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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Russia rejects move to give Putin third term  —  MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's top election authority on Wednesday threw out a call for a people's poll that would clear the way for President Vladimir Putin to stay on in power, making it more likely he will step down as he plans in 2008.

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 …

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 …

States, Counties Begin to Enforce Immigration Law  —  CHARLOTTE — Police here operated for years under what amounts to a "don't ask, don't tell" policy toward illegal immigrants.  —  As elsewhere in the United States, law enforcement officers did not check the immigration status of people …

Corn versus Hitchens  —  I said I would eventually get to Christopher Hitchens and his claims that Iraq had indeed sought uranium in Niger and that the Plame leak was not connected to a White House vendetta against Joe Wilson (and that I had promoted this "delusion.")

Pakistan Explains Stance on Israel  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Pakistan's government will eventually have to recognize Israel, but it would be political suicide to do so today, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said Tuesday.  —  Such recognition would end any hopes of Pakistan serving as bridge between …

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.

The 'Moderate Republican' Scam  —  Sen. Lincoln Chafee, Republican of Rhode Island, is seeking reelection in his heavily Democratic state by insisting he's not really a Republican, or at least not part of the gang responsible for the decade's debacles.  He didn't even vote for George W. Bush in 2004, he protests.

Falwell Refuses To Apologize For Lucifer Attack, Swears To Repeat It 'Over And Over Again'  —  Appearing on MSNBC today, Rev. Jerry Falwell responded to criticism of his recent attack comparing Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) to Lucifer.  Asked whether his remarks were disrespectful, Falwell said, "I do not."

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 …