Today's Headlines & Columnists

If you have difficulty viewing this newsletter, click here to view as a Web page. Click here to view in plain text. Tuesday, July 12, 2011 TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS Partisan divide on debt growing deeper Talks between President Obama and congressional leaders grew contentious, as GOP leaders rejected his call to raise taxes as part of a bipartisan agreement to restrain the nation's mounting debt. (By Lori Montgomery) Dan Balz: In debt-ceiling talks, Obama tries to keep balance President Obama is prodding Republicans to make concessions while trying to reassure Democrats he will not give away too much to get a deficit deal. (By Dan Balz) Karzai's half-brother killed by guard The assassination of a powerful politician in Kandahar could destabilize Afghanistan. (By Joshua Partlow) Reports: News Corp. hacks targeted Brown, royals British news organizations reported that News Corp. journalists illegally targeted a former prime minister and may have accessed the messages of Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla. (By Anthony Faiola) New escalator debuts at Foggy Bottom At Foggy Bottom, Metro unveils first new escalator in system-wide effort (By Dana Hedgpeth) POLITICS Families of soldiers killed by interpreter in Afghanistan accuse US contractor of negligence WASHINGTON — Nasir Ahmad Ahmadi was hired to work as an interpreter alongside American troops in Afghanistan. But soldiers were alarmed by his strange behavior, his inability to do the job and the foul condition of his living quarters, and they suspected he used drugs. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Families of soldiers killed by interpreter in Afghanistan accuse US contractor of negligence WASHINGTON — Nasir Ahmad Ahmadi was hired to work as an interpreter alongside American troops in Afghanistan. But soldiers were alarmed by his strange behavior, his inability to do the job and the foul condition of his living quarters, and they suspected he used drugs. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) China's central bank says debt risks for local governments 'controllable' BEIJING — China's central bank says risks associated with debts run up by its local governments are controllable, in the latest effort to allay fears state-owned banks might face a wave of loan defaults. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) House to vote to ban new rules on energy-efficient light bulbs WASHINGTON — Having to buy a squiggly fluorescent light bulb is an affront to personal freedom, some lawmakers are saying as the House decides whether to overturn a law setting new energy-efficiency standards for the bulbs. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) THE INFLUENCE GAME: Lobbyists woo lawmakers with donations to their favorite charities WASHINGTON — As Boeing lobbied against a rival aerospace company to win a $35 billion government contract, its activities included a curious donation: $10,000 to the Johnstown, Pa., Symphony Orchestra. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) STYLE Ask Amy: Ex-wife's note rings current wife's chimes When her husband informed his ex that a close friend had died, the ex got a little too close for comfort. (, Tribune Media Service) Hints From Heloise: Restroom controversy A disabled woman's pet peeve is able-bodied people using the handicapped stall. What do readers think? (, King) Miss Manners: Aunt's anger is misplaced She's at risk of alienating her nieces if she can't control her ire at the woman who replaced her late sister in her former brother-in-law's affections (, Universal Press) Not quite out of the nest Her 20-year-old college student daughter, living at home and supported by her parents, balks at household errands. (, The Washington Post) 'Boston Marriage' at Fringe Festival David Mamet's "Boston Marriage" is a wildly funny tale of two Victorian-era lesbians. (, The Washington Post) SPORTS French official says police find no doping evidence in search of Russian rider's hotel room AURILLAC, France — A French official said police didn't find doping evidence in a search of Russian rider Alexandr Kolobnev's hotel room. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) RadioShack team down to 6 riders for Tour de France after Popovych drops out because of fever AURILLAC, France — RadioShack says rider Yaroslav Popovych has pulled out of the Tour de France after failing to shake off a fever, leaving the team with six riders. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Teams taking precautions against threat of contaminated meat and clenbuterol at swim worlds ROME — As more than 2,000 swimmers, divers and water polo players converge on Shanghai for the world aquatic championships, teams are taking precautions against the threat of eating contaminated Chinese meat. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Monday's Sports in Brief BASEBALL ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Report: Evian Masters to become fifth major on the LPGA Tour ORLANDO, Fla. — Golfweek magazine is reporting that the Evian Masters in France will be the fifth major on the LPGA Tour. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) WORLD Officials say gunmen blew up terminal of Egyptian gas pipeline to Israel, Jordan EL-ARISH, Egypt — Masked gunmen blew up a terminal of the Egyptian natural gas pipeline to Israel and Jordan in a pre-dawn attack Tuesday, security officials said. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Officials start assessing damage from blast at Cypriot naval base that killed 12 NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus officals on Tuesday were assessing the damage to the island's largest power station and dozens of homes after hundreds of tons of seized gunpowder being stored at a naval base exploded. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Karzai's half-brother killed by guard The assassination of a powerful politician in Kandahar could destabilize Afghanistan. ( by Joshua Partlow , The Washington Post) Markets sink over Spain, Italy debt fears SHANGHAI — Fears that Italy and Spain may succumb to Europe's debt crisis added to recent pessimism about the global economic recovery, sending share prices tumbling Tuesday across Asia. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Syria beefs up security around US, French embassies following attacks BEIRUT — Police have beefed up their presence outside the U.S. and French embassies in the Syrian capital a day after pro-government supporters attacked the compounds. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) LIVE DISCUSSIONS Debt talk negotiations and News of the World's demise: Brad Hirschfield's ethical take on the news (Video) Join Brad Hirschfield as he talks about the ethical and moral issues raised by the week's biggest stories. (, vForum) Intern City Live with Jenna Johnson: Cooking on the Cheap Jenna Johnson answers your questions about college life, on and off campus. (, vForum) Fix Faceoff: 2012 Presidential Election Political blogger Chris Cillizza's fast-paced video Q&A about the 2012 presidential election. (, vForum) Dr. Gridlock The Washington Post's Dr. Gridlock, Robert Thomson, will be online to take all your questions about Metro, traffic throughout the region and other transportation issues. (, vForum) Fix Faceoff: 2012 Presidential Election Political blogger Chris Cillizza's fast-paced video Q&A about the 2012 presidential election. (, vForum) TECHNOLOGY Daily Crunch: Warmth Edition ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Ad Serving Technology Startup Adzerk Secures $650,000 ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) New iOS Gestures Point To Death Of The Physical Button ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Copygram Lets You Download All Your Instagram Photos ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) DIY Hoverpuck: Fun For The Whole Family ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) BUSINESS China reports fresh oil spill off northeast coast, moves to better protect marine environment SHANGHAI — China has reported a fresh oil spill in the Bohai Bay off its northeastern coast, following two spills last month. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Power failure hits China's shiny new high-speed trains for the 2nd time in 3 days BEIJING — China's showcase bullet trains linking Beijing and Shanghai were stopped by power failures for a second time Tuesday, less than two weeks after they launched. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Daily Crunch: Warmth Edition ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Greece raises €1.62 billion in T-Bill auction, yield remains high ATHENS, Greece — Greece has raised €1.62 billion ($2.28 billion) in an auction of 26-week treasury bills, held as Greek and European debt fears continue to rattle international markets. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Europe sees sharp market sell-off on fears Italy and Spain will be embroiled in debt crisis MILAN — Italy has raised €6.75 billion ($9.49 billion) from the markets, but at much higher costs as fear spread through Europe's financial markets over worries that Italy and Spain would be dragged into the debt crisis. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Get The Washington Post, your way. Want to stay on top of the latest news, features, commentary and more? 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