Countdown Newsletter: 06/08/06 -- Zarqawi Killed

[Patsy Stone]

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Tonight on Countdown
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Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaida leader in Iraq who waged a bloody campaign of suicide bombings and beheadings, was killed overnight by F-16 jets dropping two 500-pound bombs, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Thursday. It was a long-sought victory in the war in Iraq. Al-Zarqawi and seven aides, including spiritual adviser Sheik Abdul Rahman, were killed inside a building in a remote area 30 miles northeast of Baghdad, officials said. U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell showed what he said was a picture of al-Zarqawi after he was killed, and a videotape of an attack in which he said F-16 fighter jets dropped two 500-pound bombs on the site. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13195017/

Bombs struck a busy outdoor market and a police patrol in a mostly Shiite area of Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 25 people and wounding more than 55, police said.... shortly after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and U.S. officials announced that Zarqawi had been killed. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13196650/

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Thursday presented his candidates for the key ministries of defense, interior and national security and parliament approved the choices, ending a 20-day impasse. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13195823/

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Embattled former Majority Leader Tom DeLay is leaving Congress under a cloud of scandal after 21 years in the House. But he's not going quietly. "The Hammer," who is facing trial in Texas on campaign money laundering charges, is expected to deliver one final House floor speech today. But he got in some last licks yesterday in a private speech to colleagues. In the meeting, DeLay urged lawmakers to "stand on principle" and ignore the nattering negativism of the news media, as he explained to reporters waiting outside. He told colleagues that they kept a majority in Congress because moderates and conservatives each "gave a little," said a source in the meeting. But in a USA Today interview, he accused fellow Republicans of "panic, depression and woe-is-me-ism" and said they risk losing control of the House. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14767815.htm

Pitcher Jason Grimsley was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, a day after his home was searched by federal agents following his admission he used human growth hormone, steroids and amphetamines. The raid -- and Grimsley's implication of other major league ballplayers -- was the latest sign that widespread investigations into drug use by athletes are still active, even in the era of tougher testing. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-BBN-Diamondbacks-Grimsley.html

People magazine releases two pictures of Shiloh. Oh Joy!

That's some of what we're planning for tonight's show.

Finally,
A Spencer, Iowa woman finds herself in more trouble with the law after ordering her son to sell some pot to bail her out of jail. Thirty eight year old Elaine Baker was already charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and child endangerment. Now, she faces a count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana. Officers say Baker called her son from the Clay County jail and asked him to get the pot out of the refrigerator, sell it and then post bond. Apparently, she didn't realize the telephone call was being monitored by the cops. http://kicdam.com/skin/blurb.php?sectionId=176&contentId=153098

-- Carey Fox

Countdown Home: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

Other News:
Interest rate concerns slammed stocks for a fourth straight session Thursday, as investors continued fretting about higher lending costs choking demand and hurting the global economy. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3683270/

Indonesia's most dangerous volcano spewed a spectacular roiling cloud of hot gas and ash down its southern slope Thursday, sending more than 15,000 villagers running for safety or piling into cars and trucks, officials said. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13165201/

Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson accepted responsibility Thursday for the theft of personal information for 26.5 million military personnel and veterans. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13204685/

Wendy's International Inc. said Thursday it will begin frying french fries and breaded chicken items with non-hydrogenated oil, continuing a shift to offer healthier menu choices. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13201013/

Singer Barbra Streisand announced her first U.S. tour in over a decade Thursday, saying that she planned to play 20 concerts in October and November to raise money for charitable causes. "The increasingly urgent need for private citizen support to combat dangerous climate change, along with education and health issues was the prime reason I decided to tour again," Streisand said in a statement announcing the tour. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13202390/