Santorum revives campaign with wins in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota  —  DENVER — Rick Santorum had a breakthrough night Tuesday, winning GOP presidential contests in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado, all of which is expected to breathe life into his struggling campaign and slow Mitt Romney's march …

Obama Tries to Ease Ire on Contraception Rule  —  WASHINGTON — Facing vocal opposition from religious leaders and an escalating political fight, the White House sought on Tuesday to ease mounting objections to a new administration rule that would require health insurance plans …

Initial Assessment of Ninth Circuit's Anti-Prop 8 Ruling  —  Some quick comments on Judge Reinhardt's majority opinion:  —  1. From the very first line of his opinion ("Prior to November 4, 2008, the California Constitution guaranteed the right to marry to opposite-sex couples" (emphasis added) …

Obama Inches Past Romney In Virginia Presidential Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Senate Race Still Tied  —  For the first time in this election cycle, President Barack Obama inches ahead of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the leading Republican candidate, 47 - 43 percent in Virginia …

Another Campaign for Sale  —  Two years ago, while delivering his State of the Union address, President Obama looked the Supreme Court justices in the face and told them they were wrong to have allowed special interests to spend without limits on campaigns.  “I don't think American elections …

BBC tells its staff: don't call Qatada extremist  —  The BBC has told its journalists not to call Abu Qatada, the al-Qaeda preacher, an “extremist”.  —  Abu Qatada, the Islamic extremist, in one of the images banned by the BBC  —  In order to avoid making a “value judgment” …

Suspect recall signing could result in felony charges  —  RACINE — What started with a man noticing his friend's signature four times on recall petitions could result in felony charges.  —  The Racine County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate possible fraudulent recall signatures collected …

Capitol Assets: Some legislators send millions to groups connected to their relatives  —  Some members of Congress send tax dollars to companies, colleges and community groups where their spouses, children and parents work as salaried employees, lobbyists or board members …

Stephen Hester: The full interview  —  In his first interview since the row over his bonus Stephen Hester, the chief executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland, has admitted that he “underestimated” the outcry the £1 million payment would cause.  —  Speaking to Today presenter James Naughtie …

Michelle Obama in Tug of War at White House  —  The normally dignified Blue Room at the White House became a late-night show comedy set last month when first lady Michelle Obama engaged in a friendly game of tug of war with host Jimmy Fallon, according to a photo released by the White House today.