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 …

As Obama Pares Supreme Court List, Secrecy Is a Priority  —  WASHINGTON — Lawyers at the White House and at a handful of firms across town have been given their assignments.  Interviews are under way with colleagues and family members of candidates.  And President Obama is poised …

As Cheney Seizes the Spotlight, Many Republicans Wince  —  As vice president, Richard B. Cheney famously spent much of the past eight years in undisclosed locations and offering private advice to President George W. Bush.  But past was not prologue.  —  Today Cheney is the most visible …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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” …

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 …

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 …

Schwarzenegger to propose selling San Quentin  —  Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today will propose selling San Quentin Prison, the Los Angeles Coliseum and other state-owned properties in a bid to raise cash to counter the state's daunting budget shortfall.  —  He also wants to accelerate …

Bankrupt Tribune gives bonuses after berating AIG  —  Two months after denouncing a troubled financial company for doling out hefty management bonuses, a bankrupt news media company is doing the same thing.  —  “Money for nothing?” blared a Chicago Tribune editorial in mid-March …

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.

Earmark Nation  —  The Founders never imagined spending such vast sums.  —  Printer  —  Friendly  —  In the year of our nation, 2005, “earmark,” a term of trade known only to political technicians, became a household word.  The Bridge to Nowhere, a mere outlay of $320 million …

White House Cheat Sheet: Tea Party, Part Deux  —  (AP Photo/Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Todd Yates)  —  Two prominent GOP governors will host a telephonic anti-tax tea party today, an effort organized by the Republican Governors Association to capitalize politically on the outrage expressed in last month's nationwide protests.