2/17 Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Obama to sign stimulus bill today in Denver (AP) February 17, 2009 at 7:19 am AP - President Barack Obama is ready to sign into law the most sweeping economic package in decades, a rescue plan meant to reinvigorate job creation, consumer spending and public optimism. Add the bill to an ever-growing deficit. Pakistani militants talk peace amid criticism (AP) February 17, 2009 at 7:13 am AP - Battle-weary residents welcomed a pro-Taliban cleric dispatched by the government Tuesday to convince militants in the former tourist haven of Swat to stop fighting in exchange for the imposition of Islamic law and suspension of military offensives there. Teammates will join A-Rod at 1st press conference (AP) February 17, 2009 at 7:03 am AP - Alex Rodriguez will hold a news conference today at 1:30 p.m. EST at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. A-Rod is due to appear under the tent behind the third-base stands to address his admission last week that he used banned drugs. World needs coordinated response to crisis: IMF (Reuters) February 17, 2009 at 6:59 am Reuters - Countries must keep their promises to coordinate measures to revive the global economy rather than pleasing voters with protectionist policies, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday. Japan finance minister resigns in blow to PM Aso (Reuters) February 17, 2009 at 6:45 am Reuters - Japan's finance minister resigned on Tuesday after being forced to deny he was drunk at a G7 news conference, but the move may be too late to save unpopular Prime Minister Taro Aso or the long-ruling party from voters' wrath. Clinton warns NKorea on missile launch (AP) February 17, 2009 at 6:34 am AP - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday warned North Korea against following through on a threatened missile launch, saying it would damage its prospects for improved relations with the United States and the world. No joy in this cooking — recipes can make you fat (AP) February 17, 2009 at 6:22 am AP - Eating at home can save you some cash, but beware the calorie cost. Cambodia opens landmark 'Killing Fields' trial (AFP) February 17, 2009 at 6:21 am AFP - The torturer-in-chief for Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime finally faced trial Tuesday in the first case heard by a UN-backed genocide tribunal into the horrors of the "Killing Fields" 30 years ago. Japan's finance minister quits, jolts government (AP) February 17, 2009 at 6:18 am AP - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso's already shaky government was rocked Tuesday by the sudden resignation of his finance minister over allegations he appeared drunk after a recent G-7 meeting. Phelps won't face pot charge after photo ordeal (AP) February 17, 2009 at 6:15 am AP - Michael Phelps hardly emerged unscathed after a photo surfaced showing him smoking from a marijuana pipe: It cost him a major endorsement and a three-month competition suspension. But the Olympian said he's focused on swimming again now that he won't face drug charges. Israel engaged in covert war inside Iran: report (Reuters) February 17, 2009 at 5:15 am Reuters - Israel is involved in a covert war of sabotage inside Iran in an effort to delay Tehran's attempts to develop a nuclear weapon, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Tuesday. Fears grow for suspected arsonist, Aus fires toll hits 200 (AFP) February 17, 2009 at 4:38 am AFP - Internet hate messages calling for a suspected arsonist's "torture and death" renewed fears for his safety on Tuesday as the number killed by Australia's worst ever wildfires hit 200. Trump Entertainment files for Chapter 11 (Reuters) February 17, 2009 at 4:01 am Reuters - Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc, Donald Trump's casino group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, court documents show. Bottom-up approach needed in Afghanistan: report (Reuters) February 17, 2009 at 12:23 am Reuters - The drive to stabilize Afghanistan must focus on cultivating local leaders, better training of Afghan troops and police, and pressing Kabul to fight corruption, a report by a U.S. think tank said on Tuesday. With no budget, California to cut 20,000 state jobs (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 11:32 pm Reuters - California, which is on the brink of running out of cash, will notify 20,000 state workers on Tuesday their jobs may be eliminated, a spokesman for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Monday. GM talks progress, board reviews plan (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 11:23 pm Reuters - General Motors Corp and the United Auto Workers union made progress in concession talks and bondholders offered proposals to slash GM's debt on Monday, a day before the automaker must detail a new survival plan. Police: Rap producer injured in Ariz. hotel fight (AP) February 16, 2009 at 8:06 pm AP - A beating has left rap producer Marion 'Suge' Knight hospitalized in Arizona. AP sources: UAW, GM make progress in auto talks (AP) February 16, 2009 at 7:26 pm AP - With a government-imposed deadline for its restructuring plan just a day away, General Motors Corp. was making progress Monday in concession talks with debtholders and its main union, but deals may not come until after the deadline passes, according to people briefed on the situation. Pilot's actions scrutinized in N.Y. plane crash (AP) February 16, 2009 at 4:50 pm AP - Less than a half-hour after Flight 3407 took off from Newark, N.J., last week, another Continental commuter flight in the same model plane flew the route in similar conditions. It landed safely. Kan. suspends income tax refunds, may miss payroll (AP) February 16, 2009 at 4:31 pm AP - Kansas has suspended income tax refunds and may not be able to pay employees on time, the state's budget director said Monday. S.C. sheriff: No pot charge for Phelps after photo (AP) February 16, 2009 at 4:26 pm AP - A South Carolina sheriff said Monday he was not going to charge swimmer Michael Phelps after a photo of the 14-time gold medalist showed him smoking from a marijuana pipe. Israel cautions anew against a nuclear-armed Iran (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 4:19 pm Reuters - Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told a forum of military chiefs on Monday that Israel would regard a nuclear-armed Iran as an "existential threat" that would speed up a regional arms race. Newest US troops in dangerous region near Kabul (AP) February 16, 2009 at 3:23 pm AP - Close to 3,000 American soldiers who recently arrived in Afghanistan to secure two violent provinces near Kabul have begun operations in the field and already are seeing combat, the unit's spokesman said Monday. Push is on to tailor cancer care to tumor's genes (AP) February 16, 2009 at 11:51 am AP - The days of one-size-fits-all cancer treatment are numbered: A rush of new research is pointing the way to tailor chemotherapy and other care to what's written in your tumor's genes. U.S. 'war on terror' eroded rights worldwide, experts say (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 11:22 am Reuters - Washington's "war on terror" after the September 11 attacks has eroded human rights worldwide, creating lingering cynicism that the United Nations must now combat, international law experts said on Monday. Pakistan sets Islamic law in parts of turbulent NW (AP) February 16, 2009 at 10:11 am AP - The government agreed to impose Islamic law and suspend a military offensive across much of northwest Pakistan on Monday in concessions aimed at pacifying the Taliban insurgency spreading from the border region to the country's interior. Clinton kicks off first trip in 'indispensable' Asia (AFP) February 16, 2009 at 10:04 am AFP - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched her Asia tour in Japan Monday calling US-Pacific ties "indispensable" for curbing problems like climate change, the global financial crisis and nuclear weapons. Salma Hayek reportedly marries on Valentine's Day (AP) February 16, 2009 at 9:59 am AP - Salma Hayek picked a romance-lover's ideal time and place for her wedding: Valentine's Day in Paris. The Mexican-born actress wed French magnate Francois-Henri Pinault in a civil ceremony Saturday at the City Hall in Paris' chic 6th arrondissement, according to an official there. Clinton starts Asia trip with warm words for Japan (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 9:50 am Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton began a one-week Asia visit by praising the U.S.-Japan alliance and saying the United States and Asia needed to work together on the global financial crisis and climate change. Swat a threat for all of us: U.S. envoy (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 9:44 am Reuters - An Islamist militancy in Pakistan's Swat region is a common threat to the United States, India and Pakistan, a special U.S. envoy said on Monday, after meeting India's foreign minister and top security officials. Pakistan restores sharia in Swat; U.S. missile kills 26 (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 9:43 am Reuters - Pakistan agreed on Monday to restore strict Islamist law in the Swat valley to pacify a revolt by Taliban militants, and a suspected U.S. drone fired missiles in the region killing at least 26 people. Big storm moves into S. Calif.; snow closes I-5 (AP) February 16, 2009 at 9:28 am AP - A winter storm that could be the largest of the season is bringing heavy rain and mountain snow to Southern California. British, French nuclear subs collide in Atlantic (AFP) February 16, 2009 at 9:19 am AFP - British and French nuclear submarines collided in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month, officials admitted Monday, confirming an embarrassing accident involving highly sensitive technology. Porter says he's out as Phoenix Suns coach (AP) February 16, 2009 at 9:10 am AP - Terry Porter is out as coach of the Phoenix Suns, just four months into his first season with the club. Polarized Venezuela cheers, deplores Chavez win (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 9:10 am Reuters - A polarized Venezuela celebrated and deplored on Monday socialist President Hugo Chavez's referendum victory that allows him to run for re-election in an OPEC nation facing plummeting oil income. Clinton warns North Korea during Tokyo visit (AP) February 16, 2009 at 8:42 am AP - Hillary Rodham Clinton chose Asia for her first trip abroad as secretary of state hoping to engage the continent on a wide range of global issues but North Korea is threatening to steal the show. Sen. Burris adamantly denies misleading Ill. House (AP) February 16, 2009 at 8:18 am AP - One month after Roland Burris was sworn in to the U.S. Senate to represent Illinois and fill Barack Obama's vacant seat, he's hearing calls for his resignation. Japan's economy slumps as global crisis widens (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 7:51 am Reuters - Japan sank deeper into recession with its worst quarterly contraction in 35 years, data showed on Monday, its reliance on exports and soft domestic demand dragging down the world's second-largest economy. Study: 'Astonishing richness' in polar sea species (AP) February 16, 2009 at 7:39 am AP - The polar oceans are not biological deserts after all. A marine census released Monday documented 7,500 species in the Antarctic and 5,500 in the Arctic, including several hundred that researchers believe could be new to science. Israel takes control of more West Bank land (AP) February 16, 2009 at 7:38 am AP - Israel has taken control of a large chunk of land near a prominent West Bank settlement, paving the way for the possible construction of 2,500 settlement homes, officials said Monday, in a new challenge to Mideast peacemaking. Casinos are warned about card-counting iPhone app (AP) February 16, 2009 at 7:09 am AP - Nevada gambling regulators have warned casinos in the state about a card-counting program that works on Apple Inc.'s iPhone and iPod Touch that illegally helps players beat the house in blackjack. Obama drops "car czar" idea (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 1:30 am Reuters - President Barack Obama has decided to launch a government task force for restructuring the struggling U.S. auto industry instead of naming a "car czar" with sweeping powers, a senior administration official said on Sunday. California lawmakers fail to pass budget (Reuters) February 16, 2009 at 1:04 am Reuters - California lawmakers narrowly failed to pass a $40 billion budget on Sunday, casting doubt on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's ability to prevent the nation's most populous state from sinking into the abyss. White House dampens stimulus expectations (Reuters) February 15, 2009 at 10:10 pm Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters)- President Barack Obama's aides warned Americans on Sunday not to expect instant miracles from the $787 billion economic stimulus bill he will sign this week, but said it would help eventually.