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."

Rep. Wilson Says She Contacted Prosecutor  —  Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.) acknowledged today that she contacted a federal prosecutor to complain about the pace of his public corruption investigations, as the Senate Ethics Committee signaled that it had opened a preliminary inquiry …

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 …

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 …

Blasts kill 9 U.S. soldiers in Iraq … BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — At least nine U.S. soldiers were killed Monday in a pair of deadly attacks north of Baghdad, U.S. military statements released Tuesday said.  —  "Six Task Force Lightning soldiers died as a result of injuries sustained following …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

She's No Fundamentalist  —  WHAT PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT AYAAN HIRSI ALI.  —  W.H. Auden, whose centenary fell late last month, had an extraordinary capacity to summon despair—but in such a way as to simultaneously inspire resistance to fatalism.  His most beloved poem is probably September 1 …

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.

Tests Reveal Blood Clot in Cheney's Leg  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - Doctors discovered a blood clot in Vice President Dick Cheney's left leg Monday, a condition that could be fatal if left untreated.  —  The 66-year-old Cheney, who has a history of heart problems, will be treated …