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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
