Richard Holbrooke dies: Veteran U.S. diplomat brokered Dayton peace accords  —  Longtime U.S. diplomat Richard C. Holbrooke, whose relentless prodding and deft maneuvering yielded the 1995 Dayton peace accords that ended the war in Bosnia - a success he hoped to repeat as President Obama's chief envoy …

Health reform will survive its legal fight  —  In March, New Hampshire preschool teacher Gail O'Brien, who was unable to obtain health insurance through her employer, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma.  Her subsequent applications for health insurance were rejected because of her condition.

Julian Assange granted bail with conditions  —  • Assange granted bail to cheers from supporters  —  • Assange criticises Visa, MasterCard and Paypal from cell  —  • Police worked case against Madeleine McCann's parents  —  • Full coverage of the WikiLeaks cables

‘No Labels’ rally: Bipartisan with Democratic tinge  —  NEW YORK-The people who attended the “No Labels” conference here on the campus of Columbia University really, really want the government to get things done.  “So much partisanship, and not enough getting things done,” said Antonio Villaraigosa …

Atheist Ads on Buses Rattle Fort Worth  —  FORT WORTH — Stand on a corner in this city and you might get a case of theological whiplash.  —  A public bus rolls by with an atheist message on its side: “Millions of people are good without God.”  Seconds later, a van follows bearing a riposte: “I still love you.

No Labels and Other Ripped Off Designs  —  Brooklyn-based artist Thomas Porostocky's friends and fans have been tipping off NY media that his art has been used without permission by the bi-partisan political group No Labels.  —  Porostocky designed star-spangled giraffes …

Steele stuns by running for reelection  —  Despite facing intense criticism from within his own party, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said Monday night he would mount a campaign for another two-year term atop the GOP.  —  Steele, breaking a monthlong silence about his intentions …

Huge Senate majority votes to advance $858B tax package  —  President Obama's $858 billion tax package won a huge bipartisan majority in the Senate Monday evening, setting it up for a contentious debate in the House.  —  In a 83-15 vote, the Senate quashed a filibuster by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Va.).

Hoyer expected to file 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal bill Tuesday  —  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) are expected to introduce standalone “don't ask, don't tell” repeal legislation on Tuesday, three sources actively involved in repeal discussions told POLITICO Monday.

The Nixon tapes remind us what a vile creature Henry Kissinger is.  —  Over the last few weeks, this modest little column of mine has been acquiring an almost eerie prescience and potency.  I called for the death sentence on Tariq Aziz to be commuted, and it was only a matter of days …

Linda McMahon Plans Meeting With NRSC  —  In case there was any doubt, Linda McMahon's political career may not be over.  —  The former wrestling executive turned Connecticut GOP Senate candidate has scheduled a personal meeting with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) on Capitol Hill.

Moody's says tax cut deal risks U.S. credit rating  —  Moody's Investors Service said in a Monday report that the tax-cut deal hammered out between President Obama and congressional Republicans jeopardizes the Aaa credit rating enjoyed by U.S. Treasury bonds.