MarkBellamy.com » CNN.com » February 1, 2012

Julian Assange: Loathed and admired

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 6:35pm UTC

Since the summer of 2010, Julian Assange has become a pop culture fixture, a self-appointed champion of free speech, the suspect in a Swedish sex crimes investigation and a man who says he's keeping afloat a financially strapped Web operation that has mightily ticked off the U.S. government.

Tracy Morgan's mom pleads for his help

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 5:12pm UTC

Tracy Morgan's mother says she struggled for years to provide the comedian with everything he needed as a child, but now that she's out of work and facing foreclosure he's refusing to help her.

How Florida's Latino vote was won

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 5:00pm UTC

As Mitt Romney dominated the Florida Republican primary Tuesday night, he also captured the bulk of the votes from Latinos in the state, with 54% of their ballots. But how did he pull that off?

Airline: 'Unintended consequences' fee

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 2:47pm UTC

Spirit Airlines says a new federal regulation aimed at protecting consumers is forcing it to charge passengers an additional $2 for a ticket.

Death toll from Florida crashes now 11

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 12:30pm UTC

The death toll from a string of recent crashes on Interstate 75 near Gainesville, Florida, amid heavy smoke from a nearby brush fire has risen to 11 with the discovery of another body, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Amtrak train derails in Michigan

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 10:56am UTC

Two passenger rail cars jumped the tracks Wednesday near Ann Arbor, Michigan, but no life-threatening injuries were reported in the accident, officials said.

'Soul Train' founder dead from gunshot

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 10:20am UTC

Don Cornelius was found dead early today of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, authorities said.

Secret NATO Taliban report leaked

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 10:17am UTC

The Taliban in Afghanistan depend on Pakistan for support, even though they do not necessarily welcome it, a secret NATO report says, according to a journalist who has read it.

U.N. at a standstill on Syria

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 9:44am UTC

Diplomats are expected to debate once again Wednesday about how to handle the mounting crisis in Syria.

Romney on a roll, Gingrich undeterred

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 9:12am UTC

Mitt Romney heads west to campaign today after winning all 50 Florida delegates and cementing his status as the GOP front-runner.

Opinion: New limits on abortion?

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 8:36am UTC

Mark Osler says the landscape of abortion has changed in a way that should trouble even those who consider themselves pro-choice

Opinion: Holder's Fast and Furious woe

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 7:59am UTC

Former CIA Director Michael Hayden says Attorney General Eric Holder is facing the kind of scrutiny directed at CIA covert operations.

No Gingrich phone call for Romney

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 7:50am UTC

After a bruising 10 days in Florida, Newt Gingrich wasn't conceding anything to Mitt Romney after a devastating, momentum-shifting loss in the state's primary.

Assange fights extradition

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 7:43am UTC

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition fight goes to Britain's Supreme Court on Wednesday for two days of hearings on whether he should be sent back to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault.

Opinion: Zuckerberg faces new reality

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 5:53am UTC

We all knew he'd eventually get around to it: Mark Zuckerberg is expected to finally bring Facebook public. The company is reported to be preparing to file for an IPO -- initial public offering -- through which anyone will be able to buy shares of the social networking company on an open stock exchange.

5 things

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 5:24am UTC

We learned five things from Tuesday's Florida vote. Among them: Electability is a factor, and winner Mitt Romney is not Mr. Conservative.

Teacher in court over 'bondage' case

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 4:08am UTC

A Los Angeles elementary school teacher who allegedly took bondage photos of more than two dozen students in his classroom, including some with suspected semen-filled spoons at their mouths, will make a first appearance before a judge Wednesday morning.

Service planned for cruise ship victims

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 3:30am UTC

The family of a Minnesota couple that remains unaccounted for after a massive cruise ship ran aground off an Italian island last month plans to hold a memorial service to celebrate their lives.

Netanyahu scores Likud primary win

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 3:16am UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu handily won his Likud party leadership primary Tuesday, fueling speculation that he may soon call for nationwide elections.

Opinion: Romney in the driver's seat

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 11:41pm UTC

Ed Morrissey says money and momentum give Romney the edge in the coming weeks, with parallel primaries posing a challenge for Gingrich

Opinion: What S.C. loss taught Romney

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 11:11pm UTC

Bruce Haynes says South Carolina saved a presidential candidate by dealing him a humbling defeat.

Organization trumps momentum

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 11:04pm UTC

Former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm once said ready money is the most reliable friend you can have in American politics. This week, Florida proved the rule.

Opinion: Ego keeps Gingrich going

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 10:39pm UTC

Tim Stanley says his routing by Romney in Florida and the prospects of a tough climb in upcoming primary states is unlikely to stop the hubris-propelled Gingrich campaign

FAQ: What's at stake in Florida?

Posted: February 1st, 2012, 8:27pm UTC

Critical Florida questions: How many delegates at stake? When will we know who won? Why is Florida a big deal?