There was no saving Matt Giraud this time. After a nationwide vote, the 23-year-old piano player from Kalamazoo, Michigan became the ninth finalist eliminated on American Idol. Kris Allen and Adam Lambert joined Matt in the bottom three.

The following is a transcript of President Barack Obama’s news conference on Wednesday at the White House:

A 23-month-old toddler from Texas, USA became the first confirmed swine flu death case outside of Mexico. Officials say the death was in Houston.

It’s tea time darling!

Between March 1918 and late 1919, the “Spanish Flu” is thought to have infected perhaps 20 percent of the world’s population. Mortality estimates have long pegged the number of dead worldwide as somewhere around 20 million people — but newer estimates put the number closer to 100 million.

At least five people were killed and dozens more injured Tuesday afternoon when a charter bus carrying French tourists overturned on a California roadway, authorities said.

AXA-owned insurance brand Swiftcover is making an embarrassing U-turn over its Iggy Pop-fronted TV commercial.

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland has urged believers to send their prayers the modern way. Cardinal Sean Brady, speaking at a Mass in County Mayo on Sunday, urged social network users to start sending daily prayers by text, Twitter or e-mail.

The remaining American Idol finalists delivered a strong set of performances for Tuesday’s Rat Pack theme night, and Adam Lambert, the most popular contender this season, picked “Feeling Good” as his song choice.

American Idol’s five finalists are singing songs made famous by the original kings of cool– Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop—collectively known as the Rat Pack. Kris Allen sings “The Way You Look Tonight”. Great pick. Surprise mentor Jamie Foxx says he’d do a record with him right now.