U.S. military: Al-Zarqawi died of blast injuries  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Abu Musab al-Zarqawi lived for 52 minutes after a U.S. warplane bombed his hideout northeast of Baghdad, and he died of extensive internal injuries consistent with those caused by a bomb blast, the U.S. military said Monday.

Deadly Intent: Ann Coulter, Word Warrior  —  ONCE again, Ann Coulter has a book in need of flogging, and once again, people are stunned by what a "vicious," "mean-spirited," "despicable" "hate-monger" they say she is.  —  Ms. Coulter, who seems afflicted by a kind of rhetorical compulsion …

Prisoners' Ruse Is Inquiry Focus at Guantánamo  —  WASHINGTON, June 11 — Three detainees at the United States military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, tried to conceal themselves in their cells — behind laundry and through other means — to prevent guards from seeing them commit suicide …

Terror Links to Saddam's Inner Circle  —  What was the relationship between Saddam Hussein's inner circle and Islamic terrorists?  A newly released document appears to provide evidence that in 1999 the Taliban welcomed "Islamic relations with Iraq" to mediate among the Taliban …

Iran accused of hiding secret nuclear weapons site  —  Fresh evidence has emerged that Iran is working on a secret military project to develop nuclear weapons that has not been declared to United Nations inspectors responsible for monitoring Iran's nuclear programme.

ACLU tries to stop warrantless wiretapping  —  DETROIT - Critics of the government's domestic surveillance program claim it violates the rights of free speech and privacy.  The Bush administration says it is necessary and legal.  Both sides were due in court Monday to argue the constitutionality of the program.

Blending In, Moving Up  —  Beneath the surface of the immigration debate is a debate about shared values.  If we look at just three of those values — the English language, family and hard work — we see a higher level of Latino assimilation than is often presumed.

Democrats Are Winning... Except at the Polls  —  "This is just to cover Bush's (rear) so he doesn't have to answer questions" about things in Iraq, said Rep. Pete Stark, second ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee.  "This insurgency is such a confused mess that one person …

John Kerry's Skimmer Scam  —  As the Kate Zernike front page Memorial Day weekend New York Times story indicates, a number of Kerry supporters were disappointed that Kerry had not vigorously defended himself against the charges of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth during the 2004 Presidential campaign.

The Democrats, Keeping a Civil Tongue  —  House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is promising that things are going to change big time if the Democrats capture control of the House in November.  —  Former majority leader Tom DeLay 's resignation, she wrote last week in a piece …

At the U.N., Bluster Backfires  —  Last month President Bush issued a rare apology.  "Saying 'Bring it on,' kind of tough talk, you know, that sent the wrong signal," he confessed.  "I think in certain parts of the world it was misinterpreted."  —  Well done, Mr. President, you've understood that bluster can backfire.

Moran: Democratic Majority Means More Money for 8th District  —  If Democrats win back control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, U.S. Rep. Jim Moran said he would use his position in the majority to help funnel more funds to his Northern Virginia district.

Smoke of Iraq War 'Drifting Over Lebanon'  —  In Political and Social Life, Returned Fighters Inspire Climate of Militancy  —  TRIPOLI, Lebanon — Abu Haritha still carries traces of the battles he fought in Iraq, 500 miles away.  —  On his hand is a black ring, a gift from a fellow insurgent …

Fallen star blames self, GOP tactics  —  Jail term served in N.H. phone plot  —  WASHINGTON — For nearly a decade, Allen Raymond stood at the top ranks of Republican Party power.  —  He served as chief of staff to a cochairman of the Republican National Committee, supervised Republican contests …