Secret Court to Govern Wiretapping Plan  —  The Justice Department announced today that the National Security Agency's controversial warrantless surveillance program has been placed under the authority of a secret surveillance court, marking an abrupt change in approach by the Bush administration after more than a year of heated debate.

Dodd Introduces Bill to Cap U.S. Troops in Iraq  —  Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) announced legislation today capping the number of troops in Iraq at roughly 130,000, saying that lawmakers should take an up-or-down vote on President Bush's plan to send additional troops to the country …

Libby Jury Selection Seen as Challenge  —  To see just how small a town Washington really is, drop in on jury selection at the trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, where nearly every candidate so far seems to have some connection to the players or events surrounding the leak of an undercover CIA officer's identity.

Taking cultural editing notes from terrorists  —  As you've probably heard, conservative activist/writer Dinesh D'Souza has a new book out, which effectively argues that terrorists are right about the problems with the culture in the United States.  Osama bin Laden and other dangerous Islamic radicals believe …

What's Wrong With Vocational School?  —  Too many Americans are going to college.  —  The topic yesterday was education and children in the lower half of the intelligence distribution.  Today I turn to the upper half, people with IQs of 100 or higher.  Today's simple truth is that far …

An Apology to Detainees' Attorneys  —  During a radio interview last week, I brought up the topic of pro bono work and habeas corpus representation of detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Regrettably, my comments left the impression that I question the integrity of those engaged in the zealous defense of detainees in Guantanamo.

Oil Lease Chief Knew of Error, Report Asserts  —  A top Interior Department official was told nearly three years ago about a legal blunder that allowed drilling companies to avoid billions of dollars in payments for oil and gas pumped from publicly owned waters, a report by the department's chief independent investigator has found.

Did Specter Give WH Power to Replace Prosecutors?  —  In order to replace several U.S. Attorneys with handpicked successors, the Bush Administration has relied on a tiny, obscure provision tucked into last year's USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act.  —  How did it get there?

'Extraordinary heroism' of helicopter rescue bid  —  Four Royal Marines flew into a battle zone clinging to the outside of helicopter gunships in a bid to rescue a fallen comrade, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.  —  Unwilling to leave behind one of their number following a retreat …

Crude Oil Rises After Failing to Break Through $50 a Barrel  —  Jan. 17 (Bloomberg) — Crude oil rebounded after failing to break through $50 a barrel in New York as cold weather moved into the Northeast.  —  Futures approached $50 in early trading today.  Below-normal temperatures will cover …

Post Web Site Is Publishing Reporter's Novel as a Serial  —  Washingtonpost.com is publishing fiction for the first time, serializing the debut novel of Post Business section reporter David Hilzenrath.  —  The book, "Jezebel's Tomb," is a thriller set in the present-day Middle East.