Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Sunday, May 3, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
No Signs Yet of Sustained Swine Flu Spread . . . But world health officials still expect "pandemic" threshold to be reached, even if its mild. New York Times
Jack Kemp Dies at 73 . . . Former Bills football star and vice presidential nominee was the driving force behind embrace by GOP - and Reagan - of tax cuts. Los Angeles Times
Obama Likely to Favor Pragmatist for the Court . . . Ex-Harvard Law professor probably will bypass fiery liberal for someone with limited view of court's role.
New York Times
Politics
GOP Leaders Try to Polish Party's Image . . . Eric Cantor, Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney launch the National Council for a New America, a new policy outfit. Washington Post
Souter: My Heart belongs to New Hampshire . . . When tapped for the court, he put his stuff in boxes and went to Washington. He never unpacked. Washington Post
The Baton Has Been Passed . . . With a bolstered majority in Congress, a budget blueprint and a Supreme Court vacancy, observers say Obama is now fully responsible. Los Angeles Times
Obama Says Financial Sector to Shrink . . . Will make up smaller part of the economy as new regulations clamp down on "massive risk-taking," he says. Reuters
Bishops Angry Over Notre Dame's Obama Invite . . . A substantial number - but at 20 percent still a substantial minority - voice concerns. Abortion's the issue. Associated Press
Edwards' Wife Opposed His Campaign . . . Urged him not to run after she found out about his affair, but stood by him. And does today.
The Times (UK)
National Security
Iraqi Soldier Kills Two U.S. Troops . . . Incident raises fresh concerns about extremist infiltration of Iraq's security forces as U.S. troops prepare to withdraw. Washington Post
Karzai's Rivals in Disarray . . . Incumbent Afghanistan president looking like a winner as August race looms. Washington Post
Accidental Deaths Plague U.S. Troops in Iraq . . . More likely to die in accidents, from natural causes, or in other "nonhostile" incidents than at the hands of insurgents. Boston Globe
Pakistan Sets Up Islamic Court . . . Officials in northwest province bow to Taliban demands. Washington Times
Business
Apple Plays off Suitors Against Each Other . . . Seems to be stroking competition between AT&T and Verizon for right to distribute next iPhone. Reuters
Buffett's Bad News . . . Tells record crowd at somber Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting that first-quarter operating profit fell and company's book value declined six percent. Reuters
Wage Growth Eroding . . . Workers' earnings are stagnating or even declining as employers slash hours and cut wages. Washington Post
International
Berlusconi's Wife Wants a Divorce . . . It seems there's too much of the burlesque in Berlusconi, who likes the pretty young things. Reuters
Medvedev Brings a New Style to the Kremlin . . . shows far less inclination to impose his own will on key ministers and is less driven by emotion than Putin. Reuters
Clashes in Egypt Over Pig Cull . . . Police and farmers clash in Cairo as the authorities continue a slaughter to combat swine flu. Experts say it makes no sense. BBC
Six Killed in Austrian Resort Avalanche . . . Victims were climbers from the Czech Republic who were attempting to scale a nearby mountain. BBC
Also Today. . .
Swine Flu Jumps From Man to Pigs . . . Man infected in Mexico sickens pigs on his Canada farm. If it's going back and forth between pigs and people, problem could be worse. Wall Street Journal
A Rising Sense of Optimism on Race . . . Whites and blacks sense a subtle change in relationships with the rise of Obama. New York Times
No Rise in Social Security Payments in 2010 . . . Not getting cost-of-living adjustment will shock seniors hit by falling home prices, investment losses and rising health costs. New York Times
Overtreating Swine Flu a Problem . . . Over-prescribed anti-viral drugs can lose their effectiveness. Chicago Tribune
A Revolutionary New Internet Tool . . . New search software can understand questions and give specific answers. The Independent
Today's Video
Cowboys' Indoor Practice Facility Collapses . . . CNN
