Today's Top News from The Washington Times

		Monday, August 29, 2011 Must Read Stories Today
Irene goes easy on region Powerful and deadly Hurricane Irene swept through the region early Sunday, downing hundreds of trees and knocking out power, but largely sparing area residents from widespread destruction. Officials credit FEMA progress, teamwork for minimizing disaster President Obama, federal officials and East Coast governors and mayors began assessing damage Sunday from Hurricane Irene, which came ashore over the weekend with less-than-anticipated destruction but left behind widespread power outages and at least 21 people dead. Freshman senator ignores 'Rubio for VP' push While the field for the Republican presidential nomination is crowded and up for grabs, many pundits and politicos are ready to proclaim a front-runner for the ticket's second spot — Florida's Sen. Marco Rubio. Shop owners say police abandoned them during London riots Shop owners who protected their businesses from looters during the deadly riots that rocked Britain this month are complaining that police guarded posh stores in central London and left them to fend for themselves. Nearly 500,000 without power after hurricane Hurricane Irene knocked out power this weekend to nearly 500,000 customers in the region, but the area escaped much heavier damage seen in central Virginia and Southern Maryland. Montgomery County proposes flash-mob law Montgomery County officials are exploring ways to stem a troubling trend of juvenile flash-mob thefts, including by drafting a bill specifically tailored to prosecute mob-related crime. Travelers wait for flights to resume Travelers across the nation waited for flights to resume in and out of East Coast airports that were closed by Tropical Storm Irene this weekend. Schools offering rewards to keep students in class Students who go to class every day may get more than just an education. Pro-choice advocates say Va. rules politically motivated Pro-choice groups say recently released draft regulations governing abortion clinics in Virginia would be the most stringent such measures in the country and are part of a politically motivated plot to undermine the rights of women to access abortions. Pentagon mulls ways to make major cuts The Pentagon is considering a range of options to meet a bipartisan call to greatly reduce defense spending in what is a "perfect storm" rocking the military's once-plump budget plans. Obama's campaign muddled in name game President Obama's re-election campaign has appropriated for its voter-registration operation the name of an existing group, Project Vote, that has been the target of voter-fraud complaints tied to the much-criticized and now-defunct activist group ACORN. CURL: Why so glum, Michelle? Man, how miserable is Michelle Obama? About 2½ years into her ceremonial stint as first lady, Mrs. Obama seems to have had quite enough of the gig. U.N. concerned about Iraq strength before U.S. exit The U.N.'s outgoing top diplomat in Iraq on Sunday said the government in Baghdad must determine whether its security forces are strong enough to thwart violence before requiring U.S. troops to leave at the end of the year. Libyan rebels will not deport Lockerbie bomber The Libyan rebel government will not deport the man convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, its justice minister said Sunday. U.N.: No warning on Nigeria car bomb that killed 23 The United Nations had no prior warnings or intelligence about threats against its Nigeria headquarters, the world body's security chief said Sunday, as top officials mourned the 23 killed in a suicide car bombing there. Libya rebels reject regime offer to talk Libyan rebels on Sunday rejected an offer by Col. Moammar Gadhafi to negotiate and said they have captured the eastern town of Bin Jawwad, forcing regime loyalists to flee after days of fighting. Commentary KNIGHT: 9/11 memorial without prayer We've got a word for someone who hates Christmas - Grinch. What should we call someone who hates America's Judeo-Christian heritage, even to the point of barring clergy at a ceremony at the site of a major tragedy? EDITORIAL: Irene is Obama's punishment Before Hurricane Irene made landfall, environmental extremists were spouting off three certainties about the storm: It is catastrophic; it was caused by global warming; and it is all President Obama's fault. PITTS: Dangers of worsening drug shortages All of sudden, the mainstream media - highlighted by a high-profile New York Times piece by bioethicist Dr. Zeke Emanuel - has discovered the problem of drug shortages. Except it's not a new problem. According to a recent analysis, the frequency and GOLDBERG: Into the fray over flyover talk Texas Gov. Rick Perry is the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, at least in the national polls. Undoubtedly that's the main reason so many East Coast pundits and Beltway wags are making fun of him. He likes guns. He's from Texas. He talks funny. He's a - gird yourself now - Christian! BERMAN: IMF betrays West with mullahs' malarky With soaring inflation, chronic unemployment and rampant poverty, Iran is nobody's picture of economic health. So when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued its latest working paper on Iran last month, the rosy assessment contained therein raised more than a few eyebrows. Other Recent Articles List of winners of 2011 MTV Video Music Awards Packers release TE Havner, WR Swain and T Sherman China official tells Web firms to control content Israel lures Hollywood to film in the Holy Land Blatter promises FIFA reform details in October Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows Irene forecasts on track; not up to speed on wind Perry wins top award but Beyonce baby tops show Sharapova's role: A favorite at Flushing Vettel takes pole position for Belgian GP Jeter scratched for Yankees in Game 2 vs Orioles Jacobsen revives popular Portland golf event Coker, UTSA start fast climb into college football UN warns of bird flu resurgence, new Asian strain Dirk Nowitzki awarded top German sports honor		Most Read Stories China expanding its nuclear stockpile PICKET: Obama's illegal uncle arrested; 'Uncle Omar' almost hits cop car, tries to call White House Rebellion by states could be hazardous to health care overhaul Virginia issues long-awaited regulations for abortion clinics EDITORIAL: Irene is Obama's punishment Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors After Hours at The Brew Lounge Beer calendar: Sept. 1 through Sept. 15 Weekly beer tasting notes: Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier-Märzen Fade to Black Blake Griffin interns at Funny or Die Miami Hurricanes Nevin Shapiro and NCAA problems show pattern No 2 Religion Yes 2 Faith Can we test the great religions? "We the people" are corrupt, in religion and politics Stimulus That! Obama takes charge, Christie calms the waves, Irene disaster averted Rick Perry and the Tea Party, evolving