Democracy Now! Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Today's Headlines

• Senate Begins Debate on Economic Stimulus Package
• Senate Stimulus Bill Includes $50 Billion for New Nuclear Reactors
• Macy’s Eliminates 7,000 Jobs
• Eric Holder Confirmed as Attorney General
• Ex-Chamber of Commerce Lobbyist Considered for Top Justice Post
• Daschle Apologizes for Failing to Pay Taxes
• Qaddafi Elected as Head of African Union
• Ehud Barak Proposes Linking Gaza to West Bank with 30-Mile Tunnel
• Israel Imposes Sanctions on Al Jazeera
• Brooklyn Man Jailed for Distributing Lebanese TV Channel
• Protester Throws Shoe at Chinese Premier
• Iceland’s New PM Becomes First Lesbian to Head a Nation
• US Court Dismisses Pacific Nuclear Test Lawsuits
• Earth First Protesters Jailed in Florida

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  Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) Urges Homeowners to Stay in Foreclosed Homes

  After an $850 billion bailout for Wall Street and another $25 billion for the auto industry, struggling homeowners still await large-scale government assistance. The Obama administration says it’s working out the details of its plan to stem foreclosures. In the absence of government action so far, some are taking action on the local level. In Michigan, Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans announced Monday he won’t enforce sales of foreclosed homes. And in Ohio, Rep. Marcy Kaptur is encouraging homeowners facing foreclosures to stay in their homes. Meanwhile, the government-backed mortgage giant Fannie Mae has agreed to restructure mortgages after a campaign led by one of its biggest critics, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America. [includes rush transcript]

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  Sri Lankan Military Intensifies Offensive Against Tamil Tigers; 13 Die in Hospital Shelling

  The Sri Lankan government offensive against the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels is continuing amidst growing concern for the fate of over 250,000 civilians trapped in the fighting. The Sri Lankan president declared Monday that the army was on the verge of crushing the rebels after a twenty-five-year war. The army’s attack has reduced the territory under rebel control from 7,000 square miles a year ago to just over 100 square miles today. [includes rush transcript]