World: Pakistani authorities and militants say a suspected drone strike took out the number two man in the Taliban leadership. The US has made no claim abut the attack.

• The first gay couple to marry in France has said “oui”. President Francois Hollande signed the same sex marriage bill into law only three days ago over the objection of Catholic and politically conservative leaders.

National: NY police say two threatening letters containing deadly ricin were sent to Mayor Michael Bloomberg in New York and at the Washington address of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. The letters are being tested again to confirm they contained the poison.

• Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, once a Republican congressman, now an independent, announced he’s going to become a Democrat. He’s the son of the late and beloved moderate Republican Sen. John Chafee.

Panglossian: The National Spelling Bee goes into its final round tonight. For the first time participants in the first two rounds not only had to spell the word, they had to know what it meant. Some samples from round two: prabhu, kirtle, mandir and weissnichtwo. Kids’ stuff.

Half Mast: Spec. William Joseph Gilbert, 24, a friend of The Rooney Report who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanisan, was buried with military honors yesterday at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles. He leaves his wife Monica, daughter Michaela born after his death, and sister Jessie. Willy had a great smile.

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