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The Two-Way
6:45 am
Wed February 22, 2012

Protests Continue In Afghanistan Over Quran Burnings; Some Killed

Credit Shah Marai / AFP/Getty Images
In Kabul today, demonstrators shouted anti-American slogans.

"At least four people have been killed and 20 injured in Afghanistan after protests spread over the burning of copies of the Koran at a US airbase," the BBC writes. "One person was killed in Kabul, one in the eastern city of Jalalabad and two in Parwan province."

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The Two-Way
6:15 am
Wed February 22, 2012

Killing Continues In Syria, Two Western Journalists Among Victims

There's more deadly news today from Syria:

"Syrian troops and militia loyal to President Bashar Assad captured and then shot dead 27 young men in northern villages and two foreign journalists were killed in shelling of the besieged city of Homs, activists said on Wednesday." (Reuters)

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Around the Nation
5:36 am
Wed February 22, 2012

Vermont Troopers Stop Buses Returning From Quebec

Buses took Boston area college students to a ski trip in Quebec, Canada. The buses were stopped on the way back, and Vermont state troopers cited 26 students for alcohol. In their defense, the drinking age in Quebec is 18, compared with 21 in the U.S. It was harder though to explain the drugs on board.

Around the Nation
5:31 am
Wed February 22, 2012

Dog Chases Mountain Lion Up A Tree

When California officials responded to a call in a wealthy Bay area suburb Tuesday, they found that an 85 lbs. German Shepherd named Cody had scared a mountain lion 30 feet up a tree. The dog is smaller than what big cats have been known to eat.

Around the Nation
5:25 am
Wed February 22, 2012

White House Hosts Blues Night

Originally published on Wed February 22, 2012 5:25 am

As part of Black History Month, President and Mrs. Obama hosted a musical celebration of the blues Tuesday night. Guests included legends like B.B. King and Mick Jagger.

Middle East
4:12 am
Wed February 22, 2012

Activist: 2 Foreign Journalists Killed In Syria

A Syrian activist said two foreign journalists were killed Wednesday by Syrian government forces shelling the restive central city of Homs. The report could not be immediately confirmed.

Omar Shaker said the two journalists were killed when several rockets hit a garden of a house used by activists and journalists in besieged Homs neighborhood of Baba Amr.

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Author Interviews
1:58 am
Wed February 22, 2012

A 'Favored Daughter' Fights For Afghan Women

Credit

On the day she was born, Fawzia Koofi nearly died after being left outside in the unrelenting Afghan sun. But against all odds, Koofi survived and went on to become Afghanistan's first female deputy speaker of Parliament. Today, Koofi's name is floated in discussions about whether Afghanistan is ready for a first female president.

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The Record
11:01 pm
Tue February 21, 2012

Rihanna And Chris Brown: The Saga Continues

Credit Scott Gries / Getty Images
Rihanna and Chris Brown perform together in December 2008.

Originally published on Wed February 22, 2012 8:49 am

Just about three years after he violently assaulted her, R&B singer Chris Brown is back with pop star Rihanna — musically, at least. On Monday night, each released a new version of a previously released song. Both remixes feature the other party, and both are causing quite the stir.

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Law
11:01 pm
Tue February 21, 2012

Can 'I Won The Medal Of Honor' Get You Jailed?

Credit Charles Dharapak / AP
The Medal of Honor is held by a military honor guard at the White House last September, when President Obama awarded the medal to Marine Cpl. Dakota Meyer, 23, from Greensburg, Ky., for his actions in Afghanistan. The Supreme Court is now deciding if those who falsely claim to have won such military awards can be prosecuted for lying.

Originally published on Wed February 22, 2012 7:03 pm

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a case about lies, big and small, and when those lies can be a crime under the Constitution's guarantee of free speech. At issue is the constitutionality of a law making it a crime to lie about being the recipient of military medals.

At the center of the case is Xavier Alvarez, a man nobody disputes is a liar. He lied about being an ex-professional hockey player. He lied about being an engineer. He lied about rescuing the American ambassador during the Iranian hostage crisis. He even lied about being a retired Marine.

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Business
11:01 pm
Tue February 21, 2012

New Consumer Agency Eyes Bank Overdraft Fees

Credit Mark Lennihan / AP
Customers use Bank of America ATMs in New York. The head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says it is looking into ways to help consumers limit their exposure to banks' overdraft fees.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says it's looking to overhaul rules on overdraft fees. The new agency will be seeking data from banks about how they handle overdrawn accounts, and how they assess fees. The agency plans to use this information to help consumers limit their exposure to these costly charges.

The CFPB estimates that last year, banks made between $15 billion and $22 billion from overdraft fees.

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