Reagan-Appointed Judge Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban  —  Chuck Donovan of the Heritage Foundation denounces Judge Vaughn Walker for “extreme judicial activism” and “judicial tyranny” in striking down California's Proposition 8, which barred gay people from marrying.

An August Surprise from Obama?  —  Main Street may be about to get its own gigantic bailout.  Rumors are running wild from Washington to Wall Street that the Obama administration is about to order government-controlled lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive a portion of the mortgage debt …

Briton held for wearing a bikini in Dubai shopping mall after fight with Arabic woman  —  A British holidaymaker has been charged with indecency in Dubai after walking through the world's largest shopping centre in a bikini.  —  The woman was buying clothes and gifts in the Dubai Mall …

Google and Verizon in Talks on Selling Internet Priority  —  WASHINGTON — Google and Verizon, two leading players in Internet service and content, are nearing an agreement that could allow Verizon to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content's creators are willing to pay for the privilege.

Gibbs dismisses Missouri vote against federal health insurance mandate  —  White House press secretary Robert Gibbs flatly dismissed Missouri's vote Tuesday rejecting a key part of the healthcare law.  —  Gibbs said Missouri's vote approving a ballot initiative to exempt residents …

White House Statement on Proposition 8  —  A White House statement regarding Wednesday's ruling overturning Proposition 8 said President Barack Obama had spoken out against the measure because it was “divisive and discriminatory.”  —  A White House spokesperson sent the following statement …

Todd S. Purdum's big question of Obama's presidency: Can he play the game, yet transcend the game?  - GPG hires top Republican - How Malia used her one phone call from camp  —  BULLETIN — Michael Hastings, the Rolling Stone contributing editor who wrote “The Runaway General,” tells Mika …

Caroline Giuliani's Shoplifting Bust: Updated x 2  —  Here's what we've got on the shoplifting bust of Caroline Giuliani, by our Police Bureau Chief, Rocco Parascandola.  —  The Ivy Leaguer daughter of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani was busted Wednesday afternoon for trying to get a five-finger discount …

Marcela Hoeven Bikini Scandal?  —  North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven is 47 points ahead in a Senate campaign that is, by all odds, the closest thing to a surefire pick-up for Republicans this fall.  And yet it appears that there are some fiendish Democrats who hope that “family values” …

New CNN poll on birther myth  —  CNN has released a new poll on the birther myth and the news, as usual, is depressing.  Only 42% of the public thinks Obama was “definitely born in the United States” and 27% of Americans specifically stated that President Obama was “probably” or “definitely” born in another country.

Senate Vote Clears Way for $26 Billion in Aid to States  —  WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday cleared the way to provide $10 billion to states and local school districts to prevent teacher layoffs and an additional $16 billion in federal aid to cash-strapped states, and the Speaker …

Obama offers Iran an opening on engagement  —  President Obama put the issue of negotiating with Iran firmly back on the table Wednesday in an unusual White House session with journalists.  His message was that even as U.N. sanctions squeeze Tehran, he is leaving open a “pathway” for a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue.

Diversity Debate Engulfs Hunter High in Manhattan  —  With one of its alumnae, Elena Kagan, poised for confirmation as a justice on the United States Supreme Court, it should be a triumphant season for Hunter College High School, a New York City public school for the intellectually gifted.

Next D.C. career: blogger relations  —  Not only is the blogosphere changing how voters consume information, it's also creating new jobs in politics, policy and online communications consulting.  Although there is still no formal job description for “blogger relations” staffers …