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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Al Qaeda in Iraq Died For Our Sins  —  June 16, 2006: Al Qaeda in Iraq has been virtually wiped out by the loss of an address book.  The death of al Qaeda leader Abu Musab al Zarqawi was not as important as the capture of his address book and other planning documents in the wake of the June 7th bombing.

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 …

'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.

Who Is to Blame for Grief on a Beach?  —  It was another one of those pictures that goes instantly around the world.  A young Palestinian, wailing in wretched sorrow, grieving over her dead father, stepmother and five siblings who had been killed by an explosion on a Gaza beach.  Then came the blame.

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 …

10 killed, 20 hurt in Iraq mosque bombing  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide bomber struck a Shiite mosque during Friday prayers in Baghdad, killing at least 10 people and wounding 20, police said, as violence persisted in the capital despite a massive security operation aimed at restoring order.