U.S. Sets Conditions for Talks With Iran  —  The United States is willing to join European nations in direct talks with Iran if the Iranian government first agrees to suspend its programs to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel, activities that Washington charges are part of plans to build nuclear weapons.

U.S. troops kill pregnant woman in Iraq  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. forces killed two Iraqi women — one of them about to give birth — when the troops shot at a car that failed to stop at an observation post in a city north of Baghdad, Iraqi officials and relatives said Wednesday.

DHS to Slash Funds for N.Y., Washington  —  Smaller Cities to Receive Larger Antiterror Grants  —  The two cities attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, will receive far less antiterrorism money under plans unveiled today by the Department of Homeland Security, which has designated more money for many smaller cities throughout the country.

[UPDATED] EXCLUSIVE: BOBBY KENNEDY JR. TO QUESTION 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN MAJOR ROLLING STONE FEATURE ARTICLE!  —  Tells BRAD BLOG: 'Evidence Shows High-Level Republicans Succeeded in Scheme to Steal Election in Ohio'!  —  Mag to Hit Stands Friday, Internet on Thursday, Publicity Push to Accompany

Paulson Pick Goes From Bad to Worse  —  A few things to add to my earlier report on the nomination of Henry M. Paulson Jr. to replace John Snow as Treasury secretary.  Let me preface this post by noting that what you read here is depressing.  At a time when the Bush Administration desperately needs …

GI'S BIG FAT SUIT VS. MOORE  —  SEEKS $85M FOR 'LYING' 9/11 CLIP  —  A double-amputee Iraq-war vet is suing Michael Moore for $85 million, claiming the portly peacenik recycled an old interview and used it out of context to make him appear anti-war in "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Dixie Chicks' 'Long Way' Nests In At No. 1  —  For the third time in their career, the Dixie Chicks roost on the top of The Billboard 200.  The Columbia album "Taking the Long Way" tallied 526,000 copies in its first week of U.S. sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan, the trio's best-selling …

Confirmed: Against the Law for Reid To Pay for Credential  —  OK, so we've nailed this down.  It would have been against state law for Harry Reid to have reimbursed the Nevada Athletic Commission for credentials.  —  Clearly, this is pretty far down in the weeds.  But the AP actually got a pretty significant fact wrong.

Contest for 13th already strident  —  Robinson, Miller can both be biting  —  GRAHAM - Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Miller is a seasoned campaign veteran, but never before has he faced such intrusive questions.  —  "My wife was interviewed on three television stations last week …

The film the world never viewed:  —  Fahrenheit Jimmy Carter  —  Ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter is in league with Osama bin Laden.  —  A paper trail shows that more than $1 million has been funneled from Bakr M. Bin Laden on behalf of the Saudi Bin Laden Group to The Carter Center.

Estate Tax Lunacy  —  Spring has given way to summer's full-furnace heat in Washington, apparently taking with it any scintilla of sense that Congress may yet possess.  —  In the House, Republicans who could not even raise an eyebrow at reports that the National Security Agency …

Bill to Bolster Election Clout Gains  —  The Assembly passes a measure to pledge the state's Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.  —  SACRAMENTO — Seeking to force presidential candidates to pay attention to California's 15.5 million voters …

Taheri Invited to the White House  —  Wait until you read this one.  It is simply incredible.  —  I've been all over the Iranian badge story, as you undoubtedly know by now.  But this latest development defies all rational thinking.  —  The man who fabricated the whole story was invited to the White House as an "expert" yesterday.

Pennsylvania Senate: Casey by 23  —  Santorum Remains Most Vulnerable Incumbent  —  The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll in Pennsylvania shows Republican Senator Rick Santorum solidifying his standing as most vulnerable congressional incumbent this election season.

Coin dealer admits illegal donations  —  TOLEDO, Ohio - A coin dealer and prominent GOP fundraiser at the center of an Ohio political scandal pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges he illegally funneled about $45,000 to President Bush's re-election campaign.

Deaths of 2 in CBS Crew Lead to Painful Reassessments  —  The roadside blast in Baghdad on Monday that killed two CBS News crew members and seriously wounded a third has deepened concerns among television network executives about the risks their crews face trying to cover the Iraq war …