Obama's Sister Soulja Moment?  —  President Obama's decision this week to reconsider release of inflammatory Pentagon interrogation photos may mark a shift in his administration's handling of politically charged national security issues — upsetting his allies on the left but making some new friends among conservatives in the military.

Shanna Moakler Resigns as Miss California Pageant Director  —  The day after Carrie Prejean was told she could keep her Miss California crown, Shanna Moakler has resigned, she confirms to Usmagazine.com exclusively.  —  “Since the press conference yesterday, I had a chance …

Senate Rejects a 15% Ceiling on Credit Card Interest Rates  —  Despite complaints that banks and credit card companies are gouging customers by charging outrageous interest rates, the Senate on Wednesday turned back an effort to cap interest rates at 15 percent.

GOP will use spiking gas prices against climate bill  —  Republicans believe that rising gas prices are their trump card against a Democratic-sponsored climate change bill.  —  The GOP is struggling to regain footing after two successive electoral blowouts, but party leaders are relishing …

Vets expose advocate as impostor  —  The leader of a statewide veterans group who fought for homeless veterans in Colorado Springs was in the Denver County jail on Wednesday, unmasked as a former psychiatric patient who posed as a wounded Marine officer and 9/11 survivor.

Bill Clinton: Cheney should stick to target practice  —  HERNDON, Virginia (CNN) - Bill Clinton jokingly laughed off a question Wednesday about former Vice President Dick Cheney and his recent claims that the country is less safe under the Obama administration.

Full-Figured Statuette, 35,000 Years Old, Provides New Clues to How Art Evolved  —  No one would mistake the Stone Age ivory carving for a Venus de Milo.  The voluptuous woman depicted is, to say the least, earthier, with huge, projecting breasts and sexually explicit genitals.

Cop Punts Suspect's Head; High Five Ensues  —  Fleeing from police, endangering lives earns boot to the head  —  LOS ANGELES — Despite lying on the ground with his arms and legs spread, a suspect — who police say is a known gang member — got a face full of police boot on Wednesday.

FACT CHECK: Data belie Biden stimulus anecdotes  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — In his first quarterly report on the nation's stimulus package, Vice President Joe Biden uses anecdotes to paint a glowing picture of an economy on the rebound.  In reality, the picture is incomplete and the colors far more muted.

Obama warns Netanyahu: Don't surprise me with Iran strike  —  U.S. President Barack Obama has sent a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding that Israel not surprise the U.S. with an Israeli military operation against Iran.  The message was conveyed by a senior American official …

Audio: Schumer in 2004 on enhanced interrogation techniques; Update: Hypocrisy confirmed  —  In fairness, I don't know that I've heard Senator Chuck Schumer among the voices looking to round up a lynch mob for those in the Bush administration who approved, conducted, or advised …

The Almighty Renminbi?  —  THE 19th century was dominated by the British Empire, the 20th century by the United States.  We may now be entering the Asian century, dominated by a rising China and its currency.  While the dollar's status as the major reserve currency will not vanish overnight, we can no longer take it for granted.

White House Czar Calls for End to ‘War on Drugs’  —  Kerlikowske Says Analogy Is Counterproductive; Shift Aligns With Administration Preference for Treatment Over Incarceration  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration's new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting …

Democrats to Develop Plan to Sell Health Care  —  WASHINGTON — Alarmed at Republican attacks on President Obama's health care proposals, Senate Democrats huddled Wednesday with White House officials to formulate a response.  —  Democrats said they felt an urgent need to devise a “message” …

Cheney's Role Deepens  —  Blogs and Stories  —  Former NBC Investigative Producer Robert Windrem reports that the Vice President's office suggested waterboarding an Iraqi prisoner who was suspected of knowing about a relationship between Al Qaeda and Saddam.

FBI Investigating Coleman In Minnesota  —  The FBI is investigating allegations that former Senator Norm Coleman had clothing and other items purchased on his behalf by a longtime friend and businessman Nasser Kazeminy, according to a source in Minnesota who was interviewed recently by federal agents.

Pelosi Leaves Unanswered Questions on Interrogation Briefings  —  ABC News' Rick Klein reports: The intelligence briefings received by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2002 have developed into a recurring distraction for congressional Democrats.  —  Instead of arguing over whether waterboarding …

For Democrats, Unease Grows Over National Security Policy  —  WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats are voicing growing unease over the Obama administration's national security policies, including the seemingly open-ended commitment in Afghanistan and the nettlesome question …

Papers prove British firm's ship dumped toxic waste in Ivory Coast  —  Documents have emerged which detail for the first time the potentially lethal nature of toxic waste dumped by British-based oil traders in one of west Africa's poorest countries.  —  More than 30,000 people from Ivory Coast claim …