Obama Limits When U.S. Would Use Nuclear Arms  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama said Monday that he was revamping American nuclear strategy to substantially narrow the conditions under which the United States would use nuclear weapons, even in self defense.  —  But the president …

Video Shows 2007 Air Attack in Baghdad That Killed Photographer  —  WASHINGTON — The Web site WikiLeaks.org released a graphic video on Monday showing an American helicopter shooting and killing a Reuters photographer and driver in a July 2007 attack in Baghdad.

25 killed in West Virginia mine blast  —  Montcoal, West Virginia (CNN) — The death toll from the massive explosion at a sprawling coal mine in West Virginia rose to 25 early Tuesday, making it the deadliest U.S. mining disaster in 25 years.  —  Crews halted their efforts …

McMillen: I Was Sent to Fake Prom  —  To avoid Constance McMillen bringing a female date to her prom, the teen was sent to a “fake prom” while the rest of her class partied at a secret location at an event organized by parents.  —  McMillen tells The Advocate that a parent-organized prom happened behind …

Reid kicks off re-election campaign in Searchlight  —  Senate majority leader kicks off campaign in Searchlight  —  SEARCHLIGHT — U.S. Sen. Harry Reid launched his re-election campaign Monday with a sentimental send-off from his hometown of Searchlight, cheered on by more than 100 close supporters.

Shakeup: RNC chief of staff resigns  —  Republican National Committee Chief of Staff Ken McKay resigned Monday, becoming the highest-ranking official to depart the committee after revelations that the national party spent nearly $2,000 at California sex club.

Relax, We'll Be Fine  —  According to recent polls, 60 percent of Americans think the country is heading in the wrong direction.  The same percentage believe that the U.S. is in long-term decline.  The political system is dysfunctional.  A fiscal crisis looks unavoidable.  There are plenty of reasons to be gloomy.

IRS chief: Buy health insurance or lose your tax refund  —  Individuals who don't purchase health insurance may lose their tax refunds according to IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman.  After acknowledging the recently passed health-care bill limits the agency's options for enforcing the individual mandate …

How the GOP Purged Me  —  I am an old Republican.  I am religious, yet not a fanatic.  I am a free-marketer; yet, I believe in the role of the government as a fair evenhanded referee.  I am socially conservative; yet, I believe that my lesbian niece and my gay grandchild should have the full protection …

Several Doses of Pessimism  —  If you need cheering up, read no further.  Here are a couple of pessimistic evaluations of recent events.  First, Frank Gaffney asks Who Lost Iraq? … Jonathan Spyer, meanwhile, observes the Druse and draws sad but logical conclusions.

Potheads to Palin: Join us  —  You know what?  That's a hell of an idea. … She can't do it if she's running in 2012.  Conservative Republicans, i.e. her base, oppose legalization 20/77; a bold stroke on this front would scare a bunch of them into Huckabee's camp.

AP Analysis: Karzai remarks risk US-Afghan rift  —  KABUL — President Hamid Karzai's startling threat to join the Taliban if foreigners don't stop meddling in Afghanistan and his strident criticism of the West's role have worsened relations with Washington at a time when the U.S. military …

Health insurers sue to raise rates  —  Say state's veto will cause huge losses; Showdown near on regulatory power  —  A half-dozen health insurers yesterday filed a lawsuit against the state seeking to reverse last week's decision by the insurance commissioner to block double-digit premium increases …

Researchers Trace Data Theft to Intruders in China  —  TORONTO — Turning the tables on a China-based computer espionage gang, Canadian and United States computer security researchers have monitored a spying operation for the past eight months, observing while the intruders pilfered classified …

Obama Throws “Disappointing” First Pitch  —  Marking a 100-year tradition, President Obama today threw out the first pitch at Nationals Stadium, kicking off the season at the opening game of the Washington Nationals vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.  —  The presidential pitch went high and wide …

Dems' special-election scramble  —  The prospect of losing two House seats in back-to-back special elections next month has sparked a vigorous, behind-the-scenes Democratic effort, designed to avoid an outcome that could lead to panic among the rank-and-file and stall the momentum generated …

Foreign Ownership of U.S. Debt Continues to Grow  —  Using data from the Department of Treasury's Financial Statement of the United States, this chart shows the United States debt held by the public from 2000 to 2009.  These holdings have been divided into debt held by domestic investors and foreign investors.