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.

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.

Vote in House Seeks to Erase Oil Windfall  —  WASHINGTON, May 18 — In an attempt to revoke billions of dollars worth of government incentives to oil and gas producers, the House on Thursday approved a measure that would pressure companies to renegotiate more than 1,000 leases for drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

US fumes as Iraq backs Israel boycott  —  The US-backed Iraqi government sent an official representative to this week's meeting of the Arab League Boycott Office in Damascus, The Jerusalem Post has learned, prompting criticism from members of Congress and the Bush administration.

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.

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.

Hamas-Led Government Deploys Security Force, Defying Abbas  —  A security force patrolled Gaza City Wednesday, deployed by the Hamas-led Palestinian government in a challenge to Mahmoud Abbas.  Israeli soldiers killed two members of Islamic Jihad in a raid at a house in Nablus where more than 50 pounds of explosives was found.

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 …

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 …

Afghanistan Rocked As 105 Die in Violence  —  Toll Is Among Worst Since 2001 Invasion  —  ASADABAD, Afghanistan, May 18 — Afghanistan has been rocked over the past two days by some of the deadliest violence since the Taliban was driven from power in late 2001.

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.