Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Sunday, July 31, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
Senate delays debt showdown as optimism for deal grows Saying debt-limit talks between the White House and Republicans are making some progress, Senate Democrats put off a 1 a.m. Sunday showdown vote. Senate quickly kills House debt bill The Senate late Friday rejected yet another House Republican proposal to stave off a looming debt crisis, acting just hours after the lower chamber had approved the measure and leaving the path to a deal still in doubt with just days to go before the Tuesday deadline. National Debt Papers: U.K. sympathy note on the loss of U.S. empire (PARODY) Editor's note: This sympathy letter from the U.K. commiserating with President Obama on the loss of the American empire was found among the National Debt Papers, an ongoing series of imaginary missives concerning the U.S. national debt. Obama: Power to fix debt 'in our hands' Saying time is running out and House Republicans' debt limit bill "has no chance of becoming law," President Obama on Friday urged the Senate to craft a bipartisan solution that would raise the government's borrowing limit and limit spending now, while setting up a broader debate on tax increases and entitlement cuts later. Nationals trade Jerry Hairston Jr. to Brewers for minor league outfielder The Washington Nationals have traded utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league outfielder Erik Komatsu, a source confirmed to The Washington Times. AP: NFL players on board to recertify union NFL players are on board to recertify the union, meaning talks can reopen with the league to complete the labor agreement, a person familiar with the number of votes cast told the Associated Press on Saturday. Bush to be in N.Y.C. to mark 10th anniversary of 9/11 New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says former President George W. Bush will be among the dignitaries at a World Trade Center site ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Oslo massacre sparks multicultural debate in Europe Europeans are debating immigration and multiculturalism with new urgency after the massacre of 77 people in Oslo, victims of a mass murderer who says he wanted to ignite a crusade against Islam. D.C. man pleads guilty to fatally stabbing daughter A D.C. man believed to have had sex with his teenage daughter shortly before he fatally stabbed her and stuffed her body in a trash can pleaded guilty to her murder Friday in D.C. Superior Court. Lawyer: 2 Americans held in Iran could be released Two Americans jailed in Iran on charges of espionage could be released after a court hearing slated for Sunday, their lawyer said. Norway suspect was considering other targets The anti-Muslim extremist who confessed to a bombing and youth camp massacre that killed 77 people in Norway has told investigators he also considered attacking other targets linked to the government or the prime minister's Labor Party, police said Saturday. U.S. review finds Iraq deadlier now than a year ago Frequent bombings, assassinations and a resurgence in violence by Shiite militias have made Iraq more dangerous now than it was just a year ago, a U.S. government watchdog concludes in a report released Saturday. Perry slams Obama administration at conservative summit Texas Gov. Rick Perry urged conservatives Friday to "push more liberals into the private sector" in the 2012 election - including the president - but the oft-mentioned potential presidential candidate declined to say whether he had decided to enter the race himself. Bachmann, Pawlenty trade barbs before Iowa straw poll Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann's war of words comes as GOP presidential candidates jockey for position before the Aug. 13 Ames Straw Poll — the circuslike event in Iowa that some have billed the "Minnesota Primary." U.S. growth tepid in spring quarter The economy inched ahead at a 1.3 percent annual growth rate last spring, held back by soaring gasoline prices and disruptions in manufacturing caused by the March earthquake/tsunami in Japan. Recruiters pressed to reach out to gays once ban is lifted An underground gay group in the military wants recruiters to reach out to the gay community in the same way they target blacks, Hispanics and women. Commentary EDITORIAL: America abandons Obama So much for hope and change. With the economy growing worse and worse, the grand promises of Barack Obama's 2008 campaign have faded as the reality of malaise takes hold. EDITORIAL: Obama's economic collapse Smack in the middle of the debt-ceiling crisis comes word that the economic situation is worse than everyone thought. New Commerce Department figures show the gross domestic product (GDP) growing at an anemic 1.3 percent rate in the second quarter of 2011. Even more alarming, the initial first-quarter 1.9 percent figure was sharply downgraded to a scant 0.4 percent. If the second-quarter rate is later reduced that much, it would signal that the country is in a recession. Most Americans suffering during this historic downturn wouldn't be surprised. KNIGHT: Time to disarm partisan CREW On Sept. 20, 2010, right after Tea Party favorite Christine O'Donnell became the GOP's U.S. senatorial nominee in Delaware, a political watchdog group filed two ethics complaints against her. Miss O'Donnell subsequently was dragged through the mud by the liberal KAHLILI: Iranian missiles could soon reach U.S. shores While America focuses on its internal problems and its involvement in three wars and the world focuses on the global economy, Iran is progressing on three dangerous fronts: nuclear weapons, armed missiles and naval capability. DONATELLI: Republican states balancing their budgets At a time when Washington continues to struggle to trim deficits that approach $1.5 trillion annually, Republican-led states, along with a few Democratic officials, continue to take the tough steps necessary to balance their state Other Recent Articles Stars aim for bargains at NY charity-fashion event Colts re-sign Manning to long-term deal Google buys about 1,000 IBM patents Angelina Jolie in Bosnia for film festival 2014 World Cup kicks off, qualifying groups drawn Calif Santa Claus fired for bawdy humor dies at 69 Bush science adviser John H. Marburger dies at 70 Police: 4 shot after George Clinton concert US tennis player Robert Kendrick gets 1-year ban Oklahoma admits 2 major violations in men's hoops AP source: A's deal with Red Sox falls through Browne still up by 2 at US Senior Open AP source: Pistons hire Frank as new head coach Experts say medical device review system "flawed" Snoop Dogg launches youth football in Chicago		Most Read Stories Democrats enforce filibuster against their own debt bill Sure, they look blue, but are the Smurfs closet Reds? 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