Rep. Jefferson loses Democratic caucus vote  —  Black Caucus leader cites racial unfairness  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — With members of the Congressional Black Caucus crying double standard, House Democrats met behind closed doors Thursday and voted to strip Rep. William Jefferson of his seat on the Ways and Means Committee.

Maliki Aide Who Discussed Amnesty Leaves Job  —  Premier Disavows Remarks; Egyptian Seen Replacing Zarqawi  —  BAGHDAD, June 15 — Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office on Thursday accepted the resignation of an aide who had told a reporter that Maliki was considering a limited amnesty …

Congress Erupts in Partisan Fight Over War in Iraq  —  WASHINGTON, June 15 — The House and the Senate engaged in angry, intensely partisan debate on Thursday over the war in Iraq, as Republicans sought to rally support for the Bush administration's policies and exploit Democratic divisions …

Sacrificing Our Troops on the Altar of Republican Politics  —  Leave it to the Porcine Draft Dodger—Karl Rove—to impugn the character of combat veterans.  Can't blame him for trotting out the same playbook that worked so well in 2004 against the candidacy of John Kerry.  If it worked once it should work again.

Vietnam, Watergate and Rove  —  Left-wing nostalgia dies hard, but can it survive the events of this week?  —  It has been a tough 10 days for those who see current events through the prisms of Vietnam and Watergate.  First, the Democrats failed to win a breakthrough victory …

Bill Gates, Version 2.0: Full-Time Philanthropist  —  Three decades after starting the most influential American technology company, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said yesterday that he plans to step down from day-to-day work at the software giant to focus his energy full …

Court Limits Protection Against Improper Entry  —  WASHINGTON, June 15 — Evidence found by police officers who enter a home to execute a search warrant without first following the requirement to "knock and announce" can be used at trial despite that constitutional violation, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.

Iran would 'use nuclear defense'  —  TEHERAN, Iran  —  Iran's defense minister on Thursday vowed that his country would "use nuclear defense as a potential" if "threatened by any power."  —  Speaking following a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Hassan Ali Turkmani in Teheran on Thursday …

'06 Race Focuses on the Suburbs, Inner and Outer  —  BELLEVUE, Wash., June 15 — In searching for any advantage in this year's Congressional elections, the two parties are focusing with increased intensity on those cul de sac jungles of tenuous political loyalties, the suburbs and exurbs.

Specter Threatens to Subpoena Information on Warrantless Surveilance Program  —  WASHINGTON — Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter cranked up his dispute with the Bush administration over executive power on Thursday, threatening to subpoena documents on the White House's warrantless surveillance program.

U.S. 'Stagflation' Worries Mount  —  Inflation data and a possible Fed rate hike stir fears of prices rising amid a languishing economy.  —  With inflation heating up amid the prospect of another interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve, some economists said Wednesday they were beginning …