Morning Must Reads: February 23

Birdman Soars at the Oscars

Birdman took home Best Picture and Best Director while Eddie Redmayne earned Best Actor for The Theory of Everything and Julianne Moore won Best Actress for Still Alice.Selma and The Grand Budapest Hotel also took home statues at the 87th Academy Awards

Salary Increases Are Back

A new report says roughly 90% of companies will give raises this year, but don’t hold your breath for a windfall: The majority of bumps will be 5% or less

More Cold for South and Rockies

The Rocky Mountains and Southern Plains are in for snowy and icy conditions Monday as Winter Storm Quantum continues to move across the region

Emma Watson Shoots Down Those Prince Harry Rumors

The British actress took to Twitter in light of recent chatter that she has been secretly dating Prince Harry. “Remember that little talk we had about not believing everything written in the media?!” Watson said

Most Americans Think Rich Should See Tax Hike, Poll Shows

The Associated Press–GfK poll, which comes in the wake of President Barack Obama’s proposals in his 2016 budget to raise investment taxes on high-income American families, found overall that 56% of respondents think their own federal taxes are too steep

Why Washing Dishes by Hand May Lead to Fewer Allergies

A new study suggests that hand washing dishes might lead to a significantly lower risk of developing allergies “If you are exposed to microbes, especially early in life, you stimulate the immune system in various ways and it becomes tolerant,” says the study author

Legendary Jazz Musician Clark Terry Dies at 94

Jazz trumpet and flugelhorn virtuoso Clark Terry, whose illustrious career spanned more than seven decades, died in the company of family, friends and students. The legendary trumpeter played along some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time

Ukraine’s Protest Anniversary Met With Bombs

Violence erupted in eastern Ukraine’s largest city as thousands of people commemorated the anniversary of the popular uprising that toppled the nation’s pro-Russia administration and sparked a separatist revolt that has killed more than 5,000 people

Australian Leader Outlines Antiterrorism Measures

Australians who hold dual nationality and flout antiterrorism laws will have their citizenship suspended or revoked, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced during an address on national security. “The threat to Australia is worsening,” he said

Homeland Security Goes on Offense Against Congress

The Obama Administration made a last-minute plea for Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security, sending Secretary Jeh Johnson on a talk-show tour. Johnson used appearances on all five Sunday morning political talk shows to press his case

Swine Flu Deaths in India Pass 800

Swine flu has claimed 38 more lives in India, taking the total nationwide death toll to 812, according to the latest figures released by the country’s health ministry. The total number of people affected by the H1N1 virus has now crossed 13,000

Young Evangelical Loses Book Deal After Coming Out

A prominent Christian publisher canceled a book project this week after the author refused to say that he did “not condone, encourage or accept the homosexual lifestyle.” Brandan Robertson’s book will no longer be published, he tells TIME

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