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Today's News Highlights 06.13.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
New challenge for U.S.-Pakistan ties
Twice in recent weeks, the U.S. provided Pakistan with the specific locations of insurgent bomb-making factories, only to see the militants learn their cover had been blown and vacate the sites before military action could be taken, according to U.S. and Pakistani officials.
(By Griff Witte and Karen DeYoung)

Gates rebukes European allies in farewell speech
In an unusually stinging speech, the defense secretary said the United States has a “dwindling appetite” to serve as the heavyweight partner in the military order that has underpinned the U.S. relationship with Europe since the end of World War II.
(By Greg Jaffe and Michael Birnbaum)

Stocks’ rut hits six weeks
The Wall Street slump reflects a gathering sentiment among investors that the economic recovery is going awry.
(By Renae Merle and Cezary Podkul)

How Gingrich’s campaign crashed
Newt Gingrich positioned himself as the unconventional candidate with new, big ideas. But his campaign ran right into some traditional, tough political reality.
(By Karen Tumulty, Dan Balz and Chris Cillizza)

Sarah Palin e-mails released
Alaska today released 24,199 pages of printed-out e-mails that Sarah Palin either sent or received on her official account as governor.
(By Dan Eggen and Robert O’Harrow Jr.)

POLITICS
Suit over crash that killed 2 in Utah to be first of hundreds of Toyota accelerator lawsuits
LOS ANGELES. — After years of legal wrangling, the first of hundreds of lawsuits over acceleration problems against Toyota Motor Corp. has been scheduled for trial.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Palin emails from Alaska gov. days show her coping with rise from mayor to governor to VP slot
JUNEAU, Alaska — As Alaska governor, Sarah Palin struggled with the gossip about her family.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Del. police ask about teen’s interaction with Weiner
Police in New Castle, Del., have questioned a 17-year-old high school student regarding her online communications with Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), police said.
( by Felicia Sonmez , The Washington Post)

Gingrich defections, Palin emails cloud GOP presidential picture ahead of Monday's NH debate
WASHINGTON — Newt Gingrich’s campaign defections are just the latest tremor in a constantly shifting GOP presidential landscape that craves some steadiness as a big, early New Hampshire debate nears.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

How Gingrich’s campaign crashed
Newt Gingrich positioned himself as the unconventional candidate with new, big ideas. But his campaign ran right into some traditional, tough political reality.
( by Karen Tumulty, Dan Balz and Chris Cillizza , The Washington Post)

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STYLE
Celebrating life, until his last breath
When Erwin Lobo was told he had cancer, he and Ed Urbaniak didn’t mourn the prospect of a changed future. Instead, they married.
( by Ellen McCarthy , The Washington Post)

Ask Amy: Dad wants to help daughter tie the knot
My beautiful and accomplished daughter is almost 34 and has been dating a wonderful young man for more than three years. He readily states that he loves her and they seem a very good match. I know she wants to marry him and start a family and is waiting for him to propose.
(, Tribune Media Service)

Hints From Heloise: Color-coded pets
With four dogs, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with their toys, blankets, etc. I came up with an easy way to stay organized: color-coded stickers!
(, King)

Uncertain about wanting to be a parent
The question of whether to have kids is a big unknown for some couples.
(, The Washington Post)

TV highlights for this weekend
The Tony awards and more are on TV this weekend.
(, The Washington Post)

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SPORTS
Dana Holgorsen ready for 'chance of a lifetime' as West Virginia's head football coach
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Last December, Oliver Luck brimmed with confidence that offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, a night owl, and lame-duck coach Bill Stewart, an early riser and family man, could work together in a unique arrangement for the 2011 season.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Friday's Sports In Brief
MILWAUKEE — Tony La Russa managed his 5,000th game when the St. Louis Cardinals started a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Keegan Bradley 3 strokes off St. Jude lead just 2 weeks after his 1st win at Byron Nelson
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Keegan Bradley is back on his game after needing a few days to deal with the demands of winning his first PGA Tour title.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Cincinnati's bullpen walks bases loaded, then serves up Schierholtz's winner in 3-2 loss
SAN FRANCISCO — Logan Ondrusek had trouble getting the ball across the plate. When he did, pinch-hitter Nate Schierholtz made him pay.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Marquis' 6 strong innings, Morse's HR help Nationals to 2-1 win over Padres
SAN DIEGO — Jason Marquis almost was forced out of the game in the sixth inning again — albeit for a much different reason.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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WORLD
Bomb attacks kill 21 in Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan authorities say a roadside bomb has hit a bus in southern Afghanistan, killing 15 people, including eight children.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Syrian troops tighten grip on northern town
Troops backed by tanks launch assault on area that appears to have fallen out of government’s control.
( by Liz Sly , The Washington Post)

AU force in Somalia on alert after interior minister killed by suspected female bomber
MOGADISHU, Somalia — A spokesman for African Union peacekeepers backing Somalia’s fragile government says his forces are on high alert a day after a suspected female suicide bomber killed the country’s interior minister.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Taiwan destroys chemical-tainted drinks after countries ban its food products
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s leader has overseen the destruction of 2.3 tons of beverages believed to be tainted with a dangerous chemical.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Syrian troops, tanks seal restive northern town, all-out assault expected
BEIRUT — Syrian tanks sealed a restive northern city Saturday, and activists said they expected an all-out government assault on the region near the Turkish border.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Fix Faceoff: 2012 Presidential Election
Political blogger Chris Cillizza's fast-paced video Q&A about the 2012 presidential election.
(, vForum)

Rabbi Brad Hirschfield on Palin e-mails and more (video)
Join Rabbi Brad Hirschfield as he talks about the ethical and moral issues raised by the week's biggest stories.
(, vForum)

Sarah Palin's Emails: Former Palin staffer discusses
Former Sarah Palin staffer discusses the contents of Palin's emails.
(, vForum)

Sarah Palin's Emails: Former Palin staffer discusses
Former Sarah Palin staffer discusses the contents of Palin's emails.
(, vForum)

Rabbi Brad Hirschfield on Palin e-mails and more (video)
Join Rabbi Brad Hirschfield as he talks about the ethical and moral issues raised by the week's biggest stories.
(, vForum)

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TECHNOLOGY
Contest Asks People To “Draw The Internet”

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Groupon: Still getting it in the ass in China

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

TechCrunch Turns 6

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Joomla Quietly Crosses 23 Million Downloads, Now Powering Over 2,600 Government Sites

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

EPIC Draft FTC Complaint Vilifies Facebook’s Facial Recognition

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

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BUSINESS
US approved $200 million in defense sales to Bahrain before crackdown on protesters
WASHINGTON — The U.S. government approved $200 million in military sales from American firms to Bahrain in 2010, months before the autocratic regime was rocked by instability amid a harsh crackdown on protesters, according to a State Department report.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Battle at sea: Tunisian fishermen attack environmentalist boat by throwing metal chain links
ABOARD THE STEVE IRWIN — Tunisian fishermen have pulled alongside a ship of environmentalists on the Mediterranean and attacked them by throwing metal chain links at the crew.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Contest Asks People To “Draw The Internet”

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Groupon: Still getting it in the ass in China

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

TechCrunch Turns 6

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) 

Finals | Mavericks 105, Heat 95 Mavericks Defeat Heat for First Title

MIAMI — The thumping, bumping, smoke-filled revelry that began 49 weeks ago, sweeping up South Beach in championship fever and transforming the Miami Heat into the most polarizing force in sports, ended in stunned silence Sunday night, in the same place where it all began.

The dancing and preening ceased. The audacity was gone. The Dallas Mavericks, a team of fewer stars, less hype and more humility, stole the Heat’s swagger, then appropriated its arena for a championship party of their own.

With a brilliant shooting night from Jason Terry and a lethal final push from Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks claimed a 105-95 victory at American Airlines Arena on Sunday and clinched the 2011 N.B.A. title in six games.

This was supposed to be Miami’s moment, one that LeBron James forecast last July, when he joined the Heat and giddily predicted a string of titles. But the Mavericks were deeper and steadier, more ready for the opportunity.

“This feeling, to be on the best team of the world, is just undescribable,” Nowitzki said, a championship hat askew on his head, a soaked T-shirt on his chest and medical tape still wrapped around his torn left middle finger, which was injured in Game 2.

In his hands was the box score, which showed Nowitzki with 21 points and 11 rebounds on the biggest night of his 13-year career. He averaged 26 points and 9.7 rebounds in the series, led huge comebacks in Games 2 and 4, dominated fourth quarters and was rewarded with the Most Valuable Player trophy.

The championship is the first for Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, sanctifying their Hall of Fame résumés, and the first for the Mavericks franchise, and its famously passionate owner, Mark Cuban.

It was a victory made all that much sweeter by the location and the opponent. Five years ago, the Heat celebrated its first title on the Mavericks’ home court. That memory seemed ever-present for Nowitzki, Terry and Cuban, the most significant holdovers from 2006.

Appropriately, it was Terry who did the most to guarantee vengeance Sunday, scoring 27 points while going 11 for 16 from the field. In a fourth-quarter timeout, with Dallas leading but the game still in doubt, Terry told Nowitzki: “Keep pushing. Remember ’06.”

“He was phenomenal,” said Nowitzki, who had 10 points in the final period after struggling with his shot in the first half.

Meanwhile, the team that stocked itself with All-Stars last summer and became both a sensation and a lightning rod, fell flat.

Dwyane Wade, who bruised his hip in Game 5, had 17 points Sunday but made just 6 of 16 shots and had five turnovers. Chris Bosh had 19 points and 8 rebounds.

James had one of his better games — 21 points and 6 assists — but it was not enough to save the Heat, or himself from the damage to his reputation after a strangely lackluster series. He averaged a modest 17.8 points and 6.8 assists in the series, with a team-high 4 turnovers per game.

“They did a great job of every time I drove, they brought another extra defender in front of me,” James said, calling the Mavericks “a very underrated defensive team.”

Still, for the sixth straight game, James drifted in and out of the action, carrying himself like anything but a superstar. He had 11 points in the first half, but did not attempt another shot until the 1:49 mark of the third quarter. Dallas closed the period with a 9-point lead. Miami briefly pulled within 4 points early in the fourth but Dallas pulled away and stretched it to 13, its biggest lead of the series.

“There’s certainly an emptiness right now with our group,” Coach Erik Spoelstra said.

James had been dominant in earlier playoff victories over Boston and Chicago, but he shrank on the greatest stage, with few explanations. Spoelstra praised Dallas for its defense and its toughness, praised Nowitzki as “one of the most indefensible players in this league,” and did his best to defend James.

“LeBron has been a lightning rod for a lot of everything, criticism and a lot of the noise that’s been created outside,” Spoelstra said. “I think it’s really unfair. He made a tremendous sacrifice to come here, and he’s been an ultimate team player. He should not be criticized for that.” CONTINUE READING

Today's News Highlights 06.10.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Newt Gingrich’s 2012 campaign implodes
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s presidential campaign imploded Thursday afternoon with virtually his entire senior staff leaving en masse, according to multiple sources familiar with the moves.
(By Chris Cillizza and Karen Tumulty)

Romney will skip Iowa straw poll in August
Former Massachusetts governor, widely regarded as the front-runner in the GOP presidential race, has decided not to participate in this year’s Iowa straw poll nor any other early tests in advance of the 2012 primaries and caucuses, his campaign announced Thursday night.
(By Philip Rucker and Chris Cillizza)

Ex-NSA official Thomas Drake pleads guilty to misdemeanor
The plea brings an end to a troubled prosecution that was one of the Obama administration's most prominent efforts to punish accused leakers of classified information.
(By Ellen Nakashima)

Senate legislation may slow, but quorums continue
The old ritual of calling senators to the Senate floor to bide time, “quorum calls,” has increased dramatically. Meanwhile, the amount of legislative business the body conducts is down.
(By David A. Fahrenthold)

An embassy-in-exile
American diplomats who evacuated from Libya are still working — in a makeshift mission at the State Department.
(By Mary Beth Sheridan)

POLITICS
Americans, Africans debate future of program that links trade opportunities to good government
LUSAKA, Zambia — Americans and Africans are debating the future of a program that links trade opportunities to with the U.S. to good government.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Alaska set to release emails from Palin's time as governor as she considers White House run
JUNEAU, Alaska — The nation is about to get a new look at Sarah Palin’s tenure as Alaska governor.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Citigroup credit card data taken from 200,000 customers in latest hack of major company
NEW YORK — Citigroup Inc. has become the latest victim in a string of high-profile data thefts by hackers targeting some of the world’s best-known companies.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Not even summer yet: Heat grips half the country; scientists say sign of things to come
WASHINGTON — Public schools in Philadelphia and parts of New Jersey and Maryland cut their days short, worried about students sweltering in temperatures in the 90s.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Redistricting stalemate in Virginia
The GOP-controlled Virginia House of Delegates and the Democratic-led state Senate approved conflicting plans for redistricting.
( by Rosalind S. Helderman , The Washington Post)

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STYLE
In wake of staff walkout, questions abound about Newt Gingrich's viability in White House race
ATLANTA — Rocked by the stunning walkout of his entire senior campaign brain trust, Newt Gingrich is nonetheless vowing to remain in the race for president.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Is age the only thing keeping them apart?
A reader wonders why she can’t get to the next level with a guy 13 years her senior.
(, The Washington Post)

Ask Amy: Learning the truth about the past
I come from a very large family — eight sisters and three brothers. By the time I was 8, my father and mother had both died. I went to live with my oldest sister (also the oldest child in the family) and her husband and his son.
(, Tribune Media Service)

Hints From Heloise: Sanitizing a spa tub
I am requesting a suggestion for deep-cleaning or sanitizing my spa tub. I’ve just cleaned it and scrubbed the jets with an old toothbrush. I want to be certain that all bacteria is gone so I can feel good about getting in my spa tub.
(, King)

Music review: ‘Juggler in Paradise’ at NSO
Christoph Eschenbach conducts the emphatic work’s American premiere in his last program of his first season.
( by Anne Midgette , The Washington Post)

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SPORTS
Thursday's Sports In Brief
OSLO, Norway — Usain Bolt ran the fastest time in the world this season as he eased to victory in the 200 meters at a Diamond League meet, while Caster Semenya finished third behind Halima Hachlaf in the 800 meters.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Softball, baseball considering joint Olympic pitch for 2020 reinstatement effort
OKLAHOMA CITY — The sport of softball could be facing an identity crisis.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Mathis matches best PGA round for 1st lead on tour with 5-under 65 after 1st round at St. Jude
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — David Mathis certainly took the long way around to grabbing the first PGA Tour lead of his career.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Already connections for the four new men's basketball coaches in the Big 12 Conference
Before they became new Big 12 head basketball coaches, Missouri’s Frank Haith and Texas A&M’s Billy Kennedy had already known each other nearly two decades.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Alex Smith 'absolutely' expects to be 49ers starting QB, says there's no beef with Crabtree
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Alex Smith finds it awkward that a free agent quarterback is organizing the San Francisco 49ers workouts during the NFL lockout.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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WORLD
Vietnam announces naval live fire drill as South China Sea dispute with China heats up
HANOI, Vietnam — A squabble over territory in the South China Sea escalated Friday when Vietnam announced a live ammunition drill in an apparent reponse to China’s demand that the Vietnamese halt all oil exploration in the area.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Gates says NATO has a ‘dim’ future
BRUSSELS — America’s military alliance with Europe — the cornerstone of U.S. security policy for six decades — faces a “dim, if not dismal” future, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday in a blunt valedictory address.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Japan government says tsunami survivors need long-term mental care to prevent suicide
TOKYO — Survivors of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami need long-term mental health care to protect them from debilitating conditions that could lead to suicide, Japan’s government said Friday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Karzai arrives in Pakistan for reconciliation talks
Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Islamabad Friday for talks with top Pakistani leaders amid cautious hopes that the two nations can forge a coordinated strategy for reconciling with insurgents.
( by Griff Witte and Pamela Constable , The Washington Post)

German disease control center says cause of E. coli outbreak locally-grown vegetable sprouts
BERLIN — Investigators have determined that locally grown vegetable sprouts are the cause of the European E. coli outbreak that has killed 29 and sickened nearly 3,000, the head of Germany’s national disease control center said Friday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS
We're having a heatwave: 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)

Palin vs. Bachmann, 2012 Elections and more: The Live Fix with Chris Cillizza
Get your Friday Live Fix as Chris Cillizza discusses Mitt Romney's Presidential candidacy, Weinergate, the Worst Week in Washington, and all the latest political news.
(, vForum)

Weiner's confession and Palin's emails: Dana Milbank Live
Dana Milbank answers your questions about politics and his columns and judges your "Etch-a-Sketch" submissions.
(, vForum)

Carolyn Hax Live: Advice columnist tackles your problems (Friday, June 17)
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

Carolyn Hax Live
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

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TECHNOLOGY
Lipdub? No. Founders Forum Re-creates Bond Movie Featuring Europe’s Startup Stars

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Groupon Was “The Single Worst Decision I Have Ever Made As A Business Owner”

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Citigroup says hackers accessed credit card data of some North American customers
HONG KONG — Citigroup Inc. said Thursday that hackers have accessed the credit card information of tens of thousands of its North American customers.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Apple Just Handed Twitter The Keys To The iOS Kingdom — Here’s Twitter’s Take

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Interview: Martin Rae, President Of The Academy Of Interactive Arts And Sciences

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

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BUSINESS
World stock markets mostly down on concerns global growth is slowing
BANGKOK — World stock markets moved lower Friday over concerns global economic growth is slowing, despite news of a narrower U.S. trade deficit that sent Wall Street up after a weeklong slump.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Probe finds that NRC head manipulated information to make case for closing proposed nuke dump
WASHINGTON — While he apparently broke no laws, the head of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission withheld and manipulated information to make the case for shutting down the proposed radioactive waste dump at Yucca Mountain in Nevada, according to an internal investigation.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Dutch government, unions, employers agree to increase retirement age to 67
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Dutch government says it has brokered a new pact with unions and employers to lift the retirement age to 67 to ease the financial burden of a graying population and rising life expectancy.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Lipdub? No. Founders Forum Re-creates Bond Movie Featuring Europe’s Startup Stars

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

British industrial production slides 1.7 percent in April, far worse than forecast
LONDON — Industrial production in Britain plunged by 1.7 percent in April, far worse than expected and partly due to disruptions caused by the extra public holiday for the Royal Wedding, according to official figures published Friday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Former Your Black Muslim Bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV guilty for murdering Chauncey Bailey

OAKLAND -- A jury has just convicted former Your Black Muslim Bakery leader Yusuf Bey IV for the 2007 murder of journalist Chauncey Bailey.

Bey IV, 25, faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole when he is sentenced July 8.

Bailey, 57, was the first journalist killed over a domestic story in the United States since 1976, when Don Bolles of the Arizona Republic died in a car bombing

The jury of seven men and five women began deliberations in the Bailey case May 23 after nine weeks of testimony from more than 50 witnesses.

Bailey, editor of the Oakland Post, was gunned down Aug. 2, 2007, on his way to work in downtown Oakland. The man who confessed to killing Bailey, bakery member Devaughndre Broussard, told officials that Bey IV ordered the death to stop the journalist from publishing an article about the bakery's financial troubles. Broussard accepted a plea deal in exchange for his testimony and is expected to be sentenced to 25 years in prison.

After Bailey's death, a coalition of local media, including the Bay Area News Group, joined in the Chauncey Bailey Project, an investigative group that looked into the case and the Oakland Police Department's handling of it.

"From the very first meeting that led to the creation of the Chauncey Bailey Project, there were two goals," said Robert Rosenthal, executive editor of the Chauncey Bailey Project and head of the Berkeley-based Center for Investigative

Reporting. "One was to continue Chauncey's work and to make sure that when a journalist is murdered because of their work justice is served. There is no doubt that the work of the project helped keep law enforcement focused on this case, and revealed facts and evidence that may have never been disclosed. Today's verdict is a reminder that journalists do make a difference and that their work is crucial to our democracy."

After a decade-long stint at the Detroit News, Bailey joined the Oakland Tribune in 1993 and was fired from the paper in 2005 for ethical violations. He had been appointed editor of the Oakland Post, a free circulation weekly paper covering the city's African-American community only weeks before his death.

He had written but not published a story about the bakery's 2006 bankruptcy filing that a judge had recently converted from reorganization to liquidation. Post publisher Paul Cobb had rejected the story, claiming it didn't contain enough attribution.

At the time, police suspected bakery members were involved in two other killings as well as the kidnapping of two women and the torture of one of them. Police had planned to raid the bakery compound the day before Bailey's murder, but delayed to accommodate the vacation scheduled of two senior SWAT commanders.

When they carried out the operation the day after Bailey's death, Broussard threw the shotgun out his bedroom window and was arrested. He repeatedly told police he didn't kill Bailey, but Bey IV, in separate interviews with detectives, claimed Broussard had told him he committed the murder.

Detectives eventually brought Bey IV into their interview with Broussard and after he continued to claim he killed no one, left them alone together for about six minutes with recording the conversations.

Immediately after that conversation, Broussard told Sgt. Derwin Longmire, "I shot him. ... He fell. I shot him again."

Broussard told jurors during his trial testimony that during the time alone Bey IV convinced him to give a flawed confession. "He said I was being tested by God," Broussard said that he was also promised a Bey-family lawyer, money and a light jail sentence in exchange for protecting Bey IV from charges he ordered the killing.

Police said within days that they didn't believe Broussard acted alone, but did not investigate other suspects vigorously. Bey IV and Mackey were not charged in Bailey's killing until April 2009, after Broussard agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

When he finally testified against his former friends, Broussard, 23, laughed as he described how he shot Roberson and acted in what defense lawyers described as a bizarre manner, sometimes taking a minute or more to answer a question.

During breaks in his testimony he often rocked back and forth in the witness chair and appeared to be muttering to himself with his eyes closed. Deputy District Attorney Melissa Krum said Broussard was far from the perfect witness, telling jurors he was a sociopath, but, in effect, was chosen by Bey IV, not her.

"Sometimes you have to make a deal with a demon to get the devil," she said in her closing argument, pointing at Bey IV as she said the last word. SOURCE:OAKLAND TRIBUNE

‘Going Natural’ Requires Lots of Help

MAELING TAPP remembers the moment three years ago when she saw her mother and sisters wearing their coil-prone hair in its natural state and decided that she, too, would stop slathering caustic paste onto her scalp to burn her own similarly textured locks into straight submission.

"Unfortunately, after four months I relaxed my hair again because I just didn’t know what I was doing,” said Ms. Tapp, 25, a Ph.D. candidate in materials science and engineering at Georgia Tech.

"Going natural" is the term used by many African-American women who decide to stop chemically processing, or relaxing, their hair. It’s a move that can be fraught with confusion, missteps and sometimes pain, as the 2009 Chris Rock documentary “Good Hair” attested.

Many women with Afro-textured hair have not seen it in its unadulterated state since childhood. And even some who are acquainted with the texture of their untreated tresses are not comfortable styling their hair in ways they believe are fashionable and appropriate for them. Figuring out which of the countless hair-care tools and products on the market might work can make the undertaking even more overwhelming.

Tired of expensive, time-consuming salon visits, many would-be “naturals” are searching YouTube for inspiration, instruction and other people who have made peace with their kinks and curls.

Ms. Tapp said that watching videos there inspired her to pick up the camera herself and create a YouTube channel, Natural Chica.

“I thought, ‘Why don’t I just document my own journey to help keep track of what’s working for me?’ ” she said. She hoped others would learn from her. “I wanted to contribute to the wealth of information that’s out there,” Ms. Tapp said.

The project is also adding, modestly, to her personal wealth. The channel’s corresponding blog, NaturalChica.com, attracts enough page views that she has sold advertising: more money, she said, than she would earn with a typical work-study program paying the minimum wage.

There are hundreds of women like Ms. Tapp on YouTube, selling lotions, potions and notions for natural hair, or posting video tutorials about how to achieve the look. Many of them link to CurlyNikki.com, a three-year-old site founded by Alicia Nicole Walton, a psychotherapist who wanted to create a place for women to gather online and chat about their hair issues. Ms. Walton, 28, said she wanted to be an advocate for women who feel social pressure to have their hair straightened.

“My career as a therapist is very important to who I am, and what I do even with my persona as CurlyNikki,” she said. “It’s called hair therapy."

Ms. Walton added that she grossed as much in 2010 from advertising on her site as she did from her therapy work. She said that her goal is to open a practice “where I’d focus on self-esteem and body image, and I know that in my clientele, hair will come up often.”

In the meantime, Ms. Walton created a free mobile-phone app, after members of her forums requested one so that when they were in the beauty aisle looking at products, they would have their most trusted resource literally in hand. CONTINUE READING...

Today's News Highlights 06.09.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Yemen’s Saleh flies to Saudi Arabia
President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s departure raised the prospect that a key U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaeda had lost his grip on a nation tumbling into chaos.
(By Ernesto Londono and Sudarsan Raghavan)

Redesigning Metro’s map
Lance Wyman, the creator of the transit system’s colorful map, has the challenge of redesigning the map more than three decades later.
(By Dana Hedgpeth)

Wireless Net access, GPS on collision course
Two of 21st-century America’s favorite gadgets — the smartphone and the GPS device — are on a collision course, according to a report delivered Friday to the FAA.
(By Ashley Halsey III)

Housing bust still hurts in Fla.
Once a booming area, Flagler County, Fla., illustrates the problem President Obama faces in politically pivotal places hit hardest by the recession.
(By Michael A. Fletcher)

Egyptians say economy is top concern
A U.S. government-funded poll finds most Egyptians say they backed the revolution because of their economic difficulties, not a lack of democracy.
(By Mary Beth Sheridan)

POLITICS
AP Interview: Huntsman's not yet in 2012 White House race, but he's mapping campaign strategy
NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — Toeing the 2012 line, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman sounded like a full-fledged White House candidate Saturday set to join the field this month as he mapped out a campaign strategy that bypasses early-voting Iowa to focus on New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Lawrence Eagleburger, career foreign service officer who rose to secretary of state, dies
WASHINGTON — Lawrence S. Eagleburger, the only career foreign service officer to rise to the position of secretary of state, died Saturday, according to two of his one-time bosses, former President George H.W. Bush and former Secretary of State James A. Baker III.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Cut the costs, cache the cash
A new cost-cutting effort by Montgomery County is encouraging employees to come up with ways to save taxpayers money.
( by Michael Laris , The Washington Post)

Sulaimon Brown shows money orders
The former D.C. mayoral candidate says they were given to him by Howard Brooks as part of payments he says he received to disparage Mayor Fenty during the campaign.
( by Nikita Stewart , The Washington Post)

Waiting for the promise of high-speed rail
Critics say Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell missed an opportunity when his administration decided not to apply for federal funds.
( by Anita Kumar , The Washington Post)

---

STYLE
Miss Manners: Overwhelmed by photo requests
I seem to be the only person in the last several years who has taken a camera to parties, family gatherings, school plays, etc.Afterward and sometimes during the event, I am asked to take pictures and “send” them to several people.
(, United Media)

Ask Amy: This mom has had it with gift tradition
Dear Amy:How can I (or should I?) tactfully end obligatory gift-giving among relatives who barely know one another? I suggested a couple of times that we end this tradition, but it was poorly received each time.
(, Tribune Media Service)

Carolyn Hax: Can she get over husband’s ‘emotional affair’?
Last month I found out that my husband of four decades had an “emotional affair” for the past year.
(, The Washington Post)

Honduras, on the rise
The view from Honduras’s Lenca Trail is of a country back on the right path.
( by Nancy Trejos , The Washington Post)

Terrific summer toys for outdoors and on the go
Here are some great toys to make playing outdoors more fun this summer, along with five fun games to take along on vacation.
(, The Washington Post)

---

SPORTS
Marcos Mondaini scores in 70th minute, Chivas USA beats expansion Timbers 1-0
CARSON, Calif. — Marcos Mondaini scored in the 70th minute off a pass from Paulo Nagamura and Chivas USA won for the second time this year at home, beating the expansion Portland Timbers 1-0 on Saturday night.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Asia hails Li Na's French Open win, China urges others to follow her example
BEIJING — Li Na’s landmark French Open victory sparked celebrations and recognition throughout Asia on Sunday, while China’s state media told its athletes to learn from her as they prepare for the London Olympics.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Josh Parr had 3 RBIs, Illinois eliminates Kansas State 5-3 in Fullerton Regional
FULLERTON, Calif. — No. 9 hitter Josh Parr had a two-run triple and an RBI double to help Big Ten champion Illinois beat Kansas State 5-3 on Saturday in an elimination game in the NCAA Fullerton Regional.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Florida, Baylor join Tide, Sun Devils in Women's College World Series semis
OKLAHOMA CITY — With Whitney Canion putting an endless line of zeros on the scoreboard and unlikely heroes providing extra-inning homers, the Baylor Bears are getting just enough to stay alive in the Women’s College World Series.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

NCAA Tournament Capsules
AUSTIN, Texas — David Lyon hit a grand slam to key Kent State’s six-run sixth inning and the Golden Thrashers stunned Texas 7-5 in the Austin Regional on Saturday night.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

WORLD
Defense chief Gates meets with US troops in farewell tour of Afghan war zone
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WALTON, Afghanistan — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed his concern about pulling troops out of Afghanistan too soon as he embarked Sunday on two days of farewell visits to remote U.S. bases in this war-weary country.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Syrian television reports 2 killed, 5 wounded in Israeli gunfire along the border
BEIRUT — Syrian television reports 2 killed, 5 wounded in Israeli gunfire along the border.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

NATO jets target military barracks in Tripoli, following on from first helicopter strikes
TRIPOLI, Libya — British jets hit a military barracks in the Libyan capital early Sunday, further intensifying NATO pressure on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi nearly four months into an uprising to end his erratic 42-year rule.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Pope denounces 'disintegration' of family in Europe, urges couples to marry, not live together
ZAGREB, Croatia — Pope Benedict XVI denounced the “disintegration” of family life in Europe on Sunday and called for couples to make a commitment to marry, not just live together, as he reaffirmed traditional Catholic family values during his second and final day in Croatia.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Qatar bans imports of cucumber, tomato, lettuce from Germany and Spain over E. coli outbreak
BERLIN — The Gulf nation of Qatar has temporarily banned imports of fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuces from Spain and Germany because of concerns about a deadly strain of E. coli.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Recovering from the 2011 Post Hunt
The Washington Post Hunt is a game of brainteasers, humor, puzzles and family fun dreamed up by Dave Barry, Gene Weingarten and Tom Shroder. The 2011 Post Hunt is set for June 5 in downtown Washington, D.C.
(, vForum)

Outlook: Are 'SlutWalk' protests the future of feminism?
Author Jessica Valenti will be online Monday June 6 at 2 p.m. ET to chat about her recent Outlook piece "SlutWalks and the future of feminism."
(, vForum)

The 2011 Post Hunt: Are you ready?
The Washington Post Hunt is a game of brainteasers, humor, puzzles and family fun dreamed up by Dave Barry, Gene Weingarten and Tom Shroder. The 2011 Post Hunt is set for June 5 in downtown Washington, D.C.
(, vForum)

Carolyn Hax Live: Advice columnist tackles your problems (Thursday, June 9)
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

Over-harrumphing, pregnant teens, quadruple weddings, and more: Carolyn Hax Live
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

---

TECHNOLOGY
A TechCrunch Disrupt Proposal

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

When Facebook Captured Beluga, They May Have Harpooned It In The Head

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Hornik on VC’s Secondary Mania: “If It’s Just Money, We’re All Fungible” (TCTV)

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Why The Groupon IPO Feels Like A Swindle

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

OMG/JK: iCloud, gWallet, and tPhotos

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

---

BUSINESS
Economically struggling Belarus to get $3 bln Russia-led loan in exchange for privatizations
MOSCOW — The financially struggling former Soviet republic of Belarus is to receive a $3 billion loan from a Russia-dominated group in exchange for privatizing a large chunk of its state-controlled economy.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Oil storage tank attacked in southern Iraq, officials say
BASRA — Iraqi officials say an oil storage tank has been attacked in the southern province of Basra.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Nintendo says it was targeted in recent online data attack, reports no data loss
TOKYO — Nintendo was targeted in a recent online data attack, but no personal or company information was lost, the Japanese maker of the Wii game console said Sunday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

US agency allows restart of Canadian oil pipeline; oil flow could resume as soon as Sunday
WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators have allowed a Canadian company to restart its Keystone oil pipeline after completing repairs and safety tests.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

A TechCrunch Disrupt Proposal

AHH Stray News: Luda Goes Country With Jason Aldean, Ja Rule Surrenders, Em & Royce Drop Full Video

(AllHipHop News) Atlanta rap Star Ludacris will hit the stage tonight (June 8th) during a performance at the CMT Awards with country singer Jason Aldean. Ludacris will debut a new second verse of Aldean's hit single "Dirt Road Anthem"  during the performance. The CMT Music Awards, which are being hosted by rock/rapper Kid Rock, airs tonight at 8:00 PM EST.

Rapper Ja Rule surrendered to prison officials at Rikers Island today (June 8th), to begin a 2 1/2 year prison bid for possessing a handgun. Today, just before he turned himself in Ja Rule sent one last message to his Twitter followers. "Out on my patio having my last free moment I love all my fans Pain is love!!!" Ja Rule tweeted. The rapper will serve most of his time in an upstate correctional facility in New York.

Rappers Eminem and Royce Da 5'9 have released the first video from their Bad Meet Evil project. The video for "Fast Lane" features the duo in a heavily animated video, that was directed by Syndrome. The video, which was shot in Detroit, debuted earlier today (June 8th).Bad Meets Evil's EP Hell: The Sequel, is due in stores on June 14th. Check out the video below:

 

Common - The Corner ft. The Last Poets

Heat bumble away late lead in 86-83 loss, Finals tied 2-2

DALLAS— The Miami Heat won the franchise's only NBA championship on the Dallas Mavericks' home court in 2006. It won't happen again. Down nine early in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks stormed back to an 86-83 victory Tuesday night at AmericanAirlines Center, tying these best-of-seven NBA Finals 2-2. Game 5 is Thursday back on the Mavericks' court, with a Game 6 now assured for Sunday night at American Airlines Arena. Tickets for that game in Miami go on sale Wednesday. A Game 7, if necessary, would be next Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

It was a night when a depth of star talent wasn't enough to overcome an uneven performance from LeBron James, who failed to score in double figures for the first time in his playoff career, closing with eight points on 3-of-11 shooting. With Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh unable to sufficiently compensate for James' struggles, the Mavericks won on a night Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki battled a 101-degree fever. Wade led the Heat with 32 points, but missed a key late free throw with 30.1 seconds to play. Bosh added 24 points for the Heat. Nowitzki, whose missed a potential game-tying buzzer at the close of the Mavericks' 88-86 Game 2 loss on Sunday night, finished with 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting.

Having missed a potential tying basket at the close of Sunday's Game 3, Nowitzki this time spun in on Heat forward Udonis Haslem for a layup with 14.4 seconds to play to put Dallas up 84-81.

For the Heat, it was a finish as foul as their Game 2 loss last Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena, when they blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead.

A baseline jumper with 10:11 to play by Haslem capped a 6-0 start to the fourth quarter and pushed the Heat to a 75-65 edge, their largest lead of the night.

Dallas fought back from there, closing within 78-77 with 5:40 to play on a Tyson Chandler follow-up basket and moving ahead 79-78 on a fastbreak layup by guard Jason Terry.

At that stage, the Heat was reduced to looking to Wade to do it all on offense against a swarming Dallas defense.

As stagnant on offense as they were when they blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 2, the Heat continually bumbled opportunities.

A pair of Nowitzki free throws pushed Dallas to an 82-78 lead with 2:16 to play, with Bosh matching those free throws on the other end to draw the Heat within 82-80.

Both teams then had scoreless possessions, and after Dallas again came up scoreless, Wade worked his way to the line with 30.1 seconds to play. At 5 of 7 from the line to that stage, Wade rimmed in the first attempt, but rimmed out the second, leaving the Heat down 82-81 with 29.3 seconds to play.

Nowitzki then scored his layup against Haslem, with the Heat, down three, getting a funk by Wade with 9 seconds to play that pulled the Heat within 84-83. The Mavericks followed with their final timeout of the night.

Terry then was fouled with 6.7 seconds to play, making both for an 86-83 Dallas lead, forcing the Heat to burn their final timeout of the night.

In need of a 3-pointer, the Heat bumbled the inbounds pass and could get nothing more than a wayward, desperation 3-point attempt by Mike Miller just before the buzzer.

Dallas shook up its lineup and active roster, with J.J. Barea opening in the backcourt alongside Jason Kidd, and Stevenson moved to the bench. Backup center Brendan Haywood also was active, after spending Game 3 on the inactive list due to a hip problem. Tuesday's switch had reserve guard Roddy Beaubois back on the Mavericks' inactive list.

It was just the third start for Barea, regular season and playoffs.

The Mavericks entered aware that while eight teams have been able to overcome 3-1 deficits in NBA playoff series, none have done so in the Finals.

With Games 2 and 3 each decided by two points, it marked the first time consecutive Finals games had been decided by two or fewer points since the 1998 Finals.

The Heat entered having won their previous two playoff games in Dallas, despite losing their last nine regular-season visits to Dallas.

The Mavericks entered 7-2 at home this postseason.

Games 6 and 7, if necessary, would be Sunday and next Tuesday in Miami. SOURCE:LATTIMES

Some Fashion Tips Women's Jeans

Frustrated with jeans that complicate rather than complement your figure? Don't let ill-fitting blues cramp your style. Reclaim your sexy with figure-flattering looks that make the most of what you've got!

To flaunt your full and fabulous figure, Bayou, a designer who has styled Oprah Winfrey and Queen Latifah, recommends boot-cut jeans. They create and define a waist and provide all-over balance. Georgia Smith, senior buyer of denim at plus-size retailer Ashley Stewart, suggests a straight leg with a fuller hip measurement to draw eyes down to the bottom of the leg and create a slimming effect.

Pear Shaped

A smaller waist in proportion to hips, butt and thighs can cause jeans to gape at the waist. "When a woman sits, the back of the jean should not come down," says Smith. She recommends jeans with 1 to 2 percent stretch and adequate back and front rise. And she adds that dark washes help camouflage fuller thighs.

 

Morning News 06.07.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Among GOP, anti-tax orthodoxy runs deep
Today’s GOP adheres to a “no new taxes” orthodoxy that has proved far more powerful than the desire to balance the budget.
(By Lori Montgomery)

Energized GOP women
For many conservative women, the idea of a female Republican presidential candidate such as Michele Bachmann or Sarah Palin is just their cup of tea.
(By Sandhya Somashekhar)

Few states adopting health-care transition
As many state legislatures have finished their work for the year, fewer than one-fourth have taken concrete steps to create health insurance marketplaces.
(By Amy Goldstein and N.C. Aizenman)

Middle East: ‘Just Like Us’?
Filmmaker Ahmed Ahmed’s comedy tour movie mixes message with laughs.
(By John Anderson)

Lewd photo recipient criticizes New York Post story
A Friday article turned Gennette Cordova, at first a reluctant news source, into a fiery media critic — on Twitter, of course.
(By Paul Farhi)

POLITICS
White House prepares to put on a splashy dinner party for German Chancellor Angela Merkel
WASHINGTON — Angela Merkel has traveled to the U.S. many times since becoming Germany’s chancellor six years ago, arriving quietly for meetings with the president or international summits. But she’s in for a different kind of welcome Tuesday when she begins an official visit to Washington.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Long, long love stories
A service Sunday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception celebrated marriage. The 829 couples who registered to be recognized had 36,722 years of marriage among them.
( by Michael Laris , The Washington Post)

White House prepares to put on a splashy dinner party for German Chancellor Angela Merkel
WASHINGTON — Angela Merkel has traveled to the U.S. many times since becoming Germany’s chancellor six years ago, arriving quietly for meetings with the president or international summits. But she’s in for a different kind of welcome Tuesday when she begins an official visit to Washington.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Santorum set to join GOP presidential field with western Pennsylvania announcement
SOMERSET, Pa. — Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum was set to announce on Monday what has been expected for months: He is running for president.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

5 years after stinging Senate loss, Santorum offers self as conservative antidote to Obama
WASHINGTON — Two decades ago, Rick Santorum took the House by storm as a freshman rabble-rouser who gave the complacent Republican leadership fits.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

STYLE
The old double standard, doubly applied
After a one-night stand, each of them is being judgmental about the other person.
(, The Washington Post)

Hints From Heloise: Removing wine labels
I want to know the best and cheapest way to remove labels from wine bottles.
(, King)

Solving the 4th Post Hunt
Thousands of hopefuls had spent nearly four hours Sunday solving complicated puzzles stationed along Pennsylvania Avenue.
( by Fahima Haque , The Washington Post)

Party politics on tap
Separated by a salon, a sushi place and an ideological chasm on the 200 block of Massachusetts Avenue NE are the dueling happy hours.
( by Dan Zak , The Washington Post)

Tv review: ‘Bobby Fischer Against the World’
Filmmaker Liz Garbus’s HBO documentary reexamines the mental anguish and disturbing behavior of one of the world’s most legendary, yet tragic, chess players.
( by Hank Stuever , The Washington Post)

---

SPORTS
Boston Bruins draw on 1st-round struggles while climbing out of 0-2 hole vs. Canucks
BOSTON — Although the Boston Bruins realize they returned home from Vancouver with a daunting series deficit in the Stanley Cup finals, they already know an 0-2 hole isn’t necessarily a grave.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Lincicome birdies 18th to win ShopRite LPGA Classic, first victory since '09 Kraft Nabisco
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — There’s a reason Brittany Lincicome is called “Bam Bam” on the LPGA Tour.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Stricker changes his career, but not his Midwestern humility
DUBLIN, Ohio — Five years ago, Steve Stricker wasn’t good enough to even play in the Memorial Tournament.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Long putt, Mark Brooks' collapse hands Champions title to Bob Gilder
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Bob Gilder changed his putting approach a few days ago and it made a big difference.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Dwyane Wade's actions, words send Heat to 2-1 finals lead over Mavericks in NBA finals
DALLAS — Back in Dallas, the site of his greatest triumph, Dwyane Wade knew exactly what to do.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

WORLD
Iraq violence: Gunmen kill 4 in Baghdad Sunni area; bomb kills 4 in Saddam's hometown
BAGHDAD — A suicide bomber in the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit and gunmen in the country’s capital killed a total of eight people on Monday morning, demonstrating the simmering violence that threatens Iraq’s stability.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Injured Yemeni leader accepts Saudi offer for care; Saudi king intervenes for cease-fire
SANAA, Yemen —Yemen’s injured president accepted an offer from the Saudi king to travel there for medical treatment for burns and wounds from a splintered pulpit blown apart in a opposition rocket attack, but had not yet left Sanaa, the capital, by Saturday night.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Leftist ex-colonel claims narrow victory in Peru’s presidential runoff
Leftist military man Ollanta Humala has declared victory in Peru’s tightly contests presidential runoff, with unofficial results pointing to him scoring a narrow win
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Radical Indonesian cleric denies terrorism charges, rejects legal process outside Islamic law
JAKARTA, Indonesia — A radical Indonesian cleric facing life in prison on terrorism charges protested his innocence Monday and rejected the trial as outside Islamic law in a final court appearance before judges announce a verdict.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Greek PM in effort to win over party dissenters for additional austerity measures
ATHENS, Greece — Greece’s prime minister is to meet with ministers Monday as he tries to get new austerity plans through Parliament despite increasing dissent within his own party and big demonstrations in the country’s two largest cities.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Recovering from the 2011 Post Hunt
The Washington Post Hunt is a game of brainteasers, humor, puzzles and family fun dreamed up by Dave Barry, Gene Weingarten and Tom Shroder. The 2011 Post Hunt is set for June 5 in downtown Washington, D.C.
(, vForum)

Outlook: Are 'SlutWalk' protests the future of feminism?
Author Jessica Valenti will be online Monday June 6 at 2 p.m. ET to chat about her recent Outlook piece "SlutWalks and the future of feminism."
(, vForum)

The 2011 Post Hunt: Are you ready?
The Washington Post Hunt is a game of brainteasers, humor, puzzles and family fun dreamed up by Dave Barry, Gene Weingarten and Tom Shroder. The 2011 Post Hunt is set for June 5 in downtown Washington, D.C.
(, vForum)

Carolyn Hax Live: Advice columnist tackles your problems (Thursday, June 9)
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

Over-harrumphing, pregnant teens, quadruple weddings, and more: Carolyn Hax Live
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

---

TECHNOLOGY
Waze Launches Its Social Sat-nav App For Traffic-Mad UK Drivers

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Moshi Monsters, The Social Networking Game For Kids, Passes The 50 Million Users Mark

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Lady Gaga, Eric Schmidt And Others Invest Over $1M In Backplane

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

We’re (Almost) Live At E3 2011 In Los Angeles

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Eric Schmidt And Others Invest In Rich Media Display Ad Startup Spongecell

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

---

EDITORIAL
Presidential candidates tend to avoid education issues
If you crave an education debate among presidential candidates, prepare to be bored in 2012.
(, The Washington Post)

---

BUSINESS
World stock markets fall after jobs data confirms slowing US economy
BANGKOK — World stock markets fell Monday after a slowdown in U.S. hiring added to evidence that the recovery in the world’s biggest economy is weakening.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Germany awaiting test results on sprouts in E. coli outbreak that killed 22
Frightened consumers are awaiting the release of official test results that will most likely confirm that vegetable sprouts from an organic farm in northern Germany caused the terrifying E. coli outbreak in Europe that has killed 22 and sickened more than 2,200.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Daimler, Rolls-Royce venture has near 60 percent stake in heavy engine maker Tognum
FRANKFURT, Germany — Germany’s Daimler AG and Britain’s Rolls-Royce have won control of Tognum AG after their joint takeover offer gave them control of a 59.87 percent stake in the German-based maker of heavy-duty engines.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

South Africa says Wal-Mart restrictions meant to protect jobs, not hurt foreign investment
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s trade minister says the country does not want to scare off foreign investment by imposing conditions on Wal-Mart’s bid to buy into a South African company.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Oil falls below $100 after weaker US jobs figures, possibility of OPEC cut
SINGAPORE — Oil prices fell below $100 a barrel Monday in Asia after new indications of slowing U.S. economic growth ahead of an OPEC meeting this week.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) 

Morning News 06.06.11

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Yemen’s Saleh flies to Saudi Arabia
President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s departure raised the prospect that a key U.S. ally in the fight against al-Qaeda had lost his grip on a nation tumbling into chaos.
(By Ernesto Londono and Sudarsan Raghavan)

Redesigning Metro’s map
Lance Wyman, the creator of the transit system’s colorful map, has the challenge of redesigning the map more than three decades later.
(By Dana Hedgpeth)

Wireless Net access, GPS on collision course
Two of 21st-century America’s favorite gadgets — the smartphone and the GPS device — are on a collision course, according to a report delivered Friday to the FAA.
(By Ashley Halsey III)

Housing bust still hurts in Fla.
Once a booming area, Flagler County, Fla., illustrates the problem President Obama faces in politically pivotal places hit hardest by the recession.
(By Michael A. Fletcher)

Egyptians say economy is top concern
A U.S. government-funded poll finds most Egyptians say they backed the revolution because of their economic difficulties, not a lack of democracy.
(By Mary Beth Sheridan)

POLITICS
AP Interview: Huntsman's not yet in 2012 White House race, but he's mapping campaign strategy
NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — Toeing the 2012 line, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman sounded like a full-fledged White House candidate Saturday set to join the field this month as he mapped out a campaign strategy that bypasses early-voting Iowa to focus on New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Lawrence Eagleburger, career foreign service officer who rose to secretary of state, dies
WASHINGTON — Lawrence S. Eagleburger, the only career foreign service officer to rise to the position of secretary of state, died Saturday, according to two of his one-time bosses, former President George H.W. Bush and former Secretary of State James A. Baker III.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Cut the costs, cache the cash
A new cost-cutting effort by Montgomery County is encouraging employees to come up with ways to save taxpayers money.
( by Michael Laris , The Washington Post)

Sulaimon Brown shows money orders
The former D.C. mayoral candidate says they were given to him by Howard Brooks as part of payments he says he received to disparage Mayor Fenty during the campaign.
( by Nikita Stewart , The Washington Post)

Waiting for the promise of high-speed rail
Critics say Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell missed an opportunity when his administration decided not to apply for federal funds.
( by Anita Kumar , The Washington Post)

---

STYLE
Miss Manners: Overwhelmed by photo requests
I seem to be the only person in the last several years who has taken a camera to parties, family gatherings, school plays, etc.Afterward and sometimes during the event, I am asked to take pictures and “send” them to several people.
(, United Media)

Ask Amy: This mom has had it with gift tradition
Dear Amy:How can I (or should I?) tactfully end obligatory gift-giving among relatives who barely know one another? I suggested a couple of times that we end this tradition, but it was poorly received each time.
(, Tribune Media Service)

Carolyn Hax: Can she get over husband’s ‘emotional affair’?
Last month I found out that my husband of four decades had an “emotional affair” for the past year.
(, The Washington Post)

Honduras, on the rise
The view from Honduras’s Lenca Trail is of a country back on the right path.
( by Nancy Trejos , The Washington Post)

Terrific summer toys for outdoors and on the go
Here are some great toys to make playing outdoors more fun this summer, along with five fun games to take along on vacation.
(, The Washington Post)

---

SPORTS
Marcos Mondaini scores in 70th minute, Chivas USA beats expansion Timbers 1-0
CARSON, Calif. — Marcos Mondaini scored in the 70th minute off a pass from Paulo Nagamura and Chivas USA won for the second time this year at home, beating the expansion Portland Timbers 1-0 on Saturday night.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Asia hails Li Na's French Open win, China urges others to follow her example
BEIJING — Li Na’s landmark French Open victory sparked celebrations and recognition throughout Asia on Sunday, while China’s state media told its athletes to learn from her as they prepare for the London Olympics.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Josh Parr had 3 RBIs, Illinois eliminates Kansas State 5-3 in Fullerton Regional
FULLERTON, Calif. — No. 9 hitter Josh Parr had a two-run triple and an RBI double to help Big Ten champion Illinois beat Kansas State 5-3 on Saturday in an elimination game in the NCAA Fullerton Regional.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Florida, Baylor join Tide, Sun Devils in Women's College World Series semis
OKLAHOMA CITY — With Whitney Canion putting an endless line of zeros on the scoreboard and unlikely heroes providing extra-inning homers, the Baylor Bears are getting just enough to stay alive in the Women’s College World Series.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

NCAA Tournament Capsules
AUSTIN, Texas — David Lyon hit a grand slam to key Kent State’s six-run sixth inning and the Golden Thrashers stunned Texas 7-5 in the Austin Regional on Saturday night.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

WORLD
Defense chief Gates meets with US troops in farewell tour of Afghan war zone
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WALTON, Afghanistan — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed his concern about pulling troops out of Afghanistan too soon as he embarked Sunday on two days of farewell visits to remote U.S. bases in this war-weary country.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Syrian television reports 2 killed, 5 wounded in Israeli gunfire along the border
BEIRUT — Syrian television reports 2 killed, 5 wounded in Israeli gunfire along the border.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

NATO jets target military barracks in Tripoli, following on from first helicopter strikes
TRIPOLI, Libya — British jets hit a military barracks in the Libyan capital early Sunday, further intensifying NATO pressure on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi nearly four months into an uprising to end his erratic 42-year rule.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Pope denounces 'disintegration' of family in Europe, urges couples to marry, not live together
ZAGREB, Croatia — Pope Benedict XVI denounced the “disintegration” of family life in Europe on Sunday and called for couples to make a commitment to marry, not just live together, as he reaffirmed traditional Catholic family values during his second and final day in Croatia.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Qatar bans imports of cucumber, tomato, lettuce from Germany and Spain over E. coli outbreak
BERLIN — The Gulf nation of Qatar has temporarily banned imports of fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuces from Spain and Germany because of concerns about a deadly strain of E. coli.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

---

LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Recovering from the 2011 Post Hunt
The Washington Post Hunt is a game of brainteasers, humor, puzzles and family fun dreamed up by Dave Barry, Gene Weingarten and Tom Shroder. The 2011 Post Hunt is set for June 5 in downtown Washington, D.C.
(, vForum)

Outlook: Are 'SlutWalk' protests the future of feminism?
Author Jessica Valenti will be online Monday June 6 at 2 p.m. ET to chat about her recent Outlook piece "SlutWalks and the future of feminism."
(, vForum)

The 2011 Post Hunt: Are you ready?
The Washington Post Hunt is a game of brainteasers, humor, puzzles and family fun dreamed up by Dave Barry, Gene Weingarten and Tom Shroder. The 2011 Post Hunt is set for June 5 in downtown Washington, D.C.
(, vForum)

Carolyn Hax Live: Advice columnist tackles your problems (Thursday, June 9)
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

Over-harrumphing, pregnant teens, quadruple weddings, and more: Carolyn Hax Live
Advice Columnist Carolyn Hax takes your questions and comments about the strange train we call life.
(, vForum)

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TECHNOLOGY
A TechCrunch Disrupt Proposal

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

When Facebook Captured Beluga, They May Have Harpooned It In The Head

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Hornik on VC’s Secondary Mania: “If It’s Just Money, We’re All Fungible” (TCTV)

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Why The Groupon IPO Feels Like A Swindle

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

OMG/JK: iCloud, gWallet, and tPhotos

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

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BUSINESS
Economically struggling Belarus to get $3 bln Russia-led loan in exchange for privatizations
MOSCOW — The financially struggling former Soviet republic of Belarus is to receive a $3 billion loan from a Russia-dominated group in exchange for privatizing a large chunk of its state-controlled economy.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Oil storage tank attacked in southern Iraq, officials say
BASRA — Iraqi officials say an oil storage tank has been attacked in the southern province of Basra.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Nintendo says it was targeted in recent online data attack, reports no data loss
TOKYO — Nintendo was targeted in a recent online data attack, but no personal or company information was lost, the Japanese maker of the Wii game console said Sunday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

US agency allows restart of Canadian oil pipeline; oil flow could resume as soon as Sunday
WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators have allowed a Canadian company to restart its Keystone oil pipeline after completing repairs and safety tests.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

A TechCrunch Disrupt Proposal 

America's Pink Slip Capitals

The number of mass layoffs in the U.S. was down 26% in the first quarter compared to a year ago. But the news isn't good everywhere.

The unemployment report released this month by the Bureau of Labor Statistics was filled with good news. While the national unemployment rate ticked up to 9%, which was the highest since January, the economy added 244,000 jobs in April, a sure sign of Spring for the country's workforce.

Now, there is still more positive news on the labor front. The BLS released another report last week that disclosed the number of mass layoffs (50 employees or more) was down 26% in the first quarter compared to a year ago. There were 1,393 major job cutbacks across the U.S. affecting 190,389 employees. This marked the sixth straight quarter of declining layoffs.

But while it is good news that layoffs are down, they are coming off historical highs. And some people are still being hit hard. Who? To find out we looked at which metro areas had the most employees affected by mass layoffs in the first quarter of this year. Separation had to be more than 30 days to qualify in order to exclude temporary furloughs.

Leading the way is the Los Angeles metro area where 17,393 workers lost their jobs as part of major layoffs in the first three months of the year. Few industries were spared in southern California as the entire state continues to struggle with the economic downturn coupled with high taxes and a strict regulatory environment. UnitedHealthcare, Wells Fargo ( WFC - news - people ) and Teva Pharmaceutical all announced layoffs in the Los Angeles area during the first quarter. Beverly Hills-based MySpace announced in January that it would reduce its workforce by 47% affecting 500 employees. MySpace was the most popular social-networking site in the U.S. until 2008, but has been put up for sale by News Corp., which purchased the company in 2005 for $580 million. News Corp is reportedly looking for $100 million in the sale.

One of the biggest rounds of job losses came from Boeing ( BA - news - people ) which announced plans to eliminate 1,100 jobs by the end of 2012 as it cuts production of its C-17 Globemaster III airlifter. Approximately 900 of those job losses will occur at the final assembly site located in Long Beach, Calif., 20 miles south of downtown L.A. Boeing promises to provide assistance to workers seeking jobs elsewhere within the $64 billion-in-sales aerospace giant.

In February videogame maker Activision ( ATVI - news - people ) said it would discontinue its popular Guitar Hero franchise. The decision cost 500 employees their jobs, which represents 7% of the company's workforce. Employees at studios in both Los Angeles and the Bay Area were affected by the move.

California is well represented on our list of the areas with the most layoffs as four other cities made the list including: San Francisco (No. 4), Riverside (No. 5), San Diego (No. 6) and Sacramento (No. 9). California leads the way among the 50 states with 390 layoffs statewide which affected 48,497 employees. That is three times more than any other state.

Big metro areas dominate our list as these are the locales that have sizable employers that lay off 50 or more employees at a time. As the economy has stabilized, massive layoffs are down significantly. Only 2.8% of the layoff events in the first quarter involved 500 or more employees which is the lowest percentage since BLS started tracking this data in 1995.

BLS tracks mass layoff data by surveying employers. Some of the other numbers in the report offer more hope about the economy. Of the firms that laid off employees in the first quarter, 49% expect to hire back at least some of the laid-off workers. This is the highest first-quarter percentage since 2005 and up from 38% last year.

The hard hit manufacturing sector got some good news and a certain level of stability. The 34,077 manufacturing jobs lost through layoffs was the lowest quarterly total since at least 1995 when BLS started compiling these figures. SOURCE OF THIS STORY

Slide Show: America's Pink-Slip Capitals

Wade, James lift Heat to 2-1 lead in NBA finals

DALLAS – The Miami Heat didn't blow this one. Now they're just two wins from being crowned NBA champions.

Chris Bosh made a 16-foot, go-ahead jumper from the baseline with 39.6 seconds left and the Heat held on for an 88-86 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night for a 2-1 lead in the NBA finals.

Recent history says this is a huge win for the Heat. The Game 3 winner in a tied finals has won the championship all 11 times since the 2-3-2 format began in 1985.

Miami got into this tight of a series by blowing a 15-point lead in the last quarter of Game 2. The Heat already had wasted a 14-point lead in this game when they went back ahead 81-75 with 6:31 left. They knew Dirk Nowitzki would drive Dallas' rally, but he burned them anyway for 12 straight points — six free throws, a layup, a dunk and a tough jumper.

But after Bosh's clutch shot, Nowitzki's streak ran out. He tried passing out of a double team and threw the ball away, then hit the back iron on a jumper at the buzzer.

"This is a total win," said Dwyane Wade, who led Miami with 29 points and 11 rebounds. "You want to win the game on the defensive end of the floor and we got a stop."

The Heat go into Game 4 on Tuesday night with a chance to do what they did in 2006: win it all on Dallas' floor. They'll need to win that game and the next, on Thursday night.

Bosh, a Dallas native who'd been 0-8 in his hometown, overcame a swollen left eyelid caused by a poke during the first quarter to scored 18 points. He had seven in the fourth quarter.

LeBron James added 17 points and nine assists. But he also had four turnovers, including a pair during the fourth quarter that helped bring Dallas back. Mario Chalmers added 12.

Udonis Haslem had only six points, but his tough defense on the final two possessions saved the Heat. When Nowitzki's final shot from the top of the key missed, Haslem swung his arms and screamed in delight.

Nowitzki finished with 34 points, but didn't get much help. Jason Terry scored 15 and Shawn Marion had 10, but both were shut out in the fourth quarter.

Wade was at his dynamic best from the start, looking like the guy who soared and scored the Heat past Dallas and to the title in '06.

Most of his baskets came in the paint — where the Heat outscored the Mavs, 40-22 — and many of them were spectacular. But he also stemmed Dallas' rally by hitting a go-ahead jumper over Jason Kidd for Miami's second-to-last basket.

James came in talking about being more aggressive, but wasn't. He went more than 6 minutes before taking his first shot, but certainly made it worth the wait — a drive through the teeth of the defense for a powerful dunk. He also had a two-handed jam in the second half that put Miami up by 13.

The Heat just couldn't put the Mavs away. Dallas would surge close or ahead, then Miami would turn it up again. The final 18 minutes played out with both teams realizing any possession could change the game and the series.

Rafael Nadal tops Roger Federer for record-tying 6th French title - Tennis - SI.com

Rafael Nadal tops Roger Federer for record-tying 6th French title - Tennis - SI.com.

Eva: Desert Goddess

Huge Twist in Cell Tower Wars: Tax Accounting Issues from the SEC (AMT, CCI, SBAC)

American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT) and Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE: CCI) are the two major players in the world of cellphone towers. Go ahead and include 4G too. This morning is not looking very promising for American Tower after it filed an 8-K disclosure with the SEC that disclosed an SEC inquiry. We would have normally issued “The Mr. Dumas Accounting Award” to American Tower but the disclosure offers such little disclosure and detail that there is no way to know what it really means. What is odd is how small the disclosure was. American Tower stated: On June 2, 2011, American Tower Corporation received a subpoena from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission requesting certain documents from 2007 through the present, including in particular documents related to the Company’s tax accounting and reporting. The Company intends to cooperate fully with the SEC with respect to its request. Shares of American Tower are down 6.2% at $51.02 on more than 1 million shares in less than the first five minutes of trading. The 52-week trading range is $41.26 to $56.84 and the consensus Thomson Reuters price target is just above $60.00. Analysts are likely to be out with downgrades or with “temporary exceptions” in the research coverage. Unfortunately, the time frame is wide enough and the disclosure is vague enough that no one outside of the company will yet be able to make determinations or opinions. Shares of rival Crown Castle are down a bit in sympathy with a drop of just over 1.5% at $40.95. The smaller player is SBA Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: SBAC) and its shares are down 1.5% at $38.19. American Tower is now worth about $20 billion after the haircut in its market cap, while Crown Castle’s market cap is almost $12 billion. SBA Communications has a market cap of only about $4 billion. There is an old rule of thumb that many investors heed. When accounting irregularities or large accounting questions arise, look for opportunity elsewhere. American Tower shares were down over 8% pre-market… Even after about 20 years of reading news releases and financial statements, it is amazing how so few words can have such a big impact.

Movie review: 'X-Men: First Class'

 

It would take a brain far more telepathically powerful than that of Professor X to untangle what went wrong with "X-Men: First Class," but misplaced and misplayed ambition, to say nothing of a massive misspent budget, comes to my nonmutant mind. The latest edition of the sprawling action-comic-fantasy epic takes us back to the future with moments of greatness. But those flashes of amazing are fleeting, ultimately undone by a frustrating mire of multiple plots, overreaching special effects, leaden ancillary players and world-ending military standoffs that have all the tension of a water balloon fight.The film stars James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, two "First Class" standouts, as Professor X and Magneto in the '60s, when they were just a couple of mutants working through their power issues. But there is more, so much more … a back story about the Cold War and the Cuban missile crisis; a subplot tied to an evil Nazi mutant (Kevin Bacon doing vile particularly well); a running teen coming-of-age bit featuring some X-Men mutant favorites; a CIA-in-conflict story; a U.S. colonel compromised by lingerie models; and a few more threads I'm probably forgetting. The stories unfold in — deep breath — Auschwitz, New York,England, Argentina, Las Vegas, Miami, Moscow, somewhere outside of Moscow, Virginia, under the ocean, in the sky, on the ground, underground, under polar icecaps and in several undisclosed locations. At times it feels like someone was playing spin and point with an old globe of the world. British director Matthew Vaughn somehow lets everything get away from him, which is unlike most of his well-calibrated early work, from his 2005 debut, "Layer Cake," to 2009's "Harry Brown," which he produced. The script is from a team whose players included Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz, and Jane Goldman and Vaughn (they collaborated on "Kick-Ass" among others). The film begins with such promise, a near perfect re-creation of the powerful Auschwitz scene that opened the original "X-Men" in 2000. It's when Magneto was a boy heartbreakingly separated from his parents at the prison gates, his metal-twisting powers unleashed, but too late to save them. We get the next terrible chapter in that book now, which introduces us to Sebastian Shaw (Bacon) as a Nazi big shot with an operating room next to his office and a persuasive gun who presses Erik into service. It plants the seeds of revenge and mistrust that will drive Erik the rest of his days. CONTINUE READING...

Rise of the Planet of the Apes' brings things back to this world [Trailer]

Pierre Boulle's apes have made numerous appearances on the big screen over the years, starting when Charlton Heston crash-landed on what seemed to be a distant planet and continuing with Tim Burton taking Mark Wahlberg to a faraway planet in the year 3002. But the property has rarely forsaken the interstellar future in favor of the Earthly present ("Escape from the Planet of the Apes" did do some of it via time travel). Rupert Wyatt's origin story "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," whose theatrical trailer hit the Web today ahead of its Aug. 5 release, offers its take on how the apes came to emulate and surpass humans, and right here on Earth. The trailer for the James Franco film starts out like a standard-issue medical thriller -- scientist tinkers with monkeys, leading to disastrous consequences ("You're trying to control things that aren't meant to be controlled!") -- before turning into a man vs. beast story with with echoes of "Avatar," "Battle: Los Angeles" and other tales of the apocalypse. "Evolution becomes revolution," the tag summarizes. One of big questions that's captivated the blogosphere since the film went into production is how the simulated apes -- for the first time depicted using special effects, not actors in makeup -- will appear in the film. They seem convincing enough here. But maybe more interesting is whether the prequel can avoid the sameness of a thousand other disaster movies and instead distinguish itself with the racial and social subtexts that have permeated the best moments of the franchise. To answer that, though, you kind of need the full movie.