Morning Newsdome: Welcome the world’s newest country, South Sudan July 08 2011

• [http://clatl.com/atlanta/ImageArchives?by=1942446|Wikimedia]
• Rupert Murdoch

>> After a 21-year civil war that ended in 2005, southern Sudan overwhelmingly voted to split from the North and voila: welcome tomorrow South Sudan, the world’s newest country. Things are still tense with the North, and the UN is expected to pass a peacekeeping mission calling on 7,000 military personnel and 900 international police. Oh, to be young! (Voice of America)

>> Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. has shuttered its highly successful News of the World newspaper after a scandal that included hacking the phones of murder victims and families of deceased soldiers. The 168-year-old publication is Britain’s top-selling Sunday newspaper. Now former editor Andy Coulson, who was a top aide to the British prime minister, has been arrested. When it comes to British rags, I’ll stick to OK! Magazine thank you very much. (the Guardian, the New York Times)

>> The SEC got JP Morgan Chase to pay $51.2 million to affected municipalities and $177 million to settle similar charges for an alleged bond fraud from 1997 to 2005. Chump change. Meanwhile unemployment rises and hiring stalls. Carry on. (the New York Post)

>> Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh gave a pre-recorded televised speech from Saudi Arabia last night, his first appearance since last month’s bombing at his palace. He had severe burns on his face and made no mention if he’ll return to Yemen. First rule of TV: look pretty. (the New York Times)

>> And finally: The Trust for America’s Health released a study showing that adult obesity has increased to sixteen states and decreased in none. Nine of the states with unprecedented rates are in the South, and Mississippi takes the fat cake. Maybe they’re just big-boned. (CNN)