Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Obama to Sign Stimulus Today . . . Package if four times bigger than he proposed and a month late, but it's done.
Washington Times
California to Cut 20,000 State Jobs With lawmakers unable to agree on a budget, state is running out of cash. Reuters
Wall Street Not Sold on Stimulus Bears on the prowl. Growing concern about Obama's economic team. USA Today
Politics
Democrats Joining Call for Burris Probe . . . Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan wants deeper investigation of senator's testimony about Blagojevich contacts. Chicago Tribune
Falling Oil Prices Test Palin . . . State that reaped benefits of expensive crude now facing deficit. She's eying 2012 presidential run, but may have to stay home more. Associated Press
Obama to Meet With Japanese PM Aso. . . His first session with a foreign leader at the White House points to importance of relationship with Japan. Wall Street Journal
McCain Says Bipartisanship Lacking . . . Suggests Obama's efforts to pick off a few Republicans to join Dems on stimulus is business as usual.
Wall Street Journal
Obama Seeks to Delay Decision on Rove Subpoena . . . Wants to wait two more weeks before weighing in on Conyers' demand for testimony. McClatchy Newspapers
Postal Chief Got $800,000 in Pay, Perks . . . John Potter reaps huge benefit and salary package as Post Office raises stamp prices and considers cutting service. Washington Times
Cheney Outraged Bush Didn't Pardon Libby . . . Pressed for pardon for ex-aide until the end. New York Daily News
National Security
Afghan Civilian Deaths Rise . . . Up 40 percent last year to a record 2,118. Militants responsible for 55 percent of deaths, but allied forces killed 39 percent. Associated Press
Clinton Issues Warning to North Korea . . . Says country will lose vital aid unless it abandons nuclear program. Guardian
Bolivia to Get Helicopters From Russia . . . Russians seeking to expand influence in Latin America. Associated Press
Justice to Criticize Bush Team on Interrogations . . . Report will slam Bush administration lawyers who wrote legal opinions justifying harsh methods. New York Times
Science Tries to Find Osama . . . Using various models, a team says most likely location is a town in Pakistan. USA Today
Business
Trump Entertainment Files for Bankruptcy . . . His casinos are heavily in debt. Financial Times
GM, Chrysler to Submit Restructuring Plans Today . . . Expected to detail thousands of job cuts, fresh plant closings and other measures - and ask for more money. Financial Times
Credit Card Reform Gets Another Look . . . As credit card fee increases squeeze consumers, lawmakers step up efforts to reform criticized practices. USA Today
International
Japanese Finance Minister Resigns . . . Charged with boozing at G-7 meeting. Fiasco is serious blow in election year to imperiled government of PM Taro Aso. Associated Press
Landmark Khmer Rouge Trial Starts . . . Kaing Guek Eav led notorious prison camp. Accused of presiding over the murder and torture of at least 15,000 inmates. BBC
Australia Fire Deaths at 200 and Rising . . . More than 1,800 homes were destroyed and 7,500 people displaced. BBC
France's Role in Holocaust Recognized . . . France's top judicial body formally recognizes nation's role in deporting Jews to Nazi death camps. Associated Press
Also Today. . .
Deadly Bacteria Defy Drugs . . . New bugs get more resistant to treatment. Their toll - which already includes a Brazilian beauty queen - is expected to rise. Los Angeles Times
New Day in Court for Roman Polanski . . . Director seeks to have child sex case dismissed. Alleges prosecutorial and judicial misconduct.
Los Angeles Times
Questions About Use of Autopilot in Crash . . . Some aviation experts say relying on autopilot kept pilots from sensing seriousness of icing conditions. Christian Science Monitor
Pet Chimp Shot After Mauling Woman . . . Viciously attacked woman he had known for years, leaving her critically injured with much of her face torn away. New York Times
Today's Video
Bristol Palin Talks to Greta . . . Fox News
