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Obama, Medvedev Agree To Cut Nuclear Arms – President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev struck a preliminary deal Monday to reduce their nations’ stockpiles of nuclear warheads to as few as 1,500 each, aiming toward the lowest levels of any U.S.-Russia arms control agreement.

McNamara dies, career haunted by Vietnam war – Former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara died on Monday aged 93. He will be remembered most as the leading architect of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

China says 140 dead in Xinjiang unrest – Around 140 people were killed in a riot in Urumqi, the capital of China’s western-most region of Xinjiang, state media and local reports said on Monday, as the Beijing government faced the most severe unrest in ethnic minority areas since the rioting in Tibet last March.

Palin dashed her chances of winning the 2012 nomination – Forget about Sarah Palin as the Republican presidential candidate in 2012 and probably ever. She may have no interest in seeking the GOP nomination. But if she does, her chances of winning the nomination have been minimized by her decision to resign as governor of Alaska. She’s knocked out one of three legs of the presidential stool and a second one is wobbly.

Legal Bills Swayed Palin, Official Says – Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell of Alaska said Sunday that Gov. Sarah Palin’s decision to resign was largely prompted by the personal legal costs of the ethics investigations against her.

Iranian Guards Issue Warning as Vote Errors Are Admitted – More than 100 percent of those eligible to vote voted in 50 cities.

Obama to sign anti-smoking bill in Rose Garden – President Barack Obama is set to sign into law an anti-smoking bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco.

Ensign Lover’s Hubby Wanted Money — But Through His Lawyer – Team Ensign is continuing to walk back its original claim that Doug Hampton, the husband of the senator’s girlfriend, tried to extort Ensign.

Schumer: Dems May Have To Go It Alone On Health Care – Without “dramatic” changes, Schumer said he would oppose the co-ops deal and urge other Democrats to do so as well.

Obama’s Stimulus Promise: More Than 600,000 Jobs – President Barack Obama promised Monday to deliver more than 600,000 jobs through his $787 billion stimulus plan this summer, with federal agencies pumping billions into public works projects, schools and summer youth programs.

North Korea sentences 2 U.S. reporters to prison – Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for San Francisco-based Current TV, were sentenced by the top Central Court in Pyongyang in a two-day trial that started Friday as U.S. officials demanded the release of the two women.

U.S.-Backed Alliance Wins Election in Lebanon – An American-backed alliance has retained control of the Lebanese Parliament after a hotly contested election billed as a showdown between Tehran and Washington for influence in the Middle East.

If Hutchison leaves Senate, down-ballot frenzy could begin – The movement could provide an opening for Democrats finally to recapture a statewide seat and more local races, which could mean the difference in taking the state House.

Report: Before Congressional Run, Scarborough Represented Killer Of Abortion Doctor – Scarborough publicly addressed the story, for what appears to be the first time. But what he talked about was his own past ties to an anti-abortion killer. And his comments — which seemed designed largely to minimize those ties — appear to conflict with other reported facts about the incident.

4 Accused of Plot to Bomb Synagogues in the Bronx – The men were petty criminals who appeared to be acting alone, not in concert with any terrorist organization, the New York City police commissioner said Thursday.

Obama Will Try to Quell Concern on Detainees – President Obama will attempt today to answer critics of his dismantling of Bush-era policies on detention and interrogation, in a speech reminding Americans that strong national security and adherence to laws and national values are not mutually exclusive.

Hutchison supporters seek apology from Perry over strategist’s comment: Don’t Open Up GOP Like A “Whorehouse” – A group of Kay Bailey Hutchison supporters is demanding an apology from Rick Perry, saying his top political strategist insulted her by invoking the imagery of a brothel.

Obama Huddles With Human Rights Groups Before Security Speech – Under heavy criticism for a series of decisions on national security that resembled, for some, those of the Bush years, President Barack Obama hosted a lengthy meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of several key human rights and civil liberties groups.