New U.S. Dietary Guidelines Focus on Salt Reduction - Targets African Americans

New U.S. Dietary Guidelines Focus on Salt Reduction -

Targets African Americans

Today, the Federal Government provided new and improved dietary guidelines for all Americans, and are the first new guidelines since 2005. The new guidelines focus mostly on salt intake, recommending that Americans limit their daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon) a day for most people. However, as a strong statement to the African-American population, the guidelines go further suggesting that they cut their salt intake even further to less thatn 1,5000 milligrans. These sharper guidelines also apply to people aged 51 or older, and people who have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease, regardless of their age. While it's true that statistics show African Americans suffer from these diseases at a disproportionate rate when compared to the rest of the American population, we wonder why the stricter guidelines wouldn't just be applied to all Americans, considering the current obesity crisis in this country. What do you think? Are the targeted guidelines for different races, ages, etc. a progressive approach to tackle problems in those specific communities, or would a general diagnosis for all Americans prove more worth-while?

Highlighted Clip for Monday, January 31, 2011:

New U.S. diet guidelines urge less salt, more dairy

Nanci Hellmich

Many Americans' diets are a train wreck loaded with junk food, fast food, sugary beverages and too few healthful foods.

King’s Dream of ‘Equality’ Still Unrealized

King’s Dream of ‘Equality’ Still Unrealized

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in something far greater when he delivered his August 28, 1963, “I Have a Dream Speech” from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. King sought equality of life for all men and women as he spoke from our nation’s capital, a place where decisions are to be followed by actions to aid the greater good. Earlier this month, we honored King’s dream through service but how have we bridged the equality gaps—particularly in education and health equity? Today’s Washington Post blog post “On This We Should Agree,” presents glaring statistics on critical education and health gaps among African Americans, American Indians, Latinos and the poor. This serves to remind us what happens when dreams attainable become dreams forgotten. Someone once said, “It’s not how you start but how you finish.” But, how can we finish if we haven’t even started? What do you think?

Highlighted Clip for Friday, January 28, 2011:

"On This We Should All Agree"

By: Sean SladeThere isn’t likely to be peace in the education world over charter schools and standardized testing, but on this we can and should agree: The need to focus attention on disparities among our youth in education and in health.

Another Washington Snow Storm... Another Mess and More Power Outages

Another Washington Snow Storm... 

Another Mess and More Power Outages

Well, that was a lot worse than it looks like many expected. We've been hearing horror stories from our associates, family, and friends about 3-5 hour commutes home, people getting stuck and abandoning their cars on the highways, downed power lines, and thousands of DC & Maryland residents still without power. After all the hoopla that was made post-snowpocalypse 2010, concerning Pepco's response and preparation to last year's big storm, you would have thought our city planners would have been more prepared for what has turned out to be a hard-hitting, but less severe winter blast this year. What do you think? Did DC/MD/VA do a well-enough job responding to all the snow this year? Or do you think everyone's just overreacting? Share your thoughts, comments and snow horror stories in our comments section!

Highlighted Clip for Thursday, January 27, 2011:

"Washington stumbles to its feet after hard-hitting storm"

By: Ashley Halsey III and Carol Morello

With tens of thousands of people still without power throughout the region, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said this afternoon that "reliability standards" expected of utility companies would be reviewed by the state legislature.

Science, Technology and Humanities Will Lead Us to a Brighter Tomorrow

Science, Technology and Humanities Will Lead Us to a Brighter Tomorrow

In his State of the Union address last night, President Obama talked about winning America’s future through technological innovation and education. As a parent of two children enrolled in public schools in D.C., I wondered what impact the president’s prescription for progress would have on my son and daughter and all public school students. My son, who’s heading to 9^th grade in September, loves math, technology and science and envisions a career in engineering. My daughter, a 10^th-grader, attends a blue-ribbon school with a strong humanities program.  Like my son, she loves the sciences but also has a passion for literature, history and theater arts. I like the president’s idea of providing more funding for science education, but I would not want the support to come at the expense of other disciplines. Achieving our future will require not just advances in technology but also knowledge of history, the perpetual production of poetry and prose, and a vibrant theater culture. That is to say, the humanities are as important as the sciences. We need a multidisciplinary approach for reaching tomorrow.

For full story, see "Obama Plays Up Technology's Value In State Of The Union 2011": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/26/state-of-the-union-2011-technology_n_814117.html

Race & Gender in Pop Culture

Race & Gender in Pop Culture

By: Donna Lewis Johnson



If you are the mother of a teenage girl, as I am, you know the name Justin Bieber and the intense effect the mere mention of the name has on girls. Justin Bieber is to my daughter’s generation what Michael Jackson was to mine – the man we wanted to marry. With his eponymous Bieber bangs, soulful charisma, impish charm, and bona fide musical talent, Bieber is a Boy Wonder who in 18 months rose from an aspiring recording artist in small-town Canada to an international phenom who sold out Madison Square Garden in 22 minutes. I know Bieber’s story because I accompanied my daughter and her classmate to a sneak preview of “Never Say Never,” a 3-D biopic about the 16-year-old mega star who girls faint, squeal, and fantasize over.

Sitting in the theater among dozens of adolescent and teenage girls who were clearly awash in Bieber fever, I wondered what to make of the whole thing.  The Bieber Effect. Is it a harmless crush like the one I had on Michael Jackson? Or the exploitation of impressionable girls who see their worth relative to a celebrity’s view of them?  The latter question is legit. As a standard feature of his concert, Bieber serenades a girl from the audience, promising her “there’s gonna be one less lonely girl.” The chosen girl sits in the middle of the stage, under a halo of strobe lights, while Justin croons intimately. Without fail, each girl at every concert paws her face, swipes away tears, and trembles at her astonishing fate.

I have a couple of problems with the theatrics.  For one, all the “chosen” girls are white.  My daughter is African American. Based on the consistent selection of white girls, it’s reasonable to assume that my daughter would not make the cut, which leads to my second issue that I’ll get to in a minute.

Bur for now, how anachronistic of Justin and his team. This is not the ‘50s when interracial dating was unlawful in many states and taboo across America. The crumbling of racial barriers through civil rights activism combined with the growing number of people of color in America creates a new social milieu where blacks, whites, browns and others couple freely.

Here’s the other issue. Girls are objectified in the movie. The dynamic of one guy in demand by hundreds of thousands of girls vying to be the object of his affection troubles me. Pick me. Pick me. Oh, those desperate pleas.

Maybe I’m making way too much of the effect Justin Bieber has on his fans.  After all, I went on with my life after realizing as a teenager that I would never be Mrs. King of Pop.

Your Good Health Begins Today, No Matter Your Age: Remembering Jack LaLanne

Your Good Health Begins Today, No Matter Your Age: Remembering Jack LaLanne

Highlighted Clip for Monday, January 24, 2011:

Nicknamed "The Father of Fitness," longtime exercise guru Jack LaLanne who inspired health and wellness in American households since the 1950s, passed away Sunday at 96. Admitting in his younger days he consumed too much junk food, LaLanne made it his personal responsibility to "get off the couch" and exercise daily and become educated about the food he ate. Today more Americans battle obesity and chronic diseases at younger ages and higher rates of morbidity. Working long hours, juggling multiple tasks may leave little room for a strenuous fitness plan but small, consistent changes can have big impact. Our safety net to longer living may not rest entirely in health care reform. Therefore, we must assume personal responsibility for our health. Habits repeated become lifestyles entrenched--whether they are good or bad habits.

For full story, see "Remembering Jack LaLanne, Dead at 96"

https://mail.mckpr.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=404023c14fec4b2b90d927a79547e916&URL=http%3a%2f%2fhealthland.time.com%2f2011%2f01%2f24%2ffather-of-fitness-jack-lalanne-dead-at-96%2f%3fxid%3drss-topstories%26utm_source%3dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3dfeed%26utm_campaign%3dFeed%253A%2btime%252Ftopstories%2b%2528TIME%253A%2bTop%2bStories%2529%26utm_content%3dGoogle%2bReader

Smoke and mirrors... Or is Wal-Mart serious about a new corporate image?

Smoke and mirrors...  Or is Wal-Mart serious about a new corporate image?

One can only hope that first lady Michelle Obama’s praise of Wal-Mart’s healthy foods campaign, announced yesterday at a Washington, DC-based community center, is not misconstrued nor lets the retail giant off the hook for past transgressions.  The Arkansas-based corporation’s history of opposing workers’ right to unionize, paying low wages and not offering benefits are still major concerns, and little has been done or said by the corporation to suggest a significant shift in these practices.  No one denies that the chain’s push to provide healthy and affordable foods in underserved communities is a step in the right direction.  But we still need evidence that Wal-Mart is cleaning up its anti-worker business practices along with its growing expansion into inner-city neighborhoods.

Highlighted Clip for Friday, January 20, 2011:

White House support of Wal-Mart food initiative shows new tone toward retailer

Perry Bacon Jr. and Nia-Malika Henderson

Four years ago, leading Democrats were virtually at war with Wal-Mart.

Tips of the Trade: Some Help Keeping Focused in the New Year!

Tips of the Trade:

Some Help Keeping Focused in the New Year!

By: Tamara Braunstein
 

Parts three and four of my series on time-management highlight the need to create a balance between work and rest to optimize efficiency.

Focus

Keep your mind trained on results

Don’t worry about how much you still need to do, focus on your end goal and how each task will contribute toward end achievement.

It’s not shocking that taking a positive viewpoint toward your tasks is most beneficial to reducing stress levels. But a recent study found that staying focused in general can lead to a happier life!

Be fully present

Echoing the “Get Organized” section from part 1, it’s very important to be aware of upcoming meetings and events that may cut into scheduled work time, and plan accordingly.

Instead of viewing these as distractions, be engaged and participate. Don’t let an unfinished task distract you from paying attention – you’re not helping anyone (least of all yourself) by fretting over something that will still be there when you finish your meeting. Allowing yourself the time to take a break from thinking about a project and come back with a fresh mindset may even prove beneficial.

Take breaks

Breathe and Relax

When you start to feel overwhelmed or crunched for time, calm down. It may seem counterintuitive to stop working even for a minute if you’re in a rush, but take some deep breaths and relax your mind for a few minutes, or longer if you’ve just completed a major task. Set a timer to avoid worrying about the time.

Blink or Switch

Blink your eyes or do something else if you notice your eyes drying out or your mind starts to wander. If you have a desk job that involves staring at a computer screen for lengths of time throughout the day, this is especially important:

“Studies show that eye strain and other bothersome visual symptoms occur in 50 to 90 percent of computer workers … These problems can cause physical fatigue, decreased productivity and increased numbers of work errors.”

AND

“When working at a computer, people blink less frequently — about five times less than normal, according to studies.”

http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/irritated.htm

Stretch

Do you ever get home after a long day of work and feel exhausted, but all you did was sit at your desk? That’s because our bodies weren’t made to sit all day.

According to WebMD, stretching for just a few minutes at a time throughout your day can help to ward off pain and stiffness and boost energy. It could also help to avoid repetitive stress injuries, which are the “most common and costly” health problems in today’s workplace.



Repeal “Obamacare”. . . So What’s the Plan B?

Repeal “Obamacare”. . .  So What’s the Plan B?

Today, the Republican-led House will vote on the fate of President Obama’s health care bill. If the bill is repealed, Republican leaders will have stripped health coverage from 30 million uninsured Americans, including those already benefitting from the legislation.  From Medicare recipients receiving discounts on expensive drugs to unemployed young adults who are able to remain on their parents’ health insurance plans to children with pre-existing health conditions, the House actions threaten  the quality of health care for the most vulnerable Americans. As House Republicans continue to assail “Obamacare” and its supporters, we can’t help but ask, what is the opponents’ alternative to this historic legislation that promises to rebuild America’s crumbling health care system?

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, January 19, 2011:

House nears vote on repealing Obama's health care law…

Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, AP

The new Republican-led House is poised to deliver an emphatic thumbs-down to President Barack Obama's landmark health care overhaul

First-Aid Course for the Mentally Ill? Just a First Step!

First-Aid Course for the Mentally Ill?  Just a First Step!

A January 17 Washington Post article, “Shooting in Tucson sparks interest in 'mental health first aid' courses,” by Rachel Saslow, cites the Washington-based National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare’s (NCCBH) position that “learning how to identify and help people with mental illnesses should be a first aid skill as common as CPR.”  NCCBH also point to the fact that we are too quick to blame mental illness for such senseless acts as the Tucson massacre.   Although the mentally ill are statistically no more violent than the non-mentally ill, there are other factors to consider before we all sign up for a first aid course targeted to the mentally ill.  While most people would certainly agree, especially those with relatives and friends who suffer from mental illness that a more pro-active, compassionate and skilled approach to dealing with the mentally ill is necessary, there has to also be a shift in our culture, and especially among law enforcement officials, towards prevention.  Let’s not continue to wait until people are harmed before we respond.  For more on the course in Washington, DC, go to www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, January 18, 2011:

Shooting in Tucson sparks interest in 'mental health first aid' courses

Rachel Saslow

Learning how to identify and help people with mental illnesses should be a first aid skill as common as CPR…

Fighting Back Against Childhood Obesity

Fighting Back Against Childhood Obesity

Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, proposed Thursday to overhaul nutrition guidelines that will reduce sodium, sugar and caloric consumption in public schools.  This is good news, since nearly one-third of today’s children are either obese or at-risk for being obese – a problem that will cost the U.S. nearly $344 billion in additional health care costs by 2018. While good nutrition is essential to maintaining a healthy weight, we should not forget the equally important fact that a healthy diet and exercise go hand-in-hand in fighting obesity. 



Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, January 12, 2011:

School nutrition-guideline changes sought to fight obesity

Tim Carman

Calling it not only a national health issue but also a military one, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday proposed to overhaul the nutrition guidelines …

What’s Old Is New; What’s New Is Old—Again!

What’s Old Is New; What’s New Is Old—Again!

Tom Vanderbilt’s thoughtful piece—“Streetcars vs. Monorails:  The future of urban transportation looks a lot like the past”—certainly reflects what’s happening today in Washington, DC; some want them, others don’t. The streetcar, once considered antiquated, is back in vogue, he writes.  Although monorail supporters continue to tout their merits, most US projects have been squashed “plagued by cost overruns and funding gaps.” Although the DC City Council has approved what will be a 37-mile streetcar system in the nation’s capital, the city’s biggest threat is not those preferring monorails  but the federal government.  Streetcars were dismantled in the District in 1962.  Yet, despite the widespread belief by proponents that the new system will spur economic development, unlike other cities, it is not the “monorailists” trying to block the “back to the streetcar” movement, it is the federal government. The feds, it seems, are concerned that streetcar infrastructure might obstruct the city's historic, monumental views. City leaders say “yes.” The feds say, “we’ll see.”  I say, let’s build a system that is safe, efficient, and gets riders where they want to go.

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, January 12, 2011:

Streetcars vs. Monorails

Tom Vanderbilt

There is a great, if unnamed and often overlooked, attraction in Disney World: Transportationland.

Tips of the Trade: Some Help Prioritizing in the New Year!

Tips of the Trade: Some Help Prioritizing in the New Year!

Continuing from yesterday's post:  Tips of the Trade: Some Help Getting Organized in the New Year!

 By: Tamara Braunstein

 

’Tis the season for resolutions: for making them, and for breaking them. There are plenty of ideas out there for what you might strive to improve in your life this year, and even advice and encouragement on sticking to those goals – set realistic goals, write them down, reward yourself, etc.

But all too often life happens. Work happens. Priorities are reshuffled and New Year goals are bumped down instead of scratched off the to-do list. This mini-series offers some helpful hints at how to manage your time to get the most out of every day – especially at work – leaving you more energy and time to focus on those recycled resolutions. 

Prioritize

Consider deadlines and profitability of the tasks at hand

Most often when people think of prioritizing, they think deadlines. While deadlines are no doubt important to recognize and meet, prioritizing in this way can sometimes lead to procrastinating on highly profitable tasks.

(Reading a blog post about time-management may not be high on your to-do list, but in the long run, learning to manage your time effectively could turn out to be more profitable than clearing out your inbox.)

As new tasks arise, think of how they fit in the overall picture

What tasks have prerequisites?

Are the prerequisites all completed?

How does each task affect your other tasks?

Is someone else waiting for you to finish something before they can move forward?

Expect the unexpected … or at least plan for it

Figure out which tasks can be rescheduled or saved for the next day if unexpected, high-priority tasks to arise.

Tips of the Trade: Some Help Getting Organized in the New Year!

Tips of the Trade: Some Help Getting Organized in the New Year!

By: Tamara Braunstein

’Tis the season for resolutions: for making them, and for breaking them. There are plenty of ideas out there for what you might strive to improve in your life this year, and even advice and encouragement on sticking to those goals – set realistic goals, write them down, reward yourself, etc.

But all too often life happens. Work happens. Priorities are reshuffled and New Year goals are bumped down instead of scratched off the to-do list. This mini-series offers some helpful hints at how to manage your time to get the most out of every day – especially at work – leaving you more energy and time to focus on those recycled resolutions. 

Get organized

List tasks and goals

Set broad and specific goals relating to your day, to specific projects and to your personal fulfillment. List the individual tasks that need to be completed for those goals to be achieved.

Keep a daily calendar, planner or to-do list to help you visualize everything you have to do.

Collaborate with others when applicable to decide/divide next steps

Relying on others for help can be stressful for some people, but more often it can lead to a lessened workload for all involved. In work groups especially, utilizing each person’s unique skills can expedite an effective completion process toward achieving quality results.

Schedule reminders for meetings and events

Avoid beating yourself over the head for forgetting a task by setting alerts for yourself and/or colleagues of deadlines and meetings.

In addition to network-based services like Outlook, free online tools like Memo to Me and Freminder are great ways to set reminders for yourself and share them with others.

Document your time as you progress

Evaluate how much time you spend on various tasks to set realistic completion goals.

This process is especially vital if you’re planning on billing clients for time spent on specific tasks or projects. If this isn’t something that comes as second-nature to you, check out Life Hacker’s Five Best Time-Tracking Applications for some (free) online tools to help in this area too.


***NOTE*** - Tamara will continue to bring you Tips of the Trade this week, specifically focusing on improving organizational skills. Expect daily posts on this subject through the rest of this week and into next!

De-integrating schools: A sign of the times? Or a dangerous step back?

De-integrating schools: A sign of the times?

Or a dangerous step back?

In this modern day and age, a new majority-Republican school board backed by national tea party conservatives, is abolishing a school policy that has kept integration alive in a district that was last in the nation to embrace it. While some view this change as a welcome release from a policy that is “no longer proper or necessary for public schools,” critics say it is a resounding “death knell” to the future of poor students – mostly minorities – who were once able to attend decent schools in more affluent districts. This is another example of the Tea Party’s attempt to turn back the clock on social equality and justice. What are your thoughts?

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, January 12, 2011:

Republican school board in N.C. backed by tea party abolishes integration policy

Stephanie McCrummen

The sprawling Wake County School District has long been a rarity. Some of its best, most diverse schools are in the poorest sections of this capital city.

New Year, A New Law, & A New Hope!

New Year, A New Law, & A New Hope!

It’s never easy sifting through new legislation, and especially those laws like the soon to be year-old Affordable Care Act  that phases in programs and reforms over a number of years.  Coverage for the millions of Americans with “pre-existing conditions” does not have to wait until full enactment of the law in 2014, however.  As the Andrews article points out, at least for the District and 23 states, there are new plan choices for people enrolling in Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP) beginning this month. The new options offer current and future enrollees a greater number of coverage choices and allow people to select the plan that best meets their needs, from a three-tiered structure that began January 1, 2011.  Of course, as Andrews also points out, accessibility does not necessarily translate into affordability.  Eligible consumers have to be vigilant and review all options carefully. The good news is, they won’t have to wait until 2014.

Highlighted Clip for Tuesday, January 11, 2011:  

Health-care law adds insurance options for people with preexisting conditions

Michelle Andrews

Under the current health insurance system, people who have to buy coverage on their own rather than through an employer often find themselves in a tough spot.

A Horrible Tragedy, A Moment of Silence and Reflection

A Horrible Tragedy, A Moment of Silence and Reflection

We join our President and First Lady, in a moment of silence for the victims of the Tucson, Arizona shooting. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who was targeted in the attack. We hope this tragedy can be used as an opportunity for our nation to unite against the increasingly corrosive and hateful language that has emerged in our political rhetoric, as of late. Also, may this tragedy shine a light on the need to reevaluate gun regulation in our country.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, January 10, 2011:

Evidence Points to Methodical Planning

Marc Lacey

TUCSON — As President Obama led the nation in a moment of silence Monday, Jared L. Loughner, a troubled 22-year-old college dropout, was set to appear before a magistrate judge in Phoenix…

Daily News Clips for Friday, January 7, 2011

Daily News Clips for Friday, January 7, 2011



HEADLINES

The Washington Post

Pentagon to cut spending by $78 billion, reduce troop strength

Craig Whitlock

For the first time since the end of the Cold War, the Pentagon is confronting the reality that inexorable increases in defense spending are no longer a sure thing and that cuts that actually shrink the military's bottom line could be on the horizon.

D.C. Democrats pick Sekou Biddle for vacant at-large council seat

Tim Craig

In an unexpectedly tough vote, District Democrats selected Sekou Biddle on Thursday night to temporarily fill a vacant at-large seat on the D.C. Council, giving the school board member a chance to represent all city residents until a special election is held in late April.

Packages sent to Gov. O'Malley, Md. agency flash and smoke

Maria Glod, Ovetta Wiggins and John Wagner

Separate packages addressed to Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and his secretary of transportation contained incendiary devices that flashed, smoked and produced an odor when they were opened Thursday, causing minor injuries to two employees and putting officials around the Washington region on alert.

Suburban Hospital worker charged in fatal stabbing of boss; was acquitted in 2006 killing

Dan Morse and Keith L. Alexander

The unusual slaying at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda was high-profile, coming on New Year's Day at the well-known facility. The victim, Roosevelt Brockington, was stabbed more than 70 times in a basement boiler room.

U.S. citizen from Virginia detained in Kuwait says he has been tortured by security agents

Peter Finn

A 19-year-old U.S. citizen from Alexandria has been detained in Kuwait and says that he was tortured by security agents who questioned him about his travels in Yemen and Somalia.

Wait for same-sex marriage in Maryland could be nearing an end

Mike DeBonis

Same-sex marriage is, if nothing else, a waiting game. Consider the position the District found itself in for years.

Officials drop one site considered for Dulles Metro station

Kafia A. Hosh

Officials in charge of the Metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County struck down a proposed outdoor site for the airport station, citing the cost and scope of the project and its potential to mar views of the architecturally significant main terminal.

Votes of GOP lawmakers who missed swearing-in ruled invalid

Felicia Sonmez

The votes cast during the first days of the congressional session by two Republican lawmakers who skipped Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony will be invalidated, House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) said Thursday.

Reid: Democrats prepared to go it alone on filibuster reform

Felicia Sonmez

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday said that Democrats will push ahead with a plan to reform the Senate rules, with or without Republican support.

Ted Williams, Homeless man with a golden voice becomes star

JoAnne Viviano

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A homeless man whose silky announcing voice has catapulted him to national fame reunited Thursday with his mother, recorded a commercial for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and agreed to do voiceover work for MSNBC.

The New York Times

Bernanke Expects a ‘Moderately Stronger’ Recovery

Sewell Chan

The Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, told senators on Friday that he expected the recovery to be “moderately stronger” this year.

Sperling Returns, as Obama’s Top Economic Adviser

Michael D. Shear

President Obama will name Gene Sperling today to be the permanent replacement for Larry Summers as director of the National Economic Council, White House officials said.

U.S. Sends Warning to People Named in Cable Leaks

Mark Landler and Scott Shane

The State Department is warning hundreds of human rights activists, foreign government officials and businesspeople identified in leaked diplomatic cables of potential threats to their safety…

Jailed Sisters Released for Organ Transplant

Timothy Williams

Two Mississippi sisters who have been imprisoned for 16 years were released on Friday morning on the condition that the younger sibling donate a kidney to her older sister, whose organs are failing.

Key Party Rejoins Pakistan’s Coalition

Salman Masood and J. David Goodman

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A key political party reversed course and rejoined the government Friday, salvaging the fragile coalition of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani…

Britain Raises Terror Alert Level, Reports Say

Alan Cowell

LONDON — Police officers armed with automatic weapons and accompanied by bomb-sniffing dogs stepped up patrols at airports on Friday amid reports that the terror alert for transportation hubs in Britain had been raised.

NPR Executive Who Fired Juan Williams Resigns

Elizabeth Jensen

Ellen Weiss, the senior vice president for news at NPR whose quick firing of the senior news analyst Juan Williams last October ignited a political and public relations firestorm, resigned Thursday at the end of an internal investigation into the dismissal.

Illinois House Votes to Abolish Death Penalty

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois House has approved a plan to abolish capital punishment in a whirlwind reversal on a historic vote.

House Reading of Constitution Is Not Without Issues

Jennifer Steinhauer

Setting the tone for the 112th Congress — in which every House bill must cite the constitutional source of its authority — members of the House of Representatives began to read the United States Constitution aloud from the chamber’s floor on Thursday morning.

Russians React Badly to U.S. Criticism on Protests

Ellen Barry

MOSCOW — There are few things that Russian politicians like less than being scolded about democracy and human rights…

CNN

Obama taps Gene Sperling as new head of economic council

CNN Wire Staff

President Barack Obama announced several new members of his economic team Friday as the administration trumpeted a falling unemployment rate.

Poll: Do Americans want new health care law repealed?

Paul Steinhauser

By a 46 to 40 percent margin, Americans want their representative in the House to vote to repeal the new health care law, according to a new national poll.

Government review of televangelists' finances released

Eric Marrapodi

The result of a Senate committee's long-awaited review of media-based ministries has finally been released.

Pelosi blasts 'hypocrisy' of new members

Gabriella Schwarz

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is now part of the minority party in Congress, but don't expect her to be introspective after the November losses.

Trump on report he will run in 2012

CNN Political Unit

Asked about a report he is telling friends he will run for President in 2012, Donald Trump told CNN's Chief National Correspondent John King that "a lot of people" are asking him to run for the Republican nomination, but would only say he is "seriously considering" the possibility.

'Birther' disrupts reading of the Constitution

Evan Glass

The reading of the Constitution on the floor of the House of Representatives was going smoothly Thursday morning, that is until someone in the visitors gallery shouted aloud when the subject of presidential eligibility was read.

December jobs report: Unemployment rate at 9.4%

Annalyn Censky

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- High hopes for December's employment numbers were dashed Friday, when the Labor Department reported disappointing job gains for the month. But the unemployment rate took a surprising dive.

USA Today8 dead, 3 wounded in Honduras bus shooting

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Gunmen killed four women and four children, including an 18-month boy, and wounded three others Thursday in an attack on a minibus in Honduras, officials said.

New tactics give pirates an edge

Jim Michaels

Two years after international forces dispatched a flotilla of warships to counter piracy around the Horn of Africa, attacks on merchant ships are rising again.

Southern Sudanese in U.S. to vote on independence

Clint Brewer

NASHVILLE — Thousands of Southern Sudanese immigrants will cast votes in eight U.S. cities starting Sunday to decide whether their region of the country will part ways with northern Sudan and its government.

Study: Blacks less likely to have living wills, medical directives

Janice Lloyd

Nearly two-thirds of nursing home patients have advance directives, documents allowing people to make end-of-life decisions when they might not be able to speak for themselves, a government study shows.

Facebook called to do more to prevent suicides signaled by users

An Internet safety expert is calling for Facebook to take more direct steps to intervene in potential suicide cases signaled by users of the popular social network.

U.S. says too much fluoride in water

ATLANTA (AP) — Fluoride in drinking water — credited with dramatically cutting cavities and tooth decay — may now be too much of a good thing. Getting too much of it causes spots on some kids' teeth.

Disturbing videos show attacks on disabled victims

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Videos anonymously delivered to authorities show men sexually assaulting at least 10 severely handicapped women, sheriff's officials said Thursday.

Bristol Palin offered job by Phoenix radio station

Bristol Palin, who bought a five-bedroom house in Maricopa, Ariz., now has a job offer to go with her new digs.

Piers Morgan books Oprah as first guest; bans Madonna forever

Let's start taking bets now: Will Piers Morgan reduce Oprah to tears?

LA Times

House votes to bring healthcare repeal to floor for debate

Michael Muskal

The House of Representatives on Friday votes to bring the repeal of the healthcare overhaul to the floor for formal debate.

Cost of healthcare repeal put at $230 billion

Noam N. Levey

The Congressional Budget Office's latest analysis on the effect a repeal of the overhaul would have on the federal deficit may pose a challenge to GOP efforts to dismantle the law. House Speaker John Boehner dismisses the estimate.

Bacteria devoured methane from gulf oil spill, study shows

Eryn Brown

The finding surprises scientists, who say the gas was consumed much more quickly than expected.

Politico

Health care repeal vote set for Wednesday

Jennifer Haberkorn

Four Democrats joined House Republicans on Friday on the first procedural vote setting up next week’s debate to repeal Obama’s health care reform law.

Comcast, NBC round up Hill support

Tony Romm

The hotly debated Comcast-NBC Universal merger may be near the finish line, but that hasn’t deterred both companies from reaching out to scores of Democrats and Republicans in pursuit of additional last-minute support.

Pentagon seeks $120B in war funds

David Rogers

The Pentagon is expected to seek in the range of $120 billion for overseas war costs next year, a significant drop from 2011 but still a stubborn strain on deficit-reduction efforts.

Harry Reid: GOP stealing from middle class

Shira Toeplitz

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid blasted House Republicans Thursday for their plan to repeal the health care law passed last year, pointing to a report that shows such a move will run up the deficit.

John Edwards denies reports that he is engaged to Rielle Hunter

Ben Smith and Jennifer Epstein

John Edwards is denying a report that he’s going to marry longtime mistress Rielle Hunter, a source close to the former North Carolina senator tells POLITICO.

The Huffington Post – Most Popular

Birds Dying In Italy: Thousands Of Turtle Doves Fall Dead From Sky

Travis Walter Donovan

On Wednesday, GeaPress reported hundreds -- possibly thousands -- of dead and dying birds in Italy.

Two House Republicans Missed Swearing In While At A Fundraiser In The Capitol, Violating Constitution On Day It Was Read

Ryan Grim

WASHINGTON -- Two House Republicans have cast votes as members of the 112th Congress, but were not sworn in on Wednesday, a violation of the Constitution on the same day that the GOP had the document read from the podium.

Huck Finn Expurgated And Other Censored Books (PHOTOS)

Since news broke that a new edition of Mark Twain's classic book "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" would be published next month with every instance of the N-word replaced by "slave," a horde of readers, scholars and concerned people have spoken in outrage. Yet this is not the first time expurgated books have made their way to the public.

Reynaldo Dagsa, Filipino Official, Caught His Own Murder Suspect On Camera (VIDEO)

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine police investigating the New Year's Eve shooting death of a local councilman did not have to look further than the last photograph the victim took. That photo led to the arrest of two suspects.

TBD

Todd Belok, dismissed from GWU ROTC over a kiss, celebrates DADT repeal

Amanda Hess

In the fall of 2008, George Washington University freshman Todd Belok was pledging campus fraternity Beta Theta Pi, training with the university's Navy ROTC program, and openly dating his boyfriend.

Manatees die of 'cold chill'; same condition behind the Bay fish kill

John Metcalfe

What's more depressing than 2 million dead baby fish (pictures below)? Try 279 floating manatees – and not floating in the good way.

Slate

How Conservatives Could Revive the Public Option

Adam D. Chandler and Luke Norris

When Judge Henry Hudson ruled last month that part of President Obama's signature health care reform law was unconstitutional, he gave conservatives a big boost.

William Daley, the president's pragmatic new chief of staff, shows the White House's new approach.

John Dickerson

Last spring, when President Obama was considering whether to fire Gen. Stanley McChrystal, his top Afghanistan commander, some wondered whether the president really believed in the underlying counterinsurgency strategy that McChrystal was pursuing.

Which country has the simplest taxation system?

Jeremy Singer-Vine

In her annual report to Congress delivered Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service's ombudswoman urged lawmakers to simplify the federal tax code.