Former Prosecutor Says Departure Was Pressured  —  The former federal prosecutor in Maryland said Monday that he was forced out in early 2005 because of political pressure stemming from public corruption investigations involving associates of the state's governor, a Republican.

Companies to pull ads from Coulter's Web site … WASHINGTON (CNN) — At least three major companies want their ads pulled from Ann Coulter's Web site, following customer complaints about the right-wing commentator referring to Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards as a "faggot."

9 U.S. Troops Killed in Blasts North of Baghdad  —  The American military command in Iraq reported today that nine American servicemen were killed in two blasts north of Baghdad on Monday, making it the deadliest day in weeks for U.S. troops.  —  Six soldiers were killed and three others wounded …

Kidnapped or Defected?  Top Iranian General Disappears  —  Hoda Osman and Christopher Isham Report:  —  The mysterious disappearance of an Iranian general in Turkey in early February has led to speculation he either was kidnapped or defected.  —  Iran has reportedly asked Interpol to investigate the general's disappearance.

Apologies, Anger at Walter Reed Hearing  —  Army Chiefs Plead Ignorance, But Lawmakers Are Skeptical  —  Senior commanders of the Army offered profuse apologies yesterday for the poor treatment accorded many soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, but lawmakers expressed skepticism …

Hil & Bam gear up for battle over Jewish vote  —  WASHINGTON - Fresh off their battle for the hearts of black Americans, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are about to go head to head for Jewish votes.  —  The leaders for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008 plan dueling receptions Monday …

A WARMING WORLD  —  China about to pass U.S. as world's top generator of greenhouse gases  —  Far more than previously acknowledged, the battle against global warming will be won or lost in China, even more so than in the West, new data show.  —  A report released last week …

Democrats Alter Plan To Restrict Iraq War  —  Senior House Democrats, seeking to placate members of their party from Republican-leaning districts, are pushing a plan that would place restrictions on President Bush's ability to wage the war in Iraq but would allow him to waive them if he publicly justifies his position.

WEBB INTRODUCES BILL BARRING FUNDING FOR MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAN  —  WASHINGTON — A Democratic senator on Monday introduced legislation that in some cases would deny funding for the Bush administration to take military action against Iran without first getting congressional approval.

Privacy board clears U.S. spy programs  —  WASHINGTON - A White House privacy board is giving its stamp of approval to two of the Bush administration's controversial surveillance programs — electronic eavesdropping and financial tracking — and says they do not violate citizens' civil liberties.

States may force megaprimary, winnow the 2008 field early  —  19 states look to have early say in '08 race  —  WASHINGTON — States with more than half the nation's population are zeroing in on Feb. 5 next year to stage their presidential primaries, creating a single day that could determine …

Russian Journalist Dies in Fall From Window  —  A military correspondent for Russia's top business daily has died after falling out of a window, and some media alleged Monday that he might have been killed for his critical reporting.  —  Ivan Safronov, the military affairs writer for Kommersant …