Anatomy of a Rumor: The Story Behind Chief Justice John Roberts's ‘Retirement’  —  Everyone is wondering: Where did that erroneous rumor of an imminent retirement by Chief Justice John Roberts come from?  The gossip spread like wildfire, triggering thousands of texts, blog posts, and emails …

Obama to Progressives: 31 Million People—And My Presidency—Are On The Line If Health Care Fails  —  President Obama's message to progressives who are dissatisfied with the Senate health care bill is two fold: First: Don't forget about the uninsured.  Second: Don't forget what failure to pass …

Delahunt will not seek reelection  —  William Delahunt in his Quincy office.  (Bill Greene / Globe Staff)  —  By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff  —  WASHINGTON — Representative William Delahunt will not seek re-election to Congress, the seven-term Democrat will announce tomorrow …

Obama advisers set to recommend military tribunals for alleged 9/11 plotters  —  President Obama's advisers are nearing a recommendation that Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, be prosecuted in a military tribunal, administration officials said …

All In  —  Don't look now, but Obama is finally living up to his promise.  —  President Obama began his remarks in the East Room on Wednesday with a reminiscence.  Almost exactly one year before, he noted, he had stood in the very same spot, formally launching his initiative to reform America's health care system.

Keep'n It Foxy  —  Proud day for CNN.  See the chyron about right-wing complaints about the Obama Department of Justice ...

Suspect, Police Hurt in Pentagon Shootout  —  Badly Injured Suspect in Custody; Police Suffer Graze Wounds  —  Two police officers were injured by a suspect who opened fire outside the Pentagon tonight after the officers asked him for an access pass, police said.

Senator Bunning's Universe  —  So the Bunning blockade is over.  For days, Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky exploited Senate rules to block a one-month extension of unemployment benefits.  In the end, he gave in, although not soon enough to prevent an interruption of payments to around 100,000 workers.

Howard Dean: Health bill hangs Dem incumbents and Obama out to dry in elections  —  Passing the healthcare proposals before Congress will “hang out to dry” every Democratic incumbent running for reelection this fall, Howard Dean said Thursday.  —  Dean, a physician by training who's …

MANUFACTURED CONTROVERSY OF THE DAY.... Oh please. … Rep. Matheson's spokesperson called the question “patently ridiculous.”  A White House official called the question “absurd.”  There's no reason in the world to think the Scott Matheson nomination is based on anything …

Heads of 12 Fed Districts Press to Keep Central Bank, and Their Role, in Place  —  WASHINGTON — As Congress haggles over a broad overhaul of the nation's financial regulations, officials at the Federal Reserve have mounted a highly public effort to maintain, and perhaps even expand, the central bank's regulatory powers.

Bush Official Defends Lawyers Under Attack for Detainee Work  —  A former Justice Department official who led the Bush administration's courtroom defense against lawsuits filed by Guantanamo detainees is denouncing attacks on Obama administration appointees who previously helped …

Vatican hit by gay sex scandal  —  Vatican chorister sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for papal gentleman-in-waiting  —  The Vatican was today rocked by a sex scandal reaching into Pope Benedict's household after a chorister was sacked for allegedly procuring male prostitutes for a papal gentleman-in-waiting.

Michigan Lawmaker Steps Up at Ways and Means  —  WASHINGTON — Representative Sander M. Levin, a liberal Democrat from Michigan and a bookish expert on trade policy, stepped into the powerful post of chairman of the Ways and Means Committee on Thursday as Democrats averted an internal battle over replacing Charles B. Rangel of New York.

Transcript reveals anger of AIG employees toward politicians, public  —  During the national furor that erupted last year after American International Group paid more than $165 million in bonuses, the voices of those vilified for receiving the payments remained silent, at least in public.

Study: Arctic seabed methane stores destabilizing, venting  —  A section of the Arctic Ocean seafloor that holds vast stores of frozen methane is showing signs of instability and widespread venting of the powerful greenhouse gas, according to the findings of an international research team led …

Steele: Leaked RNC presentation ‘unfortunate’  —  Congressional GOP aides expressed their frustration over their perception that Michael Steele is using his book tour to undermine the party's political message.  —  Washington (CNN) - Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele …