‘Top kill’ effort succeeds in blocking oil leak, Coast Guard admiral says  —  Thad Allen, who is coordinating the government response, says the well still has low pressure, but cement will be used to cap the well permanently as soon as the pressure hits zero.

Mullen: Proposed Legislation Retains Prerogative  —  The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday that he's comfortable with proposed legislation that seeks to repeal the law that bans gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military because it includes “very clear language” …

US money supply plunges at 1930s pace as Obama eyes fresh stimulus  —  The M3 money supply in the United States is contracting at an accelerating rate that now matches the average decline seen from 1929 to 1933, despite near zero interest rates and the biggest fiscal blitz in history.

Justice Scalia Praises Elena Kagan's Lack of Judicial Experience  —  ABC News' Teddy Davis reports:  —  Obama Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan has been criticized by some Republican senators for lacking judicial experience.  But Justice Antonin Scalia, the High Court's most outspoken conservative …

Americans Critical of Oil Spill Response; Keeping Close Tabs  —  President Obama's efforts rated more positively than BP's  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — With President Barack Obama and BP taking their most aggressive steps yet in response to the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico …

An early look at Obama's National Security Strategy  —  In unveiling his first formal National Security Strategy Thursday, U.S. President Barack Obama called for “a strategy of national renewal and global leadership,” emphasizing U.S. economic strength as the foundation of American power …

Todd Palin for border czar!  —  You've no doubt read about the Palin family's snoopy new neighbor, author Joe McGinniss, who has rented a house 15 feet from the Palins' backyard to conduct binocular-aided research for his Random House book.  I'll share more thoughts later on the media ethics issues and media double standards involved.

BP Used Riskier Method to Seal Oil Well Before Blast  —  WASHINGTON — Several days before the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, BP officials chose, partly for financial reasons, to use a type of casing for the well that the company knew was the riskier of two options, according to a BP document.

Is oil spill becoming Obama's Katrina?  —  The hurricane that drowned New Orleans and cast George W. Bush as out of touch swept across the Gulf Coast nearly five years ago.  Now, as oil laps ashore in the very same region, local officials are asking: Is there another government-Gulf Coast disconnect?

Rand Paul faces possible challenge, staff shake-up  —  FRANKFORT, Ky. — A week after a come-from-behind victory over the GOP's establishment candidate in a Kentucky Senate primary, Rand Paul is facing a possible challenge by the Libertarian Party and is shaking up his staff after comments …

Obama to Extend Drilling Moratorium  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama plans to announce Thursday that he is extending the moratorium on permits to drill new deepwater wells for six more months and will delay or cancel specific projects off the coasts of Alaska and Virginia and in the western Gulf of Mexico, a White House official said.

Bill on jobless benefits, state financial help scaled back  —  Under fire from rank-and-file Democrats worried about the soaring national debt, congressional leaders reached a tentative agreement Wednesday to scale back a package that would have devoted nearly $200 billion to jobless benefits …

Feds Issue Terror Watch for the Texas/Mexico Border  —  The Department of Homeland Security is alerting Texas authorities to be on the lookout for a suspected member of the Somalia-based Al Shabaab terrorist group who might be attempting to travel to the U.S. through Mexico, a security expert who has seen the memo tells FOXNews.com.

Ads on NYC buses target those wanting to leave Islam  —  New York (CNN) — “Fatwa on your head?” a new series of provocative ads on New York City buses asks.  “Is your community or family threatening you?  Leaving Islam?”  —  The ads, sponsored by an organization called Stop the Islamization of America …