This Independence Day look back and reflect on all the values that bind us together as Americans and make this nation so great.
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What does freedom mean to you?
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(AP)
In the wake of a financial crisis, British Airways has asked its staff to work for free for a month. The airline is trying to cut costs after losing $657 million in 2008. British Airways denies that those who volunteer for unpaid work will be spared if layoffs occur over those who refuse to work for free.
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Would you work for nothing for a month to save your job?
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"Change cannot happen overnight." That's just one of the things President Obama said as he addressed the Muslim world in Cairo this morning.
In a long-awaited attempt to forge stronger ties between the U.S. and Muslim world, President Obama called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims," saying together they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace in the Middle East.
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What did you think of President Obama's speech in Cairo?
Former Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee greeted Iowa fairgoers, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
It's been six months since voters handed Barack Obama the White House, and in the minds of a lot of Iowa activists that means only one thing: It's time to start the campaign again.
2012 already?
Yes, 2 1/2 years before Iowans gather for their first-in-the-nation precinct caucuses, early presidential campaigning has begun.
"We had a brief pause for two or three months when people went somewhere warm, and then it starts again," said Richard Schwarm, a Lake Mills lawyer and former state Republican Party chairman. "Most of the old war horses hear the bell and start responding again."
Potential Republican candidates who have visited the state include Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who won the GOP caucuses in 2008. More politicians have trips planned, starting with Nevada Sen. John Ensign, followed by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and another appearance by Huckabee.
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Is it too early to be talking about the 2012 presidential election?
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A massive search is underway for an Air France jet carrying 228 people from Rio de Janeiro to Paris believed to have gone down off the northeast coast of Brazil a few hours after takeoff.
The jet lost contact with air traffic controllers after flying into a strong thunderstorm over the Atlantic Ocean and signaling it had an electric problem. Chief Air France spokesman Francois Brousse said "it is possible" the plane was hit by lightning.
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Shuttle Atlantis crew from left to right: Gregory Johnson, Scott Altman and Megan McArthur. Rear from left, Andrew Feustel, John Grunsfeld, Michael Massimino and Michael Good.
The Shuttle Atlantis crew -- pictured on the left -- is currently on the fifth and final mission to refurbish and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope.
They will be the last humans to lay hands on Hubble and outfit the observatory with a set of fresh batteries, a new sensor for precise pointing and protective covers, which should allow the telescope to provide views of the universe for another five to 10 years.
Martha and Trace will be speaking with the Atlantis crew LIVE on today's show.
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So while you are thinking about the previous segment -- rising car prices -- coming your way...Here's Martha's Memo -- with the rest of what to keep in mind today if you're trying to figure out where this wacky economy is going...
OOPS -- not a good number to start -- the number of new homes they are breaking ground on -- sunk 12.8% in the month. Economists -- you know they are not always right about these things -- thought it would go up 2%. Bad news for the home building companies.
Still -- here's the thing to keep in mind. We need home inventories to go down. So that could be helpful to all those existing homes out there on the market.
Good news -- Home Depot - came in with better than expected profits! The bad news -- it was because of cost cutting -- which all companies are doing these days -- and not becuase more people are buying new sinks and toilets!
And last but not least -- Big news! Fox Business is reporting that the government may finally agree to take money back from Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan -- in the first round of TARP returns. And that is good news. The markets like that of course.
Supreme Court
President Obama's short list of nominees to replace retiring justice David H. Souter on the Supreme Court so far is showing alot of female power.
Among his top choices so far are: Elena Kagan (Solicitor General), Jennifer Granholm (Michigan Governor), Janet Napolitano (secretary of Homeland Security), Sonia Sotomayor (U.S. Appeals Court judge), Diane Pamela Wood (U.S. Appeals Court judge) and Carlos Moreno (California Supreme Court justice).
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How likely is it that President Obama will pick a woman for the Supreme Court?
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A 66-year-old British woman is due to give birth next month, setting a record as Britain's oldest mother. Elizabeth Munro's pregnancy has sparked controversy over whether doctors should perform fertility treatments on women over a certain age.
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Is 66 years old too old to have a baby?
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