Developing storiesThe Associated Press – 1 hour ago –CNN International – 1 hour ago –In The NewsObama launches task force on middle classLos Angeles Times - 3 hours ago
The new group headed Vice President Joe Biden will include several Cabinet members. The president also signs orders aimed at bolstering labor unions.
Obama names panel to boost middle class DetNews.com Economy: Sharpest decline in 26 yearsCNNMoney.com - 4 hours ago
Economic activity shrank by 3.8% in last three months of 2008, according to the government's gross domestic product report. By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.
Ohioan abandons GOP chairmanship bidThe Associated Press - 26 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AP) - Ken Blackwell is abandoning his bid for Republican Party chairman. The former Ohio secretary of state also threw his "fullest support" behind rival Michael Steele.
Ohio candidate drops from RNC race Detroit Free Press |
US Skeptical About Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Deal
Voice of America - 51 minutes ago
By David Gollust The United States has expressed skepticism over the agreement under which Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is to join a unity government with President Robert Mugabe.
Zimbabwe leaders form fragile coalition International Herald Tribune
Zimbabwe opposition will join unity government The Associated Press
Hamas official declare victory in Gaza rallies
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - More than 5000 Hamas supporters rallied in Gaza on Friday, as a leader of the Islamic militant group emerged from hiding to declare victory in the 23-day Israeli offensive that devastated much of the Palestinian territory.
US Envoy Warns of Setbacks Ahead in Israel Gaza Peace Process Voice of America
Thousands of Tamils protest in Toronto
International Herald Tribune - 1 hour ago
AP TORONTO: Thousands of Canadian Tamils have formed a human chain through Toronto's downtown to protest a Sri Lankan government offensive aimed at crushing the separatist Tamil Tigers.
UN urges Sri Lanka warring parties to free trapped civilians Monsters and Critics.com
Senate bracing for a 'hard slog' on stimulus bill
CNN - 1 hour ago
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democrats admit it's going to be a tough fight in getting President Obama's economic stimulus plan passed with bipartisan support, but they are optimistic it can still be done.
Is the stimulus Obama’s Iraq? Financial Times
Illinois governor wants to 'fumigate' state's government
CNN International - 1 hour ago
(CNN) -- In his first executive order as Illinois governor, Pat Quinn established Friday the Illinois Reform Commission as an official state body under the governor's office.
Ill.'s new gov: We'll `fumigate state government' The Associated Press
Blagojevich, private citizen, holed up at home Chicago Tribune
State, City Governments Following Private Sector Employment Cues
ABC News - 44 minutes ago
By SARAH NETTER and RICHARD ESPOSITO Taking a cue from the private sector, state and city governments have started announcing job losses and furloughs as they struggle to close budget gaps without resorting to crippling tax hikes.
Mayor Bloomberg paints grim economic picture for New York City ... New York Daily News
Exxon, Chevron Fill Up On Sliding Profits
Forbes - 2 hours ago
Oil prices may be on a downward trend, but that hasn't stopped oil companies from reporting some hefty profits. On Friday, Exxon Mobil (nyse: XOM - news - people ) and Chevron (nyse: CVX - news - people ) gained share value on better-than-expected ...
Despite sliding profits in 4th quarter, Exxon sets record for 2008 International Herald Tribune
Roche’s Genentech Bid Turns Hostile
New York Times - 1 hour ago
By ANDREW POLLACK The Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche, in a surprise move, turned hostile Friday in its takeover effort for the American biotechnology company Genentech.
Hostile Roche bid may be too slim for shareholders Bizjournals.com
Roche makes lowered, hostile bid for Genentech The Associated Press
Obama Will Review Buy American Provision in Stimulus Package
Bloomberg - 41 minutes ago
By Roger Runningen and Hans Nichols Jan. 30 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama’s administration will examine a “buy American” requirement in economic stimulus legislation that has raised concern among US trading partners, White House press secretary ...
‘Buy American’ rule proposed for Obama stimulus plan Bizjournals.com
Kotick Confirms DJ Hero Game This Year
Gamasutra - 1 hour ago
Activision's DJ Hero, a widely-rumored music game supported by a turntable peripheral, is set to release this year, says CEO Bobby Kotick.
Dell may be planning smartphone
Macworld - 2 hours ago
by Cyrus Farivar, Macworld.com According to the Wall Street Journal, Dell is researching building a smartphone, which would likely run either the Windows Mobile or Android OS.
Dell may enter smartphone arena as early as next month Apple Insider
Three New Need for Speed Games Announced
Wired News - 1 hour ago
By Earnest Cavalli January 30, 2009 | 2:38:43 PMCategories: Console Games, PC Gaming The Need for Speed line of arcade racing games is getting three new entries, dubbed Need for Speed SHIFT, Need for Speed NITRO and Need for Speed World Online, ...
EA readying Need for Speed threesome GameSpot
EA Announces Need For Speed Franchise Renovation PSX Extreme
Marketers face pressure to deliver with Super Bowl ads
USA Today - 1 hour ago
By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY For most Super Bowl advertisers, there's one sure thing about being in the game: the pressure. And thanks to the imploded economy, this one on Sunday may be the all-time pressure cooker.
Comment by Brad Adgate Senior VP, Research, Horizon Media
The Super Bowl, Super Business? Newsweek
No Cheering in the Press Box, Except When It Comes to the Boss
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Les Carpenter TAMPA -- In the sober cathedral of nobility otherwise be known as the Super Bowl media center, there has always been a certain scorn among the gentry for those who pollute our chambers with frivolity.
Bruce Springsteen: Should he 'go rogue' at the Super Bowl? Entertainment Weekly
Pete Wentz speaks about Jessica Simpson weight gain
NME.com - 40 minutes ago
Pete Wentz has criticised media coverage of sister-in-law Jessica Simpson’s recent weight gain, saying that he thinks the spotlight placed on women by the media is unfair.
Heidi Klum: Leave Jessica Simpson Alone People Magazine
Simpson: Curvy, Courageous, or Both? ABC News
Varitek, Red Sox strike a deal
Boston Herald - 47 minutes ago
By Michael Silverman and John Tomase Ending a three-month saga before a team-imposed deadline, the Red Sox [team stats] and catcher Jason Varitek [stats] agreed to a one-year contract with an option that will pay Varitek between $8 million and $10 ...
Report: Red Sox bring back Jason Varitek with one-year deal New York Daily News
AP Source: Varitek, Red Sox close to agreement The Associated Press
Where Verdasco goes from here, Nadal's strength and Serena's mind
SI.com - 47 minutes ago
Where does Fernando Verdasco go from here. He just lost a classic semifinal to Rafael Nadal. Does he turn into a pumpkin? Or do you see him challenging for Slams?
Nadal outlasts Verdasco in epic Aussie Open semifinal Sports Network
Rafael Nadal wins grueling, record-breaking semifinal Los Angeles Times
Super Bowl matchups: Steelers vs. Cardinals
Boston Herald - 42 minutes ago
By John Tomase One year after the Patriots [team stats]’ pursuit of perfection was extinguished by the Giants, the Super Bowl is once again upon us.
Super Bowl Player Props Sports Network
Tracking Down a Salmonella Outbreak
Washington Post - 49 minutes ago
By Steve Reinberg FRIDAY, Jan. 30 (HealthDay News) -- The salmonella outbreak that has now sickened 529 people began as a blip on US health-monitoring radar.
Comment by William D. Marler, J.D. Marler Clark LLP PS
Feds launch criminal investigation into peanut plant Atlanta Journal Constitution
Senate Passes Health Insurance Bill for Children
Washington Post - 15 hours ago
President Barack Obama walks with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, right, during a visit to the Pentagon, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, in Washington.
Health Buzz: Senate Approves SCHIP and Other Health News U.S. News & World Report
Obama hails passage of children's health insurance The Associated Press
Six Kids, Eight More: Ethicists Speak Out
ABC News - 1 hour ago
By DAN CHILDS After learning that the California woman who gave birth to eight babies Monday was already a mother of six, ethicists and fertility experts said that her so-called mega-multiple pregnancy was even more troubling.
Family: Octuplets' mother has 6 other children The Associated Press
Obama seeks to reverse Bush labor policies
Reuters - 1 hour ago
By Ross Colvin WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama pledged on Friday to repeal labor laws enacted under his Republican predecessor George W. Bush that unions have long contended favored employers over workers.
Obama Moves to Reverse Bush’s Labor Policies New York Times
Obama, Biden Deliver Remarks on the Economy Washington Post
Turkish PM row damages Mideast position short-term
Reuters - 1 hour ago
By Paul de Bendern - Analysis ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's haranguing of Israel's president at an international forum may initially damage Turkey's position as a Middle East mediator, but help strengthen its regional influence ...
Reporter's diary: Storming out Aljazeera.net
Embattled Fla. House speaker steps down for now
The Associated Press - 35 minutes ago
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The speaker of Florida's House of Representatives said Friday he is stepping down temporarily to deal with a probe into his hiring by a state college for which he obtained millions of dollars in funding.
Florida House speaker steps aside amid criminal probe The Miami Herald
Florida speaker of the house to step down WDBO Radio