Democrats Seek to Repeal 2002 War Authorization  —  Senate Democratic leaders intend to unveil a plan next week to repeal the 2002 resolution authorizing the war in Iraq in favor of narrower authority that restricts the military's role and begins withdrawals of combat troops.

For Clinton, New Wealth In Speeches  —  Fees in 6 Years Total Nearly $40 Million  —  Former president Bill Clinton, who came to the White House with modest means and left deeply in debt, has collected nearly $40 million in speaking fees over the past six years, according to interviews …

Fears grow over Iran  —  Tony Blair has declared himself at odds with hawks in the US Administration by saying publicly for the first time that it would be wrong to take military action against Iran.  The Prime Minister's comments came hours before the UN's nuclear watchdog raised the stakes in the West's showdown with Tehran.

Chimps Observed Making Their Own Weapons  —  Chimpanzees living in the West African savannah have been observed fashioning deadly spears from sticks and using the hand-crafted tools to hunt small mammals — the first routine production of deadly weapons ever observed in animals other than humans.

Arnold Rising  —  Forget the spat over David Geffen's affections.  The political story that matters was John McCain's visit with the mean green machine, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.  How the low-carbon Californian may help shape the '08 presidential race.  —  McCain, with Schwarzenegger looking on …

Arab States, Wary of Iran, Add to Their Arsenals but Still Lean on the U.S.  —  As fears grow over the escalating confrontation between Iran and the West, Arab states across the Persian Gulf have begun a rare show of muscle flexing, publicly advertising a shopping spree for new weapons and openly discussing their security concerns.

Dick Cheney Down Under - Part 3  —  On The Inside Of A "Violent" Protest  —  Breaking Down The Numbers  —  Story And Photos By Darryl Mason  —  There was the usual chanting, singing, applauding, angry speech-making through dodgy crackling sound systems.

WaPo editor: If we're so liberal, how come the nutroots sends us hate mail?  —  The last time I heard this chestnut was during the White House correspondents dinner, shortly before Colbert took the stage.  The president of the correspondents association tossed it out there in introducing Bush …

U.S. hardens line on talks between Israel and Syria  —  The United States demanded that Israel desist from even exploratory contacts with Syria, of the sort that would test whether Damascus is serious in its declared intentions to hold peace talks with Israel.

Iraq 101: The Iraq Effect  —  All right, no more excuses, people.  After four years in Iraq, it's time to get serious.  We've spent too long goofing off, waiting to be saved by the bell, praying that we won't get asked a stumper like, "What's the difference between a Sunni and a Shiite?"

Army Works to Repair Medical Center, Reputation  —  Army officials toured Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Wednesday to inspect and monitor repairs at the facility, which has been criticized for poor conditions and patient care.  The Army's surgeon general and a veterans advocate debate the medical center's future.