Open thread: Fred announces on Leno; Update: Web announcement video now live; Update: Leno announcement video added  —  Late night for the big A. If you're staying up for it, feel free to sound off.  If you just can't be bothered, Geraghty has a sneak peek at the transcript.

Experts Doubt Drop In Violence in Iraq  —  Military Statistics Called Into Question  —  The U.S. military's claim that violence has decreased sharply in Iraq in recent months has come under scrutiny from many experts within and outside the government, who contend that some of the underlying statistics …

Opera legend Pavarotti dies at 71  —  Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has died at his home in the northern city of Modena, his manager has announced.  —  The singer, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, was 71.  —  His charismatic performances - particularly alongside fellow …

Democrats Newly Willing to Compromise on Iraq  —  With a mixed picture emerging about progress in Iraq, Senate Democratic leaders are showing a new openness to compromise as they try to attract Republican support for forcing at least modest troop withdrawals in the coming months.

Bush knew Saddam had no weapons of mass destruction  —  Salon exclusive: Two former CIA officers say the president squelched top-secret intelligence, and a briefing by George Tenet, months before invading Iraq.  —  (Clockwise from top left) Naji Sabri, George W. Bush, Colin Powell and George Tenet.

Jones Report: Iraqi Security Forces Not Ready  —  Logistical Self-Sufficiency Is at Least Two Years Away  —  Iraq's Interior Ministry is "dysfunctional," filled with sectarianism and corruption, according to an independent assessment of the Iraqi security forces to be published tomorrow.

Baghdad Burning  —  ... I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend...  Leaving Home...  Two months ago, the suitcases were packed.  My lone, large suitcase sat in my bedroom for nearly six weeks, so full of clothes and personal items, that it took me …

GAO Criticizes Homeland Security's Efforts to Fulfill Its Mission  —  Hobbled by inadequate funding, unclear priorities, continuing reorganizations and the absence of an overarching strategy, the U.S. Homeland Security Department is failing to achieve its mission of preventing and responding …

McCain Helps Himself  —  And Romney appears vulnerable on Iraq.  —  NO PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION or election has ever been won on the basis of a performance in a debate.  But candidates can help or hurt themselves.  Last night in New Hampshire, John McCain helped himself and Mitt Romney hurt himself.

Patients suing province over wait times  —  Man, woman who couldn't get quick treatment travelled to U.S. to get brain tumours removed  —  Two Ontario patients who had brain tumours removed in the United States because they say they couldn't get quick treatment here are suing the provincial government …

Syria says Israeli jets bomb territory  —  DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Syria accused Israel of bombing its territory on Thursday and warned it could respond, but Israel Radio carried a denial there had been an air strike.  —  The official Syrian news agency said there were no casualties or damage …

Clinton Donor Fails to Appear in Court Again  —  The mystery of Norman Hsu, the wealthy Clinton donor who turned out to be a fugitive from justice, took a bizarre twist yesterday when Mr. Hsu, who skipped out after pleading no contest in a California fraud case 15 years ago, disappeared yet again.

Penn, like Rove, wants intellectual cred  —  The rap on Mark Penn when he first came to Washington 12 years ago was that he was motivated mainly by money.  —  He was summoned from New York when Bill Clinton, his back to the wall after the rise of Newt Gingrich, lost confidence in the team …