THE REDIRECTION  —  A STRATEGIC SHIFT  —  In the past few months, as the situation in Iraq has deteriorated, the Bush Administration, in both its public diplomacy and its covert operations, has significantly shifted its Middle East strategy.  The "redirection," as some inside the White House …

38 killed in attack near Baghdad college  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide bomber struck Sunday outside a college campus in Baghdad, killing at least 38 people and injuring dozens as a string of other blasts and rocket attacks left bloodshed around the city.  —  Most of the victims were students …

Romney family tree has polygamy branch  —  SALT LAKE CITY - While Mitt Romney condemns polygamy and its prior practice by his Mormon church, the Republican presidential candidate's great-grandfather had five wives and at least one of his great-great grandfathers had 12.

Al Qaeda Resurgent  —  Almost five and a half years ago, America — united by the shock of 9/11 — understood exactly what it needed to do.  It had to find, thwart and take down the command structure of Al Qaeda, which was responsible for the deaths of 3,000 innocent people on American soil.

Al Gore, Rock Star  —  Oscar Hopeful May Be America's Coolest Ex-Vice President Ever  —  LOS ANGELES — In the annals of vice presidential history, tonight will be something different.  In his black tux, the man known to his most fervent fans as "The Goracle" will arrive by hybrid eco-limo and …

Clinton Fights to Keep Impeachment Taboo  —  After Spat, Campaigns Know to Expect Swift Reprisal for Any Hint of the Scandal  —  Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has a new commandment for the 2008 presidential field: Thou shalt not mention anything related to the impeachment of her husband.

Sitting Ducks  —  At last my heart and mind are at rest, until tomorrow.  —  I was waiting for a phone call from my daughter to tell me she is home safely.  —  She, like thousands of university students in Iraq, is taking her mid-term tests, starting today.  They have a fixed schedule, i.e. are sitting ducks - for ten days.

U.N. calls U.S. data on Iran's nuclear aims unreliable  —  Tips about supposed secret weapons sites and documents with missile designs haven't panned out, diplomats say.  —  VIENNA — Although international concern is growing about Iran's nuclear program and its regional ambitions …

War Critic Faces Test on Iraq Spending Bill  —  As Democratic Congressional leaders escalate their challenge to the Bush administration's policy in Iraq, one of the most influential players will be that unlikely darling of the antiwar left, Representative John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania.

Dismissed U.S. Attorneys Received Strong Evaluations  —  Internal Justice Department performance reports for six of the eight United States attorneys who have been dismissed in recent months rated them "well regarded," "capable" or "very competent," a review of the evaluations shows.

White House Disaster Drill Supposes 10-City IED Strike  —  Dozens of high-level officials joined in a White House drill yesterday to see how the government would respond if several cities were attacked simultaneously with bombs similar to those used against U.S. troops in Iraq.

More Patent Pain  —  Alcatel-Lucent won the tort lottery yesterday when a federal jury in San Diego ordered Microsoft to pay it $1.52 billion.  The jury found that the MP3 software in Microsoft's Windows Media Player program violated two Alcatel-Lucent patents that describe ways to store music as compressed digital files.