Today's Headlines & Columnists

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS A test for the blocks needed to rebuild a nation The revised strategy for Afghanistan that President Obama will announce Tuesday is expected to focus new resources on training Afghan security forces and shoring up the central government, an approach certain to revive a debate about the possibilities and the limits of nation-building. (By Keith B. Richburg, The Washington Post) 34,000 troops will be sent to Afghanistan OBAMA DETAILS PLAN FOR ALLIES Other nations to be asked for more forces (By Karen DeYoung and Scott Wilson, The Washington Post) Senate health bill gets a boost Measure wouldn't increase insurance costs for most, CBO says (By Lori Montgomery, The Washington Post) Second wave of swine flu may have peaked Level of H1N1 activity in U.S. has dropped for fourth straight week (By Rob Stein, The Washington Post) Feeling lonely? Chances are you're not alone. Loneliness is transmittable, researchers say (By Rob Stein, The Washington Post) More Today's Highlights POLITICS Senate health bill gets a boost As the Senate opened debate Monday on a landmark plan to overhaul the nation's health-care system, congressional budget analysts said the measure would leave premiums unchanged or slightly lower for the vast majority of Americans, contradicting assertions by the insurance industry that the average... (By Lori Montgomery, The Washington Post) Salahis sought gala access through a Pentagon door Couple asked Defense official for entree to state dinner via e-mail (By Michael D. Shear and Jason Horowitz, The Washington Post) 34,000 troops will be sent to Afghanistan OBAMA DETAILS PLAN FOR ALLIES Other nations to be asked for more forces (By Karen DeYoung and Scott Wilson, The Washington Post) Huckabee's pardons at issue after police killings Suspect's sentence was commuted in Arkansas (By Perry Bacon Jr. and Garance Franke-Ruta, The Washington Post) Agencies reporting to White House on Ft. Hood Review expected to cite data sharing, limits on reporting threats (By Spencer S. Hsu and Carrie Johnson, The Washington Post) More Politics
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NATION Death-row inmate's military service is relevant, justices say The Supreme Court gave hope Monday to a Korean War veteran on Florida's death row, saying courts should take note of his battlefield bravery and likely post-traumatic stress in weighing whether he deserves to be executed for the murders he later committed. (By Robert Barnes, The Washington Post) 4 from Guantanamo are sent to Europe Detainees, one part of Supreme Court case, going to three countries (By Peter Finn and Julie Tate, The Washington Post) In death, victims of serial killer stir their community WOMEN EXISTED IN THE SHADOWS Residents now vow to reach out to the troubled (By Krissah Thompson, The Washington Post) Agencies reporting to White House on Ft. Hood Review expected to cite data sharing, limits on reporting threats (By Spencer S. Hsu and Carrie Johnson, The Washington Post) In and around Seattle, the manhunt continues (By associated press, The Washington Post) More Nation WORLD Japan's leader apologizes for donation scandal TOKYO -- For politicians in Japan, the road to scandal usually winds through construction companies, defense contractors or a mistress. For newly elected Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, the road leads to his mother, an octogenarian heiress. (By Blaine Harden, The Washington Post) Despite its troubles, Kosovo offers model for nation-builders In newest country, improvements come slowly but steadily (By Craig Whitlock, The Washington Post) Like entering 'another world' Tehran's first Western-style 'hypermarket' draws crowds and criticism (By Thomas Erdbrink, The Washington Post) Iran detains 5 British sailors, saying the racing yacht strayed into its waters (By Karla Adam, The Washington Post) Pakistan's Zardari holds off his political foes -- for now President gives up some powers, faces pressure to relinquish more (By Pamela Constable, The Washington Post) More World METRO National Zoo's Amazonia exhibit loses 2 of its supersize fish Two of Washington's biggest fish have died in recent days, it was announced Monday. And a third is ill, with an uncertain future. (By Martin Weil and Lori Aratani, The Washington Post) Motorcycle rider killed in Md. crash (The Washington Post) Salahis sought gala access through a Pentagon door Couple asked Defense official for entree to state dinner via e-mail (By Michael D. Shear and Jason Horowitz, The Washington Post) Archbishop takes a reluctant turn in the spotlight Tactics in same-sex marriage controversy concern D.C. Catholics (By Michelle Boorstein, The Washington Post) NTSB plans probe of latest Metro crash 'SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE' CITED Other operators have reported power surges (By Lena H. Sun, The Washington Post) More Metro BUSINESS Record traffic expected for 'Cyber Monday' The post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon continued Monday with nearly 100 million shoppers expected to troll online retailers for bargains on what has become known as Cyber Monday, helping to make the sector one of retailing's few bright spots. (By Ylan Q. Mui, The Washington Post) Dubai debt fuels another confidence crisis MIDDLE EAST MARKETS TANK Implied public guarantee of debt is shattered (By Anthony Faiola and Karla Adam, The Washington Post) U.S. steps up pressure on lenders to modify more mortgages Treasury threatens public shame and monetary penalties (By Renae Merle, The Washington Post) Prince George's weighs creation of biotechnology research hub Report affirms quest for 1,900 jobs, $23 million in taxes (By Ovetta Wiggins, The Washington Post) Senate health bill gets a boost Measure wouldn't increase insurance costs for most, CBO says (By Lori Montgomery, The Washington Post) More Business
TECHNOLOGY The e-mail storm over climate change I take issue with the Nov. 25 editorial "Climate of denial" on two points. (The Washington Post) Given our TV habits, what we need is a big, flat, green screen (By Curt Suplee, The Washington Post) Record traffic expected for 'Cyber Monday' E-commerce event to draw 100 million shoppers, group says (By Ylan Q. Mui, The Washington Post) More Technology SPORTS Ellis scores career-high 45 to lead Golden State OAKLAND, Calif. -- Monta Ellis scored a career-high 45 points, Anthony Morrow added 18 and the injury-riddled Golden State Warriors beat the Indiana Pacers 126-107 on Monday night. (AP) No. 5 Kentucky remains perfect Navy men, George Mason women also pick up wins (By Associated Press, The Washington Post) Four downs (The Washington Post) Good times roll in New Orleans, and so do Saints Brees throws five touchdown passes vs. Patriots to improve team to 11-0 (By Mark Maske, The Washington Post) Ovechkin injured in Caps' win Knee-to-knee hit mars 3-2 victory Winger may be disciplined after latest ejection (By Tarik El-Bashir, The Washington Post) More Sports STYLE Let's take the fame out of reality-TV infamy This must never, ever, ever happen again. And by "this," we do not mean an alleged gate-crashing incident at the White House -- though that should never happen again, if it did happen, either. We're talking not about the act but about the reputed motive and reward for committing it -- which was, ... (By Tom Shales, The Washington Post) Reality TV attracts, um, larger-than-life characters Recent cases spotlight recruitment issues (By Paul Farhi, The Washington Post) Estelle Parsons puts the gust in 'August' (By Peter Marks, The Washington Post) Not a lotta 'Terra Cotta' (By Blake Gopnik, The Washington Post) National Opera poised for deep staff, programming cuts (By Anne Midgette, The Washington Post) More Style LIVE DISCUSSIONS Paul Farhi on pop culture: The great American quest for fame Washington Post staff writer Paul Farhi talks about the latest news and topical issues in the pop culture world of TV, radio, movies and trends. (Paul Farhi, washingtonpost.com) Opinion focus with Eugene Robinson (Eugene Robinson, washingtonpost.com) Sally Jenkins discusses Tiger Woods's evasive maneuvers (Sally Jenkins, washingtonpost.com) President Obama's prime-time address on Afghanistan Obama met on Monday with senior advisers on war strategy (Robert G. Kaiser, washingtonpost.com) Shales on TV Live: The White House gate crashers, Blu-ray, more (Tom Shales, washingtonpost.com) More Live Discussions Justice, cleared for takeoff THE TRANSPORTATION Department hit Continental Airlines, ExpressJet and Mesaba Airlines with a first-ever fine for trapping 47 passengers on the tarmac in Rochester, Minn., last summer. The total penalty was modest, to say the least -- $175,000 -- but the precedent is encouraging. (The Washington Post) Paying for war How to escalate in Afghanistan without adding to the national debt (The Washington Post) Clean air on the menu Virginia implements a modest new law on smoking in restaurants. (The Washington Post)