3/7 Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Surgery before opener still an option for A-Rod (AP) March 6, 2009 at 8:44 pm AP - While the Yankees would prefer that Alex Rodriguez plays with a hip injury, manager Joe Girardi said surgery before opening day remains an option for New York's third baseman. "Ultimately it comes down to Alex. What he feels is best — get the information, talk about it as an organization," Girardi said Friday. "Talk about it with Alex, and ultimately he has to make the decision. It's a tough decision no matter what." AP Source: Prosecutor seeking FBI tapes of Burris (AP) March 6, 2009 at 8:30 pm AP - A county prosecutor exploring the possibility of perjury charges against U.S. Sen. Roland Burris has asked federal officials for FBI tapes of phone conversations between Burris and ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother, an individual with knowledge of the case said Friday. Minn. high court rejects Franken's Senate request (AP) March 6, 2009 at 8:14 pm AP - The Minnesota Supreme Court on Friday blocked Democrat Al Franken's petition for an election certificate that would put him in the U.S. Senate without waiting for a lawsuit to run its course. Cleveland man accused in slayings kills himself (AP) March 6, 2009 at 8:09 pm AP - A man suspected of killing his newlywed wife, his sister-in-law and three young children killed himself Friday after police forced their way into the home he had fled to and found him hiding in the bathroom, authorities said. Across the street from the home where Davon Crawford shot himself in the head, several dozen people lined up behind yellow police tape and cheered as a sheet-covered stretcher was removed from the house. Source: Obama to reverse limits on stem cell work (AP) March 6, 2009 at 8:02 pm AP - Reversing an eight-year-old limit on potentially life-saving science, President Barack Obama plans to lift restrictions Monday on taxpayer-funded research using embryonic stem cells. Democrats blast Limbaugh for comment on Kennedy (AP) March 6, 2009 at 8:00 pm AP - A Democratic official rebuked conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh on Friday for suggesting a health care proposal will be named in memory of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer. On his radio show, Limbaugh said President Barack Obama's proposed health care revisions will be championed by "the liberal lion Teddy Kennedy." Lawyers indicate Madoff plea could occur next week (AP) March 6, 2009 at 8:00 pm AP - Bernard Madoff has taken steps that suggest he could plead guilty as early as next week to charges that he carried out one of the biggest financial frauds in history, lawyers said Friday. Madoff, 70, is waiving his right to have a grand jury hear the government's case against him, agreeing instead to be charged directly by prosecutors, a step defendants take when they are preparing to plead guilty in a case. Obama on stimulus: 'I know we did the right thing' (AP) March 6, 2009 at 8:00 pm AP - While aknowledging an "astounding" number of job losses in February, President Barack Obama told critics of his $787 billion economic recovery plan Friday that it is saving jobs and said, "I know we did the right thing." He suggested that critics talk to 25 police recruits in Ohio's capital city who owe their jobs to stimulus spending and "talk to the teachers who are still able to teach our children because we passed this plan." Lawyer: Rihanna to testify against Brown if called (AP) March 6, 2009 at 6:22 pm AP - Rihanna's attorney says the singer would testify against Chris Brown if called as a witness in her boyfriend's assault case. Donald Etra, who is representing the 21-year-old Barbados native, said Friday that Rihanna would be required by law to testify if prosecutors subpoena her. Obama to sign stem cells order on Monday (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm Reuters - President Barack Obama, who opposes limits on federal funding of stem cell research, will sign an executive order about stem cells on Monday, an administration official said on Friday. U.S.-led troops not protecting civilians enough: study (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 5:08 pm Reuters - U.S.-led forces in Iraq and Afghanistan still do not adequately protect civilians and their operations are plagued by a reluctance to share intelligence information, a study prepared for the U.S. military says. Mich. woman marks her 108th or 111th birthday (AP) March 6, 2009 at 4:15 pm AP - Don't ask Mattie Caldwell how many candles go on her birthday cake. "I don't remember," she said. Medicare records indicate Caldwell's birth date is March 5, 1901. An old family Bible gives the same date but three years earlier, in 1898. And there's no legal record of her birth because she was born at home. Barbie's real-life Dream House created in Malibu (AP) March 6, 2009 at 2:12 pm AP - Barbie's Malibu Dream House is coming true. Prosecutors indicate Madoff plea may be in works (AP) March 6, 2009 at 2:08 pm AP - Prosecutors filed court papers Friday indicating Bernard Madoff may be ready to plead guilty to charges arising from one of the biggest financial frauds in history. U.S. bill would revamp accounting oversight (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 1:53 pm Reuters - Two U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation to create a new body that would have the final say on accounting standards, possibly paving the way for a more business-friendly accounting environment. U.S. jobless rate hits 25-year high (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 1:38 pm Reuters - The U.S. unemployment rate rose to a 25-year high of 8.1 percent in February as employers buckling under the strain of a severe recession axed 651,000 jobs, government data showed on Friday. Congress puts off fight over spending bill (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 1:30 pm Reuters - The Democratic-controlled U.S. Congress on Friday sent President Barack Obama a bill to fund much of the government into next week, after Democrats hit a snag wrapping up a $410 billion measure to pay for the rest of this fiscal year which ends September 30. Zimbabwe PM Tsvangirai hurt, wife killed in crash (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 1:24 pm Reuters - Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's wife was killed and he was hurt in a car accident on Friday, a source in his party said. Madoff takes first step to pleading guilty (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 1:20 pm Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff took the first public step to pleading guilty to criminal charges of masterminding Wall Street's biggest fraud, according to court papers on Friday. Zimbabwe PM hurt, wife killed in car crash: party (AFP) March 6, 2009 at 12:57 pm AFP - The wife of Zimbabwe's new Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was killed Friday in a car crash that also left him injured and in hospital, his party said. Supreme Court dismisses accused al Qaeda agent's case (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 12:46 pm Reuters - The Supreme Court on Friday ended accused al Qaeda operative Ali al-Marri's challenge to his indefinite military imprisonment, a week after President Barack Obama ordered him moved into the U.S. justice system to face newly filed criminal charges. Owens' agent predicts deal by end of next week (AP) March 6, 2009 at 11:18 am AP - Terrell Owens' agent predicts the well-traveled receiver will find a new team by the end of next week. Police, spokesman: Winehouse charged with assault (AP) March 6, 2009 at 9:11 am AP - Fresh from a two-month Caribbean vacation, singer Amy Winehouse is due in court for an alleged attack on a fellow guest at a party last year. Picks for 2 high Treasury jobs withdraw (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 8:47 am Reuters - Two top contenders for senior posts at the U.S. Treasury have withdrawn, people familiar with the moves said on Thursday, dealing a blow to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's efforts to build his staff to fight the financial crisis. Clinton to meet with her Russian counterpart (AP) March 6, 2009 at 7:45 am AP - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday she is hopeful that her first discussion with her Russian counterpart will open a new page in U.S.-Russian relations without raising questions about American support for European allies. Obama to speak to police recruits about stimulus (AP) March 6, 2009 at 7:43 am AP - President Barack Obama, who often says his $787 billion economic stimulus package will save or create millions of jobs, can point to at least 25 jobs saved in Ohio's capital. Stock futures fall ahead of Feb. jobs report (AP) March 6, 2009 at 7:40 am AP - Traders weren't taking any chances Friday, sending stock futures lower ahead of what's likely to be another unnerving reading on the job market. Ahead of the market's opening, Dow futures fell 41 points, or 0.62 percent, to 6,590. South Korea urges North to retract airliner threat (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 7:39 am Reuters - South Korea told the North on Friday to immediately withdraw a threat it made against the South's commercial airliners, which has forced them to stop flying near the airspace of the reclusive communist state. Jobless rate is expected to jump to 7.9 percent (AP) March 6, 2009 at 7:38 am AP - The Labor Department will release a report today that is expected to show the unemployment rate rising to 7.9 percent and a loss of 648,000 jobs in February, making it an especially cruel month for America's workers. Top 13 finalists chosen on 'American Idol' (AP) March 6, 2009 at 7:34 am AP - Thirteen turned out to be the lucky number for Anoop Desai on "American Idol." After announcing the three remaining finalists at the end of Thursday's wild card round, Simon Cowell announced that the much-loved 22-year-old college student from Chapel Hill, N.C., won a previously unannounced 13th spot in the next round of the popular Fox singing contest. In past seasons, 12 finalists were picked to move on. 'Melo returns and Nuggets hold off Trail Blazers (AP) March 6, 2009 at 7:33 am AP - As promised, Carmelo Anthony sprinted straight to the bench when coach George Karl sent in a sub this time. Anthony scored 38 points in his return from a one-game suspension for refusing to come out of a game last weekend, and he led the Denver Nuggets past the Portland Trail Blazers 106-90 Thursday night. US, Russian foreign ministers to hold first meeting (AFP) March 6, 2009 at 7:24 am AFP - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton prepared to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the first time in Geneva on Friday, with both sides expressing guarded optimism on at least some issues. Europe seeks specifics on GM's plans in region (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 7:23 am Reuters - Europe called for clarity on crisis-hit carmaker GM's plans for assets in the region with a German minister saying insolvency could be an option for Opel, while the Continental board met on Friday to discuss Schaeffler. Fears grow for Darfur over aid agency expulsion (AFP) March 6, 2009 at 7:17 am AFP - Fears were mounting on Friday of a new humanitarian disaster in Darfur after Sudan ordered the expulsion of aid agencies, with the United Nations warning that thousands of people could die. Calif. high court weighs gay marriage ban (AP) March 6, 2009 at 7:15 am AP - The mood was somber among gay rights supporters after a bruising, three-hour hearing before the justices of California's highest court, who expressed considerable skepticism at the idea of overturning the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage. Hunt on for Ohio gunman who killed 4 kids, woman (AP) March 6, 2009 at 7:14 am AP - Police were searching early Friday for a man suspected in the slayings of four children and his wife in what authorities were calling one of the city's most horrific shootings in years. Iran says U.S.-Iran journalist to be freed soon: report (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 7:05 am Reuters - Iran's investigation of Iranian-American freelance journalist Roxana Saberi has been completed and she will be freed soon, a official from the prosecutor's office said on Friday. Clinton seeks new U.S. relationship with Russia (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 6:50 am Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday holds Washington's first high-level meeting with Russia since President Barack Obama took office in January, seeking to ease tensions and win help over Afghanistan. Octopus gets inside lunchbox at Boston aquarium (AP) March 6, 2009 at 6:44 am AP - What is 7 feet long, weighs 30 pounds, has eight arms and fits in a box slightly larger than a milk crate? Truman the octopus. Truman squeezed into a clear, acrylic box while trying to snag his lunch at the New England Aquarium in Boston. China sees signs of economy recovering (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 6:37 am Reuters - China's economic leaders struck a note of quiet confidence on Friday that the economy is already reviving in response to swift action to counter the shock of the global financial crisis. U.S. job losses seen jumping to 648,000 in February (Reuters) March 6, 2009 at 2:53 am Reuters - Job losses in the United States likely accelerated last month and the unemployment rate probably surged to a 25-year high as recession-hit companies took drastic steps to cut costs, according to economists. House approves mortgage bankruptcy overhaul (Reuters) March 5, 2009 at 7:54 pm Reuters - Bankruptcy judges could cut the mortgage debt of homeowners in bankruptcy court as a last resort to avert foreclosure, under a bill approved by a 234-191 vote on Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives.