Pakistan's Bhutto assassinated  —  Suicide bomber kills opposition leader, at least 20 others at rally  —  RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated Thursday in a suicide bombing that also killed at least 20 others at a campaign rally, a party aide and a military official said.

For McCain, It Could Be State of Resurgence  —  Wide-Open Caucuses Offer Hope To a Candidate Who Has Lagged  —  A jet carrying Sen. John McCain of Arizona touched down Wednesday evening on Iowa's western border, marking a remarkable comeback for the veteran politician and opening another intriguing narrative …

Huckabee adopts new tone on immigration  —  LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Hispanic activists who viewed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as a voice of moderation on illegal immigration say they've been taken aback by the hard-line stance he's adopted as a presidential candidate.

U.S. Ruling Backs Benefit Cut at 65 in Retiree Plans  —  WASHINGTON — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said Wednesday that employers could reduce or eliminate health benefits for retirees when they turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare.  —  The policy, set forth in a new regulation …

Terrorists' new mission: Protect President Bush  —  Most active West Bank militant group in security team for Middle East visit  —  JERUSALEM - Members of the most active West Bank terror organization are set to participate in security forces being deployed to protect President Bush during …

Biden talks up an Iowa upset  —  DES MOINES - - Joe Biden is talking.  “Barack does a room, Hillary does a room, I do the same room and I win,” he says.  “I have absolute confidence in that.  The question is: Do I get in enough rooms?"  —  Biden is sitting at a table in a Starbucks …

Pace of Decline In Home Prices Sets a Record  —  A closely watched gauge of U.S. home prices shows they are falling sharply across most of the nation, as a deepening slump in the housing market threatens to damp consumer spending.  —  Home prices in 10 major metropolitan areas in October …

The Speaker's Grand Illusion  —  Nancy Pelosi and Congressional Democrats Need to Get Real About What They've Accomplished  —  After one year of Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, public approval ratings for Congress have sunk below their level when Republicans were still in control.

Edwards Campaign May Have Expected Union Group Plan  —  DES MOINES — In the final days before the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3, John Edwards has stepped up his criticism of outside organizations that spend money to influence elections, repeatedly disavowing a labor group that is blanketing Iowa with commercials supporting his candidacy.