Understanding Climategate's Hidden Decline  —  Close followers of the Climategate controversy know that much of the mêlée surrounds an email in which Climate Research Unit (CRU) chief Phil Jones wrote about using “Mike's Nature Trick” (MNT) to “hide the decline.”

Were Russian security services behind the leak of ‘Climategate’ emails?  —  Suspicions were growing last night that Russian security services were behind the leaking of the notorious British ‘Climategate’ emails which threaten to undermine tomorrow's Copenhagen global warming summit.

The Lady and the Tiger  —  They were both elegant and entitled swans, insulated in guarded enclaves, obsessed with protecting and promoting the Brand.  Then trouble trespassed into their privileged worlds and both responded the same foolish way.  —  They presumptuously put themselves beyond authority and …

Palin cracks wise at Gridiron dinner  —  In an 11-minute speech before Washington's Gridiron Club at its Winter Dinner, Sarah Palin tossed a few barbs at the gathering of journalists, comparing them to “death panels.”  —  “Sometimes you got to trust your instincts, and if you don't …

Gates Expects 2-4 Years of Big Afghan Role for U.S.  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Americans should expect a significant U.S. military presence in Afghanistan for two years to four years more.  —  Just as in Iraq, the U.S. eventually will turn over provinces …

Copenhagen climate summit: 1,200 limos, 140 private planes and caviar wedges  —  Copenhagen is preparing for the climate change summit that will produce as much carbon dioxide as a town the size of Middlesbrough.  —  On a normal day, Majken Friss Jorgensen, managing director …

Democrats consider new presidential nominating process  —  Washington (CNN) - National Democrats are considering changing the presidential nominating process, by establishing a new primary calendar and deemphasizing the influence lawmakers and political insiders have on choosing the party nominee.

You Call This a Compromise?  —  As the Senate debates the health care bill put together by Majority Leader Reid, the scramble is on to come up with a new compromise regarding the public option—the public health insurance plan modeled after Medicare that will be offered within …

U.S. relations with Honduras appear to be stabilizing after coup  —  Coup's supporters persisted out of fear of Zelaya's policies  —  TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS — Just weeks ago, wealthy businessman Adolfo Facussé was shocked to be turned away at Miami's airport.

Middle Israel: Obama's naivete will result in isolationism  —  Had there been a type of Moody's rating for world leaders, and had those ratings not been delivered in sterile characters like “BBB+” but in unambiguous terms like “go for it” or “you don't want to go there,” …