PERFECT FORMATION
The U.S. and Royal Malaysian Navy vessels KD Lekir, guided-missile frigate USS Ford and KD Sri Inderapura sail in formation during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2008, July 14, 2008. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises involving the United States and several Southeast Asian nations designed to build relationships and enhance operational readiness. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Brian Brannon

Labels: CARAT, frigate, KD Lekir, KD Sri Inderapura, photos, Royal Malaysian Navy, ships, US Navy, USS Ford

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Trim Reaper: Streamlined Killer Drone Begins Combat Operations in Iraq
International Olympic Committee Bans Iraq From Beijing Games
Surge Successful By Any Measure, Pentagon Official Says

Operation Enduring Freedom
Once media-shy Taliban go hi-tech in propaganda war

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Canada panel finds for man falsely linked to 9/11
Blasts at Gaza cafe, politician's house: Hamas
2002 Justice memo OKs CIA interrogation tactics

Other Military News
Missile Crew Falls Asleep (oops)
Pentagon agency faulted for jeopardizing ID data

Worldwide Wackos
Iran ends cooperation with UN nuclear arms probe

Politics / Government
Obama Casts Self as World Citizen - PHOTOS (Nauseating and scary. I prefer my President to consider himself an American citizen, thanks)
FNC Poll: No Bounce for Obama From Trip - POLL(pdf)
FNC Poll: Obama Treated Better by the Press?
Rock star welcome
Comment: Can the U.S. repair ties?
Obama presses for Afghanistan
Blog: An appeal to U.S. Berliners
Should Your Vote Still Count if You’re Dead? (Um...how 'bout NO)
Senate on course to vote Saturday on housing bill
Rice shares shopping, life tips Down Under
Three Spitzer aides charged in NY ethics probe
Rice shares shopping, life tips Down Under
McCain takes swipe at Obama for Berlin speech
Congress sends Bush expanded global AIDS program
Video: Following the campaign
WTO talks live another day, little progress so far
McCain visits German restaurant — in Ohio
NZ students offer cash for "arrest" of U.S.'s Rice
Rice: Pakistan must do more at border
AP Exclusive: Secret Service wants more money
GOP kills effort to release oil from US stockpile
Giuliani's son sues Duke over golf team dismissal
Election loss deals crushing blow to UK's Brown

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Grandma to 911: 'Dead Body' Smell
Grandmother of Missing Caylee Anthony Disputes Decomposition Claims
Police: Missing Texas Teen May Be With Sex Offender
Burglary Suspect to Minnesota Cops: 'Dude, I Can't Talk, I'm Being Chased by the Police'
Two Toddlers Die in Cars in Eerily Similar Cases of Fathers Forgetting Them
Stolen Guatemalan Baby Found Just Before Adoption by U.S. Couple
Cops: Parent Showed Teens Porn at Boy Scout Camp
Two Sentenced to Prison for NBA Betting Scandal
Cops: Suspected Gang Members Fatally Shot Girl, 8
3 Shot at Phoenix Community College; Man in Custody
Ex-Con Gets Life for Gruesome 19-Hour Rape
Virginia executes man for killing of co-worker

U.N. News
New UN Military Adviser Takes Up Post Amid Surge in Peacekeeping

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
Microsoft "done" with Yahoo
Microsoft to expand Facebook ad pact
Exec who led Yahoo bid leaving
Proxy firms split on Yahoo's board
Blog: Microsoft's next online chief

Science / Medicine and Health / Technology
Pittsburgh Cancer Center Warns of Risk From Cell Phone Use
OMG: Police Nab N.C. Suspect Using Text Messages
AMERICA'S FUTURE: Debating Adult Treatments for Kids
Hidden Earpiece: 'Give 'Em the Backhand, Honey!'
Maine wages fight against toxic chemicals
New material could help stretch a gallon of gas
13 extra years
Drugs, condoms needed to stop HIV
Meditation slows AIDS progression
Congress sends Bush AIDS program
Test urged before using AIDS drug
Parasitic worms may help fuel AIDS
High energy costs boost green homes
New satellite to help track ocean salt levels
Video: Gas guzzlers see
Scientists learn what makes Northern Lights flare
Safety of cloned animal products uncertain: EU agency
Time to drop cable television? Not so fast
Batman fans get chance to fight with their hero
Video: UK file pirates to face the music
US fentanyl deaths topped 1,000 over 2 years
Scientists recover complete dinosaur skeleton
NASA Successfully Tests Parachute for Ares Rocket, NASA's Johnson Space Center

Mother Nature
South Texas begins cleanup after Hurricane Dolly
Flooding feared along U.S.-Mexico border from Dolly - Video (Geez, I hope it doesn't slow down the drug gangs and illegal immigrants...)
Dolly insurance bill under $750 million
AEP Texas outages exceed 200,000
Factbox: Dolly's impact on oil
Valuable seagrass faces global warming threat
New U.S. group defends ethanol in food vs fuel fight
Faroe whales show new pollutant spreads worldwide

News from My Neck of the Woods
Massachusetts Woman Commits Suicide Before Home Foreclosure
Mass. Touts Success of Mandatory Health Insurance

Oddities
Judge Makes Girl, 9, Ward of the Court to Rid Her of 'Talula Does the Hula' Name
Russian Miners Too Terrified to Work After Bears Eat 2 Colleagues
Ex-Astronaut: Aliens Are Real and NASA Knows It
'Radioactive' Woman Shuts Down Airport Terminal
Three children jailed for armed holdup
Mafia godfather's daughter ties knot in Corleone
Peru wants jail for nude woman using flag as saddle
Underwear chicken dare puts man in hospital
Don't ask Olympic tourists' age or wage or . . .
Video: And Finally... Bridal Boot Camp.
Peacock hitches ride with pair along Pa. roadway
Boy, 11, bites pit bull to fend off attack

Other News of Note
USGS: Arctic Holds 90B Barrels of Oil
Federal minimum wage rises to $6.55 today

Fox News
FOXBusiness: Existing-Home Sales Tumble 2.6 Percent
Pop Tarts: Kim Kardashian to Be Pussycat Doll
Improbably Divine: 10 Unconventional Religious Artifacts
Christian Bale Calls Incident 'Deeply Personal'; Sister Reportedly Asked for Money

Reuters
Video: Home sales at 10-year low
Homeowners optimistic about prices
Housing legislation no magic wand
Wall Street tumbles, led by financials
On the rebound
Target needs tougher talk on paying less
Self-help guide for consumers
FDIC: Your deposit insurance rights
Waiting for the bottom
Tough road to recovery
The lure of merchant cash advances
JP Morgan, NAB discuss breakup of UK's HBOS: report
Wachovia CFO Wurtz to leave
Samsung Elec Q2 net disappoints, outlook grim
Exxon, BHP approve $1.3 billion Australia Turrum project
Toyota to boost new Prius output by 70 percent: report
Lone Star raised $10 billion funds: source
Clear Channel shareholders OK $17.9 billion buyout
Genentech committee reviewing Roche offer
Hollywood actors union faces internal rift
"Idol's" Simon Cowell voted top reality TV villain
Rapper DMX denies theft charges, sings at court
Backstreet Boys at work on new album, solo discs
Rapper Lil Wayne sued for Stones copyright breach
Maria von Trapp returns to "Sound of Music" home
Travel Postcard: 48 hours in Istanbul
Age takes glow off women's happiness: study
U.S., European homeowners optimistic about prices: poll
Reproductive tourism a growing worry, experts say
Mets beat Phillies to go top of NL East
Nadal and Djokovic ease into Toronto quarters, Roddick out
Beckham inspires MLS all-stars to win over West Ham
Weir, Kim and Axley share lead at soggy Glen Abbey
U.S. swimmer Hardy begins doping appeal

Associated Press
'Twilight' fans camp out for a peek (and a scream)
Packers might postpone Favre's jersey retirement
Okla. crane fall kills man watching construction
Amy Adams engaged to acting-class sweetie
Crow: Not working with Fleetwood Mac anytime soon

News Blaze
Ironhorse Tracker Radio Newscast Available
Raider BCT logistics leaders rally with ISF, Iraqi officers assess supply system
Soldiers' Angels and Patriot Guard
Iraq News
Operations in Iraq
FOB Warhorse Memorial Photos
Videos

CENTCOM
Government, security improvements lead to drop in violence
Airport provides travel, economic boost to Najaf
Iraqis gain responsibility for security in Qadasiyah
Mullen: Timeline for drawdown would be dangerous
Gates: Pakistan must do better job near border

USJFCOM
Noble Resolve 08's information sharing integrating event commences next week
More about Noble Resolve
Coalition exercise examines improving combat identification
Conference to foster medical advancements in Anbar province
Business grows in Ramadi with USJFCOM-provided task force assistance
Task Force Ramadi helping to restore water in the desert
USJFCOM demonstration aims to enhance combat identification amongst coalition forces
USJFCOM hosts Keystone course for command senior enlisted leaders - podcast
New USJFCOM-funded close air support capability takes off at China Lake - podcast

Multi-National Force - Iraq
Wolfhounds, GoI Work to Rebuild Education
Salah ad Din Province Sees More Than 1,100 Former Fighters Reconcile
Iraqi Army Confiscates Two Tons of HME
ISF detain suspects, seize weapons cache in central Iraq
ISF detain suspected terrorist, eight others in separate operations
ISOF detain eight suspected terrorists, two others in Mosul
Female suicide bomber attack kills eight, wounds 15 (Diyala Province)
MND-B Soldiers confirm rocket site, detain known terrorist, 4 suspects
SoI, Iraqi citizens, MND-B Soldiers take weapons off streets of Rashid

DefenseLink
TOP NEWS
Gates Assesses Air Force Basic Training Initiatives
Bush Meets With Gates, Joint Chiefs
Gates: Order Reflects American Values - Photos - Video

MILITARY NEWS
In-Theater Observers Bring Home Lessons
Marksman Soldiers Prepare for Olympics
Army Wrestler to Compete in Olympics

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Glamour Finds Troop Support Volunteer

IRAQ NEWS
New Trucking Companies Improve Iraqi Economy
Forces Disrupt Al-Qaida in Babil Province
Oil Exports Highlight Iraqi Navy’s Security Role
Coalition, Iraqi Forces Detain Five, Find Weapons

AFGHANISTAN NEWS
Afghan Governor Speaks at Alma Mater's Opening
Coalition, Afghan Forces Kill Groups of Armed Militants

FACE OF DEFENSE
Face of Defense: Neurologist Brings Important Skills to Iraq
Soldier Continues Jujitsu in Iraq

Weather
Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Germany
Ansbach Aschaffenburg Berlin Berlin-Tempelhof Berlin/Schonefeld Bremerhaven
Darmstadt Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Freiburg/Breisgau Garmisch
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Geilenkirchen Gelnhausen Giessen Kitzingen
Hanau Am Main Heidelberg Mainz Mannheim Nurnberg Stuttgart Trier
Wiesbaden Wurzburg

Gitmo

Guam
Agana Agana Heights Agat Andersen AFB Asan Barrigada

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Japan
Kadena Air Base Okinawa Tokyo Yokohama

Today in History
1360 - Jews are expelled from Breslau, Silesia.
1670 - Jews are expelled from Vienna, Austria.
1759 - The British capture Fort Niagara (from French - Seven Years' War)
1775 - Maryland issues currency that depicts King George III trampling the Magna Carta.
1814 - Americans defeat the British at the Battle of Niagara Falls (Lundy's Lane).
1866 - Ulysses S. Grant is named the first General of the Army.
1868 - The Territory of Wyoming is created.
1898 - The first U.S. troops land and occupy Puerto Rice, at Guanica Bay.
1943 - Benito Mussolini is dismissed as premier of Italy.
1944 - The Messerschmitt 262 becomes the first jet fighter used in combat
1946 - At a Paris fashion show, the first bikini makes its debut.
1947 - The USAF, USN and the War Department form the U.S. Department of Defense; the U.S. Department of the Army is created;
1952 - The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is formed (Constitution Day).
1957 - In Tunisia, the monarchy is abolished in favor of a republic.
1963 - The U.S., Russia and England sign nuclear test ban treaty.
1973 - The U.S.S.R. launches Mars 5.
1981 - Voyager 2 encounters Saturn.
1983 - In San Antonio, TX, a baboon is the first nonhuman primate conceived in a lab dish.
1987 - The U.S.S.R. launches Kosmos 1870, a 15-ton Earth-study satellite.

Birthdays
1575 - Christoph Scheiner, astronomer
1775 - Anna Symmes Harrison, First Lady
1840 - Flora Adams Darling, founder of the Daughters of the American Revolution
1848 - Arthur Earl Balfour, British PM (1902-05) (Balfour Declaration)
1884 - Davidson Black, doctor of anatomy (identified Peking Man)
1924 - Frank Church (Sen-ID)
1954 - Walter Payton, NFL running back (Chicago Bears)
1978 - Louise Brown Oldham, world's first "test tube baby" (England).

Passings
1616 - Andreas Libavius, German alchemist
1934 - Engelbert Dollfuss, Austrian chancellor, assassinated by Nazis
1959 - Dr. Isaac Halevi Herzog, chief rabbi of Israel (1936-59)
1987 - Malcolm Baldrige, Secretary of Commerce

Reported Missing in Action
1967
Davis, Donald V., USN (NC); A4E shot down, died in captivity, remains returned 1997, ID'd April, 1998

Jarvis, Jeremy M., USAF (MI); F4C shot down (backseater to Lunsford)

Lunsford, Herbert L., USAF (MS); F4C shot down (pilot)

1968
Brown, Paul G., USMCR (MA); A6A shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive as of 1998

Fant, Robert, USN (SC); F4J shot down (RO), released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Commander - alive and well as of 1998

Parish, Charles C., USN (VA); F4J shot down (pilot), believed KIA, body not recovered

1970
Gregory, Paul Anthony, USN (VA); F4J shot down, KIA, body not recovered

Labels: Headlines, History