Nation/world at noon

NEW & DEVELOPING
— JOURNEY TO JUPITER — Looks like a windmill, but powered by the sun: Juno spacecraft to launch for Jupiter on Friday. AP photo.
— CASEY ANTHONY — Judge signs order that could require Casey Anthony to serve probation for fraudulent checks. Will be updated.
— CLEVELAND-BODIES FOUND — As sentencing phase in 11 Ohio murders begins, jury hears about his attempted rape conviction. Will be updated.
— BLAGOJEVICH TRIAL — Status hearing starts at noon.
— ASTEROID MISSION — News conference is scheduled for noon.
TOP STORIES
DEBT SHOWDOWN
WASHINGTON — A crisis-conquering deficit-reduction agreement struck by the White House and congressional leaders after months of partisan rancor picks up momentum in the Senate, as a member of the Republican leadership predicted at least 30 GOP votes. By Andrew Taylor.
AP photos, videos. An interactive about the debt showdown has been updated with the latest developments.
DEBT SHOWDOWN-ANALYSIS
WASHINGTON — The newly struck debt-ceiling compromise between President Barack Obama and the Republican leaders of Congress represents a historic accomplishment of divided government, with all the disappointment that implies for the most ardent partisans inside the two major parties and out. By Special Correspondent David Espo.
— DEBT SHOWDOWN-BUDGET CUTS — New estimate says debt and budget bill to save at least $2.1 trillion.
A separate advisory has been sent highlighting comprehensive coverage of the debt showdown.
SYRIA
BEIRUT — Syrian troops keep up attacks on the restive city of Hama, the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a day after a brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters killed at least 70 and drew harsh rebukes from the U.S. and Europe. By Bassem Mroue.
AP photos, video. An interactive about the ongoing uprisings and protests across the Middle East and North Africa has been updated with the latest developments.
— SYRIA-DIPLOMACY — European Union expands sanctions against Syria, targets five more military and government officials. AP photo.
— YEMEN — Yemeni government airstrikes kill 15 militants in southern Abyan province, officials say. AP photos.
ECONOMY
WASHINGTON — Manufacturing activity barely grew in July, falling to the weakest level since just after the recession ended. By Business Writer Daniel Wagner.
AP photos.
— CONSTRUCTION SPENDING — Construction spending grows for third consecutive month in June but remains at depressed levels. AP photos.
— WORLD MARKETS — World markets fret over U.S. economy after weak manufacturing survey despite apparent debt deal. AP photos.
FREE BIRTH CONTROL
WASHINGTON — Health insurance plans must cover birth control as preventive care for women, with no copays, the Obama administration says in a decision with far-reaching implications for health care as well as social mores. By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar.
AP photos planned.
— PLANNED PARENTHOOD-LAWSUIT — Federal judge blocks Kansas law stripping Planned Parenthood chapter of federal funding.
EAST AFRICA-FAMINE
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Muslims around the world mark sundown during the holy month of Ramadan with extravagant dinners to break their daily fasts. That kind of nighttime celebration is unthinkable this year for most Somalis, who already are suffering empty stomachs during the worst famine in a generation. By Abdi Guled and Malkhadir M. Muhumed.
AP photos.
INTERNATIONAL
EGYPT
CAIRO — Troops backed by armored vehicles and hundreds of riot police fire shots in the air and use clubs to clear activists who had been camped in Cairo’s Tahrir Square for weeks to demand justice for those behind the killing of protesters during Egypt’s uprising. By Sarah El Deeb.
AP photos.
CHINA-INFLATION PROTESTS
BEIJING — Nearly 1,000 cab drivers in eastern China block traffic and protest over a lack of government intervention into rising fuel costs. It is the latest sign of discontent over the country’s surging inflation.
LIBYA-FRONT-LINE TOWN
NALUT, Libya — For months, this front-line community in range of Moammar Gadhafi’s rockets was a town of men — rebel fighters, doctors, drivers. Women and children were sent to safety in nearby Tunisia. Now Nalut is slowly coming back to life. Thousands of refugees, their belongings crammed into the backs of pickup trucks, are returning, lured by the prospect of safety after rebel fighters pushed back government forces and freed Nalut from the threat of shelling. By Karin Laub.
AP photos.
— NORWAY-MASSACRE — Norway prime minister appeals for civil tone in political debate following massacre by anti-Muslim gunman. AP photos.
— GREECE-FAR RIGHT — Greece increases security at Muslim sites after Norway massacre.
— ITALY-IMMIGRANTS DEAD — Italian coast guard finds 25 migrants dead below decks of wildly overcrowded boat from Libya.
— AFGHANISTAN — Afghan governor condemns NATO airstrike he says killed 4 police in northeast Nuristan.
WASHINGTON
OBAMA-TURNING 50
WASHINGTON — Turning 50 is hard enough. But it’s got to be even harder when you’re president, because the whole world knows about it, and harder still when one of life’s milestones is overshadowed by a nasty tussle with Congress over money. Well, too bad for President Barack Obama. That’s exactly how the big 5-0 is shaping up for him. By Darlene Superville.
AP photos.
NATIONAL
SEPT 11-SUMMER CAMP
MIDDLEBURG, Va. — For the last four years, dozens of children of people who died in the Sept. 11 attacks have gathered every summer for a one-of-a-kind camp. Project Common Bond brings together the offspring of 9/11 victims with other teenagers who’ve lost parents to acts of terror around the world. Losing a parent in such a public way can leave children feeling isolated, but that when they meet at the camp, they often feel an instant connection, organizers say. This year’s camp includes participants from 10 countries, including, for the first time, Russia and Sri Lanka. By Ben Nuckols.
AP photos.
GAY MARRIAGE-POLITICS
NEW YORK — Same-sex marriage might seem like a straightforward issue: You’re for it or against it. Yet for the field of Republican presidential hopefuls, it’s proving to be an awkward topic as public attitudes change and more states legalize gay unions, the latest being New York. By National Writer David Crary.
AP photos.
REVAMPING VICTORVILLE
VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Once a boomtown where housing came cheap, this remote desert city far east of Los Angeles is now a poster child for an economic hangover that just won’t quit: One in 59 homes is in foreclosure and unemployment hovers near 14 percent. Yet residents see an end to their tale of woe in the misfortunes of others. By Gillian Flaccus.
AP photos, video.
SCIENCE
ASTEROID MISSION
LOS ANGELES — Scientists are busy sifting through images of the massive asteroid Vesta taken by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft. The Dawn spacecraft last month slipped into orbit around the 330-mile-wide rocky body with little fanfare and began beaming back incredible details of the pockmarked surface that resembles Earth’s moon. By Alicia Chang.
AP photo.
BUSINESS
BRITAIN-HSBC
LONDON — British banking group HSBC says it will cut 30,000 jobs worldwide by 2013 and sell almost half its retail bank branches in the U.S., part of a new strategy to focus on fast-growing emerging markets. By Meera Selva.
AP photo.
ENTERTAINMENT
GOLDEN GLOBES DISPUTE
LOS ANGELES — “And the right to broadcast the Golden Globe Awards goes to...” A federal judge may complete that proclamation this week — no ripping of a secret envelope required — possibly altering the future of one of Hollywood’s major award shows. By Entertainment Writer Anthony McCartney.
AP photo.
GETTING ATTENTION
— GAP-FALL CAMPAIGN — Gap’s first campaign with new management focuses on giving their jeans a back story. AP photos.
— DB COOPER — FBI investigates “credible” D.B. Cooper lead; tip comes 40 years after hijacker jumped from jet. AP photo.
— BRITAIN-AMY WINEHOUSE — Family of Amy Winehouse in talks to set up drug rehab center in her memory. AP photos.
— RUSSIA-TORNADO — Russia’s Far East region declares emergency in the wake of deadly tornado. AP video.
— NASSAU COLISEUM REDEVELOPMENT — Voters in New York suburb to decide on whether to back $400 million bond issue for new hockey arena.
— FOUND MONEY — Officials reveal nearly $21,000 as amount of money found on Ohio road earlier this year.