Flexing Muscle, China Destroys Satellite in Test  —  China successfully carried out its first test of an antisatellite weapon last week, signaling its resolve to play a major role in military space activities and bringing expressions of concern from Washington and other capitals, the Bush administration said yesterday.

Muqtada al-Sadr aide arrested in Baghdad  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. and Iraqi forces arrested one of Muqtada al-Sadr's top aides Friday in Baghdad, his office said, as pressure increases on the radical Shiite cleric's militia ahead of a planned security sweep aimed at stemming the sectarian violence ransacking the capital.

Don't mention the war (or bash Bush)  —  Look, we realize that the White House Correspondents Association dinner is a "fun" event, and it would be nice, in theory, to free it from the shackles of the supposed adversarial relationship between the press corps and the president it covers.

White House Shifting Tactics in Surveillance Cases  —  In a four-paragraph letter on Wednesday announcing that the Bush administration had reversed its position and would submit its domestic surveillance program to judicial supervision, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales used one phrase three times.

Hillary Sees Bill's Allies Fall Away  —  One of the biggest advantages Senator Clinton enjoys as she launches her presidential bid is the vast web of politically active Democrats who worked in the federal government under her husband, President Clinton.  But not everyone who served during the Clinton years is promoting a reprise.

Buchwald's Farewell Column, Written to Be Released at Death  —  NEW YORK Art Buchwald wrote a final column that he asked not be distributed until after he died.  The piece was penned on Feb. 8, 2006, after Buchwald decided to check into a hospice.  He eventually left the hospice, of course, and resumed his syndicated column.

House Repeals Tax Break for Big Oil  —  Pelosi Plan for New Panel Sparks Criticism  —  House Democrats capped their "100 hours" agenda with the passage of an energy bill yesterday, the sixth piece of legislation approved in two weeks, and Democratic leaders said the package marked "a beginning …

The Most Depressing Poll Ever  —  In the latest Fox News poll, just out today, the pollsters asked the following question: … Here are the results: … Friends, I'll allow you a minute to wrap your minds around this, for we are truly through the looking class.

Radicals vs. moderates: British Muslims at crossroads … DUBLIN, Ireland (CNN) — At a recent debate over the battle for Islamic ideals in England, a British-born Muslim stood before the crowd and said Prophet Mohammed's message to nonbelievers is: "I come to slaughter all of you."

Ex-Ohio Rep. Ney sentenced to 30 months  —  WASHINGTON - Former Rep. Bob Ney was sentenced Friday to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a congressional bribery scandal.  —  Ney, the first congressman ensnared in the case, pleaded guilty to trading official favors for golf trips …

Senate Passes Ethics Package  —  Parties Reach Hard-Fought Deal On Lobbying and Other Reforms  —  Senate Democrats and Republicans broke a difficult stalemate last night and approved 96 to 2 expansive legislation to curtail the influence of lobbyists, tighten congressional ethics rules …

State pays Abraham's housing, college tabs  —  Young killer free after 8 years, wants fresh start  —  PONTIAC — Yesterday, Nathaniel Abraham was a convicted murderer.  Today he greets the morning a free man celebrating his 21st birthday — with a furnished Bay City apartment paid for by Michigan taxpayers.