Figures point to securer border, but risk of death for illegals still high - The Washington Times

		Friday, March 23, 2012 Today's Top Stories
Figures point to securer border, but risk of death for illegals still high Amid all of the apparently good news about security along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona, one dark spot stands out: The number of people dying in the desert as they attempt to make illegal crossings remains stubbornly high. Critics rip Obama claim that drilling in U.S. won't drop gas prices President Obama has been touring the country this week touting increased oil and gas production numbers during his time in office — but his selective quotes and figures tell only part of the story. Mother-to-be loses baby after stabbing at D.C. home Neighbors said they knew something bad had happened when they awoke to the sounds of furious banging and screams coming from the third-floor hallway of their Southeast Washington apartment building early Thursday. Allawi cites 'dictatorship,' Iranian control in Iraq Iraq's former prime minister says the United States is ignoring an "emerging dictatorship" in his country, telling The Washington Times that Iran is "swallowing" Iraq and dictating its strategic policies. Spending on yard signs casts shadow on Gray Agents from the FBI and criminal investigators from the Internal Revenue Service this month visited a Capitol Heights print shop whose owner says he received far less in payments for yard signs in 2010 than D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray's campaign officials reported to city officials, The Washington Times confirmed this week. Bales faces 17 counts of murder in Afghan killings Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales will be charged with 17 counts of murder as well as assault and a string of other offenses in the massacre of Afghan villagers as they slept, a U.S. official said Thursday. Coroner: Houston died from drowning Whitney Houston died from drowning in a hotel bathtub, but coroner's officials said Thursday that heart disease and chronic cocaine use were contributing factors to the singer's death. 'No trace' left after extreme executions in North Korea North Korea's young new leader, Kim Jong-un, has instituted a novel method of executing military officers - mortar firing squad, South Korea's leading daily newspaper reported Tuesday. Rare bipartisanship as Senate passes jobs, insider-trading bills The Senate broke through its normal routine of gridlock Thursday to pass two significant bipartisan measures aimed at cutting red tape for small businesses and explicitly banning insider stock trading for members of Congress. Radio campaign next step against Rush Limbaugh Rush Limbaugh's opponents are starting a radio campaign against him Thursday, seizing upon the radio star's attack of a Georgetown law student as a "slut" to make a long-term effort aimed at weakening his business. Inside the Beltway: Lose-iana for Romney? The short take on the Louisiana primary on Saturday: Pollsters predict that Mitt Romney will lose this one to Rick Santorum, who's already wooed the Deep South with much down-home success. Maryland House weighs budget with $1.5B increase The Maryland House could vote as soon as Friday on a state budget that would increase overall spending by more than $1.5 billion next year. French terror suspect shot in head by police An Islamic extremist who boasted of killing seven people to strike back at France died after being shot in the head by police as he jumped out of his apartment after a fierce gunfight with police, authorities said. Poll: Santorum poised for big win in Louisiana A new Rasmussen Reports polls gives GOP presidential contender Rick Santorum a double-digit lead going into the Louisiana primary on Saturday, putting the former Pennsylvania senator on solid footing to carry some additional bragging rights out of another Deep South nominating contest. IRS chief: Average tax refund this year about $3,000 The nice Internal Revenue Service refund check that many families eagerly await this time of year is down slightly from 2011 but still not too shabby: an average of about $3,000. Allen: Corruption, safe havens block Afghan success The top allied commander in Afghanistan said Thursday that the two biggest obstacles to success in Afghanistan are corruption in the Afghan government and militant safe havens in Pakistan. Commentary EDITORIAL: Poland's dilemma Well into the second year of the European debt crisis, Greece is still struggling with 20 percent unemployment. The rest of the European Union is in recession, and monetary union is looking less attractive than ever before. Poland faces a difficult choice. It can break its legal obligation and keep its currency, the zloty, or adopt the euro and go the way of Greece. EDITORIAL: Honoring a Marine hero U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta was a hero who was denied full recognition for his acts of valor. This injustice should be reversed. MERISOTIS: Higher education's Kodak moment The recent bankruptcy declaration by Kodak, one of the nation's most trusted brands for consumers, which once held a market share in excess of 90 percent, is stunning. Kodak mistook America's century-long love affair with its products as a sign of market permanency, missing the fact that camera phones, flip cameras and online sharing would erode its brand and render it irrelevant. ISSA: Job creators brace for Obamacare impact This week, the Oversight and Government Reform Committee issued a report, "Impact of President Obama's Health Care Law on Jobs," detailing the negative impact that President Obama's health care law has already had and will continue to have on job creation. The report highlights congressional testimony from many businesses about the health care law's negative impact on their company and their ability to hire. NAPOLITANO: Is the CIA in your kitchen? If the question in the headline had been asked by a fictional character in a spy thriller, it might intrigue you, but you wouldn't imagine that it could be true in reality. If the Constitution means what it says, you wouldn't even consider the plausibility of an affirmative answer. After all, the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution was written to prevent the government from violating on a whim or a hunch or a vendetta that uniquely American right: the right to be left alone. Other Recent Articles Bloomberg to give $220M to world tobacco control Gay-themed movie overcomes Balkan divide APNewsBreak: Man to plead guilty for celeb hacking GOP's claims about Obama puzzle environmentalists Thanks to loyal following, Tebowmania transcends Govt watchdog group warns Brazil of WCup delays Chilean Gonzalez plays last match of career Allen Iverson to join Dominican Republic team Little Big Town to spotlight child hunger at ACMs Lehman set defend Gulf Coast Classic title Sheriff: Woman throws powder on Kim Kardashian Hamilton fastest in Malaysian GP practice Schumacher has hopes high for Malaysian Grand Prix 'If Duke played the Taliban, I'd pull for Taliban' Online hoodie photos show anger at Fla. shooting		Most Read Stories Radio campaign next step against Rush Limbaugh Inside the Ring: Beijing coup rumors 'No trace' left after extreme executions in North Korea Critics rip Obama claim that drilling in U.S. won't drop gas prices EDITORIAL: Destroy all churches KUHNER: Obama's power grab Allawi cites 'dictatorship,' Iranian control in Iraq EDITORIAL: Poland's dilemma Coroner: Houston died from drowning MERISOTIS: Higher education's Kodak moment Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors LifeCycles Spring cleaning: History with a golden opportunity Lifespan Respite Care Program deserves funding The Conscience of a Conservative Plausible deniability: Obama's hands were all over Solyndra Chu gives himself an "A": Obama's energy secretary dishonest in ratings (Video) Middle Class Guy Media Matters ad campaign aims to censor Rush Limbaugh The Trayvon Martin case and the "legal experts Tango of Mind and Emotion Mental health and women in history: Dorothea Dix March madness and mental health For Advertising Opportunities Click Here