Pace of new voter registration slows in Virginia

President Obama did a spectacular job in 2008 of registering and turning out tens of thousands of new Virginia voters — but the pace of registrations this year has dropped precipitously ahead of his re-election bid.

Obama, GOP both counting on Clinton

In an election campaign dominated by jobs and government spending, former President Bill Clinton -- who oversaw a booming economy and the first federal surpluses in decades -- has become a symbol of better times that both President Obama and Republicans are trying to tap.

Olympics 2012: New heights for Gabrielle Douglas

Gabrielle Douglas wanted to go home.

Thai security forces spend $30 million on fake 'bomb detectors'

Thailand's security forces bought more than 1,500 fake "bomb detectors" for $30 million, investigators say, and the army currently deploys them against Islamist rebels despite a U.S. Embassy warning that the devices are as useless as "a toy."

Army may train women for rigor of front lines

To graduate from boot camp, soldiers must perform 35 pushups and 47 situps and run two miles in at least 16 minutes and 36 seconds — but that's only for male soldiers.

Romney endures tough road trip

On a trip Mitt Romney hoped would impress America's allies, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee managed to anger the nation's potential adversaries — particularly Palestinian leaders, who felt Mr. Romney's comments during his trip to Israel smacked of racism.

Democratic platform to endorse gay marriage

Democrats said Monday their party's platform will support extending marriage rights to gay couples, marking the first time one of the two major parties has endorsed it.

High winds and mature trees prove to be a dangerous mix

Violent storms last month and a deadly incident two weeks ago are amplifying the danger presented by falling trees and tree limbs, which can be a hazard to houses, cars, people and power lines.

Inside the Beltway: Red meat politics

Those lawmakers had a beef: Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Charles Grassley of Iowa have celebrated their first "Meat Monday," intent on providing a savory comeuppance to the U.S. Department of Agriculture after it encouraged its employees to boycott meat on Mondays, just to be all nice and eco-conscious.

Colo. shooting suspect charged with 24 counts of murder

Prosecutors filed multiple first-degree murder and attempted-murder charges Monday against the suspect in the Aurora theater shooting that left 12 dead and 58 wounded.

GOP closing ranks to defend Romney

It had been mere hours since Mitt Romney angered Palestinians by saying Israel's culture was part of the reason the country has prospered. But that didn't stop former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, previously one of Mr. Romney's most bitter rivals in the Republican presidential primaries, from rushing to his defense Monday.

U.S., Germany stress cooperation to end euro crisis

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and his German counterpart stressed the need for coordinated action Monday in the face of the eurozone debt crisis and faltering global growth, but left open what joint steps Europe and the United States would take to shore up the world economy in the coming months.

Uzbek theater thriving in dangerous arena

Branded by human rights groups as one of the world's most repressive regimes, Uzbekistan is perhaps the last place one would expect an experimental theater company to thrive. Yet Tashkent's Ilkholm theater has been going strong for nearly 30 years, and continues to deal with controversial themes such as sexuality and government repression.

Syrian envoy to London defects amid Aleppo fight

Syria's top diplomat in London said he could no longer represent the regime and defected Monday, as civilians fled the commercial hub of Aleppo in droves amid 10 days of fierce battles between rebels and government forces.

Indian power failure puts 370M in dark for hours

A power grid failure blacked out northern India for hours Monday, halting trains, forcing hospitals and airports onto backup power and providing a dark, sweltering reminder of the nation's inability to meet its energy needs as it strives to be an economic power.

Amish nix deals in hate crime case

Sixteen people charged in beard- and hair-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio rejected government plea bargain offers of leniency Monday and will go to trial.

Commentary

FITTON: Crony capitalism, Countrywide and Congress

"Crony capitalism" has become a popular buzz phrase when speaking of the bailouts as American taxpayers struggle to make sense of the corrupt relationships that led to the financial crisis.

SCHWARZWALDER: Are we all dependents now?

Terms such as self-reliance, rugged individualism and risk-taking are embedded in the American lexicon. We identify as a people who turned a continental wilderness into the world's most productive nation. We claim to honor successful entrepreneurs and esteem profitable innovators.

GLENDON: Romney's pilgrimage to Poland

It's no surprise that a presidential candidate would make a point of visiting England and Israel. But with the close race for the White House entering its final phase, it's not self-evident why Mitt Romney chose Poland as the only other destination on his first international trip as the presumptive Republican nominee.

MILLER: Second Amendment at risk in second term

Democrats just couldn't hold it together. With less than 100 days to go before the election, the left let slip its vision of a second term for President Obama that will be the end for the Second Amendment.

EDITORIAL: Romney's pilgrimage to Israel

Mitt Romney's trip to Israel was spun by most commentators as an attempt to appeal to American Jewish voters. More importantly, though, it sent a message that under Mr. Romney's leadership, the United States would no longer be ashamed to seek peace through strength.