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TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Huntsman joins race
Jon Huntsman Jr. officially launched his White House bid Tuesday morning in New Jersey, with the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor in the background.
(By Nia-Malika Henderson)

From feared Taliban to peace promoter
Afghanistan has asked that Maulvi Qalamuddin and 19 others be removed from a sanctions list.
(By Pamela Constable)

How parents and residents view D.C. schools
For the first time in more than decade, a majority of D.C. public school parents give the system positive marks, according to a new Washington Post and Kaiser Family Foundation poll.
(By Bill Turque and Scott Clement)

New graphic cigarette warnings unveiled
The federal government unveils new images that the FDA will require to appear on cigarette packs, cartons and advertisements.
(By Rob Stein)

Pentagon renovation is complete
After 17 years, the job to renovate the Pentagon is complete. Little remains to be done but the paperwork closing out the $4.5 billion program.
(By Steve Vogel)

POLITICS
Obama to set course for drawing down Afghan war, 10K troops likely to be cut within the year
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will set the course for drawing down the U.S. war in Afghanistan on Wednesday, when he is expected to announce plans to bring roughly 10,000 American troops home in less than a year.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

DC's Metro to mark anniversary of 2009 crash that killed 9 people with wreath-laying ceremony
WASHINGTON — The Washington area Metro system is marking the anniversary of the 2009 train crash that killed a train operator and eight passengers with a wreath-laying ceremony.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Government says China's inflation should rise still higher in June as food costs surge
BEIJING — China’s surging inflation should rise again this month after flooding damaged crops and pushed up food costs, the government said Wednesday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

House GOP women defend party against 'anti-women' battle cry ahead of 2012 elections
WASHINGTON — An early skirmish for women’s votes in 2012 has broken out in the House — among women. A prominent Democrat fired the first shot by claiming that majority Republicans are waging a “war on women.” And now, Republican women are returning fire by raising their profiles, making clear what they stand for and, implicitly, who they are not: Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

House GOP women defend party against 'anti-women' battle cry ahead of 2012 elections
WASHINGTON — Women in Congress are waging an early skirmish in the 2012 election — for the votes of women.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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STYLE
Hints From Heloise: Club waffles
Heloise reprints her recipe featuring club soda instead of milk.
(, King)

Ask Amy: Airline passengers decline to recline
I just returned from an overseas flight on which the person seated behind me did not allow me to recline my seat. This problem seems to come up every time I fly.
(, Tribune Media Service)

Dealing with teenagers of few words
When her sons were in school it did no good to ask how their day went, so she came up with other questions.
(, The Washington Post)

Sade, reluctantly back in the spotlight
With her 2010 album “Soldier of Love,” the great sphinx of modern R&B makes her first public moment since finishing off a world tour in 2001 and retreating to her home in Glouces­ter­shire, England, to give her young daughter Ila her undivided attention.
( by Chris Richards , The Washington Post)

Sashes and singers add up for NBC
NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” helped it win the ratings competition last week.
(, The Washington Post)

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SPORTS
Tuesday's Sports In Brief
TORONTO — Dwane Casey was hired as coach of the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, nine days after the Dallas assistant helped the Mavericks win an NBA title.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Suns praise Fredette but sorely need power forward
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns are part of the Jimmer Fredette buzz if the dynamic BYU scorer extraordinaire is available at the No. 13 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. Perhaps a more likely scenario has the Suns going for a power forward to bulk up a weak front line.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

With star players returning, UNC poised for run at another NCAA title
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams knows what teams have the potential to win an NCAA title.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Masterton Trophy finalist Laperriere keeps positive outlook after concussion ends his career
PHILADELPHIA — Ian Laperriere was dazed, his blood squirting all over the ice.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Done Deal: NHL owners give green light for Thrashers to leave Atlanta and move to Winnipeg
NEW YORK — If ticket sales and optimism count, the former Thrashers franchise is going to do a whole lot better in Winnipeg than it ever did in 13 years in Atlanta.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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WORLD
Anonymous websites to report bribery prove wildly popular in China until the censors step in
BEIJING — Fed up with the endless payoffs and bribes endemic in China, public relations consultant Chen Hong ripped off an idea from India: set up a website to let people post anonymous tips on official bribery. It proved wildly popular — and short-lived.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Security officials: At least 40 al-Qaida militants escape southern Yemeni prison
SANAA, Yemen — At least 40 al-Qaida militants escaped from prison Wednesday in the latest sign that Yemen’s political upheaval has emboldened them to challenge authorities in the country’s nearly lawless south.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Philippines says US obliged to defend Filipino forces if they're attacked in disputed Spratlys
MANILA, Philippines — U.S. forces are obliged to help defend Filipino troops, ships or aircraft under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if they come under attack in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, Philippine officials said, citing past American assurances.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Syria foreign minister denies Iran, Hezbollah helping put down unrest
BEIRUT — Syria’s foreign minister has denied that Iran and Hezbollah are helping the regime put down unrest.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

China tells Libya rebel leader that both sides should stop fighting, seek political settlement
BEIJING — China’s foreign minister has told Libya’s rebel leader that his Transitional National Council represents a growing segment of the Libyan public and is becoming a major political force in the country.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

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LIVE DISCUSSIONS
NBA Draft Recap: Wizards Pick and More
Dan Steinberg of the D.C. Sports Bog takes questions on the Washington Wizards and the NBA draft.
(, vForum)

Obama's novel definition of 'hostilities': Opinion Focus with Eugene Robinson
Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson discusses his recent columns and the latest news in a live Q&A.
(, vForum)

D.C. Metro union leader chats with concerned riders
D.C. Metro union leader discusses first town-hall meeting, rider concerns
(, vForum)

What are Democrats doing to create jobs? Sen. Harry Reid answers your questions
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will be online on Wednesday, June 22 at 2 p.m. ET to talk about ongoing Democratic efforts on job creation.
(, vForum)

Seventeen years of Pentagon renovations: Steve Vogel discusses the history and more
After nearly 17 years, the job to renovate the Pentagon is complete. Join National reporter Steve Vogel as he chats about the renovations, the history of the Pentagon, why the renovations took so long and more.
(, vForum)

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TECHNOLOGY
85 Percent Of Firefox Users Have Installed Add-ons (Oh, And Firefox 5 Is Ready, Too)

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

FriendFeed Lives On: Tornado 2.0 Released

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Sony Ericsson looks to grab more of smartphone market with 2 new Android models
SINGAPORE — Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson has unveiled two new Android models in a bid to grab more of the burgeoning smartphone market.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Nokia Integrates NAVTEQ With New ‘Location & Commerce’ Business, Closes Accenture Outsourcing Deal

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

Watch Conan O’Brien Do The Lark Dance

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

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BUSINESS
Nippon Airways expects first Boeing 787s in August or September after long delay
LE BOURGET, France — All Nippon Airways says it expects to receive the first of its much-delayed Boeing 787 wide-bodied jets in August or September.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

85 Percent Of Firefox Users Have Installed Add-ons (Oh, And Firefox 5 Is Ready, Too)

( by TechCrunch.com , TechCrunch.com)

FACT CHECK: Huntsman takes a pass on hype and the usual excesses of Obama-bashing in GOP debut
WASHINGTON — Was Utah really judged to have the best managed government in the nation, as former Gov. Jon Huntsman claimed?
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Seeking sweeping cuts, negotiators in budget talks are tempted by gimmickry
WASHINGTON — Negotiators seeking to carve trillions of dollars from the deficit are facing temptation to use iffy assumptions and outright gimmickry to exaggerate the size of spending cuts to accompany any increase in the government’s ability to borrow to stay afloat.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)

Asian markets rise after Greek vote raises hopes financial woes can be managed; Europe down
BANGKOK — World stock markets were mixed Wednesday as optimism that debt-laden Greece might avoid default wore off amid a profit warning from a European electronics giant.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)