The Cheat Sheet

Frontpage: Friday, Feb. 24th

1. 12 Killed in Quran Protests: At least 12 more people were killed on Friday in Afghanistan as the the outrage over the burning of Qurans by American troops continues.
2. Maryland Senate Passes Gay Marriage: Gay-marriage proponents celebrated another win in Maryland on Thursday after the state Senate approved a measure that would legalize same-sex unions. Gov. Martin O’Malley has vowed to sign the bill, which will make Maryland the eighth state to adopt gay marriage. 
3. ‘Friends of Syria’ Demand Action: Foreign ministers from more than 50 countries, calling themselves the Friends of Syria, are holding their first meeting Friday to demand Syria allow international aid be delivered to civilians as the government continue brutal assaults on the city of Homs.
4. Santorum Picks Up Women’s Support: Despite fervent anti-contraception rhetoric and a steadfast opposition to abortion, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum appears to be doing better with the fairer sex. A new poll has put his popularity among women up 13 points since January. 
5. Edwards Sex Tape to Be Destroyed: All copies of a sex tape involving former presidential candidate John Edwards and his mistress Rielle Hunter will be destroyed within 30 days, after Hunter won ownership of the video in a court settlement Thursday. 

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Photo: Palle-Jooseppi, a male brown bear, wakes up after winter hibernation at the Ranua Zoo in Ranua, Finland. (Lehtikuva / Reuters) More photos of the day

Frontpage: Thursday, Feb. 23rd

1. Obama Apologizes for Quran Burning: The fallout from the burning of Qurans at a U.S. base in Afghanistan has claimed the lives of two U.S. troops. An Afghan official tells CBS that an Afghan soldier shot the soldiers out of anger over the burning of the holy books.  President Obama has issued a foromal apology for the handling of the Quran: “We will take the appropriate steps to avoid any recurrence, including holding accountable those responsible.”
2. Santorum on the Defensive in Debate: Rick Santorum got the frontrunner treatment at last night’s Republican debate in Arizona, struggling to defend himself against attacks from Mitt Romney and Ron Paul.
3. U.N. May Charge Syrian Officials: The United Nations may be stymied by Russia and China, but it’s drawn up a list of Syrian officials who could be charged with crimes against humanity, according to a U.N. panel.  
4. 7 Marines Dead in Helicopter Crash: A helicopter collision has tragically claimed the lives of seven Marines. The crash occurred Wednesday night near Yuma, Ariz., NBC News reported. 
5. Christie Gets Testy on Gay Marriage: The New Jersey governor, who recently vetoed a bill that would have allowed gay marriage in his state, appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe and argued that his position on the issue is no different from President Obama’s. 

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Photo: A family passes through a market in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. (Ali Ali / EPA-Landov) More Photos of the Day

Frontpage: Wednesday, Feb 22nd

1. Super PACs Give Rise to Super-Donors: Super PACs, which can take unlimited donations, have given rise to a new type of political donor that is dominating the GOP primary race. Both The New York Times and The Washington Post lead with the example of Harold C. Simmons, a Texas businessman who has given more than $14 million to Republican super PACs this election. 
2. Quran Burning Protest Continues: The protests over Qurans burned at Bagram air base in Afghanistan show no signs of abating. At least four people have been killed and 20 injured in the second day of demonstrations. 
3. Angelina Jolie Joins NewsBeast Summit: Next month, inspiring women leaders and activists from around the globe—including Nobel winner Leymah Gbowee, Angelina Jolie, Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, Meryl Streep, Madeleine Albright, and many more—will convene in New York City for Newsweek and The Daily Beast’s third annual Women in the World Summit.
4. Obama to Unveil Corporate Tax Cut: President Obama is preparing to unveil a corporate-tax plan that would cut the rate businesses pay from 35 percent to 28 percent, senior administration officials tell The New York Times.   
5. Santorum ‘Satan’ Comment Resurfaces: A comment Rick Santorum made four years ago may come back to haunt him during tomorrow night’s GOP debate in Arizona. A headline reading “Santorum’s Satan Warning” posted on the Drudge Report Tuesday morning is making the rounds in the media. “This is the spiritual war. And the Father of Lies has his sights on what you think [he] would have his sights on: a good, decent, powerful, influential country—the United States of America.” 

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Photo: The Other Havana: Cuba Libre Photography by Michael Dweck (Michael Dweck Studios)