Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Saturday, August 13, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
Appeals court nixes part of Obama health law An appeals court struck a blow to a controversial part of President Obama's health care law requiring individuals to either buy health insurance or pay a penalty, ruling Friday that the mandate was unconstitutional but allowing the rest of the law to stand. Wing woman for hire: The single guy's sidechick As single men turn increasingly to online dating and social networking sites to meet women, their in-person pickup techniques are susceptible as never before to atrophy. Enter the wing woman, a modern twist on the wing man, who facilitates conversation with women whom their male clients otherwise might not approach. For a fee, they pose as platonic friends, living, breathing proof that their "buddy" is cooler than he seems. National secret: Obama's role in 'panda diplomacy' with China Not long before the National Zoo announced that Washington's most beloved resident — the panda Tai Shan — was heading to China in December 2009, a secret plan took hold halfway around the world for the National Zoo to be able to hold on to the bear just awhile longer. Second Spaceplane flight failure raises questions on future Pentagon scientists pledged to press on with work on a $308 million futuristic unmanned spaceplane despite the failure Thursday of a second test flight when they lost contact with the vehicle during maneuvers. GOP candidates make last ditch push before straw poll With the clocking ticking down to the Ames Straw poll, the GOP candidates with the most riding on the results barnstormed the Iowa State Fair Friday in search of any additional support, as they prepared for an event that could make or break their presidential dreams. Dow finishes wild week on an up note The wildest week in Wall Street history ended with a second day of gains. Virginia sues over purported pension fraud The state of Virginia is suing the Bank of New York Mellon, alleging that the company that oversees the commonwealth's retirement system skimmed money off the top of financial transactions it made on behalf of the state. NLRB fails to comply with congressional subpoena The National Labor Relations Board ignored a congressional subpoena on Friday that requested information about its lawsuit against Boeing for building a manufacturing plant in a non-union state. Maryland teachers union balks at pension cost change Maryland's teachers union is resisting state lawmakers' efforts to trim an anticipated $1.1 billion budget gap by sharing teacher pension costs with counties. Bachmann, Pawlenty trade barbs in Iowa debate The notion of "Minnesota nice" took a hit in the presidential debate here Thursday night, as former Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann, both of Minnesota, took aggressive public swipes at each other, blasting one another's records and questioning whether they were ready to run the country. Tit for tat: Moscow lists U.S. officials to be barred Moscow is preparing a list of U.S. officials it will ban from Russia in retaliation for a White House policy to keep Russian human rights abusers out of the U.S. Syrian troops fire as thousands protest Assad Syrian soldiers opened fire Friday on tens of thousands of protesters who flooded the streets shouting for the ouster — and even the execution — of President Bashar Assad as his embattled regime tries to crush a 5-month-old uprising despite broad international condemnation. Judge sentences Ohio killer of 11 to death A serial killer will be put to death for murdering 11 women and dumping their bodies around his property, a judge ruled Friday. Former L.A., N.Y., Boston police chief Bratton in talks for U.K. job William Bratton, who as police chief in New York, Boston and Los Angeles built a reputation for quelling gang activity, is in talks with the British government to become an adviser on calming the violence there, he told The Associated Press on Friday. Portraits of Navy SEALs killed in helicopter crash The American troops who died aboard a downed helicopter in Afghanistan came to the special forces from far-flung corners of the country, some motivated by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. They were intensely patriotic and talented young men with a love of physical challenges and a passion for the high-risk job they chose. Wall Street, banks boost Europe stocks Stocks in Europe and the U.S. remained firm Friday after better than expected U.S. retail sales data helped ease concerns that the world's largest economy is heading back into recession, while a ban on short-selling in several eurozone countries lifted bank shares. Commentary GHEI: Global meltdown: Is Paris next? With markets tumbling on both sides of the Atlantic, French President Nicolas Sarkozy interrupted his summer vacation to hold an emergency meeting about the crisis. EDITORIAL: Kick junkies off welfare There's a growing movement to make sure those on the public dole aren't also on drugs. The state of Florida is implementing a law passed in May requiring drug testing of all welfare applicants. Missouri enacted a similar law in July. Testing programs are being debated in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Iowa and other states. In these hard economic times, voters don't want their tax dollars wasted on fueling the habits of junkies. NUGENT: Rise of the goons Did you really expect anything different? From London to Philadelphia to Milwaukee, goons are rioting in the streets. And guess what? I don't believe it is the fundamental fault of the goon squads that they're rioting, although there's no excuse for beating people and destroying property. KNIGHT: Left-wing Wisconsin recall amnesia Some stories have "legs." They don't disappear after a day or so but stay in the news, especially if they help move a liberal agenda. Think of global-warming findings or New York's assault on marriage. MARLOW & SHIERS: Put down the chips and pick up the weights The United States supposedly is in the midst of an obesity epidemic. One in 3 adults and 1 in 6 adolescents and children are considered obese, which means they have a body mass index (calculated by comparing weight to height) of 30. But would Americans truly be better off if they slimmed down? Does government really know how much people should weigh? Other Recent Articles Nelson Mandela opera comes to Johannesburg Turner says Chargers have improved talent SF transit blocks cellphones to hinder protest Glenn Close to receive Spanish film award English football leagues strike deal with media Daniel Baldwin's wife: Couple trying to reconcile Orion spaceship set for new round of tests in Colo Sheriff: Rapper incited phone flash mob on Twitter '9-11-01' to be painted next to US Open court Another road course: Bang away, boys! Former Braves broadcaster Johnson dies at 87 Clarke speeds off after poor play at PGA Ex-Texas Southern women's coach wins lawsuit Emotional Rodman caps Hall of Fame ceremony Bat on Wisconsin flight prompts rabies probe		Most Read Stories SEALs were sent to stop fleeing Taliban National secret: Obama's role in 'panda diplomacy' with China Tit for tat: Moscow lists U.S. officials to be barred HURT: Fallen off Olympus, Obama stammers Philadelphia mayor talks tough to black teenagers after 'flash mobs' Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors Bill Kelly's Truth Squad Did media cover up Sen. Durbin's confrontation with reporter? (VIDEO) President Obama, you own this downgrade (not the tea party) VIDEO The Political Pro-Con Amidst the chaos, Ron Paul shines through Dark economic times ahead Forbidden Table Talk Newt Gingrich takes on Chris Wallace Defending the Tea Party: Sometimes politicians should be stubborn Politics of Raising Children Kymberly Wimberly: The McGehee valedictorian tells her story Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid recipients, including families with children will lose under debt deal