Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Thursday, May 7, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Blaze Rips Through Santa Barbara . . . The fire spreads in exclusive hillside communities of the city, consuming at least 20 houses.
Los Angeles Times
Trial Drugs Reverse Alzheimer's . . . The drugs target and boost the function of a newly pinpointed gene involved in brain's memory formation. BBC
Pakistan Pounds Taliban Positions . . . Helicopter gunships and warplanes hit suspected Taliban positions in the north-west as civilians continue to flee. BBC
Politics
White House Deals With Both Sides on Abortion . . . Effort begins to bring together supporters and opponents of allowing abortions to craft policies both sides can embrace. Wall Street Journal
Obama Seeks Cuts in 121 Programs . . . Would save $17 billion in 2010, but unclear how many Congress will pass. Part of budget released today. New York Times
Obama Under Pressure From Gay Activists . . . Some suspect his commitment to their cause. Campaign develops put openly gay jurist on Supreme Court. New York Times
National Security Adviser a Low-Key Outsider . . . James L. Jones is a measured man in a frenetic White House. Washington Post
Obama Housing Nominee Has a History . . . Deputy HUD nominee ran office in Washington state that drew huge fines. Washington Times
National Security
U.S., Afghanistan and Pakistan Vow Joint Effort . . . Leaders of three nations meet at summit and agree on threat posed by Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Los Angeles Times
FBI Faulted on Terrorist Watch List . . . Sometimes dangerously slow to add suspects -and even slower to remove those cleared of suspicion.
Wall Street Journal
Obama Serious About Reshaping Military . . . Military contractors concerned that, for once, they won't have the last word. New York Times
U.S.-Afghan Team Will Probe Deaths . . . U.S. airstrikes appear to have killed more than two dozen people, prompting outcry from Afghan officials. Washington Post
NATO War Games in Georgia Anger Russia . . . Moscow calls exercise an 'open provocation' and threatens grim consequences.
Los Angeles Times
Business
Geithner: Stress Test Results to Reassure . . . The banks are likely to be forced to add billions to their cushions of capital, but will need little more in bailout funds. Los Angeles Times
Bank Stocks Lead Rally . . . Dow climbs 1.2 percent to top 8500 as bank stocks rally amid a flurry of reports on stress test outcomes. Walt Disney shares soar. Wall Street Journal
Windows 7 Release Sparks Complaints . . . Web browser makers say it's a platform for gaining market share for Microsoft's Internet Explorer browsing system. Financial Times
Bernie Was Sexist - and Sex-Mad . . . Former Madoff secretary tells all. Times (UK)
International
Militants Prevent Pakistanis From Fleeing . . . Seek to hold civilians in Swat Valley as army steps up attacks. Associated Press
Pakistan Refugees Describe Taliban Abuses . . . "Cutting off people's heads has nothing to do with Islam," recounted Hajji Karim, 55, a bus driver. Washington Post
China Says 5,335 Students Died in Quake . . . Accusations that many schools collapsed in May 12 Sichuan earthquake due to slipshod construction methods. BBC
One Billion Go Hungry . . . With recession, food prices are down, but so is trade and development aid. Associated Press
Also Today. . .
Fear of Vaccine Leads to Outbreaks . . . Parental doubts about safety of kids' vaccinations spurs outbreaks of largely eradicated diseases like measles and whooping cough. Wall Street Journal
Jackson, Miss. Mayor Dies After Losing Primary . . . Mayor Frank Melton, 60, had a history of heart troubles. And indictments.
Associated Press
Maine Governor Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill . . . John Baldacci reverses position, saying gay couples entitled to the state constitution’s equal rights protections. New York Times
New Longevity Method Uncovered: Get Rich . . . Those with more wealth and better education are less likely to develop illness and tend to die later. Daily Telegraph
Today's Video
Shimon Peres Falls Asleep During Interview . . . YouTube
