Probe Into Iraq Deaths Finds False Reports  —  Pentagon to Review Training After Alleged Massacre in Haditha  —  The U.S. military investigation of how Marine commanders handled the reporting of events last November in the Iraqi town of Haditha, where troops allegedly killed 24 Iraqi civilians …

Shift in U.S. Stance Shows Power of Seven-Letter Word  —  The Bush administration's decision to consider sitting down with the Iranian government underscores a central truth of diplomacy today: Nuclear weapons buy leverage.  —  For six years, President Bush and his aides have dismissed …

FEC Adopts Hands-Off Stance on '527' Spending  —  The same rules that allowed independent "527" groups such as America Coming Together and Swift Boat Veterans for Truth to pump more than $400 million into the 2004 election campaigns will remain in place for now, the Federal Election Commission …

Justice Dept. Is Criticized by Ex-Official on Subpoenas  —  Subpoenas issued last month to reporters for The San Francisco Chronicle were criticized yesterday by a former chief spokesman for Attorney General John Ashcroft as a "reckless abuse of power."  —  The former spokesman, Mark Corallo …

Studies Portray Tropical Arctic in Distant Past  —  The first detailed analysis of an extraordinary climatic and biological record from the seabed near the North Pole shows that 55 million years ago the Arctic Ocean was much warmer than scientists imagined — a Floridian year-round average of 74 degrees.

Reid Says He Won't Accept Free Tickets  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - Reversing course, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid's office acknowledged Wednesday night he misstated the ethics rules governing his acceptance of free boxing tickets and has decided to avoid taking such gifts in the future.

Third Time  —  America may be ready for a new political party.  —  Something's happening.  I have a feeling we're at some new beginning, that a big breakup's coming, and that though it isn't and will not be immediately apparent, we'll someday look back on this era as the time when a shift began.

Glass Artists Face Off in Court  —  SEATTLE, May 31 — As an ever-moving maestro in the world where fine art and commerce converge, Dale Chihuly is perhaps the world's most successful glass artist.  —  His clients include Bill Gates and Bill Clinton, and his elaborate installations …

Security Grants Are Made; Criticism Follows  —  WASHINGTON, May 31 — After vowing to steer a greater share of antiterrorism money to the highest-risk communities, Department of Homeland Security officials on Wednesday announced 2006 grants that slashed money for New York and Washington 40 percent …

Iraq veteran sues Moore over 9/11 film  —  BOSTON - A veteran who lost both arms in the war in Iraq is suing filmmaker Michael Moore for $85 million, alleging that Moore used snippets of a television interview without his permission to falsely portray him as anti-war in "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Poll: Americans Support Searches  —  Public Sides With FBI in Congress Search Issue  —  June 1, 2006 — In the rift between Congress and the Justice Department, Americans side overwhelmingly with law enforcement: Regardless of precedent and the separation of powers, 86 percent say the FBI …

My Response to Johann Hari  —  The art historical post promised yesterday will have to wait, as Johann Hari has seen fit to compose a response (of sorts) to my comments (here and here) concerning his attack on Bjorn Lomborg.  Let's look at it in detail, shall we?

Big Bonuses Still Flow, Even if Bosses Miss Goals  —  It was the kind of mistake that wage slaves can only dream of.  Because of what the company called an "improper interpretation" of his employment contract, Sheldon G. Adelson, chairman, chief executive and treasurer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation …

An Accidental Tax Boon  —  Sometimes in Washington, good things are more likely to happen by accident than by congressional or executive design.  Treasury secretary nominee Henry M. Paulson Jr. is no doubt aware of this fact, but it's one worth keeping in mind in the continuing debate over tax reform …