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.

Secret UN report condemns US for Middle East failures  —  Envoy's damning verdict revealed as violence takes Gaza closer to civil war  —  The highest ranking UN official in Israel has warned that American pressure has "pummelled into submission" the UN's role as an impartial Middle East negotiator in a damning confidential report.

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.

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.

Thompson Wants to Be President  —  How much deeper can Fred Thompson wade into the presidential waters without actually announcing that he is a candidate?  —  He was up to his eyeballs tonight on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.  —  Asked directly if he would like the job of president …

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.

Golden Mosque's remaining minarets blown up … BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Insurgents blew up the remaining two minarets of the Askariya Mosque, a holy Shiite Muslim shrine in Samarra that was badly damaged in a similar attack in early 2006, a Samarra Police official told CNN.  There was no immediate word on casualties.

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.

Investigator: Nifong privately acknowledged doubts in Duke lacrosse case  —  RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — As Mike Nifong was calling the Duke lacrosse team a "bunch of hooligans" in public, he was privately acknowledging that the rape case would be hard to prove and that the accuser's story was filled …

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 …

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.

Don't run, Al.  Don't!  —  The self-defeating Draft Al campaign is just the tip of the Democrats' woes.  Plus: Paris and Lindsay's mommy problems, and the heyday of Hollywood pizazz.  —  "Run, Al, run!"  —  This chant, according to media reports, is being heard from the crowd wherever former Vice President Al Gore speaks.

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 …