Mandela still alive after embarrassing Bush remark  —  JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Nelson Mandela is still very much alive despite an embarrassing gaffe by U.S. President George W. Bush, who alluded to the former South African leader's death in an attempt to explain sectarian violence in Iraq.

In Search of a Congress  —  If you were one of the Americans waiting for Congress, under Democratic control, to show leadership on the war in Iraq, the message from the Senate is clear: "Nevermind."  The same goes for those waiting for lawmakers to fix the damage done to civil liberties …

2 arrested in noose incident near Jena  —  ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana (CNN) — Authorities in Alexandria, Louisiana, arrested two people after nooses were seen hanging from the back of a red pickup Thursday night, the city's mayor told CNN.  —  Alexandria is less than an hour away from Jena …

O'Reilly surprised "there was no difference" between Harlem restaurant and other New York restaurants … During the September 19 edition of his nationally syndicated radio program, discussing his recent trip to have dinner with Rev. Al Sharpton at Sylvia's, a famous restaurant in Harlem …

George Bush the Texan is 'scared of horses'  —  President Bush may like to be seen as a swaggering tough guy with a penchant for manly outdoor pursuits, but in a new book one of his closest allies has said he is afraid of horses.  —  Vicente Fox, the former president of Mexico …

For Mrs. Giuliani, the NRA Can Wait  —  Giuliani and Judith Nathan at their wedding in May 2003.  (AP).  —  When you get to your third marriage, you take your wife's call — even if you're in the middle of a speech to the National Rifle Association.  —  Rudy Giuliani was giving …

NRCC chair threatens to resign  —  House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) is trying to force out the top two staffers of the National Republican Campaign Committee — leading to a threat of resignation from the NRCC by Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) if it happens, said GOP insiders.

MIT Student Arrested For Fake Bomb At Logan  —  Police Say Simpson Had Circuit Board, Wiring, and Play-Doh  —  Blog Chatter: See what people are saying about this story  —  (WBZ) BOSTON An MIT student with a fake bomb strapped to her chest was arrested at gunpoint Friday at Logan International Airport …

Anti-War YouTube 'Vet' Admits He Is Faker  —  Brian Ross and Vic Walter Report:  —  A Washington man, whose claims to have slaughtered civilians as a U.S. Army Ranger in Iraq were seen by millions on YouTube, admitted in federal court in Seattle today that he was a fake and a liar.

Breaking news (and SL&P exclusive?): federal Judge Paul Cassell resigning!  —  Though I am not sure whether to be sad or excited, I am intrigued to be able to break the news that that affirms Sentencing Hall of Famer District Judge Paul Cassell today has submitted to President George Bush his …

BOOK: CASTRO'S SON SAYS DAD DYING; BUT CUBAN LEADER DETERMINED TO OUTLIVE BUSH PRESIDENCY  —  The highly anticipated book on Fidel Castro from one of the preeminent authorities on Cuban and Miami politics and CBS' correspondent on Castro, Ann Louise Bardach, WITHOUT FIDEL …

A Beloved Professor Delivers The Lecture of a Lifetime  —  Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer-science professor, was about to give a lecture Tuesday afternoon, but before he said a word, he received a standing ovation from 400 students and colleagues.  —  He motioned to them to sit down.

Hillary Clinton: I'm not a lesbian  —  Hillary Clinton officially declared she's not a lesbian - not that there's anything wrong with that.  —  During an interview with The Advocate to be published next week, Sean Kennedy, the gay magazine's news and features editor, asked the presidential candidate …

Climate change may help rainforests  —  Climate change may lead to lush growth rather than catastrophic tree loss in the Amazonian forests, researchers from the US and Brazil have found.  A study, in the journal Science, found that reduced rainfall had led to greener forests …