Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Stocks Stage First Major Rally of 2009 . . . Dow rises 379 points on profit by Citigroup, but investors worry it's just a bear market blip. Wall Street Journal
Alabama Gunman Kills Nine and Then Himself . . .Michael McLendon burned down his mother's home, killed family members on their porch and then shot strangers. Associated Press
Al Qaeda Afghanistan Presence Growing . . . DIA chief Maples tells senators al Qaeda has resurfaced in country it was forced to flee seven years ago. Los Angeles Times
Politics
Senate Approves $410B Spending Bill . . . A victory that puts Dems on defensive over earmarks. Obama will sign it but hold anti-earmark event today. Washington Post
Congress Mulls Another Stimulus . . . The ink is barely dry on the $787 billion package, but talk is already beginning of another measure to spur job growth. Wall Street Journal
Obama Urges Sweeping Education Overhaul . . . Seeks lifting of limits on charter schools, improved early education, and link between teacher performance and salary. New York Times
Obama to Name Drug Czar Today . . . Gil Kerlikowske's nomination was slowed as details of drug arrests involving his stepson came to light.
Washington Post
Obama Health Care Plan to Exceed Budget . . . OMB Director Orszag calls $634 billion allotted during next 10 years a "significant down payment." Washington Times
The Obama Doctrine . . . The president's pragmatic worldview is likely to temper military engagement overseas. Christian Science Monitor
National Security
Freeman Withdraws Name From Intel Post . . . "Chas" Freeman won't head body that prepares U.S. intelligence estimates. Questions ties to Saudi Arabia and China. Washington Times
Tariq Aziz Guilty in Iraq Murders . . . Smooth former foreign minister jailed for 15 years over 1992 execution of Iraqi traders. BBC
Pakistan Bans Protests Ahead of Rally . . . Launches early morning raids on lawyers, activists and political opponents. Could further destabilize already shaky rule. Los Angeles Times
Terrorist Watch List Hits One Million . . . Up 32 percent since 2007 despite removal of 33,000 entries last year by FBI. USA Today
Obama Leaning Toward Major Iran Overture . . . Aimed at initiating talks on nuke program. Planned by June Iranian election. Boston Globe
Iraq Violence Could Curb Afghanistan Effort . . . Recent spike in violence has some worried Afghan strategy could falter on need to keep large force in Iraq. McClatchy Newspapers
Business
Madoff to Plead Guilty to 11 Felony Charges . . . Will likely spend life in prison for Ponzi scheme that soaked investors of billions.
Wall Street Journal
Bernanke Wants Financial Reg Reform . . . Says regulators should be given broad new powers to oversee financial markets. Wall Street Journal
Some Banks, Citing Strings, Want to Return Aid . . . Critics of White House conditions on bailout funds say the measures border on social engineering. New York Times
International
China Would-Be Protestors Pay a Price . . . China had promised an outlet for protest during Olympics. Those who tried now face punishment. Washington Post
Palestinian Factions Meet in Unity Effort . . . Hamas and Fatah try to bridge their divide at Cairo sessions. Globe and Mail
At Least Ten Killed in German School . . . Gunman in black combat gear kills at least 10 people, most of them students. BBC
Millions of Darfuris at Risk . . . Expulsion of 13 aid groups from Sudan is a humanitarian crisis that may also reignite regional conflicts.
Christian Science Monitor
Also Today. . .
Screening Can Detect Ovarian Cancer . . . More likely to be found early , with almost half of cancers discovered before spreading beyond pelvis.
New York Times
New Proof Prostate Tests Overdiagnose Cancer . . . Up to 40 percent have tumors too slow-growing to ever be a threat.
Associated Press
Girl Returns Home After Daring Tumor Removal . . . Doctors took out six vital organs so they could remove a cancerous tumor. USA Today
Anastasia Didn't Survive . . . DNA from bone fragments identify her and brother Alexis, ending speculation that children of Czar Nicholas II may have escaped execution. Los Angeles Times
Today's Video
Sri Lanka Suicide Bomber Kills 13 . . . Associated Press
