3/4 Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Obama denies offering Russia missile shield deal (Reuters) March 3, 2009 at 2:32 pm Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday denied offering Russia a deal in which Washington would slow deployment of a missile defense shield in Europe in exchange for Moscow's help in a nuclear stand-off with Iran. Obama cites need to 'reset' relations with Moscow (AP) March 3, 2009 at 2:28 pm AP - President Barack Obama said Tuesday he has told Russia that reducing Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon would in turn lessen the need for a U.S.-planned missile defense system in Eastern Europe that Moscow has opposed. But Obama said he sought no "quid pro quo" with Moscow. Top Obama officials defend tax hikes in budget (AP) March 3, 2009 at 2:18 pm AP - President Barack Obama's top economic officials on Tuesday vigorously defended the administration's $3.6 trillion budget against Republican claims that it contained overly optimistic economic assumptions and included stealthy tax increases that could end up hitting most Americans. California lawmaker targets Internet mapping sites (AP) March 3, 2009 at 2:12 pm AP - A California lawmaker wants to force Internet mapping services to blur detailed images of schools, hospitals, churches and all government buildings, reviving a debate over whether such images can assist terrorists. Ford, Toyota sales plunge as auto slump continues (AP) March 3, 2009 at 1:57 pm AP - Major automakers' U.S. sales continued their deep slump in February, putting the industry on track for its worst sales month in more than 27 years as huge rebates and low-interest financing fail to spur fearful consumers to make a major purchase. Clinton vows to work for creation of Palestinian state (AFP) March 3, 2009 at 1:56 pm AFP - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressed her "aggressive" Middle East diplomacy on Tuesday, sending two envoys to Syria and vowing to work towards the creation of a Palestinian state. Reports: Michael Jackson seeks comeback in London (AP) March 3, 2009 at 1:49 pm AP - British media are reporting that Michael Jackson will play his first live concerts in years in London this summer. Obama says stocks potentially a good buy now (Reuters) March 3, 2009 at 1:42 pm Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama expressed confidence on Tuesday that his economic reforms would work and said U.S. stocks were potentially a good buy even as he forecast a long road to economic recovery. Obama, Brown call for global approach on economy (Reuters) March 3, 2009 at 1:34 pm Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama joined British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Tuesday in calling for a global solution to the economic crisis and both leaders vowed to repair their countries' shattered financial systems. Fed launches new $200B consumer credit program (AP) March 3, 2009 at 1:26 pm AP - The Federal Reserve on Tuesday rolled out a much-awaited program aimed at boosting the availability of credit to consumers and small businesses. Sri Lanka cricketers attacked in Pakistan, eight dead (AFP) March 3, 2009 at 1:20 pm AFP - Attackers armed with guns and grenades launched a brazen assault on Sri Lanka's cricket team in Pakistan on Tuesday, killing eight people and wounding seven members of the squad. Senate keeps pet projects in spending bill (AP) March 3, 2009 at 1:08 pm AP - The Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to preserve thousands of earmarks in a $410 billion spending bill, brushing aside Sen. John McCain's claim that President Barack Obama and Congress are merely conducting business as usual in a time of economic hardship. Six powers commit to "direct diplomacy" with Iran (Reuters) March 3, 2009 at 1:05 pm Reuters - The United States and five other powers said Tuesday they were committed to direct talks with Iran to defuse a standoff over its disputed nuclear work, underlining a U.S. turnabout from a policy of confrontation. Bernanke defends AIG rescue, says U.S. had no choice (Reuters) March 3, 2009 at 1:01 pm Reuters - U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday defended the government's latest bailout of embattled insurer AIG, telling irate lawmakers that he was also angry, but that the failure to act could have triggered an economic disaster. Gunmen attack Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan (AP) March 3, 2009 at 12:45 pm AP - At least a dozen men ambushed Sri Lanka's cricket team with rifles, grenades and rocket launchers Tuesday, converging on the squad's convoy as it drove through a traffic circle near an eastern Pakistani stadium. Apple touts affordability with new desktop line (AP) March 3, 2009 at 12:37 pm AP - Apple Inc. introduced a refreshed line of desktop computers Tuesday, notable as much for their price tags as new features. Sri Lankan cricketers wounded in Pakistan attack (Reuters) March 3, 2009 at 12:07 pm Reuters - A dozen gunmen attacked Sri Lanka's cricket team on Tuesday with rifles, grenades and rockets, wounding six players and a British coach and killing at least eight Pakistanis in Lahore, officials said. Citigroup to allow jobless to cut mortgage payments (Reuters) March 3, 2009 at 11:25 am Reuters - Citigroup Inc said on Tuesday it will allow some newly unemployed homeowners to temporarily reduce payments on their mortgages. Clinton pledges to press for Palestinian state (Reuters) March 3, 2009 at 11:02 am Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged on Tuesday to press hard for Palestinian statehood, putting Washington on a possible collision course with Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu.