Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Thursday, March 18, 2010 
Top Breaking News
This Morning's Top 25:
Leading Today's News
Dems Inch Toward Health Care Majority . . . Growing confidence as they work out details and gird for a historic showdown. New York Times
CIA Chief Says al Qaeda Hobbled . . . Panetta says tough campaign has left group less capable of planning sophisticated attacks. Washington Post
Netanyahu Relative: Obama Hates Israel Israeli PM forced to distance self from comments by brother-in-law stating Obama is antisemetic.
The Guardian
Politics
Washington Post
Obama Dismisses Procedural Tactics . . . Sidesteps questions about House approving measure without vote on full bill.
Washington Times
Catholics Divided on Health Bill . . . Some church officials and lawmakers conclude health care overhaul trumps the desire restrict abortion funding. Boston Globe
Obama Set to Sign $17.6B Jobs Bill . . . Senate passes package to help employers who hire and keep workers and to boost construction projects. Los Angeles Times
Biden Laughs it Up at Washington Dinner . . . But he also gaffes it up, asking God to care for soul of Irish PM's mom - who turns out to be alive. New York Daily News
National Security
Drone Kills Man With Role in CIA Bombing . . . Death of Hussein al Yemeni is latest blow to al Qaida's leadership from stepped up U.S. drone attacks inside Pakistan's tribal area. McClatchy Newspapers
Maliki Appears to Be Out as Iraqi PM . . . Will likely lose post even if he defeats rival Ayad Allawi, whom he's trailing as the count proceeds. McClatchy Newspapers
Taliban Striking Back . . . Uses murder, threats in effort to keep Afghans subjugated. Washington Times
Iran Accused of Arming Taliban . . . Plastic explosives, mortars, hand grenades and manuals among ten tons of equipment intercepted at border. Times of London
North Korean Executed Over Economy . . . Finance chief was executed over failed currency reform, but many see him as a scapegoat. The Guardian
Money
Fed Fights to Keep Rein On Small Banks . . . Senate proposals would strip away control of small and midsize institutions and focus Fed on regulating larger banks. New York Times
U.S. Losing High Tech Research to China . . . U.S. companies with factories in China are now building high-tech research labs there as well. New York Times
Madoff Beaten Up in Jail . . . Was treated for a broken nose, fractured ribs and cuts to his head and face. Wall Street Journal
International
Turkish Leader Threatens to Expel ArmeniansWarns of action if foreign parliaments continue to brand massacre of Armenians a genocide.
Times of London
It's Obama vs. God . . . Obama demands expansion of Ramat Shlomo be stopped. But residents say the land was given them by God. The Independent
UN Rejects Ban on Polar Bear Trade . . . Canada, along with Norway and Greenland, led opposition to the U.S. proposal.
Toronto Globe and Mail
British Party Drug Dodges Ban . . . Mephedrone is sold as plant food. But those in the know are on to what it's really for.
Toronto Globe and Mail
The Deadly Lure of TV Fame . . . French reality-show contestants think they are zapping others with potentially lethal shocks.
Washington Post
You Must Also Know . . .
Most Power Plants Still Spew Mercury . . . Many of America's coal-fired power plants lack widely available pollution controls. McClatchy Newspapers
Rehab Clinic Founded for Child Tech Addicts . . . Children as young as 12 are addicted to the web, computer games and mobile phones. Daily Telegraph
Report: Dresden Firebomb Toll Exaggerated . . . German historians conclude fewer people killed in Allied bombing than previously estimated. Times of London
Why 70mph is the New 55 . . . Because people like to drive 70! Virginia is latest state to raise speed limit.
Wall Street Journal
Man Pimped Wife on Craigslist . . . Threatened to harm baby if she didn't comply and complained she wasn't making enough money. Chicago Tribune
Black Shoppers Asked to Leave Walmart . . . Unclear who used the PA system for racist prank in New Jersey store.
Gloucester County Times
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