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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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

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 …

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.

Best of the Web  —  'In Cold Blood'  —  The Pentagon is investigating whether U.S. Marines committed war crimes in a November incident in which 15 Iraqi civilians were killed in Haditha, Iraq.  NBC News reports that Rep. John Murtha, who voted for the war in Iraq, claims to have advance knowledge of the investigation's outcome:

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.

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 …