Russia warns against 'hasty conclusions' over Iran (AP)

AP - Russia said Wednesday the world should not draw "hasty conclusions" over Iran's most recent rebuff of U.N. attempts to investigate allegations the Islamic Republic hid secret work on atomic arms, but the U.S. and its allies accused Tehran of nuclear defiance.

Obama seeks corporate tax rate cut, loophole limit (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama rolled out a corporate tax overhaul plan Wednesday that lowers rates but also eliminates loopholes and subsidies cherished by the business world. A long-shot for action in an election year, the plan nevertheless stamps Obama's imprint on one of the most high-profile issues of the presidential campaign.

Air Canada mechanics, baggage handlers reject labor (Reuters)

Reuters - Air Canada's about 8,600 mechanics, baggage handlers and cargo agents have rejected a tentative labor agreement with the country's biggest airline, a union spokesman said on Wednesday.

Immigration chief seeks to reassure Silicon Valley (AP)

AP - The Obama administration's top immigration official said Wednesday he wants to keep more foreign-born high-tech entrepreneurs in the U.S. But to make that happen, he said he needs those entrepreneurs to turn their creativity to immigration itself.

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.

Congressional offices receive mailed threats (AP)

AP - Some congressional offices have received threatening letters containing a "suspicious powdery substance," the Senate's top law enforcement officer said Wednesday.

Judge strikes down law mandating sale of contraception (Reuters)

Reuters - A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that Washington state cannot require pharmacists to dispense emergency contraceptives if to do so violates their religious beliefs.

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

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

Obama seeks corporate tax rate cut, loophole limit (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama rolled out a corporate tax overhaul plan Wednesday that lowers rates but also eliminates loopholes and subsidies cherished by the business world. A long-shot for action in an election year, the plan nevertheless stamps Obama's imprint on one of the most high-profile issues of the presidential campaign.

Treasury says Europe needs solid debt firewall (Reuters)

Reuters - It is "critical" that Europe put up a convincing firewall against the risk of financial contagion from its debt crisis before more aid from the International Monetary Fund is discussed, a top Treasury Department official said on Wednesday.

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.

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.

Santorum mocks Romney ahead of Arizona GOP debate (AP)

AP - Rick Santorum acknowledged Wednesday that he's probably running behind Mitt Romney in Arizona, but he implored a tea party crowd not to settle for "a Johnny-come-lately to the conservative cause."

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.

Immigration chief seeks to reassure Silicon Valley (AP)

AP - The Obama administration's top immigration official says he wants to keep more foreign-born high-tech entrepreneurs in the U.S. But to make that happen, he said he needs those entrepreneurs to turn their creativity to immigration itself.

Scientist admits taking, leaking think-tank papers (AP)

AP - In the field of climate science, when someone — especially skeptics — did something ethically questionable or misrepresented facts, scientist Peter Gleick was usually among the first and loudest to cry foul. He chaired a prominent scientific society's ethics committee. He created an award for what he considered lies about global warming.

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.

Virginia lawmakers OK revised requirement for abortions (Reuters)

Reuters - Virginia lawmakers on Wednesday passed a revised ultrasound requirement for women seeking abortions after Republican Governor Bob McDonnell shifted his stance on the measure.

Poll: Obama benefitting from improving economy (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama is reaping political benefits from the country's brighter economic mood. A new poll shows that Republicans and Democrats alike are increasingly saying the nation is heading in the right direction and most independents now approve the way he's addressing the nation's post-recession period.

HP says 1Q earnings down 44 pct, beats Street (AP)

AP - Hewlett-Packard Co., the maker of PCs and printers, on Wednesday said its net income fell, while sales dipped 7 percent in the first full quarter under new CEO Meg Whitman.

Summary Box: Home sales up 4.3 pct. in January (AP)

AP - SALES UP: Sales of previously occupied homes rose in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.57 million, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. That's the highest level since May 2010.

Common prenatal tests become campaign issue (AP)

AP - First birth control, now prenatal testing? Once again a fact of life for many American women has become a jarring issue in the presidential race.

Oil prices rise on continued concern about Iran (AP)

AP - Oil prices rose Wednesday on the expectation that world supplies could be squeezed further because of ongoing tensions with Iran.

U.S., European security officials discount Iran-Al Qaeda links (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. and European officials are downplaying allegations that Iran and al Qaeda have recently stepped up cooperation in preparation for possible attacks on U.S. and other Western targets.

NH jury chosen in Rwanda genocide case (AP)

AP - The trial of a New Hampshire woman charged with lying about her role in the 1994 Rwanda genocide is expected to transport jurors back almost 18 years to a roadblock outside a family owned hotel in Butare where prosecutors say the defendant decided who would live and who would die.

States may tap mortgage money to fill budget gaps (AP)

AP - The ink wasn't even dry on a settlement with the nation's top mortgage lenders when Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon laid claim to a chunk of the money to avert a huge budget cut for public colleges and universities.

Burned before, Fed officials cautious on rebound (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. central bank officials have good reason to be skeptical about the strength of the economy: excessive optimism has caught them flat-footed before.

Banks sink on European economic worry (Reuters)

Reuters - Banks led stocks lower on Wednesday as the S&P 500 stalled near a 10-month-high after signs of weak European business activity rekindled concerns about a recession overseas.

Americans love to hate California: poll (Reuters)

Reuters - California, home of Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge and more people than any other state in the union, is also the most disliked of the 50 states, a new poll shows.

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

AP - Authorities are using a court order to determine if a serial cabin burglar in the southern Utah wilderness is using a cell phone to call his family.

Police: Ga. victims related in Korean spa shooting (AP)

AP - The gunman who fatally shot two of his sisters and their husbands inside a Korean spa in an Atlanta suburb had been asked to leave and came back hours later, authorities said on Wednesday.

Home resales at 1-1/2 year-high, supply falls (Reuters)

Reuters - Home resales rose to a 1-1/2-year high in January, pushing the supply of properties on the market to the lowest level in almost seven years in a hopeful sign for the housing sector.

Pro-Obama group runs anti-Romney ads in Michigan (AP)

AP - An independent group supporting President Barack Obama's re-election bid is running ads in Michigan chiding Republican candidate Mitt Romney for opposing the $80 billion auto industry bailout.

Maher: Donât judge all pols by Newt, the âbiggest fattest turd from the â90sâ (Daily Caller)

Daily Caller - On Tuesday night’s “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” HBO “Real Time” host Bill Maher explained how the GOP field has whittled itself down from nine candidates to four, and offered some choice words for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Police: 2 Ga. children reported missing found safe (AP)

AP - Authorities say they are searching for a man they believe kidnapped two young children after offering help to their mother after the family car broke down along an Atlanta-area interstate.

'Game Change' -- Anatomy of a Smear of Sarah Palin (ContributorNetwork)

ContributorNetwork - COMMENTARY | Thanks to some remarkable reporting from Big Hollywood, it has become increasingly clear the upcoming HBO movie "Game Change" is less a political melodrama than an all-out attempt to destroy the person and reputation of Sarah Palin.

âThe Sceamâ could sell for $80 million at auction (Daily Caller)

Daily Caller - The painting that launched the classic “Home Alone” moment is going on the auctioneer block — and could go for as much as $80 million.

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

AP - The bulk of a man's childhood comic book collection that included many of the most prized issues ever published has sold for about $3.5 million.

W.Va. mine boss charged with fraud in deadly blast (AP)

AP - Federal prosecutors investigating the West Virginia coal mine explosion that killed 29 men are working their way up the corporate ladder with criminal charges.

Suspect in Capitol bomb sting waives court hearing (AP)

AP - A Virginia man charged with plotting a suicide bombing inside the U.S. Capitol waived his rights Wednesday to preliminary and detention hearings.