White House, Egypt Discuss Plan for Mubarak's Exit  —  WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is discussing with Egyptian officials a proposal for President Hosni Mubarak to resign immediately, turning over power to a transitional government headed by Vice President Omar Suleiman with the support …

Why Sarah Palin keeps skipping CPAC  —  Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin today turned down an invitation to speak at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference even after being offered the plum keynote speaking spot, the fourth year in a row she's turned down an offer to speak at the event.

Pics of the Day: Homemade Helmets in Egypt...  Pick your favorite. … My personal favorite.

Democratic rep. files for bankruptcy  —  Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, an eight-term Democrat from Texas, filed for personal bankruptcy in December after a major bank won a $2.6 million arbitration award against him over a loan he made to a family company, according to documents filed in federal bankruptcy court.

Gallup Finds U.S. Unemployment Up Slightly in January to 9.8%  —  Underemployment at 18.9%, compared with 19.0% at the end of December  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Unemployment, as measured by Gallup without seasonal adjustment, increased to 9.8% at the end of January — up from 9.6% at the end of December, but down from 10.9% a year ago.

Get Ready for the Muslim Brotherhood  —  WASHINGTON — In 1985, as a teenager in Kenya, I was an adamant member of the Muslim Brotherhood.  Seventeen years later, in 2002, I took part in a political campaign to win votes for the conservative party in the Netherlands.

TRENDING: White House e-mail blackout  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) -The White House learned an important lesson Thursday: the most powerful place in the world is not immune to some of the technical glitches that drive most Americans crazy.  —  Shortly before 8 a.m. the unclassified e-mail system …

Gabrielle Giffords's husband Mark Kelly will command final shuttle flight  —  Mark Kelly, husband of wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, will fly the space shuttle Endeavour's final mission in April, according to a source familiar with the decision.  —  Kelly and NASA are expected to make an announcement at a press conference Friday.

Cops Charge 7-Year-Old for Bringing Toy Gun to Class  —  Kid charged with possession of a fake firearm after shooting Nerf-style gun  —  A 7-year-old child allegedly shot a Nerf-style toy gun in his Hammonton, N.J., school Jan. 18.  No one was hurt, but the pint-size softshooter now faces misdemeanor criminal charges.

President Obama's remarks at National Prayer Breakfast  —  Here's the White House transcript of President Barack Obama's address Thursday morning to the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington:  —  I want to begin by just saying a word to Mark Kelly, who's here.

Why we fight health reform rollback  —  We're looking out for business owners like Mark Hodesh, who runs a small home and garden shop in Ann Arbor, Mich. The new law gave a tax cut to help them provide insurance for employees.  So Hodesh was able to hire a new employee, expand his business and make 2010 his busiest year ever.

Housing finance changes likely to mean less government backing for some buyers  —  The Obama administration is likely to recommend reducing the size of mortgages eligible for government backing, according to current and former officials, a move that could make getting a home loan in high-priced areas …

Why I Was Dragged Through the Street by an Egyptian Mob  —  As the regime plays up the supposed role of “foreign agendas” behind the protests, Mubarak supporters' attacks become more indiscriminate  —  CAIRO — Egypt's cryptic new vice president, Omar Suleiman, is a man who chooses his words cautiously …

U.S. in Contempt Over Gulf Drill Ban, Judge Rules  —  The Obama Administration acted in contempt by continuing its deepwater-drilling moratorium after the policy was struck down, a New Orleans judge ruled.  —  Interior Department regulators acted with “determined disregard” …

Charlotte charred by FLOTUS roast reference  —  Charlotte residents were ecstatic to hear this week that their city was selected to host the Democratic convention.  But there was one line in the e-mail announcement from First Lady Michelle Obama that made locals say, “Huh?”

JPMorgan Hid Doubts on Madoff, Documents Suggest  —  Senior executives at JPMorgan Chase expressed serious doubts about the legitimacy of Bernard L. Madoff's investment business more than 18 months before his Ponzi scheme collapsed but continued to do business with him, according …

U.S. Pressure on Mubarak Opens a Rift With Arab Allies  —  WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama's attempt to abruptly push aside Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in favor of a transition government has sparked a rift with key Arab allies Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates …