Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff flips a burger at barbecue in Quebec City on July 21, 2010.

The former treasurer of the National Republican Congressional Committee pleaded guilty Friday to embezzling more than $840,000 from a variety of political committees, including an NRCC account for annual fundraising dinners with President George W. Bush.

Whatever one's age, this week is redolent of the start of a new term, a marker of the end of the summer holidays, and a return to routine.

Today is Friday, Sept. 3, the 246th day of 2010. There are 119 days left in the year.

As the Obama administration mulls a package of tax cuts and infrastructure spending to stimulate the flagging economy, a fight still looms over those soon-to-expire Bush-era tax cuts.

Tony Blair regrets banning fox hunting, but not invading Iraq. He was captivated by Princess Diana, intimidated by Queen Elizabeth II.