Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Sunday, March 8, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
U.S. to Cut 12,000 Iraq Troops by September . . . Will reduce the number of U.S. combat brigades in Iraq from 14 to 12. First part of planned withdrawal. Reuters
Obama Ponders Outreach to Taliban . . . In interview, Obama opens door to a reconciliation process in which military would reach out to elements of the Taliban.
New York Times
Bomb Kills 28 at Iraq Police Academy . . . Suicide bomber also wounds 57 in Baghdad. First major attack in almost a month in the Iraqi capital. Reuters
Politics
GOP Concern Growing About Steele . . . GOP moderates staked hopes of change on the new GOP chairman, but some wonder if he has the discipline. New York Times
Meet Obama's 27-Year Old 'Mind Reader' . . . Speechwriter Jon Favreau plays a key role in Obama's most critical public moments.
Chicago Tribune
States Look to Get Into Porn, Pot Business . . . With revenues on the decline, lawmakers mull some unorthodox new taxes. New York Times
Obama May Have to Take More Measures . . . Poor economic stats increase pressure for additional action. Bloomberg
Biden Plots His Course . . . Will be a powerful VP but not so much as Cheney. McClatchy Newspapers
High Speed Train Network Taking Shape . . . Stimulus gooses funding for dozens of projects for fast intercity rail. Washington Post
National Security
Karzai Backs Obama Taliban Outreach Idea . . . Says talks should proceed with those who are afraid to return to society and fear they must stay with militants. Associated Press
Growing Logistical Support Problem in Iraq . . . As military pulls out, key support like helicopter backup for special forces disappear. Washington Post
Army Faces Tangle of Goals in Afghanistan . . . Bring security, reduce support for Taliban, improve Afghan army, bring good governance, boost economy, etc. Washington Post
Pakistan Releases Militants Into Swat Valley . . . U.S. fears a new terrorist haven. Reuters
Russia Wants Global Disarmament Talks . . . Foreign Minister Lavrov says he wants to take advantage of Obama's multilateral approach.
Associated Press
Business
Credit Card Firms Pay Some to Close Accounts . . . For industry that makes money when consumers pile on debt, a telling sign of issuers' struggle to shed risk. USA Today
Illegal Immigrants Staying Home . . . With the economy in tatters and security beefed up at the U.S.-Mexico border, fewer are crossing illegally.
Los Angeles Times
Obama Seeks to Boost Spirits on Economy . . . Expresses hope but says country will have to make tough choices. Reuters
International
Zimbabwe Opposition to Investigate Crash . . . But evidence so far suggests car collision that injured PM Morgan Tsvangirai and killed his wife was an accident. New York Times
Karzai Backs Off Call for Early Election Date . . . But doesn't want to leave when term ends May 21. Leadership disarray at critical moment possible. Wall Street Journal
Successive Bombings in Pakistan . . . Fifteen killed in portions of northwest region. Reports of downed U.S. drone. Associated Press
Pope Headed to Holy Land . . . Pontiff will visit the sites of Jesus' life in a May trip to parts of Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan. BBC
Two British Soldier Killed in Northern Ireland . . . Shot execution style during an attack on barracks in Ulster. Times (UK)
Also Today. . .
U.S. Health System Pinched by Nursing Shortage . . . Quality of care threatened by too few nurses even as tens of thousands are turned away from nursing schools. Reuters
Some States May Kill Death Penalty Over Costs . . . Turns out it's cheaper to keep them in jail for life. Chicago Sun-Times
Adoptions of Foreign Children Plunges . . . New restrictions by foreign governments and diminishing financial resources among prospective parents. Washington Times
Reagan Tried to Convince Gorbachev God Exists . . . Reagan speculated that Gorbachev, an avowed atheist, harbored religious beliefs.
Wall Street Journal
Today's Video
Obama Loves His Teleprompter . . . Fox News
