More Ties to al Qaeda Found in Gaza Kidnappings  —  The Global Islamic Media Front today released a copy of the Steve Centanni & Olaf Wiig hostage video in an internet posting.  Along with the video, the al Qaeda propoganda production and distribution outlet also released photos of personal IDs found …

Row over new stem cell claims  —  Scientists say they have developed a new method of growing stem cells which overcomes the objections to using human embryos and cloning.  —  But the research by a team of US-based scientists has been greeted with scepticism among UK scientists and has not swayed religious objectors to embryo research.

'Hardball with Chris Matthews' for August 23  —  Guests: Howard Dean, Tony Blankley, Eugene Robinson  —  CHRIS MATTHEWS, MSNBC HOST: You talking to me?  McCain says Bush was wrong on Iraq.  He promised a day at the beach in a war that's cost 50,000 dead.  Let's play HARDBALL.  —  Good evening.

Self-Inflicted Wounds  —  First published as a weekly in 1884 as The Journalist, Editor & Publisher (E&P) is a monthly journal covering the North American newspaper industry.  —  Since 2002, Greg Mitchell has been the Editor of E&P, and he writes both an online and print column.

Israel may 'go it alone' against Iran  —  Israel is carefully watching the world's reaction to Iran's continued refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, with some high-level officials arguing it is now clear that when it comes to stopping Iran, Israel "may have to go it alone," The Jerusalem Post has learned.

'Morning After' Pill Is Cleared for Wider Sales  —  The Food and Drug Administration today approved over-the-counter sales of the "morning-after" contraceptive pill to women 18 and older, resolving one of the most contentious issues in the agency's 100-year history.

The race tightens  —  A Tribune-Review poll shows Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum closing the gap against Democratic challenger Robert P. Casey Jr., in a contest many analysts see as the nation's premier Senate race.  —  The Keystone Poll of 551 Pennsylvania voters shows Casey …

Pluto gets the boot  —  Pluto no longer a planet, say astronomers  —  PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — Leading astronomers declared Thursday that Pluto is no longer a planet under historic new guidelines that downsize the solar system from nine planets to eight.

Video: All Your Fakes Are Belong to US (Bloggers)  —  A video from our very own Sout al Kuffar!  PS-sorry about the slow load time, it's a Youtube side problem.  —  PPS-Please vote for this video at Youtube here.  Just click on the red star that is farthest to the right if you think al Kuffar's work is awesome.

Black students ordered to give up seats to white children  —  Status of Red River Parish bus driver is unknown.  —  vwelborn@gannett.com  —  COUSHATTA — Nine black children attending Red River Elementary School were directed last week to the back of the school bus by a white driver who designated the front seats for white children.

What the Terrorists Want  —  On Aug. 16, two men were escorted off a plane headed for Manchester, England, because some passengers thought they looked either Asian or Middle Eastern, might have been talking Arabic, wore leather jackets, and looked at their watches — and the passengers refused to fly with them on board.

The Great Ambulance Hoax: All your fakes are belong to us  —  ***updated with MSM contact info below...Dan Riehl follows up with observations about the ambulance license plates...Related: Daniel Freedman on Hezbollah's helpers at the Red Cross...Somewhat related: NYer arrested for broadcasting Hezbollah TV...***

Evidence ruled sufficient in penis pump case  —  The female airport security guard held the small, black, squeezable rubber object she'd just plucked out of Mardin Amin's backpack, and eyed it suspiciously.  —  Standing next to his mother, an embarrassed Amin whispered out of one corner …

Candidates from Both Parties Shun Partisan Label  —  Newsflash!  President Bush is unpopular.  No wonder Democrats across the country are dutifully attempting to tie every Republican candidate to their unpopular leader.  —  But most Republicans are under no illusions about the President's standing or mood of the electorate.

Marine Called Haditha Shootings Appropriate  —  A sergeant who examined the scene hours after Marines killed two dozen Iraqis in Haditha last year said the shootings appeared to be an appropriate response to a coordinated insurgent attack, according to a sworn statement obtained by The Washington Post.

'Hitler' restaurant to change name  —  BOMBAY, India - The owner of a restaurant named after Adolf Hitler said Thursday he will change its name because it angered so many people.  —  Puneet Sablok said he would remove Hitler's name and the Nazi swastika from billboards and the menu.

Joe Down Low On Ballot  —  Two weeks after losing the Democratic primary, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman has qualified for a place on the November ballot as a petitioning candidate, the secretary of the state said Wednesday.  —  But on a ballot crowded with at least five Senate candidates …