Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Sunday, February 15, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Doomed Plane Stalled Completely . . . Landed flat on a single house. Was turned around 180 degrees from airport. New York Times
Iraq Graft Inquiry Focuses on U.S. Officers . . . Probe of chaotic early days of rebuilding effort includes senior military officicals who oversaw program. New York Times
Stimulus Could Unravel Welfare Reform . . .Plan may undo reforms signed by Reagan and Clinton that cut the dole queues, critics say.
Times (UK)
Politics
Burris Changes Story on Senate Seat . . . Illinois senator failed under oath to reveal contacts with Gov. Blagojevich's brother. State GOP demands perjury probe. Chicago Sun-Times
Obama Will Sign Stimulus Tuesday in Denver . . . Says it's only the beginning of efforts to turn economy around. Associated Press
Obama Fought Executive Compensation Limits . . . Pay restrictions, go much further than limits proposed by the president 11 days ago.
Washington Post
Eric Cantor Leads Solid GOP Resistance . . . In mold of Gingrich, Virginia Republican forges unity in opposition to Obama. New York Times
Obama to Shift Focus to Deficit . . . Schedules a "fiscal-responsibility summit" on Feb. 23. Says discipline will be over the "midterm and long term." Wall Street Journal
Obamas Go Upscale for Valentine's Day . . . Dinner in Chicago at Table Fifty-Two, serving southern fare for the establishment. Oprah likes it too. Chicago Tribune
National Security
Obama Softens on Missile Defense . . . Officials suggest they'd reconsider deployment of missiles in Eastern Europe for better cooperation with Russia. McClatchy Newspapers
Military Will Offer Path to Citizenship . . . Stretched thin, military to grant skilled immigrants temporary visas and chance to become citizens in as little as six months. New York Times
North Korea Offers Possible Olive Branch . . .Ready to improve relations with "friendly" countries, the country's No. 2 leader says.
Associated Press
Does U.S. Risk Soviet-Style Afghan Quagmire? . . . U.S. and NATO troops are too often making the same mistakes and could run the same risk of being driven out. Reuters
Business
Japanese Economy in Free Fall . . . Will likely report on Monday that its fourth-quarter output plunged at an annual rate of nearly 12 percent. Washington Times
Geithner Trades U.S. Critics for European . . . At G7 meeting in Rome, criticism of stimulus "Buy America" provisions and the debt pile-on.
New York Times
G7 Provides Nothing New to Fight Downturn . . . Generic statements of principle and commitments cap meeting. Globe and Mail
International
Saudi Arabian King Weakens Hard Liners . . . Abdullah appoints moderates to key posts. Dismisses a top fundamentalist cleric and the head of the religious police. Los Angeles Times
Livni Hints She Won't Join Coalition Government . . . Kadima officials suggest they'd rather sit in opposition to Netanyahu. Haaretz
Bolivian President Stirs Debate . . . Indigenous tribes adore Evo Morales, but others say he's an authoritarian socialist replica of Castro and Chavez. Washington Post
Also Today. . .
Others Stopped Flying Prop Planes in the Cold . . . Two airlines ceased flying turboprop planes in icy climates after deadly crashes similar to the one in Buffalo. Buffalo News
Publicists for Octuplets Mother Quits . . . Says they've received a slew of death threats. Los Angeles Times
Scientists: Climate Change Worse Than Thought . . . Warming pace likely faster than recent predictions. Emissions greater than expected. Washington Post
Galaxy Has 'Billions of Earths' . . . Dr Alan Boss of the Carnegie Institution of Science says many could be inhabited by simple life forms.
BBC
Miami Banker Gives $60 Million to Employees . . . Based on years of service, some get tens of thousands of dollars, several than $100,000.
Miami Herald
A Kiss Isn't Just a Kiss . . . "You are passing vital information about who you are—your genetics, your temperament," said Dr. Helen Fisher, biological anthropologist. Chicago Tribune
Today's Video
Robinson Wins NBA Dunk Contest . . . Associated Press
