Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Friday, March 20, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
House Passes 90 Percent Tax on AIG Bonuses . . . But move could undermine efforts to rescue financial system by driving away program participants. Washington Post
Accuracy of Geithner Statements Questioned . . . He says he found out about AIG bonuses March 10. He was asked about them March 3. Do the math.
New York Times
Obama Sends Video to Iran . . . Appeals directly to government and Iranian people to forge a new relationship with the United States. Wall Street Journal
Politics
Obama Budget Hits Rocky Road . . . Congress says deficits will be higher than Obama claims. Dems concerned about new taxes, spending and other issues. Los Angeles Times
Obama Calf. Swing Ends on Tonight Show . . . Talks sports, dogs and more with Leno after touring electric vehicle plant and holding town hall meeting in L.A. Los Angeles Times
Bill to Let Judges Alter Loans Stalls . . . Opposition from bankers and moderate senators of both parties stalls bill allowing judges to change terms of mortgages. Wall Street Journal
Sen. Dodd Takes a Hit . . . He put the AIG salary deals off limits. Now his constituents are mad. New York Times
Scandal Puts Focus on CIA Self-Policing . . . Episode involving officer ensnared in sex scandal draws congressional concern. Washington Post
National Security
Obama Will Court Former Afghan Warlords . . . As part of new strategy, will use local leaders to undercut support for Taliban and lure away militants. Wall Street Journal
Zardari's Our Man in Pakistan . . . He looks the other way while we fling missiles around. Now he's in trouble. CIA chief Panetta heads to the country. Wall Street Journal
Bush Official Says Many at Gitmo Innocent . . . Top aide to Secretary of State Powell says many swept up by U.S. forces unable to distinguish good buys from bad. Associated Press
Major Clash in Afghanistan . . . Afghan and international forces killed 34 militants in two days. Associated Press
U.S. Could Knock Down North Korean Missile . . . Commander says "high probability" of success taking out missile headed to United States. Washington Post
Business
No One's Going Nowhere . . . Sharp declines in spending on travel prompts deep discounts from the industry. Wall Street Journal
Aid To Auto Suppliers Signals Industry Support . . . Treasury's move to provide up to $5 billion to suppliers signals Obama beginning expensive industry restructuring. Detroit News
Thirteen Bailed-Out Banks Owe Back Taxes . . . Failed to pay more than $220 million in federal taxes. Washington Post
A-I-G Spells Chutzpah . . . Company is quietly suing federal government for the return of $306 million in tax payments. New York Times
International
Soldiers' Tales of Gaza Killings Raise Furor . . . Israelis stunned. Inquiry will look into published accounts about killing of Palestinian civilians. New York Times
New Israeli Coalition Built to Clash With Obama . . . Foreign minister of incoming government lives in a West Bank settlement, for example. Washington Post
Last Stand of Zimbabwe's White Farmers . . . Number declines in nine years from 9,000 to 300. Farmers keep guns close at hand.
Globe and Mail
One Million March in France . . . French public sector unions led day of strikes and protests over what they see as Sarkozy''s unjust economic policies. Times (UK)
Small Plane Flies Into Building in Ecuador . . . Kills five people aboard the military aircraft and two more on the ground. Associated Press
Also Today. . .
Natasha Richardson Died of 'Blunt Impact' to Head . . . Fall tore artery in her head, resulting in bleeding in area between skull and lining covering the brain. New York Times
Richardson's Death Sparks Helmet Use Debate . . . Ski resorts hate them. Doctors had tried to persuade Quebec to make them mandatory. Associated Press
Man Guilty of Throwing Four Kids Off Bridge . . . Threw four young children to their deaths from a coastal Alabama bridge last year.
Associated Press
Obamas Will Live Off the Land . . . Michelle Obama to plant an organic vegetable garden. Idea is also to promote healthy eating. Washington Post
Today's Video
Heeere's Barack! Obama on the Tonight Show. . . NBC
