EXCLUSIVE (Update): Palin's Tea Party Crib Notes  —  Closer inspection of a photo of Sarah Palin, during a speech in which she mocked President Obama for his use of a teleprompter, reveals several notes written on her left hand.  The words “Energy”, “Tax” and “Lift American Spirits” are clearly visible.

Brennan briefed GOP on Christmas  —  White House counterterrorism chief John Brennan revealed Sunday that he briefed four Republican congressional leaders on Christmas night about the arrest and subsequent handling of the suspect in an attempted sky bombing.

Judge being gay a nonissue during Prop. 8 trial  —  The biggest open secret in the landmark trial over same-sex marriage being heard in San Francisco is that the federal judge who will decide the case, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, is himself gay.

Amnesty International is ‘damaged’ by Taliban link  —  An official at the human rights charity deplores its work with a ‘jihadist’  —  A SENIOR official at Amnesty International has accused the charity of putting the human rights of Al-Qaeda terror suspects above those of their victims.

Beverage industry douses tax on soft drinks  —  The idea had been floated as a way to finance a healthcare overhaul while combating obesity.  But the industry has lobbied key lawmakers and financed scientific studies favorable to its position.  —  Beverage firms launched an intense lobbying effort …

A Scrubbed Toe in the Race  —  Between bites of an egg-white garden omelet at a bistro in his Union Square neighborhood, Harold Ford Jr. defended himself on pedicures and flip-flops.  —  “I either run or try to play basketball every day,” he said.  “I have severe athlete's foot — feet.

Sinatra Song Often Strikes Deadly Chord  —  GENERAL SANTOS, the Philippines — After a day of barbering, Rodolfo Gregorio went to his neighborhood karaoke bar still smelling of talcum powder.  Putting aside his glass of Red Horse Extra Strong beer, he grasped a microphone …