The Washington Post

Obama Delays Foreign Trip to Work on Health Care – Rachel Weiner and Michael D. Shear report on President Obama’s decision to delay trip to Indonesia due to final push on stalled health care legislation

Justice Department Picks ex-Brooklyn Prosecutor to Lead Public Integrity Unit – Carrie Johnson reports that the Justice Department has chosen Jack Smith, a veteran federal prosecutor with experience in death penalty and corruption cases, to lead the public integrity section

Obama’s Ambitious Export Plan May Rekindle Free Trade Battle – Howard Schneider looks into President Obama’s plan to double U.S. exports in the next five years in effort to increase job growth

IRS Investigates Flurry of Threats Against its Workers and Facilities – Ed O’Keefe reports that the IRS is investigating more than 70 reported recent instances of inappropriate comments made to agency workers by taxpayers

Director says NHTSA Responded Properly on Toyota’s Problems – Peter Whoriskey outlines testimony given by David L. Strickland, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency accused of responding too slowly to complaints about Toyotas

The New York Times

Obama Links Immigration Overhaul in 2010 to G.O.P. Backing – Julia Preston explains that President Obama is hoping for substantial Republican backing in order to proceed with an overhaul of the immigration system

Births to Minorities Are Approaching Majority in U.S. - Sam Roberts introduces new data that suggests births to Asian, black, and Hispanic women are close to surpassing those of non-Hispanic white women

Obama Social Secretary Ran Into Sharp Elbows – Peter Baker outlines the rise and fall of White House social secretary Desirée Rogers

U.S. Falters in Screening Border Patrol Near Mexico – Randal Archibold reports that federal anticorruption investigators are struggling to screen newly hired US law enforcement officers working on the Mexican border

FCC Ponders Action on Cable Fee Disputes – Edward Wyatt looks into the FCC’s promise to ensure cable customers with uninterrupted service despite fee disputes between broadcasters and cable companies

In a Surprise, U.S. Retail Sales Rose in February – The AP reports that Commerce Department data shows that retail sales rose 0.3 percent in February

The Wall Street Journal

Natural-Gas Group Opposes EPA Greenhouse Gas Rules – Siobhan Hughes reports that natural gas companies are against proposed EPA regulations

Obama ‘Fully Committed’ to Revising Immigration Laws – Laura Meckler looks into President Obama’s plans to reform immigration policy.

Retail Sales Post Strong Gain – Jeff Bater and Judith Burns report that U.S. retail sales have risen 0.3 percent, according to the Commerce Department

Cost to Build U.S. Fighter Jet Soars – The AP reports on the troubled F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, whose cost has doubled since its inception in 2001

– compiled by Alison Baitz

Washington Post

Politics, shaky economy create no rush to restructure Fannie and Freddie – Zachary A. Goldfarb reports that the Treasury Department has no immediate plans to reform government-run housing lenders that play big role in recovery

Compromise would shield payday lenders, pawnbrokers and car dealers from oversight – Binyamin Applebaum reports on exemptions from consumer regulation for non-bank lenders in Senate financial reform bill

Rise in Washington area unemployment seen as good sign for economy’s recovery – V. Dion Haynes reports on Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, interpreted as more people returning to job hunting because more optimistic about economy

Use of private security guards at government buildings comes under scrutiny – Ed O’Keefe reports that upcoming hearing will examine oversight, training of private guards under contract with Homeland Security Department’s Federal Protective Service

NHTSA chief says rate of Toyota complaints was ‘unremarkable’ – In advance of congressional hearing on NHTSA’s response to unintended acceleration complaints, Peter Whoriskey reports that new head of the agency defends response because no defect was identified, previous agency head disagrees

Overworked U.S. embassy in Kabul straining to meet administration’s demands – Karen DeYoung reports that State Department Inspector General report says huge expansion of largest U.S. mission strains resources, security

New York Times

TARP panel finds fault with GMAC bailout – Sewell Chan reports that congressional panel overseeing TARP raises questions about Bush administration’s $17.2 billion bailout of auto finance arm

More messages link Senator to job effort – Eric Lichtblau and Eric Lipton report that emails turned over to the F.B.I., Senate ethics committee damaging to Senator Ensign (R-Nev.)

Goldman deal-maker now advocates regulation – Graham Bowley reports on “conversion” of CFTC chief, former Wall Street executive, now pushing for regulation

Panel urges new look at Caesarean guidelines – Denise Grady reports on new recommendations at National Institutes of Health conference

Antitrust and your vote – Editorial Board urges Justice Department to do more to prevent anticompetitive behavior by voting machine manufacturers

Wall Street Journal

U.S. monthly budget deficit balloons to a record – Meena Thiruvengadam and Jeff Bater cover Treasury Department’s budget report showing deficit largest ever in February, up 10.5% from last year, some positive revenue developments

Census jobs tough to fill – Ana Campoy reports that the U.S. Census Bureau needs workers in “hard-to-count,” largely Spanish-speaking communities

Monsanto draws antitrust scrutiny – Scott Kilman reports on Justice and Agriculture Departments’ joint public “workshops” to air complaints about anticompetitive behavior in farm industry as Justice investigates biotechnology company Monsanto

Toyota complaints surged after first recall – Alexandra Berzon and Gabriel Kahn say NHTSA records show spike in complaints to agency after Toyota recall in September

Sebelius cautions health insurers about premium increases – Patrick Yoest reports on Health and Human Services Secretary’s remarks at insurance policy meeting

– compiled by Marci Greenstein

Washington Post

Jihad Jane, an American woman, faces terrorism charges – Carrie Johnson reports on FBI’s snare of unlikely terrorist, accomplices

FDA says Basic Food Flavors knew plant was contaminated with salmonella – Lindsey Layton reports that FDA learned of contamination from foodmaker who purchased food additive five months into shipments of contaminated product

Defense Secretary Gates greets troops, tours Afghan ‘city that had been dead’ – Greg Jaffe covers Defense Secretary’s look at daily life in city that is symbol of military’s accomplishments

Inspectors from Toyota and NHTSA descend upon San Diego to examine runaway Prius – Frank Ahrens reports on latest, high-profile unintended acceleration case for regulators

SEC takes on rumors of new short-sale rules – Zachary A. Goldfarb reports that SEC denied it was banning short-sales of government owned stocks

Napolitano says suicide plane crash wasn’t related to domestic terrorism – Spencer S. Hsu reports that Homeland Security Secretary distinguished lone act from others aimed at federal government

Obama’s plans for NASA changes met with harsh criticism – Joel Achenbach reports on strong opposition from aerospace industry to 2011 budget, which would eliminate NASA program to put humans back on moon

Cable firms seek FCC help in fee disputes – Cecelia Kang reports that in wake of broadcast-cable fight over transmission fees that shut down NY station, groups ask FCC to get involved in future negotiations

Clinton-era filegate appears to have closed, 14 years on – Al Kamen reports that judge threw out case claiming Clinton’s misuse of FBI files as baseless

New York Times

Bank of America to end overdraft fees on debt purchases – Andrew Martin reports that bank changed policy in face of new Federal Reserve Bank rules

As Fed eases loan aid, policy challenges arise – Sewell Chan reports that Federal Reserve is weighing its next moves post-financial crisis, interpreting economic indicators

Delay on arms pact slows reset of U.S.–Russia Ties – Peter Baker and Mark Landler look at the difficult process of negotiating with Russia, reversing old antagonisms

Wall Street Journal

Decision on 9/11 trial could undercut Holder – Evan Perez provides back story of administration’s decision to overrule Attorney General and try terrorists in military, not civilian court

In this Afghanistan, bombs don’t kill – Yochi J. Dreazen and Jim Carlton report that movie set, special effects prepares U.S. military for oversees assignment

Swaps come under fire – Stephen Fidler, Gregory Zuckerman and Brian Baskin report on U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission chairman’s call for banning credit default swaps, blamed for U.S. financial crisis and Greece’s financial melt-down

Labor market brightens a bit more – Conor Dougherty and Kathleen Madigan look at Labor Department measure of job openings

President orders expanded audits – Laura Meckler and Greg Hitt report that president is ordering more federal agency audits to find improper payments to health care providers, contractors, wants legislation to expand audit program

Airlines find ways to trim fuel use – Daniel Michaels reports on study by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European counterparts showing cooperating in flight planning saves money, reduces emissions

– compiled by Marci Greenstein

Washington Post

Analysis finds uneasy mix in auto industry and regulation – Kimberly Kindy reports on high numbers of former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration staff, officials representing auto industry in agency investigations

Pentagon resists Army’s desire to stop development of MEADS missile system – Craig Whitlock reports that despite Army’s request to stop ineffective, costly weapons program, Pentagon requests funding, huge penalties to contractors for cancellation make program too costly to cut

Gates sees momentum in Afghanistan but plays down prospects for reconciliation – Greg Jaffe repots on Defense Secretary Gates’ assessment that situation not yet ripe for overture to Taliban fighters

Greece seeks U.S. help regulating speculators – Anthony Faiola and Steven Mufson report on Greek president’s calls for more regulation of companies that continue to benefit from Greece’s financial crisis, while Justice Department investigates companies in connection with Greece’s financial collapse

Northrop halts pursuit of tanker contract – Dana Hedgpeth reports that Northrop is pulling out of contract bid, claims contract is tailored to Boeing plane, Defense Department “disappointed,” says contract “structured fairly”

U.S. cotton subsidies spur trade sanctions in Brazil – AP reports that U.S. Trade Representative responds to trade sanctions against U.S. goods

Federal faces: David Fahey. Research physicist at NOAA – The Post profiles federal employee with key role in studying climate change

Former NASA official Sarsfield pleads guilty in contract scheme – AP reports on admission by NASA official that he got kickbacks for tailoring contracts, including to former NASA official

New York Times

Obama plans Florida forum to discuss NASA’s funeral – Kenneth Chang reports that the president will attend conference about NASA’s future, cancellation of $9 billion moon program

Retired general is picked for T.S.A. – Brian Knowlton profiles nominee to head Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration

Wall Street Journal

Winter blizzards elevate region’s flood risk – Kris Maher reports that the Army Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service and local agencies are meeting to asses flood risks following huge snowstorms

–  compiled by Marci Greenstein

Washington Post

Retired army general to lead TSA – Ed O’Keefe reports on nomination of general with intelligence background to fill long-open Transportation Security Administration position

In Iraq, a day of votes, violence – Ernesto Londono and Leila Fadel report that U.S. views Iraq elections a success, despite violence

U.S. reportedly gives billions to firms doing business with Iran – Reuters reports that New York Times investigation revealed U.S. has given billions to U.S. and foreign companies supporting Iran’s economy while it presses for economic sanctions

Thin wall separates lobbyist contributions and earmarks – R. Jeffrey Smith examines earmark process in wake of ethics committee finding several lawmakers’ earmarks not tied to political contributions

Scientists learn red grouper operate as underwater architects – Juliet Eilperin reports that environmental scientists, NOAA study behavior of fish, find new reasons for their protection

Navy has fired 6 commanders since January, triple its usual monthly rate – Craig Whitlock reports on latest firings, history of Navy dismissals for personal misconduct

With bank credit frozen, small U.S. businesses starting to turn to microlenders – Yian Q. Mui reports on entrepreneurs relying on alternative lenders established to aid poor outside U.S.

Disney allows Cablevision to resume showing WABC-7 as revenue negotiations continue – Cecelia Kang reports that the Federal Communications Commission rebuked Disney, Cablevision for holding customers hostage to negotiations over transmission fees, reflects changing media environment

New York Times

Gates visits Afghanistan to meet with Karzai – Elisabeth Bumiller reports on Secretary of Defense Gates’ surprise trip to region in preparation for new offensive

Program will pay homeowners to sell at a loss – David Streitfeld reports that latest administration plan will give incentive payments to homeowners, lenders to avert foreclosure on “underwater” properties

Deal to save Everglades may help sugar firm – Don Van Natta Jr. and Damien Cave report that Florida deal was a sweet one for sugar company

U.S. hopes Internet exports will help open closed societies – Mark Landler previews Treasury Department’s announcement that it will allow export of some technology services to Iran, Cuba and Sudan despite other sanctions

Officials step up enforcement of rights law in education – Sam Dillon reports on the Education Secretary’s announcement that the Department will be more active in combating discrimination against minorities, disabled

Wall Street Journal

Battle inside Fed rages over bank regulation – Jon Hilsenrath reports on behind the scenes battles among 12 regional bank heads and central bank as it reorganizes, redefines roles

Schools’ new math: the four-day week – Chris Herring reports on school districts enacting shorter school week in response to budget crunch

Economic policy ‘nudge’ gives way to a shove – Jonathan Weisman looks at economic theory that influenced administration policies

– compiled by Marci Greenstein

Washington Post

Obama advisors set to recommend military tribunals for alleged 9/11 plotters – Anne E. Kornblut and Peter Finn report that under pressure from Congress, White House is considering military, not civilian trial for 9/11 “mastermind,” hopes move will win congressional support for closing Guantanamo

Salmonella prompts processed food recall – Lyndsey Layton reports on massive voluntary recall of frozen foods that could be contaminated after foodmaker reported contamination to FDA under new law; agency sees role as balancing “protection and alarm,” lists contaminated products on its website

FTA delivers scathing report on safety of D.C. Metro – Lena H. Sun and Joe Stephens report that Federal Transit Authority found “deep-rooted deficiencies” in nation’s second busiest subway system, slammed states’ oversight, stopped short of calling for takeover of D.C. system, but this criticism may build support for federal oversight of transit systems

Joint Chiefs chairman Mullen outlines a more restrained art of war – Greg Jaffe reports on revamped approach, reflects today’s realities, Mullen compares today’s victory to “recovering from illness,” not “knockout punch”

Official blows whistle on food-safety agency – Ed O’Keefe reports on testimony of veterinarian with Food Safety Inspection Service that agency ignored his warnings about inhumane, unsafe slaughterhouse practices, supported by independent investigators

Levin urges Pentagon to rethink Blackwater contracts – Joby Warrick reports that Senate Armed Services Committee chairman wants Pentagon to rethink $1 billion in contracts to embattled contractor

AIG units settle lending discrimination allegations – Bloomberg News reports on $6.1 million settlement of Justice Department suit against lenders for racial discrimination; agency has 45 similar cases

Justice Dept.: Census confidentiality laws trump the Patriot Act – Ed O’Keefe reports that the Justice Department wrote legislators concerned about minority participation in Census

Suspected gunman in Pentagon shooting dies – Allison Klein, Clarence Williams and Debbi Wilgoren report that the Pentagon believes lone gunman not linked to terrorism

U.S. criticized on Iran sanctions – John Pomfret and Colum Lynch report on uproar over U.S. proposal to exempt China from sanctions against countries doing business with Iran

New York Times

Safety is issue as budget cuts free prisoners – Monica Davey reports on fallout from states releasing prisoners early to save money

Lawmakers from coal states seek to delay emission limits – John M. Broader reports that coal-state Senators want two-year delay of federal regulation of emissions from coal-burning power plants beyond 2011, when EPA says it will begin phasing in regulation

Earmarks abuse feared after ethics panel ruling – Eric Lichtblau reports that ethics panel ruling that 5 legislators did not violate new rules restricting earmarks for campaign contributors will “embolden” others, some worry

Michigan lawmaker steps up at Ways and Means – David M. Herszenhorn and Robert Pear profile Sander Levin, who takes over as head of House tax committee

House adopts $15 billion plan to spur job growth – Carl Hulse reports on House passage along party lines, Republicans say bill will create few jobs

Closing of rest stops stirs anger in Arizona – Jennifer Steinhauer reports that residents draw the line at budget cutting measures when it comes to rest stops

Wall Street Journal

Nonfarm payrolls fall by 36,000; jobless rate holds steady – Luca Di Leo and Meena Thiruvengadam report on Labor Department statistics showing more jobs lost in February than January, weather was a factor

Study sees FHA taking more risk – Nick Timiraos reports on economists’ view of Federal Housing Administration’s increased role, agency now backs 25% of mortgages up from 2% three years ago

Voting-machine deal to be cleared by U.S. – Thomas Catan reports that Justice Department is on verge of ok’ing merger of two largest voting machine makers with conditions

White House confronts insurers on premiums – Janet Adamy and Avery Johnson report on “dressing-down” of insurance heads, part of push for health reform, HHS Secretary urges transparency in rate setting

Genocide vote riles Turkey – John D. McKinnon and Marc Champion report on defense industry worries about House committee resolution calling Turkey treatment of Armenians “genocide,” administration’s hands-off approach contrasts with Bush era

– compiled by Marci Greenstein

Washington Post

Obama calls for reconciliation to prevent filibuster on health-care reform – Shailagh Murray and Lori Montgomery report on the president’s endorsement of procedural move to pass health care, Democrats line up behind him, Republicans ready to fight

Rep. Charles Rangel, Democrat of New York, leaves Ways and Means chairmanship – Paul Kane and Perry Bacon Jr. look at political fallout from senior Democrat’s departure as head of committee dealing with most important legislative issues

Conservatives raise ruckus over Justice appointees’ prior work with detainees – Carrie Johnson reports that Senator, Congressman slam Justice Department personnel who previously represented Guantanamo detainees

Somali official’s immunity case raises legal, policy issues – Robert Barnes reports on Supreme Court hearing of case testing conflict between foreign government immunity law and law authorizing lawsuits for torture

U.S. backs international trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna – Juliet Eilperin reports that the U.S. supports strongest trade restriction to protect species in advance of international conference

Four Democratic senators aim to halt stimulus wind project – Dan Eggen reports that Senators oppose funding of projects that boost foreign, not domestic jobs, administration disputes facts

FDA warns 17 companies of misleading claims on labels – Lyndsey Layton reports that the FDA took the unusual action of issuing violation notices to large companies, promising enforcement action if changes aren’t made

Fed proposes limits on credit card penalty fees – Yian Q. Mui reports that the Federal Reserve proposes caps on penalty fees in line with amount owing, part of implementing credit card law

NOAA’s tsunami warning system – David Brown asks head of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration about warning systems following Chile earthquake

New York Times

Californians compete for shot at redistricting – Jennifer Steinhauer reports on unique opportunity for citizen involvement in government redistricting

White House offers bill to restrict big banks’ actions – Sewell Chan reports that the administration spelled out plan to prevent large banks with FDIC-backed deposits from trading for their own benefit, faces uphill battle in Congress

Joint Chiefs chairman readjusts principles on use of force – Thom Shanker covers speech outlining U.S. policy on use of force: “proper,” “precise” and “principled”

Lawsuits renew questions on immigrant detentions – Nina Bernstein reports on federal case that exposes Immigration and Naturalization Service treatment of detainees, government supports immunity for Public Health Service doctors

What states and cities are doing to help small businesses – Elizabeth Olson surveys local approaches to boost businesses

Wall Street Journal

Sachs, a top aide to Geithner, to exit – Deborah Solomon reports on departure of “architect” of  response to financial crisis, job shuffle within administration among key financial advisors

Jobless claims fell in latest week – Sarah N. Lynch and Luca Di Leo report on Labor Department’s latest job figures

Pandit returns to capitol’s hot seat – Randall Smith identifies issues facing Citigroup’s chief in advance of his testimony before congressional panel overseeing bailout

Visiting 10-year-old allegedly directed air traffic at JFK airport – Melanie Trottman and Andy Pazstor cover FAA investigation of controller’s children‘s participation in job

– compiled by Marci Greenstein

Washington Post

As Democrats seek to push through health bill, Obama reaches out to Republicans – Lori Montgomery and Shailagh Murray report that Obama ok’s Republican cost cutting, anti-fraud measures in health care bill in lead up to vote under maneuver that requires 51, not 60 votes to pass

Days later, as deal emerges, Bunning backs down – Ben Purshing reports that the Senator blocking extension of government jobs, benefits, ends protest against deficit spending

Senators propose consumer-protection regulator within Fed – Binyamin Applebaum and David Cho report on the irony of an effort to strip the Fed of some of its powers in the wake of the financial crisis, that ends with Senators’ increasing Fed’s authority

New formula to give fresh look at U.S. poverty – Amy Goldstein reports that administration plans to expand Commerce Department’s definition of poverty set in the 1960’s to include housing, utilities, childcare and medical expenses, formula critical to distribution of funds from aid programs

Supreme Court does more wrangling with gun laws – Robert Barnes reports on argument in case of states’ right to regulate guns, judicial philosophies front and center

Obama says home-retrofitting plan would save energy, create jobs – Michael Fletcher covers president’s speech announcing rebates under “Homestar” program, Republicans dispute job creation claims

F-35 program likely to cost more and face delays, Air Force chief says – Dana Hedgpeth reports on Air Force Secretary’s testimony about further delays, costs of most expensive weapons system

Government may mandate “brake-override” systems; Toyota announces sales drop – Peter Whoriskey and Frank Ahrens report that Transportation Department is considering requiring cars have brake-override to prevent unintended acceleration problem plaguing Toyota, now linked to 53 deaths

FCC Chairman Genachowski confident in authority over broadband, despite critics – Cecelia Kang repots that the FCC Chairman is standing firm in agency’s goal of widespread access to high-speed Internet, despite pressure from Internet providers not to regulate them

Wall Street’s financial aftershocks – Harold Meyerson ponders powerful banking industry as Senate considers financial regulation bill, says Obama administration’s efforts to rein in Wall Street has “hit a wall”

New York Times

Bad science and bad policy – Times Editorial Board backs bill requiring same sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine, powder cocaine possession by U.S. Sentencing Commission, based on evidence of racial discrimination

Fighting Chance – Times Editorial Board asks federal, state agencies to work together to achieve environmental, land use goals

Wall Street Journal

Rangel temporarily gives up post – Greg Hitt and Brody Mullins report that tax committee chairman is stepping aside temporarily after ethics committee “admonished” him for accepting trip, further investigates him for nonpayment of taxes

– compiled by Marci Greenstein

Washington Post

Nuclear projects face financial obstacles – Steven Mufson reports that against backdrop of president’s push for nuclear energy, current ratepayers are being asked to foot the bill for nuclear plant construction

Hotheaded Emanuel may be White House voice of reason – Jason Horowitz profiles the president’s chief of staff, says his private persona differs from public image as “enforcer”

Dodd wants Democratic support for consumer-protection regulator at Fed – Binyamin Applebaum and David Cho report that Senate Banking Chairman, White House, willing to accept Republican proposal for consumer watchdog inside the Federal Reserve, rather than create separate agency

Wild pitches from Senator Bunning – Dana Milbank profiles Senator whose lone campaign to shut down government programs to make a point about deficit is wildly unpopular

Postal service expected to announce “significant changes” – Ed O’Keefe previews report that shows permanent reduction in mail volume, revenue in next decade, possible changes include layoffs, no Saturday service, rate hikes, new services

Skilling case latest to test “honest services” – Robert Barnes reports that Supreme Court appeal of Enron executive conviction challenges constitutionality of charge of depriving company, public of “honest services,” widely used in white collar prosecutions

Consumer optimism seen with January rise in spending – Yian Q. Mut reviews Commerce Department data that reflects growing consumer confidence

Obama to sell stimulus package to a wary Savannah – Michael A. Fletcher takes a look at how Washington policies have played in Savannah

New York Times

U.S. to reveal rules on Internet security – John Markoff previews the administration’s decision to declassify portions of the government’s “cybersecurity initiative” in order to show that government has a strategy to prevent cyber attacks

Vice Chairman of Fed to retire, letting Obama reshape Board – Sewell Chan reports that with latest departure, Obama’s imprint will be on Federal Reserve at critical time

Digital billboards drivers can’t escape – Matt Richtel reports that Federal Highway Administration is studying whether digital billboards are dangerously distracting

Public health departments shrinking, survey finds – Katherine Q. Seelye reports on sharp decline in public health workers due to local budget cuts as need increases

Wall Street Journal

Lawmakers keep the change – Brody Mullins and T.W. Farnam report that lawmakers ignore or don’t know about requirement that they return unspent travel per diem

Regulators’ ‘reforms’ fall flat – Dennis K. Berman comments on proposed SEC regulations, why Wall Street thinks they are laughable

Radiation risks prompts push to curb CT scans – Laura Landro reports that the FDA is working on safety guidelines for CT scanning equipment, part of larger effort to limit radiation from imaging devices

The FDA takes on Cheerios – Scott Gottlieb scoffs at the FDA warning about food health risks, claims by food producers

– compiled by Marci Greenstein

Washington Post

Dems will have votes for health bill, Obama aide says – Anne E. Kornblut explains the maneuvering in Congress for getting healthcare passed

In new video, CIA bomber says he lured targets with doctored intelligence – John Warrick describes rant of physician-bomber of CIA base in Afghanistan, bragging that he duped U.S., Jordan intelligence

Chile reels in aftermath of quake, emergency workers provide aid – Jonathan Franklin and R. Jeffrey Smith report that U.S., ready to send aid, rescue workers, awaiting formal request

Obama focuses on school dropouts – Darlene Superville of the Associated Press reports that $900 million in grants for low-performing schools will come with strong medicine for school administrators

Misdials help ‘crammers’ ring up millions in phone bill scam – David Cho reports that as old scheme resurfaces, the FTC is taking aggressive action against scammers, but the FCC is moving slowly to rein in complicit phone companies

Clinton to meet Uruguay’s incoming president – Matthew Lee previews Secretary of State Clinton’s trip to South America to meet new leaders, confirm support for Iranian sanctions, show solidarity with Chile after earthquake

Gun case presents quandary for Supreme Court justices – Robert Barnes explains why gun rights case will test conservative justices’ long-standing constitutional interpretation

Manure becomes pollutant as its volume grow unmanageable – David A. Fahrenthold reports on EPA, legislators’ efforts to address greenhouse gas byproduct of waste dumped into waterways

Postmaster General addresses postal misconceptions – Ed O’Keefe summarizes Postmaster General’s defense of his agency in advance of major changes

Tom Toles’ cartoon makes a statement about proposed financial regulation

New York Times

White House is rethinking nuclear policy – David E. Sanger and Thom Shanker report on administration’s plan to reduce nuclear arms, reverse previous administration policy; other aspects of nuclear position under consideration

Rulings restrict Clean Water Act, foiling E.P.A. – Charles Duhigg and Janet Roberts report that agency’s hands are tied and almost half of all polluters are untouchable under courts’ limited interpretation of “waterways” under the Act

British company to buy A.I.G.’s Asian unit for $35 billion – Andrew Ross Sorkin and Michael J. De La Merced report that purchase will enable insurance giant to pay down U.S. bailout

Wall Street Journal

Climate change panel plans review – Jeffrey Ball reports that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is seeking an independent audit of its operation in wake of factual errors that undermined its effectiveness

Business bashes federal plan for wage-linked contracts – Melanie Trottman reports that business groups are going on the offensive as administration considers ways to fold wage protections into $500 billion in government contracts, says government should not shut out nonunion shops

Bid to curb mortgage tax break falters – James R. Hagerty reports that administration’s proposal to reduce mortgage deduction not making headway in Congress

NASA gets flak on new course – Andy Pasztor reports that administration plan to outsource NASA operations running into opposition by both parties

– compiled by Marci Greenstein