ARTICLES BY MARK S. SMITH

Lead

Obama mourns dead in likely Afghan shoot-down

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said Saturday that the deaths of Americans in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan are a reminder of the "extraordinary" price the U.S. military is paying in the decade-long Afghan war.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 13 YEARS, 3 MONTHS AGO

Lead

Obama takes direct aim at anti-government rhetoric

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - In a blunt caution to political friend and foe, President Barack Obama said Saturday that partisan rants and name-calling under the guise of legitimate discourse pose a serious danger to America's democracy, and may incite "extreme elements" to violence.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AGO

Lead

Obama, Medvedev sign off on new nuclear pact

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed on Friday to reduce the arsenals of the world's two largest nuclear powers - the first major arms accord in a generation.

COEUR D'ALENE PRESS | UPDATED 14 YEARS, 7 MONTHS AGO