Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Health Officials Ease Swine Flu Precautions . . . Begin pulling back some initial measures amid signs disease is not as virulent as thought. Wall Street Journal
Murtha Nephew Got Defense Contracts . . . Millions in work doled out to powerful congressman's relative came without competition. Washington Post
Georgia Says Troops Mutinied . . . Government claims to have uncovered a coup plot with Russian links. Says rebellion had been quashed. BBC
Politics
President's Tax Proposal Riles Business . . . Move to close overseas tax havens prompts opposition from multinational businesses and questions from lawmakers. Christian Science Monitor
Supreme Court Limits Deportation Avenue . . . In a 9-0 decision, the justices say an illegal worker must know he is using a real person's Social Security number. Los Angeles Times
Court Revives Janet Jackson Case . . . Says appeals court must reconsider ruling that spared CBS a fine for her Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction. USA Today
Obama Rebuffed on Gitmo Closure Funds . . . Top House Democrats site a lack of planning. Wall Street Journal
Obama's Ambassador to the GOP . . . Ray LaHood’s title is secretary of transportation, but he functions as Obama's link to Capitol Hill Republicans.
New York Times
Conservative to Lead GOP Scrutiny of Court Pick . . . Jeff Sessions of Alabama is tapped to be ranking member of Judiciary.
Washington Post
Ridge May Run for Specter's Seat . . . Former Pa. governor and Homeland Security Secretary may seek GOP nod. Washington Post
National Security
Pakistanis Angered By U.S. Drones . . . "What would America think if someone started shooting rockets and killing people in their land?" said Ashraf Bhatti, apparel merchant. Los Angeles Times
Residents Asked to Leave Homes in Swat Valley . . . Pakistan army may be preparing a major offensive against Taliban. Reuters
U.S. Troops Calm an Afghan Valley . . . A single company of fresh U.S. troops has turned an insurgent haven into a laboratory for the Obama surge. Wall Street Journal
Porous Border Could Hinder U.S. Afghan Effort . . . Militants are able to cross into Pakistani refuge with ease. New York Times
Pakistan, U.S. in Nuclear Security Talks . . . Greater US role sought in securing Pakistan's nuclear materials. Boston Globe
Business
Stress Tests Show Need for Capital . . . U.S. expected to direct about 10 of the 19 banks undergoing tests to boost capital. Wall Street Journal
Some 401k Plans Barring Withdrawals . . . Some plan holdings become hard to sell, limiting dollars available for cash out. Among other problems. Wall Street Journal
Stocks are Up for the Year . . . Investors bought stocks Monday, notably bank stocks, on optimism that the economy is nearing a low and preparing to turn up. Wall Street Journal
Filene's Basement Hits Bottom . . . Discount retailer files to reorganize under chapter 11. Associated Press
Airlines See Signs of Improvement . . . U.S. airlines, which saw much of their business traffic fall this winter, may be coming out of their tailspin. USA Today
International
U.S., Israel Diverge on Palestine Plan . . . Netanyahu skeptical of Obama plan to create a state when Palestinian security forces are weak and leadership is divided. Wall Street Journal
Gunmen in Turkey Kill 44 at a Wedding . . . A gruesome massacre is staged as masked gunmen attack. Many of the dead are women and children. New York Times
Questions About Support for Ahmadinejad . . . Supreme leader Khamenei issues pointed rebuke as Iran president faces tough reelection campaign. Associated Press
Also Today. . .
Mental Health Drug Use Rises . . . Prescriptions for U.S. adults increased 73 percent and those for children rose 50 percent from 1996 to 2006. Wall Street Journal
Researchers Race to Outmaneuver Swine Flu . . . Scientists around the world pursue the tiny spheres that are the mysterious viral couriers of the outbreak. USA Today
Male Contraceptive May Be on the Way . . . Needle stick may be as effective as female contraceptive. BBC
The Wave That Swallowed New York City . . . Scientists uncover evidence that a rare Atlantic tsunami engulfed the region 2,300 years ago.
BBC
Today's Video
The Obama's Have a Date Night . . . CNN
