Obama weighs in on black teenager's killing - The Washington Times

		Saturday, March 24, 2012 Today's Top Stories
Obama weighs in on black teenager's killing President Obama weighed in for the first time on the killing of black teenager Trayvon Martin Friday in very personal terms, calling it a tragedy and urging the country to do "some soul-searching" about why it occurred. Obama administration grants protected status to Syrians Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Friday said she will grant special status to Syrians currently in the U.S., allowing them to stay here past their current visas while their home country remains in turmoil. Lockheed to repay government $15.8M for subcontractor scam One of the world's largest defense contractors — the Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin Corp. — agreed on Friday to pay $15.8 million to the U.S. government to settle allegations that it mischarged perishable tools used on numerous contracts, the Justice Department said. Kazakh film industry hopes to erase 'Borat' image Fame is a hard thing to shake, especially fame as pervasive as the 2006 mockumentary "Borat." But Kazakh filmmakers are aiming to shake off that film's image and energize their country's movie industry with a big budget historical epic, "Myn Bala," which opens next month in theaters in the Central Asian nation. DHS: Illegal immigrant population is 11.5 million About 11.5 million illegal immigrants were in the U.S. last year, a figure that was essentially unchanged from 2010, according to the latest estimate the Homeland Security Department released Friday. Obama taps Jim Yong Kim for World Bank President Obama on Friday nominated Dartmouth College president and global health expert Jim Yong Kim to lead the World Bank, an unconventional pick that could help to quell criticism in the developing world of the U.S. stranglehold on the international organization's top post. U.S. soldier charged in Afghan shooting rampage U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales was charged on Friday with 17 counts of premeditated murder, a capital offense that could lead to the death penalty in the massacre of Afghan civilians, the U.S. military said. Documents show NYPD infiltrated liberal groups Undercover NYPD officers attended meetings of liberal political organizations and kept intelligence files on activists who planned protests around the country, according to interviews and documents that show how police have used counterterrorism tactics to monitor even lawful activities. Syrian activists: Clashes near Turkish border Syrian government forces fired machine guns and mortar rounds Friday in fierce clashes with rebel army defectors in a town near the Turkish border, a Syrian activist group reported, as a European Union official said the wife of Syria's president will be hit with a travel ban and have her assets in the EU frozen. Army: PTSD treatable; some diagnosed return to war It is still not known if the soldier accused of killing 17 Afghans was ever diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder — but even if he had been, that alone would not have prevented him from being sent back to war. Pope decries Mexico violence, urges change in Cuba Pope Benedict XVI denounced the drug-fueled violence wracking Mexico and urged Cubans to use dialogue to find new models to replace Marxism as he began a pilgrimage Friday that will take him to both countries. Exxon Valdez sold, likely destined for scrap heap The notorious Exxon Valdez tanker, responsible for one of the worst oil spills in U.S. history two decades ago, has been bought by an Indian company almost certainly to be scrapped for its steel and spare parts. Student criticized by Limbaugh to speak in Denver A law student who made headlines when radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh criticized her opinion on contraception health coverage is in Denver to speak at a health care panel. Pat Robertson slams Broncos for Tebow trade Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says Tim Tebow was treated "shabbily" by the Denver Broncos when they traded him to the New York Jets for Peyton Manning. African Union force to step up hunt for Kony The African Union will send 5,000 soldiers to join the hunt for rebel leader Joseph Kony in a new military mission officials say is necessary to remove the Lord's Resistance Army from Central Africa's vast jungle. Syria's first lady faces sanctions, contempt As Syria's bloodshed deepens, the British-born first lady has become an object of contempt for many, a Marie Antoinette figure who shopped online for crystal-encrusted Christian Louboutin stilettos while her country burned. Commentary MILLER: Obamacare's hefty tax bill President Obama promised to make health care more affordable, but instead he's done the opposite. The White House and congressional Democrats slipped 20 new taxes into the Obamacare legislation to raise $500 billion to help pay for the new entitlement's $2.6 trillion cost. It's now up to the Supreme Court to provide relief. WEST: Why Obamacare is bad for America's health On Monday, the Supreme Court will consider the legality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also referred to as Obamacare. The high court will pore over Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution to determine the true meaning behind the words, "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common Defense and general welfare of the United States; To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations and among the several states, and with the Indian Tribes." The 2012 Supreme Court must determine whether the Founders had any intention of mandating the behavior of private enterprises and individuals. KNIGHT: Taming the EPA monster Slowly, inexorably, the monster is being driven back to its lair. Its days of terrorizing villagers may soon be over. I wish I were talking about the federal government, but it's the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), better known as the Environmental Protection-or-else Agency. EDITORIAL: Next time, sue the weatherman Climate alarmists have lost a major court case that had the potential for turning every weather emergency into endless litigation. It's a victory for the law, for science and for common sense. LAVROV: Seoul Summit: A view from Moscow Russia and the United States are the most advanced states in terms of nuclear energy use. We have put an end to the Cold War and the arms race, including the nuclear one. Today, our coun- tries have taken a common stand for the strengthening of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and have intensified their cooperation in combating nuclear terrorism. Other Recent Articles Court orders FDA action on antibiotic use on farms Rare movie posters found in Pa. attic fetch $503K Dad upset after dead daughter's voice mails erased Space junk misses station astronauts Marion Barber says he's retiring FIFA adviser urges publishing kickbacks document Federer named greatest player by Tennis Channel Obama weighs in on black teenager's killing Lockheed to repay government $15.8M for subcontractor scam Obama administration grants protected status to Syrians Tori Spelling announces she's pregnant _ again Hamilton takes pole position for F1 Malaysian GP 'When you can take the pebble from my hand ...' Comedian Gallagher to retire from performing live Indians 3B Hannahan recovering from sore back		Most Read Stories Zadzooks: Monty Python: The Holy Book of Days review (iPad) Inside the Ring: Beijing coup rumors KNIGHT: Taming the EPA monster EDITORIAL: Destroy all churches Obama weighs in on black teenager's killing Critics rip Obama claim that drilling in U.S. won't drop gas prices WEST: Why Obamacare is bad for America's health KUHNER: Obama's power grab DHS: Illegal immigrant population is 11.5 million Allawi cites 'dictatorship,' Iranian control in Iraq Latest from WT Communities Independent Social Contributors Ringside Seat Texas boxing preview: Morales v. Garcia; Kirkland v. Molina TKO win for Martinez; Chavez Jr., Mayweather, Pacquiao next? Fade to Black Miami Heat tweet support for Trayvon Martin (Hoodies Up video) Reviewing Magic Johnson's 'The Announcement' Movies in Total Movie review: The Hunger Games worth the price of admission(video) Movie review: 21 Jump Street remakes television into cinema Life-Line: Healthful Habits Made Simple Graphic Cigarette Labels: A Step Backwards in Combating Nicotine Addiction For Advertising Opportunities Click Here