Radioactive Releases in Japan Could Last Months, Experts Say  —  WASHINGTON — As the scale of Japan's nuclear crisis begins to come to light, experts in Japan and the United States say the country is now facing a cascade of accumulating problems that suggest that radioactive releases of steam …

Sadly, the primary process might help Sarah Palin  —  It is difficult to believe, but the first election for the next president of the United States is less than a year away.  —  The New Hampshire primary is alive and well and headed toward a date of Valentine's Day next year …

The Slippery Slope Of Unilateralism  —  I had an interesting back and forth several years ago with Anne-Marie Slaughter, then a professor at Princeton, later policy planning director at the State Department, and now back to academia about an old line from something she wrote where she said …

Another Inside Job  —  Count me among those who were glad to see the documentary “Inside Job” win an Oscar.  The film reminded us that the financial crisis of 2008, whose aftereffects are still blighting the lives of millions of Americans, didn't just happen — it was made possible by bad behavior …

Duke guaranteeing $10 million line of credit for DNC  —  Duke Energy Corp., whose CEO is leading the fundraising for the Democratic National Convention, is guaranteeing a $10 million line of credit for the event.  —  The credit line from Fifth Third Bank is apparently the first time such an arrangement …

‘Baby Joseph’ Gets Second Chance at Life in U.S.  —  EXCLUSIVE: The baby who was hours from being pulled off life support at his Canadian hospital has been rescued by the national director of Priests For Life.  —  Joseph Maraachli, 13 months old, who is currently kept alive by a respirator …

Apologetic Lee sends refunds to donors  —  In e-mail, says funds belong to supporters  —  WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Chris Lee is refunding all the campaign money he raised in 2010 and 2011 and sending a letter to more than 1,100 donors apologizing for the online flirtation that led to his abrupt resignation.

'She's becoming Al Sharpton, Alaska edition'  —  Sarah Palin has played the sexism card, accusing critics of chauvinism against a strong woman.  —  She has played the class card, dismissing the Bush family as “blue bloods,” and complaining that she is the target of snobbery by people …

For 2012ers, past is present  —  The last time Newt Gingrich ran in a competitive election, the Internet was a few years away from going global.  The only mobile device anyone chatted on was the car phone.  And Matt Drudge was not yet a driving force in political news coverage.

Obama to outline fix for ‘No Child Left Behind’ that gives states more power  —  President Obama in a major speech Monday will call for a less Washington-centric approach to education reform which would give more power to state and local governments.  —  He will outline his vision …

Can there be life after the mandate?  —  ‘I am concerned, of course.  We have to have the individual mandate,’ said Sen. Tom Harkin.  AP Photo  —  A year after the health care overhaul's historic passage amid a volatile political debate, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act …

Glossy ‘Jihad Cosmo’ combines beauty tips with suicide bombing advice  —  Al-Qaeda has launched a women's magazine that mixes beauty and fashion tips with advice on suicide bombings.  —  Dubbed ‘Jihad Cosmo’, the glossy magazine's front cover features the barrel of a sub-machine gun next to a picture a woman in a veil.