Kennedy drops support for a Kerry presidential run in '08  —  WASHINGTON —Senator Edward M. Kennedy Monday dropped his public commitment to support Senator John F. Kerry in a 2008 presidential race, saying that he won't wait "indefinitely" for Kerry to declare his intentions while the Democratic primary field takes shape.

Iran students heckle Ahmadinejad  —  Iranian students have disrupted a speech by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a prestigious Tehran university, setting fire to his picture and heckling him.  —  "Some students chanted radical slogans and inflamed the atmosphere of the meeting" …

Annan Criticizes U.S. in Farewell Speech  —  U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in his farewell address, criticized the Bush administration, warning that America must not sacrifice its Democratic ideals while waging war against terrorism.  —  In remarks prepared for delivery Monday …

Poor Bush had a week that reeked  —  DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF  —  WASHINGTON - For a wounded President locked in a lethal downward spiral ever since his reelection, it was the cruelest week of all.  —  Not since Bill Clinton forlornly insisted that "the President is still relevant" …

Ohio Rep. Kucinich to run for president  —  CLEVELAND - Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2004, said Monday he is planning another bid because his party isn't pushing hard enough to end the Iraq war.  —  In a statement, Kucinich said he plans …

Hamas confirms meeting with group of Democrats  —  Leader claims U.S. party willing to hold dialogue with terrorists  —  TEL AVIV - A key Hamas official has confirmed reports from last week the terror group held meetings with "important Democrats."  —  Ahmed Yousuf, chief political advisor …

Delay is against the Politics of personal destruction...  Tom Delay said he was totally against the politics of personal destruction on Hardball today as Mike Barnicle plays dumb and drools over Delay.  We'll forget about his arm twisting of his fellow Republicans to vote his way or else …

In New Congress, Seniority Takes Back Seat to Spirit  —  They call themselves the "30-Something Working Group," a loose collection of House Democrats in their 30s and 40s who have begun making waves.  —  During the campaign season, the group took to the floor of the House nightly …

NY critics name "United 93" as best picture  —  NEW YORK (Reuters) - "United 93," a tense drama focusing on one of the hijacked planes used in the September 11 attacks, won the best picture prize on Monday in the New York Film Critics Circle Awards.  —  The awards, the third major film honors …

Iran opens conference questioning the Holocaust  —  TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran opened a conference on Monday to examine the Holocaust and question whether Nazi Germany used gas chambers to kill Jews, drawing condemnation in the West and criticism from Iran's Jewish community.

Pastor resigns over homosexuality  —  In a tearful videotaped message Sunday to his congregation, the senior pastor of a thriving evangelical megachurch in south metro Denver confessed to sexual relations with other men and announced he had voluntarily resigned his pulpit.

2008 hopefuls woo Bush clan donors, aides  —  McCain, Romney seek edge that family's GOP network could provide.  —  WASHINGTON — With the Bushes preparing to stand down from a quarter century in top elected offices, a frenzied competition has erupted in the Republican Party over who will inherit …

Inquiry Sought Over Evangelical Video  —  Defense Department Asked to Examine Officers' Acts Supporting Christian Group  —  A military watchdog group is asking the Defense Department to investigate whether seven Army and Air Force officers violated regulations by appearing in uniform …

Perception or Deception?  —  According to AP Executive Editor Kathleen Carroll, Iraqi Police Captain Jamil Hussein is a well-known source that they have had a relationship with for two years.  —  According to Curt at Flopping Aces, Hussein was cited in Associated Press reports …

Olmert indicates Israel has nuclear capability  —  In a move unprecedented by any Israeli leader, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday included Israel in a list of nuclear nations.  —  In an interview with the German television network SAT 1, Olmert was asked about the statement …

Diana was bugged by secret service in U.S.  —  American intelligence agencies were bugging Princess Diana's telephone over her relationship with a US billionaire, the Mail's sister paper has learned.  —  Evening Standard reports that she was even forced to abandon a planned holiday with her sons …

Hillary's Iraq stand seen aiding Obama  —  Illinois Sen. Barack Obama can threaten New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's early lead for the Democratic presidential nomination by challenging her vote for the Iraq war, opposition to a speedy troop withdrawal and support for free trade, party strategists said over the weekend.

Once Just a Sweet Birthday Treat, the Cupcake Becomes a Cause  —  Once a cupcake wasn't something to think about.  It was just what your mom brought to school for your birthday.  But this year, as schools across the country begin enforcing new federally mandated "wellness policies," many are banning the little treats.

Hey, Rosie: Read my lips  —  Ching, chong, smackdown's on:  —  Hoisted by her own petard for her Asian language mimickry, diva of political correctness Rosie O'Donnell is getting blasted by a Chinese-American NYC city councilman for offending minorities: … It's one of the rare times I am enjoying the P.C. circus at work.