TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
McConnell offers debt-limit plan
A leading Republican accused the White House Tuesday of “smoke and mirrors,” as the deadline to increase borrowing loomed and Republicans and Democrats seemed farther apart than ever.
(By Lori Montgomery and Paul Kane)
Business lobby speaks up on debt ceiling and deficit
The country’s most powerful business lobbying groups made their loudest call yet Tuesday for the White House and Congress to come to an agreement on the debt ceiling and deficit reduction.
(By Jia Lynn Yang and Dan Eggen)
Rick Perry has ‘huge’ opening, some in GOP say
With Republican bigwigs largely undecided on their top contender for the 2012 presidential race, Texas Gov. Rick Perry may have a ‘huge’ opportunity.
(By Philip Rucker and Perry Bacon Jr.)
Drug dealer’s death sentence thrown out
Veteran Prince William County prosecutors withheld or ignored crucial evidence and potential testimony in the capital murder case, a federal judge rules.
(By Josh White)
Medal of Honor awarded to Petry
Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry, an Army Ranger, is awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan.
(By Jason Ukman)
POLITICS
Obama reports $86M in combined fundraising
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama collected $86 million combined for his re-election campaign and the Democratic party during the past three months, giving him a large fundraising advantage over the Republican field seeking to challenge him in 2012.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Obama reports more than $86 million in combined fundraising for campaign, Democratic party
WASHINGTON — Obama reports more than $86 million in combined fundraising for campaign, Democratic party
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Lithuanian president signs law ending Gazprom control of local natural gas market
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania’s president has signed a law that will break Gazprom’s control over natural gas supplies and distribution in the Baltic country.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
AP sources: Gadhafi facing pressure from dwindling supplies of fuel and cash, low troop morale
WASHINGTON — Pressure appears to be building against the regime of Moammar Gadhafi after months of apparent stalemate between the Libyan leader and rebel forces, according to new U.S. intelligence reports, U.S. officials tell The Associated Press.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Lawmaker: US airports still vulnerable to terror nearly 10 years after 9/11
WASHINGTON — Despite billions of dollars in security enhancements, U.S. airports are still vulnerable to terror attacks, according to a Republican congressman who is probing these deficiencies.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
STYLE
Hints From Heloise: Husband’s effort gets panned
Hubby put the nonstick pans in the dishwasher. Uh-oh.
(, King)
Ask Amy: Get to know brother before fixing his life
An older sibling wants to help floundering younger brother. Amy’s advice: Ask open-ended questions and let him know he’s got support.
(, Tribune Media Service)
Mom’s blissful unconcern about crime
A mother is intelligent but carefree about basic security advice, such as leaving doors unlocked.
(, The Washington Post)
Pita and Rye in Fulton
Sandwich orders at this certified kosher deli in Howard County come unadorned.
(, The Washington Post)
Backstage: ‘Birds of a Feather’
The Hub Theatre in Fairfax County is staging the world premiere of Marc Acito’s comedy “Birds of a Feather,” which tells the tale of two pairs of birds that caused very different sensations in Manhattan.
( by Jane Horwitz , The Washington Post)
SPORTS
Report: NKorean IOC member expresses hope for Koreas to jointly host 2018 Winter Olympics
SEOUL, South Korea — A North Korean official expressed hope that his country could co-host the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics with South Korea, a news report said Wednesday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Does game really need another meaningless exhibition? Players vote 'no' with absentee ballots
Absent from the endless discussions about how to improve baseball’s All-Star game was the one that would solve all the problems immediately.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Prince makes NL king: Fielder's HR propels Nationals to 2-game All-Star winning streak
PHOENIX — Heath Bell sprinted in from the bullpen and slid across the infield grass, tearing up the turf just short of the mound. It was that type of night: The National League never stopped moving.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Tuesday's Sports in Brief
BASEBALL
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
NY lawyer: Paralyzed Chinese gymnast will get health care and money after injury at US games
NEW YORK — A champion Chinese gymnast who was paralyzed in an accident at the 1998 Goodwill Games is grateful toward the United States after reaching a deal with insurance companies to provide her with medical care and rehabilitation in China, along with financial help, her lawyer said Tuesday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
WORLD
Hamas says PM candidacy of Western-backed Fatah official imperils Palestinian reconciliation
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A senior Hamas official says a planned reconciliation with Fatah will be deeply threatened if the rival Palestinian movement insists Western-backed economist Salam Fayyad stays on as prime minister.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's firm granted hearing to challenge tax bill
BEIJING — Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s design firm will use a closed hearing Thursday to challenge a $1.85 million tax bill delivered by authorities after the dissident was released from nearly three months’ detention.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
AP Exclusive: Indonesia workers for Nike's Converse brand say bosses slap them, call them dogs
SUKABUMI, Indonesia — Workers making Converse sneakers in Indonesia say supervisors throw shoes at them, slap them in the face and call them dogs and pigs. Nike, the brand’s owner, admits that such abuse has occurred among the contractors that make its hip high-tops but claims there was little it could do to stop it.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Thousands join Afghan president for funeral of assassinated powerful half brother
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Thousands of people joined Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday in a dramatic funeral ceremony for his slain half brother, assassinated the day before in his home by a close associate.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Chinese official says country is drawing up plan to improve human rights record
BEIJING — China is drawing up a four-year plan to improve the country’s human rights record, state media reported Wednesday, but it will likely focus on improving living standards rather than granting greater freedoms.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Free Range on Food
Free Range on Food is a forum for discussion of all things culinary.
(, vForum)
Grover Norquist discusses debt negotiations
Grover Norquist takes questions about shrinking the national debt and his stance on negotiations.
(, vForum)
Free Range on Food
Free Range on Food is a forum for discussion of all things culinary.
(, vForum)
DC Metro: General Manager discusses safety, escalators and more.
WMATA General Manager discusses Metro safety, new schedules and lines, escalators and more.
(, vForum)
What Ahmed Wali Karzai's assassination means for Afghanistan
Afghanistan expert discusses what Ahmen Wali Karzai's assassination means for stability in Afghanistan.
(, vForum)
TECHNOLOGY
34% Of iPhone Owners Think Their Phone Is 4G
( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)
The iHit iPhone Case Ineffectively Hides Your Stash
( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)
Microsoft’s Android Plan: Evil Genius Or Just Evil?
( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)
Google Voice Adds Spam Filter, Identifies “Problem” Callers
( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)
Hitler Also Hates Our Redesign
( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)
BUSINESS
BSkyB shares slide further as market no longer believes News Corp will pursue takeover bid
LONDON — Shares in British Sky Broadcasting keep falling as markets no longer believe Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. will pursue its takeover bid due to increased political opposition.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
34% Of iPhone Owners Think Their Phone Is 4G
( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)
Italian markets calm following debt jitters as lawmakers accelerate austerity measures
MILAN — Italian financial markets are in a calmer mood as lawmakers accelerated work on austerity measures.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Spanish premier says economy expanded in second quarter, forecasts more growth ahead
MADRID — Spain’s prime minister says data due for release in a few weeks will show the economy grew in the second quarter.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
20 Turkish companies to seek legal action against Turkmenistan for construction debts
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish companies are preparing to take legal action against Turkmenistan to recover more than $1 billion in unpaid construction bills.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
