Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Friday, January 30, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Illinois Gov. Blagojevich Removed From Office . . . After Blago's impassioned plea for mercy, state Senate votes unanimously to dump him anyway. Chicago Tribune
Government Eyes Two-Part Bank Bailout . . . In move to reduce cost, Feds would take some bad assets and offer guarantees on others. Obama slams Wall Street bonuses.
Wall Street Journal
Politics
Obama to Reverse Bush Labor Policies . . . Will sign three orders giving unions and people who work for federal contractors new rights. Signed equal pay law Thursday. Wall Street Journal
Senate Debates the Stimulus . . . Half a dozen Republicans in play, but some Dems may oppose it. A close vote expected with 60 needed to get it through. Wall Street Journal
Biden Carves Out Meaty Rolls . . . Leads his own task force, schmoozes senators in the gym, heads on diplomatic mission to Europe.
Wall Street Journal
Inauguration Security Around Obama Lax, Some Say . . . No ID's required to pick up VIP passes to meet him. People near swearing in allowed to mingle with public and return. Washington Post
Obama to Sign Kids Health Bill . . . Republicans opposed the measure, which expands program by $32 billion. Bush had vetoed it.
Washington Post
Judge Denies Obama Request to Delay Gitmo Trial . . . A rebuff to Obama's plan to halt trials and review them. Detainee accused of planning 2000 Cole attack. Washington Post
Michelle Obama Eyes Policy Roll . . . Has quietly assembled a staff that's steeped in women's and workplace issues. McClatchy
National Security
Convicted CIA Traitor Continued to Spy From Jail . . . Harold Nicolson enrolled his son to tell the Russians more of what he knew. Wanted Russian "pension" to help family. Wall Street Journal
Iraqis to Vote Saturday . . . Elections, which will shape the political landscape, have legitimacy with Iraqis. Widespread participation expected. Washington Post
North Korean Scraps Accords with South . . . Move follows saber rattling gestures. Viewed as effort to get Obama's attention.
New York Times
Russia Asserts Claims to Large Swath of Arctic . . . New directive's tone is openly aggressive. Der Spiegel
NATO Chief Wants Arctic Force . . . Global warming melting frozen sea routes and major powers rushing to lay claim to lucrative energy reserves. Volunteers? Associated Press
Business
U.S.-Style Capitalism Under Siege . . . At Davos economic meeting, Europe boasts of its kindler, gentler version. Wall Street Journal
Worldwide Concern About U.S. Stimulus . . . How will U.S. will pay for it? Borrowing puts long term pressure on inflation, interest rates.
New York Times
Consumers Cut Credit Card Payments . . . People struggling to pay their bills. USA Today
Economy Going From Bad to Worse . . . Reports on unemployment, housing and durable goods are evidence of recession's depth. Grim GDP data expected today. Los Angeles Times
International
Maybe the Rain Forests are Going to be OK . . . Worldwide trend away from farming helps jungles regain lost territory. New York Times
Mass Protests in France . . . Hundreds of thousands oppose Sarkozy economic policies, decrying growing unemployment. New York Times
Some 40 People Likely Die in Kenya Market Fire . . . Thirty nine are missing, one confirmed dead as firefighters struggled to put out blaze.
BBC
Dozens of Gazans Feared Dead in Reprisals . . . Suspected Israeli collaborators among those killed as Hamas retakes control. Guardian
Also Today. . .
Gangs Swell in Size . . . Up to 1 million members now behind 80 percent of street crime across the U.S., despite a police crackdown.
USA Today
Mother of Octuplets Has Six Other Children . . . And Dad is returning to Iraq. Oops. Associated Press
Patients' Stem Cells Reverse Multiple Sclerosis . . . Own cells “reset” faulty immune system of those with early-stage MS and, for the first time, reversed disability. Bloomberg
NBC Rejects Pro-Life Ad for Super Bowl . . . Spot portrays Obama as an unborn child. Washington Times
Army Investigating Rash of West Point Suicides . . . Two cadets killed themselves, and two others tried. "This is a stressful place."
Washington Post
Today's Video
Blago's Last Stand . . . CBS
