2/20 Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Source: Strains, threats hurt military readiness (AP) February 19, 2009 at 5:52 pm AP - For the third consecutive year, a classified Pentagon assessment has concluded there's a significant risk that the U.S. military could not respond quickly and fully to any new crisis, The Associated Press has learned. The latest risk assessment, drawn up by Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, comes despite recent security gains in Iraq and plans for troop cuts there. Woods to return next week at Match Play (AP) February 19, 2009 at 5:52 pm AP - Eight months after winning the U.S. Open on one good leg, a healthy Tiger Woods is returning to golf. Food poisoning strikes 1 in 4 Americans each year (AP) February 19, 2009 at 5:50 pm AP - Next time you have a case of diarrhea that lasts a day or more, chances are better than 1 in 3 that it was food poisoning. As many as a quarter of Americans suffer a foodborne illness each year — though only a fraction of those cases get linked to high-profile outbreaks like the recent salmonella-peanut scare, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Texas may let hunters shoot pigs from choppers (AP) February 19, 2009 at 5:49 pm AP - Millions of wild pigs weighing up to 300 pounds have been tearing up crops, trampling fences and eating just about anything in their path in Texas. But now they had better watch their hairy backs. A state lawmaker is proposing to allow ordinary Texans with rifles and shotguns to shoot the voracious, tusked animals from helicopters. APNewsBreak: Black pastors to ask Burris to resign (AP) February 19, 2009 at 5:43 pm AP - A Chicago minister told The Associated Press he and other black pastors who previously supported U.S. Sen. Roland Burris now plan to ask him to resign. The minister spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because a meeting with Burris hadn't yet been scheduled. California lawmakers break impasse, pass budget (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 5:34 pm Reuters - California lawmakers approved a state budget package on Thursday to close a $42 billion deficit, ending a lengthy standoff with a slate of bills that aim to raise taxes, slash spending and increase borrowing. Nearly 5 million Americans drawing jobless benefits (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 4:21 pm Reuters - The number of U.S. workers drawing unemployment aid jumped to a record high of nearly 5 million, the government said on Thursday, as a worsening economy made it increasingly hard to find jobs. Woman OK after bullet ends up in her hair weave (AP) February 19, 2009 at 4:10 pm AP - Other than having a bit of a headache, a Kansas City woman was uninjured after a bullet fired at her ended up tangled in her hair weave. Police said the 20-year-old woman was in a convenience store parking lot late Wednesday when a man flagged her down and told her that her ex-boyfriend still loved her. Clinton to focus on North Korea in Seoul talks (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 4:01 pm Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South Korean officials on Friday plan to discuss how to rein in North Korea's nuclear weapons program amid talk of a possible power struggle in Pyongyang. U.S. asks court to press UBS for more records (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 3:59 pm Reuters - The U.S. government sued UBS AG on Thursday, seeking disclosure to the Internal Revenue Service of thousands of the Swiss bank's U.S. customers with secret accounts, the Justice Department said. Judge rules documents from Spitzer prostitution case unsealed (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 1:41 pm Reuters - A U.S. federal judge ordered the unsealing of documents in an investigation that linked former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer to a prostitution ring, potentially shedding more light on a scandal that forced Spitzer to resign. Swiss bank secrecy threatened after UBS tax deal (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 10:06 am Reuters - Switzerland on Thursday embarked on a struggle to defend a landmark decision allowing bank giant UBS to transfer client data to the United States in a tax settlement that experts say will dilute bank secrecy laws. Stocks open higher as investors look for bargains (AP) February 19, 2009 at 9:56 am AP - Investors hunted for bargains Thursday following a steep sell-off at the start of the week. Fresh economic data and a weak dollar are making stocks look more attractive after a flat finish on Wednesday. California legislators approve new budget (AP) February 19, 2009 at 9:55 am AP - The California Assembly has joined the state Senate in approving a long-awaited budget, sending the package to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after an epic battle that involved several all-night sessions and political concessions. Netanyahu wins backing in Israeli PM contest (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 9:43 am Reuters - Benjamin Netanyahu's chances of becoming Israel's prime minister were boosted on Thursday by the conditional backing of an ultranationalist politician who emerged as a kingmaker in a photo-finish election. Nearly 5 million are getting unemployment benefits (AP) February 19, 2009 at 9:42 am AP - The number of laid-off workers receiving unemployment benefits has jumped to an all-time high near 5 million while new jobless claims remain well above 600,000. Both figures were worse than expected and new projections from the Federal Reserve show unemployment rising for the rest of this year. Clinton sees possible North Korea power struggle (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 9:42 am Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday raised the possibility of a power struggle in North Korea, saying that made it more urgent to find a way to end the secretive state's nuclear weapons program. Clinton says North Korean leadership uncertain (AP) February 19, 2009 at 9:40 am AP - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that North Korea's leadership situation is uncertain and the United States is worried the Stalinist country may soon face a succession crisis to replace dictator Kim Jong Il. Venezuela seizes Stanford bank after online run (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 9:10 am Reuters - Venezuela seized a local bank owned by Allen Stanford on Thursday to stem massive online deposit withdrawals as the impact of a U.S. fraud case against the Texan billionaire spread through Latin America. Groups caution Obama not breaking from Bush secrecy (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 8:40 am Reuters - Civil liberties experts say ongoing cases related to torture and rendition are testing the Obama administration's assertion it will be more open and transparent than the Bush administration. Key hawk endorses Netanyahu for Israeli premier (AP) February 19, 2009 at 8:15 am AP - Far-right politician Avigdor Lieberman endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for Israeli prime minister on Thursday, all but guaranteeing that Netanyahu will be the country's next leader. Obama housing plan will have impact in March: FDIC (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 7:53 am Reuters - The Obama administration's $275 billion program to stem a wave of U.S. home foreclosures will start having an impact as soon as March, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chairman Sheila Bair said on Thursday. NATO revisits Afghan strategy as US urges long-term effort (AFP) February 19, 2009 at 7:39 am AFP - NATO defence ministers reviewed Thursday strategy on Afghanistan under pressure to match fresh US efforts to combat a virulent Taliban-led insurgency. Netanyahu in pole position to become Israel PM (AFP) February 19, 2009 at 7:37 am AFP - Hawkish Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday gained pole position to become Israel's next prime minister as ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman backed his bid to form a government. Short trip, long agenda: Obama darts up to Canada (AP) February 19, 2009 at 7:28 am AP - Barack Obama's first foreign trip as president — a down-to-business visit with an essential economic ally, Canada — is light on time but loaded with touchy matters. N. Korea steps up rhetoric ahead of Clinton trip (AP) February 19, 2009 at 7:26 am AP - North Korea stepped up its war rhetoric Thursday, saying its troops are "fully ready" for war with South Korea just hours before a visit to Seoul by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Poll: Public fears about troubled economy growing (AP) February 19, 2009 at 7:24 am AP - As the economy continues to struggle, the public is growing increasingly concerned about losing jobs, not having enough money to pay the bills and seeing their retirement accounts shrink, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll. 'American Idol' selects first 3 finalists (AP) February 19, 2009 at 7:23 am AP - Tatiana Del Toro had something else to cry about. The emotional 28-year-old crooner from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was one of nine "American Idol" semifinalists sent packing Wednesday. Del Toro, whom judge Simon Cowell called a "drama queen" after her performance Tuesday, bawled after she wasn't selected to continue in the "Fox" singing competition. Ken Griffey Jr. decides to return to Mariners (AP) February 19, 2009 at 7:20 am AP - Ken Griffey Jr. has decided to return to the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners announced the move Wednesday night. The 39-year-old star's contract is for one year and believed to be worth $2 million in base salary, plus incentives. Obama to talk protectionist fears on Canada trip (Reuters) February 19, 2009 at 6:08 am Reuters - Barack Obama will seek to quell Canadian concerns about U.S. protectionism when he makes his first foreign trip as president on Thursday to the United States' biggest trading partner and energy supplier.