India formally accuses Pakistan of involvement in Mumbai attacks: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says the intricacy of attacks indicate Pakistani government link.

The 111th United States Congress opens for business today as the staff on the Hill prepares, Pelosi scoots over, Republicans grumble from the back seat and there's still the matter of several open Senate seats.

Obama considering some military influence and apps of our civilian space program. Say it ain't so, O.

Paul Krugman: Fighting Off Depression. "Let’s not mince words: This looks an awful lot like the beginning of a second Great Depression. Will we 'act swiftly and boldly' enough to stop that from happening?"

In the U.S., the political parities are shuffling people left and right as the new administration prepares to come into power.

On the Democrat's side, Virgina Governor Tom Kaine is appointed DNC Chair, while ex DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe will try for Kaine's seat in 2010.

Across the aisle, six people are vying for RNC chairman, with a debate planned for today.

Russian gas supplier Gazprom is having disputes with Ukraine again, which could affect Europe's gas supply and power.

Critics say that Russia is using its energy resources as a political weapon to pressure European and former Soviet countries to adopt favourable stances towards Moscow.
But threats to disrupt exports, and the fact that it has carried out such threats in the past, have damaged Russia's reputation as a reliable gas supplier.

Change of plans for Obama's Secretary of Commerce:

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state.

If only a certain Illinois governor would learn a lesson from this.

I don't know what to say about the latest conflict between Israel and Palestine, other than it's tiring. It's tiring to see both sides make repeated mistakes, tiring hear them blame the other while taking a self righteous stance, tiring to see adults so willing to bury their children for reasons that seem centuries old. Frankly, I've often wondered if the world shouldn't just build a wall around the area, lock the two sides in and be down with it. Wishful thinking, I know.

Still, every challenge presents opportunities and peace for the region still seems possible, if only, if only...

Israel has tried to take the initiative in the propaganda war over Gaza but, in one important instance, its version has been seriously challenged.

Pakistan Under Pressure: Militants are gaining territory—and strength—with astonishing speed.

Lasting all of 30 seconds, the final legislative session of the Senate closes down the 110th Congress. Never fear, the 111th Congress starts next Tuesday. The big question is what will Senate do with Roland Burris and Al Franken. Not exactly a grand beginning.

CNN asks several strategists what 2009 will bring to American politics, but it'll be interesting to see what influence moderate Republicans have, as it'll be an indicator of where the Republican party is heading.

Newsweek asked 4 design firms for ideas on how the GOP can renew it's brand while others actually work to do it.

Coming Soon: The 21st Century

Obama Suggests Cuba Policy Reform: Not Beholden to the Florida Vote, President-elect Has Room to Make Change

Film critic Roger Ebert is very, very upset. (via)

"Mr. Shifty," aka Rod Blagojevich is expected to appoint a former Attorney General of Illinois , Roland Burris to the senate, free of charge. Burris has shown interest in the seat, but would he be tainted by an appointment from Blagojevich.

The Wall Street Journal thinks Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is vulnerable in the 2010 election. Others aren't buying it.

A LA TImes Op-ed piece nicely sums the "Barack, the Magic Negro" flap:

"Puff the Magic Dragon?" You've got to be kidding. Was he on another planet Nov. 4? Did he miss how Republicans lost 66% of the vote of people age 30 and under? Thirty-year-olds weren’t even born when Peter, Paul and Mary's hit came out in 1963. Sure Limbaugh used the parody and his crowd loved it, but the average Limbaugh listener is 51

Incoming Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has a big job ahead of him, hopefully starting with the car-eating pothole in front of my alley. Where's the money coming from? Do raise the gas tax. Don't raise the gas tax.    Continues...

Prison Reform: Senator Webb’s Herculean Task

The most powerful man in the world can't do everything, a fact that President-Elect Obama isn't adjusting well to:

Obama even took the unusual step Friday morning of leaving behind the pool of reporters assigned to follow him, taking his daughters to a nearby water park without them. It was a breach of longstanding protocol between presidents (or presidents-elect) and the media, that a gaggle of reporters representing television, print and wire services is with his motorcade at all times.

The February elections in Israel and the end of the current Palestinian president's term in January are escalating the current conflict.

Top Ten Myths about Iraq, 2008

Scientists eager for stem cell policy change