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Today's News Highlights 06.27.11

 TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
At Fort Campbell, mixed reviews for Afghan plan
Pfc. Rob Nunez, who spent eight months in Konar province near the Pakistani border, and some of his fellow soldiers have vastly different reactions to the plan.
(By Kevin Sieff)

Nancy Pelosi pursues her own ‘faith-based initiative’
House minority leader has her sights on winning back the speaker’s gavel for Democrats.
(By Karen Tumulty and Paul Kane)

Does GOP have a compromise on debt?
As President Obama prepares to meet with Senate leaders to try to restart talks over the debt, some Republicans see a potential path to compromise: Significant cuts in military spending.
(By Lori Montgomery and Paul Kane)

DNA links fugitive to professor’s slaying, FBI says
DNA evidence links a fugitive in Mexico to the killing of an American University professor, the FBI says.
(By Dan Morse)

A pair of veteran spies cross paths
Betty McIntosh and Doris Bohrer served in the OSS and CIA, but their remarkable friendship didn’t form until they moved to the same retirement community.
(By Ian Shapira)

POLITICS
President Barack Obama talks spending and debt limit with Senate leaders
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama takes over negotiations on spending cuts and raising the government’s borrowing limit when he holds separate meetings Monday with Senate leaders.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Supreme Court to rule Monday on Arizona law giving extra cash to publicly funded candidates
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is expected to rule Monday on an Arizona campaign finance law that gives extra cash to publicly funded candidates who face privately funded rivals and independent groups.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

AP IMPACT: Once-rural populations skyrocket near some US nuclear plants, evacuations unlikely
BUCHANAN, N.Y. — As America’s nuclear power plants have aged, the once-rural areas around them have become far more crowded and much more difficult to evacuate. Yet government and industry have paid little heed, even as plants are running at higher power and posing more danger in the event of an accident, an Associated Press investigation has found.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Supreme Court to rule Monday on California ban on sale, rental of violent video games to kids
WASHINGTON — Is it unconstitutional to ban the sale or rental of ultraviolent video games to children?
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Supreme Court to rule Monday on Arizona law giving extra cash to publicly funded candidates
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is expected to rule Monday on an Arizona campaign finance law that gives extra cash to publicly funded candidates who face privately funded rivals and independent groups.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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STYLE
Recession-wary performers turn Las Vegas Strip into parade of cartoon, movie characters
LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Strip is teeming with Spidermen, Elmos and Elvis Presleys of all waistlines.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Ask Amy: Husband ’fesses up to old affairs; wife is torn
Her husband confessed to indulging in two affairs years ago. She went to counseling with him and was told by the counselor to “get over it.” A) She’s not ready to and B) What kind of therapist is that?
(, Tribune Media Service)

Hints From Heloise: A unique wedding gift
Why not donate food left over from a wedding reception to a homeless shelter?
(, King)

Can sisters’ estrangement be avoided?
My religious-convert sister told my gay sister that she, her husband and children will not ever meet our gay sister’s 1-year-old twins.
(, The Washington Post)

Documentary presents case against tort reform
Susan Saladoff’s compellingly persuasive, no-nonsense documentary, “Hot Coffee,” explores the effects of the American war on “frivolous lawsuits.”
( by Hank Stuever , The Washington Post)

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SPORTS
Sunday's Sports In Brief
LEON, Mexico — Two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton won the Mexico Open for his first Nationwide Tour title, closing with a 7-under 65 on Sunday for a two-stroke victory over Richard H. Lee.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Former Tar Heels star Jessica Breland recives Honda Inspiration Award at dinner
NEW YORK — Jessica Breland is always happy to share her story of overcoming Hodgkin’s lymphoma with the hope it can be helpful to someone else.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

PGA Tour: Travelers win is Jacobson’s first title
CROMWELL, Conn. — Fredrik Jacobson closed out his first PGA Tour title on Sunday, shooting a 4-under 66 in the Travelers Championship for a one-stroke victory over John Rollins and Ryan Moore.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Knee, hamstring injuries had Mitts fearing World Cup 'jinx' but she's with US in Germany
DRESDEN, Germany — When Heather Mitts felt that familiar pain in her hamstring during training last month, it was almost too much for the U.S. defender.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Tseng runs away with LPGA Championship
Top-ranked Yani Tseng wins the LPGA Championship by 10 strokes and, at 22, become the youngest player to win four LPGA Tour majors.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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WORLD
Malaysia says women must hold 30 percent of top corporate posts by 2016 for gender equality
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia’s government says women must hold 30 percent of top corporate posts by 2016 in a move toward gender equality in the boardroom.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Syrian opposition to meet in Damascus for first time since start of uprising
BEIRUT — Some 200 critics of President Bashar Assad’s regime are gathering in the Syrian capital for the first time since the start of the three-month uprising against his family’s rule.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

China says arrival of Sudanese president in Beijing for talks has been delayed
BEIJING — A planned visit by Sudan’s president to China, which was criticized by rights groups because he is wanted on international war crimes charges, was delayed Monday, though officials gave no reason.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to strike trade deals worth $1.6 billion in UK talks
LONDON — Britain says the U.K. and China are sealing trade deals worth 1 billion pounds (US$1.6 billion) at a summit between national leaders.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Palestinians fan out across globe to seek support for recognition at UN
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian delegations will make the rounds of nearly a dozen countries to try to drum up more support for their bid to have the United Nations recognize a Palestinian state, senior officials said Monday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS
The Mil Life: Keeping spouses' careers, education off the chopping block
Military wives discuss keeping a career and educational goals through deployments.
(, vForum)

The Web Hostess: Online manners, memes and must-see video
A weekly chat about the best ways to kill time online. Our Web Hostess, Monica Hesse, sifts the Internet so you don't have to, searching for meaning, manners and the next great meme.
(, vForum)

Real Wheels Live
Live online discussion with Real Wheels columnist Warren Brown about car-buying and the auto industry.
(, vForum)

Lisa de Moraes on the TV Column
Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes is back and ready to chat about all the drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes!
(, vForum)

Lisa de Moraes on the TV Column
Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes is back and ready to chat about all the drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes!
(, vForum)

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TECHNOLOGY
The Celebrity Moment

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Startups Don’t Die, They Commit Suicide

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Fanvibe Signs A Letter Of Intent To Be Acquired By beRecruited

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

RunKeeper Adds New Integration To Its Health Graph In Hopes Of Building ‘The Facebook Of Fitness’

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

World stock markets mixed on fears that Europe's debt crisis is about to get worse
BANGKOK — World markets were mixed Monday as Greece’s parliament began debating harsh new austerity measures that must pass for the country get its next batch of emergency financial aid.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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BUSINESS
Greek deputies to begin debate on crucial austerity plans before votes
ATHENS, Greece — Greek lawmakers begin debating new austerity plans Monday that must pass this week if the debt-ridden country is to receive the critical next installment of loans from its international bailout plan and avoid default.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

The Celebrity Moment

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Saab says $18.4 million car order from China could pay staff's wages
STOCKHOLM — Troubled car maker Saab Automobile AB has received a €13 million ($18.4 million) car order from a Chinese company that could help pay salaries to its employees, its owner Swedish Automobile AB said Monday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Akzo Nobel, world's biggest paintmaker, warns 'adverse factors' will hurt Q2 earnings
AMSTERDAM — Akzo Nobel NV, the world’s largest maker of paint, warned Monday that second-quarter earnings will be hurt by commodity price rises, weak business in some regions and maintenance delays at some plants.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Oil falls to near $90 a barrel in Asia as US dollar gains amid Greek debt crisis
SINGAPORE — Oil prices fell to near $90 a barrel Monday in Asia as a stronger U.S. dollar made crude more expensive for investors with other currencies.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Today's News Highlights 06.16.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
White House defends Libya action
The administration’s stance puts it at odds with GOP leaders and some anti-war Democrats.
(By Scott Wilson)

Greek default fears sharpen
Growing political turmoil intensifies concerns that Greece may be spiraling toward default, potentially igniting a new phase in Europe’s debt crisis.
(By Anthony Faiola and Howard Schneider)

A new low for U.S., Pakistan
Officials say the security relationship between the two nations is the rockiest it’s been since 2001.
(By Karen DeYoung and and Griff Witte)

Arizona Rep. Giffords released from Houston hospital, 5 months after being shot
HOUSTON — Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was released from a Houston hospital on Wednesday, five months after being shot in the head during a Tucson political event.
(By Associated Press)

Bruins hoist the Stanley Cup
Boston captures the Stanley Cup for the first time in 39 years with a 4-0 victory over the Canucks in Game 7 in Vancouver.
(By Associated Press)

POLITICS
AP source: House Democratic leaders plan to meet Thursday to consider next step in Weiner case
WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders are planning to meet Thursday to consider the next step in handling the scandal embroiling Rep. Anthony Weiner, who has resisted calls to resign in the midst of a sexting scandal that has been a major distraction for his party for nearly three weeks.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Study finds dads are spending much more time with kids than they did a few generations ago
WASHINGTON — The percentage of American fathers who live apart from their children has doubled over the last half-century. But, to their credit, many of today’s dads are spending more than twice as much time with their kids as they did back then.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

White House report on Libya does little to soothe anger among lawmakers on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON — The White House is vigorously defending President Barack Obama’s right to keep the U.S. military engaged in Libya without seeking congressional approval, a move that appears to have done little to soothe anger among Republican lawmakers and anti-war Democrats over the president’s consultations with Congress during the nearly three month-long campaign.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

White House report on Libya does little to soothe anger among lawmakers on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON — The White House is vigorously defending President Barack Obama’s right to keep the U.S. military engaged in Libya without seeking congressional approval.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Hackers who breached Senate computer system say they hit CIA website
WASHINGTON — A group of hackers who breached the Senate computer system earlier this week claimed responsibility for problems with the CIA’s website Wednesday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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STYLE
Carolyn Hax: Money matters
How to handle a situation in which you loan an old friend money.
(, The Washington Post)

Ask Amy: Teacher needs to go to spending school
Retiree scrimped and saved so much during her working years that she’s at a loss now on how to enjoy her hard-earned money.
(, Tribune Media Service)

Miss Manners: Who wins in ‘culture’ clash?
Dear Miss Manners: When cultural differences result in different expectations of the hostess and guest obligations, to whose culture should we defer; the hostess’s or the guest’s?
(, United Media)

Is it a musical? Or a textbook? ‘Canto’ can’t decide
GALA Hispanic Theatre’s final offering of the 2010-11 season trips over its wordiness.
(, The Washington Post)

‘Green Lantern’ is plausible and none too illuminating
‘Green Lantern’ is neither amusing nor exciting enough to ensure a long-running franchise.
( by Mark Jenkins Special to The Washington Post , The Washington Post)

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SPORTS
Wednesday's Sports In Brief
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Tim Thomas drew a virtual line in his crease throughout the crazy, contentious Stanley Cup finals, and Boston’s brilliant goalie just wouldn’t allow the Vancouver Canucks to cross it whenever it really mattered.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Vancouver fans set cars on fire, fling bottles after Stanley Cup loss to Bruins
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Parked cars were set on fire, others were tipped over and people threw beer bottles at giant television screens following the Vancouver Canucks’ 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Luongo insists Canucks will compete for Stanley Cup again after falling to Bruins in Game 7
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Roberto Luongo insists the Canucks will be back.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Boston Bruins end 39 years of futility beat Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 for Stanley Cup
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Zdeno Chara thrust the Stanley Cup high above his 6-foot-9 frame, knocking off his own championship hat and nearly falling down. The Boston Bruins’ captain passed it to 43-year-old Mark Recchi, who raised the shiny silver trophy for a third and final time.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Malaysian soccer coach is third suspect charged with match-fixing in youth tournament
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian authorities have charged a second soccer coach in a widening scandal over match-fixing at a domestic youth tournament.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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WORLD
Countries back treaty recognizing labor rights for millions of domestic workers
GENEVA — Countries have voted to to back a new convention that will recognize labor rights for millions of maids, nannies and cooks around the world
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

ConocoPhillips, Bangladesh sign contract to explore for gas in deep waters of Bay of Bengal
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh has signed a production-sharing contract with American energy giant ConocoPhillips to explore for gas in the virtually unexplored deep waters of the Bay of Bengal.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

French health authorities recall hamburgers after 5 children sickened from E. coli
PARIS — French health authorities have ordered a recall of hamburger patties after five children were contaminated with E. coli.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Second governing Socialist party deputy resigns his parliamentary seat in Athens
ATHENS, Greece — Second governing Socialist party deputy resigns his parliamentary seat in Athens.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Syrian authorities detain hundreds of young men in the northwest, activists say
GUVECCI, Turkey — Syrian security forces made sweeping arrests Thursday, randomly detaining males above the age of 16 in a northwestern province that has been under military siege for a week, a Syrian human rights activist said.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Campus Overload Live with Jenna Johnson
Jenna Johnson answers your questions about college life, on and off campus.
(, vForum)

The Weather Gang Lab with Jason Samenow (Video)
Capital Weather Gang's Jason Samenow digs into this week's big weather story. Join the chat to find out what will happen -- and why.
(, vForum)

D.C.'s biggest stories: Lunchline's Clinton Yates breaks them down (Video)
Clinton Yates a news junkie and pop culture fanatic who scours The Washington Post and its partner sites every weekday to find the gems that you want to read but don't have time to search for.
(, vForum)

Elementary graduations, D.C. best for families, Catholic U ditches co-ed dorms: Lunchline's Clinton Yates breaks them down (Video)
Clinton Yates a news junkie and pop culture fanatic who scours The Washington Post and its partner sites every weekday to find the gems that you want to read but don't have time to search for.
(, vForum)

The Web Hostess: Online manners, memes and must-see video
A weekly chat about the best ways to kill time online. Our Web Hostess, Monica Hesse, sifts the Internet so you don't have to, searching for meaning, manners and the next great meme.
(, vForum)

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TECHNOLOGY
Citigroup says hackers stole data on 360,000
HONG KONG — Hackers stole account information of more than 360,000 of Citigroup Inc.’s U.S. credit card customers in a recent data breach, the bank said Wednesday, almost double the number initially thought.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Hell Yes, Mayor Bloomberg. I’m With You.

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Citigroup says hackers stole account information of 360,000 customers in recent data breach
HONG KONG — Citigroup Inc. says hackers stole the account information in a recent data breach of more than 360,000 U.S. credit card customers, much higher than initially thought.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Yahoo Tries Its Hand At Mobile App Search

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Attn Sports Fans, Journalists, And Parents Of Young Athletes, GameChanger Is On Line Two

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

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BUSINESS
Korean Air takes first A380 to the skies with unique configuration for business travelers
INCHEON, South Korea — Korean Air showed off its first Airbus A380, outfitted with a unique full business class upper deck, in a pair of special flights Thursday, a day before the launch of regular international service.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Asian markets tumble on unrest over Greek debt crisis, China ecomomy fears
HONG KONG — World stocks tumbled on Thursday, hammered by continuing fears that Europe’s debt crisis could spiral out of control and worries over China’s economy.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Greek PM may resign amid austerity riots
Greece’s beleaguered government was in power-sharing talks with the opposition conservatives and negotiating the resignation of Prime Minister George Papandreou, an effort to ensure approval of new austerity measures required to avoid bankruptcy.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

UK retail sales fall 1.4 pct in May after royal wedding spending spree in April
LONDON — Officials figures show that retail sales in Britain fell by a worse than expected 1.4 percent in May as consumers turned their attention from a royal wedding to their own economic worries.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Citigroup says hackers stole data on 360,000
HONG KONG — Hackers stole account information of more than 360,000 of Citigroup Inc.’s U.S. credit card customers in a recent data breach, the bank said Wednesday, almost double the number initially thought.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Morning News 05.27.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
CIA to search bin Laden compound
The arrangement would allow the CIA for the first time to enter a complex that it had previously scrutinized only from a distance.
(By Greg Miller and Karen DeYoung)

Serbia arrests Ratko Mladic on war crimes charges
Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb general charged with orchestrating the largest mass killing of civilians in Europe since World War II, was arrested Thursday in Serbia, ending a nearly 16-year manhunt.
(By Colum Lynch)

Chinese Communist Party focuses on its history
A new official history of the Chinese Communist Party ventures into treacherous territory from a tumultuous past.
(By Andrew Higgins)

Online letters claim innocence in Md. slaying
An interest in yoga brought a businessman-poet and AU professor together. Now he’s accused in her death. In online letters, the man — believed to be in Mexico — says he’s not guilty.
(By Dan Morse)

Mitt Romney launching campaign on June 2
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney will formally announce his presidential campaign next Thursday, June 2, in New Hampshire.
(By Chris Cillizza and Rachel Weiner)

POLITICS
Obama signs Patriot Act extension; will continue anti-terror surveillance powers
WASHINGTON — Congress on Thursday passed a four-year extension of post-Sept. 11 powers to search records and conduct roving wiretaps in pursuit of terrorists. Votes taken in rapid succession in the Senate and House came after lawmakers rejected attempts to temper the law enforcement powers to ensure that individual liberties are not abused.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Congress passes four-year extension of roving wiretaps, other government anti-terrorism powers
WASHINGTON — Congress passes four-year extension of roving wiretaps, other government anti-terrorism powers
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Congress approves extension of Patriot Act provisions
Racing against the clock, Congress passed an extension to key provisions of the USA Patriot Act that allow investigators to keep using aggressive surveillance tactics.
( by Paul Kane and Felicia Sonmez , The Washington Post)

Gingrich casts self as ‘comeback kid’
The roughly 600 people who came to see Newt Gingrich during his two-day campaign swing through New Hampshire were largely uninterested in his purchases at Tiffany & Co.
( by Nia-Malika Henderson and Dan Eggen , The Washington Post)

Romney to announce presidential bid next Thursday in New Hampshire
WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney said Thursday he planned to formally join the GOP race for president during an appearance next week in New Hampshire, a state that is central to his White House strategy.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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STYLE
29 million tune into ‘Idol’ finale
About 29 million people watched Fox’s “American Idol” finale Wednesday, when Scotty McCreery was crowned the winner.
(, The Washington Post)

Spaceport America taking shape, officials renew commitment to commercial space industry
SPACEPORT AMERICA, N.M. — The wind is still whistling through the massive unfinished steel hangar doors at Spaceport America. The exterior is waiting to be clad with custom metal panels, and the hangar floor, where a pair of sleek spacecraft will one day sit, is still dirt.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Wildwoods are top NJ beaches again; Cape May County takes 5 of top 10 spots
WILDWOOD, N.J. — Need more proof that New Jerseyans hate having to pay for beach badges?
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

New Mexico's Gila Cliff Dwellings and campgrounds reopening for holiday weekend
SILVER CITY, N.M. — The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the Gila National Forest campgrounds are reopening for the Memorial Day weekend.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Paul and the Other Paul
The most memorable moment of Paul Simon’s concert comes with the star attraction happily observing.
( by David Malitz , The Washington Post)

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SPORTS
Tillman’s tactics help Terps
The Final Four-bound Maryland men’s lacrosse team has responded to first-year Coach John Tillman’s team-building techniques.
( by Christian Swezey , The Washington Post)

Luke Donald opens with 64, leads Lee Westwood by 8 shots in battle for No. 1 at Wentworth
VIRGINIA WATER, England — Luke Donald shot a 7-under 64 on Thursday to take the lead in the suspended first round of the BMW PGA Championship, leaving him eight stroke ahead of No. 1 Lee Westwood in their battle for the top spot in the world ranking.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Pay to play? Hunter-Reay's deal to drive No. 41 for Foyt shows role sponsors play in IndyCar
INDIANAPOLIS — Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti watched the number of Indianapolis 500 qualifying spots dwindle in the final minutes of Bump Day last weekend, and the Andretti Autosport teammates knew one of them could end up knocking the other out of the race.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

AL Capsules
DETROIT — Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer in a five-run second inning, and the hot-hitting Boston Red Sox went on to rout the Detroit Tigers 14-1 in an eight-inning, rain-shortened game Thursday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Danica has been Indy's saving grace, but time for the open-wheelers to stand on their own
INDIANAPOLIS — Danica Patrick was holding court at the Brickyard and, as always, no one had more reporters crowded around them.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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WORLD
Rights group says extrajudicial killings by Venezuela's police officers escalating
CARACAS, Venezuela — Unjustified killings by police officers are escalating and occurring across Venezuela, a human rights group charged Thursday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Libya calls for cease-fire
Prime minister’s offer stops short of saying all military personnel would be returned to barracks
( by Michael Birnbaum , The Washington Post)

British government puts Apache helicopters at NATO's disposal
LONDON — The British government has given clearance for the use of its attack helicopters in Libya, putting the final decision on deployment in NATO’s hands.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Scientists claim they've found farthest-ever explosion more than 13 billion light years away
LONDON — A group of researchers claim they’ve found the most distant explosion ever detected, a pulse of high energy radiation sent by a disintegrating star near the very edge of the observable universe.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Under intense international pressure, Libyan premier says he's ready to talk with rebels
TRIPOLI, Libya — Libya’s government pushed a cease-fire proposal Thursday and said for the first time it was prepared to speak with its rebel adversaries, signaling that months of fighting and NATO bombardment may be closer to forcing some concessions.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Goodbye Oprah, hello Scotty, and congrats Hines Ward: Lisa de Moraes' TV Column
Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes will be chatting about Oprah Winfrey's final three episodes of her popular TV show.
(, vForum)

Sports talk with David Sheinin
Usually Tracee Hamilton goes weekly with her chat about sports, life and everything else. This week David Sheinin will be subbing in for her.
(, vForum)

Campus Overload Live with Jenna Johnson
Jenna Johnson answers your questions about college life, on and off campus.
(, vForum)

Lisa de Moraes on the TV Column
Post TV columnist Lisa de Moraes is back and ready to chat about all the drama, comedy and heartbreak of the world of television -- both onscreen and behind-the-scenes!
(, vForum)

Carolyn Hax Live: Advice columnist tackles your problems (Friday, June 3)
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

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TECHNOLOGY
Facebook hires 2 former Bush aides as lobbyists, stepping up efforts to friend Washington
NEW YORK — Facebook said Thursday that it hired two aides of former President George W. Bush as lobbyists. The world’s largest online social network is stepping up efforts to friend Washington as it grows.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

EcoMotors Chief Don Runkle: “Electric Vehicles Are Not Zero Emissions”

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Facebook hires 2 former Bush aides as lobbyists, stepping up efforts to friend Washington
NEW YORK — Facebook is hiring two aides of former President George W. Bush as lobbyists. The world’s largest online social network is stepping up efforts to friend Washington as it grows.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Gmail’s ‘People Widget’ Takes On Rapportive, No Browser Plugin Required

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Now You Can See Twitter The Way I See Twitter

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

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EDITORIAL
Ed Schultz suspended from MSNBC after calling Laura Ingraham a ‘right wing slut’
MSNBC suspended host Ed Schultz after he called rival pundit Laura Ingraham “a right-wing slut” during a radio broadcast Tuesday.
(, The Washington Post)

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BUSINESS
8 manufacturers recall pool, in-ground spa drain covers due to incorrect ratings
WASHINGTON — Eight manufacturers have voluntarily recalled about one million pool and in-ground spa drain covers because of incorrect water flow ratings.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Supreme Court upholds Ariz. law punishing employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has sustained Arizona’s law that penalizes businesses for hiring workers who are in the United States illegally, rejecting arguments that states have no role in immigration matters.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Competing plans on job growth
President Obama and Congressional Republicans unveil competing plans to reduce the cost of doing business for U.S. companies.
( by Zachary A. Goldfarb , The Washington Post)

War-weary lawmakers send Obama a message by narrowly rejecting accelerated Afghan withdrawal
WASHINGTON — War-weary Republicans and Democrats on Thursday sent the strongest message yet to President Barack Obama to end the war in Afghanistan as the commander in chief decides how many U.S. troops to withdraw this summer.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Ex-Nasdaq exec pleads guilty to fraud
Former executive traded on confidential information about companies listed on the Nasdaq, reaping more than $755,000 from 2006 to 2009.
( by David S. Hilzenrath , The Washington Post)

Morning News 03.31.11

1. CIA Runs Covert Ops in Libya
   The spy agency is gathering intelligence on Qaddafi's military and rebel forces.
   Read original story in New York Times | Thursday, March 31, 2011

2. Libyan Rebels Retreat Eastward
   Qaddafi still has the military might to crush rebel fighters, who have retreated 200 miles after making gains earlier this week.
   Read original story in Los Angeles Times | Thursday, March 31, 2011

3. Radiation Found in U.S. Milk
   But officials say the low levels pose no health risk.
   Read original story in CNN | Thursday, March 31, 2011

4. Buffet's Heir No Longer Apparent
   David Sokol, tipped as Warren Buffett's successor at Berkshire Hathaway, has resigned after revelations of iffy stock trading.
   Read original story in Wall Street Journal | Thursday, March 31, 2011

5. Will Giffords Run for Senate?
   Supporters are discussing the possibility that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who is still in hospital, could return to politics as a U.S. senator.
   Read original story in New York Times | Thursday, March 31, 2011

6. Libyan Foreign Minister Abandons Qaddafi
   Senior official Moussa Koussa fled Libya, saying he was "no longer willing" to support Qaddafi's regime.
   Read original story in Guardian | Thursday, March 31, 2011

7. Obama To Call for Reduction in Oil Imports
   Over the next decade, Obama wants to reduce foreign-oil imports by one-third. Economists wish him good luck.
   Read original story in Reuters | Wednesday, March 30, 2011

8. Arizona Passes Controversial Abortion Law
   Arizona Governor Jan Brewer passed a law on Tuesday banning abortions based on the gender or race of the fetus, a common practice in China.
   Read original story in Reuters | Wednesday, March 30, 2011

9. Google Introduces +1 Button to Rival Facebook's Like
   People with Google accounts can now recommend sites, and have those preferences show up in their friends' Google results.
   Read original story in Los Angeles Times | Thursday, March 31, 2011

10. No Refuge for the Paunchy
    The fat stigma has spread from the Anglosphere to places like American Samoa and Tanzania.
    Read original story in New York Times | Thursday, March 31, 2011

11. HIV Vaccine to Start Trials Within a Year
    The new vaccine, comprised of synthetic, computer-generated sequences of proteins, could be a breakthrough in the more than 20-year struggle to find a way to prevent AIDS.
    Read original story in The Daily Mail | Wednesday, March 30, 2011

12. Spacecraft Snaps Historic Photo of Mercury
    The photo, captured by the Mercury Messenger spacecraft on Tuesday morning, is the first image ever to be obtained of Mercury from the planet's orbit.
    Read original story in New York Times | Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Chauncey Bailey shooter laughed at killings

To certain members of Your Black Muslim Bakery, murder was a laughing matter, a confessed bakery hit man said Monday.

Devaughndre Broussard chuckled in the trial of bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV and another member of the group as he recalled how one victim tried to run away before Broussard emptied an assault rifle at him.

Bey and the other member, Antoine Mackey, made fun of how another victim's leg flew up in the air when he was riddled with rounds from a rifle, Broussard said.

In between the chilling details of those two slayings, Broussard testified for the first time about the shooting death of Chauncey Bailey, whom Bey allegedly ordered killed to prevent the Oakland journalist from writing about the black empowerment group's financial collapse.

Bey told Broussard to learn where Bailey lived and "find out his routine," Broussard told the jury in Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland. "He wanted us to take him out before he wrote that article."

Asked by Deputy District Attorney Melissa Krum what that meant, Broussard replied, "Kill him."

It was Broussard's second day on the witness stand in the murder trial. He has confessed to being the gunman who killed Bailey with three shotgun blasts on Aug. 2, 2007, as the Oakland Post editor was walking to work at 14th and Alice streets in downtown Oakland.

Bey ordered up another slaying less than a month before Bailey's death, telling Broussard to kill Odell Roberson, 31, the uncle of the man who shot and killed Bey's brother, Broussard said.

He said Bey had initially wanted him to kill the father of Alfonza Phillips, who shot and killed Antar Bey during a botched carjacking in 2005.

Bey "wanted him whacked because his son killed his brother," Broussard said, adding that Bey believed in "an eye for an eye."

But after Broussard reported that he and Mackey couldn't find the elder Phillips, Bey told him to kill Roberson, a "dope fiend" and transient who lived on the streets of Oakland near the now-defunct bakery, Broussard testified.

"Take him out when you get the chance, because it seems like we can't get his pops," Broussard said Bey told him.

Broussard, 23, burst into laughter on the stand when he recounted how Roberson had tried to run away when he leveled an SKS assault rifle at him. He said he had fired the rifle "until the clip was empty," about eight to 10 rounds.

Broussard pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter in exchange for a 25-year sentence and a promise to testify against Bey and Mackey, both 25, in their murder trial.

Mackey is accused of killing a third victim, 36-year-old Michael Wills, in July 2007. Bey, who is accused of ordering the killing, boasted about "getting" a white "devil," Broussard said.

Mackey and Bey made fun of how Wills' leg flew up after he was shot, with both men shouting, "It's good!" while raising their arms straight up, simulating a field goal, Broussard testified.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/28/BAF01IKVNI.DTL#ixzz1I0daeuwI

Morning News 03.22.11

1. Explosion Rocks Qaddafi's Compound
   Allied forces targeted the Libyan dictator's ground forces Sunday, allowing rebels to regroup.
   Read original story in New York Times | Monday, March 21, 2011

2. Japan Plant Repair Delayed
   Workers are trying to repair a ventilation system in the plant and channel enough power to a cable connected to reactor No. 2.
   Read original story in New York Times | Monday, March 21, 2011

3. Wyclef Jean Shot in Haiti
   The pop star was grazed by a bullet as he campaigned for fellow musician Michel Martelly in the Haitian presidential election.
   Read original story in CNN | Monday, March 21, 2011

4. AT&T Buys T-Mobile for $39 Billion
   The deal will make AT&T the biggest wireless carrier in the United States. It also means trouble for competitors and workers as AT&T consolidates the two companies.
   Read original story in Wall Street Journal | Monday, March 21, 2011

5. In Brazil, Obama Balances International Issues
   President Obama kicks off a tour of Latin America this week, but is at pains to show he isn't neglecting pressing issues elsewhere.
   Read original story in Washington Post | Monday, March 21, 2011

6. Knut Is Dead
   The star polar bear of the Berlin Zoo died suddenly on Saturday, aged 4, as hundreds of tourists looked on in horror.
   Read original story in AP | Monday, March 21, 2011

7. The Congressman from Koch?
   Kansas Congressman Mike Pompeo received more money from Koch Industries than any other politician in 2010. Liberal groups say he's now pushing Koch-friend legislation in the House.
   Read original story in Washington Post | Monday, March 21, 2011

8. Egyptians Go to the Polls as Regional Turmoil Continues
   A historic reform vote begins in Egypt, but security forces continue to take a hard line against protestors in Bahrain, Syria, and Yemen.
   Read original story in Reuters | Saturday, March 19, 2011

9. Japanese Hospital Workers Left Elderly People To Die
   Grisly scenes at abandoned hospitals and care homes underscore the plight of Japan's elderly tsunami survivors.
   Read original story in The Guardian | Saturday, March 19, 2011

10. Utah Adds Semi-Automatic To List of State Symbols
    Officials say the John M. Browning-designed M1911 handgun "captures a portion of Utah's history" and symbolizes the defense of freedom.
    Read original story in Reuters | Saturday, March 19, 2011

11. When Maggie Met Jimmy
    A new trove of letters and documents suggest that hard-nosed British leader Margaret Thatcher was surprisingly chummy with President Jimmy Carter.
    Read original story in The Associated Press | Saturday, March 19, 2011

12. Majority of American Support Gay Marriage
    For the first time in over a decade of polling, a new ABC News/Washington Post survey finds.
    Read original story in Talking Points Memo | Friday, March 18, 2011

Morning News 01.19.2011

1. Bomb Discovered Along MLK Jr. Day Parade Route
   A "potentially deadly" bomb was found in a backpack in Spokane, Washington on MLK Jr. Day.
   Read original story in AP | Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

2. Peace Corps Founder Sargent Shriver Dies
   The brother-in-law to the Kennedys was a paragon of Big Government idealism, presiding over the Peace Corps and president Johnson's "War on Poverty."
   Read original story in Time | Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

3. Employment Upswing in Manufacturing
   Factories are a bright spot in an otherwise bleak employment landscape.
   Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

4. Chinese President Expected to Emphasize "Harmony" During State Visit
   The Obama administration would very much like to engage on serious subjects including human rights, trade laws, and currency valuation, but Hu Jintao has more modest expectations.
   Read original story in CNN | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

5. Are Statins Like Lipitor Overrated?
   Chloresterol-lowering drugs are a cash cow for drug companies but researchers say the medications may not benefit those at low risk of heart disease.
   Read original story in Reuters | Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

6. Goldman's Partners: Rich and Male
   Beyond the bank's top execs lie Goldman Sachs' 475 partners, who stand to make a fortune off of company stock options. Only 13 percent of them are women.
   Read original story in The New York Times | Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

7. Two Students Shot in L.A. School
   A high school sophomore apologized to his classmate and then fled the room after a gun in his backpack went off accidentally, wounding two classmates.
   Read original story in The Los Angeles Times | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

8. Haiti Charges Baby Doc With Corruption, Theft
   The former dictator said he returned to Haiti to help his country, but instead he's being held accountable for the harm he inflicted 25 years ago.
   Read original story in BBC | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

9. Lieberman Joins Ranks of Retiring Senate Liberals
   The Connecticut independent will officially announce that he's not seeking reelection Wednesday, the day after North Dakota Democrat Kent Conrad said he won't run in 2012
   Read original story in Politico | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

10. Royal Succession Courts Gender Equality
    Elizabeth II would never have been Queen if she'd had a younger brother. The British government is out to change that.
    Read original story in The Daily Telegraph | Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011

11. Apple Made $27 Billion Last Quarter, Shipped 7.3 million iPads
    But the even-better-than-expected earnings report was overshadowed by questions about CEO Steve Jobs' health.
    Read original story in Business Insider | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

12. Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Hits Pakistan
    The tremor was felt as far away as Dubai, but isn't believed to have caused massive damage.
    Read original story in | Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011

George Clinton sues the Black Eyed Peas for copyright infringement

George Clinton, a veteran funk singer, has sued the Black Eyed Peas, saying the hip hop group used elements of his old group Funkadelic's 1979 song "(Not Just) Knee Deep" in remixes of its track "Shut Up" without his permission.

Singers Fergie and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and its record label, Universal Music Group, were named as defendants in the lawsuit, which was filed on Friday, the Associated Press said. They have not commented.

Clinton is seeking copyright infringement damages and wants to ensure there are no more sales of the remixes.

The Black Eyed Peas is one of the most popular contemporary groups in the world and has topped charts all over the world with singles such as "My Humps", "I Gotta Feeling" and "Boom Boom Pow. The group is set to play the 2011 Super Bowl half-time show on February 6 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Texas, marking the first time a non-rock act has performed on the biggest stage on television in seven years.

The 2003 single "Shut Up" has sold at least five million copies worldwide and topped the charts in many countries. One remix of the track can be found on the Black Eyed Peas' fifth studio album, "The E.N.D.". Elements of "(Not Just Knee Deep" are said to be heard on songs by LL Cool J, Tone Loc and Snoop Dogg. They are not named in Clinton's lawsuit.

The Black Eyed Peas recently released the song "The Time (Dirty Bit)", which remixes the famous 1980s song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from the Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey film "Dirty Dancing". SOURCE OF THIS POST

Morning News 11.19.10

1. Obama Faces Off Against GOP Over Nuclear Treaty
   The president has embarked on a high-stakes gambit to push through a nuclear arms treaty with Russia in the face of Republican opposition.
   Read original story in The New York Times | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

2. Fed Chairman Cries Foul on the Global Economic Playground
   Ben Bernanke will unleash an academic diss-fest against rising economic powers that he says aren't playing fair.
   Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

3. New Zealand Mine Explosion Traps 27 Miners
   The cause of the explosion and the fate of the miners is still unknown.
   Read original story in BBC | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

4. Ethics Panel Votes to Censure Rangel
   Rangel may be the first representative to be censured by the House of Representatives since the Congressional page sex scandal of 1983.
   Read original story in The Boston Globe | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

5. Fox Boss Apologizes for Calling NPR Execs "Nazis"
   News chief Roger Ailes said he should have called them "bigots" instead.
   Read original story in CBS | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

6. Republicans Extinguish Unemployment Benefits
   GOP rejection of a bill to extend benefits for three months means the unemployed will be without help starting Nov. 30.
   Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

7. Battle Tanks Roll into Afghanistan for First Time
   The sixteen jet-powered battle machines are part of a plan to "take the gloves off" in the war with the Taliban.
   Read original story in The Washington Post | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

8. Russians Baffled by GOP Opposition to Nuclear Treaty
   "I really don't think Republicans want to kill arms control."
   Read original story in The Washington Post | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

9. Bugatti Found Rotting in Barn Prompts Auction Frenzy
   The 1926 collectable went for seven times its estimated $15,000 value to a mystery bidder.
   Read original story in The Daily Telegraph | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

10. Indian Microlending Industry in Danger of Collapse
    Angered by huge profits being made by for-profit mircrolenders, millions of borrowers have defaulted on their loans, sometimes with the encouragement of local government leaders.
    Read original story in The New York Times | Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

11. American High Schools Improve, Barely
    Scores on national reading and math exams inched up last year, but the vast majority of kids still can't read good.
    Read original story in The Washington Post | Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

12. Should Everyone Give Willow Palin a Break?
    She called a kid a "faggot" on Facebook, but is that grounds for universal condemnation? Several commentators say 16-year-olds should be able to run their mouths online without being endlessly analyzed by a bunch of adults with blogs.
    Read original story in Outside the Beltway | Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

Prison or probation? Mehserle judge gets arguments

(10-26) 16:46 PDT OAKLAND -- To prosecutors, the trial of former BART police Officer Johannes Mehserle proved that he "abandoned all judgment and training and became part of a sweeping swell of officer aggression" when he killed unarmed train rider Oscar Grant.

To defense attorneys, jurors learned that Mehserle accidentally shot Grant while intending to subdue the 22-year-old with a Taser during a difficult arrest, making "a tragic and irreversible error while trying in good faith to do his job."

The interpretations were laid out Tuesday in legal briefs filed with Judge Robert Perry, who is scheduled to sentence Mehserle on Nov. 5 in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Prosecutors are making a case for prison time for Mehserle, 28, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in July and has been jailed in Los Angeles ever since. The defense seeks his release on probation.

The court filings underlined a continuing disagreement at the heart of the case. Defense attorney Michael Rains said it was clear that jurors believed the New Year's Day 2009 shooting at the Fruitvale Station in Oakland was an accident when they rejected murder and voluntary manslaughter charges - both of which require prosecutors to prove an intent to kill.

However, Deputy District Attorney David Stein pointed to the jury's separate finding that Mehserle had intentionally used a gun. "While (the) defendant attempted to convince the jury that the shooting was an accident," Stein wrote, "the jury found otherwise."

Perry cannot call jurors back to court to question them on how they arrived at their verdict. None of the jurors has spoken publicly.

Mehserle faces five to 14 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and the use of the gun. However, legal experts said, state law allows a judge to grant probation for involuntary manslaughter under unusual circumstances. And Rains argues that the gun-use enhancement should not apply to police officers, who carry weapons as part of their job.

In his filing, Stein said Mehserle deserved prison time because he had acted recklessly, taking advantage of a position of trust while killing a vulnerable victim. The use of the Taser defense, Stein wrote, undermined police-community relations.

Rains countered that Mehserle - a young man with an unblemished record - had decided to devote his life to protecting the public, only to lose his career and become the object of public scorn "in half a second, with no ill intention, and at least in part as the result of inadequate training and experience" at BART.

Judge Orders Rapper T.I. Back to Prison for 11 Months

ATLANTA (CBS/AP) Rapper T.I. will soon be heading back to jail.

A federal judge ordered the Atlanta native back to prison for 11 months after revoking his probation.

The multi-platinum rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., appeared in court Friday in Atlanta following his arrest last month in Los Angeles on suspicion of drug possession.

T.I., 29, begged the judge not to send him back to prison, saying he needed to get help for drug addiction. He told the judge he "screwed up" and pleaded for mercy.

U.S. attorney spokesman Patrick Crosby said Harris will voluntarily surrender.

The action comes just days after th rap star helped police talk a man out of jumping from a 22-story building n downtown Atlanta.

Officer James Polite says the hip-hop star joined the crowd outside the office building Wednesday and told officers he wanted to help. Police said the man agreed to come down in exchange for a few minutes face-to-face with T.I.

Ga. megachurch pastor accused in sex scandal

 ATLANTA – As a Christian author, gospel singer and leader of one of the nation's best-known black megachurches, Bishop Eddie Long finds a wide audience for messages such as marriage is "between one man and one woman." Those words hung heavy Wednesday over accusations that the TV preacher, a married father of four, used jewelry, cars and cash to lure three young men into sexual relationships. Lawsuits filed Tuesday and Wednesday say the young men were 17 or 18 years old at the time, enrolled in New Birth Missionary BaptistChurch's ministry for teen boys.

A lawyer for Long, who writes books on heterosexual relationships and has strong ties to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s family, adamantly denied the allegations. Few at Long's 25,000-strong church will discuss the situation, and the grounds were quiet Wednesday save for a small group walking in prayer. But those who will speak say they are supporting him.

Lance Robertson, who joined New Birth nearly two decades ago and has coached youth basketball there, said Wednesday that members were hurting.

"I support and will stand with my bishop, but right now in the court of public opinion, it does not look good," Robertson said. "This affects too many people. As the bishop goes, New Birth goes. He built New Birth."

B.J. Bernstein, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said she opened her investigation after getting a call from one of the men. The Associated Press normally does not name people who claim they are victims of sexual impropriety, but Bernstein said all three — Maurice Robinson, 20, and Anthony Flagg, 21, and Jamal Parris, 23 — have consented to making their identities public.

Bernstein said she didn't trust local authorities to investigate the claims.

"This is a really large church that's incredibly politically powerful," Bernstein said. "There are pictures of this guy with every politician around. With something this important, how can I trust that word didn't get back to the bishop?"

DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown has been a member of New Birth for more than 15 years and sits on the advisory board for Long's Longfellows Youth Academy. He said he would stand by the bishop and bristled at Bernstein's suggestion that local authorities couldn't be trusted.

"I take offense to that," he said. "It does not merit a dignified response."

Bernstein said that her case hinges on her three clients' testimony and that she doesn't have much physical evidence backing up her complaint. Bishop sent dozens of e-mails and phone calls to her clients, though they weren't "overly sexual," she said. Bernstein said she plans to subpoena records from Long that will show he traveled with the young men to New York, Las Vegas, New Zealand and elsewhere.

Long has been silent since the lawsuits were filed, though he did have a news conference planned for Thursday. But urban radio, Internet sites like Facebook and Twitter, and cable television news shows have been abuzz.

Atlanta radio host Frank Ski devoted much of his 4-hour morning show to the issue. Ski, a 12-year member of New Birth, called the accusations "painful" and said he doesn't believe them.

Ski said he and his fellow church members are generally supportive of Long and are awaiting the outcome of the case.

"This church is used to the controversy coming against him," Ski said. "It's all about faith. When you have faith, you understand that those kinds of things will happen."

Robertson, the church's youth basketball coach, said he wants to hear Long respond to the accusations.

"The bishop has helped so many people," he said. "It's not uncommon for him to mentor young men and groom them to be productive members of society. The bishop's heart has always been in the right place. But the New Birth family, we're weeping. This is not a good day for New Birth."

Long, who was appointed pastor of New Birth in 1987, presides over an empire that claims athletes, politicians and entertainers as members.

President George W. Bush and three former presidents visited the sprawling New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the Atlanta suburb of Lithonia for the 2006 funeral of Coretta Scott King, the widow of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Long introduced the speakers and the Rev. Bernice King, the Kings' younger daughter, delivered the eulogy. She is also a pastor there.

Today, New Birth sits on 250 acres and has more than 25,000 members, a $50 million, 10,000-seat cathedral and more than 40 ministries. CONTINUE READING...

Morning Newspapers 08.12.10

1. Florida Immigration Bill Aims to Outdo Arizona 
   Under the proposed legislation, immigrations would face twenty days in jail for not carrying their documents, and could receive harsher sentences for committing the same crimes as legal residents.
   Read original story in Miami Herald | Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

2. Illegal Immigrants Account for More U.S. Births 
   A new study finds that while illegal immigrants account for only 4 percent of the U.S. adult population, their children made up 8 percent of all babies born in the U.S. in 2008.
   Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

3. Bin Laden Cook Gets Fourteen Years in Prison, Will Probably Serve Two 
   Ibrahim al-Qosi's trial hit a snag on Wednesday when prosecutors realized that there was no plan specifying where Guantanamo detainees would actually serve their sentences.
   Read original story in The Guardian | Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

4. Thousands Gather in Atlanta for Federally Subsidized Housing 
   At temperatures hit the low '90s, around 30,000 people showed up at an Atlanta shopping mall yesterday to get on the waiting list for low-income public housing.
   Read original story in Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

5. Bank Chairman in Waters' Ethics Case Has Questionable Past 
   Kevin Cohee, the CEO of the bank at the center of Rep. Maxine Waters' congressional ethics investigation, urged investors to spend their money wisely. Too bad he didn't follow his own advice.
   Read original story in The Washington Post | Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

6. Blagojevich Jury Stuck in Deadlock 
   After eleven days of deliberations, the jury still can't come to a decision about Chicago's charismatic former governor. 
   Read original story in Chicago Tribune | Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

7. Feds Nabs 'Granddad Bandit' in Louisiana 
   "We really didn't know him. (His wife) would always say he was going out of town, and now that I think about it, everywhere he went, banks were robbed," a neighbor told the press.
   Read original story in Associated Press | Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

8. Did an Iowa Wal-Mart Make Employees Work During a Flood? 
   Thirty Wal-Mart workers had to be rescued by firefighters on Wednesday, and Consumerist wonders if it's because they weren't allowed to leave.
   Read original story in Consumerist | Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010

9. Former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski Dies at 82 
   The Illinois congressman was one of the most powerful people in the House, before he was jailed on corruption charges.
   Read original story in The Washington Post | Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010

10. Did Humans Give Up Easy Sex for Easy Beer? 
    One author believes our ancestors started farming for beer, not bread. But agriculture leads freewheeling hunter-gatherers toward monogamy, creating a "troubling existential question": more sex or more beer?
    Read original story in Gizmodo | Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010

11. Stocks Slide As Recovery Slows 
    The day after the Fed acknowledged that the recovery has slowed, the Dow, the Nasdaq, and the S&P 500 all fell into negative territory.
    Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010

12. Reid: How Could Any Hispanic Vote Republican? 
    The Senate majority leader had a one-word answer when asked why the federal government has failed to deal with immigration reform: "Republicans."
    Read original story in The Las Vegas Review Journal | Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010

FCC to toughen internet rules

The Federal Communications Commission has taken the first formal steps towards tougher rules for broadband.

It asked for public comment on three different plans, igniting an expensive lobbying campaign by all sides.

The looming battle follows a court ruling questioning the FCC's right to regulate internet service providers after one throttled traffic to users.

That court ruling dealt a major blow to a central plank of the FCC's broadband plan called net neutrality which demands that all data traffic be treated equally.

The five commissioners on the FCC board were split 3-2 in putting out for public comment proposals on new regulations for the broadband industry.

'Third way'

One of the three plans the public is being asked to comment on, and which is favoured by FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, is called the "third way".

This would involve reclassifying broadband so it went from being a lightly regulated service to one with more vigorous oversight.

In return for this tightening up, Mr Genachowski has proposed the new classification would not regulate on how much people pay for their broadband. It would also shy away from overseeing internet content, services, applications or electronic commerce sites.

The other two options include leaving the existing regulatory framework in place or imposing the full force of stricter regulations.

ISPs, such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon, prefer the status quo and have come out against the "third way" proposal.

"This is impossible to justify on either a policy or legal basis and we remain confident that if the FCC persists in its course - and we truly hope it does not - the courts will surely overturn their action," said Jim Cicconi, AT&T's senior executive vice president for external and legislative affairs.

Verizon said the FCC's move was "a terrible idea".

By contrast, web giants such as Google and Amazon extol the value of free-flowing web traffic and an open internet.

"Broadband infrastructure is too important to be left outside of any oversight," said Richard Whitt, Google's telecom and media counsel in a blog posting.

'To the death'

The political dynamics of the FCC board, two Republicans and three Democrats, imply that the "third way" looks almost certain to be the plan it adopts.

Some suspect this will provoke more lobbying and may draw legal challenges.

"There is a very big fight brewing and it's the carriers versus everybody else," said Erik Sherman, analyst with BNET.com, part of CBS's digital business network.

"There is little doubt it's going to be a right data Donnybrook and I am not sure the consumers are winners in any circumstances. These companies are not fighting for the little guy. They are fighting for themselves and higher profit margins."

That view was echoed by Public Knowledge, a Washington based public advocacy group.

"It's a tough road ahead and the telcos are going to fight this to the death," communications director Art Brodsky told BBC News.

"AT&T in the first quarter of this year spent $6m on lobbying. That is one company. One quarter. Compare that to Google which spent $4m in the whole of last year."

The Computer and Communications Industry Association said the "third way" option is the only realistic option.

"Without deliberate FCC action, consumers, entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profits will be left completely powerless against the corporate commercial interests of their unregulated internet access providers," said Ed Black, association president. SOURCE

Opening Statements on both sides of the Oscar Murder Trial in LA

Chief orders drug lab closed permanently

The San Francisco Police Department will close its scandal-marred drug lab permanently and use outside testers to analyze narcotics evidence, Police Chief George Gascón said Wednesday.

"We have determined that we would be better served" by having independent laboratories test seized substances to determine if they are drugs, Gascón said at a news conference.

That will enable the Police Department's crime lab at Hunters Point to focus on testing of weapons and DNA evidence, areas that are "quite frankly of greater importance to our crime-fighting efforts," Gascón said.

The department shut down the drug analysis section of the crime lab March 9 amid an investigation into whether now-retired technician Deborah Madden skimmed powdered cocaine and OxyContin evidence.

Prosecutors have dismissed more than 600 cases since the scandal broke. Madden, 60, has not been charged with a crime in connection with the case, but a police investigation is under way.

Police supervision

Gascón said the drug testing done by private labs would be conducted under "our supervision." The Police Department still would be responsible for ensuring that the lab work meets legal standards.

"We will still control that process," the chief said.

The drug analysis section was already a headache for the Police Department even before the narcotics-skimming scandal became known. It was down to two civilian police technicians before Madden left in December, and outside auditors found that the section was not properly supervised, evidence was not well secured and problems with its scales were not being documented correctly.

The chief said an outside lab can perform testing for about $100 per sample. By having police officers themselves do some preliminary tests, Gascón believes that the 14,000 tests that the drug analysis section had performed annually an be cut to around 4,000 at outside labs.

Gascón said the preliminary tests that officers have already started doing are accepted by prosecutors to support the filing of charges.

"It's a more strategic approach to what we test," said Assistant Chief Jeff Godown, whom Gascón directed in March to oversee the crime lab.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/05/BAO81D9UMM.DTL#ixzz0n7iX6AHX

Lil Wayne To Be Sentenced Today

Lil Wayne, easily the hardest-working MC in hip-hop, will have his career come to a screeching halt when a Manhattan judge formally sentences the rapper to a one-year prison term Tuesday (February 9).The move is the final process in the case, which dates back to July 2007, when Lil Wayne was arrested for gun possession in New York following his first headlining concert in the Big Apple. In October, the Cash Money superstar struck a deal with prosecutors that saw him plead guilty to a reduced charge of attempted gun possession. He's now expected to serve up to 10 months in prison with the possibility of an early release after eight months for good behavior. The rapper was originally facing as much as 15 years behind bars; New York is among the toughest states in the country when it comes to gun laws for individuals not affiliated with law enforcement.

Lil Wayne will appear before Judge Charles H. Solomon on Tuesday morning, where he will formally enter his plea and likely turn himself in to immediately begin his sentence.

The firearm in question was registered to Wayne's manager, Cortez Bryant (and not found on Wayne by police), and the rapper's attorney attempted to have the case dropped through DNA challenges. Wayne's defense also sought to have the case dismissed after authorities handling the case misprinted information on the arrest report.

The rapper eventually decided to reach a plea deal with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. In New York, stringent gun laws were enacted during former Governor George Pataki's administration. In a different state, the rapper could have been levied a fine and probation for the same offense.

Wayne pleaded guilty in the case because attempted possession carries almost the same threat of punishment as full possession. "Possession is defined as actual possession or dominion or control. ... We said it was dominion and control," Joan Illuzzi-Orbon explained to MTV News after the deal was announced.

The distinction is that the weapon was potentially something available for immediate use. In other words, the threat of controlling the weapon is just as much of a crime as actually controlling one in New York. "Basically, the old law [prior to Pataki's tenure] required someone to have a loaded weapon and intend to use it [before] the mandatory minimum would kick in," said Scott Leemon, a defense attorney in New York who has represented G-Unit's Tony Yayo in the past. "And basically, what they did is they took that out of the law. So the mere possession of a loaded weapon in New York State is a felony."

Lil Wayne has been busy in the weeks leading up to his sentencing. In December, he performed his final hometown show before his jail time. The rapper has also furiously been at work on the forthcoming Tha Carter IV, which will likely see a release by the end of 2010. He also is still facing charges in Arizona, and his trial is set to begin March 30. CONTINUE READING...

New Guidelines For Medical Marijuana: A Step To The Right

The Department of Justice will distribute new guidelines to federal prosecutors today advising that it's not a good use of their time to prosecute medical marijuana users and distributors in states where medical marijuana is legal, as long as they're following state laws. It's been understood since before the election that President Obama intended to stop raids on medical marijuana users, and, with the exception of a few raids conducted in LA before the new leadership had gotten settled at the Department of Justice, that's been the effective policy so far. But the new guidelines--a three-page memo going out to prosecutors in the 14 states where medical marijuana has been legalized in some fashion, as well as FBI and DEA officials--will set it down in formal communique. Glenn Greenwald points out that this policy is actually more conservative than that held by the Bush administration, which vowed to enforce federal anti-marijuana laws: it's a victory for states' rights, a loosening of the federal government's centralized grip. At a time when allegations of socialism dominate criticism of the administration--when the stimulus was fought by conservative governors as a federal power-grab--a softer approach to medical marijuana laws has actually given states' rights proponents something to be pleased about with the Obama administration. Libertarians may not like much else about the administration: the stimulus, the auto bailouts, and the measured progress on Guantanamo, wiretapping, and a legal framework for terrorism suspects have all, in their eyes, marked shortcomings on behalf of the administration. But they can at least be happy about this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdONwv51Wm0

State OKs petition drive for pot legalization

(09-22) 15:41 PDT San Francisco -- Two prominent East Bay marijuana advocates got clearance from the state today to try to put a pot-legalization initiative on the November 2010 California ballot. Richard Lee, executive director of the medical marijuana dispensary known as Oaksterdam, and Jeff Jones, former director of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative, are the sponsors of a measure that would allow anyone over 21 to possess or grow marijuana for personal use. It would allow each local government to decide whether to tax and regulate marijuana sales. The secretary of state's office approved the initiative for circulation along with a similar measure sponsored by John Donohue of Long Beach. Each needs at least 433,971 signatures of registered voters by Feb. 18 to qualify for the November ballot. The Lee-Jones initiative would legalize possession of up to an ounce of marijuana. Lee says it would generate billions of dollars in tax revenue. Marijuana possession, cultivation and sale would remain illegal under federal law, however. After California voters approved the nation's first law legalizing medical use of marijuana in 1996, federal authorities raided local pot clubs, prosecuted growers and sought to punish doctors who recommended the drug to their patients.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/22/BACP19R095.DTL#ixzz0RssSxNSN