Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Sunday, July 17, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
Romney raises $18M in race for the Republican nomination Relying overwhelmingly on people making the maximum allowable contributions, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney amassed an $18 million campaign war chest that dwarfs that of other Republican presidential candidates, financial disclosures released late Friday show. Chavez heads to Cuba to start chemo in cancer fight Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez left home Saturday for Cuba to begin chemotherapy, vowing to win his fight against cancer and calling for his political allies to stay united in his absence. Court: 'Don't ask, don't tell' will stay in place The military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy is back in place for the time being, with one major caveat: The government is not allowed to investigate, penalize or discharge anyone who is openly gay. Japan adds beef to the contaminated menu A growing scandal over radioactive meat shipped and consumed across the country is threatening to revive global concerns about the safety of food from Japan. Casey Anthony freed from Fla. jail early Sunday Casey Anthony has been released from a Florida jail, 12 days after she was acquitted of murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter. Los Angeles' traffic moving easily, despite 'Carmageddon' fears Cars flowed freely through the nation's second-largest city Saturday, despite fears of epic "Carmageddon" traffic jams spawned by the 53-hour shutdown of a 10-mile (16-kilometer) stretch of one of the region's most critical freeways. Shooter in Afghan army uniform kills NATO trooper A man in an Afghan army uniform shot and killed a NATO service member Saturday, and the Taliban said the assailant was a sleeper agent who had infiltrated the Afghan military. 'We are sorry,' Murdoch tells U.K. in full-page ad "We are sorry" the full-page ad began Saturday, as Rupert Murdoch tried to halt a phone-hacking scandal that has claimed two of his top executives with a gesture of atonement and promises to right the wrongs committed by his now-shuttered tabloid, News of the World. Obama: No 'radical' budget fix needed Fighting back against Republican calls for greater spending cuts, President Obama said Friday that the government doesn't need to make major changes to get its budget back on track and called for that solution to include some trims coupled with tax increases. Obama meets with Dalai Lama; Chinese complain President Barack Obama held a White House meeting Saturday with the Dalai Lama, a fellow Nobel Peace laureate, hours after China called on the U.S. to rescind an invitation that could sour relations with Beijing. Dozens arrested, charged in Calif. gang sweep More than 500 federal agents and state and local law enforcement authorities swept through an Orange County, Calif., neighborhood Friday that had been the territory of the Mexican Mafia in what one official called a "critical blow" to the gang's prison-based leadership and those members and associates they control throughout the region. 7 to get organs from Md. girl struck by car Seven people will get organs from a 17-year-old girl fatally injured while crossing a highway in Maryland. 'Harry Potter' conjures first-day record of $92.1M Harry Potter has cast his biggest spell yet with a record-breaking first day at the box office for his final film. Syrians mourn the dead as opposition seeks change Tens of thousands of Syrians shouting "We want freedom!" carried slain protesters through the streets Saturday as opposition figures meeting in Turkey called for a united front to bring down the 40-year ruling dynasty of the Assad family. Grief counseling for Muggles mourning final 'Harry Potter' film Fear not, Hogwarts junkies. Yes, the release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2" marks the end of a cinematic era. But that doesn't mean your fantasy fix is about to vanish like an invisibility cloak. Japanese debate whether to restart nuclear reactors Japan's nuclear industry is eager to restart reactors shut down for maintenance or switched off after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami caused explosions and meltdowns at a power plant in the northeast and sparked a nationwide panic over radiation exposure. Commentary VERNUCCIO: Labor's new strategy: Intimidation for dummies In the past decade, unions have become increasingly desperate to obtain new dues-paying members. An example of how desperate can be found in a 70-plus-page intimidation manual from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which only recently came to light in a pending court case. KNIGHT: Debt's not all, folks Over the past 90 years, a relentless campaign has unfolded to overthrow Judeo-Christian morality and replace it with an amorality that says desires themselves validate choices. GRAFMAN: Courtroom media circus What do Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Casey Anthony have in common? If you say nothing, you are wrong. The correct response: Both are victims of a failing American criminal justice system where trials today become public entertainment. EDITORIAL: Read Obama's lips: More new taxes The White House is fighting hard to resolve the debt-ceiling crisis with a deal that raises taxes to maintain elevated spending levels. Republicans need to understand that compromising on taxes would be disastrous, possibly guaranteeing President Obama's re-election in 2012. EDITORIAL: Obama stimulates Jakarta President Obama now claims there's only $2 billion he can cut out of this year's $3.6 trillion in federal outlays. He's not looking very hard. The administration's trillion-dollar "stimulus" spending spree spread millions in U.S. taxpayer dollars around places like the president's boyhood home, Indonesia. Money that stayed within the country often wound up in the hands of debt-riddled, fly-by-night firms. This week, the White House continued to stonewall attempts to get to the bottom of where our money has been going. Other Recent Articles Patent models join art in new Smithsonian exhibit Panel says no evidence of wrongdoing at Dow Jones AP Sources: Lawsuit, NFLPA's status unresolved Iowa pays London firm $450,000 to ditch movies Blackhawks star Kane has fractured wrist NKoreans: Musk deer meds cause failed WCup tests Will sixth time be the charm for Steve Carell? Simple eye test may give clues to Alzheimer's Franklin's publishing company sued over royalties NASCAR vows to fix Kentucky traffic woes Tennis player Alisa Kleybanova treated for cancer Lawsuit filed over Duke basketball tickets Mets salute Medal of Honor recipient at Citi Field Golden oldie Watson teaches kids a links lesson Ibaka nationalized by Spain, ready to play Euros		Most Read Stories Grief counseling for Muggles mourning final 'Harry Potter' film Senate on record pace for sloth NUGENT: You have the right to remain stupid PRUDEN: Obama's tantrum in a high chair WOLF: 'German Miracle' Barack Obama doesn't see Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors God's Corner Did God's creation include evil? Out and About Northwest Oregon State Parks offer beaches for all Canucks Riot: not about hockey or Vancouver Not Your Average Read Of sexism and atheism: Richard Dawkins gets in trouble with feminists Facebook blocks video of Ann Coulter interview as 'abusive' World's Best-Selling Book William Shakespeare: His role as a King James Bible translator President Obama's oath of office taken on the King James Bible