10 things you need to know today: May 14, 2012

1. YAHOO CHIEF RESIGNS
Yahoo chief executive Scott Thompson stepped down Sunday in the wake of an embarrassing scandal over his falsely claiming on his resume that he received a degree in computer science. He had been on the job for just four months. Thompson and Yahoo conceded that the CEO had earned only an accounting degree, and that the error had been included in regulatory filings. Ross Levinsohn, Yahoo’s global head of media, will act as an interim replacement. Before stepping down, Thompson reportedly told the Yahoo board that he had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, a fact that is said to have influenced him to resign. [New York Times]
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2. PLANE CRASH IN NEPAL KILLS 15
Fifteen people are dead and six seriously injured after a plane crashed into the Himalayan mountains Monday. The plane was attempting a landing at the Jomsom Airport in northern Nepal when it went down. A preliminary investigation suggests technical problems are to blame. [Associated Press]
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3. JPMORGAN CIO TO STEP DOWN
Ina Drew, JPMorgan Chase’s chief investment officer, will reportedly resign following the financial giant’s $2-billion trading loss. Drew is one of the top women on Wall Street, and one of the highest-paid officials at JPMorgan. Sources say at least two other execs will be held responsible for the trading loss, which CEO Jamie Dimon has called “a terrible, egregious mistake.” [CBS/Associated Press]
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4. POLICE FIND 49 HEADLESS BODIES IN MEXICO
Officials in Mexico have found 49 mutilated bodies along a highway in Northern Mexico, near the city of Monterrey. Their heads, legs, and hands had been cut off, making identifying the victims difficult. The Zetas drug cartel appears to be responsible. [New York Times]
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5. NEWSWEEK CALLS OBAMA “FIRST GAY” PRESIDENT
After the president announced his support of gay marriage last week, the latest Newsweek cover declares Obama “The First Gay President.” The buzzy cover features an image of Obama wearing a rainbow-colored halo. [NewsCore]
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6. CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR PUSHING TAX HIKE
After announcing a larger-than-expected $16 billion budget shortfall over the weekend, California Governor Jerry Brown will detail plans to close the budget deficit on Monday. A large part of his plan will include raising sales and income taxes, which voters will have to approve in November. [Associated Press]
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7. GREEK PRESIDENT CALLS FOR UNITY GOVERNMENT
Greece president Karolos Papoulias has called on party leaders to continue talks after they failed to form a coalition government over the weekend. Recent elections failed to produce an outright winner, as protests over austerity measures splintered the political landscape. Leftist party Syriza came in second place in the elections, and has refused to be part of a coalition, saying that the terms of the international bailout are not acceptable. [Independent]
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8. NETHERLANDS BANS WEED FOR TOURISTS
Authorities in southern cities in the Netherlands are beginning to enforce a new law that bans foreign tourists from the pot coffee shops that have long been part of the country’s allure for certain travelers. The ban will go into effect across the country, including in Amsterdam, on January 1. [Washington Post]
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9. FBI ON THE HUNT FOR MISSIING AGENT
An FBI manhunt is under way for one of the agency’s own. Stephen Ivens, a 35-year-old FBI agent from Burbank, Calif., has been missing since Thursday. Authorities says he is suicidal and may be carrying a handgun. Bloodhounds have tracked him to an area in the nearby Verdugo Mountains. [Los Angeles Times]
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10. DAVID SEDARIS COMES UNDER SCRUTINY
After a March episode of This American Life featuring monologist Mike Daisey was found to contain many fabrications in regards to Daisey’s experience with the Chinese factory workers who assemble Apple products, NPR is also now thoroughly examining the body of work of one its regular contributors: David Sedaris. The acclaimed memoirist has been known to embellish and exaggerate real events for the sake of humor.

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