CNN Says the Video is Genuine  —  CNN insists that the Gaza video is genuine, and they've reposted it.  This is their only response to the criticism that the “CPR” shown in the video is an obvious pantomime: … If they really had “little hope” the patient could be saved …

Israel Is Committing War Crimes  —  Hamas's violations are no justification for Israel's actions.  —  Israel's current assault on the Gaza Strip cannot be justified by self-defense.  Rather, it involves serious violations of international law, including war crimes.

Baltimore mayor indicted on theft, perjury charges  —  BALTIMORE — Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted Friday on charges that she accepted illegal gifts during her time as mayor and City Council president, including travel, fur coats and gift cards intended for the poor that she allegedly used instead for a holiday shopping spree.

Burris gets OK from Illinois sec. of state  —  Following a decision by the Illinois Supreme Court, Jesse White, the Illinois secretary of state, has certified Roland Burris' appointment to the Senate, removing a major roadblock blocking Burris' ascension to the body.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer is put up for sale  —  Hearst officials say Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper has been put up for sale  —  SEATTLE (AP) — Hearst Corp. put Seattle's oldest newspaper, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, up for sale on Friday and said that if it can't find a buyer …

No Instruction Manual as Stimulus Bill Takes Shape  —  WASHINGTON — The fresh evidence on Friday of the economy's downward spiral focused even more attention on two questions: Is the stimulus package being pushed by President-elect Barack Obama big enough?  And will the component parts …

Obama Attorney General Pick Eric Holder Facing Increasing Criticism  —  Eric H. Holder Jr. is facing increasing resistance to his bid to become the next attorney general, emerging from President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet nominees as the prime target of Senate Republicans …

Palin criticizes “personal, salacious nature of recent reporting” (Updated)  —  From ADN state/local news editor David Hulen —  It sounds like Gov. Palin has had it with the news media.  On the heels of her YouTube interview earlier this week criticizing coverage during her campaign for vice president …

4 million jobs - Obama ups the ante  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  President-elect Obama raised the jobs forecast for his stimulus plan from 3 million to as many as 4 million on Saturday, upping the ante of his economic blueprint for the second time in three weeks.

Bush Prepares to Ask for Second Tranche of Bailout Funds  —  If Congress Fails to Approve Request, Administration May Use Veto Power  —  In a move being coordinated with the Obama transition team, senior Bush administration officials are preparing to ask lawmakers for the second half …

Court to rule on voting rights law, 3 other cases  —  The Supreme Court on Friday took on a weighty??constitutional dispute over Congress's 25-year extension of the federal voting rights law's provision requiring some states and local governments to get clearance in Washington before making any changes in election laws or methods.

Breaking: Obama sends national e-mail with NO plea for money!  —  This is no Friday joke.  —  Word has just been received at The Ticket that President-elect Barack Obama sent out an actual e-mail today without asking for more money from tired donors.  No, really.