Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Friday, March 13, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Americans Lost Wealth At Staggering Clip in 2008 . . . Prosperity built during credit bubble has vanished, leaving folks without college funds and nest eggs. Washington Post
Madoff Pleads Guilty to Epic Scam . . . Tells victims he's sorry and ashamed. Says he knew this day would come. And then he goes to jail, probably for life. Wall Street Journal
Obama Still Has No Credible Plan to Fix Banks . . . Experts say it is putting the whole economic recovery plan at risk.
McClatchy Newspapers
Politics
Steele Slammed for Abortion Remarks . . . Conservatives angered that RNC chair referred to abortion as an "individual choice." Washington Post
Pelosi Rules Our Another Stimulus . . . At least not soon. Wants to see the current one play out first. Washington Post
Obama Conciliatory Toward Big Business . . . In remarks to CEOs, says he'll consider cutting corporate taxes and compromising on global warming plan. Wall Street Journal
Obama's Poll Numbers Fall to Earth . . . Approval rating below where Bush's was at same point in presidency. Wall Street Journal
Obama on the Spot on Gay Marriage . . . Must consider whether government has to provide health benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. New York Times
Obama Official On Leave After Arrests . . . Obama chief information off icier Vivek Kundra sidelined after FBI arrests two at his former DC office. Washington Times
National Security
Obama Sends Warships to South China Sea . . . Moves to bolster fleet after standoff with China over surveillance ship. Times (UK)
U.S. May Send Gitmo Prisoners to Saudi Arabia . . . Some of the roughly 100 Yemenis there would go, while others would be shipped to Yemen or stand trial here. Wall Street Journal
Obama May Lift Ban On Iran Diplomatic Contacts . . . Looking at ways to develop direct line of communication to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Wall Street Journal
Drone Kills at Least 24 Taliban in Pakistan . . . Thirty injured. Fifth drone attack on Pakistani territory since Obama became president.
BBC
Federal Agents Headed to the Border . . . Will help stem recent violence in northern Mexico, Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano says. USA Today
Dutch Arrest Seven Terrorism Suspects . . . Suspected of preparing to inflict mass casualties in Amsterdam shopping areas. Associated Press
Business
Lawmakers Focus on Limiting Wall Street Pay . . . NY attorney general Cuomo in talks with Rep. Frank and others on plan to tie pay to firms' long-term performance. Wall Street Journal
Stocks Show Sustained Gain . . . Dow rises 623 points in three days. World markets up too. But experts caution the bear may still lurk.
New York Times
China 'Worried' About Treasury Holdings . . . Uh oh.
Associated Press
Berkshire, GE Lost Top Credit Ratings . . . Profits of each in recent years came heavily from selling financial services. Washington Post
International
Showdown Looming in Pakistan . . . U.S. seeks to avert destabilizing clash between president and top opposition figure as unrest grows.
Wall Street Journal
Desperate Search in Frigid Atlantic . . . One dies, one survives and 16 feared dead as helicopter carrying rig workers goes down off St. Johns, Canada. Globe and Mail
Israel Would Release 450 Hamas for Soldier . . . Agrees to free all 450 prisoners demanded by Hamas in exchange for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. Haaretz
Tax Havens Offer Concessions On Secrecy . . . Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg all seeking ways to fend off global crackdown on tax evasion. Reuters
Also Today. . .
Massive Medicare Fraud Detailed . . . Cheating by companies helped boost spending on home health services 44 percent. USA Today
Army Fires 11 Under 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' . . . The figure, just for January, is revealed as Rep. Moran starts getting updates.
Associated Press
Boeing 777 May Be Dangerous . . . 'High probability' of repeat of engine failure that forced a plane to crash land at Heathrow last year. There are around 250 flying. Daily Telegraph
Astronauts Temporarily Evacuate Space Station . . . Fleeing possible collision with rocket part drifting in space, they jump in an attached spacecraft. Washington Post
Three Charged in Anna Nicole Smith Case . . . Prosecutors say two doctors and Smith's boyfriend-lawyer furnished her with drugs. She died in 2007. Los Angeles Times
Today's Video
Diver Fights and Kills 12 Foot Shark . . . CNN
