Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Friday, August 7, 2009 Make us your homepage
The New News
This Morning's Cut
The Leading News
Pakistan Taliban Leader Killed . . . Baitullah Mehsud was killed along with his wife by a U.S. drone, his aides acknowledged.
New York Times
Sotomayor Confirmed by Senate 68-31 . . . Having had diabetes since childhood and Spanish as a first language, she'll bring to Court a unique perspective. Los Angeles Times
Congress OKs $2B Cash for Clunkers Boost . . . Senate votes 60-37 to pump $2 billion into the popular program. Detroit News
Politics
Sotomayor Faces Heavy Workload . . . A bevy of complex cases before the Supreme Court will make her job demanding.
New York Times
Obama Pledge to Whistleblowers in Doubt . . . White House drafts weaken some protections. Washington Times
Edwards Mistress Testifies . . . Speaks to grand jury investigating whether Edwards misused campaign funds as hush money for her.
Raleigh News & Observer
U.S. No Longer 'At War' With Terrorism . . . It's now solely a "war with al Qaeda" and its allies, said White House Homeland Security Adviser John Brennan. Washington Times
Congress to Buy Eight New Jets . . . Plans to spend $550 million even as lawmakers criticize use of corporate jets by companies receiving taxpayer funds. Wall Street Journal
France Fights Costs of Universal Care . . . As Congress fights over whether the U.S. should be more like France, France is trying to borrow U.S. tactics. Wall Street Journal
National Security
Chavez: We're Buying Russian Tanks . . . Venezuela will seek dozens of the vehicles in response to the "threat"' posed by a US-Colombia military deal. Christian Science Monitor
Secret Deal to Keep Karzai in Power . . . Afghan President's alliance with rival designed to prevent civil war after election.
The Independent
U.S. May Join War Crime Court . . . Hillary Clinton expresses regret that US has not yet joined international court, in sign of policy shift.
The Guardian
Iran's Merciless Revolutionary Guards . . . Led by commanders whose worldview was forged during the devastating Iran-Iraq war.
Christian Science Monitor
News on the Money
AIG Posts First Profit in Seven Quarters . . . AIG nearly collapsed last year because of its exposure to credit default swaps. Reuters
Twitter, Facebook Hit by Attack . . . Multiple Internet sites temporarily disrupted after they were struck by apparently coordinated computer attacks. Wall Street Journal
A Limited Boost From the Stimulus . . . Even as another grim jobs report is expected Friday, economists say the stimulus has blunted the downturn. New York Times
International
Tensions Between Russia and Georgia Rise . . . Two sides trade accusations. Forces on high alert. The Guardian
Russia's Pays Price for Georgia War . . . Responsible for economically troubled South Ossetia and may have spurred EU to seek alternative sources of energy. Christian Science Monitor
U.S. Pledges to Support Somali Government . . . Will take action against Eritrea if it does not stop backing Islamist insurgents terrorizing Somalis, Clinton says. Times (UK)
Sixty Lost in Tonga Ferry Sinking . . . Most were women and children. Some 50 male passengers who were traveling on deck are saved.
BBC
Britain Says Goodbye to Harry Patch . . . Tribute to last WWI veteran, who died two weeks ago at age 111, reflects the emotional grip war still holds on the nation. Los Angeles Times
Also Today. . .
Director John Hughes Dead at 59 . . . Directed teen comedies such as "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." Of a heart attack. Los Angeles Times
Journalists Briefly Entered North Korea . . . They were only there for about 30 seconds before "everything just sort of got chaotic," Laura Ling's sister says. CNN
FAA Moves to Reduce Pilot Fatigue . . . Expedites new rules limiting hours flown. Christian Science Monitor
'I'm Not So Fat After all!' . . . Despite data showing a dramatic increase in obesity, most Americans don't think they have much of a weight problem. McClatchy Newspapers
Today's Video
Gym Gunman Gave Signs He Would Attack . . . NBC
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