NBC: Saddam to be hanged by Sunday  —  Ex-dictator's execution expected to be carried out by start of Eid holiday  —  Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, sentenced to death for his role in 148 killings in 1982, will have his sentence carried out by Sunday, NBC News reported Thursday.

Why We Need More Troops in Iraq  —  I've just spent 10 days traveling in the Middle East and speaking to leaders there, all of which has made one thing clearer to me than ever: While we are naturally focused on Iraq, a larger war is emerging.  On one side are extremists and terrorists led …

Ford, Nixon Sustained Friendship for Decades  —  Months before Richard M. Nixon set a relatively unknown Michigan congressman named Gerald R. Ford on the path to the White House, Nixon turned to Ford, who called himself the embattled president's "only real friend," to get him out of trouble.

Marines deny airstrikes used against insurgents in Ramadi  —  BAGHDAD — A large-scale U.S. military operation in Ramadi last month did not target suspected insurgents with airstrikes, U.S. military officials said.  —  Witness statements reported by The Times on Nov. 15 indicated …

Somalia Forces Retake Capital From Islamists  —  Just hours after Islamist fighters abandoned Mogadishu, the capital from which they ruled much of Somalia, thousands of troops of the transitional government marched into the city on Thursday in a stunning reversal of fortune.

Bush Considers Up to 20,000 More Troops for Iraq  —  The Bush administration is considering an increase in troop levels in Iraq of 17,000 to 20,000, which would be accomplished in part by delaying the departure of two Marine regiments now deployed in Anbar Province, Pentagon officials said Thursday.

Israel Confirms Arms Shipment Sent to Aid Abbas  —  After coordination with Israel and the United States, Egypt has sent a shipment of weapons and ammunition into the Gaza Strip to forces loyal to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, Israeli officials said today.

AP Poll: Bush #1 Villain of 2006  —  Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for President Bush, AP comes out with a new poll. … Good thing he doesn't follow those pesky polls...  Video WMP |  Video MOV

From Iraq, Warblogger Vouches for "Lonely Kerry" Photo  —  After I wrote yesterday about questions surrounding a photo making the rounds on right-wing blogs, the originator of the picture has written to say it's for real.  —  North Dakota radio host Scott Hannen, Michelle Malkin …

Chavez to shut down opposition TV  —  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he will not renew the licence for the country's second largest TV channel which he said expired in March 2007.  —  In an address to troops, Mr Chavez said he would not tolerate media outlets working towards a coup against him.

Sen. Johnson Improves, Is Expected to Miss Start of Congress  —  Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) turned 60 yesterday, two weeks after emergency surgery to repair a brain hemorrhage that has left him in critical condition.  —  Julianne Fisher, a spokeswoman for the senator, said Johnson …

Ice mass snaps free from Canada's Arctic  —  TORONTO - A giant ice shelf has snapped free from an island south of the North Pole, scientists said Thursday, citing climate change as a "major" reason for the event.  —  The Ayles Ice Shelf — all 41 square miles of it — broke clear 16 months ago …

Many soldiers say troop surge a bad idea  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Many of the American soldiers trying to quell sectarian killings in Baghdad don't appear to be looking for reinforcements.  They say the temporary surge in troop levels some people are calling for is a bad idea.