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Sri Lanka rebels call airstrike a success (AP) February 21, 2009 at 4:00 am AP - Tamil Tiger rebels said Saturday the two planes they sent on a daring air attack over Sri Lanka's capital that killed four people, including the two pilots, were on a kamikaze mission and were not shot down. House Speaker Pelosi meets with Karzai in Kabul (AP) February 21, 2009 at 4:00 am AP - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Saturday where the two likely talked about the incoming surge of U.S. forces. Dissidents held during Clinton Beijing visit (AP) February 21, 2009 at 3:31 am AP - Chinese police are monitoring dissidents and confining some to their homes during this weekend's visit by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a rights group said Saturday. Syria, US explore improving ties as Kerry visits (AP) February 21, 2009 at 2:52 am AP - The United States and Syria are exploring the possibility of a new era of better relations after years of tension — but questions remain over just how much common ground exists between the two. Obama nixes plan to tax motorists on mileage (AP) February 21, 2009 at 2:46 am AP - President Barack Obama on Friday rejected his transportation secretary's suggestion that the administration consider taxing motorists based on how many miles they drive instead of how much gasoline they buy. SINGLE WOMAN CAN'T ACCEPT GUARDIANSHIP FOR THREE KIDS (Dear Abby) February 21, 2009 at 2:17 am Dear Abby - DEAR ABBY: Six years ago, my best friend asked me to be godmother to her beautiful little daughter, "Sharona." At the time she made it clear that if I accepted, she and her husband would name me as Sharona's guardian in their will. I was deeply touched that they would trust me with such an important responsibility and was happy to accept. Clinton in China pushes environment, finance (AP) February 21, 2009 at 2:08 am AP - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chinese officials agreed Saturday to focus their governments' efforts on stabilizing the battered global economy and combating climate change, putting aside long-standing concerns about human rights. Obama warns mayors not to waste stimulus money (AP) February 20, 2009 at 9:33 pm AP - Invoking his own name-and-shame policy, President Barack Obama warned the nation's mayors on Friday that he will "call them out" if they waste the money from his massive economic stimulus plan. Official: Pentagon report says Gitmo is humane (AP) February 20, 2009 at 9:32 pm AP - The Pentagon says the Guantanamo Bay prison meets the standard for humane treatment laid out in the Geneva Conventions, according to a report for President Barack Obama, who has ordered the terrorist detention center closed within a year. Some denounce Obama's homeowner rescue as unfair (AP) February 20, 2009 at 9:31 pm AP - Banks got bailed out. So did automakers. So why not struggling homeowners? The question has struck a raw nerve across the country, with critics saying the Obama administration's latest housing rescue rewards people who bought homes they couldn't afford. Others counter that the taxpayer-financed plan will slow spiraling home prices and avert a deeper economic disaster. Rihanna won't discuss Chris Brown, but thanks fans (AP) February 20, 2009 at 9:26 pm AP - As police probe whether one of their own leaked a picture of a bruised and beaten woman that appears to be Rihanna, the image is sparking a discussion of the impact it could have on the issue of domestic violence. The celebrity Web site TMZ, which posted the photo Thursday night, did not explain its origin. The site wrote only that it was taken after an altercation between platinum-selling singer and her boyfriend, fellow pop star Chris Brown. San Francisco man faces fallout from `Wife Swap' (AP) February 20, 2009 at 8:31 pm AP - It's safe to say Stephen Fowler probably wishes he never appeared on "Wife Swap." Socks, the Clintons' White House cat, dies (AP) February 20, 2009 at 8:01 pm AP - Socks, the White House cat during the Clinton administration who waged war on Buddy the pup, has died. He was around 18. Stocks tumble but close well off lows (AP) February 20, 2009 at 4:49 pm AP - Despairing investors keep unloading stocks — and there are no signs that the selling will end anytime soon. Obama warns mayors not to waste stimulus money (AP) February 20, 2009 at 4:49 pm AP - Invoking his own name-and-shame policy, President Barack Obama warned the nation's mayors on Friday that he will "call them out" if they waste the money from his massive economic stimulus plan. Trustee: Some Madoff stock trades were fiction (AP) February 20, 2009 at 4:49 pm AP - Investors wiped out by the Bernard Madoff scandal got more bad news on Friday: Investigators have confirmed suspicions that the monthly statements showing the disgraced financier was making stock trades for them were pure fiction. Ex-death row inmate's DNA not found on evidence (AP) February 20, 2009 at 4:45 pm AP - DNA from key evidence in a Tennessee woman's slaying does not match the man who spent more than two decades on death row for killing her, according to new FBI lab tests. 'Slumdog' kids get ready for a trip to the Oscars (AP) February 20, 2009 at 4:39 pm AP - In the slums where they live, goats pick over piles of trash and men kneel in the street to pray. But the young stars of "Slumdog Millionaire" were cruising Mumbai in an air-conditioned Toyota Friday, doing last-minute shopping and getting advice on the unimaginable: air travel. NKorea could be ready to test fire missile in days: analysts (AFP) February 20, 2009 at 4:22 pm AFP - North Korea could be ready to test fire an intermediate range ballistic missile by the end of the month, respected defence analysis group Jane's said Friday. Cyrus: Nothing `weird' about relationship with dad (AP) February 20, 2009 at 4:21 pm AP - Miley Cyrus doesn't like to admit it, but she's bothered by people who think there's something wrong with the bond between her and her dad, singer Billy Ray Cyrus. George Mason U. elects man as homecoming queen (AP) February 20, 2009 at 4:16 pm AP - George Mason University students have elected a drag queen as homecoming queen. Student Ryan Allen beat out two women for the title at the 30,000-student school in suburban Washington, D.C., famous for its run to the Final Four a few years back. Allen competed under his drag queen persona of Reann Ballslee. California's video game law ruled unconstitutional (Reuters) February 20, 2009 at 3:59 pm Reuters - A U.S. appeals court ruled Friday that a California law restricting the sales and rental of violent video games to minors and imposing labeling requirements is too restrictive and violates free speech guarantees. GM shares hit 74-year low (AP) February 20, 2009 at 2:38 pm AP - General Motors Corp. shares on Friday tumbled to their lowest level in more than 70 years, pulled down by a drop in the broader markets and continued speculation about the future of the struggling automaker. Activists 'shocked' at Clinton stance on China rights (AFP) February 20, 2009 at 1:29 pm AFP - Amnesty International and a pro-Tibet group voiced shock Friday after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton vowed not to let human rights concerns hinder cooperation with China. Illinois gov.: Burris should resign from Senate (AP) February 20, 2009 at 12:40 pm AP - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says Sen. Roland Burris should resign his post for the good of the state. US soldier guilty of murder in deaths of 4 Iraqis (AP) February 20, 2009 at 12:21 pm AP - A U.S. Army medic was convicted of murder Friday for his involvement in the execution-style slayings of four bound and blindfolded Iraqi detainees shot in the back of the head in the spring of 2007. `Project Runway' tapes season 6 finale in NYC (AP) February 20, 2009 at 12:12 pm AP - "Project Runway" taped its sixth-season finale Friday, but something was missing: the finalists. Questioning Stanford's returns could get you fired (AP) February 20, 2009 at 10:26 am AP - While R. Allen Stanford's investors were swallowing claims of vast returns on safe investments, some of his employees weren't so sure. Jack Straw grants Goody her wedding night wish (AFP) February 20, 2009 at 7:42 am AFP - Justice Secretary Jack Straw granted dying reality television star Jade Goody her wedding wish on Friday, allowing her husband-to-be to spend the night with her after they marry this weekend. NY Post apologizes — to some — over Obama cartoon (AP) February 20, 2009 at 4:43 am AP - After two days of protests, the New York Post apologized Thursday for a cartoon that some have interpreted as comparing President Barack Obama to a violent chimpanzee gunned down by police. But the newspaper also said its longtime antagonists exploited the image for revenge. MARRIAGES BLESSED IN CHURCH NOT LICENSED AT COURTHOUSE (Dear Abby) February 20, 2009 at 2:17 am Dear Abby - DEAR READERS: Since I printed the letter from "Deceived in Arizona" (Nov. 30), I have learned that not only individuals, but also some churches feel so strongly about separating the legal aspect of marriage from the religious that they have voted to only "bless unions," and their clergy no longer sign marriage licenses.