The defense secretary said the breach had endangered lives and damaged the ability of others to trust the U.S.

The new law took effect on Thursday, but with most of its contested provisions suspended by a federal judge.

Critics say the program, called Secure Communities, promotes racial profiling by the local police and would undermine trust between immigrants and law enforcement.

The administration asked Congress to give the F.B.I. clear authority to obtain records related to the context of Internet-based communications without first getting a warrant.

A Fed member warned that the agency’s current policies put the United States economy at risk of “Japanese-style” deflation.

The collateral damage from Rod Blagojevich’s trial has fallen hard on his older brother (and fellow defendant), Robert.

Senator Jim DeMint, the South Carolina Republican, endorses Dino Rossi's Senate campaign in Washington.

Times reporters discuss the Afghanistan documents and the search for a consumer protection chief in this week's podcast.

Representative Charles B. Rangel will face a public trial before the House ethics committee this fall, a potential embarrassment for Democrats during the election season.

Charles B. Rangel and the ethics committee fail to reach a settlement to avoid a potentially embarrassing proceeding.

The speaker says her party managed to "drain the swamp" of misconduct. Republicans see things differently.

The procedural blockade underscored how determined Republicans are to deny Democrats any further victories.

Speaking to the National Association of Black Journalists, Shirley Sherrod said she intended to sue Andrew Breitbart, the blogger who posted the edited video of her making what appeared to be antiwhite remarks in a speech that was really about racial conciliation.

President Obama on Thursday sought to deflect criticisms from some minority and teachers groups.

A lack of resources and organizational problems are hampering America’s ability to identify nuclear weapons used in a terrorist attack, researchers say.

President Obama appears on "The View," on ABC.

In Edison, N.J., a quintessentially Jersey jumble of ethnicities, traffic jams and sprawl, you could find hints about where the magic went and how much is left.

President Obama will defend his education initiative in what the White House is billing as a "major" speech this morning.

The prospect of a damaging public trial loomed for Representative Charles A. Rangel, Democrat of Harlem, who said he knew of no progress in discussions over a settlement.

Some of the documents released by WikiLeaks contain the names of Afghans who gave information to NATO troops.