TalkLeft has been going down intermittently all day. We're working on it and will probably re-boot the server shortly, so if you get an error message, check back. Hopefully we'll get it resolved soon. If not, I'll post at our backup site here.

In other news, Manuel Noriega has been sentenced to 7 years in France.

The U.S. has added new defendants and charges to the Najibullah Zazi New York terror case. The DOJ press release is here.

President Obama has scored his first guilty plea at a Guantanamo military commission hearing.Sudanese-born Ibrahim al-Qos, bin Laden's former cook and driver, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and providing material support for terrorism. Sentencing will be in August.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome. Our apologies for the site problems.

The Iman who pleaded guilty to lying to authorities about Najibullah Zazi has self-deported, as required by his plea agreement. He's headed to Saudi Arabia. His attorney says:

"Imam Afzali is did his best to assist authorities when they asked for his help," said Kuby, who claimed Afzali was the victim of a turf war between the New York Police Department and FBI over the terrorism investigation.

"For his part, he leaves the United States with great sadness and no bitterness," Kuby said. "The United States is the only home that he knows; this country remains home to his parents, his children, and his brothers."

The Swiss now won't say when a decision in Roman Polanski's case is due. Yesterday, news reports had a Swiss official saying it was imminent. The officials also note he can appeal an adverse decision.

Joran Van der Sloot will undergo psychological testing tomorrow to assist the Judge in determining his mental state at the time of the alleged murder of Stephany Flores.

Tourism is down in Arizona. The boycott is having an effect. [More...]

Open Thread.

Another holiday weekend arrives. Anyone have any special plans?

Paris Hilton has been cleared in South Africa of possessing a joint. It looks like it will be a slow news weekend, a good time to kick back and do something different. But what?

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

World Cup -Brazil v. Netherlands this morning. Should be a great game. I like Brazil.

Wimbledon - Berdych v. Djokovic as we speak. Nerdych up a set. Later, Nadal v. Murray. A match to watch.

Tour de France - Prologue time trial tomorrow morning from Rotterdam (temporarily moved to France this year.) Stages 1 through 3 will take the peloton through the Netherlands and Belgium - cobbles and the Ardennes. After heading back to France, through the Alps and the Pyrennees, the Tour finishes on the Champs Elysees July 25.

Open Thread.

Open Thread.

Federer in some trouble against Berdych at Wimbledon. Djokivic through to the semis. Murray and Rafa Nadal (vs. Soderling) still to play.

Open Thread.

World Cup - Penalty kick shootout to finish Paraguay-Japan. Spain faces Portugal this afternoon.

Open Thread.

World Cup and Wimbledon continue. Tour de France starts Saturday.

The Kagan hearings are scheduled to start today but I suspect it may be put off in light of the passing of Robert Byrd. UPDATE - Nope. The show goes on, confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Open Thread.

England was robbed of an equalizer goal by Lampard in its game with Germany. Germany leads at half 2-1. It's been a wide open game. Should be a great second half.

Argentina-Mexico. Mexico will shock the world.

Bill Clinton and Mick Jagger at the World Cup. Also having a good time with Bill: Katie Couric and Wolf Blitzer.

More photos here.

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

Open Thread. All topics welcome. But I will add a few words about today's World Cup matches.

While both Brazil and Portugal are virtually assured of going through to the Round of 16 (Brazil IS assured), this morning's game between them has significance nonetheless- it determines who will play Spain (if Spain gets through) in the Round of 16.

Interestingly, if you wanted to avoid Spain (Chile is a very good team), you would not know whether to play to win or draw. Spain does not face Chile until this afternoon.

If Spain falters, avoiding Chile to instead play Switzerland would be a big plus. In any event, Brazil and Portugal should be incapable of playing an uninteresting game. A must see. In the afternoon, Spain again plays for its World Cup life against a very good Chile team. (Group H turned into the real Group of Death.) Switzerland can, indeed, should, beat Honduras. If it does, Spain MUST beat Chile to advance. In effect, Spain must win the Group or go home. I like Brazil, Ivory Coast, Spain and Switzerland in today's matches.