On the Air!  —  Today, our campaign launched two new Ned Lamont for U.S. Senate commercials created by renowned producer and innovator Bill Hillsman.  They'll go on the air in the traditional media this afternoon.  The two, "Underdog" and "Right Now" can be viewed below.

Senators Left Out of Loop Make Their Pique Known  —  WASHINGTON, May 18 — There were two types of senators at Thursday's confirmation hearing for Gen. Michael V. Hayden: the briefed, and the briefed-nots.  —  The former were mostly polite.  The latter, especially Democrats, threw the Congressional equivalent of a temper tantrum.

Senate Votes English as 'National Language'  —  After an emotional debate fraught with symbolism, the Senate yesterday voted to make English the "national language" of the United States, declaring that no one has a right to federal communications or services in a language other than English except for those already guaranteed by law.

Iran eyes badges for Jews  —  Law would require non-Muslim insignia  —  Human rights groups are raising alarms over a new law passed by the Iranian parliament that would require the country's Jews and Christians to wear coloured badges to identify them and other religious minorities as non-Muslims.

As Death Stalks Iraq, Middle-Class Exodus Begins  —  Roula Kubba, 13, whose family plans to leave Baghdad because of the rising sectarian violence.  They live in the wealthy Mansour district.  More Photos >  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 18 — Deaths run like water through the life of the Bahjat family.

Hamas force battles police in Gaza, 4 hurt  —  GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian police fought gunbattles in Gaza City on Friday with a new Hamas-led security force set up by the Islamist government in defiance of President Mahmoud Abbas.  —  At least four people were wounded …

Giuliani Headlines Ralph Reed Fundraiser  —  ATLANTA - Rudolph Giuliani, the former New York mayor considered a potential 2008 candidate for president, headlined a fundraiser Thursday for former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed in his run for Georgia lieutenant governor.

Couple Arrested For Asking For Directions  —  BALTIMORE — Baltimore City police arrested a Virginia couple over the weekend after they asked an officer for directions.  —  WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team reporter David Collins said Joshua Kelly and Llara Brook, of Chantilly, Va., got lost leaving an Orioles game on Saturday.

WSJ: BellSouth seeks retraction from USA Today  —  SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — BellSouth Corp. (BLS) has sent a letter to USA Today and the newspaper's parent company, Gannett Co. (GCI) , demanding the retraction of a story which said the phone company shared its customers calling records …

Where Does Brian Bilbray Really Live?  —  Bilbray Vies For North County Congressional Seat  —  SAN DIEGO — It is now more than just mudslinging in the race for the 50th Congressional District.  —  Wednesday, the Democratic Party called for an investigation into allegations of perjury …

The Real Iraq  —  Spending time in the United States after a tour of Iraq can be a disorienting experience these days.  Within hours of arriving here, as I can attest from a recent visit, one is confronted with an image of Iraq that is unrecognizable.  It is created in several overlapping ways …

Once There Were Giants  —  In a doleful shirt-tail, or footnote, to the New York Times story this morning on the appointment of a new managing editor at Time magazine, we learn this:  —  "Donald Barlett and James Steele, two investigative reporters who have chronicled the vicissitudes …

Despite Oil Crisis, Democrats AGAIN Block US Firms from Drilling!  —  This is just unbelievable and irresponsible!  —  Despite the fact that Castro announced last week that Cuba had stepped up work on 36 new oil wells in partnership with Chinese, among others, off the coast of Florida...

Ex-senator linked to oil-for-food claims  —  The US Senate is looking into allegations that a former US senator urged Baghdad to give a US company lucrative contracts under the much-criticised United Nations oil-for-food programme.  —  This is the first time that a leading US lawmaker …

Massive Hoffa hunt  —  FBI calls it the best tip in years, sends up to 50 agents to Milford  —  MILFORD TOWNSHIP — The FBI is mounting one of its biggest searches to date for the remains of former Teamsters boss James R. Hoffa, bringing in dozens of agents for what agents say will be a multi-week dig …

Kenya's 'Koranic fish' disappears  —  A fish with markings that resembled a Koranic text has disappeared from the Kenyan Fisheries Department in Mombasa.  —  The tuna fish, which had provoked intense interest from Muslims, was apparently stolen by people posing as National Museum officials.