Kathryn Bigelow tops directors with ‘Hurt Locker’ (AP)
AP - Kathryn Bigelow and “The Hurt Locker” became official awards-season front-runners Saturday after Bigelow won the top prize from the Directors Guild of America.
22-year-old goes from Miss Va. to Miss America (AP)
AP - A 22-year-old Virginia woman who said she once thought her only talent was singing is the nation’s newest Miss America, emerging from a field of 53 contestants picked for their beauty, compassion and interview savvy.
US upgrades defense of Persian Gulf allies (AP)
AP - The United States has begun beefing up its approach to defending its Persian Gulf allies against potential Iranian missile strikes, officials say. The defenses are being stepped up in advance of possible increased sanctions against Iran.
Davos forum considers world economy on last day (AP)
AP - The state of the world’s economy, and keeping it on a course of recovery, is the focus of the last day of the World Economic Forum.
Watchdog: Bailouts created more risk in system (AP)
AP - The government’s response to the financial meltdown has made it more likely the United States will face a deeper crisis in the future, an independent watchdog at the Treasury Department warned.
Haiti workers hand out ‘women-only’ aid coupons (AP)
AP - Relief workers began handing out women-only food coupons, launching a new phase of what they hope will be less cutthroat aid distribution to ensure that families and the weak get supplies following Haiti’s devastating earthquake.
Obama pushes nuclear energy to boost climate bill (AP)
AP - President Barack Obama is endorsing nuclear energy like never before, trying to win over Republicans and moderate Democrats on climate and energy legislation.
Haiti detains Americans taking kids across border (AP)
AP - A group of 10 American Baptists were being held in the Haitian capital Sunday after trying take 33 children out of Haiti.
Pakistan checks reported death of Taliban chief (AP)
AP - The Pakistani army said Sunday that it was investigating reports that Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud died from injuries sustained in a U.S. drone missile strike in mid-January.
Yemen says will stop war if rebels agree six terms (AFP)
AFP - Yemen will halt its war on Shiite rebels if they agree to a six-point truce offer, the defence council said Sunday, as fighting raged on three fronts and government claimed to have killed another 24 Huthis.