Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 Make us your homepage
Top Breaking News
This Morning's Cut
Leading The News
Karzai to Allow New Elections . . . Will accept that he did not win a clear majority in fraud-tainted Afghan election and agree to second round of voting. The Guardian
Scientist Charged With Espionage Caught trying to sell classified secrets to an FBI agent posing as an Israeli intelligence agent.
Washington Post
H1N1 Vaccine is Too Late . . . The swine flu vaccine will arrive too late to help most Americans who will be infected during this flu season. Washington Times
Politics
Wall Street Journal
Shunned Illinois Senator Suddenly Relevant . . . Roland Burris (D-Ill.) says he won't support health bill unless it has a public option.
Associated Press
Health Bill Budget Tricks . . . Backers rely on manipulations to stick with Obama pledge to overhaul system without adding to deficit, critics say. Washington Times
Wall Street Gives Little to Obama Fundraiser . . . Banks that got a financial lifeline reluctant to donate at Democratic Party fund-raiser hosted by Prez. New York Times
Obama Vs. U.S. Chamber of Commerce . . . The White House is moving to remove Chamber from traditional role as top emissary for big business. Washington Post
National Security
Threats to Obama's Iraq Timetable . . . Political bickering and increase in violence from insurgents could derail the US President’s plan to bring troops home.
The Times (UK)
Military Frustrated With Obama . . . Concern he's revisiting a just-announced Afghanistan strategy, moving too slowly, and is influenced by political advisers. New York Times
Iran Refusing to Give up Nuke 'Rights' . . . Iran nuclear talks with world powers enter second day; Iran FM: Our nuclear rights are "legal and obvious." Haaretz
Pakistan Attack Frustrates U.S. Generals . . . Army drives into South Waziristan, but U.S. wants it to hit the north.
Christian Science Monitor
Russia Pockets U.S. Offers and Gives Little . . . So far, the "reset" of the relationship has been mostly on the U.S. side.
Washington Times
Saudi Concern Over al Qaeda in Yemen . . . Two Yemen-based militants dressed as women, one a former Guantánamo prisoner, are intercepted at a Saudi checkpoint. Christian Science Monitor
Money
Apple Profits Rise Nearly 50 Percent . . . Surging iPhone and Macintosh computer sales cap remarkable boom year in which rivals were lucky to tread water.
Financial Times
Executive Perks Draw Scrutiny . . . Financial firms struggle and get billions from government while boosting perks and benefits they pay chief executives. Los Angeles Times
New York Times to Trim 100 Jobs . . . Plans to eliminate eight percent of newsroom jobs by year’s end, offering buyouts and possibly resorting to layoffs. New York Times
International
Vatican Creates New Structure for Anglicans . . . Would allow Anglicans to join Catholic Church while maintaining Anglican identity and many traditions.
Globe and Mail
Pakistan Meets Resistance But Makes Gains . . . After days of fighting, the army seizes control of important tactical highlands from the Taliban. New York Times
Russia's Empty Democracy . . . Gorbachev and others outraged after last week's elections, which only three percent of Russians believe were fair. Christian Science Monitor
Polanski Must Stay in Jail . . . Swiss Criminal Court says releasing director on bail or under house arrest poses a high risk of flight.
Associated Press
Zelaya Talks Deadlocked . . . A Monday deadline passes with no agreement on reinstating the ousted president.
Los Angeles Times
You Must Also Know . . .
Feds Shift on Medical Marijuana . . . Obama administration tells authorities not to arrest or prosecute medical marijuana users and suppliers. Chicago Tribune
Maine the Latest Gay Marriage Battleground . . . Just six months after new law legalizes gay marriage, voters will decide whether to preserve it. Boston Globe
Medicare Premiums to Soar . . . The basic Medicare premium will shoot up next year by 15 percent, to $110.50 a month.
New York Times
Balloon Boy Case a Hoax . . . Flight of a helium balloon that touched off a frantic rescue attempt for boy thought to be aboard was a publicity-seeking hoax. Reuters
Deadly Mamba May Combat Heart Failure . . . Promising new treatment for number one killer of the aged is derived from venom.
Wall Street Journal
AIDS Vaccine Trial Results Weak . . . Another look at data from the Thai AIDS vaccine trial shows results are not statistically significant. Los Angeles Times
