Romney's Tax Confusion  —  The candidate's response on the ObamaCare mandate reveals larger campaign problems.  —  If Mitt Romney loses his run for the White House, a turning point will have been his decision Monday to absolve President Obama of raising taxes on the middle class.

Obama: Health care law ‘is here to stay’  —  MAUMEE, Ohio — President Obama said that repealing his signature health care law is not an option.  —  “I'll work with anybody who wants to work with me to continue to improve our health care system and our health care laws …

Alabama Pastor Holds ‘Whites Only’ Conference  —  All loving Christians are invited to celebrate the word of God at Rev. William Collier's annual conference — that is, as long and they are white.  —  Collier's Alabama town is outraged over the flyer for his pastors' conference, which specifies “All White Christians Invited.”

Why the Soda Ban Won't Work  —  Michael Bloomberg , Childhood Obesity , New York Politics , Bloomberg Soda Ban , Soda Ban , New York News  —  There are few who would criticize Mayor Bloomberg for working towards the goal of a healthier New York.  Unfortunately, there are many who would …

Office says Rep. Jackson being treated for ‘physical and emotional ailments’ … Staff report  —  A week after U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. announced he was taking a leave of absence, his office released a statement today saying his condition is “more serious than initially believed” and he is being treated in an “in-patient facility.”

Libya elections: Muslim Brotherhood set to lead government  —  Libya's top politicians have hatched a deal that would see the Muslim Brotherhood lead the government after the country's first free elections in almost five decades takes place on Sunday.  —  Jamie Dettmer in Tripoli

UPDATED: Brad Pitt's Mother DID Write Anti-Gay Letter  —  UPDATE (4:30 PM): The Springfield News-Leader has changed its story again, including deleting the Opinion Page editor's previous comment.  According to a new editorial note posted on the letter:

What This Higgs Boson Thing Really Means  —  As you may have heard, there is now strong evidence that a particle called the Higgs boson, whose existence has long been predicted on theoretical grounds, actually exists.  —  Let me explain to you what the Higgs boson is.  —  Just kidding!

Judge: George Zimmerman's new bond $1 million  —  A Sanford judge today ordered George Zimmerman, the Neighborhood Watch volunteer who shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old, released on $1 million bail.  —  It was not immediately clear how long it would take the 28-year-old Zimmerman to arrange his release.

San Diego fireworks show exploded in 15 seconds, ruining show [Video]  —  One of the largest Fourth of July fireworks shows in the nation was ruined in San Diego Wednesday after a glitch caused all the pyrotechnics to ignite all at once.  —  About five minutes before the Port …

Agents stir outcry by detaining former Arizona Gov. Raul Castro, 96  —  Ex-governor had trace of medical radiation  —  The wife and a friend of former Arizona Gov. Raul Castro are calling for changes in Border Patrol procedures after agents recently detained the frail 96-year-old in 100-degree heat for more than a half-hour.

Americans See More Economic Harm Than Good in Health Law  —  Independents help tilt the balance to the negative  —  PRINCETON, NJ — Americans are more likely to say the 2010 healthcare law upheld by the Supreme Court last week will hurt the national economy (46%) rather than help it (37%) …

Allen West Called a “Bought Mother F*cker”  —  After finishing his recitation of the Declaration of Independence during the city of Delray Beach's Independence Day festivities, Congressman Allen West was verbally accosted in front of a small group of constituents and media.

The Pauls' New Crusade: “Internet Freedom”  —  Defending the Internet — and the corporations that invest in it — from government regulation is the new “End the Fed,” Paul advisors tell BuzzFeed exclusively.  A new Paul manifesto: “This is our revolution.”

Obama Administration Challenges China's Unfair Imposition of Duties on American-Made Automobiles  —  Washington, D.C. - United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced today that the United States is challenging China's imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on more than $3 billion …