GOP critics get opportunity to grill Secretary Clinton on Benghazi  —  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will testify Wednesday that her agency is moving full speed ahead with recommendations to avoid a repeat of the attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, that killed a U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.

Joe Biden ‘intoxicated’ by 2016 run  —  Joe Biden summoned more than 200 Democratic insiders to the vice presidential residence Sunday night to chat about the 2012 triumph — but many walked away convinced his rising 2016 ambitions were the real intent of the long, intimate night.

Wayne LaPierre of N.R.A. Has Angry Response to Obama  —  WASHINGTON — Wayne LaPierre, the executive director of the National Rifle Association, angrily accused President Obama on Tuesday of demonizing law-abiding gun owners and of wanting to put “every private personal firearms transaction right under …

Obama Speech Leaves G.O.P. Stark Choices  —  WASHINGTON — President Obama's aggressive Inaugural Address on Monday presented Congressional Republicans with a stark choice over the next two years: accommodate the president's agenda on immigration, guns, energy and social programs and hope …

Release Detail  —  January 23, 2013 - New Jersey Voters Back Christie's Rap On GOP 5-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Tell Lautenberg To Step Aside  —  Gov. Christopher Christie was right to criticize Congressional Republicans for delaying a vote on Hurricane Sandy relief …

The GOP's 48-hour debt ceiling makeover  —  And their approach might work on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue: The White House on Tuesday released a statement saying it wouldn't block the House approach.  Senate Democratic leaders were seriously weighing whether to simply adopt …

Netanyahu emerges weakened from Israeli elections  —  JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emerged weakened and facing a redrawn political map Tuesday after Israeli television projections showed a surge for a new centrist party, Yesh Atid, in Israel's elections, making it a key element of a future coalition.

Reid to Senate Republicans: Filibuster deal in 36 hours or face nuclear option  —  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is giving Republican colleagues 36 hours to agree to a deal on filibuster reform or he will move forward with the nuclear option.  —  “I hope in the next 24, 36 hours we can get something we agree on.

House Republican Leader Blames Gun Violence On ‘Welfare Moms’  —  Rep. James Lankford (R-OK), the fifth-ranking House Republican, laid the blame for gun violence at the feet of an unusual suspect: the children of “welfare moms” who commit fraud.  —  In a meeting with constituents earlier …

Break All the Rules  —  First, my congratulations and condolences to John Kerry for being nominated to be our next secretary of state.  There is no one better for the job today and no worse job to have today.  It is no accident that we've started measuring our secretaries of state more by miles traveled than milestones achieved.

How Israel's Iron Dome Is Also Saving Palestinian Lives  —  There's been a lot written recently about Iron Dome — Israel's high-tech missile defense system that hit the world stage during Israel's eight-day conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.  Its unprecedented success rate …

Sting operations reveal Mafia involvement in renewable energy  —  PALERMO, Italy — Inside a midnight-blue BMW, a Sicilian entrepreneur delivered his pitch to the accused mafia boss.  A new business was blowing into Italy that could spin wind and sunlight into gold, ensuring the future …

Apple Pulls 500px's Mobile Apps From The App Store, Claiming It's Too Easy To Search For Nude Photos  —  Toronto photo-sharing startup 500px is reporting today that both of its applications, 500px for iOS and its recent acquisition ISO500, have been pulled from the Apple App Store due to concerns about nude photos.

Report: Boehner's inauguration smoke joke had first lady's eyes rolling  —  Having a smoke is no joke to Michelle Obama.  —  A lip-reader claims Speaker John Boehner's question about cigarettes at the inaugural luncheon is what triggered an eye roll from the first lady.

Cameron Promises Britons a Referendum on E.U. Membership  —  LONDON — Prime Minister David Cameron promised Britons a far-reaching referendum within five years on membership in the European Union — provided he wins the next election — in a long-awaited speech on Wednesday whose implications …

Americans Downbeat on State of U.S., Prospects for Future  —  Republicans say best days are behind nation, Democrats see best days ahead  —  PRINCETON, NJ — U.S. President Barack Obama begins his second term at a time when Americans are as negative about the state of the country and its prospects …

Phil Mickelson warns of ‘drastic changes’ because of state, federal tax situation [UPDATED]  —  Phil Mickelson loves throwing boulders into the placid pond that is golf, and watching the ripples spill over the sides.  Whether it's rules changes or course design, Mickelson isn't shy about speaking his mind.