2/16 Yahoo! News: Top Stories

GM, UAW talks resume as deadline looms (Reuters) February 15, 2009 at 8:03 pm Reuters - Talks between General Motors Corp and the United Auto Workers resumed on Sunday, just two days before a deadline for the struggling automaker to submit a new restructuring plan to the U.S. government. Chavez asks Venezuelans to let him run in 2012 (AP) February 15, 2009 at 7:57 pm AP - President Hugo Chavez tried Sunday for the third time in his tumultuous decade in power to cast aside constitutional barriers to his re-election, arguing that only he can complete the transformation of Venezuela into a socialist state. Obama plans to head west to sign stimulus bill (AP) February 15, 2009 at 7:54 pm AP - Keeping the economy front and center, President Barack Obama heads west this week to sign the $787 billion stimulus bill and tackle the home mortgage foreclosure crisis. The direct appeals for public support follow scant GOP backing in Congress for his agenda and increasing partisan bickering. NKorea to go ahead with missile launch: state media (AFP) February 15, 2009 at 7:53 pm AFP - North Korea will go ahead with a missile launch but this would be part of a space programme and not an act of military provocation, official media said Monday. Kenseth wins rain-shortened Daytona 500 (AP) February 15, 2009 at 7:50 pm AP - The rain was coming, and Matt Kenseth knew it was time to get going. Study: 'Astonishing richness' in polar sea species (AP) February 15, 2009 at 6:39 pm AP - The polar oceans are not biological deserts after all. Chris Brown says he's `sorry and saddened' (AP) February 15, 2009 at 4:49 pm AP - Chris Brown, who was arrested a week ago in connection with a domestic violence investigation, said Sunday he is "sorry and saddened" by what happened and is seeking counseling from his pastor and loved ones. White House dampens stimulus expectations (Reuters) February 15, 2009 at 3:17 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. Rain threatens start of Daytona 500 (AP) February 15, 2009 at 12:38 pm AP - Rain is threatening to delay the start of the Daytona 500. Obama focusing on stimulus, foreclosure crisis (AP) February 15, 2009 at 12:36 pm AP - President Barack Obama promotes his economic agenda this week with trips outside Washington to sign the $787 billion stimulus package and to tackle the home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Crude oil is getting cheaper — so why isn't gas? (AP) February 15, 2009 at 12:31 pm AP - Crude oil prices have fallen to new lows for this year. So you'd think gas prices would sink right along with them. Amid nurse shortage, hospitals focus on retention (AP) February 15, 2009 at 12:29 pm AP - Newly minted nurse Katie O'Bryan was determined to stay at her first job at least a year, even if she did leave the hospital every day wanting to quit. Roadside bomb kills US soldier in Iraq (AP) February 15, 2009 at 11:54 am AP - The U.S. military says an American soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb in southern Iraq. Israel mulls Gaza truce after demanding seized soldier (AFP) February 15, 2009 at 11:17 am AFP - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert consulted key cabinet members on Sunday on Egyptian-brokered Gaza truce talks, a day after ruling out any deal without the release of a captured soldier. Livni says "no" to joining Netanyahu-led coalition (Reuters) February 15, 2009 at 11:02 am Reuters - Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni wrote in a private note captured by cameras on Sunday that her centrist Kadima party would not join any coalition government headed by right-wing Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel's Olmert confirms Pope to visit in May (Reuters) February 15, 2009 at 10:26 am Reuters - Pope Benedict will visit Israel in May, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday, confirming the spring pilgrimage and avoiding any mention of tense Catholic-Jewish relations over a Holocaust-denying bishop. Obama to lift ban on stem cell research soon: aide (Reuters) February 15, 2009 at 10:01 am Reuters - U.S. President Barack Obama will soon issue an executive order lifting an eight-year ban embryonic stem cell research imposed by his predecessor, President George W. Bush, a senior adviser said on Sunday. Obama to sign stimulus bill Tuesday (Reuters) February 15, 2009 at 9:21 am Reuters - President Barack Obama will sign the $787 billion economic stimulus bill on Tuesday in Denver, a White House official said on Saturday. Axelrod: Effects of stimulus will be seen soon (AP) February 15, 2009 at 8:42 am AP - President Barack Obama's senior White House adviser says Americans will soon see positive effects of the massive economic stimulus plan passed last week by Congress. GM, UAW talks break off and Chrysler talks stall (Reuters) February 15, 2009 at 8:01 am Reuters - Talks between the United Auto Workers and General Motors Corp central to a turnaround plan for the struggling automaker have broken down over the issue of retiree healthcare costs, a person briefed on the talks said on Saturday. California lawmakers vote on $41 billion budget plan (Reuters) February 15, 2009 at 3:38 am Reuters - California lawmakers began voting late Saturday on plans to raise taxes and cut spending to close a $42 billion budget deficit the state's government faces over the next 17 months.