Bush's Realization on Iran: No Good Choice Left Except Talks  —  WASHINGTON, May 31 — After 27 years in which the United States has refused substantive talks with Iran, President Bush reversed course on Wednesday because it was made clear to him — by his allies, by the Russians, by the Chinese …

Probe Into Iraq Deaths Finds False Reports  —  Pentagon to Review Training After Alleged Massacre in Haditha  —  The U.S. military investigation of how Marine commanders handled the reporting of events last November in the Iraqi town of Haditha, where troops allegedly killed 24 Iraqi civilians …

Homeland Security Funding Faulted Yet Again  —  This is not the first time that someone is complaining about the homeland security funding formulas and how money is divided up between big cities like New York and smaller communities.  —  The formula has been rejiggered once, and the latest disbursements haven't found fans in New York.

Election Panel Won't Issue Donation Rules  —  WASHINGTON, May 31 — The Federal Election Commission has decided not to issue rules to regulate so-called 527 organizations that used millions of dollars in private donations to become powerful voices in the 2004 presidential election.

Studies Portray Tropical Arctic in Distant Past  —  The first detailed analysis of an extraordinary climatic and biological record from the seabed near the North Pole shows that 55 million years ago the Arctic Ocean was much warmer than scientists imagined — a Floridian year-round average of 74 degrees.

Justice Dept. Is Criticized by Ex-Official on Subpoenas  —  Subpoenas issued last month to reporters for The San Francisco Chronicle were criticized yesterday by a former chief spokesman for Attorney General John Ashcroft as a "reckless abuse of power."  —  The former spokesman, Mark Corallo …

Glass Artists Face Off in Court  —  SEATTLE, May 31 — As an ever-moving maestro in the world where fine art and commerce converge, Dale Chihuly is perhaps the world's most successful glass artist.  —  His clients include Bill Gates and Bill Clinton, and his elaborate installations …

Poll: Americans Support Searches  —  Public Sides With FBI in Congress Search Issue  —  June 1, 2006 — In the rift between Congress and the Justice Department, Americans side overwhelmingly with law enforcement: Regardless of precedent and the separation of powers, 86 percent say the FBI …

Reid Says He Won't Accept Free Tickets  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - Reversing course, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid's office acknowledged Wednesday night he misstated the ethics rules governing his acceptance of free boxing tickets and has decided to avoid taking such gifts in the future.

Third Time  —  America may be ready for a new political party.  —  Something's happening.  I have a feeling we're at some new beginning, that a big breakup's coming, and that though it isn't and will not be immediately apparent, we'll someday look back on this era as the time when a shift began.

Iraq veteran sues Moore over 9/11 film  —  BOSTON - A veteran who lost both arms in the war in Iraq is suing filmmaker Michael Moore for $85 million, alleging that Moore used snippets of a television interview without his permission to falsely portray him as anti-war in "Fahrenheit 9/11."

My Response to Johann Hari  —  The art historical post promised yesterday will have to wait, as Johann Hari has seen fit to compose a response (of sorts) to my comments (here and here) concerning his attack on Bjorn Lomborg.  Let's look at it in detail, shall we?

Big Bonuses Still Flow, Even if Bosses Miss Goals  —  It was the kind of mistake that wage slaves can only dream of.  Because of what the company called an "improper interpretation" of his employment contract, Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman, chief executive and treasurer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation …

An Accidental Tax Boon  —  Sometimes in Washington, good things are more likely to happen by accident than by congressional or executive design.  Treasury secretary nominee Henry M. Paulson Jr. is no doubt aware of this fact, but it's one worth keeping in mind in the continuing debate over tax reform …