What I've Learned  —  Nearly 50 years ago, when I arrived in Minnesota as a student fresh from Africa, I had much to learn — starting with the fact that there is nothing wimpish about wearing earmuffs when it is 15 degrees below zero.  All my life since has been a learning experience.

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" …

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" …

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 …

Pelosi piques public's interest  —  As incoming head of the House, with more eyes on her, she intends to paint her own picture.  —  WASHINGTON — When Nancy Pelosi appeared on national television on the morning after voters returned the House to Democratic hands, Leon Rebibo's phone started ringing in Los Angeles.

Also, Omar.  —  It's testament to the overpowering awesomeness of The Wire that despite being a deeply opinionated commentary on social, urban, and economic policy, it's basically beloved by the whole political spectrum.  You already know the panoply of lefty bloggers who regularly recommend …

A Diversity of Opinion  —  The Post needs more opinion writers and columnists who are of the female persuasion or are minorities.  Overwhelmingly, Post columnists are white guys.  Some are among the paper's best columnists, but more diversity would make The Post a richer paper.

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 …

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 …

Former Rep. DeLay, indicted on state campaign finance charges, begins new 'career' as blogger  —  New to Raw Story?  Click here to visit our home page for the latest news.  —  Print page sponsored by Velvet Revolution.  —  Former Texas Congressman Tom DeLay, who resigned as Republican Majority Leader …

Incoming House intelligence chief botches easy intel quiz  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, who incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tapped to head the Intelligence Committee when the Democrats take over in January, failed a quiz of basic questions about al Qaeda and Hezbollah …

THE REAL RAMADI HAS STOOD UP  —  In a Nov. 29 blog, "Will the real Ramadi please stand up?"  I observed that three articles on conditions in Ramadi and al Anbar Province had appeared within a week of each other giving entirely different points of view.  Mine and one in the Times of London …

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.

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 …

Pakistani Islamists protest against pro-women law  —  KARACHI (Reuters) - Thousands of Islamist protesters demonstrated in southern Pakistan on Sunday against a new law that reduces the burden of proof on rape victims by allowing them to seek justice without the need for four male witnesses.

Wanted: A Strong Wooden Stake and Several Garlic Bulbs  —  Those are some of the tools that are necessary to ensure that a vampire is really dead.  As one has died today and his truly vile regime was responsible for the deaths of thousands, the torture of many more thousands …

Ros-Lehtinen: Kill-Castro video a trick  —  WASHINGTON - Facing the camera with a statue of a giant gold eagle on her desk, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen talks casually about how proud she is to represent Cuban ''freedom fighters'' living in exile in Miami and on the island.

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.

LOOKING BACK.  In fall 2006, the United States turned on the NeoCommentators.  Their smug, wrongheaded chatter had helped lead the country into a catastrophic war and then, without missing a beat, turned to condemn those who sought to end it.  Infuriated, readers nationwide began agitating …

For Iraq's Sunnis, Conflict Closes In  —  Mixed Neighborhoods Unravel as Shiite Militiamen Expand Violence  —  A few blocks from Ali Farouk's three-story home, an empty house provides a glimpse of what he fears will be the future.  Once owned by a Sunni Muslim, the paint is peeling, the windows are blown out.