Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Obama Fires Afghan War Chief . . . Four star general replaced with expert in type of counterinsurgency Obama plans for the country. Wall Street Journal
Dozens Die as Sri Lankan Hospital Hit . . . Government shells hospital in the war zone, killing at least 45 people, rebel and hospital sources say. BBC
U.S. Soldier in Iraq Kills Five Comrades . . . Shooting at Camp Liberty in Baghdad, part of a sprawling complex of bases housing tens of thousands of troops. Los Angeles Times
Politics
GOP and Business Assail Obama Tax Plan . . . Obama seeks to raise $58 billion by ending some corporate tax breaks and changing the way assets in estates are valued. Los Angeles Times
Obama: Budget Deficit of $1.84T This Year . . . The record figure surpasses the $1.75 trillion projected earlier in the year.
Los Angeles Times
Obama Push for Health Care Cuts Faces Long Odds . . . Vows by doctors, hospitals, drug makers and insurance companies may not produce promised savings. New York Times
Obama Pressured to Tap Hispanic for Court . . . But aides expect he'll get more than one pick, and they strategize on how to move.
Washington Post
Meet Diane Wood, Who May be the Next Justice . . . Judge Diane P. Wood, a liberal who has established a record of ideological combat, ranks high on short lists. New York Times
Obama Budget Cuts Funds For Abstinence Ed . . . Teen pregnancy prevention will be taught in a U-turn in what has been more than a decade of sex education policy. USA Today
National Security
Journalists' Release Shows Iran Leadership Split . . .Release of Iranian-American journalist underlines divisions on how to respond to Obama’s overtures. New York Times
China Steps Up Cyberwarfare Effort . . . Develops more secure software in hope to making its computers impenetrable to U.S. military and intelligence agencies. Washington Times
Pakistan Army Closes In on Taliban Base in Swat . . . U.N. calls for help for hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the fighting.
Reuters
Muslim Leaders Unite to Oppose Taliban . . . Mainstream Muslim religious leaders in Pakistan form alliance to oppose Taliban, boosting the government. Washington Times
Business
Retailers Cutting Prices . . . Growing number of companies develop products they can sell at a lower price without driving themselves out of business. Washington Post
Bank Stock Sales Add Billions in New Capital . . . Market rally allows firms to improve financial health much more quickly and cheaply than expected. Washington Post
AirTran to Offer Wireless . . . In a bid for new passengers, AirTran will become the first large U.S. airline to offer wireless Internet on every flight nationwide. USA Today
Less Demand for Naked Women . . . Playboy looks to make "radical changes" to attract readers and cut costs. Chicago Tribune
International
Pope Visits Jerusalem Holy Sites . . . Pope Benedict XVI visits the Dome of the Rock and Western Wall, sites sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims.
BBC
China Marks Quake Anniversary With Pain, Anger . . . Despite hopes the earthquake would lead to greater transparency, China's political secrecy has strongly re-emerged. USA Today
Somalis Flee Renewed Bloodshed . . . Thousands of residents of Somalia's capital are fleeing as the death toll from fighting in Mogadishu rises. BBC
Also Today. . .
Michael Jackson Makes His Move . . . He has 50 sold out dates coming up in London. Will it be the greatest comeback ever - or the final, sad chapter? Los Angeles Times
Suspected NAZI Guard Demjanjuk Deported . . . Retired Ohio auto worker arrives in Germany to face accusations of being accessory to murder of 29,000 Jews and others. Associated Press
Acupuncture Really Can Relieve Back Pain . . . A major scientific study shows the little needle can help sufferers of chronic back pain.
Times (UK)
Today's Video
Buffalo Crash Pilot's Training Questioned . . . MSNBC
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