Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Sunday, February 8, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Savage Fires in Australia Kill 84 and Counting . . . Conflagration wipes out whole towns. Army sent in to help thousands of firefighters. BBC
Democrats Likely To Have Votes For Stimulus . . . The $827 billion plan will attract two Republicans and all Democrats to get the 60 votes needed. McClatchy Newspapers
Politics
McCain Leads GOP Opposition to Stimulus . . . Anti-pork crusader and defeated presidential candidate takes on Obama's first major initiative. Chicago Tribune
Obama Expands Power of NSC . . . Adds to membership and increases its authority to set strategy across spectrum of international and domestic issues. Washington Post
Kansas Governor Tops HHS List . . . Kathleen Sibelius is most likely choice to replace Daschle. We bet she's paid her taxes. Washington Times
Obama Seeks China Alliance on Global Warming . . . Clinton to propose partnership in Beijing visit next week. Leadership summit possible. The Independent
Rush Limbaugh Says He's Leading the GOP . . . Not all Republicans like the idea. Los Angeles Times
RNC Chief Defends Payment to Sister . . . Spokeswoman says payment of $37,000 for work on Senate campaign was legitimate.
New York Times
National Security
Obama Puts Break on Afghan Surge . . . Wants strategy review before sending in more troops. Times (UK)
Military Says Pakistan is Obama's Top Challenge . . . New study to say nuclear armed country with al Qaeda insurgency is worse problem than Iraq, Iran or Afghanistan. McClatchy Newspapers
The Man Who Helped Change Iraq Strategy . . .Gen. Raymond Odierno challenged the military establishment, pressing for more troops and a new strategy. Washington Post
Karzai Under Siege . . . Afghan leader no longer in favor at home or at the White House. New York Times
Taliban Says it Killed Polish Contractor in Pakistan . . . Piotr Stanczak was one of several foreigners captured by the Taliban in Pakistan in recent months. New York Times
Business
Geithner: Banks Must Modify Loans to Get Aid . . . Treasury Secretary tells Dems banks will be required to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Bloomberg
Bank Chiefs to Take Public Transport to Washington . . . They'll leave the private jets in the hangar as they make their way to Congress for a grilling. Financial Times
Geithner May Use Private Bank for Bad Debts . . . "Aggregator bank" for troubled assets would start with federal money, but most financing would be private. Wall Street Journal
GM Plans Major Job Cuts . . . More than 5,000 salaried workers may be let go. Bloomberg
International
Madagascar Violence Claims 30 . . . Soldiers fire on antigovernment protesters near the presidential palace. Associated Press
Russia Welcomes 'Positive' U.S. Approach . . . Biden meets with foreign minister Ivanov. But VP says it's up to Georgia whether to join NATO, which Russia opposes. BBC
Bartering Back in Russia . . . A sign of the financial times as a practice of the disastrous 1990s returns. New York Times
Also Today. . .
One Dies, Dozens Saved From Ice Floe . . . More than 125 fishermen were taken off a large chunk of ice that broke loose on Lake Erie.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Should Black History Month be Ended? . . . With election of African American president, growing arguments that black history is American history. Associated Press
U.S. Student on Trial in Italy for Killing Roommate . . . Amanda Knox accused along with Italian ex-boyfriend of murder and sexual assault of Meredith Kercher. Associated Press
Obama Hope Poster Artist Arrested . . . Street artist Shepard Fairey charged with graffiti crimes. Already sued by AP over use of photo.
Boston Globe
Today's Video
Obama's New Weekly Video Address . . . YouTube
