BASRA, Iraq – As we drive to meet the Merlin helicopter, our vehicle displays a British flag on the dash. We pass teams of British soldiers at Basra Air Station as they conduct morning runs, preparing for the next combat, perhaps only hours away. Numerous British units are stationed in …

Michael Jackson | Pellicano | Al Gore | IFC Party Michael Jackson Gets Free Black Eyed Peas Michael Jackson’s financial situation is such that he’s taking handouts from famous music producers. William James Adams Jr., aka Will. I. Am, the genius musician who guides the Black Eyed Peas and also …

In the middle of that show out in Pebble Beach with Clint Eastwood, then all the fuss over Anna Nicole Smith’s sudden death, one story almost got lost: Eastman Kodak announcing cheap printer cartridges. I know, I know — hardly sexy stuff. But perhaps last week, business-wise — and second …

Word of warning, what I’m about to say is going to annoy people. Maybe really annoy people. Maybe so much so they will never watch me again. So be it. I want to talk about two words. Two simple words. Personal responsibility. I fear, as a country, we’ve forgotten those …

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine: Ethics Rules Congressional ethics rules place all sorts of limits on what people who leave government can do, including restrictions on their ability to communicate with and lobby their former colleagues. But for people who leave the private sector to work on …

Oprah Winfrey | ‘Bobby’ Award Nominations Oprah’s Charities Now Worth More Than $200 Million With all the talk about the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa this week, it’s kind of amazing to realize what her charities are now worth. It’s an astounding amount …

What could be the best meteor display of the year will reach its peak on the night of Dec.13-14. Here is what astronomers David Levy and Stephen Edberg have written of the annual Geminid Meteor Shower: “If you have not seen a mighty Geminid fireball arcing gracefully across an expanse …

Many of the Democrats running for president will speak at the DailyKos convention next week. That is a major mistake. While all of those Democrats lean left, most are not far left, but the Kos is. Very far left. So the candidates will be tarred with that radical brush. And …

‘Hobbit’: Will Peter Jackson Direct? | Mr. Madonna’s Movie Takes In Just $75,000 | Save ‘The Savages,’ ‘Devil,’ ‘Butterfly’ — and Soon | Joss Stone’s Christmas Song; Jingle Ball Report ‘Hobbit’: Will Peter Jackson Direct? Big news Tuesday for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and “Lord of the Rings.” New Line …

BOTSWANA – Who’s the biggest celebrity fundraiser in Africa? Is it Bono, Madonna, Angelina Jolie or Alicia Keys? Nope. The answer is: Paul Newman. This is unofficial, of course. But during my two weeks in Africa, from where I just returned, one thing is clear. All those celebrities who keep …