Obama expected to announce major Afghan drawdown  —  Pentagon and White House officials say about 10,000 troops will probably come home this year, a bigger number than Gen. David Petraeus wanted.  —  U.S. troops examine confiscated weapons and ammunition during a raid in Sabari, in eastern Afghanistan, on Sunday.

Bristol Palin Reveals True Feelings About the McCains, ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ Levi Johnston and More  —  From Levi Johnston to Meghan McCain, Bristol Palin has been put off by a lot of people.  —  In her upcoming memoir, “Not Afraid of Life: My Journey So Far,” the 20-year-old daughter …

Did Obama Really Prevent A Second Great Depression?  —  It has become a common refrain at the White House and among administration supporters that President Obama's aggressive efforts to stimulate growth prevented an economic catastrophe.  —  “We had to hit the ground running and do everything …

World's oceans in ‘shocking’ decline  —  Coral reefs are subject to “multiple stressors” that could destroy many within a human generation  —  The oceans are in a worse state than previously suspected, according to an expert panel of scientists.  —  In a new report, they warn that ocean life is …

The Rise of Uncompassionate Conservatism  —  The Republican noncandidate flavor of the week is Texas governor Rick Perry.  If you squint just right, you could mistake him at a podium for his predecessor, George W. Bush.  Except for his message.  —  There might be no more powerful symbol …

Class Dismissed … Like This Story … - Can Airlines Really Insist That You Pull Your Pants Up?  - How Your Relationship To Debt Changes Completely When You Turn 28- Holy Gamoly!  TV Chefs Reacting to the Taste of Their Own Food- Shafer: Why Synthetic Pot Is Worse …

Straight Talk From Top Enlisted Marine on 'Don't Ask' Repeal  —  The Command Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, the service's top non-commissioned officer, is supposed to be tough, hard-charging — and more than a little intimidating. … In that respect, Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett …

Jon Stewart: “Who are the most consistently misinformed media viewers? ...  Fox viewers, consistently, every poll.”  —  “Who are the most consistently misinformed media viewers? ...  Fox viewers, consistently, every poll.”  —  “President Obama and liberal former DNC Chairman Tim Kaine's $787 billion stimulus failed to create jobs.”

Cigarette Health Warnings  —  Beginning September 2012, FDA will require larger, more prominent cigarette health warnings on all cigarette packaging and advertisements in the United States.  These warnings mark the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years and are a significant advancement …

Huntsman announces presidential bid, warns of ‘un-American’ future  —  Liberty State Park, New Jersey (CNN) - Not known for throwing out red meat to conservative audiences, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman warned voters the country is facing an “un-American” future in his campaign kick-off speech Tuesday.

White House, lawmakers speed up debt-reduction talks  —  The White House and congressional leaders are accelerating negotiations over the biggest debt-reduction package in at least two decades amid mounting concern that the effort is running out of time.  —  Over the next six weeks …

N.C. Man Allegedly Robs Bank of $1 to Get Health Care in Jail  —  A 59-year-old man has been jailed in Gastonia, N.C., on charges of larceny after allegedly robbing an RBC Bank for $1 so he could get health care in prison.  Richard James Verone handed a female teller a note demanding the money …

N.L.R.B. Rules Would Streamline Unionizing  —  In a move that will undoubtedly please labor unions, the National Labor Relations Board announced on Tuesday morning that it was proposing new rules to speed up unionization elections, largely by streamlining various procedures.

Van Jones Considers Legal Action Against Fox News, Demands Glenn Beck Retraction … NEW YORK — After challenging Glenn Beck to a debate over the weekend at Netroots Nation and in a MoveOn.org-sponsored ad Monday, Van Jones may have taken his beef with Beck a step further.

Obama's Food Police in Staggering Crackdown on Market to Kids  —  Tony the Tiger, some NASCAR drivers and cookie-selling Girl Scouts will be out of a job unless grocery manufacturers agree to reinvent a vast array of their products to satisfy the Obama administration's food police.

Mysteries of a Nazi Photo Album  —  There are certainly many photo albums of Nazi leaders and many photo albums of the Nazis' victims.  But it's hard to imagine many albums depicting both, just a few pages apart.  —  At least one does, however, and it has surfaced in New York City.

Stunning result, twice  —  The result stunned poll director Mark DiCamillo, who said he initially dismissed as an aberration a similar outcome in a March poll that had one of the state's most-popular politicians falling so far from favor.  The nonpartisan Field Poll is considered one of the most reliable surveys in the state.

Actions in Alabama and New York highlight opposite directions  —  Below:  —  Christian Science Monitor  —  ATLANTA — America's red and blue states are increasingly going in exactly opposite directions on the issue of illegal immigration - a testament to how difficult finding middle ground has become on the federal level.