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* Two top judges questioned the legality of warrentless eavesdropping twice in the past four years. [WP]
* White House agrees to provide additional information to House Intel Committee about NSA eavesdropping. [WP, NYT]
* Bush condemns violent reaction to cartoons that mocked Islam as Condoleezza Rice says Iran and Syria “have gone out of their way to inflame sentiments and have used this for their own purposes.” Bush: “We reject violence as a way to express discontent with what may be printed in a free press.” [WP]
* Years of “significant cuts” will be necessary to meet deficit goals. [WP]
* Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) proposes that a special court provide oversight of eavesdropping. [USAT]
* Bush, aiming to “bring fiscal sanity” to Washington, signs bill limiting growth of Medicare and Medicaid. Bush: “People call it a cut in Medicare. That’s not a cut. It’s slowing down the rate of growth. It’s the difference between slowing your car down to go the speed limit, or putting your car in reverse.” [WP, NYT, USAT]
* Democrats strive for “understandable” agenda with their own “Contract for America.” Paul Begala: “If it were up to me, I’d be tougher and meaner. But you’re trying to unite a diverse party.” [USAT]

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Great news! The preliminary results of the criminal probe that’s been on everyone’s lips these past months have been released. UN investigator Detlev Mehlis today published a 54-page document outlining his case in the murder of Lebanese politician Rafiq Hariri. Broadly speaking, Syria did it. The New York Times: MORE »

David Ignatius is employing the noir western trope to describe the near-completed UN probe into the murder of Lebanese reformer Rafiq Hariri: MORE »

Ah, the good old days in Syria. The lotus flowers were in bloom. The contiguous neighbors were a lot friendlier. You could leave your door unlocked because the police were so effective, they were usually already inside waiting for you when you got home. MORE »

• Conservatives “fear that the president may have jeopardized their dream of fundamentally shifting” the Supreme Court, writes Dan Balz. Newt Gingrich: “[Does the White House] understand that beyond getting past the unhappiness with this choice, there is a profound sense of discontent within the conservative movement?” [WP]
• Conservative senators unconvinced, even after private meetings with Miers. Ken Mehlman: “It’s hard to imagine a president having a better knowledge of a nominee than President Bush has of Harriet Miers.” [WP, NYT, LAT, USAT, WSJ]
• Bush reveals that 10 terrorist attacks have been thwarted since 9/11; says Syria and Iran are “allies of convenience” for Islamic terrorists. [NYT, WT]
• Karl Rove will testify for fourth time in Valerie Plame leak investigation. McClellan: “As part of cooperating fully, that means not commenting on it from here.” [WP, NYT, WSJ, USAT]
• Health officials from 80 countries are meeting today in Washington to prepare for possible avian flu pandemic; Congress ready to commit billions to buy influenza drug. [WP, NYT]

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