Strauss-Kahn Accuser's Call Alarmed Prosecutors  —  Twenty-eight hours after a housekeeper at the Sofitel New York said she was sexually assaulted by Dominique Strauss-Kahn, she spoke by phone to a boyfriend in an immigration jail in Arizona.  —  Investigators with the Manhattan district …

Maria Shriver Files for Divorce from Arnold  —  TMZ has learned Maria Shriver has pulled the trigger on her marriage ... she just filed for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger ... and we've learned, there is NO PRENUP.  —  In the divorce petition, obtained by TMZ, Shriver cites …

U.S. opposes Mexican's execution  —  Making the unusual move of trying to stop a state execution, the Obama Administration on Friday afternoon urged the Supreme Court to delay temporarily the scheduled execution in Texas next Thursday of a Mexican national, Humberto Leal Garcia …

White House releases staffers' salaries  —  The top earners in the Obama White House take home $172,200 a year, according to figures posted on whitehouse.gov Friday afternoon.  —  Twenty-one administration officials earn the top salary, including Chief of Staff Bill Daley …

Herman Cain's top Iowa staff resigns  —  A few days after two senior aides in New England, the other shoe drops on Herman Cain in Iowa: … Cain spokeswoman Ellen Carmichael told POLITICO a few days ago that the New Hampshire staff would be replaced in short order.

Obama: We can't afford to keep every tax break  —  President Obama used his weekly address to reiterate his demand for ending tax breaks for “millionaires and billionaires” in any budget deal to raise the nation's debt limit.  —  “It would be nice if we could keep every tax break, but we can't afford them,” Obama said.

Laura D'Andrea Tyson Can't Possibly Be Treasury Secretary  —  I've heard some chatter that were Timothy Geithner to step down, Laura Tyson might replace him as Treasury Secretary but it's clear from what she's wrote today that she's far too sensible to be confirmed: … Crazy talk.

Sarah Palin Sneak Preview: The Agony of The Undefeated  —  ​There was an advance screening last night of The Undefeated, the new film by Stephen K. Bannon that traces the rise of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin from her early years as mayor of Wasilla to John McCain's 2008 Vice-Presidential candidate …

Pawlenty Raises $4.2 Million, Ron Paul Collects $4.5 Million in Quarter  —  Former Republican Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty raised about $4.2 million during the second quarter in his bid for the White House, his campaign announced Friday afternoon.  That number is respectable …

Pro Perry effort hires former Newt staffer in Iowa  —  The group “Americans for Rick Perry,” which made headlines in the last two days for trying to light a fire for the Texas governor in the form of support at the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa next month, is making hires - including a top former Newt Gingrich staffer, sources told POLITICO.

Weapons linked to controversial ATF strategy found in Valley crimes  —  PHOENIX - Weapons linked to a questionable government strategy are turning up in crimes in Valley neighborhoods.  —  For months the ABC15 Investigators have been searching through police reports and official government documents.

Official Calls For Riverside, 12 Other Counties To Secede From California  —  RIVERSIDE (CBS) — Is the state of California about to go “South”?  —  Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone apparently thinks so, after proposing that the county lead a campaign for as many as 13 Southern California counties to secede from the state.

Why Mark Halperin Is a D—k  —  The political commentator erred in speaking disrespectfully of the president.  His far greater sin: being so cowed by conservatives that he's offended by Obama's mild poke at the GOP.  —  Here's why Mark Halperin is a disgrace.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE  —  Message to the Department of Defense from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta  —  “Today, I was honored to take the oath of office to become the 23rd Secretary of Defense.  I am mindful of the great responsibility the President has entrusted to me, and I will work with you …

GOP Snub Scuttles Trade-Deal Hearing  —  WASHINGTON—Republicans boycotted a key Senate hearing Thursday on three pending free-trade deals amid a political row over whether to renew a 50-year-old program that helps workers who lose their jobs as a result of trade agreements.

The Social Security Benefit Cut in the Debt Limit Talks  —  One of the more insidious possibilities in a debt limit deal is the use of something called “chained CPI,” which would result in changes to how the government calculates the annual cost of living adjustment.