Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Make us your homepage
The New News
This Morning's Cut
The Leading News
Sotomayor Emphasizes Objectivity . . . Facing tough Republican questions, judge says she has never allowed personal experiences or opinions to influence decisions. Washington Post
House Unveils Health Bill . . . Measure would tax the wealthy, force small businesses to provide insurance. Wall Street Journal
Iranian Jet Crashes; Nearly 170 Feared Dead . . . Caspian Airlines plane bound to Armenia from Tehran crashes in the north of Iran. BBC
Politics
Sotomayor Leaves the Passion Behind . . . No evidence of the fiery Latino pride and the "hot bench" she's said to run as a judge.
New York Times
How Much Health Care for $1 Trillion? . . . It's the top-line price tag Dems want, but it won't get them all the coverage they're hoping to provide. USA Today
Massachusetts Takes a Step Back on Reform . . . Need for cuts calls into question health plan that is model for the nation.
New York Times
First Chinese-American Woman in Congress . . . Democrat Judy Chu wins special election to succeed former Rep. Hilda Solis, who became Labor Secretary. Los Angeles Times
Air Force Project Linked to Rep. Murtha Probed . . . Investigators find evidence project was used to improperly pay a series of companies linked to the top Democrat. Washington Post
Obama Mulling Rental Plan . . . Borrowers who have fallen behind on mortgage payments could avoid eviction by renting their home instead. Reuters
National Security
British Coffins Raise Ire Over Afghan Push . . . The procession of British war dead tests U.K. public's patience and support for U.S.-led efforts in Afghanistan. Wall Street Journal
Iraqis Reject U.S. Baghdad Patrols . . . After pullout, Iraqis insist on doing things themselves. McClatchy Newspapers
Raul Castro Lays Down the Law . . . Video of sackings at politburo meeting shown to Cuban party members. Financial Times
Zawahri Warns Pakistanis on U.S. Ties . . . Al Qaeda No. 2 says U.S. interference in their country's affairs poses a grave danger to its future and very existence. Associated Press
Colors Could Disappear From Terror Alert System . . . The butt of late-night television comics' jokes and target of criticism that it is too vague.
Associated Press
News on the Money
Goldman Sachs Staff Set for Record Pay . . . Compensation could exceed boom-time levels. Financial Times
Mortgages Now a Bank's Best Friend . . . The mortgage business is returning as one of the most lucrative corners of the financial industry.
New York Times
Probe of Rattner Intensifies . . . NY Attorney General Cuomo steps up probe of former auto czar's firm. Washington Post
Christmas in July . . . Some stores are trying to get an early start on the Christmas shopping season. Really early. Associated Press
International
Report Reveals Deadly Israeli Actions in Gaza . . . Soldiers shot to score a kill, out of boredom, or out of abundance of caution. Palestinians used as human shields. Globe and Mail
Liberian Ex-Leader Hits Out at 'Lies' . . . At his war crimes trial, Charles Taylor denies charges of murder, rape, torture, and . . . cannibalism.
The Independent
Violence on Bastille Day . . . More than 300 cars torched on the streets of Paris and other cities. Der Spiegel
UN Monitors to Leave Georgia . . . Russia Blocks Extension of mandate. Has backed independence of Abkhazia. BBC
Also Today. . .
With Help, Conductor and Wife End Lives . . . The deaths of Sir Edward Downes and his wife raise troubling questions about assisted suicide. New York Times
Episcopal Church Ends Gay Bishops Ban . . . Church put itself on a collision course with the rest of the Anglican Communion.
Washington Times
Heart Disease? You Must be an Idiot! . . . Having a lower than average IQ is in itself a risk factor for heart disease. BBC
Today's Video
Obama Throws Out All-Star Game First Pitch . . . Fox
