Poll: Zarqawi Death Has Little Impact  —  Most Americans Still Say War's Going Badly; Bush's Ratings Remain Low  —  (CBS) The death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has done little to improve views of how things are going for the U.S. in Iraq or boost President Bush's approval ratings, a CBS News poll finds.

U.S. Asks Judge to Drop Suit on N.S.A. Spying  —  DETROIT, June 12 — A National Security Agency program that listens in on international communications involving people in the United States is both vital to national security and permitted by the Constitution, a government lawyer told a judge …

Clinton Links GOP Policies to More Storms  —  As Tropical Storm Alberto threatened to strengthen into the ninth hurricane in 22 months to affect Florida, former President Clinton predicted Monday that Republican environmental policies will lead to more severe storms.

Fatah gunmen go on anti-Hamas rampage  —  RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas went on a rampage against the Hamas-led government Monday, riddling the parliament and Cabinet buildings with bullets and setting them afire to protest an attack on their comrades in the Gaza Strip.

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 …

Gov. Warner's Expensive Party — Brilliant  —  Friday night Gov. Warner threw a very expensive party for YearlyKos attendees.  Some people wonder if it reflects poorly on his judgement, that he lavishly throws money around.  I think this may have been a very effective use of marketing dollars and a very sharp strategic move.

Roethlisberger seriously injured  —  TRIBUNE-REVIEW  —  Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is in serious but stable condition and underwent surgery following a serious head injury he suffered this morning when his motorcycle collided with a car on Second Avenue near the 10th Street Bridge, police said.

ILARIO PANTANO'S MISSION  —  ***update: Ilario on the Today Show***  —  I couldn't put down 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano's new book, Warlord.  Put it at the top of your summer reading list.  Send a copy to your local troops-bashing columnist or cartoonist.  The writing is riveting.  The timing fortuitous.

Vilsack fourth in presidential poll  —  Edwards, Clinton top Democratic choices for president in 2008  —  Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina leads a list of potential Democratic presidential candidates while Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack holds fourth place, trailing Edwards by 20 points …

Armor on Iraq Humvees Is Linked to Deadly Rollovers  —  DAYTON, Ohio, June 11 — Thousands of pounds of armor added to military Humvees in Iraq have made the vehicles more likely to roll over and kill or injure soldiers, a newspaper reported.  —  "I believe the up-armoring has caused …

Body Suit  —  She Grew in Her Career as a Dancer, Maybe Too Much.  Cue the Lawyers.  —  MIAMI  —  Alice Alyse is quite plainly a bombshell, a knockout: She's slim, leggy and gorgeous, with long, dark hair and a great set of cheekbones.  —  Also, she's stacked.  —  And that, she says, is why she's out of a job.

Doctors call for 'fat tax' on Coca-Cola and Pepsi  —  Doctors will this week declare war on America's soft drinks industry by calling for a 'fat tax' to combat the nation's obesity epidemic.  —  Delegates at the powerful American Medical Association's annual conference will demand a levy …

Prosecutor's Silence on Duke Rape Case Leaves Public With Plenty of Questions  —  Michael B. Nifong, the Durham County district attorney, at a hearing in April.  In recent weeks, most public information has come from defense lawyers, leading to speculation about the strength of the case.

Iran police beat women activists  —  Police in Iran have beaten a small group of women activists trying to hold a protest for greater legal rights in the biggest square of the capital.  —  Several people were arrested by the security forces who moved in almost as soon as activists started gathering.

Sealed vs. Sealed  —  Four weeks ago, during the time when we reported that White House political adviser Karl Rove was indicted for crimes related to his role in the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson, the grand jury empanelled in the case returned an indictment that was filed under seal …

Adviser Has President's Ear as She Keeps Eyes on Iraq  —  WASHINGTON, June 11 — At the end of each day, President Bush gets a three-to-four-page memo from the National Security Council staff about developments over the previous 24 hours in Iraq.  The document, said to be written in the crisp …

Time Magazine Launches Bukkake Festival  —  At one point during our FDL caucus on the first day of the convention, Ana Marie Cox was standing out in the hallway with Byron York and Pach hailed them inside.  York came in and sat down, but as Wankette teetered through the crowd on a pair …

CNN RELIABLE SOURCES  —  White House Mounts Media Blitz After Killing of Zarqawi;  —  THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT.  THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.  —  HOWARD KURTZ, HOST: On target.  The White House mounts a media blitz after a missile strike kills Abu al-Zarqawi.