Nepal shrugs off foreign critics
The authorities in Nepal have rejected international criticism of the king's decision to seize absolute power. They say the move to implement a state of emergency was necessary to stop the country sliding ...
India beefs up security along border with Nepal fearing Maoist :- Webindia123
Nepal bristles at criticism, says fights terrorism Reuters South Africa
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Tsunami Mother Finds Son Alive after Seven Weeks
Hayatun Nafis walked the streets of the shattered city of Banda Ached for more than seven weeks searching for her 10-year-old son, missing since the tsunami struck.
Asian Tsunami Disaster Yahoo News
New life for Aceh tsunami refugees Reuters.uk
RTE Interactive - Reuters AlertNet - Age (subscription) - all 45 related »

New US Sudan resolution faces SC members opposition
The US has drafted a resolution which calls for the authorisation of a large peacekeeping force in Southern Sudan in the hopes that the recent peace deal would act as an incentive for peace in Darfur.
US offers 10,000 troops to monitor Sudan ABC Online
Russia, China expected to oppose US over Darfur Reuters South Africa
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Victorious Shiites ponder PM choice and allies after poll
Iraq's main Shiite alliance debated Monday who to choose as prime minister and which allies to seek after failing to win an absolute majority in landmark elections.
Compromise will be key in Iraq Denver Post
Behind the Scene, a Divvying Up of Political Spoils Los Angeles Times
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African team expected in Togo for talks
A team of African diplomats was expected in Togo on Tuesday to seek an end to a crisis over the country's leadership that has sparked deadly riots in the capital and widespread international condemnation.
Travellers stranded at Aflao border GhanaWeb
Togo's President Dies, Son Receives Absolute Power Howard University Hilltop (subscription)
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Japanese teen fatally stabs schoolteacher
A 17-year-old boy armed with a sashimi knife stabbed a teacher to death and wounded two other adults Monday at his former elementary school, then stood in the faculty lounge and smoked a cigarette with the bloody blade in hand.
Teen killer suspected of targeting former teacher Mainichi Daily News
Killer held grudge after bullying Melbourne Herald Sun
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Malaysia urged not to deport migrants
Rights group Amnesty International is urging Malaysia not to deport migrants caught in a crackdown set for March 1, warning that refugees and asylum seekers among them face torture or detention at home.
Indonesian president ends visit to Malaysia Xinhua
Malaysia sets final deadline for expulsion of illegal workers Financial Times
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No trial for severing baby's arms
McKINNEY, Tex.—A mother who cut off her baby's arms was ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial on murder charges yesterday.
Woman Said Incompetent in Severed-Arm Case ABC News
North TX Woman Incompetent for Trial over Baby's Death KTEN
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Bush Calls For Renewal Of Patriot Act
Hardbeatnews, WASHINGTON, DC, Tues. Feb. 15, 2005: President George Bush yesterday urged members of the US Congress to renew an act which allowed for secret proceedings in immigration cases against some Caribbeans ...
Bush Urges Renewal of Patriot Act FOX News
Bush Calls on Congress to Renew Anti-Terror Law Reuters
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Missile-defense system fails third straight test
The nation's fledgling missile-defense system failed a third straight test when an interceptor rocket didn't launch from its base on an island, leaving the target rocket to splash ...
US missile test fails for second time in months Globe and Mail
Rocket Fails to Launch in Test Run New York Times
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Anaylsts say timing couldn't be worse, as N. Korea says it has nuclear weapons.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0215/dailyUpdate.html

Ex-Priest Sentenced to 12-15 Years for Raping Boy
Paul Shanley, the defrocked priest who was a central figure in the Boston clerical abuse scandal, was sentenced today to 12 to 15 years in prison ...
Ex-Priest Shanley Gets 12 to 15 Years for Rape Reuters
Defrocked Priest Sentenced For Raping Former Colorado Man TheDenverChannel.com
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WASHINGTON (AP) The United States is pulling its ambassador from Syria amid rising tensions over the assassination of a former Lebanese prime minister.

Visit Yahoo! News for more details or search for this story on Yahoo! News Search.

US Rejection of Kyoto Brings Protest in Italy
"We think that United States of America make a big mistake not signing the Kyoto protocol," said Francesco Ferrante of Italy's Environment League.
World to celebrate Kyoto Protocol start Stanford Daily
Global Warming Fears Lead to Ratification of Kyoto Protocol NewsHour Extra
Seattle Post Intelligencer - Billings Gazette - Newsday - Financial Times - all 290 related »

Israel says Troops Kill Two Armed Palestinians Near Settlement
The Israeli military says troops have shot and killed two armed Palestinian gunmen outside a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. The military said the shootings occurred Tuesday at a settlement near the West Bank town of Nablus.
Sharon: Israel to Compromise for Peace Rapid City Journal
Sharon Says Israel Is Coordinating Gaza Withdrawal New York Times
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Kerry Backs Bush's $81.9 Bln War Spending Plan
Democratic Sen. John Kerry, whose baffling explanation of votes on Iraq war funding hurt his 2004 White House bid, said on Tuesday he would back President Bush's new $81.9 billion request for Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bush Requests $82B for Iraq, Afghan Wars ABC News
Bush Sends Supplemental Budget Request to Congress Defenselink.mil
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Philippines in State of Alert after a Triple Bomb Attack
Manila, Feb 15 (Prensa Latina) The Phillipine government has imposed a state of maximum alert Tuesday on Manila, the capital, and two cities in the southern island of Mindanao, in the wake of bomb attacks that left 12 dead and more than 130 injured.
Philippine President Promises to 'Wipe Out' Terrorists in Wake of ... Voice of America
Philippines on alert after bombs CNN International
NEWS.com.au - The Standard - Sun Star - Age (subscription) - all 358 related »

Habib was a 'mercenary for Osama'
Australia's top investigators claim Mamdouh Habib trained as aterrorist before
the September 11 attacks.
http://newsletters.fairfax.com.au/cgi-bin1...SLZ0Bnf0Bky70En

Breaking News from ABCNEWS.com:

SENATE CONFIRMS MICHAEL CHERTOFF AS NEW HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF


http://abcnews.go.com?CMP=EMC-1396

Kyoto Treaty becomes law
seven years after being agreed. It aims to slow global warming with pledges to cut emissions of greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 per cent by 2012.
Q&A: the Kyoto Protocol Times Online
Kyoto Global Warming Pact Takes Effect ABC News
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Anti-Syrian protest at Hariri funeral
Thousands of Lebanese chanting anti-Syrian slogans have flooded into streets around the home of slain former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri amid mounting US-led pressure on Syria to get out of Lebanon.
Angry citizens storm Lebanon's streets Daily Star
Blast that killed Hariri hard to prevent: experts Khaleej Times
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Gore fights automakers' emissions suit
and SETH BORENSTEIN. Former Vice President Al Gore will call on automakers to drop their lawsuit against California's tough new vehicle emissions standards tonight -- an appeal designed ...
Kyoto Global Warming Pact Takes Effect ABC News
Environmentalists Still Squabbling as Kyoto Protocol Takes Effect Cybercast News Service
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Syria denies Hariri involvement
SYRIA's ambassador to France, Siba Nasser, said today her country had nothing to do with the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri, and Damascus did not fear an international inquiry as called for by Paris.
Tens of thousands join funeral procession for former Lebanese ... CJAD
Anti-Syrian Protests Mark Hariri's Funeral Reuters
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Earthquake hits Tokyo, injuring over 20 people
Tokyo (VNA) - An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale shook the Tokyo area on Wednesday, causing injuries to at least 22 people and disupting the traffic system.
Quake Rattles Tokyo; at Least 28 Injured Guardian
Quake rattles Tokyo, injures at least 28 CBC News
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Advocates for homeless say situation worsening
Food pantries and homeless shelters are increasingly strapped and turning away more people, according to a report released by a student advocacy group.
Help for homeless is stretched thin Indianapolis Star
Proposed funding cuts would hurt homeless News-Leader.com
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Mergers raise concerns over Internet access
On the surface, the frenzy of telecommunications mergers in the past few weeks raises relatively clear-cut questions for lawmakers and regulators who will be weighing the deals ...
Qwest narrows Q4 loss and keeps MCI options open Computer Business Review
Vodafone must develop muscle to face US giants Times Online
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Boeing rolls out its 777, world's longest range airliner
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has hurled a fresh challenge at European rival Airbus, rolling out its first B-777-200LR, which it says is the world's longest-range commercial plane.
Boeing unveils longest-flying airliner New Ratings
Boeing unveils longest-flying jet CNN International
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Japan Falls Into Recession as 4th-Qtr GDP Shrinks
Japan's economy unexpectedly fell into recession last year for the fourth time in 13 years as consumer spending declined and exports faltered.
Japan in Recession Again as GDP Shrinks Reuters
Japan's GDP contracts for third straight quarter New Ratings
Turkish Press - Times Online - Washington Post - Forbes - all 92 related »

Global PC shipment growth to slow down
NEW YORK, February 16 (newratings.com) - Global PC shipments are likely to increase by 9% in 2005, as compared to the 11.6% growth witnessed last year, the latest Gartner report said.
PC Sales Expected to Slow PC World
PC sales growth cooling: Gartner Australian IT
Xinhua - ZDNet - Reseller News - TechWeb - all 40 related »

Moody's Slashes Philippines Debt Rating
Moody's Investor's Service cut the Philippines long-term and foreign currency ratings by two notches Wednesday. The drastic cuts reflect investor concerns over the Philippine's massive government debt.
Moody's cuts RP ratings by two notches ABS CBN News
Philippines calls downgrading of currency rating "severe" but ... Xinhua
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Foreign Purchases of US Assets Fall
The dollar declines against the yen and Euro after a Treasury report shows a decline in international demand. The dollar fell against the yen for a third straight day and weakened versus the euro after a government ...
US SECURITIES: Global investors buy another $61.3 billion Chicago Tribune (subscription)
Foreign Buying of Treasuries Fell in December New York Times
Reuters - MarketWatch - New Kerala - Investor's Business Daily (subscription) - all 22 related »

Daily coffee cuts liver cancer risk, new study
16/02/2005 - Benefits and risks of coffee drinking on consumer health are the focus of two new studies that ultimately reveal the positive, or negligible impact, of this popular beverage.
Cup of java a day may help keep liver cancer away Indianapolis Star
Coffee might help thwart liver cancer The State
philly.com (subscription) - Forbes - Daily Mail - UK - Winston-Salem Journal - all 343 related »

Kashmir bus route to reopen
India and Pakistan have announced the reopening of a bus route between the two sides of the disputed region of Kashmir. The service will resume on April 7, Pakistani Foreign Minister ...
Pakistan and India agree to start historic cross-Kashmir bus ... Globe and Mail
Pakistan, India Agree on Cross-Kashmir Bus ABC News
Hindustan Times - Indo-Asian News Service - Outlookindia.com - Sydney Morning Herald (subscription) - all 261 related »

Why Syria Feels the Heat from a Beirut Bombing
There is no evidence, thus far, linking any specific suspect to Monday's assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.
Lebanese Vent Wrath on Syria at Hariri's Funeral Reuters
Lebanon to Bury Slain Ex-Prime Minister ABC News
Voice of America - CBC New Brunswick - Turkish Press - Australian - all 3,558 related »

Oil price jumps on reported missile firing in Iran
Al-Alam, an Iranian state television station, said, "A powerful explosion was heard this morning on the outskirts of Dailam in the Bushehr province.
Confusion over Iran blast News24
Iranian TV Reports Explosion Near Deylam ABC News
Reuters - Xinhua - Voice of America - ITV.com - all 296 related »

--------------------
Fraud Ring Taps Into Credit Data
--------------------

Identity thieves use a scam to get thousands of files. Only Californians are being notified.

By Joseph Menn
Times Staff Writer

February 16 2005

A fraud ring infiltrated one of the nation's largest collectors of consumer information and obtained credit reports, Social Security numbers and other information about tens of thousands of people in a massive case of identity theft.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hack...0,1035887.story

Kidnapped journalist pleads for troop withdrawal
An Italian journalist kidnapped in Baghdad earlier this month has appeared in a new video, pleading that her life depended on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.
Italian hostage pleads for troop pullout from Iraq Turkish Press
Italian hostage pleads for her life CNN
Xinhua - CNN International - RTE Interactive - Al-Bawaba - all 286 related »

Peace in the Middle East will come from within
IT may be too early to judge if the Sharm el-Sheikh summit will indeed herald a new stage in the tangled Israeli-Palestinian relationship.
Sharon Defends Plan to Pull Gaza Settlements NPR (audio)
Abbas authorizes death sentences for 'collaborators' Jerusalem Post
Turkish Press - Reuters - ABC News - Independent Online - all 1,235 related »

Cyclone Olaf heading to Manua Islands
Samoa appears to have escaped any major damage from Cyclone Olaf which is heading toward American Samoa. The eye of the hurricane is expected to hit the Manua Islands within the next two hours.
Super cyclone warning The Sun
Twin Cyclones Batter South Pacific Islands Reuters
CNN International - ABC Online - Channel News Asia - IAfrica South African News - all 120 related »

Small jet crashes east of Pueblo Airport
A small jet crashed Wednesday morning east of the Pueblo Airport. Initial reports say it was carrying six people and all six are believed to have perished.
At least four killed in Pueblo plane crash Rocky Mountain News
At Least Four Killed in Colo. Plane Crash Biloxi Sun Herald
all 22 related »

Greenspan says fiscal discipline necessary to meet economic challenges
NEW YORK, February 16 (newratings.com) - The US economy has grown at a reasonably good pace so far in 2005, with inflation remaining low, the Fed Chairman, Alan Greenspan, said on Wednesday.
Greenspan Sticks to Script TheStreet.com
US stocks lose ground in wake of Greenspan testimony MarketWatch
CNN - Ottawa Business Journal - CBC New Brunswick - USA Today - all 389 related »

Grief turns to anger over Hariri
On the streets of Beirut and at the White House, pressure mounts on Syria to
leave Lebanon.
http://newsletters.fairfax.com.au/cgi-bin1...SLZ0Bnf0BlLj0EX

Murder brings a glimpse of unity to Beirut
http://newsletters.fairfax.com.au/cgi-bin1...SLZ0Bnf0BlLk0EY

Bush pledged parts of West Bank: Sharon
http://newsletters.fairfax.com.au/cgi-bin1...SLZ0Bnf0BlLm0Ea

Hope amid tragedy
A huge crowd mourns Lebanon's assassinated former leader, while a few dare to wonder whether his death will somehow lead to long-awaited independence from Syria.
Fury at al-Hariri's funeral Aljazeera.net
Lebanese Mourn Hariri, Blame Syria Town Hall
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Dean: New York GOP chairman must apologize or resign
Howard Dean, just four days into his job as Democratic National chairman, called Wednesday for New York's state Republican chairman to apologize or resign over remarks linking ...
Rise of the Bike-Path Left National Review Online
Dean chairmanship is first volley of next election Christian Science Monitor
Los Angeles Times - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - International Herald Tribune - BET - all 89 related »

Bush Wants to Expand Investor Class in Social Security Overhaul
President George W. Bush, seeking support in the US northeast in his campaign to revamp the 70- year-old Social Security system, said today he wants all Americans to become part of an ``investor class.
Bush May Raise Taxes for Social Security Guardian
Locals wary of private-accounts plan Portsmouth Herald News
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IRAQ: Captors release video of kidnapped Italian journalist
New York, February 16, 2005—The kidnappers holding Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena have released a video showing her pleading for her life and calling on US and coalition troops to leave Iraq, The Associated Press (AP) has reported.
Italy Extends Military Mission in Iraq Voice of America
Italian hostage in Iraq begs for life TVNZ
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Fans, players pay price but NHL could cash in
It was about 7 pm in his temporary home of Iserlohn, Germany. But John-Michael Liles, former Zionsville resident and current member of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, sat in his room and tried to gain computer ...
Into the Penalty Box -- Permanently! BusinessWeek
Resentment by fans biggest cost Winnipeg Sun
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Spy chiefs, panel weigh
Al-Qaida's US activities and nuclear dangers from North Korea and Iran top a list of worries for directors of the CIA and FBI.
CIA in new al-Qaeda warning RTE Interactive
Bush team touts defense budget Newark Star Ledger
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