Holy $155 million, Batman! Obama kicks it with Karzai. Speaking of Obama, Maliki likes how he thinks. Treasury Secretary: "Hold on bitches, it's gonna get worse!" US and Iran: The new Paris and Nicole? Probably not. But they are talking. Dolly. Now more than just a cloned sheep or kick-ass country idol. It's hot. Surprise. ...

Former Texas Senator and McCain economic advisor Phill Gramm told the Washington Times on Wednesday that the economy is merely in a state of “mental recession” and that the United States has become a “nation of whiners.”...

Six dead as gunmen open fire outside the US Consulate in Turkey Iran test-fires long-range missles capable of reaching Israel Barack Obama regrets allowing his daughters to be interviewed by "Access Hollywood" Doctors group recommends cholesterol drugs for children as young as eight Jailed polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs taken to a Las Vegas hospital Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat/Bruno) pulls cage fighting prank on Arkansas crowd Matthew McConaughey names his son Levi. From the......

More talk of the coming recession: "The question is not whether we will have a recession, but how deep and prolonged it will be." Meanwhile, Austin's economy may be uniquely positioned among the nation's cities to withstand a potential recession....

The week's news on arts, books, film and music....

It seems most of the Republican candidates are bent on showing Iran the gates of Hell. The Onion editor is moving to Moveon.org. What the deuce? Kerry endorses Obama and no one cares, except Edwards. 6th Street between Brazos and Congress still closed due to oil spill. A what? Bush is desperately trying to make some kind of positive impression before being dismissed as the worst president in our history. Too little, too late......

You might have thought that our former governor and current President was too busy defending his stance on Iran yesterday to do much else. But you would think wrong! Dubya made time to talk to daughter Jenna as she recorded her appearance on Ellen Degeneres' show (the show will air today). It seems strange that at a time when his approval numbers are so low the audience would be so excited to hear from him.......

Intelligence reports now reveal that Iran is *not* making a nuclear bomb. Remains to be seen whether this will make a difference to Bush, who just doesn't like the cut of their jib. Damn! What is it with the Senate and thirteen-year-old boys? Brad Pitt, perhaps in a contest with Angie to see who can adopt the most people, takes the entire Lower Ninth Ward under his wing. Two popular musicians were recently murdered......

Hillary plants one again, this time at the Republican debate. Broadway re-opens tonight. The newly proposed tuition hike brings about protests from the UT student body. Family lawyer claims "Baby Grace" was murdered for not saying "Please" or "Yes, sir". Iran is cracking down on rap music. Half of immigrants in Texas are illegal. We may be late on this one, but has anyone seen the man that is turning into a tree? Click......

Photo by clickykbd on flickr Two state pension fends haven't yet divested from Iran, even though Perry asked them to. Kelso takes on Hyde Park Baptist Church's treatment of the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries Thanksgiving service. Mother of weekend murder victim is still missing. Drivers of both vehicles involved in Burnet County wreck this morning died at the scene. UK organization working with Texas law enforcement officers to set up Trace.com, which keeps records of......

Apparently everyone thinks Clinton shined in last nights presidential debate, but the best sound bite came from Rep. Dennis Kucinich who said, "Impeach now!" U.S. envoy arrives to pressure Pakistani president into admitting defeat. A cyclone that slammed into Bangladesh's coast has killed at least 426 people. The Senate has blocked a Democratic proposal to pay for the Iraq war but require that troops start coming home. Iran is still shady about their nuclear......

Chemical spill closed highway in Williamson County for a good part of the day today. Perry defends the expensive rent for his Barton Creek-area temporary home, saying, "Texas ain't Arkansas." Man arrested at the border for a murder committed 13 years ago in Northeast Austin. Shocker: Secretary of State expects low voter turnout for this constitutional amendment election. Supposed chupacabra discovered in Cuero found to be just a coyote. "Get out of Iraq .......

UN issues their Global Environmental Outlook report, GEO-4, while population blogs about Britney Spears' new tattoo. The U.S. dollar continues its downward spiral. Wildfires continue in California, but firefighters say they are gaining ground. Iran remains defiant in the face of new U.S. imposed sanctions to prevent their nuclear dream. Supreme Court of Georgia frees teen in controversial sex case. Texas gas prices are up for the second week in a row. Astronauts begin......

Last Friday in Houston, a young girl brought a loaded 9mm pistol to school and started pointing it at people. She is 12 years old. The U.S. Supreme Court's new term starts this week. Why exactly is socialized medicine such a bad idea? Interesting article... The guy who tried to extort $1 million from Tom Cruise commits suicide. Article about the bloggers who helped bring the story of recent government oppression in Burma to......

Violent crime goes up in the US; so do arrests for pot. Apparently, nobody in Iran is gay. Even gay people. It's been fifty years since Little Rock, and now we have Jena. Progress... If Microsoft buys Facebook, will it become lame? Or don't the corporate kids care? India gets meta with the outsourcing. Kiefer Sutherland arrested for DUI. Maybe he's drinking to drown the guilt over his torture-show? Newest sex tape scandal features...Meg......

Swedish pirates turn the tables on Big Media! Arrr! Iranian Prez Ahmadinejad speaking at Columbia University today. Myanmar: Buddhist monks stage largest anti-government demonstrations in 20 years. $100 laptop to hit market in North America this fall. The White House switches its strategy on having peace talks with "evil" countries. The Governator is calling for a boycott of firms who do business with Iran. Study: Less sleep = more dreams......

Hillary Clinton compares Dick Cheney to infamous science fiction character. Guess which one. Thousands are gathering in Jena, LA today in support of the 'Jena 6.' Republican representative claims just too many mosques in this country. The UN's General Assembly is next week and Iranian President Ahmadinejad asked to lay a wreath at Ground Zero. The NYPD is not having it. One heck of prank or one heck of a hangover. 100,000 cans of......

There's something about this unpredictable spring weather that's just so tiring. If you think it's going to rain, it's going to be sunny. If you want sun, you're getting clouds. If you plan an Easter barbecue, it will be freezing cold and sleeting. These are the days the names of playlists on your iTunes are called "Upbeat" and "Light-hearted" and "Even If It's Raining I Will Ride My Bicycle." On these lists are Motown favorites......

Libya sentences 6 medics to death for "knowingly" infecting hundreds of Libyan children with HIV. Detectives arrest another suspect in the Suffolk Strangler case. A small plane crashes near Connally High School in North Austin, killing one. A rapist is preying on young men in the Houston area. Rescuers in Oregon fear that two missing climbers may have fallen. Iran's president suffers election embarrassment.......

Or so the people at HappyNews.com like to think. Today they released their Top Ten Happy Stories of 2006. Some of these items are genuine "news" items, such as NBA player Dikembe Mutombo donating millions of dollars to start a hospital in his native Congo, Warren Buffett's ginormous donation to the Gates foundation, and Google allowing free book downloads. The website also includes some random human interest stories on the list, such as "Boy......

Pam ditches Kidd for being jealous of her appearance with Borat! The battle over Town Lake looms ever closer. There are carjackers posing as police officers on interstate 35. Iran tells Talabani that U.S. troops must leave Iraq. Bush says U.S. will stay in Iraq until the mission is complete. Is it a civil war?......

Okay then. I’m not going to launch into some worthless tirade about Texas weather, but I will say that it is seriously fucking with my sleep. Well, it’s joining forces with other less-pleasant elements to turn my private slumberland into a deranged dreamscape that would likely force Snake Pliskin to gouge out his last functioning eye. ...

Alex Jones must be grinning from ear to ear, as most conspiracy theorists do when they think their ideas, brushed off by most, are finding more and more credence. Today, the White House released The National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, a new security strategy that takes less emphasis on "extremist networks" like Al-Qaeda and more on the countries that back them, like Iran. No better timing for Jones, whose film, which premieres tonight, predicts steps......

Dry weather conditions are giving homeowners headaches by causing foundation problems and water pipe breaks. Don't forget to water your foundation, pets, plants and yourself, but conserve as much as possible. Happy Texas Summer! A recent CBS 42 poll shows a high disapproval rating for Gov. Rick Perry. We believe this is a direct result of all our Kinky & Cougar goober coverage. The U.S. Marine Corps will begin to recall troops on an......

Today we introduce a new feature. With the ubiquity of all sorts of amazing content available on YouTube, we figured it was time to start mining the site for some great Austin-related video clips for your enjoyment. As with everything here at Austinist, if you have a great find you think we should share with our readers, please email us Alex Jones is at it again. He’s coming down from his sophomore major-movie appearance......

Gov. Rick Perry has stated that he has more than $10 million in campaign cash, while our friend Kinky has only about $491,000 on hand. A prisoner broke out of jail to wish his girlfriend a happy birthday. Romance is not dead. Officials in Jakarta failed to issue a tsunami warning despite receiving data about yesterday's earthquake 20 minutes before the first wave struck. The recent developments in the Middle East conflict have put......

*This post comes from Austinist Special World Cup Correspondent Ben Gardner, Co-Host of KOOP’s SoccerMad, who is in Germany for this year’s Cup.* One week gone and all the teams have taken the pitch. The Americans are awful and Ecuador is one of the few surprises thus far. I just returned from the streets of Munich, where the party is on. Oliver Neuville´s last minute goal to beat Poland has, in all likelihood, sent the......

Local: Plans are being made to send Texas National Guard troops to the U.S./Mexico border, but the deployment date is still unknown. Gov. Rick Perry says the date will be set once the details are worked out between the state and the federal government. Remember, people: this is just like a neighborhood watch program except that it's Texas National Guard Troops watching instead of the crazy cat lady who lives down the street. State:......

Local: Travis County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a controversial 1,800-home Hill Country development project known as Sweetwater. Sweetwater will cover roughly 1,000 acres with its main entrance at the intersection of Texas 71 and Bee Creek Road. Residents and environmentalists have said the area is already stressed by booming development. Christy Muse, executive director of the Hill Country Alliance, said that "questionable" actions by the commissioners allowed the project to fall under the state's......

*This post comes from Austinist Special World Cup Correspondent Ben Gardner, Co-Host of KOOP’s SoccerMad, who will be traveling to Germany for this year’s Cup.* World Cup 2006’s Group D boasts nations from four different continents. Mexico, Iran, Portugal, and Angola make up a group that is filled with high scoring teams and political storylines. El Tricolor, as the Mexicans are known, finished world cup qualifying as the highest scoring team in the world, with......