Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Saturday, February 6, 2010 
Top Breaking News
This Morning's Top 25:
Leading The News
Labor Market Shows Signs of Rebirth . . . Unemployment rate unexpectedly dipped to 9.7 percent in January, from 10 percent in December. New York Times
Huge New Afghanistan Offensive on Tap . . . But some question why the U.S. and its allies are telling the Taliban all about it. McClatchy Newspapers
Goldman Chief's Bonus - Is it Restraint? . . . The sum paid to Lloyd Blankfein, $9 million in deferred stock, reflects a political calculation. New York Times
Politics
New York Times
GOP Recruits Newcomers to Run . . . Seeking to tap into anti-establishment discord, GOP is seeking candidates who have never held office. Wall Street Journal
Illinois Dems Want Lt. Gov Nominee Out . . . Pawnbroker Scott Lee Cohen has been accused of domestic abuse, steroid use and adultery. Chicago Tribune
Democrats Flummoxed on Health Care . . . Obama wants a bill but doesn't say how to resolve the knotty questions of policy, procedure and politics. New York Times
Dodd: Talks on Financial Bill at Impasse . . . Says Democrats will forge ahead with their own proposal in the absence of Republican support. New York Times
Emails Show Todd Palin's Governing Role . . . Palin inserted himself into a host of state decisions, including judicial nominations and gas pipeline bids. Washington Post
National Security
Gates Dismisses Talk of Iran Deal . . . Gates says if Iran were serious about handing over its uranium it would be working with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Associated Press
Bombing of Pilgrims Bodes More Iraq Violence . . . Two car bombs killed up to 40 during Shiite pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala. McClatchy Newspapers
Pakistan Rocked by Explosions . . . Pakistan's commercial capital hit by bombs targeting Shia procession and hospital that left 19 dead. The Guardian
Iraq Video Shows Abducted U.S. Contractor . . . Militant group posts internet video showing abducted man who may be a missing US military contractor. BBC
Money
U.S. and Canada Strike Deal on 'Buy America' . . . Deal settles a dispute over "Buy American" provisions in the U.S. stimulus package.
Wall Street Journal
It's Super Bowl Sunday for Search Engines . . . Advertisers vie for top "sponsored links," bidding on terms they think fans will seek as they watch. Los Angeles Times
Paulson Offers View of GE's Woes . . . Ex-Treasury chief's book details CEO's public optimism, private fears in '08 over company debt. Washington Post
Protecting Yourself From the Deficit . . . How to keep the scary U.S. debt from eating up your assets. Wall Street Journal
International
Baptists Arrested in Haiti Defended . . . Some of those whose children were allegedly abducted said they willingly handed over the children, want the Americans freed. Wall Street Journal
Special Forces Thwart Solami Pirate Attack . . . Danish troops storm cargo carrier Ariella to save crew in first case of intervention by Western forces. Times of London
Bruised Maid Dies at 12 and Pakistan Seethes . . . Death of Shazia Masih serves as vivid reminder of the powerlessness of the poor in Pakistan. New York Times
Climate Change Scientist a Frequent Flier . . . Embattled head of UN climate change panel clocked up more than half a million miles of air travel in a year. Daily Telegraph
You Must Also Know . . .
Epic Snowstorm Hits Washington DC . . . A storm predicted to be one of the most powerful on record dumped 12 to 21 inches of snow overnight. Washington Post
Swine Flu Epidemic May be Over . . . For the fourth week in a row, no states had widespread flu activity.
Washington Post
Super Bowl Stress Can Spark Heart Attacks . . . When a favorite team loses, angry fans can suffer sudden cardiac death.
USA Today
Charges to be Filed Against Jackson's Doctor . . . Case focuses attention on how celebrities get special treatment from doctors. Christian Science Monitor
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