Egypt hits Sinai to crack down on terror

Egypt's army on Wednesday launched helicopter missile attacks in the Sinai Peninsula, killing as many as 20 suspected terrorists in a lawless region where a military crackdown on smuggling routes into the Gaza Strip is worsening an energy crisis and heightening violence in the area.

Close races could be turned by out-of-state money

Judging by the fundraising, one might think Republican Nancy Jacobs has no chance in her bid for a House seat representing parts of Anne Arundel County. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, a five-term Democrat, raised three times as much cash last quarter, giving the impression of broad support that will let him blanket the district with advertising.

It's not over till it's over for backers of Ron Paul

The rest of the world may have moved on, but loyal followers of Rep. Ron Paul of Texas are still fighting a rear-guard — and effective — battle for delegates at the state level with just weeks to go before Republicans gather for their national convention in Tampa, Fla.

Man, machine and unlimited dreams pave way to the future

Drones that can fold up and fit in a shoebox, machines that can leap 30 feet into the air through a window to gauge hostile situations for police, driverless surface vehicles that lug soldiers' equipment through the deserts of the Middle East -- groundbreaking unmanned technology is opening a world of possibilities for the military, law enforcement and many other sectors.

U.S. gives military aid to nations with child soldiers

As the junior senator from Illinois, Barack Obama co-sponsored a bill to restrict the U.S. government's military support of countries that use children as soldiers. But President Obama has waived those very same sanctions in the name of "national interest," bypassing the findings of a State Department report and allowing millions of dollars in military aid to flow to countries where children as young as 11 have been conscripted to fight — many of whom have died in one bloody conflict after another.

Maryland assembly to show its hand on gambling

The General Assembly will reconvene Thursday for a special session to consider expanding gambling in the state, but leading Democrats may have some work to do to overcome skepticism from within their own party as well as from Republicans and existing casino operators.

Pawn site offers break for financially strapped Olympians

Recognizing that not every returning American Olympic hero has the earning potential of a Michael Phelps or a Gabby Douglas, a popular online pawn service is offering to help Olympic athletes turn their gold medals into quick cash to pay for training expenses, transportation and housing for their family and friends — and even to help pay the taxes they face on the medals they win.

Obama tries to woo women of Colorado

After sweeping Colorado voters off their feet en route to a rousing victory in 2008, President Obama is suddenly finding those same voters playing hard to get.

P.G. council member Toles to welcome new Chick-fil-A

The decision whether to eat at Chick-fil-A has become a hot-button issue since the fast food company's president opened up about his support for traditional marriage, but one local politician says she's not making a political statement by welcoming the company with open arms.

Inside the Beltway: The Palin mystery

There are nine governors and former governors set to entertain the Grand Old Party when the Republican National Convention gets rolling in Tampa, Fla. a mere 17 days from now. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin — despite her vigorous message, cool shoes, Supergirl T-shirt, and knack for transfixing any and all media — is not on the roster. Yet.

IRS told employees to ignore potential fraud in program used by immigrants

IRS supervisors ignored employees who tried to warn agency higher-ups of fraud in a program designed to collect taxes from immigrants, resulting in the agency paying out potentially bogus refunds, according to an official audit released Wednesday.

Judge expresses regret for lavish Hawaii conference

A top federal judge said if he and his colleagues had known the economy was going to be this bad, they might not have picked an oceanfront resort and spa in Hawaii as the site for a big judicial conference this month.

China to U.S.: 'Shut up,' butt out of territorial disputes

China told the United States to "shut up" and stay out of its dispute with countries bordering the South China Sea, after a State Department spokesman called for a peaceful settlement to the conflicting claims in the energy-rich, strategic sea lanes.

Egyptian president fires intelligence chief

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi fired his intelligence chief and the governor of Northern Sinai on Wednesday following a weekend attack by suspected militants in Sinai who killed 16 soldiers.

Ouch! July in U.S. was hottest on record

This probably comes as no surprise: Federal scientists say July was the hottest month ever recorded in the Lower 48 states, breaking a record set during the Dust Bowl era in the 1930s.

Curiosity rover sends back flood of new views from Mars

NASA's latest adventure to Mars has given the world more than just glimpses of a new alien landscape.

Commentary

DANIELS: I won't just shut up and sing

Because I'm part of the Nashville music community, my mostly conservative views do not make me the anomaly or oddity I would be in the more urbane entertainment capitals. As many of my compatriots expound the value system of God, family, country and work just as I do, and as I tend to spend my off time among a mostly blue-collar crowd, I have very few face-to-face confrontations.

PRIEBUS: Obama's economy hits the dinner table

President Obama is busy attempting to make this election about small things and ridiculous distractions, but no matter what, Americans cannot escape the harsh realities of the Obama economy. Even a trip to the grocery store has become more difficult for struggling families.

NAPOLITANO: Sen. Rand Paul's government reckoning

Gazillions. That's the number of times that the federal government has spied on Americans since Sept. 11, 2001, through the use of drones, legal search warrants, illegal search warrants, federal agent-written search warrants, and just plain government spying.

MILLER: Shooting up D.C.

Washington politicians are so anti-gun that they oppose a mere photo of a paper target. With D.C.'s gun-grabber laws under fire and pressure rising to allow concealed carry, the city's liberal political establishment is panicking.

EDITORIAL: Obama's uphill climb

Recent dueling headlines have been predicting an Obama landslide or a Romney steamroller in the November election. The polls show a tight race, but given the fundamentals of the economy, it shouldn't even be close.