Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Obama Signs Stimulus . . . Next up, announcement today of $50 billion foreclosure rescue plan. Associated Press
Pilot Error May Have Led To Crash Pilot may have taken wrong action when plane slowed to an unsafe speed. Icing may have had nothing to do with it. Wall Street Journal
GM, Chrysler Seek $21.6 Bil. More in Federal Aid . . . GM wants another $16.6 billion, Chrysler $5 billion. Wall Street Journal
Politics
Burris Sought to Raise Funds for Blagojevich . . . Agreed to request from former governor's brother at same time he was seeking the Senate seat. Chicago Tribune
Burris Faces Two Investigations . . . U.S. Senate committee begins probe, as does local Illinois prosecutor. New York Times
Watchdog: Bush FDA Move Endangered Patients . . . Suspended requirement medical device makers meet federal lab standards before testing on humans. McClatchy Newspapers
Administration Positions Unfilled . . . Three Cabinet positions and many spots the next level down are empty. No one to spend stimulus money. New York Times
National Security
Pakistan Supporting U.S. Strikes . . . While publicly declaring them an outrage, military and intel officials are quietly providing significant assistance. Wall Street Journal
Obama Orders More Troops to Afghanistan . . . The deployment, to total 17,000 soldiers and Marines, will double the number of U.S. combat brigades. Los Angeles Times
Obama Continuing Some Bush Terror Policies . . . Rendition, indefinite retention of suspects among policies that will be maintained.
New York Times
Afghanistan Mini-Surge Tests Strategy . . . Some 3,000 American troops sent to control areas where insurgents operate freely.
Christian Science Monitor
Terrorists Wanted to Blow Up Seven Airliners . . . Sought to use bombs disguised as soft drinks to explode transatlantic planes, prosecutors tell British court. Guardian
Business
SEC Charges Financier With $8 Bil. Fraud . . . Allegation he told investors they were buying high-rate CDs but put their money somewhere else. Wall Street Journal
Greenspan Backs Nationalization . . . Says government may have to temporarily nationalize some banks to fix financial system and restore flow of credit. Financial Times
Pay Limits in Stimulus Unclear . . . May reach further into middle ranks of bank employees than thought. Analysts warn of brain drain.
Wall Street Journal
Banks Cut Back Lending . . . Major banks modestly reduced lending in recent months, even while collecting nearly $200 billion in federal bailout funds. Los Angeles Times
Instant Starbucks . . . Move could lure customers who drink fast-food or grocery store coffee - or it could water down the Starbucks brand.
New York Times
Sirius Gets Funding . . . Lifeline from Liberty Media will stave off bankruptcy for now. New York Times
International
Russian Tycoon Faces New Charges . . . Mikhail Khodorkovsky, arrested after getting on wrong side of Putin, could see jail stay extended past 2011 release date. Christian Science Monitor
Sudan Makes Deal With Darfur Rebels . . . Could be sign of renewed peace process - or a stalling tactic. Christian Science Monitor
Syria Urges Better Ties With U.S. . . . Assad says in interview that signs coming from the Obama administration have been "positive." BBC
Also Today. . .
Facebook Reverses New Privacy Policy . . . Had claimed for itself the permanent right to user's content. CNN
Beheading Sparks Honor Killing Debate . . . Murder in New York of wife who filed for divorce may have had basis in mores of muslim couple's native Pakistan. Associated Press
Judge Rejects Polanski Dismissal Plea . . . But suggests director, a fugitive on child sex charges, might win case if he risks return to United States. Los Angeles Times
Dolphin Attacked by Shark is Saved . . . Australian wildlife officials to treat dolphin friendly to humans that had been mauled. BBC
Today's Video
Chimp Shot Dead After Mauling Woman . . . CBS
Chimp's Owner Calls for Help . . . New York Daily News
