New front-runners face criticism

New front-runners face criticism (AP)

AP - Barack Obama, an Iowa winner seeking New Hampshire spoils, faced stepped-up criticism Friday from Democratic rivals now doubly determined to block his rise in the 2008 presidential race. Republican Mike Huckabee claimed momentum for a hurried five-day primary campaign.

NYC couch potato contest lasts 29 hours (AP)

AP - A Manhattan librarian emerged as a champion couch potato after three rivals gave in to sleep deprivation or nature's call.

Kucinich files complaint on ABC debate (AP)

AP - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich filed a complaint with the FCC on Friday after ABC News excluded him, fellow Democrat Mike Gravel and Republican Duncan Hunter from its prime-time debates on Saturday.

More than 1M lose power in Calif. storm (AP)

AP - Howling winds, pelting rain and heavy snow pummeled California on Friday, toppling trees, flipping big rigs, cutting power to more than a million people and threatening mudslides in fire-scarred areas.

Court awards Spears' kids to K-Fed (AP)

AP - A court commissioner gave sole physical and legal custody of Britney Spears' two little boys Friday to ex-husband Kevin Federline and suspended the troubled pop star's visitation rights.

Analysis: Clinton goes for young voters (AP)

AP - It wasn't long ago that Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign scoffed at the notion that young voters would deliver an election. How quickly things can change.

Rare albino alligators stolen in Brazil (AP)

AP - Seven rare albino alligators disappeared from a Brazilian university zoo and authorities suspect animal smugglers stole them, officials said Friday.

Al-Qaida uses women as suicide attackers (AP)

AP - It goes against religious taboos in Iraq to involve women in fighting, but three recent suicide bombings carried out by women could indicate insurgents are growing increasingly desperate.

Court mulls death penalty for child rape (AP)

AP - The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether a state can execute someone convicted of raping a child, one of the few remaining crimes that does not require the death of the victim to result in capital punishment.

Winners & Losers from Iowa (RealClearPolitics.com)

RealClearPolitics.com - After months of speculation about who'll win Iowa, we finally have winners and losers. Some of them are obvious, while others may not be. One thing for sure is that a rousing speech on caucus night doesn't mean a candidate has won. In some cases, losers seemed to yell even louder than winners.

Mom apologizes for Hannah Montana essay (AP)

AP - A woman apologized Friday for a "bad decision" in helping her 6-year-old daughter win tickets to a Hannah Montana concert with an essay that falsely claimed the girl's father died in Iraq.

Clemens asked to testify to Congress (AP)

AP - Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte were asked Friday to testify before a congressional committee on Jan. 16, along with their former trainer, Brian McNamee.

He Said, She Said -- Literally (Dear Margo)

Dear Margo - DEAR MARGO: My new boyfriend is extremely uncomfortable with any contact I have with my ex-husband, whether it's phone or e-mail, even in regard to business. I am absolutely forbidden to have even a 30-second phone call. Is his reaction appropriate, or should he stay out of my relationship with my ex-husband since it does not involve him?

'Without a Trace' star welcomes baby boy (AP)

AP - Poppy Montgomery and her boyfriend, Adam Kaufman, welcomed a son, Jackson Phillip Kaufman, on Dec. 23.

Man, 85, clocked at 100 mph in snow, ice (AP)

AP - An 85-year-old motorist lost his license and his Oldsmobile for a week and likely faces a hefty fine after becoming the oldest person snagged to date by a new Ontario law aimed at cracking down on street racers, even though he was just speeding.

Teen charged in bizarre missing dog case (AP)

AP - A telephone call at midnight normally would have awoken Bill Whiting, but he hadn't been sleeping much since his dog disappeared. He picked up the phone and couldn't believe what he heard.

Amy Fisher, husband promote sex tape (AP)

AP - Former "Long Island Lolita" Amy Fisher is joining her husband in trying to market a sex tape, saying, "I always wanted to be No. 1 at something, but I didn't think it would be something like this."

Randolph suspended for throwing headband (AP)

AP - Knicks forward Zach Randolph was suspended one game without pay by the NBA on Friday for throwing his headband at a referee.

After Obama win, Clinton warns of "false hopes" (Reuters)

Reuters - New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, reeling from defeat in Iowa at the hands of Barack Obama, urged Democratic voters on Friday not to build up "false hopes" by choosing an inexperienced presidential candidate.