10 things you need to know today: January 24, 2015

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1. Supreme Court to examine Oklahoma's lethal-injection protocol
2. Obama to cut India trip short to visit Saudi Arabia
3. Pro-Russian rebels reject peace deal with Ukraine, launch offensive
4. Egyptian court orders retrial for 37 Muslim Brotherhood members
5. U.S. removes more embassy staff amid crisis in Yemen
6. WHO: The fight against Ebola has reached a 'turning point'
7. New Saudi King Salman begins naming successors
8. Uber resumes service in New Delhi
9. 'Mr. Cub' Hall of Famer Ernie Banks dies at age 83
10. In-flight catalog SkyMall files for bankruptcy

published 24 January 2015

1. Supreme Court to examine Oklahoma's lethal-injection protocol

The Supreme Court announced on Friday that it will review Oklahoma's lethal-injection protocol, determining whether the state's current methods qualify as cruel and unusual punishment, which is constitutionally prohibited under the Eighth Amendment. Oklahoma has been under the microscope since the botched execution last year of Clayton Lockett. The justices will hear arguments in April — at least a month after three Oklahoma inmates who have filed the suit are currently scheduled for execution. The inmates' attorneys will likely try to have those executions stayed, pending the court's decision.

President Barack Obama will cancel the end of his India itinerary, opting instead to fly to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and pay his respects to the late King Abdullah's family, White House officials said on Saturday. Obama, who left Washington on Saturday morning for his second presidential trip to India, was scheduled to visit the country's iconic Taj Mahal on Tuesday. He will still serve as India's chief guest at Monday's Republic Day celebration — a first for an American leader — and meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Pro-Russian militants rejected an already-signed peace deal on Friday, instead announcing a new offensive against Ukrainian troops. A peace deal signed in September called for a ceasefire, but that has been repeatedly violated by both sides in the months since. The rebels have pushed farther west from their stronghold in eastern Ukraine, aided by what Western officials say are weapons provided by Russia; Moscow continues to deny that it is supporting the militants.

An Egyptian court ordered on Saturday that 37 Muslim Brotherhood members sentenced to death, along with 115 others sentenced to life in prison, should be retried following a swift mass trial last year. The March 2014 trial lasted just a few days and tried more than 500 defendants, some in absentia. The 152 slated to stand retrial again face charges that they attacked government forces trying to clear out two Muslim Brotherhood protest camps in August 2013, as Brotherhood members demonstrated against President Mohamed Mursi's ousting by the military.

More staff members were pulled from the U.S. embassy in Yemen late Thursday, following the collapse of the country's government — U.S.-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, his prime minister, and his cabinet all resigned on Thursday night under pressure from Shiite Houthi rebels. While officials said the embassy remains open and is continuing to operate, they are concerned the ensuing chaos in the country could open up opportunities for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to strengthen.

The World Health Organization announced on Thursday that the global fight against the current Ebola outbreak has reached a "turning point." The three West African countries hit hardest — Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone — have seen a significant drop in the number of reported cases. Liberia saw just eight new cases of Ebola last week, compared to as many as 509 cases per week at the outbreak's height. Numbers are similarly descending in Guinea and Sierra Leone. The WHO said the statistics, while promising, are not reason to withdraw efforts on eradicating the disease and preventing reinfection.

Hours after the death of Saudi King Abdullah on Friday, his successor, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, named his half-brother Prince Muqrin as crown prince and designated successor, as decreed last year by the late Abdullah. But Salman, 79, also named a nephew, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef — interior minister and a son of late Crown Prince Nayef — as deputy crown prince, making him second in line to the throne and effectively ensuring a stable succession of rule for years to come. Salman's first speech as king promised that the country will maintain "the straight course that this country has followed since its establishment."

Uber Technologies announced on Friday that it had resumed operations in New Delhi. The ride-sharing company was banned in India's capital last month, after a woman claimed she was raped by an Uber driver during a ride. Uber said it had applied to become a licensed radio taxi operator in the city. Previously, the company maintained it was not a taxi company. Licensed radio cab firms must have at least 200 vehicles, as well as panic buttons in the vehicles and 24-hour call centers.

Ernie Banks, the Chicago Cubs' famed slugger and eventual Hall of Famer, died on Friday night. He was 83 years old. Banks made his MLB debut in 1953 and played 19 seasons, racking up 512 home runs and twice landing the league's MVP award. Despite his personal accomplishments, Banks played for a string of Cubs teams that finished below .500, and he never reached the postseason. Still, Banks was known for his sunny outlook; his catchphrase — "It's a great day for baseball. Let's play two." — is written on his statue outside Wrigley Field.

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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.