Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Thursday, March 5, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Top Bush Aides to Testify on Attorney Firings . . . Karl Rove and Harriet Miers will go under oath before House panel probing firing of nine U.S. attorneys. New York Times
Mortgage Bailout Aids 1 in 9 Homeowners . . . Obama plan gets banks to help struggling borrowers and eases refinancing by those owing more than home is worth. Wall Street Journal
Israel Considering Strike on Iran . . . Time growing short because of upgraded Iranian air defenses. Jerusalem Post
Politics
Obama Czars Draw Concern . . . He has White House aides for healthcare, the economy, energy and urban issues. Is he grabbing power from Congress? Los Angeles Times
White House Rethinks Tax Hikes . . . Resistance even from some Democrats for raising taxes on wealthy. Wall Street Journal
Limbaugh Challenges Obama to Debate . . . Calls himself a "harmless, lovable little fuzz ball." Wants to do it on his show. USA Today
EPA Considers Tougher Auto Emissions Rules . . . Reversal of Bush decision might help the environment - and raise the price of your car.
USA Today
Big Donors Dominate Obama Panel . . . Economic Recovery Advisory Board also includes union official who took the fifth, subprime loan pioneer. Washington Times
Health Firms Back Obama Plan . . . Proposal to expand health system attracts signs of support from medical lobby. White House health care summit today. Washington Post
Obama Orders Federal Contracting Review . . . Will roll back Bush's use of private contractors. Washington Post
National Security
Up to 360,000 Veterans May Have Brain Injuries . . . Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan frequently exposed to blasts. Includes 45,000 to 90,000 whose symptoms persist. USA Today
Cuban Influence in Venezuela Spreading . . . The 40,000 Cubans working in the country have a hand in all kinds of sectors - including security for President Chávez. Miami Herald
Nato Resuming Russia Ties . . . Seven months after breaking ties over invasion of Georgia, alliance moves toward resuming formal relations.
The Independent
China Ready to Talk to Taiwan . . . Premier Wen Jiabao hails significant improvement in ties. Associated Press
Business
Sino-Stimulus . . . Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao outlines aggressive $586 billion plan to stimulate his economy. Los Angeles Times
NY AG Cuomo Subpoenas Merrill Execs . . . Each were paid more than $10 million in cash and stock last year. Wall Street Journal
Recession Deepening, Fed Says . . . Dragging down industries around the country. Businesses do not expect rebound until late this year at the earliest. Washington Post
Are Stocks Getting Attractive? . . . Obama thinks so. And market gurus agree stocks are getting down to levels that look cheap. USA Today
International
Clinton Slams Israeli Plan to Raze Homes . . . In an unusual public criticism, calls "unhelpful" an plan to destroy dozens of Palestinian homes in Arab East Jerusalem. Los Angeles Times
China Cracks Down on Tibetans . . . With 50th anniversary of failed uprising next week, China put Tibetans under de facto martial law.
New York Times
Sudan's Bashir Defies War Crimes Warrant . . . Fiery response to International Criminal Court arrest order for crimes at Darfur.
New York Times
Pakistan Cricket Attack Might be Inside Job . . . Umpires and spin bowler question why the Pakistani coach left five minutes late.
Times (UK)
Also Today. . .
Supreme Court Upholds Right to Sue Drugmakers . . . Rules against Bush administration argument that FDA approval of drug shields against lawsuits. Los Angeles Times
Barbara Bush Undergoes Heart Surgery . . . Successful operation to replace aortic valve. Full recovery expected. Houston Chronicle
Sides Prime for Gay Marriage Fight . . . Calif. Supreme Court to hear case that seeks to overturn state's ban on same-sex marriage. But a long struggle is expected. Wall Street Journal
Second Hand Smoke Causes Depression . . . Non-smokers exposed to cigarette smoke at home or work are more than twice as likely to have major depression. USA Today
Today's Video
Sudanese Soldier Describes Child Rapes . . . CNN
