Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Monday, March 9, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Housing Spat Strains U.S. - Israeli Ties . . . Clinton criticizes plans to demolish 88 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem that Israel says were built without permits. Wall Street Journal
North Korea Threatens War if Satellite Shot Down . . . Troops on standby as U.S. and South Korea begin annual war games. Associated Press
Pakistan Thwarting U.S. Hunt for Extremists . . . After Mumbai attacks, U.S. barred from searching for those who might pull such a things in America. Los Angeles Times
Politics
Focus on Limbaugh Hurting Obama With GOP . . . Potential Republican partners represent many Limbaugh fans.
New York Times
Obama Seeks to Shield Science From Politics . . . Will issue memorandum when he lifts restrictions on funding for human embryonic stem cell research today. Washington Post
President's Political Protector Ever On Duty . . . David Axelrod’s political advice carries more weight than most anyone else’s on Obama’s payroll. New York Times
Democrats Try to Rebrand Earmarks . . . Portray them as money well spent. Washington Times
Illegal Immigrants Might Get Stimulus Jobs . . . Tens of thousands of jobs could end up filled by illegals, particularly in big states like California. USA Today
Congress All A-Twitter . . . Lawmaker are suddenly telling us things that ought to start out, "Dear Diary." And, like, every 20 minutes or so.
McClatchy Newspapers
National Security
Analysts: Obama Reachout to Taliban Useless . . . He wants deal with moderates, but they're not the problem. Reuters
Afghan Coalition Deaths From IEDs Soars . . . Makeshift bomb attacks killed three times as many in first two months of 2009 compared with same period last year. USA Today
Pakistan Claims Control of a Tribal Area . . . But militants may be poised to return when pressure is off. New York Times
Polish Leader Wants Missile Shield . . . "A deal was signed," he says. Obama hinted he'll scrap it if he can get help from Russians on Iran. Associated Press
Business
U.S. to Push for Global Stimulus . . . Will press world leaders to boost emergency spending to lift the global economy, risking rift with Europeans. Wall Street Journal
Merck Buys Schering-Plough for $41B . . . Latest in a flurry of mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceuticals sector. Reuters
Recession Spreads Across Globe . . . World Bank report predicts world economy will shrink for the first time since World War II.
Washington Post
Circuit City Unplugged for Good . . . Its 567 remaining U.S. stores to be left broom clean and vacant. Was nation's second-largest consumer electronics retailer. Associated Press
International
Saga Over Kidnapped Soldier Grips Israel . . . As PM Olmert gets ready to depart, advocates want a deal for Gilad Shalit, a Hamas hostage for 1,000 days. New York Times
Former Israeli President to be Charged With Rape . . . Complaints by four women who worked for Moshe Katsav when he was tourism minister in 1990s. Associated Press
Seeking Justice, Chinese Land in Secret Jails . . . Rights advocates say China's leaders using “black houses” to reduce number of petitioners reaching Beijing. New York Times
Election Offers El Salvador Leftists Chances . . . After 12-year civil war, left on verge of completing remarkable journey from armed struggle to the presidential palace. Washington Post
Also Today. . .
Illinois Pastor Killed During Services . . . Rev. Fred Winters deflected first bullet with bible. Shooter Terry Sedlacek, 27, had mental illness caused by Lyme disease. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Woman Dies on Escalator as Most Pass By . . . As 82-year-old Helen Jackson lay pinned to Boston transit escalator that held her scarf and hair, most commuters moved along. Boston Globe
Many Fewer Call Themselves Christian . . . Percentage of Americans identifying as Christians down to 76 percent from 86 percent in 1990. Washington Post
Climate Change Skeptics Meet . . . They assail the “climate alarm movement” but are facing internal disputes and weakening support.
New York Times
Jet Packs Are Here, Sort Of . . . Flights limited to 30-second hops; another Drawback is the 1,300-degree blast. Wall Street Journal
Today's Video
Ted Kennedy's Star Studded Birthday Tribute . . . CBS
