Fake CNN email used as dirty trick in South Carolina  —  CNN did not send out the email alert.  —  Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @politicalticker  —  It's not clear how many people received the fake email, though at least two members of the South Carolina GOP Executive Committee …

SOPA and PIPA dead ? for now  —  House and Senate leaders abandoned plans to move on SOPA and PIPA on Friday — the surest sign yet that a wave of online protests have killed the controversial anti-piracy legislation for now and maybe forever.  —  SOPA sponsor Lamar Smith …

Romney: I Won't Release My Tax Returns Because 'I Don't Want To Give The Democrats A Nice Little Present'  —  GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney endured a hail of boos during the CNN debate last night when he refused to commit to releasing his 2011 tax returns.

Taxes at the Top  —  Call me peculiar, but I'm actually enjoying the spectacle of Mitt Romney doing the Dance of the Seven Veils — partly out of voyeurism, of course, but also because it's about time that we had this discussion.  —  The theme of his dance, for those who haven't been paying attention, is taxes — his own taxes.

Judge-drawn Texas redistricting map tossed out by Supreme Court  —  Washington (CNN) - The Supreme Court has tossed out the Texas redistricting map for congressional and legislative seats drawn up a federal court, giving a partial victory to GOP lawmakers.  —  In an unsigned opinion issued …

Canada Pledges to Sell Oil to Asia After Obama Rejects Keystone Pipeline  —  President Barack Obama's decision yesterday to reject a permit for TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone XL oil pipeline may prompt Canada to turn to China for oil exports.  —  Prime Minister Stephen Harper …

Anonymous Goes on Megaupload Revenge Spree: DoJ, RIAA, MPAA, and Universal Music All Offline  —  Anonymous has sure been quiet lately, but today's federal bust of Megaupload riled 'em up good: a retaliatory strike against DoJ.gov (and plenty of other foes) leaving them completely dead.

Obama Administration Approves Rule That Guarantees Near-Universal Contraceptive Coverage  —  Our guest blogger is Jessica Arons, Director of the Women's Health and Rights Program at American Progress.  —  Today, in a huge victory for women's health, Health and Human Services Secretary …

Singing legend Etta James dies at 73  —  Etta James, here performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2009, died Friday, January 20, due to complications from leukeimia, said her longtime friend and manager, Lupe De Leon.  The singer was 73.  —  HIDE CAPTION  —  Etta James through the years

Love online: 100,000 Grindr users exposed in hack attack  —  The Grindr app, left, and founder Joel Simkhai's profile.  —  A popular “meat-market” smartphone app that spawned a sexual revolution in Australia's gay community has been compromised by a Sydney hacker, potentially exposing …

The GOP's suicide march  —  “Are you better off today than you were $4 trillion ago?”  — former presidential candidate Rick Perry  —  It's the campaign line of the year, and while the author won't be carrying it into the general election, the eventual nominee will.

Obama Sings Soul Tune in Harlem  —  Shortly after taking the stage tonight for a fundraiser at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, President Obama broke into song.  —  Obama, standing behind the presidential podium, thanked his hosts and the performers who preceded him, including soul singer Al Green.

Afghanistan's Soldiers Step Up Killings of Allied Forces  —  KABUL, Afghanistan — American and other coalition forces here are being killed in increasing numbers by the very Afghan soldiers they fight alongside and train, in attacks motivated by deep-seated animosity between the supposedly allied forces …