Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Sunday, May 31, 2009 Make us your homepage
The Latest Breaking News
This Morning's Cut
Leading the News
Gates, Allies, Plot Asian Defense . . .
Begin planning to build up U.S. and allied military defenses should a diplomatic response to North Korea fail. Wall Street Journal
Pakistan Army Gains in Swat . . . May push into northwest region, where Taliban and al Qaeda are based. Associated Press
Top Investors Worry Obama Moves Could Backfire . . . Concern that efforts, from Chrysler intervention to Treasury's bank bailouts, will only extend recession. Reuters
Politics
Is Sotomayor the First Hispanic Justice? . . . Some, including Karl Rove, say Justice Benjamin Cardozo, reportedly of Portuguese descent, beat her to it in the 1930s. Los Angeles Times
The Obamas Take Broadway . . . Jet to New York City for dinner and a show. But is it a little too much during a recession? New York Times
Obama Backs Mountain Blasts . . . Coal industry says blasting away a peak beats shaft mining. Critics say it scars the landscape and hoped Obama would end it. Not quite. Los Angeles Times
National Security
China's Anger at North Korea May Signal a Shift . . . But it remains unclear how far China will move to punish its ally.
Wall Street Journal
North Korea Moving Missile to Launch Pad . . . Spotted on a cargo train, it resembles Taepodong II missile launched over northern Japan into the Pacific Ocean April 5. Washington Post
Chavez Shift Gears in Leftist Revolution . . . Picking up the pace of his left-wing revolution with a relentless raft of nationalizations and an offensive against opponents. Reuters
U.S. Leaving Its Cultural Footprint in Iraq . . . Mustafa Muwaffaq, 20, describes his love for heavy metal of all kinds: death, thrash, black - and the honky-tonk of Alan Jackson. Washington Post
Money
GM Bankruptcy Plan Clears Final Hurdle . . . Bondholders agree to exchange their debt for an ownership stake in the ailing carmaker.
New York Times
Tax Credit Will Apply Directly to Home Cost . . . FHA will allow first time homebuyers to deduct new $8,000 credit from price of home rather than waiting for tax season. Reuters
Recession Hits Black Men Hard . . . For black males ages 20 to 24, the unemployment rate is close to 50 percent. Washington Times
Zoellick: Stimulus Measures a 'Sugar High' . . . World Bank chief warns stimulus effects won't last and could lead to other problems.
Bloomberg
International
Ex-Iraqi Trade Minister Detained in Graft Probe . . . Iraqi officials order plane in which he was traveling to turn around.
Washington Post
Israel Rejects Stoppage on Settlements . . . Government officials say Obama is favoring the Palestinians. Haaretz
Palestinian Authority Clashes with Hamas . . . Six killed in firefight as Palestinian security personnel surround house to arrest operatives holed up inside. Jerusalem Post
Disputed South Ossetia Votes . . . Polls are the first held since the territory declared independence from Georgia last August with Russian help. BBC
Also Today. . .
Dueling Calif. Protests on Gay Marriage . . . Gay marriage supporters march in rural, conservative California. Opponents plan public weddings between men and women. Associated Press
CT Scans for Lung Cancer May Carry Risks . . . Of 1,600 smokers and ex-smokers in study, 40 had cancer, but eight did not and had unneeded surgery. USA Today
Scientists Kill 35 Beached Whales in South Africa . . . Frantic effort saves 20 pilot whales, but 34 others will be euthanized.
Globe and Mail
Conan Prepares His Ascent . . . Will he be able to maintain the Tonight Show's loyal but aging following amid competition from all sides?
Boston Globe
Today's Video
Taliban Recruits Teen Suicide Bombers . . . Telegraph
