Mississippi is a typical American southern state.

No state epitomizes the American South better than Mississippi: First-time visitors are often struck by how friendly residents are — the "southern hospitality" for which this part of the country is famous. They’re also likely to be amazed (and far less pleased) at the year-round heat and humidity.

Mahmoud Abbas, who opposes continuing violence against Israel, declared victory tonight in the election for a new president of the Palestinian Authority after two exit polls showed him winning by a large margin.