Coburn may block 9/11 bill  —  New York Democrats hoping for quick action on a bill to give health care compensation to Ground Zero workers are about to run into Tom Coburn.  —  The Oklahoma Republican and physician — known in the Senate as “Dr. No” for his penchant in blocking bills …

For Obama, START treaty is ‘personal’  —  President Obama is making a final push to secure the votes for an arms treaty that stands not just as a political goal but a highly personal one.  —  The president needs nine Republican votes to win the two-thirds Senate majority to ratify …

Obama FCC Caves on Net Neutrality — Tuesday Betrayal Assured  —  What's Your Reaction:  —  Late Monday, a majority of the FCC has indicated that they're going to vote with Chairman Julius Genachowski for a toothless Net Neutrality rule.  —  According to all reports, the rule …

That snow is what global warming looks like  —  Unusually cold winters may make you think scientists have got it all wrong.  But the data reveal a chilling truth  —  There were two silent calls, followed by a message left on my voicemail.  She had a soft, gentle voice and a mid-Wales accent.

Christie frees man in gun case  —  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gave the Aitken family all they wanted for Christmas Monday.  —  Christie signed a letter ordering Brian Aitken, a New Jersey man sentenced to seven years in jail for having weapons he legally purchased in Colorado …

U.S. Military Seeks to Expand Raids in Pakistan  —  WASHINGTON — Senior American military commanders in Afghanistan are pushing for an expanded campaign of Special Operations ground raids across the border into Pakistan's tribal areas, a risky strategy reflecting the growing frustration …

Harry Potter actress was beaten and branded a prostitute by her brother after dating man ‘who was not a Muslim’  —  A Harry Potter actress fled her home after her father and brother threatened to kill her for going out with a Hindu man, a court heard yesterday.

Actor Injured in Fall During ‘Spider-Man’ Performance  —  An actor playing Spider-Man was injured during a performance of the Broadway musical “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” on Monday night.  Above, an image from a video taken by a New York Times reader.  —  Updated

Census Data Show 308 Million People and a Regional Shift  —  WASHINGTON — The Census Bureau rearranged the country's political map on Tuesday, giving more Congressional seats to the South and the West, and taking away from the Northeast and the Midwest, in largely anticipated changes …

U.S. Proposes Rules on Raising Insurance Premiums  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said on Tuesday that it would require health insurance companies to disclose and justify any increases of 10 percent or more in the premiums they charge next year.  —  State or federal officials …

Holder's Warning: Domestic Terror Threat  —  AG Eric Holder Says ‘Terrorists Only Have to Be Successful Once’  —  Attorney General Eric Holder has an urgent message for Americans: While he is confident that the United States will continue to thwart attacks, “the terrorists only have to be successful once.”

Funding Deal Snags Health Law  —  WASHINGTON—A Senate deal to fund the federal government until early March doesn't include money to enact the health-care overhaul or stepped up regulation of Wall Street, boosting Republican efforts to curb key elements of President Barack Obama's domestic agenda.

On Palin's Reading List, C.S. Lewis  —  He wasn't a children's writer, as the governor's critics proclaim—not by a long shot.  —  Since Katie Couric first asked the question a couple of years back, journalists continue to pepper Sarah Palin with that classic ice-breaker: “So, what are you reading?”

Janet Napolitano: We're Working “24/7, 364″ To Keep The American People Safe  —  Ya gotta wonder which day America's anti-terror forces are kicking their feet up with a book and maybe a nap, instead of, you know, “keeping the American people safe?”  —  On ABC's World News tonight …

Joe Manchin stands by skirting votes  —  Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) stands by his decision to miss voting on the repeal of “don't ask, don't tell” and the immigration reform bill, the DREAM Act - two major Democratic-backed pieces of legislation.  —  This weekend the West Virginia Democrat's office released …

Warner, Chambliss aim for deficit plan in 2011  —  Fresh off an election in which the ballooning budget deficit weighed heavily on voters' minds, a huge bipartisan majority of senators agreed last week on a tax-cut package that would add hundreds of billions of dollars to the national debt.