THE MORNING LOOP: 07.22.11

Pentagon To End Ban On Gays In Military x Somalia Rebels Say Drought Exaggerated x Rihanna Pays Tribute to Fan

Pentagon officials have concluded that the ban on gays in the military can be lifted. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs Chairman Michael Mullen recommended President Obama proceeds with the final repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." The policy will end 60 days after Obama formally certifies the repeal in writing to Congress.

Chris Brown is set to star in a new romantic comedy based off of Steve Harvey's best-selling advice book for women, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. The movie, Think Like A Man, is due out April 6.

Somalia rebels have accused the United Nations of exaggerating the severity of the drought. The U.N. declared famine Wednesday saying that 3.7 million people in southern Somalia are at risk of starvation. The group said the U.N. declaration “is totally, 100 percent wrong and baseless propaganda,” adding, “Yes, there is drought, but the conditions are not as bad as they say.” Who do you believe?

Rihanna paid tribute to a fan via Twitter who died in a car accident while listening to her Rated R album. Rihanna tweeted: "One of my biggest RihannaNavy fans died today in a car accident!!! Gone but never EVER forgotten!!!! She was only 17 #DearKaren."

Apple makes yet another hit! The company has already sold 1 million copies of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion since it went on sale Wednesday morning. Apple says “users are buying Lion faster than any other OS release in Apple’s history.” Are you planning to buy one too?

VIDEO OF THE DAY

As soon as Tiger Woods ended his 12-year partnership with caddie Steve Williams, the longtime friend fired back. Williams says he wasted the last two years of his life.

TRENDING TOPICS

As the nation's unemployment rate rises, Casey Anthony just can't stop getting job offers! The 25-year-old-woman who was found not guilty of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, was released from jail Sunday and has been offered thousands of housing and job opportunities. To top it all off, Florida taxpayers have now received the bill for her prosecution.

NFL football commissioner Roger Goodell has announced that NFL owners have agreed to a tentative agreement that would end the lockout pending an agreement from the players. "Hopefully, we can all work quickly, expeditiously, to get this agreement done," Goodell said. "It is time to get back to football. That's what everybody here wants to do."

Arnold Schwarzenegger just doesn't want to pay spousal support. California's former governor stated in a court filing that he does not want to pay wife Maria Shriver spousal support or attorney fees. Public approval is definitely not his concern, but why do that to his wife of 25 years?

The heat wave has killed at least 22 people this week. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for the country's mid-section and East Coast. Stay cool!