TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Many Libyans appear to back Gaddafi
Six days into the allied bombardment of Libyan military targets, it is clear that Moammar Gaddafi can count on the fierce loyalties of at least a significant segment of the population.
(By Liz Sly)
Pressure builds on Obama to clarify mission in Libya
President Obama’s move to join other nations in intervening militarily in Libya appears to have generated confusion — both as to the scope of the mission and to its ultimate end.
(By Karen Tumulty)
States target jobless benefits
Michigan moved to cut its unemployment program, becoming the first of what could be a flurry of states to reduce benefits despite troubling jobless rates.
(By Peter Whoriskey and Michael A. Fletcher)
D.C.’s black majority status slips away
New census data show that African Americans were barely more than 50 percent of the city last year.
(By Carol Morello and Dan Keating)
Arizona sends Duke packing
Derrick Williams scores 25 of his team’s 38 points in the first half to keep the Wildcats in it, and his teammates chip in during a second-half runaway to bounce the West Region’s top seed.
(By Eric Prisbell)
POLITICS
Alliance assumes command of no-fly zone in Libya, leaving hefty role for US air and sea power
WASHINGTON — NATO agreed to take over command of the newly established no-fly zone over Libya, but the alliance’s new role doesn’t allow the U.S. to make a quick exit from the costly military operation as the Obama administration had wanted.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
As America competes with China for global influence, US foreign aid programs face budget ax
WASHINGTON — U.S. efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the developing world are a likely casualty of the budget battles dominating Washington’s politics, as chunks of the foreign aid program face the ax.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
As a military superpower, the US is finding it hard to pass off lead role on Libya to others
WASHINGTON — For decades, the United States has been the go-to power for other Western nations for leading international military endeavors. Now it is struggling to shed that image as it tries to dial back its role in confronting Libya, but it’s been a rocky path.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Obama to celebrate Greek Independence Day with a White House reception
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will host a White House reception Friday in honor of Greek Independence Day.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Mich. man accused of leaving explosive in U.S. building
A Michigan man with a history of bizarre rants and threats against the FBI was charged Thursday with trying to use an explosive to damage a federal building in downtown Detroit, authorities said.
( by Ed White , The Washington Post)
STYLE
Mia Feuer’s magnetic ‘Stress Cone’
For “Stress Cone,” the latest of a recent series of Washington shows by the Canadian-born artist — and her first solo exhibit with Conner Contemporary — Mia Feuer gestures toward subtlety.
( by Kriston Capps , The Washington Post)
On Hill, good news for media business
Congress is journalism’s growth industry: Just about everywhere you look, news sites and publications are adding more reporters to cover it.
( by Paul Farhi , The Washington Post)
Perfectly low-key
Christine Brewer’s recital at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater showed off her powerful voice but was also just an enjoyable evening.
( by Anne Midgette , The Washington Post)
‘Book of Mormon’ deserves to be worshiped
The marvel of “The Book of Mormon” is that even as it profanes some serious articles of faith, its spirit is anything but mean. The ardently devout and comedically challenged are sure to disagree. Anyone else should excitedly approach the altar of Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez and expect to drink from a cup of some of the sweetest poison ever poured.
( by Peter Marks , The Washington Post)
Blue Man Group at Warner Theatre
The Blue Man Group has a lot of techno stuff in its new show, but the classics for which the group is known are far more inventive and rewarding.
( by Celia Wren , The Washington Post)
SPORTS
Thursday's Sports In Brief
SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds’ trial was a lot like high school chemistry and biology class Thursday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Replacement of storm-damaged Metrodome roof in downtown Minneapolis to begin Friday
MINNEAPOLIS — For the first time in its 29-year history, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis will get a new roof.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
McLaren's Button and Hamilton fastest on 1st day of practice for F1 Australian GP
MELBOURNE, Australia — Jenson Button needed less than 1½ minutes to wipe away McLaren’s winter testing of discontent and assert the team as a prime contender for Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Sweet Ducky's trainer says horse could still run in Kentucky Derby
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Sweet Ducky’s trainer says the 3-year-old’s performance in the UAE Derby on Saturday will likely determine whether he runs in the Kentucky Derby.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Tennessee says better defense needed after 'wake-up call' from Marquette in NCAA tournament
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s second-round win over Marquette was a little too close for comfort, so the Lady Vols had a team meeting this week to discuss what needs to change to make a Final Four run.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
WORLD
Debt-stressed Portugal seeks political consensus amid deepening financial crisis
LISBON, Portugal — Portugal’s president is meeting with political parties as he searches for ways to ease the debt-heavy country’s acute financial crisis.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
More than 100 villagers in eastern China suffer lead poisoning from nearby battery plant
BEIJING — A state news agency says more than 100 villagers in eastern China have been poisoned by lead emissions from a battery plant built in a residential area.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Syrian city calm after weeklong, deadly crackdown; more protests planned
DARAA, Syria — Security forces appear to be trying to reduce tension in a Syrian city where authorities launched a deadly, weeklong crackdown on protesters.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Airstrikes hit Gadhafi forces outside besieged city; France declares airspace 'under control'
BENGHAZI, Libya — France declared Libya’s airspace “under control” on Friday, after NATO agreed to take command of the no-fly zone in a compromise that appeared to set up dual command centers and possibly new confusion. Coalition warplanes struck Moammar Gadhafi’s forces outside the strategic eastern gateway city of Ajdabiya.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
15 Indian pilots lose licenses for exaggerating flying time during training
NEW DELHI — Indian authorities have canceled the licenses of 15 commercial pilots for exaggerating their flying time while training.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
LIVE DISCUSSIONS
What the Census Says About DC
Roderick J. Harrison will discuss what the latest U.S. Census Bureau reports reveal about DC.
(, vForum)
The TV Column Live with Lisa de Moraes
TV columnist Lisa de Moraes takes questions about drama, comedy, and heartbreak in the world of television.
(, vForum)
Home Front: Design advice from Jura Koncius and Terri Sapienza
Susan Battle, who owns the Point of it All, Washington's premier needlepoint shop, joins the weekly chat.
(, vForum)
Celebritology Live
Join Celebritology blogger Jen Chaney to gab about the latest celebrity gossip and pop culture news making waves across the Web.
(, vForum)
Celebritology Live
Join Celebritology blogger Jen Chaney to gab about the latest celebrity gossip and pop culture news making waves across the Web.
(, vForum)
BUSINESS
German business confidence slips back after 9-month rise
BERLIN — A closely watched survey shows that German business confidence has slipped from a two-decade high as managers’ optimism for the coming six months has waned.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Portugal sinks on financial markets, EU leaders strengthen anti-crisis bailout fund
BRUSSELS — European Union leaders are poised to sign off on details to give a bailout fund more financial muscle to help support financially troubled members of the euro.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
NYC marks 100th anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire with ceremony at site
NEW YORK — New Yorkers are marking the 100th anniversary of the worst industrial accident in city history — the deadly Triangle Shirtwaist fire — with a ceremony at the site where 146 garment workers died.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
World stock markets higher following better US employment figures and gains on Wall Street
BANGKOK — World shares rose Friday after Wall Street advanced on news of an improving U.S. job market and higher corporate earnings, although an ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan and Western military action in OPEC-member Libya suggested an uneasy road ahead.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
BP shares fall after deal with Russia's Rosneft blocked by arbritation tribunal
LONDON — Shares in BP have opened lower in London, a day after an arbitration panel ruled against the company’s planned $8 billion share swap and Arctic exploration deal with Russia’s OAO Rosneft.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Many Libyans appear to back Gaddafi
Six days into the allied bombardment of Libyan military targets, it is clear that Moammar Gaddafi can count on the fierce loyalties of at least a significant segment of the population.
(By Liz Sly)
Pressure builds on Obama to clarify mission in Libya
President Obama’s move to join other nations in intervening militarily in Libya appears to have generated confusion — both as to the scope of the mission and to its ultimate end.
(By Karen Tumulty)
States target jobless benefits
Michigan moved to cut its unemployment program, becoming the first of what could be a flurry of states to reduce benefits despite troubling jobless rates.
(By Peter Whoriskey and Michael A. Fletcher)
D.C.’s black majority status slips away
New census data show that African Americans were barely more than 50 percent of the city last year.
(By Carol Morello and Dan Keating)
Arizona sends Duke packing
Derrick Williams scores 25 of his team’s 38 points in the first half to keep the Wildcats in it, and his teammates chip in during a second-half runaway to bounce the West Region’s top seed.
(By Eric Prisbell)
POLITICS
Alliance assumes command of no-fly zone in Libya, leaving hefty role for US air and sea power
WASHINGTON — NATO agreed to take over command of the newly established no-fly zone over Libya, but the alliance’s new role doesn’t allow the U.S. to make a quick exit from the costly military operation as the Obama administration had wanted.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
As America competes with China for global influence, US foreign aid programs face budget ax
WASHINGTON — U.S. efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the developing world are a likely casualty of the budget battles dominating Washington’s politics, as chunks of the foreign aid program face the ax.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
As a military superpower, the US is finding it hard to pass off lead role on Libya to others
WASHINGTON — For decades, the United States has been the go-to power for other Western nations for leading international military endeavors. Now it is struggling to shed that image as it tries to dial back its role in confronting Libya, but it’s been a rocky path.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Obama to celebrate Greek Independence Day with a White House reception
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will host a White House reception Friday in honor of Greek Independence Day.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Mich. man accused of leaving explosive in U.S. building
A Michigan man with a history of bizarre rants and threats against the FBI was charged Thursday with trying to use an explosive to damage a federal building in downtown Detroit, authorities said.
( by Ed White , The Washington Post)
STYLE
Mia Feuer’s magnetic ‘Stress Cone’
For “Stress Cone,” the latest of a recent series of Washington shows by the Canadian-born artist — and her first solo exhibit with Conner Contemporary — Mia Feuer gestures toward subtlety.
( by Kriston Capps , The Washington Post)
On Hill, good news for media business
Congress is journalism’s growth industry: Just about everywhere you look, news sites and publications are adding more reporters to cover it.
( by Paul Farhi , The Washington Post)
Perfectly low-key
Christine Brewer’s recital at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater showed off her powerful voice but was also just an enjoyable evening.
( by Anne Midgette , The Washington Post)
‘Book of Mormon’ deserves to be worshiped
The marvel of “The Book of Mormon” is that even as it profanes some serious articles of faith, its spirit is anything but mean. The ardently devout and comedically challenged are sure to disagree. Anyone else should excitedly approach the altar of Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez and expect to drink from a cup of some of the sweetest poison ever poured.
( by Peter Marks , The Washington Post)
Blue Man Group at Warner Theatre
The Blue Man Group has a lot of techno stuff in its new show, but the classics for which the group is known are far more inventive and rewarding.
( by Celia Wren , The Washington Post)
SPORTS
Thursday's Sports In Brief
SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds’ trial was a lot like high school chemistry and biology class Thursday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Replacement of storm-damaged Metrodome roof in downtown Minneapolis to begin Friday
MINNEAPOLIS — For the first time in its 29-year history, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis will get a new roof.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
McLaren's Button and Hamilton fastest on 1st day of practice for F1 Australian GP
MELBOURNE, Australia — Jenson Button needed less than 1½ minutes to wipe away McLaren’s winter testing of discontent and assert the team as a prime contender for Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Sweet Ducky's trainer says horse could still run in Kentucky Derby
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Sweet Ducky’s trainer says the 3-year-old’s performance in the UAE Derby on Saturday will likely determine whether he runs in the Kentucky Derby.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Tennessee says better defense needed after 'wake-up call' from Marquette in NCAA tournament
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s second-round win over Marquette was a little too close for comfort, so the Lady Vols had a team meeting this week to discuss what needs to change to make a Final Four run.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
WORLD
Debt-stressed Portugal seeks political consensus amid deepening financial crisis
LISBON, Portugal — Portugal’s president is meeting with political parties as he searches for ways to ease the debt-heavy country’s acute financial crisis.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
More than 100 villagers in eastern China suffer lead poisoning from nearby battery plant
BEIJING — A state news agency says more than 100 villagers in eastern China have been poisoned by lead emissions from a battery plant built in a residential area.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Syrian city calm after weeklong, deadly crackdown; more protests planned
DARAA, Syria — Security forces appear to be trying to reduce tension in a Syrian city where authorities launched a deadly, weeklong crackdown on protesters.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Airstrikes hit Gadhafi forces outside besieged city; France declares airspace 'under control'
BENGHAZI, Libya — France declared Libya’s airspace “under control” on Friday, after NATO agreed to take command of the no-fly zone in a compromise that appeared to set up dual command centers and possibly new confusion. Coalition warplanes struck Moammar Gadhafi’s forces outside the strategic eastern gateway city of Ajdabiya.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
15 Indian pilots lose licenses for exaggerating flying time during training
NEW DELHI — Indian authorities have canceled the licenses of 15 commercial pilots for exaggerating their flying time while training.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
LIVE DISCUSSIONS
What the Census Says About DC
Roderick J. Harrison will discuss what the latest U.S. Census Bureau reports reveal about DC.
(, vForum)
The TV Column Live with Lisa de Moraes
TV columnist Lisa de Moraes takes questions about drama, comedy, and heartbreak in the world of television.
(, vForum)
Home Front: Design advice from Jura Koncius and Terri Sapienza
Susan Battle, who owns the Point of it All, Washington's premier needlepoint shop, joins the weekly chat.
(, vForum)
Celebritology Live
Join Celebritology blogger Jen Chaney to gab about the latest celebrity gossip and pop culture news making waves across the Web.
(, vForum)
Celebritology Live
Join Celebritology blogger Jen Chaney to gab about the latest celebrity gossip and pop culture news making waves across the Web.
(, vForum)
BUSINESS
German business confidence slips back after 9-month rise
BERLIN — A closely watched survey shows that German business confidence has slipped from a two-decade high as managers’ optimism for the coming six months has waned.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Portugal sinks on financial markets, EU leaders strengthen anti-crisis bailout fund
BRUSSELS — European Union leaders are poised to sign off on details to give a bailout fund more financial muscle to help support financially troubled members of the euro.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
NYC marks 100th anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire with ceremony at site
NEW YORK — New Yorkers are marking the 100th anniversary of the worst industrial accident in city history — the deadly Triangle Shirtwaist fire — with a ceremony at the site where 146 garment workers died.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
World stock markets higher following better US employment figures and gains on Wall Street
BANGKOK — World shares rose Friday after Wall Street advanced on news of an improving U.S. job market and higher corporate earnings, although an ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan and Western military action in OPEC-member Libya suggested an uneasy road ahead.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
BP shares fall after deal with Russia's Rosneft blocked by arbritation tribunal
LONDON — Shares in BP have opened lower in London, a day after an arbitration panel ruled against the company’s planned $8 billion share swap and Arctic exploration deal with Russia’s OAO Rosneft.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
