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 …

Huntsman Campaign Launch Begins Day with Misspelling of His Own Name  —  ABC News' Sarah Kunin (@Sarah_Kunin) reports:  —  Every detail of Jon Huntsman's long-awaited campaign launch was meticulously planned, except of course for one minor detail: the misspelling of the candidate's name.

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 …

APNewsBreak: Gingrich campaign finance team quits  —  ATLANTA — The top fundraisers for Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign have abandoned his struggling bid amid anemic fundraising and heavy spending.  —  Campaign spokesman R.C. Hammond is confirming to The Associated Press …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Schumer adds new weight to repatriation tax talks  —  Apple, Cisco, and other multinationals are lobbying hard for a tax break on foreign income.  They may have a new ally in Sen. Chuck Schumer.  —  By Tory Newmyer, writer  —  FORTUNE — The campaign by U.S. multinationals to sell Congress …

Pawlenty buys ads in Iowa  —  Tim Pawlenty will become the first Republican candidate to launch a major media buy in Iowa.  —  Pawlenty is going up with ads in the first-in-the-nation caucus state starting tomorrow on Fox News with a buy just under $50,000 in the Cedar Rapids, Des Moines …

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.

A License to Lie, Backdated  —  Steve Randy Waldman writes about finance and economics at the website Interfluidity.  —  In a party-line, 5 to 4 split, the Supreme Court last week severely curtailed investors' practical ability to hold financial intermediaries accountable for fraud.

Michelle Obama Meets With Nelson Mandela, Says President Is ‘Pouty’  —  First lady Michelle Obama visited Nelson Mandela on the first day of her trip to South Africa today and told one greeter that her husband was “pouty” that he couldn't come along.  —  The first lady's weeklong trip …

Muslim woman Carnita Matthews escapes jail by remaining behind her burqa  —  Debate ... Carnita Matthews was pulled over last June.  Picture: Channel 9 HWT Image Library  —  Supporters shield Carnita Matthews as she leaves court.  Picture: Cameron Richardson.  Herald Sun