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. Sunday, August 14, 2011 TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS Bachmann wins Iowa straw poll The Republican presidential race entered a new phase with the entry of Rick Perry and a victory by Michele Bachmann, who narrowly beat Ron Paul, in the Ames straw poll. (By Dan Balz and Amy Gardner) Pressure's on for deficit panel A new bipartisan "supercommittee" charged with reducing the deficit will begin its work with American opinions about Congress at an all-time low. (By Rosalind S. Helderman and Felicia Sonmez) An end to drug tests on chimps? The era of testing drugs on chimpanzees may be drawing to a close as experts debate its usefulness and ethics. (By Brian Vastag) Did D.C. man have to die like this? Theodoric C. James Jr. served 10 presidents but died alone in squalor. People tried to get D.C. agencies to help him, but he resisted assistance. (By Christian Davenport) Stage collapses at Indiana State Fair; at least 3 dead Authorities say they have confirmed at least three deaths after a stage collapsed during a storm at the Indiana State Fair, where the country group Sugarland was set to perform. (By Associated Press) POLITICS For members of deficit-cutting supercommittee, 'doomsday' defense cuts hit close to home WASHINGTON — For the dozen lawmakers given the task of producing a deficit-cutting plan, the threatened "doomsday" defense cuts hit close to home. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Bachmann wins Iowa straw poll The Republican presidential race entered a new phase with the entry of Rick Perry and a victory by Michele Bachmann, who narrowly beat Ron Paul, in the Ames straw poll. ( by Dan Balz and Amy Gardner , The Washington Post) Rick Perry joins 2012 race The Texas governor told a S.C. audience that it's "time to get America working again." ( by Perry Bacon Jr. , The Washington Post) Gateway to middle class faces cuts Postal service jobs have long been seen a possibility for stable income for a family. But proposed cuts are the latest threat against the career path. ( by Krissah Thompson , The Washington Post) Pressure's on for deficit panel A new bipartisan "supercommittee" charged with reducing the deficit will begin its work with American opinions about Congress at an all-time low. ( by Rosalind S. Helderman and Felicia Sonmez , The Washington Post) STYLE A friendship tested by politics Two female friends have had different political views but "agreed to disagree" amiably. But now that truce doesn't seem to be working. (, The Washington Post) Miss Manners: Invitation to royal party poses dilemma for guest Should guest to birthday fete in foreign country let friend in that country know of visit? (, Universal Press) (, The Washington Post) Could you be a zoo chef? Take the quiz to see if you can pick which foods are eaten by which animals at the zoo. (, The Washington Post) Ask Amy: Obnoxious blogger bothers brother His brother reveals family secrets and more in his blog. What can he do? (, Tribune Media Service) SPORTS Beckett allows 5 in the first and Red Sox can't come back again King Felix SEATTLE — It was the worst first inning Josh Beckett has had in years — and it came against the worst hitting team in baseball. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Felix Hernandez works 7 innings, survives 4-run 6th to help Mariners hold off Red Sox 5-4 SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez seemingly had everything he needed to beat the Boston Red Sox Saturday night, leading by five runs after just one inning. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Astros clinch 3rd straight losing season with 3 errors in 6-1 loss to Dodgers' Kershaw LOS ANGELES — Veteran shortstop Clint Barmes is experiencing the same thing with the Houston Astros that he did in his early years with the Colorado Rockies — a nucleus of hungry young players going through the growing pains it takes to become productive major leaguers. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Kershaw gets career-high 14th win with 9 Ks, Kemp's HR helps Dodgers beat Astros 6-1 LOS ANGELES — The fact that Dodgers RBI leader Matt Kemp has homered in only two of Clayton Kershaw's career-high 14 victories this season gives more credence to the kind of season the All-Star left-hander is putting together in his fourth big league campaign. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Donny Schatz holds off Shane Stewart to take fifth Knoxville Nationals title KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Donny Schatz held off a rapidly closing Shane Stewart to win his fifth Knoxville Nationals Saturday night. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) WORLD New US ambassador to China says 2 countries should work together more to tackle global issues BEIJING — The new U.S. ambassador to China, the first Chinese-American to take up the post, said Sunday that the two countries could solve many of the world's problems if their governments work together more. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Police bring Norway killer back to massacre island for reconstruction OSLO, Norway — Norwegian police say the man who has confessed to killing 69 people at an island youth camp has been brought back to the crime scene. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Insurgents attack Afghan governor's compound KABUL, Afghanistan — A provincial governor says six suicide bombers have attacked his compound in eastern Afghanistan. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Syrian gunboats fire on coastal city in renewed assault; at least 10 killed BEIRUT — Syrian gunboats firing heavy machine guns pounded impoverished districts of Latakia on Sunday, killing at least 10 people in a renewed assault on the Mediterranean coastal city, activists said. ( Associated Press Associated Press , AP) Afghan official: Insurgents attack provincial governor's compound in east; casualties feared KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan official: Insurgents attack provincial governor's compound in east; casualties feared. ( 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 Hello World: Israel is Out-Classing You in Civil Disobedience ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) EZOfficeInventory Lets SMBs Easily Track And Manage Company Assets (In The Cloud) ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) OMG/JK: With Google+, It's All A Big Game ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) 2005 Zuckerberg Didn't Want To Take Over The World ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Glorious Images Of Apple's New Spaceship Headquarters ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) BUSINESS Hello World: Israel is Out-Classing You in Civil Disobedience ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) EZOfficeInventory Lets SMBs Easily Track And Manage Company Assets (In The Cloud) ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) OMG/JK: With Google+, It's All A Big Game ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) 2005 Zuckerberg Didn't Want To Take Over The World ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Glorious Images Of Apple's New Spaceship Headquarters ( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com) Get The Washington Post, your way. 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