Rivals try to deflate F. Thompson campaign  —  Fred Thompson has had a relatively easy ride as he has flirted with a bid for the Republican presidential nomination.  His strategists have found traction promoting him as the heir to Ronald Reagan — and a conservative alternative to the top tier of the GOP field.

U.S. official: Mosque attack may have been inside job … BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Authorities have evidence that Wednesday's bombing of the Askariya Mosque in Samarra was an inside job, and 15 members of the Iraqi security forces have been arrested, a U.S. military official said.

New Justice Dept. Emails Reveal Top Rove Aides' Involvement In Attorney Scandal  —  Justice Department documents released tonight include new emails linking Karl Rove's top aides — former White House political director Sara Taylor, who resigned last month, and her deputy Scott Jennings — to the U.S. attorney scandal.

14 Palestinians killed as Hamas nears complete Gaza conquest  —  At least 14 Palestinians were killed by Hamas fire Wednesday, including 13 members of Fatah, as Hamas was on the verge of completing its conquest of the Gaza Strip.  —  Hamas is now in control of southern, central …

Bush Lobbies G.O.P. Senators on Immigration  —  In an effort to revive a crippled immigration bill, President Bush visited the Capitol on Tuesday to try to assure wary Senate Republicans personally that border security was a driving force behind his push for changes in immigration law.

CBS blames sexism for bad ratings  —  Leslie Moonves, CBS chief executive, on Tuesday suggested that sexist attitudes were partly to blame for the faltering performance of Katie Couric, the news anchor he recruited to the network with a $15m annual pay package.  —  "I'm sort of surprised by the vitriol against her.

Iraqis Are Failing to Meet U.S. Benchmarks  —  Iraq's political leaders have failed to reach agreements on nearly every law that the Americans have demanded as benchmarks, despite heavy pressure from Congress, the White House and top military commanders.  With only three months until progress reports …

TV's 'Mr. Wizard' Don Herbert dies at 89  —  LOS ANGELES — Don Herbert, who as television's "Mr. Wizard" introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science, died Tuesday.  He was 89.  Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home, said his son-in-law, Tom Nikosey.

US Democrats preview new Iraq showdown  —  Anti-war Senate Democrats Tuesday plotted a new showdown with US President George W. Bush over Iraq, but admitted they had erred by making supporters think they could end the war.  —  "On Iraq, we're going to hold the president's feet to the fire …

Coleman faces challenge from his former adviser  —  An Iraq war veteran and former adviser to Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) yesterday said he is considering a primary challenge against the lawmaker in 2008.  —  Retired Lt. Col. Joe Repya (R) lost a race for the state Republican Party chairmanship last week …

Casting Ballot From Abroad Is No Sure Bet  —  Over the last six years, the Defense Department has spent more than $30 million trying to find an efficient way for American soldiers and civilians living abroad to vote in elections back home.  —  But with the presidential primaries approaching …

Yemeni Languishes at Guantanamo Long After U.S. Approved Release  —  Dispute Over Citizenship Leaves Saudi-Born Detainee in Legal Limbo  —  SANAA, Yemen — The word came in May 2006: Ali Mohammed Nasser Mohammed, a slight, 24-year-old Yemeni with curly black hair and a wispy beard …

Vote-Fraud Demagogues  —  Americans overwhelmingly support voter ID.  Are they are all racists?  —  Appointments to the Federal Election Commission rarely draw attention.  But at a confirmation hearing today, there's likely to be some fireworks over Hans von Spakovsky.

Simon Kelner: Would you be saying this, Mr Blair, if we supported your war in Iraq?  —  'Opinion and fact should be clearly divisible.  The truth is, a large part of the media today not merely elides the two but does so now as a matter of course.  In other words, this is not exceptional.

Florida primary will not count, Dean warns  —  Sure, Florida is America's biggest political swing state.  But don't expect the national Democratic Party to back off punishing Sunshine State Democrats for scheduling an early presidential primary.  —  "Their primary essentially won't count …

Database Is Tool in Deporting Fugitives  —  Police Officers Find Illegal Immigrants In Warrant Searches  —  Hugo Vinicio Hernandez knew that immigration agents could detain him at any time for having disregarded a deportation order in 2001.  But the Guatemalan man didn't think he would wind …