Obama holds edge over Romney in general election matchup, poll finds  —  Boosted by improved public confidence in his economic stewardship, President Obama for the first time holds a clear edge over Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in a hypothetical general-election matchup, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Religious Caucus Causes Protest in Las Vegas  —  LAS VEGAS — A special Saturday night Republican caucus here intended to accommodate Orthodox Jews who could not vote before sundown became the scene of controversy and confrontation after caucusgoers were told that to be admitted they had to sign …

Things Are Not O.K.  —  In a better world — specifically, a world with a better policy elite — a good jobs report would be cause for unalloyed celebration.  In the world we actually inhabit, however, every silver lining comes with a cloud.  Friday's report was, in fact, much better than expected …

One Test Left for Romney: The Midwest  —  Saturday's victory in the Nevada caucuses gives Mitt Romney double-digit wins in three of the four major regions of the country: the Northeast (New Hampshire), the West (Nevada) and the South (Florida).  —  Yes, Mr. Romney lost one Southern state …

Greece takes step closer to default  —  By Kerin Hope in Athens, Alex Barker in Brussels and Quentin Peel in Munich  —  Lucas Papademos, the Greek premier, failed to make party leaders accept harsh terms in return for a second €130bn bail-out, pushing Athens closer to a disorderly default as early as next month.

Super Bowl ads: Pete Hoekstra's hits a nerve  —  The campaign of former Rep. Peter Hoekstra for U.S. Senate explained a racially charged Super Bowl advertisement they developed - complete with an Asian actress speaking in broken English - as a reflection of China's increasingly competitive education system.

Fathers and Schools: Presidential Parallels  —  Michael Medved has an interesting article in today's Wall Street Journal reflecting on the strange continuity that this election marks the seventh in a row featuring either a privileged son or a man with no relationship with his biological father, and wonders why:

Hill Poll: Voters willing to see US attack Iran over nuclear weapons  —  Nearly half of likely voters think the United States should be willing to use military force to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, according to this week's The Hill Poll.  —  Forty-nine percent said military force …

Deal Is Closer for a U.S. Plan on Mortgage Relief  —  With a deadline looming on Monday for state officials to sign onto a landmark multibillion-dollar settlement to address foreclosure abuses, the Obama administration is close to winning support from a crucial state that would significantly expand the breadth of the deal.

Syria crisis: Army steps up Homs shelling  —  The BBC's Paul Wood reporting from inside Homs: “There's been pretty constant shelling”  —  Heavy artillery fire has been rocking Homs, as Syrian troops step up an assault on the restive city.  —  A BBC correspondent there describes almost constant blasts …

Contraception rule respects religion  —  One of the key benefits of the 2010 health care law is that many preventive services are now free for most Americans with insurance.  Vaccinations for children, cancer screenings for adults and wellness visits for seniors are all now covered in most plans …

Economic Gains, Questions on Romney Boost Obama's Prospects for November  —  Mitt Romney has solidified his position for the Republican nomination but lost ground in the main event, with improved economic indicators and questions about Romney's wealth and taxes lifting Barack Obama to a head …

The Citizens United catastrophe  —  We have seen the world created by the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, and it doesn't work.  Oh, yes, it works nicely for the wealthiest and most powerful people in the country, especially if they want to shroud their efforts to influence politics behind shell corporations.

The race issue rises again  —  The issue of race and American politics, never far beneath the surface during Barack Obama's historic 2008 campaign, is making a loud, overt and surprisingly early appearance in the 2012 presidential race.  —  And no one knows — least of all Obama himself …

Josh Powell, kids die in alleged murder-suicide  —  PLAY CBS NEWS VIDEO  —  The case of missing Utah mother Susan Powell took a horrific turn Sunday in Washington State.  —  Officials say her husband, who was a person of interest in that case, killed their two children and himself.

Egypt names Americans charged in NGO probe; Sam LaHood among those facing criminal charges  —  CAIRO — Egyptian authorities have charged the Egypt country directors of the International Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute in an investigation into the financing …