NY+Times+21+nov

 **** __New Consensus Sees Stimulus Package as Worthy Step__ **** By JACKIE CALMES and MICHAEL COOPER A variety of economists say that stimulus legislation is helping an economy in free fall a year ago to grow again and shed fewer jobs than it otherwise would.

**** __U.S. Fears Iraqis Will Not Keep Up Rebuilt Projects__ **** By TIMOTHY WILLIAMS After spending $53 billion for relief and reconstruction in Iraq since 2003, the U.S. is concerned that Iraqis won’t be able to maintain the facilities once the Americans have left.

****THE BREAKING POINT**** **** __Hospital Falters as Refuge for Illegal Immigrants__ **** By KEVIN SACK When an Atlanta hospital closed its dialysis unit, many illegal immigrants had to scramble to find treatment. **** __New Leaders in Japan Seek to End Cozy Ties to Press Clubs__ **** By MARTIN FACKLER The authorities are expanding access to journalists who don’t belong to cartel-like media groups that analysts say have produced a relatively spineless press.

**** __This Time, Soccer Stirs Egyptian Riot, Not Bread__ **** By MICHAEL SLACKMAN History has proven there are two subjects that will move Egyptians into the streets in riotous numbers, crashing windows, battling each other and defying an army of club-wielding riot police.

**** __U.S. Presses China in Case of Geologist__ **** By KEITH BRADSHER The Chinese government has held an American oil geologist on suspicion of stealing state secrets for nearly two years, prompting President Obama to raise the issue during his visit to Beijing. **** __Signs That Swine Flu Has Peaked__ **** By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said flu activity was declining in all regions of the country.

**** __Panel to Consider Sanford Impeachment__ **** By SHAILA DEWAN A South Carolina legislative committee will convene to begin preliminary impeachment proceedings against Gov. Mark Sanford, according to the chairman of the state’s House Judiciary Committee.

**** __A Rebuke, but No Penalty, for an Illinois Senator__ **** By CARL HULSE The committee finds that a senator had been less than candid in statements on his dealings with associates of the Illinois governor, who was later forced from office. **** __A Hamster Is the Season’s Hottest Toy__ **** By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM For girls, the season’s hottest toy is a set of fake hamsters; for boys, a series of battle cards and action figures inside small spheres.

**** __An Unsteady Future for Broadcast__ **** By TIM ARANGO and BILL CARTER Analysts and executives are wondering if the economic model of broadcast television, which is more heavily reliant on advertising than cable, is irreparably broken.

**** __Ohio Sues Rating Firms for Losses in Funds__ **** By DAVID SEGAL Ohio claims state funds lost $457 million because the rating agencies “departed from their objective, neutral role as arbiters.”