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Economic stimulus. Senate launches economic stimulus debate "With the economy still spiraling downward and the political landscape in flux, the Senate on Monday opened debate on an $885-billion stimulus plan that faces bipartisan questions about whether it spends too little on housing and infrastructure and too much on other things." Obama Is Upbeat On Stimulus Plan "President Obama yesterday played down what he called 'modest differences' between Republican and Democratic lawmakers working to craft an economic recovery package and expressed optimism that action on a massive spending plan will be finalized soon." Obama turns to grassroots to sway Senate on stimulus "In an e-mail sent by the Democratic National Committee, Obama urged voters to host or attend a neighbor's 'Economic Recovery House Meeting' this coming weekend, where a videotaped message from party chairman and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine would be played to answer questions about the stimulus spending."
Daschle & taxes. Daschle Apologizes Over Taxes as Allies Give Support "Tom Daschle offered a public apology on Monday evening for his failure to pay income taxes on use of a luxury car and driver, and Senate Democrats rallied behind him, saying they intended to win his confirmation as secretary of health and human services." Obama says he 'absolutely' still backs Tom Daschle "President Obama today strongly backed his choice for secretary of Health and Human Services, who apologized to his former colleagues for failing to pay more than $128,000 in owed taxes."
Holder confirmed as AG. Holder Confirmed as Nation's First Black Attorney General "The Senate confirmed Eric H. Holder Jr. as the nation's first African American attorney general by a vote of 75 to 21 yesterday, opening a new chapter for a Justice Department that had suffered under allegations of improper political influence and policy disputes over wiretapping and harsh interrogation practices." Obama's attorney general nominee is confirmed "Eric H. Holder Jr. won Senate confirmation Monday as the nation's first African American attorney general, easily overcoming Republican concerns about his commitment to fight terrorism and his unwillingness to back the right to keep and bear arms." Holder expected to change Bush counterterrorism policies at Justice Department "Eric Holder has won confirmation as the first African-American attorney general, but he'll have little time to consider his role in history as he decides which Bush administration counterterrorism policies to reverse."
Iraq & Iran appointments. Hill Tapped as Ambassador to Iraq "Assistant Secretary of State Christopher R. Hill, a career diplomat who since 2005 was chief negotiator in the often difficult effort to try to persuade North Korea to end its nuclear programs, will be nominated as ambassador to Iraq, administration officials said." Obama administration keeps Bush official involved with Iran sanctions "The Obama administration has decided to retain the official who led the Bush administration's effort to squeeze Iran with economic sanctions, providing an important clue on how it intends to approach the Islamic Republic."
Catholic Church. Church in uproar over rehabilitation of Bishop Richard Williamson "In a sign of a growing backlash inside the Roman Catholic Church against Pope Benedict, XVI over his rehabilitation of an ultra-conservative British bishop who denies that Jews died in the Nazi Holocaust, the Vatican cardinal in charge of relations with Judaism has said publicly that the affair was 'badly mishandled.'"
Iran satellite. Iran launches first homegrown satellite "TV commentary said Monday's night-time launch on a Safir-2 rocket was 'another achievement for Iranian scientists under sanction.'" Iran's first satellite launch stokes fears over nuclear plans "Iran today claimed it had broken into the global space race after launching the country's first homemade satellite into orbit, in a move that will intensify western fears over its missile capabilities."
Israel-Gaza. Medium-range rocket from Gaza hits Israeli city; Hamas delegates meet with Egyptians "A medium-range rocket from Gaza landed in the Israeli city of Ashkelon on Tuesday as delegates from the territory's militant Islamic Hamas rulers met in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials striving to mediate a long-term truce with Israel." Hamas Leader Thanks Iran for Support During Regional Tour "Hamas leader Khaled Meshal thanked Iran on Monday for many kinds of assistance but omitted any mention of the military aid that Israel and the United States have accused Iran of providing the Islamist movement that controls the Gaza Strip." Arab talks focus on Palestinians "Foreign ministers from nine Arab countries are meeting in Abu Dhabi for talks on the division between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas."
Iraq elections. Disparate Iraqis Vote for Stability and Security "In two crucial but very different parts of Iraq - here in strategic Basra in the south and still violent Mosul in the north - people voted in provincial elections for similar aims: security and a centralized state strong enough to fend off those who seek to divide it." A coup for Maliki and a secular Iraq "The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, who seemed weak and isolated a year ago, appears to have won a sweeping victory in the Iraqi provincial elections that will strengthen his hold on central government."
Jobless in China. China Puts Joblessness for Migrants at 20 Million "The government offered a telling indicator Monday of the slowdown in China's once-galloping economy, announcing that more than one in seven rural migrant workers had been laid off or was unable to find work, twice as many as estimated just five weeks ago." Beijing fears trouble from jobless migrants "Twenty million rural migrants are jobless in China because of the economic downturn, prompting fears in Beijing of social unrest by an army of unemployed workers."
North Koreamissile test. North Korea 'ready to test long range missile' "North Korea is preparing to test fire a long range missile capable of striking the United States, according to media reports in South Korea and Japan this morning." N Korea 'preparing missile test' "Satellite spy images reportedly showed a train loaded with a large cylindrical object, moving towards a missile launch site close to the Chinese border."
Cardinals win Super Bowl? Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl Apparel to be Donated "... through a partnership between World Vision and the National Football League, hundreds of poor children and families in the Central American nation of El Salvador will be the happy recipients of Reebok produced t-shirts, hats, and McArthur Towel & Sports produced trophy towels that wrongly hailed the Arizona Cardinals the Super Bowl champion."
Opinion. Risking the Future (Bob Herbert, New York Times) "I wonder what it will take to get this country serious about repairing and rebuilding its crumbling and increasingly obsolete infrastructure."
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