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.

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."

Let's Give John Snow the Praise He Has Earned  —  The secretary of the Treasury has historically been an administration's pre-eminent economic policy maker.  The Treasury department has authority over virtually every corner of the economy, and access to a large and gifted staff.

What You Don't Know About the Immigration Bill  —  The Senate passed legislation last week that Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) hailed as "the most far-reaching immigration reform in our history."  You might think that the first question anyone would ask is how much it would actually increase or decrease legal immigration.

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.

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 …

Democrats' Senate Hopes May Ride on Tennessee Race  —  KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Representative Harold E. Ford Jr. freely acknowledges that he faces many challenges in his campaign for the Senate, which may ultimately determine the Democratic Party's chances of regaining a Senate majority.

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.

Former Ney Aide Details How Abramoff Treated 'Champions'  —  In the first public testimony by a member of Jack Abramoff's inner circle, a former congressional aide told a federal jury yesterday how the disgraced lobbyist identified his "champions" in government and then showered them with favors …

Dixie Chicks New Album, Taking The Long Way, Debuts At #1 On Billboard Top 200  —  Dixie Chicks Become First Female Group Ever To Have Three Albums Debut In Top Slot  —  On Sales Dates For Dixie Chicks "Accidents & Accusations Tour" Announced  —  NEW YORK, May 31 /PRNewswire …

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.

Bush to attend fund-raiser for Reichert  —  Private reception will be at Microsoft exec's mansion in Medina  —  President Bush will attend a private reception June 16 in Medina to raise money for the re-election campaign of Republican Rep. David Reichert, whose suburban 8th District voted for Democrat John Kerry for president in 2004.

Convicted Killer Seeks Sex-Change Surgery  —  A man serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife is asking a federal judge to order the state to pay for a sex-change operation for him, saying that denying him the surgery amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

Rousing the Zealots  —  Neo-Nazis, white supremacists and militiamen are revivified by the furor over illegal immigration  —  Pugnacious anthems and racist diatribes have never been in short supply at Nordic Fest, an annual white-power Woodstock held over the Memorial Day break near …

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

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 …