Baghdad Braces For More Reprisals  —  Cellphones and Web Spread Threats, Fear  —  In the aftermath of one of the deadliest spasms of violence, a new level of fear and foreboding has gripped Baghdad, fueled in part by sectarian text messages and Internet sites, deepening tensions in an already divided capital.

In full: Litvinenko statement  —  Russian former spy Alexander Litvinenko dictated a statement two days before his death, which was read out by his friend Alex Goldfarb outside University College Hospital in London on Friday.  —  I would like to thank many people.

Holiday retail season starts strong  —  Packed parking lots, packed malls, packed shopping bags.  —  That was the scene Friday — and the prediction for today.  —  The traditional after-Thanksgiving day sale — known as Black Friday — is just the tip of the holiday shopping frenzy.

U.S. Finds Iraq Insurgency Has Funds to Sustain Itself  —  The insurgency in Iraq is now self-sustaining financially, raising tens of millions of dollars a year from oil smuggling, kidnapping, counterfeiting, corrupt charities and other crimes that the Iraqi government and its American patrons …

Another Massive Anti-Chavez Protest in Caracas  —  Amazing!  —  It was the largest protest in Venezuelan history!  —  V-Crisis has the story and more photos from the demonstration today in Caracas.  —  (Hat Tip Instapundit)  —  Venezuela News and Views has video!

AZHAR OUTLAWS FEMALE CIRCUMCISION  —  The Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar, the oldest and most highly respected institution in Sunni Islam; and the Grand Mufti of Egypt have released an official fatwa declaring the practice of female circumcision (also called female genital mutilation or female genital cutting) un-Islamic.

Mormon Sacred Underwear  —  Here's an official guide.  Alas, no pictures.  (If someone has some visuals, could they please send them to me?)  So Mitt Romney will never have to answer the boxers or briefs question.  But will he tell us whether he wears Mormon underwear at all times, including when asleep?

EASY PREY IN PARIS — "A jackpot, a Black and a Jew."  —  In which a French policeman protects a Jewish fan of Israeli soccer team assaulted by Paris St. Germain hooligans.  Score: 1 dead, 1 critically injured.  National state of anti-semitic denial continues in France unabated.

Spelling Optional  —  "Anti-war" activist Cindy Sheehan has been in South Korea, campaigning against a relocation of American bases there which, if I'm not mistaken, was requested by the South Korean government.  So, help me with this one, Maureen: does Ms. Sheehan have "absolute moral authority" …

Court shocker: 10 months for kiddie porn producer  —  Democrat activist faced 81 years in jail on charges involving kids as young as 6  —  A Democrat community leader who would "offer a homily during worship services" and facilitated his congregation's "opening our doors to all people regardless …

Experts Concerned as Ballot Problems Persist  —  After six years of technological research, more than $4 billion spent by Washington on new machinery and a widespread overhaul of the nation's voting system, this month's midterm election revealed that the country is still far from able to ensure that every vote counts.