Top Weekend Links: Snowden takes flight from Hong Kong

From Ecuador to South Africa, here are some of the top stories from the weekend.

From Ecuador to South Africa, here are some of the top stories from the weekend:

• Edward Snowden has left Hong Kong. After the U.S. charged the NSA leaker with espionage on Friday, Wikileaks announced Sunday it Snowden was en route to Ecuador to seek asylum. (MSNBC)
• According to Vice President Joe Biden, “at least five senators” want to change their votes in support of expanded background checks. Biden revealed this information at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Las Vegas on Friday, adding, “The calculus has changed, and so we’re in an effort to try to work out how we can provide another opportunity for those who voted no to change their vote.” (Politico)
• Texas Republicans are pushing to pass some of the country’s most restrictive abortion laws in the country. There are several bills under consideration, including a 20-week abortion ban and one that would require “37 out of 42 abortion clinics…to close and undergo millions of dollars in upgrades.” (Dallas Morning News)
• Sen. Rand Paul went on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday morning to say he’s “all in favor of immigration reform,” but he doesn’t think the border is secure enough to warrant a vote on an immigration bill right now. (Think Progress)
• Opening statements will begin Monday in the trial of George Zimmerman. (NBC Nightly News)
• Nelson Mandela is in critical condition as of Sunday, reports South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma. (MSNBC)

And, finally, as the week begins—here’s what everyone will be talking about: the Supreme Court still has three “blockbuster cases” to rule on… (Associated Press)