TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Petraeus would helm an increasingly militarized CIA
If confirmed as the next director of the CIA, Gen. David Petraeus would effectively take command of a third war — in Pakistan.
(By Greg Miller and Greg Jaffe)
Leon Panetta: From CIA to Pentagon
What Panetta would bring with him to the Pentagon are two critical skill sets: how to play power politics, and how to manage huge sums of taxpayer money.
(By Craig Whitlock)
‘Birthers’ unlikely appeased
President Obama’s effort to quell enduring suspicion about his place of birth “raises far more questions than it answers,” says one of the leading figures in the “birther”controversy.
(By Joel Achenbach)
Fatah and Hamas reach accord
Jolted by upheavals across the Middle East, Palestinian rivals say they would work together.
(By Joel Greenberg)
‘Move Your Body’ — to the voting booths?
As Beyonce releases a dance video for the first lady’s fitness agenda, some wonder if the Obamas’ associations to pop stars will reenergize young voters.
(By Chris Richards)
POLITICS
Gen. Petraeus to move from Afghanistan war command to CIA, step onto political stage
WASHINGTON — Army Gen. David Petraeus — who’s credited with turning around the war in Iraq and is close to turning a corner in Afghanistan — is about to take command of America’s spy agency and edge his way onto the political scene.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
New titles, same faces as Obama reshuffles national security team with eye on continuity
WASHINGTON — Reshuffling his national security team at a crucial time, President Barack Obama is aiming for maximum continuity, installing road-tested players steeped in his policies on diplomacy and war.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
More than 200 people on US terror watch list were able to legally buy firearms in 2010
WASHINGTON — More than 200 people suspected of ties to terrorism bought guns in the U.S. last year legally, FBI figures show.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Tapped for Pentagon, budget-cutting expert Panetta faces calls for slashing defense spending
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s choice of expert budget-cutter Leon Panetta to lead the Defense Department is a clear signal that the White House perceives the nation’s deficit crisis, not the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as its toughest challenge.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Montgomery police protest proposed cuts
Dozens of Montgomery County police officers staged a subdued protest Monday outside the home of the county executive.
( by Michael Laris , The Washington Post)
STYLE
Miss Manners: Facebook’s impersonal touch
A Gentle Reader writes: Facebook has become the central means of communications among people that I know, and it seems archaic to opt out. I can’t help getting offended and sad by its crudeness, though.
(, United Media)
What to watch on TV
TV highlights for Thursday: “American Idol,” royal wedding coverage, “The Office” and more.
(, The Washington Post)
TXT 2 cheat?
Has technology made cheating easier?
(, The Washington Post)
Wednesday whiplash from watching TV
There are days when what you see unfold before you on TV and insta-media is so bizarre and flabbergasting that it makes your head hurt.
( by Hank Stuever , The Washington Post)
$286K project starts on residence on Bannerman's Castle island in NY's Hudson River
POLLEPEL ISLAND, N.Y. — Stabilization work has begun on a Hudson River island dominated by the imperiled ruins of a high-walled castle.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
SPORTS
Durant scores 41 as Thunder overcome late deficit to close out Nuggets 100-97
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant had no interest in making a return trip to Denver, and nothing was going to keep him from getting his way.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Second round set; Bruins, Lightning pull out 1-goal wins in pair of Game 7 thrillers
The Boston Bruins were on the verge of another playoff disappointment when Nathan Horton — unfamiliar with postseason pain — rescued them in overtime.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Federal judge says no to NFL's request to put lockout lifting on hold as court fight continues
MINNEAPOLIS — The federal judge who lifted the NFL lockout has denied the league’s request to put her ruling on hold.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Uncertainty that usually surrounds NFL draft now compounded by labor developments
NEW YORK — Nick Fairley had to admit it. He’s starting to get nervous.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Suazo lifts Monterrey, ends Salt Lake's dream run in CONCACAF Champions League final
SANDY, Utah — Real Salt Lake was hoping for a breakthrough. Monterrey had history on its side.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
WORLD
William, Kate say kindness of many during engagement was "incredibly moving"
LONDON — Prince William and Kate Middleton say they have been deeply touched by the affection they have felt from many people since they became engaged.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Israeli FM: Israel will not negotiate with Palestinian government that includes Hamas
JERUSALEM — Israel’s foreign minister warned on Thursday that Israel will not negotiate with a new Palestinian unity government that includes the Hamas militant group.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Chinese state newspaper says US pressure over human rights will undermine dialogue
BEIJING — China will never allow the U.S. to dictate political reforms and any American pressure over human rights will torpedo talks on such issues, a Communist Party-run newspaper said Thursday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Lovesick Indian man beheads woman in front of horrified classmates at eastern school
PATNA, India — Police say that a man armed with a large knife beheaded an 18-year-old woman at her school in front of her horrified classmates in eastern India.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Bomb hits Pakistan navy bus, killing 5
A roadside bomb hit a bus taking Pakistani navy employees to work in Karachi on Thursday, killing five people in the third such attack this week and just days after the army chief claimed to have “broken the backbone” of militants.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Royal Wedding, Correspondents' dinner, celebrity gossip and more: Celebritology Live
Join Celebritology blogger Jen Chaney to gab about the latest celebrity gossip and pop culture news making waves across the Web.
(, vForum)
D.C.'s big stories: Lunchline's Clinton Yates breaks them down
Clinton Yates is a news junkie and pop culture fanatic who scours The Washington Post and its partner sites every weekday to find the gems that you want to read but don't have time to search for.
(, vForum)
Severe weather hitting D.C.: The Weather Gang Lab with Jason Samenow
Capital Weather Gang's Jason Samenow digs into this week's big weather story. Join the chat to find out what will happen -- and why.
(, vForum)
'Missing Missy, ' paying with spider drawings and more: Humorist David Thorne and his Internet playground
Join author David Thorne on Thursday, April 28, at noon ET, as he takes your questions on his new book, his Internet jokes and what it's like to be interviewed by Oprah.
(, vForum)
Is Trump Really A Democrat? GOP Consultant discusses
GOP consultant and former Capitol Hill aide Ron Bonjean talks about Trump's true political leanings, donations and strategies.
(, vForum)
BUSINESS
Honda quarterly profit drops 38.3 percent due to production slumps after tsunami
TOKYO — Honda Motor Co. said Thursday its quarterly profit dropped 38.3 percent due to a slump in car production following last month’s earthquake and tsunami.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Friendster ditches nearly a decade's worth of memories in makeover to escape Facebook's shadow
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Faded social networking site Friendster will soon delete nearly a decade’s worth of user photos, blog entries and other data in a revamp to set it apart from Facebook, a company official said Thursday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk's first-quarter profit grows 23 percent to $802 million
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S says first-quarter net profit grew 23 percent to 4.07 billion kroner ($802.1 million) on strong sales.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
NYSE Euronext says first quarter profit helped by sharply higher trading volumes
PARIS — Stock exchange operator NYSE Euronext says net profit rose 19 percent in the first quarter thanks to sharply higher trading volumes on its U.S. and European platforms which offset increased costs related to its proposed merger with German rival Deutsche Boerse.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Japan factory output, consumer spending plummet in March as disasters cast pall over economy
TOKYO — Japan’s factory production and consumer spending both fell the most on record in March as the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters sent the country’s halting economic recovery into reverse.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Petraeus would helm an increasingly militarized CIA
If confirmed as the next director of the CIA, Gen. David Petraeus would effectively take command of a third war — in Pakistan.
(By Greg Miller and Greg Jaffe)
Leon Panetta: From CIA to Pentagon
What Panetta would bring with him to the Pentagon are two critical skill sets: how to play power politics, and how to manage huge sums of taxpayer money.
(By Craig Whitlock)
‘Birthers’ unlikely appeased
President Obama’s effort to quell enduring suspicion about his place of birth “raises far more questions than it answers,” says one of the leading figures in the “birther”controversy.
(By Joel Achenbach)
Fatah and Hamas reach accord
Jolted by upheavals across the Middle East, Palestinian rivals say they would work together.
(By Joel Greenberg)
‘Move Your Body’ — to the voting booths?
As Beyonce releases a dance video for the first lady’s fitness agenda, some wonder if the Obamas’ associations to pop stars will reenergize young voters.
(By Chris Richards)
POLITICS
Gen. Petraeus to move from Afghanistan war command to CIA, step onto political stage
WASHINGTON — Army Gen. David Petraeus — who’s credited with turning around the war in Iraq and is close to turning a corner in Afghanistan — is about to take command of America’s spy agency and edge his way onto the political scene.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
New titles, same faces as Obama reshuffles national security team with eye on continuity
WASHINGTON — Reshuffling his national security team at a crucial time, President Barack Obama is aiming for maximum continuity, installing road-tested players steeped in his policies on diplomacy and war.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
More than 200 people on US terror watch list were able to legally buy firearms in 2010
WASHINGTON — More than 200 people suspected of ties to terrorism bought guns in the U.S. last year legally, FBI figures show.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Tapped for Pentagon, budget-cutting expert Panetta faces calls for slashing defense spending
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s choice of expert budget-cutter Leon Panetta to lead the Defense Department is a clear signal that the White House perceives the nation’s deficit crisis, not the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as its toughest challenge.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Montgomery police protest proposed cuts
Dozens of Montgomery County police officers staged a subdued protest Monday outside the home of the county executive.
( by Michael Laris , The Washington Post)
STYLE
Miss Manners: Facebook’s impersonal touch
A Gentle Reader writes: Facebook has become the central means of communications among people that I know, and it seems archaic to opt out. I can’t help getting offended and sad by its crudeness, though.
(, United Media)
What to watch on TV
TV highlights for Thursday: “American Idol,” royal wedding coverage, “The Office” and more.
(, The Washington Post)
TXT 2 cheat?
Has technology made cheating easier?
(, The Washington Post)
Wednesday whiplash from watching TV
There are days when what you see unfold before you on TV and insta-media is so bizarre and flabbergasting that it makes your head hurt.
( by Hank Stuever , The Washington Post)
$286K project starts on residence on Bannerman's Castle island in NY's Hudson River
POLLEPEL ISLAND, N.Y. — Stabilization work has begun on a Hudson River island dominated by the imperiled ruins of a high-walled castle.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
SPORTS
Durant scores 41 as Thunder overcome late deficit to close out Nuggets 100-97
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant had no interest in making a return trip to Denver, and nothing was going to keep him from getting his way.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Second round set; Bruins, Lightning pull out 1-goal wins in pair of Game 7 thrillers
The Boston Bruins were on the verge of another playoff disappointment when Nathan Horton — unfamiliar with postseason pain — rescued them in overtime.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Federal judge says no to NFL's request to put lockout lifting on hold as court fight continues
MINNEAPOLIS — The federal judge who lifted the NFL lockout has denied the league’s request to put her ruling on hold.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Uncertainty that usually surrounds NFL draft now compounded by labor developments
NEW YORK — Nick Fairley had to admit it. He’s starting to get nervous.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Suazo lifts Monterrey, ends Salt Lake's dream run in CONCACAF Champions League final
SANDY, Utah — Real Salt Lake was hoping for a breakthrough. Monterrey had history on its side.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
WORLD
William, Kate say kindness of many during engagement was "incredibly moving"
LONDON — Prince William and Kate Middleton say they have been deeply touched by the affection they have felt from many people since they became engaged.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Israeli FM: Israel will not negotiate with Palestinian government that includes Hamas
JERUSALEM — Israel’s foreign minister warned on Thursday that Israel will not negotiate with a new Palestinian unity government that includes the Hamas militant group.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Chinese state newspaper says US pressure over human rights will undermine dialogue
BEIJING — China will never allow the U.S. to dictate political reforms and any American pressure over human rights will torpedo talks on such issues, a Communist Party-run newspaper said Thursday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Lovesick Indian man beheads woman in front of horrified classmates at eastern school
PATNA, India — Police say that a man armed with a large knife beheaded an 18-year-old woman at her school in front of her horrified classmates in eastern India.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Bomb hits Pakistan navy bus, killing 5
A roadside bomb hit a bus taking Pakistani navy employees to work in Karachi on Thursday, killing five people in the third such attack this week and just days after the army chief claimed to have “broken the backbone” of militants.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Royal Wedding, Correspondents' dinner, celebrity gossip and more: Celebritology Live
Join Celebritology blogger Jen Chaney to gab about the latest celebrity gossip and pop culture news making waves across the Web.
(, vForum)
D.C.'s big stories: Lunchline's Clinton Yates breaks them down
Clinton Yates is a news junkie and pop culture fanatic who scours The Washington Post and its partner sites every weekday to find the gems that you want to read but don't have time to search for.
(, vForum)
Severe weather hitting D.C.: The Weather Gang Lab with Jason Samenow
Capital Weather Gang's Jason Samenow digs into this week's big weather story. Join the chat to find out what will happen -- and why.
(, vForum)
'Missing Missy, ' paying with spider drawings and more: Humorist David Thorne and his Internet playground
Join author David Thorne on Thursday, April 28, at noon ET, as he takes your questions on his new book, his Internet jokes and what it's like to be interviewed by Oprah.
(, vForum)
Is Trump Really A Democrat? GOP Consultant discusses
GOP consultant and former Capitol Hill aide Ron Bonjean talks about Trump's true political leanings, donations and strategies.
(, vForum)
BUSINESS
Honda quarterly profit drops 38.3 percent due to production slumps after tsunami
TOKYO — Honda Motor Co. said Thursday its quarterly profit dropped 38.3 percent due to a slump in car production following last month’s earthquake and tsunami.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Friendster ditches nearly a decade's worth of memories in makeover to escape Facebook's shadow
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Faded social networking site Friendster will soon delete nearly a decade’s worth of user photos, blog entries and other data in a revamp to set it apart from Facebook, a company official said Thursday.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk's first-quarter profit grows 23 percent to $802 million
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S says first-quarter net profit grew 23 percent to 4.07 billion kroner ($802.1 million) on strong sales.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
NYSE Euronext says first quarter profit helped by sharply higher trading volumes
PARIS — Stock exchange operator NYSE Euronext says net profit rose 19 percent in the first quarter thanks to sharply higher trading volumes on its U.S. and European platforms which offset increased costs related to its proposed merger with German rival Deutsche Boerse.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
Japan factory output, consumer spending plummet in March as disasters cast pall over economy
TOKYO — Japan’s factory production and consumer spending both fell the most on record in March as the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters sent the country’s halting economic recovery into reverse.
( Associated Press Associated Press , AP)
