclusive and unrestricted look at Zimmerman's mail.
Controversy after first lady presents Oscar: "Instead of making her one of the people, it put her above the people," says Donny Deutsch
First Lady Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the Oscars Sunday to present the biggest award of the evening.
Erin Burnett asks whether the Oscar appearance was appropriate.
OutFront tonight: Donny Deutsch, Chairman of Deutsch Inc., one of the country's largest advertising agencies and onetime member of the Clinton-Gore 1992 communications team.
Pistorius case reminiscent of killing by Rugby Player
As part of his bail agreement, Oscar Pistorius checked in Monday with authorities.
Meanwhile, Pistorius' defense team could be looking closely at a 2004 case that is eerily similar. A professional South African Rugby player was cleared after killing his 19-year-old daughter because he claims she thought she was a thief.
Prosecutors in that case opted not to press charges – saying the defendant had suffered enough after the loss of his daughter.
Nic Robertson is OutFront with that story.
Four days until forced spending cuts take effect with no sign of deal
The Dow posted its worst loss of 2013 Monday, dropping 216 points after a late-day sell off. U.S. stocks plummeted on worries Italy's election results could spark another European debt crisis.
Another thing that has traders on edge are the forced spending cuts set to take effect in four days.
Erin Burnett acknowledges that the cuts are poorly designed. But Democrats and Republicans shook hands and did a deal that consisted of $1.2 trillion in forced cuts over ten years. Cuts, not revenue. And now, Democrats want to change the terms.
"These cuts do not have to happen. Congress can turn them off anytime with just a little bit of compromise," Pres. Obama said.
But Republicans say they've already done that.
"The president says we have to do another tax increase in order to avoid the sequester. Well Mr. President you got your tax increase. It's time to cut spending here in Washington, " House Speaker John Boehner said.
Is this fair?
OutFront tonight: Gene Sperling, Director of the National Economic Council.
