Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Pope Calls for Palestinian State . . . But, on arrival in Bethlehem, he also urges Palestinians not to resort to violence and terrorism. BBC
Chrysler Bankruptcy May Take Two Years . . . Obama had suggested a quick turnaround of about two months. Bloomberg
U.S. in Danger of Losing Triple A Credit Rating . . . Exploding health care and Social Security costs threaten to engulf the government in debt. Financial Times
Politics
AIG Bonuses Long Known . . . Federal officials were aware of company's bonus payments months before firestorm.
Washington Post
Palin Seals A Book Deal . . . Her payday is not revealed, but she was represented by Washington super-lawyer Bob Bennett, so her retirement probably looks good. Los Angeles Times
Stimulus Aid Trickles Out . . . The federal government has paid out less than 6 percent of the $787 billion economic stimulus package.
New York Times
Florida Governor Wants Senate Seat . . . Republican Charlie Crist may also have his eye on bigger game in 2012. New York Times
Senators Weigh Tax Hikes to Fund Health Reform . . . Consider limiting tax-free status of employer-provided health benefits to help pay for Obama's overhaul plan. USA Today
Ex-Surgeon General Pleads Not Guilty . . . Antonia Novello denies forcing state employees to handle her personal chores when she was N.Y. health commissioner. Associated Press
National Security
Pakistan Given Permission to Use Drones . . . So far, they've been reluctant. Los Angeles Times
The New Man in Afghanistan . . . Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal is said to move easily between the political and military realms.
New York Times
Nuke Disposal Logjam to Grow . . . Obama's plan to cut the arsenal will add to a 15-year backlog of warheads waiting to be dismantled.
USA Today
Five Guilty in Plot to Blow Up Sears Tower . . . Jury finds they plotted with al Qaeda to blow up Chicago's Sears Tower and other government buildings. Reuters
Business
U.S. Considers Bank Pay Overhaul . . . Obama administration begins serious talks about changing pay practices across the financial industry.
Wall Street Journal
Recession Drains Medicare and Social Security . . . The Medicare hospital insurance trust fund may be depleted by 2017 and Social Security reserves gone by 2037. New York Times
Billions Withdrawn Before Madoff Arrest . . . About $12 billion was pulled out of accounts at Bernard L. Madoff’s firm in 2008, half in three months before arrest. New York Times
EU Issues Record $1.45B Fine to Intel . . . Says the world's biggest computer chipmaker blocked smaller rival AMD. USA Today
GM Sinks to a New Low . . . Shares at lowest level in 70 years as bankruptcy looms. Financial Times
International
List of Afghan Dead Includes 93 Children . . . Also, 25 adult women are among a list of 140 Afghans who villagers say were killed in a battle and U.S. air strikes last week. Reuters
Scores Die During Fierce Fighting in Mogadishu . . . Battles have killed 113 civilians in the past three days and forced more than 27,000 to flee their homes. Associated Press
Pakistani Commandos Dropped Into Swat . . . Raiding Taliban's mountain base as battle is stepped up. McClatchy Newspapers
Tiananmen Square Leader Arrested . . . Almost 20 years after crackdown, US-based Zhou Yongjun is detained in China while visiting father. Guardian
Also Today. . .
Doomed Pilots Talked of Their Inexperience . . . Chit chatted about ice buildup on the plane while aircraft slowed to dangerously low speed.
Wall Street Journal
Counseling Was Ordered for Soldier in Shooting . . . Had been ordered him to turn in his gun and get psychological counseling.
New York Times
New Prostate Cancer Test Promising . . . May be able to determine if cancer is aggressive, aiding treatment. BBC
FDA Warns Cheerios About Health Marketing . . . Unapproved claims about lowering cholesterol and reducing the risks of heart disease. Financial Times
Today's Video
NTSB Simulation of Buffalo Plane Crash . . . YouTube
