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. Monday, August 8, 2011 TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS U.S., European officials scramble to calm financial anxiety The U.S. downgrade and European debt problems threatened to feed on each other. (By Zachary A. Goldfarb and Anthony Faiola) European leaders scramble to calm investors before markets open European leaders on Sunday were scrambling to calm investors' fears of an escalating debt crisis in the region as markets prepared to open Monday following a historic downgrade of U.S. debt by Standard & Poors. (By Anthony Faiola) Geithner tells Obama he will remain as Treasury secretary Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner has told President Obama he plans to remain in his job through the fall of 2012. (By Zachary A. Goldfarb) Mark Hatfield dies: Former Oregon senator was 89 Former senator Mark O. Hatfield of Oregon, whose liberal Republican politics during five terms in Congress made him an increasingly rare breed within his party, died Sunday. He was 89. (By Emma Brown) Asian markets open lower in first day of trading since U.S. downgrade Markets in Tokyo and Sydney opened sharply lower Monday, their first day of trading after the U.S. lost its top-notch credit rating. (By Cezary Podkul) POLITICS Catholic hospitals supported Obama's health care law, but now object to covering birth control WASHINGTON — They defied the bishops to support President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Now Catholic hospitals are dismayed the law may force them to cover birth control free of charge to their employees. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) With trade and patent bills, Congress has shot at finally creating jobs during stalled economy WASHINGTON — When Congress gets back to work after Labor Day it will have the chance to achieve something that has largely eluded it for the entire year, passing legislation that might actually create jobs. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) G-7 countries pledge to take all necessary measures to support financial stability WASHINGTON — Finance officials from major industrial countries, seeking to calm nervous global markets, pledged Sunday to increase cooperation on attacking economic problems. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Kansas City lawmakers face voters Two congressmen who voted against the debt ceiling bill talk to constituents and find they want compromise — but on their terms. ( by Robert Barnes and Stephanie McCrummen , The Washington Post) G-7 countries pledge to take all necessary measures to support financial stability WASHINGTON — G-7 countries pledge to take all necessary measures to support financial stability ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) STYLE Ask Amy: Anorexic wants to continue "lifestyle" Despite her parents' worry, a young adult says anorexia is "the lifestyle she wants." Amy edifies her on her word choice: For "lifestyle," read "disease," and a progressive one at that. (, The Washington Post) Hints From Heloise: No sale on lack of courtesy More comments on courtesy in retail environments. (, King) Just a bump in the road for the wedding parade? Her fiance has developed doubts about whether they should get married. How can she tell whether this is serious? (, The Washington Post) Berlusconi, Murdoch face off Their respective troubles have only sharpened the competition between them. ( by Jason Horowitz in Milan , The Washington Post) Squeezed 'Hoffmann' doesn't fulfill promise Wolf Trap Opera presents "The Tales of Hoffmann" in its tiny theater; it's okay, but why take the risk? ( by Anne Midgette , The Washington Post) SPORTS Oscar Pistorius named in South Africa's team for able-bodied world championships JOHANNESBURG — Double-amputee runner Oscar Pistorius was selected by South Africa's athletics federation on Monday to compete in this month's world championships. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Weekend Sports in Brief AKRON, Ohio — Adam Scott hit all the right shots Sunday in a round that was close to flawless and earned him his first World Golf Championship title. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Qatar fires soccer coach Rajevac after struggles against Vietnam in 2014 World Cup qualifier DOHA, Qatar — Qatar has fired Serbia's Milovan Rajevac after only four months in charge of the national team, replacing him with Brazilian Sebastiao Lazaroni. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Las Vegas native Piercy gets first PGA win by 1 stroke over Perez at Reno-Tahoe Open RENO, Nev. — Scott Piercy was so pumped up, his hands were shaking with a one-stroke lead at the Reno-Tahoe Open and only the 616-yard closing hole standing between him and his first victory on the PGA Tour. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Reddick, Red Sox walk off with win osh Reddick hit a game-ending RBI single in the 10th inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 3-2 on Sunday night. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) WORLD Asian markets open lower Markets across Asia sank Monday, their first day of trading after the U.S. lost its top-notch credit rating, providing the first indication of how investors are likely to react to the country's first-ever credit downgrade. ( by Cezary Podkul and Chico Harlan , The Washington Post) Fresh gunfire heard as Syria intensifies crackdown; Saudis, other Arab nations decry violence BEIRUT — A besieged Syrian city came under fresh artillery fire early Monday as a deadly military assault left President Bashar Assad's regime increasingly isolated, with Arab nations forcefully joining the international chorus of condemnation for the first time. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) AP Interview: Colombia's president rides high after first year spreads his influence in region PAIPA, Colombia — Juan Manuel Santos is burdened by thorny challenges aplenty as he marks a year in office: sophisticated drug traffickers, criminal gangs marauding in the provinces, hit-and-run attacks by Latin America's last rebel army. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) UK police arrest over 160 after gangs loot shops, attack police in riots across London LONDON — Police arrested 160 people after a weekend of riots and looting, as scattered copycat violence spread from a disadvantaged north London neighborhood to other parts of the city, authorities said Monday. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) New Tibetan leader sworn in as prime minister of government-in-exile in India DHARMSALA, India — A Harvard-trained legal scholar was sworn in Monday as new head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, taking over from the Dalai Lama as leader of his people's fight for freedom. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) LIVE DISCUSSIONS ComPost Live with Alexandra Petri The Compost, written by Alexandra Petri, offers a lighter take on the news and political in(s)anity of the day. (, vForum) Opinion Focus with Eugene Robinson Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson discusses his recent columns and the latest news in a live Q&A. (, vForum) Debt Ceiling drama: Why Jonathan Capehart thinks your voice needs to be heard In his Post-Partisan blog post today, Opinion writer Jonathan Capehart said that "Folks should be marching on the Capitol" in protest of the way the debt issue is being handled. Do you agree? (, vForum) Chatological Humor: Monthly with Moron Gene Weingarten takes polls and chats about his recent columns. (, vForum) ComPost Live with Alexandra Petri The Compost, written by Alexandra Petri, offers a lighter take on the news and political in(s)anity of the day. (, vForum) TECHNOLOGY Apple Will Sell A Sub $1,000 iMac For Education ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) I Am Jonathan's Starbucks Card: A Social Payment Experiment (With Free Coffee) ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Activity Junky Wants To Be Your Go-To Online Resource For Outdoor Gear (And Give You Cash Back) ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) I'm Android Watch Now Available For Pre-Order ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Chinese Smugglers Shoot A Zip Line Across A River To Illegally Ship iPads ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) BUSINESS Apple Will Sell A Sub $1,000 iMac For Education ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) US dollar hits new low against franc as Swiss govt holds urgent meeting on market turmoil GENEVA — The U.S. dollar has hit a record low against the Swiss franc of 0.7485 centimes to the dollar — a drop of almost 30 percent from a year ago. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) G-7 ministers to talk early Monday on market stability after US rating downgrade, report says TOKYO — Financial ministers from the Group of Seven leading economies are to hold a teleconference Monday to discuss world market stability. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) French finance minister says vote on new euro fund can't be speeded up PARIS — France's finance minister says the French parliament can't approve an expanded European bailout fund before September. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) I Am Jonathan's Starbucks Card: A Social Payment Experiment (With Free Coffee) ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Get The Washington Post, your way. Want to stay on top of the latest news, features, commentary and more? 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