Recession? What Recession?

(Dec. 22) -- With so many news aggregators out there, who can keep up? Sphere filters the filters to steer you to the headlines that really matter.

Skip Those, Read This: While the major dailies appear to be duty-bound to lead with continued coverage of health care reform -- even if there are scant new developments -- most aggregators lead with gloomy economic news. The Slatest and The Huffington Post both pick up this Washington Post story detailing how 40 states will soon be unable to pay unemployment insurance. Meanwhile, The Daily Beast leads with a chart, courtesy of The Wonk Room, detailing how the proposed health care reform bill is an improvement over the status quo. But for a personal take, check out blogger Andrew Sullivan, who is back from vacation and has a post detailing a reader's struggle to find work.

Recession? What Recession? As Average Joe continues to struggle, the country's richest banks continue to get a helping hand from the government, as Huffington Post makes clear in a series of posts. A Bloomberg report lists the tax breaks Goldman Sachs received in building its new $2 billion skyscraper. The AP reports that the Obama administration's pay czar has agreed to raise one AIG executive's compensation by $4 million (coming out of taxpayers' pockets). Meanwhile, The Slatest picks up a Wall Street Journal story (subscription required) identifying an unlikely Robin Hood to soothe populist anger: Russian hackers are suspected of stealing millions from Citigroup.

Catch of the Day: The Daily Beast alone picks up this L.A. Times story, marking the first time there have been more than 1 million homes in foreclosure in a financial quarter. In a day of gloomy economic news (unless you work for a bailed-out financial behemoth!), the story brings attention back to the housing crisis, which led to the economic downturn.

Stating the Obvious: The Slatest picks up a New Republic article making the case -- who but Custer could argue? -- that the assault on Tora Bora was one of the greatest military blunders in U.S. military history.

The Apple Borg: The Slatest picks up an interesting Wall Street Journal story (subscription required) that could significantly alter the media landscape. Apple wants to offer television subscriptions over the Internet, and so far two providers -- CBS and Walt Disney -- are considering Apple's offer.

Slurring the Family Name: The Daily Beast picks up a Reuters gem: After a Russian radio host criticized Josef Stalin, the dictator's grandson filed a 10 million ruble ($300,000) lawsuit and is demanding an apology.