Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 
Top Breaking News
This Morning's Top 25:
Leading The News
Marjah Government Site Seized . . . Sets stage for Kabul to attempt to resume its authority in town long run by Taliban. Wall Street Journal
Toyota May Recall Corolla Over Steering Fault . . . President of company apologizes and denies a cover-up as problems escalate. Times of London
Only a Third of Stimulus Money Spent . . . Infrastructure spending is set to step up in the second year of the stimulus program. Wall Street Journal
Politics
McClatchy Newspapers
Palin Assails Show for Mocking Son . . . On her Facebook page, calls "Family Guy" Episode with Downs child a "kick in the gut."
ABC News
Obama Backs First Nuke Plant in Decades . . . Budget hawks see folly, noting investment risks default and Wall Street has passed on the idea. Christian Science Monitor
Dems Blues: States Reverting to Red . . . Obama's wins in Red States may not signal the realignment Democrats had hoped for.
POLITICO
Budget Wielded to Cut Emissions . . . Obama 2011 budget calls for array of regulations, subsidies and taxes to cut carbon emissions. Wall Street Journal
Bayh Criticism Stirs Controversy . . . Senator's depiction of the "brain dead" politics and hyper-partisanship of Congress touches off debate. Washington Post
National Security
U.S. Pressed Pakistan for Taliban Arrest . . . Until Mullah Baradar's capture in Karachi, Pakistan had refused American demands to crack down on the Afghan Taliban's leaders. Wall Street Journal
Ban on Cluster Bombs to Take Effect . . . International convention receives the 30 ratifications required and will enter into force Aug. 1. Toronto Globe and Mail
Mullen Finds LIttle Resistance to Gay Troops . . . Joint Chiefs chair's statement that gays should serve does not seem to be opposed by troops. McClatchy Newspapers
Iraq Killings Spark Fear of Sectarian Violence . . . Many say Sunni-Shiite strife is reigniting with imminent departure of U.S. forces. Washington Post
TSA Screeners to Rove Airports . . . Will take swabs that detect explosives into airport terminals for the first time. USA Today
Money
Gridlock in Washington Sparks Debt Fears . . . A polarized political system seems unable to solve problems that involve trust, tough choices and little short-term gain. New York Times
Walgreen to Buy Duane Reade . . . The 257-store Duane Reade chain carries a big debt load. New York Times.
Google Buzz Reported to Feds . . . Group says Google's new Facebook-style application violates privacy laws.
Daily Telegraph
International
Dubai Assassins Stole Six UK Identities . . . Hit squad that killed one of Hamas military wing's founders also faked at least five other European passports.
The Guardian
Hmong Still Fighting the Vietnam War . . . Hired by the CIA in the 1960s, the Hmong are hunted by enemies and forgotten by America. The Independent
Belgium Train Crash Driver Leapt to Safety . . . He might wish he hadn't. Police are waiting to question man whose actions may have claimed 18 lives. Times of London
Ukrainian Election Results Suspended . . . Challenge by loser Tymoshenko in presidential election will be reviewed first.
Wall Street Journal
You Must Also Know . . .
King Tut's Secrets Revealed . . . He was a sickly young man whose ailments may have resulted from incestuous relationship of parents. Times of London
Aspirin May Combat Cancer . . . May help prevent breast cancer patients from suffering second bout of the disease or even dying from it. Boston Globe
Sadie is Best in Westminster Show . . . A Scottish terrier named Sadie, the favorite, won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. New York Times
Teen Girl Drivers More Distracted Than Boys . . . They're more likely to text, call, and change the radio station, narrowing traditional risk gap. Chicago Tribune
Kennedy Series Stirs Anger . . . Defenders of JFK legacy seek to derail documentary before it gets off the ground. New York Times
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