Iraq is 'cause celebre' for extremists  —  WASHINGTON - A declassified government intelligence report says the war in Iraq has become a "cause celebre" for Islamic extremists, breeding deep resentment of the U.S. that is likely to get worse before it gets better.

What Clinton Didn't Do . . .  . . . .and when he didn't do it.  —  Bill Clinton's outburst on Fox News was something of a public service, launching a debate about the antiterror policies of his administration.  This is important because every George W. Bush policy that arouses the ire of Democrats …

Deal Is Likely on Detainees but Not on Eavesdropping  —  Senator John W. Warner, right, Republican of Virginia, after a party caucus meeting Tuesday.  Mr. Warner is one of three senators who have resisted the administration on wording of legislation on terrorism suspects.

Opera Cancelled In Germany For Being Offensive To Muslims  —  How far have political correctness and political fears gone?  This far: … Perhaps you didn't know that Mozart is considered offensive and should be banned.  —  But the uproar has been over the more modern staging …

President Bush Welcomes President Karzai of Afghanistan to the White House  —  PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you.  Please be seated.  It's my honor to welcome President Karzai back to the White House.  Mr. President, Laura and I fondly remember your gracious hospitality when we met you in your capital.

White House said to bar hurricane report  —  WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has blocked release of a report that suggests global warming is contributing to the frequency and strength of hurricanes, the journal Nature reported Tuesday.  —  The possibility that warming conditions …

The NIE and the Chumps at the NYT  —  Keep in mind that the National Intelligence Estimate, portions of which were declassified today —hailed by the New York Times on Sunday as "a consensus view of the 16 disparate spy services inside government"— begins its "Key Judgments" section this way:

New Campaign Ads Have a Theme: Don't Be Nice  —  Clockwise from top, Connecticut: Representative Rob Simmons, a Republican, points out his challenger's lack of service.  New Mexico: A Democratic spot details campaign contributions to Representative Heather A. Wilson.

Romania, Bulgaria Favored to Join E.U.  —  The European Commission recommended Tuesday that Romania and Bulgaria be admitted to the European Union on Jan. 1 but attached unprecedented conditions, signaling that there is still deep unease about the union's expansion eastward and the potential economic …

NYC Mulls Ban on Trans Fats in Eateries  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Three years after the city banned smoking in restaurants, health officials are talking about prohibiting something they say is almost as bad: artificial trans fatty acids.  —  The city health department unveiled a proposal Tuesday …

Community Censorship Plagues the House of Islam  —  Even worse than the official censorship is censorship imposed by the community, which then becomes self-censorship.  Friends, colleagues and even ordinary acquaintances all impose strict censorship rules on me under the guise of being concerned about my personal safety or honor.

Top Aide to N.H. Congressman Resigns  —  CONCORD, N.H. — A top aide to U.S. Rep. Charles Bass resigned Tuesday after disclosures that he posed as a supporter of the Republican's opponent in blog messages intended to convince people that the race was not competitive.