Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Saturday, April 18, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Obama Wants Fresh Start With Cuba . . . The president signals hope for end to Cold War acrimony, welcoming Havana's gesture. Los Angeles Times
Obama Set to Regulate Greenhouse Gases . . . Ruling provides basis for cap on carbon emissions. Wall Street Journal
Israeli Military Ready to Strike Iran . . . Preparing to launch aerial assault within days of being given the go-ahead by new government.
The Times (UK)
North Korea: Sanctions A Declaration of War . . . Says it will view as a "declaration of war" any sanctions or pressure applied against it because of rocket launch. CNN
Politics
White House Backs Rattner . . . Gibbs says Obama has full confidence in Car Czar, who was involved in payments under scrutiny in an alleged kickback scheme. Wall Street Journal
CIA Memos Could Spur More Disclosures . . . More investigations of Bush officials' conduct could also be on tap. New York Times
Obama to Seek Budget Cuts . . . Will ask all agency chiefs for proposals to cut their budgets as he tries to streamline government spending.
Associated Press
Obama Criticizes Bush Latin America Approach. . . Says U.S. has been too disengaged, dictatorial. Los Angeles Times
Palin Considered Abortion for a 'Fleeting Moment' . . . Tells pro-life group her last pregnancy lets her "understand a woman's, a girl's, temptation to maybe make it all go away." Los Angels Times
National Security
Officials Study Harsh Interrogation Methods . . . White House and Congress seek to ascertain whether techniques used under Bush worked.
Los Angeles Times
China: Friend or Foe? . . . Pentagon views growing Chinese military as its top potential rival, but many observers say fear of China is exaggerated. Wall Street Journal
Iran Jails U.S.-Iranian Reporter for Eight Years . . . Roxana Saberi was accused of spying. A potential source of friction between U.S. and Iran. Reuters
U.S. Jamming Taliban Online Effort . . . Broad drive to prevent Taliban from using radio stations and websites to intimidate civilians and plan attacks. Wall Street Journal
U.S. May Shift Pirate Strategy . . . Pentagon officials want to formulate new policy to encourage more daring commando raids. Wall Street Journal
CIA Overdid It With Abu Zubayda . . . Ramp up to harsh interrogation seen as unnecessary and unproductive. New York Times
Business
Jobless Rate Climbs in 46 States . . . California and North Carolina at multidecade highs. Wall Street Journal
China's Economy 'Better Than Expected' . . . Premier Wen Jiabao said country's stimulus package is working but cautions that full recovery will take time. Wall Street Journal
Madoff Accountant May be in Plea Talks . . . David Friehling, 49, has been free on $2.5 million bond since his arrest last month. USA Today
International
Alleged Assassination Plot Roils Bolivia . . . Breakup of alleged plot against Bolivia's president left three dead. Opposition leaders cast doubt on government's story. Wall Street Journal
Sunnis Rise in Iraq's North . . . A challenge to the Kurds - and to the country's leaders to keep the peace. New York Times
Controversy Over Death at G20 . . . London cop may b e charged with manslaughter after video shows he attacked man who died. Police had said they didn't touch him. The Guardian
Dutch Commandos Free 20 Pirate Captives . . . But they let the primates go. BBC
Also Today. . .
Captain Phillips Returns Home . . . Former pirate hostage praises the Navy Seals and insists he's no hero, just an ordinary seaman.
Associated Press
NIH Draws Up Stem Cell Rules . . . Would expand funding for use from embryos that would have been discarded, but the line is drawn at cloning.
Wall Street Journal
Concerns Grow Over Chinese Drywall . . . We imported lots of it during the housing boom. Now people are saying it's making them sick and corroding their stuff. Associated Press
Men and Women's Roles Alter . . . Changes in family life have made roles more alike than ever as couples try to find right work, home balance. USA Today
Today's Video
Taliban Style Justice for Alleged U.S. Spy . . . MSNBC
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