France probes report of bin Laden's death  —  Unconfirmed report says Saudi convinced terror chief died in Pakistan  —  PARIS - The French defense ministry on Saturday called for an internal investigation of the leak of an intelligence document that raises the possibility that Osama bin Laden …

Big News: bin Laden dead; Bigger News: Ansar al Sunnah Head Captured!  —  Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta today!  First, bin Laden is reportedly dead.  Or dying.  Or whatever.  In any event, I don't believe it.  But it's the kind of rumor I dig.  Thanks to everyone that e-mailed it.

Sure Beats Getting Dan Rather Fired, Huh  —  I stole the title of this entry from Gene Healy, in conversation this evening.  It looks very likely that Radley Balko has saved Cory Maye's life.  I put it that way on purpose.  In fact, it has taken dogged, pro bono legal work by Covington and Burling …

Detainee Deal Comes With Contradictions  —  The compromise reached on Thursday between Congressional Republicans and the White House on the interrogations and trials of terrorism suspects is, legal experts said yesterday, a series of interlocking paradoxes.  —  It would impose new legal standards that it forbids the courts to enforce.

Former Washington Post senior political reporter, Thomas Edsall, with an extremely candid look at mainstream media  —  The Hugh Hewitt Show  —  HH: Welcome to the program now Thomas Edsall, whose new book, Building Red America, has turned a lot of heads.  He's got an article in the New Republic this week.

Abbas says unity effort 'back to zero'  —  CAIRO, Egypt - Efforts to form a Palestinian government acceptable to the West have gone "back to zero," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday, a day after Hamas said a coalition government that recognizes Israel is unacceptable.

'Democrats Offer a New Direction'  —  We need a Democratic Congress to fight the war on terror — and to end the war on America's families.  Republican policies of the last five years have damaged our economy and failed Americans.  Democrats believe strengthening the middle class is essential …

Democrats accuse Steele of 'political identity theft'  —  No, Maryland voters, the printer did not make an error.  Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele's new campaign signs seem to identify him as a Democrat.  —  A "Steele Democrat," they read.  —  The bright blue placards and bumper stickers …

Afghan Girls, Back in the Shadows  —  Home Classes Proliferate as Anti-Government Insurgents Step Up Attacks on Schools  —  SHEIKHABAD, Afghanistan — In a small, sunlit parlor last week, 20 little girls seated on rush mats sketched a flower drawn on the blackboard.