Saddam, 2 others sentenced to death  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Saddam Hussein was convicted and sentenced Sunday to hang for crimes against humanity in the 1982 killings of 148 people in a single town, as the ousted leader, trembling and defiant, shouted "God is great!"

Polls see Republicans keeping Senate control  —  Races tighten in Montana, Missouri, Rhode Island and Virginia  —  NEW YORK - Just days from the midterm elections, the final round of MSNBC/McClatchy polls shows a tightening race to the finish in the battle for control of the U.S. Senate.

Botched  —  Assessing the damage done to Democrats-and his own chances in '08-by John Kerry's epically flubbed joke.  —  Chuck Schumer got right to the point.  On Thursday afternoon, the New York Senator, who's leading the Democrats' efforts to win back the Senate, called John Kerry and let him have it.

Pastor Dismissed for 'Sexually Immoral Conduct'  —  In the wake of accusations by a former male escort that the Rev. Ted Haggard had a three-year sexual relationship with him, an independent oversight board at Mr. Haggard's New Life Church found that he had "committed sexually immoral conduct" …

Balance and Bias on the Political Beat  —  Readers, especially before elections, watch The Post closely for any hint of political bias.  Recently, such complaints have come mostly from Republicans.  —  Virginia voters must choose between two less than sterling candidates …

Press Gaggle by Tony Snow  —  MR. SNOW: let me begin just with a couple of details; we will get you the readout on the President's meeting with the family of a fallen sailor in a minute.  —  As for the First Lady's birthday — President Bush gave Mrs. Bush a triple strand, amber-colored, citrine necklace — don't ask me, I don't know.

The Difference Two Years Made  —  On Tuesday, when this page runs the list of people it has endorsed for election, we will include no Republican Congressional candidates for the first time in our memory.  Although Times editorials tend to agree with Democrats on national policy …