Gore: Bush is 'renegade rightwing extremist'  —  Al Gore has made his sharpest attack yet on the George Bush presidency, describing the current US administration as "a renegade band of rightwing extremists".  —  In an interview with the Guardian today, the former vice-president calls himself a …

A reporter's shock at the Haditha allegations  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — It actually took me a while to put all the pieces together — that I know these guys, the U.S. Marines at the heart of the alleged massacre of Iraqi civilians in Haditha.  —  I don't know why it didn't register with me until now.

Former Ney Aide Details How Abramoff Treated 'Champions'  —  In the first public testimony by a member of Jack Abramoff's inner circle, a former congressional aide told a federal jury yesterday how the disgraced lobbyist identified his "champions" in government and then showered them with favors …

A Must Read  —  From today's Wall Street Journal:  —  Mr. Paulson's Challenge  —  By N. Gregory Mankiw  —  When Hank Paulson replaces John Snow as Treasury secretary, he will be taking stewardship of an economy that is enjoying low unemployment and brisk growth.

EU court annuls data deal with US  —  The European Court of Justice has annulled an EU-US agreement requiring airlines to transfer passenger data to the US authorities.  —  The court said the decision to hand over the data, including addresses and credit card details, lacked an "appropriate legal basis".

What You Don't Know About the Immigration Bill  —  The Senate passed legislation last week that Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) hailed as "the most far-reaching immigration reform in our history."  You might think that the first question anyone would ask is how much it would actually increase or decrease legal immigration.

Congressman Tried to Hide Papers, Justice Dept. Says  —  Court Filing in Response to Jefferson Lawsuit Defends Raid  —  The Justice Department yesterday vigorously defended the recent weekend raid of Rep. William J. Jefferson's Capitol Hill office as part of a bribery investigation …

Rousing the Zealots  —  Neo-Nazis, white supremacists and militiamen are revivified by the furor over illegal immigration  —  Pugnacious anthems and racist diatribes have never been in short supply at Nordic Fest, an annual white-power Woodstock held over the Memorial Day break near …

S.D. Abortion Ban Oppponents Petition  —  PIERRE, S.D. — An abortion rights group Tuesday submitted more than twice the number of the signatures needed to hold a statewide vote in November on whether to repeal South Dakota's ban on abortion.  —  The Legislature earlier this year passed …

Hayden's Heroes  —  Maybe the CIA could use a few amateurs.  —  A top intelligence service is vital to national security.  So we've been looking for signs that incoming CIA Director Michael Hayden would lead the agency in the right direction.  But so far the Air Force General …

McCain cancels Bilbray event over immigration  —  SAN DIEGO - Arizona Sen. John McCain on Tuesday canceled an appearance for a Republican congressional candidate who has attacked his opponent for supporting McCain's immigration bill.  —  McCain, R-Ariz., was scheduled to speak Wednesday …

A Build-a-Protest Approach to Immigration  —  WASHINGTON, May 30 — Talk about constructive criticism.  —  Advocates of tougher border security have sent thousands of bricks to Senate and House offices in recent weeks to make a none-too-subtle point with lawmakers about where many of their constituents come …

Saudi fighters 'are leading the surge in attacks on British troops'  —  Foreign terrorists, led by fighters from Saudi Arabia, are behind an upsurge in attacks against British troops in Basra, military sources said yesterday.  —  As the Army suffered the highest number of fatal attacks …

As Hurricane Season Looms, States Aim to Scare  —  MIAMI, May 30 — Convinced that tough tactics are needed, officials in hurricane-prone states are trumpeting dire warnings about the storm season that starts on Thursday, preaching self-reliance and prodding the public to prepare early and well.

Ex-Kansas GOP Chair Switches Affiliation  —  TOPEKA, Kan. — The former chairman of the Kansas Republican Party jumped ship in a big way Tuesday, switching his affiliation to Democrat amid speculation that he would become Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' running mate.