WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is nearing a decision to add tens of thousands more forces to Afghanistan, though likely not quite the 40,000 sought by his top general there, as Pentagon planners work to ready bases and provide equipment the troops would need in a country with scant resources.Read more

WASHINGTON — The Senate gave President Barack Obama a major victory Monday in his efforts to remake the federal courts, confirming a judge who will tip the political balance on the once-conservative appeals court based in Richmond.Read more

WASHINGTON — The White House launched an effort Monday that it says will turn the government into a model employer of military veterans and possibly provide encouragement for private employers to do the same.Read more

HARTFORD, Conn. — Gov. M. Jodi Rell will not run for re-election next year, saying Monday that she plans to dedicate her last 14 months in office to solving Connecticut's ever-darkening economic problems.Read more

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is ready to hand out more stimulus dollars for schools, but this time, strings are attached.Read more

WASHINGTON — Attorneys for two Florida teenagers who are serving life in prison without the possibility of parole told the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday that such sentences violate the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment and that juveniles should get a chance at release.Read more

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called for an immediate resumption of peace talks with Palestinians and pledged more steps to improve economic conditions in Palestinian areas.Read more

WASHINGTON — Abortion opponents in the Senate want tough restrictions in the health care overhaul bill, similar to the limits passed by the House this past weekend.Read more

WASHINGTON — The White House is calling for the release of three Americans being held in Iran on accusations of espionage.Read more

WASHINGTON — A radical American imam on Yemen's most wanted militant list who had contact with two 9/11 hijackers praised alleged Fort Hood shooter Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan as a hero on his personal Web site Monday.Read more

• Link | Dar al Hijrah Islamic Center
• Link | Anwar al Awlaki