Obama's whirlwind first day: economy, war and more (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:27:54 GMT
AP - In a first-day whirlwind, President Barack Obama showcased efforts to revive the economy on Wednesday, summoned top military officials to the White House to chart a new course in Iraq and eased into the daunting thicket of Middle East diplomacy.

Kennedy withdraws from consideration for NY Senate (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:17:24 GMT
AP - Caroline Kennedy withdrew from consideration for the U.S. Senate seat once held by her slain uncle, Bobby Kennedy, after a night of turmoil and uncertainty over her intentions.

Sources: Obama to order Guantanamo closed (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:29:21 GMT
AP - President Barack Obama will begin overhauling U.S. national security policy Thursday with orders to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, review military trials of terror suspects and end harsh interrogations, two government officials said.

Senate confirms Clinton as secretary of state (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:30:08 GMT
AP - The Senate confirmed Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state Wednesday as President Barack Obama moved to make his imprint on U.S. foreign policy, mobilizing a fresh team of veteran advisers and reaching out to world leaders. The Senate voted 94-2, with Republican Sens. David Vitter of Louisiana and Jim DeMint of South Carolina opposing.

Va. Tech student fatally stabbed; suspect caught (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:14:53 GMT
AP - A female student was stabbed to death Wednesday night on Virginia Tech's campus, the first killing at the school since a deadly mass shooting there in 2007.

Argentine prez: Fidel Castro `believes in Obama' (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:51:35 GMT
AP - Fidel Castro watched the U.S. inauguration on television and said Wednesday that Barack Obama seems "like a man who is absolutely sincere," Argentina's president said after meeting with the ailing Cuban icon.

Possible bird remains found in downed jet's engine (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:35:53 GMT
AP - Investigators said Wednesday they have found the remains of what may be a bird in the engine of the US Airways jet that made a dramatic landing in New York's Hudson River. The National Transportation Safety Board said an examination of the Airbus 320's right engine revealed evidence of "soft body damage" and that "organic material" was found in the engine and on the wings and fuselage.

Scientist: New fault could mean major Ark. temblor (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:39:57 GMT
AP - A previously unknown fault in eastern Arkansas could trigger a magnitude 7 earthquake with an epicenter near a major natural gas pipeline, a scientist said Wednesday. Haydar Al-Shukri, the director of the Arkansas Earthquake Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, said the fault is separate from the New Madrid fault responsible for a series of quakes in 1811-12 that caused the Mississippi River to flow backward.

Batman & Bollywood? Oscars eye `Knight,' `Slumdog' (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:48:10 GMT
AP - "The Dark Knight" is the box-office behemoth with the deceased acting front-runner whose name everyone knows. "Slumdog Millionaire" is the out-of-nowhere surprise with a cast no one ever heard of before.

Serena Williams, Nadal advance at Australian open (AP)
Thu, 22 Jan 2009 05:24:47 GMT
AP - Serena Williams ignored pain and frustration to reach the third round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over Gisela Dulko on Thursday.