Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 
Top Breaking News
This Morning's Top 25:
Leading The News
Afghan Taliban Commander Captured. . . Pakistani and U.S. intel forces capture Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Mullah Omar's Number Two. New York Times
Bye Bayh . . . Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) wont' seek reelection. May imperil Dems chances of holding the Senate. Washington Post
Afghan Coalition Forces Inch Forward . . . Civilian death toll reaches 20. Roadside bombs and teams of snipers slow progress of troops. The Guardian
Politics
McClatchy Newspapers
Obama Begins Campaigning for Senators . . . Heads west to stump for Sens. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). Washington Times
Hayworth Will Rap McCain on Immigration . . . McCain primary challenger will make border security and illegal immigration key themes. Christian Science Monitor
Meet Marian Robinson . . . Obama's mother-in-law was reluctant to leave Chicago, but a year later it seems her move to the White House is permanent. Times of London
Health Insurance Tax Losing Support . . . Labor leaders backing away from deal with White House to tax high price plans.
New York Times
National Security
Afghan Forces Take Lead in Offensive . . . Afghan forces show serious involvement in the new Marjah offensive, outnumbering international forces 3 to 2.
Christian Science Monitor
U.S. Curtails Air Strikes . . . New rules aimed at protecting civilians restrict bombing except in extreme cases. Washington Post
U.S. Finds Limits of Iran Engagement . . . Obama aides say they have not abandoned pledge of engagement, but they acknowledge limits. New York Times
Happy Birthday Bastard! . . . State media laud Kim Jong Il on his 68th birthday. Outsiders question his physical and mental health.
Los Angeles Times
Money
Toyota Sudden Death Toll Mounting . . .Complaints citing the defect in at least 13 fatalities have poured into federal regulators since recalls first announced, bringing the total to 34. Los Angeles Times
Loan Assistance Merely Delays Foreclosure . . . Studies suggest widely touted assistance plans may only be prolonging the crisis. Wall Street Journal
Microsoft Unveils Its Smartphone . . . Windows Phone has a cleaner look than most of today’s smartphone software.
New York Times
Google Admits Buzz Flaws . . . Failed to adequately test new competitor to Facebook, stirring privacy concerns. BBC
International
Upcoming Rainy Season Threatens Haiti . . . Thousands of Haitians are still struggling to meet their basic daily needs as they face new danger from rain.
Washington Times
Hamas Chief Was Killed by Hit Squad . . . All signs point to Mossad in killing of Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim in a Dubai hotel last month. Associated Press
Video Sex Scandal Rocks Fatah . . . President Abbas’s chief of staff suspended after being filmed allegedly soliciting sex from a job applicant. Times of London
You Must Also Know . . .
Ala. Professor Practiced at Shooting Range . . . Soon after, she gunned down three colleagues and wounded three others. Associated Press
Shot-Putter's Wife Accused of Killing Him . . . David Lau, who won bronze in 1984 Olympics, was gunned down outside his home last year. Los Angeles Times
Small Plane Crashes at NJ Airport, Killing Five . . . Small plane trying to land broke apart and tore through a snowy field.
Associated Press
Tarmac Rules Boost Cancellations . . . Now that delays are restricted to three hours, airlines choose cancellations to avoid fines. USA Today
Botox May Reduce Migraines . . . Given in the doses used to reduce facial wrinkles, it may stop some of the worst kinds of migraines. Bloomberg
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