Oscar Night

Jennifer Lawrence tripped on her massive dress but recovered gracefully. Daniel Day-Lewis, classiest speech of the night. First Lady, did she belong? Ben Affleck, upstaged by Michelle, but winning is the best revenge for no Director nomination. Seth McFarlane … won’t be invited back. Anne Hathaway … there should be a stage hook. Hot: Jessica Chastain, Naomi Watts, Helen Hunt. Not: Anne Hathaway, Kristin Chenoweth, baby, and Amy Adams. For results of Best Picture, Actor and Actress, please see yesterday’s Report.

National

The White House is campaigning to warn of dire consequences if the automatic budget cuts known as “sequestration”, go into effect Friday. Representatives told state governors of impending cuts to education, vaccinations, and domestic abuse programs. The cuts are $85 billion out of a $3.5 trillion budget. Many Republicans say 2-3% is not a crippling cut for the federal government.

World

Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to sign a new national law banning smoking in public places. That would include restaurants, bars, shops, trains and entryways to buildings. The Russian government is trying to improve public health in a country where 40% of the population smokes.

The Pew Report

Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic bishop resigned today following a newspaper report that he engaged in “inappropriate acts” with three priests and one former priest in accusations dating back to the 1980s. Cardinal Keith O’Brien of Scotland said he would not go to Rome to vote on a new Pope. “I do not wish media attention in Rome to be focused on me.”

Driven

Despite her historic start in the number one pole position, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick finished eighth at the Daytona 500. Patrick was in third place going into the final lap but fell back in the final shuffle.

The Box

“Identity Thief” stole the box office again in a sleepy weekend leading to Oscar Sunday. “Snitch” was second and the animated “Escape from Planet Earth” finished third. And the final Twilight installment won the Razzie Award for worst movie of the year. Kristen Steward nailed Worst Actress for roles in “Twilight” and “Snow White and the Huntsman”, a performance she repeated as a presenter at the Oscars.

Passing

The man who once said hot sauce is his kind of global warming has died. Paul McIlhenny, 67, was part of the fourth generation of the family that has made Tabasco Sauce 145 years.