ABC: Reports Of Masri's Death False, 'Part Of A Misinformation Campaign'  —  According to ABC News, reports that al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri has been killed are "unconfirmed and part of a misinformation campaign."  ABC has not posted its full story yet, and details are unclear …

Romney Favors Hubbard Novel  —  "What's your favorite novel?" is a perennial campaign question, the answer to which presumably gives insight into leadership.  —  A "Moby-Dick" lover may understand the perils of obsessively chasing of a goal.  A fan of "To Kill a Mockingbird" may well focus on racial justice.

The Left's New Machine  —  MOST POLITICAL ACTIVISTS can point to one catalyzing event, an episode in each of their lives (or, more often, in the life of their country) that shook them from their complacency and roused them to change the world.  You can find many such stories if you troll through …

Bill on Iraq to Be Delivered 4 Years After Bush's Words  —  Democratic leaders in Congress are planning a special ceremony on Tuesday afternoon to send President Bush a bill that sets timetables for troop withdrawal from Iraq.  —  The timing is no accident.

'Mission Accomplished' By The Numbers … U.S. Troops Wounded … U.S. Troops Killed … Contractors Killed … Journalists and Media Assistants Killed … U.S. Forces in Iraq … Size of Iraqi Security Forces … Number of Insurgents … Insurgent Attacks Per Day … Cost to U.S. Taxpayers

Shadowy Iraq office accused of sectarian agenda … BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Iraq's prime minister has created an entity within his government that U.S. and Iraqi military officials say is being used as a smokescreen to hide an extreme Shiite agenda that is worsening the country's sectarian divide.

Olmert Rebuked by Israeli Panel on Lebanon War  —  Despite a resounding chorus of calls in Israel for the prime minister, Ehud Olmert, to resign following a report on Monday that excoriated Mr. Olmert for "severe failures" in last summer's war against the Lebanese militia Hezbollah …

Wolfowitz Goes on the Attack, but Hints at a Deal  —  Paul D. Wolfowitz defended himself vigorously on Monday, declaring that it would be "unjust and frankly hypocritical" for the World Bank's board to find him guilty of ethical lapses.  But he also hinted that he would discuss whether …

U.S. Cites 91 Percent Rise In Terrorist Acts in Iraq  —  The number of terrorism incidents in Iraq — and resulting deaths, injuries and kidnappings — skyrocketed from 2005 to 2006, according to statistics released by U.S. counterterrorism officials yesterday.

News Corp. Offers $60 a Share In Unsolicited Bid for Dow Jones  —  Dow Jones & Co., parent of The Wall Street Journal, said it received an unsolicited $5 billion offer from News Corp.  —  The publisher said the board and members and trustees of the controlling Bancroft family are evaluating …

WHCA Officials Defend Dinner In Wake Of 'NY Times' Pullout — Paper Will Shun Gridiron Gala, Too  —  NEW YORK The New York Times' decision to no longer participate in the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, first revealed by Frank Rich in his Sunday column, drew support from other Times staffers …

McCain Favors a 'League of Democracies'  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain envisions a "League of Democracies" as part of a more cooperative foreign policy with U.S. allies.  —  The Arizona senator will call for such an organization to be …

April Toll Is Highest Of '07 for U.S. Troops  —  Over 100 Killed in Month; Iraqi Deaths Far Higher  —  The deaths of more than 100 American troops in April made it the deadliest month so far this year for U.S. forces in Iraq, underscoring the growing exposure of Americans as thousands …

What haircut stories tell us about the press  —  Only because it would save time and make them more efficient, I think members of the Beltway press corps should consider starting up a new reporting pool, to duplicate the one currently in place for shadowing the president …