Appeals court rules against Roger Miller's widow (AP)

AP - The widow of country music legend Roger Miller doesn't own the rights to some of his biggest hits, including "King of the Road," a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

Two shot at Walmart center in Virginia (Reuters)

Reuters - A gunman shot two people at a Walmart distribution center in central Virginia on Wednesday, a Dinwiddie County Fire Department spokeswoman said.

U.S. judge orders Moroccan held for Capitol plot (Reuters)

Reuters - A U.S. judge on Wednesday ordered a Moroccan man to be held on charges that he planned a suicide bombing attack against Congress, believing he was working with al Qaeda militants when in fact his contacts were undercover agents.

City overpower holders Porto in Europa League

The presence of former manager Andre Villas-Boas at Eastlands failed to inspire holders Porto as Manchester City eased into the last 16 of the Europa League with a 4-0 second leg win on Wednesday.

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

AP - A gunman who was asked to leave a Korean health spa in an Atlanta suburb earlier in the day came back and shot two of his sisters and their husbands and then killed himself, police said Wednesday.

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

AP - Ethicists are criticizing a prominent scientist for misrepresenting himself to obtain and then leak sensitive documents from a conservative think tank that campaigns against mainstream global warming science.

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

AP - President Barack Obama on Wednesday proposed a lower corporate tax rate and an end to dozens of loopholes he said helps companies move jobs and profits overseas. "It's not right and it needs to change," he said.

High court torn over law banning lie about medals (AP)

AP - The Supreme Court appeared sharply divided Wednesday over a law that makes it a crime to lie about having been awarded top military honors.

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.

AP Exclusive: National meth lab busts up in 2011 (AP)

AP - An Associated Press survey of the nation's top methamphetamine-producing states shows national lab seizures rose again last year.

Jurors weigh murder case of ex-Va. lacrosse player (AP)

AP - Jurors in the murder trial of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player began deliberating Wednesday whether he battered his ex-girlfriend to death in a drunken, jealous rage or if his intent to talk with her spiraled out of control, leaving her bleeding and dying in her bedroom.

Report: Crime at US public schools on the decline (AP)

AP - Crimes and homicides in public schools nationwide have declined, part of a downward trend seen over the past several years.

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

AP - The superintendent of the West Virginia coal mine where an explosion killed 29 men was charged Wednesday with conspiracy to defraud the federal government, becoming the highest-ranking employee to face criminal prosecution in an investigation that appeared to be moving steadily up the corporate ladder.

City storm on in Europa

Manchester City produced a strong finish to power into the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League at the expense of ten-man holders Porto, winning out 4-0 in the night and 6-1 overall.

Ex-mine official charged in fatal West Virginia blast (Reuters)

Reuters - The former superintendent of the West Virginia coal mine where 29 workers died in a 2010 explosion was charged on Wednesday with felony conspiracy by tipping off employees to safety inspections and concealing dangerous violations, authorities said.

Ark. man pleads not guilty in death of teen (AP)

AP - A convicted rapist accused of killing a 16-year-old girl he met online pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder Wednesday, several days after authorities found the girl's body in a blue, plastic barrel in western Arkansas.

Man City beats defending EL champion Porto 4-0

Manchester City eased past defending Europa League champion FC Porto on Wednesday, beating the Portuguese side 4-0 to wrap up a 6-1 aggregate win. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring after just 19 seconds to stretch City's 2-1 first-leg advantage but the English Premier League leader then had to wait until the 76th minute for its second goal.

Rising sales point to better year for housing (AP)

AP - The housing market is flashing signs of health ahead of the spring-buying season.

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

Reuters - U.S. 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.

'Occupy' to hold national conference in Philly (AP)

AP - A group of protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement plans to elect 876 "delegates" from around the country and hold a national "general assembly" in Philadelphia over the Fourth of July as part of ongoing protests over corporate excess and economic inequality.

Dollar rises to 7-month high against Japanese yen (AP)

AP - The dollar rose to a seven-month high against the Japanese yen, a week after the Bank of Japan announced a surprise increase of its economic stimulus program.

Obama helps break ground on black history museum (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama heralded a new national black history museum as "not just a record of tragedy, but a celebration of life" as he marked Wednesday's groundbreaking of the long-sought-after museum on the National Mall.

Summary Box: Bank of England split on stimulus (AP)

AP - STIMULATING DISCUSSION: Minutes of their last meeting showed Bank of England rate-setters were divided about injecting another 50 billion pounds ($79 billion) into the economy. Two members argued for a bigger stimulus.

Wounded vets regain bit of camaraderie in kitchen (AP)

AP - Julio Gerena is in a wheelchair, his long career in the U.S. Navy and Army forever behind him. But the 52-year-old recaptured some of the old military camaraderie while peeling potatoes and chopping cilantro in a crowded kitchen.

Private jet shipments slip, but improvement seen (Reuters)

Reuters - Worldwide shipments of business jets and other private aircraft fell again last year, but billings rose modestly in a sign of improvement in a tough economy.

Rise in identity fraud tied to smartphone use (Reuters)

Reuters - Nearly 12 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2011, an increase of 13 percent over 2010, according to a report released on Wednesday by the research firm Javelin Strategy & Research.

Euro zone teetering on brink of recession (Reuters)

Reuters - The euro zone economy is in danger of tipping into recession, with the services sector shrinking this month along with manufacturing, tempering a wave of optimism after a new bailout deal for Greece struck this week.

U.S. mortgage applications sagged last week: MBA (Reuters)

Reuters - Applications for U.S. home mortgages tumbled last week as demand for loan refinancing sagged, an industry group said on Wednesday.

European budget cuts and debt burdens, at a glance (AP)

AP - European budget cuts and debt burdens, at a glance

In Europe, spending cuts fail to ease debt burdens (AP)

AP - Europe has endured the pain of layoffs, wage cuts and tax increases designed to bring government debt under control.

Bank of England panel split on size of stimulus (AP)

AP - Bank of England rate-setters were divided this month on the vote to inject another 50 billion pounds ($79 billion) into the British economy, with two members arguing that a bigger stimulus was needed, minutes to their last meeting showed Wednesday.

Is It Time to Start Worrying About Inflation Again? (Time.com)

Time.com - The greatest threat to any long-term investor is inflation. It not only erodes the value of stocks and bonds, but also depresses economic growth and misleads policymakers

A Champion in Purgatory: Muhammad Ali Returns to Vegas (Time.com)

Time.com - As part of an extended celebration of his 70th birthday, the ailing legend appears at a massive fundraiser to benefit brain research

U.S. consumer agency to examine bank overdraft fees (Reuters)

Reuters - The new U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is weighing a crackdown on checking account overdraft fees charged by banks, saying the charges can "inflict serious economic harm" on consumers.

Neb. city's illegal immigration law to be nuisance

A Nebraska city's attempt to fight illegal immigration with a newly court-approved ordinance appears likely to be more of an inconvenience for legal residents than a deterrent to illegal immigrants.

Tevez apologizes to Man City after 5-month feud

Carlos Tevez finally apologized to Manchester City on Tuesday following a five-month feud that has cost him close to 10 million pounds ($17 million) and could soon return to action for the club after withdrawing an appeal against his latest fines. The Argentine forward has not played for the Premier League leaders since September when he refused to warm up during a Champions League match and ...

Pace of new credit card accounts picks up in 2011 (AP)

AP - More people opened new credit card accounts last year, as the banking industry began to loosen standards it tightened during the recession.

Rates drop at weekly Treasury auction (AP)

AP - Interest rates on three-month and six-month Treasury bills dropped in Tuesday's auction after rising the previous week.

EU leaders to ask G20 to back higher IMF funds (Reuters)

Reuters - European Union leaders will call at a summit next week for the world's 20 biggest economies (G20) to agree in April to substantially boost funds available to the International Monetary Fund, draft conclusions of the meeting showed.

Wal-Mart's 4Q results show rebounding US business (AP)

AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s business offers valuable insight into how Americans are reacting in the slow economic recovery: they will spend, but only if they believe they're getting the lowest prices.