Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Friday, May 29, 2009 Make us your homepage
The Latest Breaking News
This Morning's Cut
Leading the News
White House Tries to Reassure on Sotomayor . . . But it turns out Obama did not ask her about Roe v. Wade or her views on right to privacy in the Constitution. Washington Post
Sri Lankan Army Accused of Massacre . . . More than 20,000 civilians killed in final onslaught on the Tamil Tigers, according to secret UN estimates. Times (UK)
U.S. Sees a Permanent Nuclear North Korea . . . "This is a whole new ballgame and it's a whole lot deeper and darker and scarier," says U.S. official. Reuters
Politics
Sotomayor Ruling Draws Scrutiny . . . Said New Haven could reject results of two firefighter tests that would promote whites because no blacks scored high enough. Wall Street Journal
A Terror on the Bench . . . Lawyers who have argued cases before Sonia Sotomayor call her "nasty," "angry" and a "terror on the bench."
Washington Times
Does Sotomayor's Ethnicity Color Her Rulings? . . . Critics raise the question, pointing to membership in activist Puerto Rican organizations.
New York Times
Sotomayor Under Fire for Comments . . . Top Republican on Judiciary says she needs to explain remarks some have called racist.
USA Today
Sotomayor Polls Decently Well . . . Nearly half like the choice, while only 13 percent give her poor marks. Los Angeles Times
Kennedy Circulating Health Care Proposal . . . Would require every American to have insurance and mandate that employers contribute to coverage. Washington Post
Ambassador Picks Show Not Much Change . . . Obama rewards political backers with plum assignments. Associated Press
National Security
Gates: No Unusual Military Moves by North Korea . . . U.S. has no plans to reinforce 28,000 American forces in South Korea after North threatens attack. New York Times
Europe Balks at Taking Gitmo Detainees . . . Officials demand the U.S. give asylum to some Guantanamo inmates before they will reciprocate. Washington Post
US Vexed by Taliban's Foreign Support . . . Gets as much money from donors as from opium, complicating effort to combat militants by stopping drug trade. Wall Street Journal
Pentagon Plans New Cyberspace Arm . . . Will create division to wage virtual war. Obama to announce White House cyber czar.
New York Times
Money
Mortgage Rates Surge . . . Threatens prospects for quick rebounds in the housing market and consumer spending. Wall Street Journal
Rising Oil Tests Recovery . . . Could sap buying power of consumers who are essential to ending the longest recession since the Great Depression. Reuters
Key Bond Holders Accept GM Offer . . . Decision may pave way for a quick bankruptcy. New York Times
Time Warner Jettisons AOL . . . Much-anticipated divorce filing for a multibillion-dollar corporate marriage. New York Times
U.S. Seeks Balance at Auto Firms . . . As both overseer and owner, the government tries to stay out of the weeds of daily decision-making. Washington Post
International
Obama, Israel Clash on Settlements . . . In rare public dispute, U.S. wants all expansion stopped while Israel would continue some growth.
Los Angeles Times
Berlusconi Begins Raising Eyebrows . . . The debate over the Italian PM is not just about sex but reflects an inattention to Italy’s deep problems, critics say. New York Times
South Korea Mourns ex-President . . . Thousands throng Seoul for the funeral of former President Roh Moo-hyun, who killed himself last week.
BBC
Egypt Killed the Pigs . . . Many lost their livelihood when Egypt culled its pigs out of misplaced fear of swine flu. Los Angeles Times
Also Today. . .
U.S. Debt Hits Taxpayers . . . Taxpayers on the hook for an extra $55,000 a household to cover rising federal commitments made just in the past year. USA Today
Bid to Replace Aging Nukes Faces Setbacks . . . Technical problems and an erosion of scientific expertise blamed for delays in replacing thousands of parts. Los Angeles Times
Study Questions Routine Use of Aspirin . . . Low-dose aspirin should not be used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in those who haven't had them, as harm equals benefits. BBC
Kansas Girl Wins National Spelling Bee . . . Cool and collected, Kavya Shivashankar wrote out every word on her palm and always ended with a smile. Associated Press
Today's Video
Jay Leno Will Do His Final Tonight Show . . . NBC
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