White House Defends Continuing U.S. Role in Libya Operation  —  WASHINGTON — The White House, pushing hard against criticism in Congress over the deepening air war in Libya, asserted Wednesday that President Obama had the authority to continue the military campaign without Congressional approval …

Gingrich's wife at center of presidential campaign turmoil, sources say  —  New details, including concerns over his third wife, Callista, have emerged about why Newt Gingrich's entire senior campaign staff walked out on the presidential hopeful.  NBC's Michael Isikoff reports.  —  By Michael Isikoff

Exclusive Interviews: Jon Huntsman Is Tired of Waiting  —  On Tuesday, Jon Huntsman — the former governor of Utah and, more recently, the U.S. ambassador to China — will officially enter the race for the Republican presidential nomination.  But he has already begun to distinguish himself …

Judgement day: Weiner's wife returns home to confront errant husband as new images emerge showing congressman cross dressing and ‘oiled up’  —  Beleaguered congressman Anthony Weiner is set to face his humiliated wife Huma Abedin after she arrived at the family home in Washington home earlier today.

House Panel Releases Scathing Report on ‘Fast and Furious’ Gun Operation, Sure to Anger Mexico  —  Hoping to score a knockout blow against the Mexican cartels, U.S. law enforcement created “Operation Fast and Furious” to stop gun smuggling by allowing the weapons into Mexico …

Weiner: 'You Aren't Giving My Package Due Credit'  —  Ginger Lee — the former porn star, current “featured dancer” and aspiring real estate agent — just told reporters about her relationship with Congressman Anthony Weiner, saying he repeatedly texted her about his “package” but denies she ever sexted him.

Good for Mitt Romney — though we've long passed the point where weak lip-service is enough on the Climate Crisis  —  While other Republicans are running from the truth, he is sticking to his guns in the face of the anti-science wing of the Republican Party: “It seemed like a straightforward question …

Michele Bachmann's Unrivaled Extremism  —  THE DAILY BEAST ON:  —  Her anti-gay platform has alienated parts of her family.  A mentor she described as a “great influence” has a history of addresses to white supremacists.  A book she collaborated on advocates theocracy.

John Edwards' mug shot released  —  (CNN)-Former U.S. Senator John Edwards, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and campaign law violations in early June.  His mug shot was obtained by CNN following a Freedom of Information Act request.  —  The plea came after a federal grand jury indicted him on six counts …

Pelosi's wealth grows by 62 percent  —  House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) saw her net worth rise 62 percent last year, cementing her status as one of the wealthiest members of Congress.  —  Pelosi was worth at least $35.2 million in the 2010 calendar year, according to a financial disclosure report released Wednesday.

Earth may be headed into a mini Ice Age within a decade  —  Physicists say sunspot cycle is ‘going into hibernation’  —  What may be the science story of the century is breaking this evening, as heavyweight US solar physicists announce that the Sun appears to be headed into a lengthy spell of low activity …

N.Y. Senate Republicans Undecided on a Gay Marriage Vote  —  ALBANY — Senate Republican leaders said on Wednesday that they had not decided whether to take a vote on legalizing same-sex marriage, as advocates were in a full-court press to gain the one vote needed to pass the measure before Monday …

BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL  —  ATM industry not happy about Obama comments  —  Senior Editorial Writer Follow Him @Philipaklein  —  The Automated Teller Machine industry is not happy about President Obama's comments that the development of ATMs has cost jobs.  Here's a sampling of some of the feedback I've been getting.

Unions file suit to halt collective bargaining legislation  —  Madison - One day after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of collective-bargaining legislation that potentially affects thousands of public-sector employees, a coalition of unions filed suit in federal court seeking to block it.

Prop 8 Proponents Vow to Appeal Ruling Denying Motion to Dismiss Over Judge's Sexuality  —  Ari Ezra Waldman is a 2002 graduate of Harvard College and a 2005 graduate of Harvard Law School.  After practicing in New York for five years and clerking at a federal appellate court in Washington …

A Curious Insularity  —  In the world of Barack Obama, inflating tires and “tuning up” modern car engines precludes off-shore drilling.  Four-dollar-a-gallon gas prices can be ameliorated by having the average consumer trade in his 8-mpg clunker.  Medical bills soar because doctors unnecessarily rip out tonsils and lop off limbs.

Cable worried about poverty, not Netflix  —  (Reuters) - For all the talk about competitive threats from the likes of Netflix Inc or Apple Inc, it is rising poverty among households that TV executives say is their biggest source of concern.  —  Executives from News Corp, Comcast Corp and Time Warner Inc …