Europe's banks bleed from Greek debt crisis (Reuters)

Reuters - Greece's debt problems drove a slew of heavy losses across the European banking sector on Thursday, and bosses warned the euro zone crisis would continue to threaten earnings.

Euro zone economy to shrink in 2012, EU stagnates (Reuters)

Reuters - The euro zone's economy is heading into its second recession in just three years, while the wider EU will stagnate, the EU's executive said on Thursday, warning that the area has yet to break its vicious cycle of debt.

EU expects eurozone to suffer mild recession (AP)

AP - The 17-nation eurozone economy will suffer a modest recession this year despite recent signs of stabilization, particularly in financial markets, the European Union's executive branch said Thursday.

Jerry Brown's Risky Path: How to Raise Taxes in California (Time.com)

Time.com - In a campaign that may influence the policies of other states (and even the federal government), the three-time governor is heading down a hazardous political path

Afghans angry over Quran burnings attack US base (AP)

AP - Afghan police on Thursday fired shots in the air to disperse hundreds of protesters who tried to break into an American military base in the country's east to vent their anger over this week's Quran burnings incident.

EU expects eurozone to suffer mild recession (AP)

AP - The European Union's executive branch expects the 17-nation eurozone economy to suffer a modest recession this year despite recent signs of stabilization, particularly in financial markets.

Former U.Va. lacrosse player faces 26 years (AP)

AP - In a trial that revealed the lives of elite athletes at a top-notch school, a former University of Virginia lacrosse player faces 26 years in prison for the beating death of his former girlfriend amid a swirl of betrayal, distrust, anger and a culture of drinking.

Widespread attacks in Iraq kill 50 (AP)

AP - A rapid series of attacks spread over a wide swath of Iraqi territory killed at least 50 people on Thursday, targeting mostly security forces in what appeared to be another strike by al-Qaida militants bent on destabilizing the country.

Nigeria ex-leader meets with Senegal government (AP)

AP - The retired president of Nigeria is spending his second day in Senegal meeting with more opposition leaders, including pop star Youssou Ndour.

Greece readies debt swap under bailout deal (Reuters)

Reuters - Greece's parliament will endorse a debt swap with private bondholders on Thursday to help reduce the country's debt and secure an international bailout, despite new protests against the tough terms of the deal.

What Iran's Inspection Rebuff Says About Prospects for Nuclear Diplomacy (Time.com)

Time.com - Tehran's rejection on Tuesday of an International Atomic Energy Agency request to visit a sensitive military site signaled grim prospects for diplomacy resolving the nuclear standoff

Grasping at Straws: The Syrian Opposition Appeals to Russia (Time.com)

Time.com - In the face of continuing bloodshed in their homeland, one anti-Assad group courts the regime's allies in the Syrian business community and Moscow. Is it all in vain?

San Diego jurors told corpses were soaked in acid (AP)

AP - Two members of a breakaway Mexican drug gang dissolved their victims' corpses in vats of acid in a gruesome display of Mexican cartel tactics played out on U.S. soil, a prosecutor told jurors.

Taliban urge Afghans to kill "invaders" amid violent protests (Reuters)

Reuters - The Taliban urged Afghans on Thursday to target foreign military bases and kill Westerners in retaliation for the burning of copies of the Koran at a NATO air base as a third day of protests erupted, killing at least one person.

8-year-old critical after Wash. school shooting (AP)

AP - Police say a gun brought to a Washington state elementary school in a third grader's backpack discharged, apparently by accident, critically wounding an 8-year-old classmate.

Final report on W.Va. mine blast comes amid charge (AP)

AP - West Virginia mine safety officials were to release the final report on a 2010 explosion that killed 29 miners Thursday just as federal prosecutors turn up the heat on managers they say contributed to the tragedy.

Judge says Wash. can't make pharmacies sell Plan B (AP)

AP - In a ruling that appears headed toward appeal, a federal judge has ruled that Washington state cannot force pharmacies to sell Plan B or other emergency contraceptives.

Lesbian federal worker wins health benefits case (AP)

AP - The government cannot deny health benefits to the wife of a lesbian court employee by relying on the 1996 law that bars government recognition of same-sex unions, a federal judge has ruled.

Death toll in Iraq attacks rises to 50: sources (Reuters)

Reuters - The death toll in a wave of bombings and other attacks across Iraq on Thursday has risen to 50, police and hospital sources said.

Screams haunt Honduran who freed inmates in fire (AP)

AP - The screams haunt convicted murderer Marco Antonio Bonilla, even now as Honduras hails him a hero for saving hundreds of inmates from fire raging through their prison.

Mass shooting at spa shocks Ga. Korean community (AP)

AP - A man gunned down along with his wife and other family members at an Atlanta area spa he co-owned was a prominent member of Atlanta's community of roughly 100,000 Korean-Americans, according to friends left confused and concerned about what happened.

BP, Anadarko liable for U.S. spill damages (Reuters)

Reuters - BP Plc and Anadarko Petroleum Corp are liable for civil damages under federal pollution laws over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, a U.S. judge ruled, exposing them to billions of dollars in potential fines.

Royal Bank of Scotland losses widen on writedowns (AP)

AP - Royal Bank of Scotland, which is majority-owned by the British taxpayer, saw its loss in 2011 swell by 78 percent as it booked large provisions for Greek debt and compensation for buyers of payment protection insurance.

High season for tornadoes ahead, eyes on Southeast (AP)

AP - With the month of March looming, tornado chasers are already watching the Southeast as a nasty storm brews with the potential to spin off a batch of tornadoes.

Newark mayor seeks probe of NYPD Muslim spying (AP)

AP - The mayor of New Jersey's largest city called for state authorities Wednesday to investigate a widespread spying operation conducted in Newark's Muslim neighborhoods by the New York Police Department that he characterized as "deeply offensive."

Newark mayor seeks probe of NYPD Muslim spying (AP)

AP - The mayor of New Jersey's largest city called for state authorities Wednesday to investigate a widespread spying operation conducted in Newark's Muslim neighborhoods by the New York Police Department that he characterized as "deeply offensive."

2 charged in death of Ala girl forced to run (AP)

AP - Roger Simpson said he looked down the road and saw a little girl running outside her home but didn't give it another thought. Police, however, said the man witnessed a murder in progress.

Obama to address gas prices, pitch energy policy (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama is confronting Americans' anxiety over rising gasoline prices by drawing attention to his energy policies and taking credit for rising oil and gas production, a greater mix of energy sources and decreased consumption.

Obama to address gas prices, pitch energy policy (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama is confronting Americans' anxiety over rising gasoline prices by drawing attention to his energy policies and taking credit for rising oil and gas production, a greater mix of energy sources and decreased consumption.

Obama to address gas prices, pitch energy policy (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama is confronting Americans' anxiety over rising gasoline prices by drawing attention to his energy policies and taking credit for rising oil and gas production, a greater mix of energy sources and decreased consumption.

Thousands back Putin's presidential bid in Moscow (Reuters)

Reuters - Thousands of people marched in Moscow under Russian flags, balloons and banners on Thursday to back Vladimir Putin's bid to return to the presidency and counter opposition protests that have challenged his authority.

Assad forces renew barrage on Syria's Homs (Reuters)

Reuters - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces bombarded opposition Sunni Muslim districts in the city of Homs for the 20th day on Thursday, activists said, despite international outrage over the reported killing of more than 80 people on Wednesday.

To close tax loopholes, Obama would open new ones (AP)

AP - Cutting corporate tax rates and deleting loopholes is just what most economists prescribe for the tangled U.S. tax code.

After bitter debate, Romney and Santorum eye Mich. (AP)

AP - A bitter and often personal debate behind them, Republicans Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney are shoring up their campaigns in different ways ahead of a series of crucial presidential primaries.

FACT CHECK: Errant claims on auto bailout, taxes (AP)

AP - Twenty Republican presidential debates later, the head-scratching claims kept coming.

Analysis: Social issue focus may haunt GOP in fall (AP)

AP - The longer GOP presidential candidates compete for conservative activists' favor, the more they risk alienating centrist voters who might feel that arguments over birth control are crowding out talk about how to create jobs.

Australian PM calls party vote as challenger rises (AP)

AP - Prime Minister Julia Gillard put her job on the line Thursday, announcing a leadership ballot in hopes of quashing a comeback by Kevin Rudd, the colleague she ousted in a Labor Party coup nearly two years ago.

Poll: Obama benefiting from improving economy (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama is reaping political benefits from the country's brighter economic mood. A new poll shows that Republicans and Democrats alike are increasingly saying the nation is heading in the right direction and most independents now approve the way he's addressing the nation's post-recession period.

The GOP debate: 6 takeaways (Politico)

Politico - CNN's Wednesday night Republican debate was a painfully long and often personally biting affair.

Iran talks failure sparks confrontation fears (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.N. nuclear watchdog's latest mission to Iran failed to budge a defiant Tehran over its disputed nuclear program, sending oil prices to a nine-month high over fears of an increasing risk of confrontation with the West.