U.S. Sets Conditions for Talks With Iran  —  The United States is willing to join European nations in direct talks with Iran if the Iranian government first agrees to suspend its programs to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel, activities that Washington charges are part of plans to build nuclear weapons.

GI'S BIG FAT SUIT VS. MOORE  —  SEEKS $85M FOR 'LYING' 9/11 CLIP  —  A double-amputee Iraq-war vet is suing Michael Moore for $85 million, claiming the portly peacenik recycled an old interview and used it out of context to make him appear anti-war in "Fahrenheit 9/11."

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.

Taheri Invited to the White House  —  Wait until you read this one.  It is simply incredible.  —  I've been all over the Iranian badge story, as you undoubtedly know by now.  But this latest development defies all rational thinking.  —  The man who fabricated the whole story was invited to the White House as an "expert" yesterday.

Let's Give John Snow the Praise He Has Earned  —  The secretary of the Treasury has historically been an administration's pre-eminent economic policy maker.  The Treasury department has authority over virtually every corner of the economy, and access to a large and gifted staff.

Bill to Bolster Election Clout Gains  —  The Assembly passes a measure to pledge the state's Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who wins the national popular vote.  —  SACRAMENTO — Seeking to force presidential candidates to pay attention to California's 15.5 million voters …

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 …

Sumaidaie: Marines shot my cousin  —  We must 'remove the bad apples,' new Iraqi ambassador says  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Bush welcomed the new Iraqi ambassador to the United States at a White House credentialing ceremony Tuesday, saying, "The United States stands ready to help the Iraqi democracy succeed."

Dixie Chicks New Album, Taking The Long Way, Debuts At #1 On Billboard Top 200  —  Dixie Chicks Become First Female Group Ever To Have Three Albums Debut In Top Slot  —  On Sales Dates For Dixie Chicks "Accidents & Accusations Tour" Announced  —  NEW YORK, May 31 /PRNewswire …

Bush to attend fund-raiser for Reichert  —  Private reception will be at Microsoft exec's mansion in Medina  —  President Bush will attend a private reception June 16 in Medina to raise money for the re-election campaign of Republican Rep. David Reichert, whose suburban 8th District voted for Democrat John Kerry for president in 2004.

Convicted Killer Seeks Sex-Change Surgery  —  A man serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife is asking a federal judge to order the state to pay for a sex-change operation for him, saying that denying him the surgery amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

EXCLUSIVE: BOBBY KENNEDY JR. TO QUESTION 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN MAJOR ROLLING STONE FEATURE ARTICLE!  —  Says 'Evidence Shows High-Level Republicans Suceeded in Scheme to Steal Election in Ohio'!  —  Mag to Hit Stands Friday, Internet on Thursday, Publicity Push to Accompany

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 …

Report Exonorates Armstrong of Doping  —  Dutch investigators cleared Lance Armstrong of doping in the 1999 Tour de France on Wednesday, and blamed anti-doping authorities for misconduct in dealing with the American cyclist.  —  A 132-page report recommended convening a tribunal …

Estate Tax Lunacy  —  Spring has given way to summer's full-furnace heat in Washington, apparently taking with it any scintilla of sense that Congress may yet possess.  —  In the House, Republicans who could not even raise an eyebrow at reports that the National Security Agency …

New Vehicle for Dissent Is a Fast Track to Prison  —  Bloggers Held Under Egypt's Emergency Laws  —  CAIRO J ust over a year ago, Alaa Seif al-Islam was one of a growing number of Egyptian bloggers who recounted their lives online, published poetry, provided Web tips, helped private aid agencies use …