After Tax Errors Raised, GOP Leaders Defend Treasury Nominee  —  But Some Call Geithner's Actions Serious Missteps  —  Was he cheating on his taxes or just sloppy with his finances?  Lawmakers vetting the nomination of Timothy F. Geithner to serve as Treasury secretary say they may never be sure.

GOP senators target two Obama nominees  —  Partisan lines have formed around President-elect Obama's two most embattled Cabinet picks, with Eric Holder and Tim Geithner facing increasing criticism from Republicans.  —  Democrats, who have not shied away from attacking Obama's economic team …

Israel Strikes U.N. Complex in Gaza Strip  —  GAZA — Amid reports that a United Nations building had been hit, Israeli forces shelled areas deep inside Gaza City and edged forward toward the city center Thursday, sending thousands of panicked residents fleeing from their homes, witnesses said.

Biden Outlines Plans to Do More With Less Power  —  WASHINGTON — He was in the Senate for 36 years and visited the White House under seven presidents.  But Joseph R. Biden Jr. has never seen the inside of the vice president's office in the West Wing.  “I never thought a lot about the vice presidency …

War on Hamas Saps Palestinian Leaders  —  JERUSALEM — Israel hoped that the war in Gaza would not only cripple Hamas, but eventually strengthen its secular rival, the Palestinian Authority, and even allow it to claw its way back into Gaza.  —  But with each day, the authority, its leader …

Democrats Finishing Up Stimulus Proposal  —  President-Elect Is Expected to Tout Plan Tomorrow  —  Congressional Democrats are putting the final touches on an economic stimulus package worth almost $850 billion, hoping to have the details ready in time for President-elect Barack Obama …

Intelligence Court Rules Wiretapping Program Legal  —  WASHINGTON — A federal intelligence court, in a rare public opinion, is expected to issue a major ruling validating the power of the president and Congress to wiretap international phone calls and intercept e-mail messages without a court order …

History will show that George W Bush was right  —  The American lady who called to see if I would appear on her radio programme was specific.  “We're setting up a debate,” she said sweetly, “and we want to know from your perspective as a historian whether George W Bush was the worst president …

Poll: Solid support for Obama's economic plan  —  NBC/WSJ poll also shows concern for the cost of the stimulus package  —  WASHINGTON - A solid plurality of the American public supports the economic stimulus plan that President-elect Barack Obama has proposed, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

The Minnesota Recount Was Unconstitutional  —  There's still plenty of time for the state to get it right.  —  You would think people would learn.  The recount in the contest between Norm Coleman and Al Franken for a seat in the U.S. Senate isn't just embarrassing.  It is unconstitutional.

EXCLUSIVE: Panetta faces rendition queries  —  Panel eyes CIA pick's role in shaping policy during the Clinton era  —  President-elect Barack Obama's choice for CIA director, Leon Panetta, served as White House chief of staff during the time the Clinton administration accelerated a practice …

U.N. Agency That Runs School Hit in Gaza Employed Hamas and Islamic Jihad Members  —  The United Nations agency that administers a school in Gaza where dozens of civilians were killed by Israeli mortar fire last week has admitted to employing terrorists to work at its Palestinian schools in the past …

Bush and the Libby Pardon  —  As the curtain closes on the presidency of George W. Bush, the one loose end dangling is the pardon of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby.  In 2007 Mr. Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, was convicted for perjury and obstruction of justice.

‘War on terror’ was a mistake, says Miliband  —  The foreign secretary, David Miliband, today argues that the use of the “war on terror” as a western rallying cry since the September 11 attacks has been a mistake that may have caused “more harm than good”.  —  In an article in today's Guardian …

Best of All Possible Presidencies  —  What a sunny view Condoleezza Rice took in a valedictory conversation with Post journalists this week.  She could have been Dr. Pangloss's daughter in her steadfastly upbeat account of the world.  Asked about policies she regretted, she offered the cheerful retort …

Inaugural Freak Show  —  Blogs and Stories  —  You'll never believe how a Christian right congressman and two anti-abortion protestors have prepared the Capitol for the Obama's inauguration.  —  On January 7, second-term Republican Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia and two friends prayed over a door.

Americans Want Details Before Release of More TARP Funds  —  Both Democrats and Republicans favor blocking funds until there are more details  — USA - Business and Economy - Congress - Credit Crisis - Financial Services - Government and Politics - The Presidency - Americas - Northern America

Barack Obama: it is no longer essential to kill Osama bin Laden  —  Barack Obama suggested last night that removing Osama bin Laden from the battlefield was no longer essential and that America's security goals could be achieved merely by keeping al-Qaeda “on the run”.

Where Is Oil Going Next?  —  HOUSTON — From the Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico, giant supertankers brimming with oil are resting at anchor or slowly tracing racetrack patterns through the sea, heading nowhere.  —  The ships are marking time, serving as floating oil-storage tanks.