1. VIOLENCE ESCALATES IN SYRIA
Syrian forces continue to bombard the opposition in the city of Homs, while world leaders debate how best to help rebel forces and civilians. In the last week, Homs residents and activists say hundreds have been killed as President Bashar al-Assad tries to stamp out the country's pro-democracy uprising with military force. [Reuters]
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2. SANTORUM RAISES $1 MILLION IN ONE DAY
In the wake of his three-state sweep on Tuesday, Rick Santorum's presidential campaign says it raised nearly $1 million in 24 hours, and Santorum is continuing his fundraising push on Thursday. At a rally Wednesday in Texas, Santorum focused on culture issues, saying President Obama has an "overt hostility to faith." [ABC News]
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3. $26 BILLION FORECLOSURE SETTLEMENT NEARS COMPLETION
California and New York have signed on to a settlement with the country's biggest banks over foreclosure abuses. The deal would provide as much as $26 billion in relief to some two million current and former homeowners hurt by the collapse of the housing bubble. As of Wednesday night, at least 42 states were on board, although the final details of the settlement are still being hammered out after months of difficult negotiations. [New York Times]
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4. WASHINGTON TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE
On Wednesday, Washington state legislators passed a bill that would allow gay marriage in the state and make Washington the seventh state in the country to let same-sex partners to marry. Opponents say they'll fight the new legislation with a November ballot measure.
[AP]
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5. GREECE FAILS TO MAKE A DEAL
As of early Thursday, Greek leaders still hadn't managed to agree to the austerity measures demanded by creditors, despite all-night talks. The impasse leaves the country's critical $130-billion bailout in limbo. Reportedly, disagreements about pension reform are impeding the deal. [Reuters]
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6. FEDS TO OKAY GOOGLE-MOTOROLA DEAL
Despite antitrust concerns, sources say the U.S. Justice Department will approve Google's $12.5-billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility, perhaps as soon as next week. The feds are also set to approve a $4.5-billion deal made by a pact of tech companies, including Microsoft, Apple, and Research in Motion, to acquire $4.5 billion worth of valuable smartphone-related patents from Nortel Networks. [Wall Street Journal]
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7. GROUPON REPORTS $42.7 MILLION LOSS
After trading closed Wednesday, the daily deals darling reported a net loss of $42.7 million for the fourth quarter. While the number was an improvement over the previous year, it disappointed analysts, who expected to see a modest profit. However, Groupon posted revenue of $506.5 million, exceeding expectations. The company's stock fell more than 15 percent in after-hours trading. [Chicago Tribune]
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8. CNN SUSPENDS ROLAND MARTIN FOR HOMOPHOBIC TWEETS
The cable news network announced Wednesday that it was suspending political analyst Roland Martin for tweeting remarks during the Super Bowl that seemed to call for violence against homosexuals. The network called the tweets "regrettable and offensive." [CNN]
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9. FOX CANCELS HOUSE
The network and show creators have announced that the quirky, beloved medical drama will end after this season, its eighth. Last November, the show's star, Hugh Laurie, said he would likely retire from acting when House ended. [Entertainment Weekly]
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10. A NEW BOURNE IS BORN
The internet is buzzing over the first trailer for Bourne Legacy, the first Bourne movie to star Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and not Matt Damon. Renner plays a new agent, Aaron Cross, as the story moves away from Damon's Jason Bourne.
