My Favorite News

Palin aides lash out at HBO's 'Game Change' (AP)

AP - Current and former aides to Sarah Palin lashed out Wednesday at HBO's "Game Change," describing the upcoming film's depictions of her on the 2008 campaign trail as "sick" and inaccurate.

Santorum on the defensive early in debate (AP)

AP - Rick Santorum is on the defensive at the GOP presidential debate, taking criticism from GOP opponents who say he's not a fiscal conservative.

Authorities tracing phone of mountain man's family (AP)

AP - Troy James Knapp is a wanted man, a mountain recluse authorities say is responsible for more than two dozen cabin burglaries in the remote southern Utah wilderness. He's considered armed and dangerous, a ticking time bomb.

Opening GOP debate, Romney pounces on Santorum (AP)

AP - Republicans Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are sparring in what is likely to be the final debate before the next slate of states has nominating contests, trading barbs on Washington spending and borrowing.

Simon Cowell says learned to keep his mouth shut (Reuters)

Reuters - Television entrepreneur Simon Cowell says he's learned one lesson from the U.S. launch of his TV show "The X Factor". To keep his big mouth shut.

Jai Courtney to play Jack McClane in new "Die Hard" film (Reuters)

Reuters - Jai Courtney, an Australian television star, will play Jack McClane in "A Good Day to Die Hard," Fox said Wednesday.

Struggling Floridians line up for a chance to keep homes (Reuters)

Reuters - Nearly 1,200 people lined up at a downtown Miami conference center on Wednesday, holding onto mortgage documents and income statements in the hope of saving the homes they are struggling to pay for.

Swedish palace: crown princess about to give birth (AP)

AP - The Swedish Royal Court says Crown Princess Victoria has been admitted to a hospital for the birth of her first child, who would be a future heir to the throne.

Man's childhood comic collection fetches $3.5M (AP)

AP - Billy Wright plunked down dime after dime for comic books while growing up in the late 1930s and early 1940s, caring for the collection he started around the age of 9 until his death more than half a century later. On Wednesday, most of that collection sold for a whopping $3.5 million.

Obama urges corporate tax cut, closing loopholes (Reuters)

Reuters - President Barack Obama made an opening offer in what could be a long negotiation with corporate America on Wednesday, putting forward his first detailed plan to cut the corporate tax rate.

OnLive Desktop Plus impressions: A Windows 7 desktop on your iPad, now with a browser (Digital Trends)

Digital Trends - In January, video game streaming company OnLive decided to enter the remote desktop space with âOnLive Desktop.â The service allows anyone with an iPad (and soon Android or any other computing platform) to access a Windows 7 desktop in the cloud and use it much like any computer. It comes with 2GB of cloud storage and access to Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. All for free. Unfortunately, it was missing one critical element: a browser. OnLive restricted access to the browser and didnât allow the installation of apps. OnLive Desktop Plus changes this.

Knicks coach hopes practice makes perfect (Reuters)

Reuters - New York Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni is looking forward to some rare downtime following this weekend's All-Star game that will give him a chance to fit all the moving pieces of his team together for the second half of the season.

Fans, celebs react to Rihanna/Chris Brown collaboration (Reuters)

Reuters - With their mutual collaborations released on Monday, Rihanna and Chris Brown have taken an important step forward in mending their relationship, following the savage beating that Brown gave Rihanna in 2009.

Police say love triangle led to CA murder-suicide (AP)

AP - A 73-year-old gunman entangled in a love triangle shot and killed the treasurer of a remote-controlled airplane club who police said was having an affair with the estranged wife of the attacker.

Virginia lawmakers pass revised ultrasound requirement (Reuters)

Reuters - Virginia lawmakers on Wednesday passed a revised ultrasound requirement for women seeking abortions that dropped a mandatory internal scan, after Republican Governor Bob McDonnell shifted his stance on the hotly contested measure.

Obama signs payroll tax cut extension into law (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama has signed an extension of the Social Security payroll tax cut through the end of the year.

Philippine ex-leader Arroyo to be arraigned (AP)

AP - Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to enter a plea on electoral fraud charges at the first day of a trial that the court calls a historic event.

Argentine train slams into station, killing 49 (AP)

AP - The first two cars were packed as usual for the morning rush, so tightly that people stood pressed flesh to flesh, sandwiched between bicycles and the few seats, many without so much as a strap to hold onto.

Texas man gets life in prison in torture case (AP)

AP - A Texas man who kidnapped his former neighbor and tortured her while holding her captive nearly two weeks was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison.

Police: Girl forced to run 3 hours dies; 2 charged (AP)

AP - At the end of a dirt road leading to a doublewide trailer in rural Alabama, authorities say 9-year-old Savannah Hardin was being forced to run for three hours as punishment for having lied to her grandmother about eating candy bars. The severely dehydrated girl had a seizure and died days later, her death ruled a homicide.

Australian PM calls party vote as challenger rises (AP)

AP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard put her job on the line Thursday, announcing a leadership ballot in hopes of quashing a comeback by the premier she ousted in a Labor Party coup. But Kevin Rudd's supporters said that even if Gillard survives Monday's vote, the turmoil surrounding her unpopular government will continue until she is out.

Jennifer Aniston: Friends Reunion Movie "Doesn't Make Sense to Me" (omg!)

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How Bridesmaids Star Ellie Kemper Is Prepping for the Oscars (omg!)

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Kim Kardashian Settles With Publicist Jonathan Jaxson, Receives Public Apology (omg!)

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8-year-old critical after Wash. school shooting (AP)

AP - An 8-year-old girl who was shot at her elementary school in Washington state is in critical condition.

U.S. advisers back experimental obesity pill (Reuters)

Reuters - Experimental obesity drug Qnexa won the backing of U.S. health advisors on Wednesday, raising hopes for approval of the first prescription weight-loss pill in 13 years.

2nd degree murder verdict in lacrosse death trial (AP)

AP - Jurors found a former University of Virginia lacrosse player guilty of second-degree murder Wednesday in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend that was fueled by jealousy over her relationship with another lacrosse player.

Lesbian federal worker wins health benefits case (AP)

AP - A federal judge in San Francisco says the U.S. government cannot deny health benefits to the wife of a lesbian court employee by relying on the 1996 law that bars government recognition of same-sex unions.

Japan cuts in Iran crude imports could be over 20 percent (Reuters)

Reuters - Japan is in final talks with Washington on an agreement on cuts in Iranian crude oil imports that could amount to more than 20 percent a year, the Nikkei business daily reported on Thursday, as Tokyo seeks to win waivers from U.S. sanctions.

HP CEO pleads patience as earnings fall 44 pct (AP)

AP - Hewlett-Packard Co. CEO Meg Whitman pleaded for patience Thursday as she described operational challenges and other internal problems that contributed to a decline in earnings at one of the world's largest technology companies.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Pals Donate Wizard of Ozâs Ruby Slippers (omg!)

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The J. ...

Grey's Anatomy Scoop: Adele's Alzheimer's Takes a Turn for the Worse (omg!)

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Richard's had a rough year on

Woods survives, Donald doesn't at Match Play (AP)

AP - Luke Donald won't be playing the 18th hole at Dove Mountain this year, either.

Judge says Wash. can't make pharmacies sell Plan B (AP)

AP - Washington state cannot force pharmacies to sell Plan B or other emergency contraceptives, a federal judge ruled Wednesday, saying the state's true goal was to suppress religious objections by druggists — not to promote timely access to the medicines for people who need them.

Shelling kills 2 Western journalists in Syria (AP)

AP - Syrian gunners pounded an opposition stronghold where the last dispatches from a veteran American-born war correspondent chronicled the suffering of civilians caught in the relentless shelling. An intense morning barrage killed her and a French photojournalist — two of 74 deaths reported Wednesday in Syria.

Romney and Santorum seek edge in 20th debate (AP)

AP - Struggling for an edge, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum campaigned Wednesday into the 20th and possibly final debate of the roller-coaster race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Everything Everywhere sees LTE rollout this year (Reuters)

Reuters - Everything Everywhere, Britain's biggest mobile carrier, expects to start building a next-generation LTE network by the end of the year, catching up with the United States and parts of Scandinavia and Asia that already have more advanced networks.

Newark mayor: NYPD Muslim files 'deeply offensive' (AP)

AP - The mayor and police director of New Jersey's largest city said Wednesday the New York Police Department misled their city and never told them it was conducting a widespread spying operation on Newark's Muslim neighborhoods. Had they known, they said, they never would have allowed it.

Assad forces renew barrage on Syria's Homs (Reuters)

Reuters - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces rained rockets and bombs down on opposition-held neighborhoods of the city of Homs, reducing buildings to rubble and killing more than 80 people, including two Western journalists.

Chavez surgery throws Venezuela into uncertainty (AP)

AP - President Hugo Chavez has never been one to share decision-making authority. Now, the voluble socialist strongman and acerbic critic of the U.S. may have no choice but to designate a successor.

Verdict reached in Virginia lacrosse murder trial (Reuters)

Reuters - Jurors have reached a verdict in the first-degree murder case against a former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in 2010, a city spokesman said Wednesday evening.

Octavia Spencer: "I'm Going to Get My Boobs Lifted" After the Oscars (omg!)

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SAG union calls opponents' lawsuit a "stunt" (omg!)

omg! - LOS ANGELES, Feb 22 (TheWrap.com) - The Screen Actors Guild called a lawsuit filed by a group that opposes a SAG merger with AFTRA a "publicity stunt" and its claims "preposterous" on Wednesday -- the same day the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Los Angeles. "We are confident that our actions are appropriate and consistent with the law and our own rules of procedure," the union said in a written statement. The lawsuit claims SAG has been dishonest about the effects of the proposed merger and is withholding information. ...

Washington state third grader shoots classmate (Reuters)

Reuters - A boy in the third grade at a Washington state elementary school shot a female classmate on Wednesday, a school district spokeswoman said.

Police say Wash. school shooting leaves 1 injured (AP)

AP - An 8-year-old girl was shot in the abdomen at an elementary school in Washington state Wednesday afternoon and one of her classmates was detained, authorities said.

Can the government force you to decrypt private data? (Digital Trends)

Digital Trends - Last month, a federal judge in Denver ordered a suspect to provide the government with the unencrypted contents of a computer she shared with her family. The order was put off while lawyers took the case to an appeals court, arguing the order violates Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination. Now, however, it looks as though theÂ defendantÂ will either have to decrypt her laptop or face contempt of court charges. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to get involved, saying the criminal case has to reach a conclusion before it comes within the appealsâ court jurisdiction. The defendant has until February 27 to hand over her data.

California Republicans back Democrat governor on pensions (Reuters)

Reuters - Republican lawmakers in California on Wednesday fully embraced Governor Jerry Brown's plan for overhauling public pensions and pressed his fellow Democrats, who control the state legislature, to back it as well.

Seinfeld Actor Survives After Shooting Self in Head (omg!)

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Seinfeld actor

David Cross "Not Ashamed" of Doing Cocaine Near President Obama (omg!)

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Rivals blast Verizon's bid for cable airwaves (Reuters)

Reuters - Rivals to Verizon Wireless are urging U.S. communications regulators to block the company's multibillion dollar deals to buy wireless airwaves from cable operators, saying the transactions will hurt competition.

My Favorite News

Palin aides lash out at HBO's 'Game Change' (AP)

Santorum on the defensive early in debate (AP)

Authorities tracing phone of mountain man's family (AP)

Opening GOP debate, Romney pounces on Santorum (AP)

Simon Cowell says learned to keep his mouth shut (Reuters)

Jai Courtney to play Jack McClane in new "Die Hard" film (Reuters)

Struggling Floridians line up for a chance to keep homes (Reuters)

Swedish palace: crown princess about to give birth (AP)

Man's childhood comic collection fetches $3.5M (AP)

Obama urges corporate tax cut, closing loopholes (Reuters)

OnLive Desktop Plus impressions: A Windows 7 desktop on your iPad, now with a browser (Digital Trends)

Knicks coach hopes practice makes perfect (Reuters)

Fans, celebs react to Rihanna/Chris Brown collaboration (Reuters)

Police say love triangle led to CA murder-suicide (AP)

Virginia lawmakers pass revised ultrasound requirement (Reuters)

Obama signs payroll tax cut extension into law (AP)

Philippine ex-leader Arroyo to be arraigned (AP)

Argentine train slams into station, killing 49 (AP)

Texas man gets life in prison in torture case (AP)

Police: Girl forced to run 3 hours dies; 2 charged (AP)

Australian PM calls party vote as challenger rises (AP)

Jennifer Aniston: Friends Reunion Movie "Doesn't Make Sense to Me" (omg!)

How Bridesmaids Star Ellie Kemper Is Prepping for the Oscars (omg!)

Kim Kardashian Settles With Publicist Jonathan Jaxson, Receives Public Apology (omg!)

8-year-old critical after Wash. school shooting (AP)

U.S. advisers back experimental obesity pill (Reuters)

2nd degree murder verdict in lacrosse death trial (AP)

Lesbian federal worker wins health benefits case (AP)

Japan cuts in Iran crude imports could be over 20 percent (Reuters)

HP CEO pleads patience as earnings fall 44 pct (AP)

Leonardo DiCaprio and Pals Donate Wizard of Ozâs Ruby Slippers (omg!)

Grey's Anatomy Scoop: Adele's Alzheimer's Takes a Turn for the Worse (omg!)

Woods survives, Donald doesn't at Match Play (AP)

Judge says Wash. can't make pharmacies sell Plan B (AP)

Shelling kills 2 Western journalists in Syria (AP)

Romney and Santorum seek edge in 20th debate (AP)

Everything Everywhere sees LTE rollout this year (Reuters)

Newark mayor: NYPD Muslim files 'deeply offensive' (AP)

Assad forces renew barrage on Syria's Homs (Reuters)

Chavez surgery throws Venezuela into uncertainty (AP)

Verdict reached in Virginia lacrosse murder trial (Reuters)

Octavia Spencer: "I'm Going to Get My Boobs Lifted" After the Oscars (omg!)

SAG union calls opponents' lawsuit a "stunt" (omg!)

Washington state third grader shoots classmate (Reuters)

Police say Wash. school shooting leaves 1 injured (AP)

Can the government force you to decrypt private data? (Digital Trends)

California Republicans back Democrat governor on pensions (Reuters)

Seinfeld Actor Survives After Shooting Self in Head (omg!)

David Cross "Not Ashamed" of Doing Cocaine Near President Obama (omg!)

Rivals blast Verizon's bid for cable airwaves (Reuters)

Leonardo DiCaprio and Pals Donate Wizard of Ozâs Ruby Slippers (omg!)