Islamist Forces in Somalia Are in Retreat  —  Ethiopian-backed forces continued to beat back Islamist fighters in Somalia today, advancing to within 15 miles of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, as diplomatic pressure increased for the Ethiopians to pull out.  —  The African Union …

John Edwards joins presidential race  —  WASHINGTON - Former Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards jumped into the presidential race Wednesday a day earlier than he'd planned, prodded by an Internet glitch to launch a candidacy focused on health care, taxes and other domestic issues.

Saddam Hussein's Baath party threatens to retaliate if their leader is executed  —  AMMAN, Jordan: Saddam Hussein's Baath Party threatened Wednesday to retaliate if the ousted Iraqi leader is executed, warning in an Internet posting it would target U.S. interests anywhere.

At The Corner, Iraq News That Isn't  —  Reader SB points us to an entry today at The Corner, a blog belonging to National Review magazine, entitled "FROM IRAQ: A MARINE'S NOTES."  —  Among other things, the unnamed Marine tells the National Review that:

The Pardon  —  Because you're all dying to hear what I have to say about Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon:  —  Here's the thing.  Promoting "healing" and a sense of "moving on" was, in fact, arguably more important than seeing Richard Nixon spend years in a jail cell.

THE SERENDIPITOUS PRESIDENT  —  With the passing of Gerald R. Ford, I find myself reflecting on his presidency — and realizing that I don't really remember too much about it.  I was only nine when he left office; he's always been a historic figure rather than an actual memory.

The Right Type of 'Surge'  —  Any Troop Increase Must Be Large and Lasting  —  Reports on the Bush administration's efforts to craft a new strategy in Iraq often use the term "surge" but rarely define it.  Estimates of the number of troops to be added in Baghdad range from fewer than 10,000 to more than 30,000.

TAKING THE HIGH ROAD.... In a Republican-led Congress, life in the minority was surprisingly unpleasant.  Legislation was written without Democratic input; bills were passed without letting Democrats read it; Democrats' bills were denied hearings and votes; they weren't allowed to offer amendments …

A Dirty Game  —  The Duke "rape" case unravels.  —  It's no secret that hugely disproportionate numbers of the innocent people oppressed by abusive prosecutors and police in this country are African-Americans.  Now one of the most outrageous cases of law-enforcement abuse is unfolding in Durham, N.C., home of the Duke lacrosse case.

Tension after US soldier shoots Sadr supporter  —  NAJAF, Iraq (AFP) - Tension was mounting in the Iraqi city of Najaf after an American soldier killed a senior ally of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr during a raid on his house.  —  Sadr supporters and local police told AFP Wednesday …

A Fellow Mammal Leaves the Planet  —  Robert L. Pitman has spent 30 years studying the world's whales, dolphins and other aquatic mammals.  He returned to San Deigo, Calif., last week after a fruitless six-week expedition in which teams of five observers on two vessels scoured the Yangtze River …

White House to Joe Biden: Hold Your Horses on Rejecting Iraq Troop Surge  —  NEW YORK At today's press gaggle in Crawford, Texas, Scott Stanzel, pinch-hitting for White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, described the president's reaction to the death of Gerald R. Ford and his upcoming meetings to discuss his next moves in Iraq.

Commentary: Gerald Ford's impact on the Court  —  Gerald R. Ford's legacy, now being reassessed in the wake of his death Tuesday night, will be measured many ways.  Of course, much is being made of his decision as President to pardon former President Richard M. Nixon for the crimes of the Watergate scandal …