The CNN Washington Bureaus morning speed read of the top stories making news from around the country and the world. WASHINGTON/POLITICAL For the latest political news: www.CNNPolitics.com CNN: Obama to sign bill approving $600 million for border security President Barack Obama will sign a bill Friday that provides $600 million in emergency funding to help

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POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: August 13, 2010

Watch out, Heathcliff: There’s a rat out there bigger than you. Or at least there was. Just a couple of thousand years ago, the world’s largest rat scuttled about Southeast Asia.

Link:
Discovered: The biggest rat that ever lived

Birmingham, Al   (WIAT)  Is Joran van der Sloot and his world wide disrepute funny?  You’d have a hard time making that case to the family and friends of Mountain Brook teen Natalee Holloway who disappeared on a graduation trip to Aruba five years ago.  The prime suspect in the case…Joran van der Sloot.  Natalee was last seen with van der Sloot but he has never been charged despite being …

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Is there anything funny about Joran van der Sloot?

*New Orleans, LA Known as The Party With A Purpose, the Essence Music Festival has become the largest and most influential African American family festival & empowerment conference and concert in the world. And the 2010 version did not disappoint the thousands of concertgoers who poured into the Big Easy from July 2-4, 2010.

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Audreys Society Whirl: Janet Jackson brings the sexy back to 16th annual Essence Music Festival

Friday marks a year since Michael Jackson died at age 50.  Memorial services are scheduled around the world including one at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. And later at 5:26 p.m. -the time Jackson was declared dead-the Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network will hold a moment of silence.

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Michael Jackson Death Anniversary