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Anchored by Jake Tapper, The Lead airs at 4 p.m. ET on CNN.
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world lead
Analysis: Will jury convict Zimmerman of manslaughter instead?
The defense could rest its case as early as Wednesday in the George Zimmerman murder trial. In order for the jury to find Zimmerman guilty of the charge of second degree murder, the prosecutors have to show that Zimmerman acted with a depraved mind when he shot and killed Trayvon Martin.
The prosecution, said criminal defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden, has failed in that regard.
"That charge is not going to fly ... George Zimmerman didn't go out intending to hunt someone down because of ill will, spite," said Baden. "In my opinion, at most this is manslaughter or aggravated battery."
CNN legal analyst Sunny Hostin disagrees.
"I don't think that we at this point can say the jury will never convict of second degree murder, because there is evidence of ill will, spite, hatred, using George Zimmerman's very words. So that's still very much on the table," said Hostin.
FULL POST
world lead
Egypt's military moves to allay fears of instability
Cairo (CNN) - Less than a week after overthrowing the nation's first democratically elected president, Egyptian Armed Forces sought Tuesday to portray itself as a stabilizing force fully capable of handling the anger and unrest that have divided the nation.
"Destruction of public property or the stability of the state will not be tolerated," the military said in a statement broadcast on state television. "A constitutional declaration has been issued and the road to transition is clear, so people should feel secure."
The announcement came a day after 51 people were killed in clashes between the Muslim Brotherhood and the military over the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsy and as the fledgling new government announced it had filled key roles.
world lead
Obama strongly considers withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan in 2014
By Jessica Yellin, CNN Chief White House Correspondent
(CNN) - President Barack Obama is seriously considering withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2014, a senior administration official told CNN.
The official's comments came after The New York Times reportedthe administration was looking at speeding up the troop withdrawal to the "zero option," leaving no U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Until now, U.S. and Afghan officials had been discussing plans to keep a small force behind to fight insurgents and to train Afghan security personnel.
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