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Tuesday's Mini-Report

Today's edition of quick hits:* The bloodshed in Iraq has worsened.* In related news: "Al Qaeda's Iraq affiliate asserted responsibility on Tuesday for brazen

Today's edition of quick hits:

* The bloodshed in Iraq has worsened.

* In related news: "Al Qaeda's Iraq affiliate asserted responsibility on Tuesday for brazen assaults on two prisons on the outskirts of Baghdad two days earlier that freed hundreds of inmates, including many of its own members, in one of the most serious breaches of security since the final American military withdrawal from the country more than two years ago."

* Afghanistan: "Three American and four Afghan soldiers and an interpreter were killed Tuesday morning in Wardak Province after an insurgent riding a donkey detonated a bomb in one of the most hotly contested districts in the country, officials said."

* Egypt: "At least six people were killed Tuesday near a sit-in held by supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi, the latest sign that Egypt's political impasse is devolving into street battles."

* EPA: "The White House is promising to veto a House bill that would impose new checks on regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The legislation would waste time and money, the administration said, 'thereby delaying or permanently preventing EPA from fulfilling its legal obligations to protect public health and the environment.'"

* Student loans: "Senate Democrats worked to shore up support for a student loan compromise as the White House tried to nudge it across the finish line Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said the bill would be voted on by the full Senate 'this week for sure,' and offered a definitive 'yes,' when asked if he was confident a majority of Democrats would back it."

* Ohio: "A federal judge has ruled in favor of two Ohio men who want their out-of-state marriage recognized as one of them nears death, a case that's seen as encouraging for same-sex marriage supporters in the state."

* FDA: "A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration was wrong to allow a misbranded and unapproved new drug to be imported for use in executions by lethal injection."

* A week later in Florida, Dream Defenders continue to stand their ground.

* And in case anyone's curious, there was a massive server problem that derailed the usual posting schedule this afternoon, delaying this post (among others).

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.