Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Monday, May 18, 2009 Make us your homepage
This Morning's Cut
Leading the News
Sri Lanka Says Tamil Rebels Defeated . . . The man who led the Tamil Tigers' 26-year revolt has been shot dead by government troops.Mass suffering continues. BBC
Pakistan is Rapidly Adding Nuclear Arms . . . New concerns about whether billions in proposed U.S. military aid may be diverted to nuclear program. New York Times
Obama Calls for More Understanding on Abortion . . . At Notre Dame speech, tackles issue as antiabortion protests are staged.
Los Angeles Times
Politics
Obama Tests His Hand at Mideast Diplomacy . . . Netanyahu at White House today for hours of meetings. Will Obama press for quick solution or work gradually? Los Angeles Times
Netanyahu, Obama to Focus on Iran . . . Israeli leader will express concern during White House summit about Iran's progress on nukes. Jerusalem Post
GOP May Stand Back on Supreme Court Fight . . . With few options owing to their small numbers, Republicans lower expectations they will battle Obama's nominee. New York Times
Key Decisions on Hold at Geithner's Treasury . . . Vacancies in top ranks and ad-hoc management are delaying the implementation of policies. Washington Post
Industry Warming Up to Obama Climate Plan . . . Companies want to help shape global warming legislation, figuring the right plan could boost profits. Chicago Tribune
National Security
Kurd-Arab Conflict Simmering in Iraq . . . Growing test of wills over who will control land claimed by Arabs and the Kurdish autonomous government. Washington Post
Gunmen Attack Karzai's Brother . . . Ahmad Wali Karzai says he has survived an ambush on his convoy in the east. Bodyguard killed.
Associated Press
Pakistan Claims 1,000 Militants Killed . . . Urges remaining residence of Swat Valley to get out. Reuters
Money
What is Trump Worth? . . . He says $5 billion. Does he exaggerate? "I think everybody does," he said in a recent deposition. Wall Street Journal
Did You Get Out Too Soon Too? . . . Investors who sold stocks near the market's March 9 bottom missed out on one of the most powerful rallies in decades. Wall Street Journal
For a Deal, Buy a Chrysler Right Now . . . Dealers getting booted by Chrysler have a few weeks to sell 44,000 vehicles or risk losing thousands on each of them. Associated Press
China's Building Cars. Lots of Them . . . As Detroit crumbles, China is booming and looks to surpass Japan as world's largest auto maker.
Washington Post
International
Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi Goes on Trial . . . Charged with violating the terms of her house arrest. BBC
Kuwait elects Women to Parliament . . . The emir dissolved the last parliament because it wanted to question his nephew, the prime minister, about alleged corruption. BBC
Dengue Fever Hits South America . . . Latin Americans suffering from one of the worst viral epidemics on record. Hundreds of thousands sickened and more than 70 dead. McClatchy Newspapers
Also Today. . .
Quake Rattles Southern California . . . Magnitude 4.7 quake centered near LAX. No reports yet of serious damage or injuries. Some minor property damage. Los Angeles Times
NYC reports First Swine Flu Death . . . The assistant principal of a Queens school dies as city officials announce the closing of five more schools. New York Times
Growth in Kid Psych Meds Use Slows . . . State Medicaid agencies heighten their scrutiny of usage and doctors grow more wary of the powerful medications. Wall Street Journal
Astronauts Repair the Hubble . . . Give it a more commanding view of the cosmos by installing a new high-tech instrument, then fix a broken camera. Wall Street Journal
NY Times Columnist Dowd Cribbed Paragraph . . . Maureen Dowd admits using paragraph nearly word-for-word from prominent liberal blogger without attribution. Associated Press
Keep Working To Stave Off Dementia . . . Keeping the brain active by continuing to work later in life may help ward off Alzheimer's disease.
BBC
Today's Video
Republicans Step Up Attacks on Pelosi . . . CNN
