Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Sunday, August 23, 2009 Make us your homepage
The New News
This Morning's Cut
Leading The News
South Korean President Meets North's Envoys . . . First high level talks in 18-month presidency of Lee Myung-Bak indicates significant thaw in relations. Times (UK)
Wildfires Reach Athens Suburbs . . . Hundreds flee as raging fires approach the Greek capital. BBC
Abduallah Accuses Karzai of Rigging Election . . . Former foreign minister in contact with other campaigns to explore the possibility of a coalition candidacy. Globe and Mail
Politics
Virginia to be a Bellwether . . . If GOP picks up governorship, it could be an indicator voters are souring on Democrats. Washington Times
A Wave of Literary Unrest for Obama . . . Three of the top five titles on the New York Times nonfiction hard-back bestseller list are currently anti-Obama screeds. Sunday Times (UK)
Jerry Brown's Comeback Trail . . . Former Calif. governor is now the top choice to succeed Schwarzenegger. Sunday Times (UK)
Calls to Tax Junk Food Gains Ground . . .A surcharge on cigarettes has helped curb smoking, but will the same tactic work to fight obesity?
Los Angeles Times
National Security
Hakimullah Mehsud is New Pakistan Taliban Chief . . . The 28-year-old commander is known for his ferociousness, raising fears of new wave of militant violence. Sunday Times (UK)
U.S. Fights With Little Afghan Help . . . Lack of support from Afghan officials hinders efforts to win over residents in region where the Taliban remain a menace.New York Times
Baghdad Streets Empty Despite Ramadan Start . . . People who normally shop for the sunset meal stay close to home in the wake of two devastating bombings last week. Los Angeles Times
U.S. Gives Detainee Names to Red Cross . . . In reversal of Pentagon policy, military is providing Red Cross identities of militants who were being held in secret at camps. New York Times
Money
Housing and Consumers May Drive Market Next Week . . . Investors will watch next week's new home sales and consumer data to see if economy's recovery is on track. Reuters
Apple Says Google Voice App Alters iPhone . . . Appears to replace iPhone's core mobile telephone functionality and user interface with its own system for calls and texting. Reuters
July Consumer Spending Probably Decelerated . . . The biggest part of the economy is struggling to rebound. Bloomberg
International
Lockerbie Bomber Release Questioned. . . Talks between British ministers and Qadaffi son - and Libyan claims of a trade deal - spur skeptics. Sunday Telegraph
Israeli Jew Joins Fatah to Save Palestine. . . First Jewish member of the Revolutionary Council of Fatah talks about his political journey and the fight for Middle East peace. The Guardian
Israeli Rift With Sweden . . . Israelis step up demands for condemenation of article in a Swedish newspaper accusing soldiers of harvesting Palestinians' organs. Jerusalem Post
Also Today. . .
Vast Swine Flu Vaccine Effort Planned . . . Health officials' plan to inoculate at least half of U.S. population within months is unprecedented in scope. Washington Post
Steve Jobs Chose Cancer Specialist for Surgery . . . Choice of doctor for liver transplant suggest rare tumor may have returned.
Bloomberg
Last Minute Clunker Deals Swamp Dealerships . . "I haven't worked a Saturday in probably two years," says one dealer. CNN
Today's Video
A Hero's Welcome for the Lockerbie Bomber . . . NBC
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
