NATIONAL NEWS

Saudi accused in bomb plot competent to stand trial
A Saudi accused of plotting to blow up targets including the home of former President George W. Bush was declared competent.

At Arizona debate, Santorum to get his turn in spotlight
After months on the sidelines, Rick Santorum finally gets his chance at center stage in a debate.

In shift, Obama campaign targets Santorum
President Obama's re-election campaign regularly rips Mitt Romney. On Tuesday, it added Rick Santorum to its list of top targets.

Wal-Mart posts solid quarter, U.S. sales up
Wal-Mart won over shoppers during the holiday season, posting a 1.5 percent rise in sales at stores open at least a year.

Europe seals new Greek bailout to avert default
Euro zone finance ministers sealed a 130-billion-euro ($172 billion) bailout for Greece on Tuesday.

Fifty years after Glenn flight, U.S. buying rides to space
Fifty years after John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, NASA no longer has the ability to fly astronauts in space.

Four dead in Washington state avalanches
Four people were killed in two separate avalanches near Washington state ski resorts on Sunday.

For Santorum voters, he's a candidate like them
Rick Santorum has struck a chord in the Rust Belt.

ESPN apologizes for 'offensive' headline on Jeremy Lin
ESPN apologized on Saturday for an anti-Asian slur that appeared with a story about New York Knicks star point guard Jeremy Lin.

Former kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart marries in Hawaii
Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped at age 14 from her Utah home exchanged vows on Saturday.

Abducted teacher strangled in cocaine frenzy
A man who said the crack cocaine he was smoking "brought the devil out in him" was looking for a woman to abduct and kill.

Stars mourn Whitney Houston at hometown service
Stars, family and friends mourned Whitney Houston in a spirited funeral service at her hometown church on Saturday.

Senate passes payroll tax cut extension
The Senate on Friday passed legislation extending a tax cut for 160 million workers and long-term jobless benefits through December.

Amanda Knox signs book deal with Harper Collins
Amanda Knox, the American student cleared of murder by an Italian court, has sold her memoir to HarperCollins.

Immigration agent killed in LA office shooting
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and wounded a colleague in the agency's office.

Plane carrying marijuana strays into Obama airspace
A small plane with more than 20 pounds of marijuana strayed into restricted airspace around President Obama's helicopter.

Madoff trustee files appeals in bank suits
The trustee seeking money for Bernard Madoff's victims filed two appeals on Thursday to reverse judges' rulings.

German president resigns in blow to Merkel
Angela Merkel's hand-picked choice for the ceremonial post of president resigned on Friday.

'Underwear bomber' sentenced to life in prison
A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a Nigerian man to life in prison for trying to blow up a U.S. airliner.

Congress reaches payroll tax-cut deal
A payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans, set to expire at the end of this month, would be extended through December under a new deal.