Your customized headlines for Mon, Apr 30, 2012

As the economic recovery has struggled to pick up speed, one of the biggest stumbling blocks has been job losses in state and local governments, which have been on the rise for much of President Obama's term.

More female executives are rising to the top levels of the largest defense companies, setting a standard that industry officials say may help encourage more women to enter the field.

This week, Phebe N. Novakovic is set to become president and chief operating officer at Falls Church-based General Dynamics after serving as executive vice president of the company's marine systems group.

The U.S. government's push to reduce spending on contracts has left it fending off the most challenges in 16 years from unsuccessful bidders.

Contractors filed 2,353 protest-related cases during the last fiscal year with the Government Accountability Office, which arbitrates contract disputes.

A Google engineer knowingly created software that would collect sensitive personal information about people without their knowledge, according to an un-redacted version of a federal investigative report.

If you stop in at 944 Florida Ave. NW around 8 a.m., you can get an herb frittata with a hazelnut latte from Blind Dog Cafe. Come back again at 8 p.m. and you can down a Heineken at Darnell's Bar. Same place. Different owners. One lease.

As the economic recovery has struggled to pick up speed, one of the biggest stumbling blocks has been job losses in state and local governments, which have been on the rise for much of President Obama's term.

Each year, the International Energy Agency puts out a study of what technological advances are needed to keep global warming below 2°C. The 2012 report (pdf) is out and the grades are dismal: Aside from a recent boom in wind and solar power, the world isn't making much progress.