Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Geithner, Bernanke Seek New Powers . . . Outrage over AIG's bonuses is fast-tracking plans to give U.S. officials the power to seize non-banks and freeze contracts. Wall Street Journal
Obama Defends Economic Policies . . . During news conference, president focuses on efforts to revive economy and rescue financial system. Washington Post
Top Hedge Fund Managers Rake in Billions . . . The 25 top managers reaped a total of $11.6 billion in pay by trading above the pain in the markets. New York Times
Politics
Democrats Take a Knife to Obama's Budget . . . They seek to bring deficits under control while preserving domestic agenda items. Washington Post
White House Combats Drugs at the Border . . . The $700 million plan targets drug and human trafficking, aiming to curb spillover violence from Mexico into U.S. Los Angeles Times
White House to Hunt for New Tax Revenues . . .Task force to mull elimination of corporate loopholes and subsidies, tougher enforcement, and tax simplification. Wall Street Journal
Drive to Tax AIG Bonuses Slowing . . . Removes a wedge that has threatened to derail Obama's broader agenda. Wall Street Journal
Supreme Court May Gut Campaign Finance Law . . . Five Justices appear to back changes as government argues movie about Hillary Clinton violated law. New York Times
Obama Notre Dame Visit Dogged by Abortion Flap . . . Will address commencement, but some oppose his visit to the Catholic school because of his abortion stance. Chicago Tribune
National Security
Obama Claims 'Secrets' Privilege . . . President's Justice Department accused of shielding intelligence-gathering methods just as Bush did. Washington Post
Administration Avoids Term 'Global War on Terror' . . . It's really just so Bush. The new phrase is "overseas contingency planning." Does it reflect a different outlook? Washington Post
Officials Ask Why $5B in Afghan Aid Unspent . . . Money meant for humanitarian projects diverted to road building; Afghan police inadequately trained. Washington Times
British-Run Orphanage Training Terrorists . . . Staff arrested and guns and ammunition seized in a raid on orphanage in Bangladesh.
Times (UK)
Business
Fed to Start Buying Treasuries Today . . . Seeks to unfreeze credit with $300 Billion effort that scoops up long term notes. Bloomberg
Blockbuster to Transmit Movies Via TiVo . . . Chain will also begin to sell TiVo DVRs. USA Today
Obama to Meet With Bank Execs Friday . . . Financial firms have been raising concerns about the restrictions attached to government aid. Reuters
Insurers Look To Compromise . . . Proposal would require coverage for all and stop basing cost decisions on pre-existing conditions. USA Today
International
Rabbis Criticized for Gaza Sermons . . . Israeli soldiers describing misconduct in Gaza say some in military rabbinate demonized Palestinians. Los Angeles Times
China Blocks YouTube . . . Company must grapple with content that offends governments. Wall Street Journal
South Africa Bans Entry of Dalai Lama . . . Government doesn't want trouble with China. Washington Post
Ukraine Vaccine Refusals Spur Outbreak Fears . . . Thousands shun vaccines for diphtheria, mumps, polio, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis. Disease could spread beyond border. Globe and Mail
Also Today. . .
Octuplet Mom Fires Nurses . . . Dumps nurses who offered free care after one filed a report against her with Child Protective Services.
Orange Country Register
GI Suicides Raise Worries . . . New military initiative seeks to halt epidemic, which has killed double the number of troops this year as Iraq and Afghanistan missions. USA Today
Two Dead, Four Missing in Fishing Boat Mishap . . . sank in rough seas off New Jersey. Associated Press
Houston Chronicle Cuts 12 Percent of Staff . . . Latest sign of newspaper woes as ad revenues plummet. Reuters
World's Oldest Woman About to Turn 130 . . . Mother of ten's birth date said to be March 27 1879. Attributes longevity to staying away from sweets - and the doctor. Daily Telegraph
Today's Video
Obama's Prime Time Press Conference . . . MSNBC
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
