Somali bomb kills one in apparent anti-African Union attack
A bomb blast killed one person and wounded six in Mogadishu on Thursday in what appeared to be a failed attack on African Union (AU) experts preparing a peace mission to Somalia, witnesses and officials said.
One killed in Mogadishu explosion RTE Interactive
One killed, six wounded in bomb explosion as AU team visits Somali ... Turkish Press
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200,000 mourners bid farewell to Hariri
Tolling church bells and Islamic prayers filled the air as an estimated 200,000 mourners bid an emotional farewell to Lebanon's former prime minister, a throng so thick ...
Rafik Hariri Laid to Rest in Lebanon Kansas City Star (subscription)
US increases pressure on Damascus BBC News
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Burma talks resume amid criticism
Burma has reopened constitutional talks amid criticism that the gathering of more than 1,000 delegates is unrepresentative. The main opposition group is absent from the meeting.
Myanmar leader stresses building of discipline-flourishing ... Xinhua
Myanmar junta reconvenes constitutional convention Malaysia Star
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Thaksin's latest move in Muslim Thai south draws ire
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's plan to exclude Muslim villages in the far south from development aid if they help separatist militants drew fierce criticism in the region on Thursday.
Thailand Plans Crackdown on Islamic Schools That Support Rebels Bloomberg
Asia, Bombs greet Thai PM's trip south Keralanext
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Sellafield 'lost' plutonium
Britain’s major nuclear site at Sellafield has "lost" almost 30 kilograms of plutonium, according to figures published today.
British plant missing 30 kilograms of plutonium Globe and Mail
Accounts blamed for missing plutonium Independent
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Goss fears WMD attack in US 'a matter of time'
Senior US intelligence leaders told Congress yesterday that "it may only be a matter of time" before terrorists try to use weapons of mass destruction against the United States.
Iraq a terrorist spawning ground, CIA admits Sydney Morning Herald (subscription)
Bush administration officials warn of future terrorist acts WALB-TV
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Iraq Shi'ite Bloc Wins Slim Majority of Assembly Seats
Iraq's Shi'ite alliance won a slim majority of seats in the country's new National Assembly, the Iraqi Electoral Commission said on Thursday, based on final results from last month's historic election.
Iraqi Commission Certifies Election ABC News
It's official: Shiites have majority in Iraq's parliament Houston Chronicle
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Tension mounts between US, Syria
Relations between the US and Syria are coming under increasing pressure after the US admitted it has "an increasing list of problems" with the country.
Lebanon Asks Foreign Experts to Help in Hariri Murder Probe Voice of America
Hariri Funeral Puts Heat on Syria, Lebanese Allies Reuters
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Militants oppose Kashmir bus, stop short of threat
Kashmiri militant groups on Thursday strongly opposed the proposed start of a bus service between the divided Himalayan territory but stopped short of issuing specific threats.
India, Natwar returns home, pitches for peace, shared prosperity Keralanext
Peace with Pakistan despite differences: Natwar Malayala Manorama
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-- President Bush to nominate U.S. Ambassador to Iraq John Negroponte to be director of national intelligence, according to congressional sources.

Watch CNN or log on to http://CNN.com for the latest news.

Bomb attack in southern Thailand
A bomb in southern Thailand has killed four people and injured at least 20, as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited the troubled region.
Bomb Kills 4 Near Hotel in Thailand Kansas City Star (subscription)
Thai PM threatens to lay siege to troubled region Ireland Online
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US envoy sees threat in Korea as 'deadly'
TOKYO Breaking with the Bush administration's muted response to North Korea, Howard Baker Jr., the departing US ambassador to Japan, has blasted Pyongyang as a nuclear proliferator and called its bomb arsenal "a deadly threat.
New diplomatic moves afoot to restart N Korea talks ABC Online
US, South Korea Envoys In Beijing For North Korea Talks Voice of America
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Opponents of Israel's Disengagement Plan Vow to Press On
Opponents of Israel's plan to withdraw from Gaza later this year say they'll continue their rallies and demonstrations to make their case.
Jewish settlers to be paid compo Melbourne Herald Sun
Israel to compensate those leaving Gaza International Herald Tribune
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Iran reports US spy planes
TEHRAN Iran has said for the first time that pilotless US spy planes were seen over its nuclear sites, and it has threatened to shoot them down if they came within close range.
Iran slams 'psych warfare' IAfrica South African News
Iran threatens to strike US spy planes over its territory: New Kerala
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Eight Die in Plane Crash in Colorado
Federal and Pueblo County officials investigate the scene of the crash of a corporate jet owned by Circuit City where eight people were killed east of the Pueblo, Colo.
Eight die in plane crash near Pueblo WAVY-TV
Circuit City will close 19 superstores philly.com (subscription)
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Bush To Name New Intelligence Chief Today
WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush is expected to name the nation's first new national intelligence director at a White House ceremony today.
Bush to Name Intelligence Chief Today ABC News
Bush to Name Intelligence Director Reuters
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Breaking News from ABCNEWS.com:

JOHN NEGROPONTE TO BE NAMED NEW INTELLIGENCE DIRECTOR


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

China urges developed countries to ratify Kyoto Protocol as soon possible
China calls on developed countriesto ratify the Kyoto Protocol as soon as possible, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said here Thursday.
US has no confidence in Kyoto Protocol Finance Gates
State bypasses Kyoto, fights global warming San Francisco Chronicle
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Two People Dead, Six Wounded in Somalia Bomb Blast
Reports from Somalia say two people were killed and six others wounded when a bomb exploded in the capital, Mogadishu in what officials believe may have been an attempt to attack an African Union delegation.
Explosion in Somali capital kills 2 in attempted attack on AU ... Xinhua
One killed in Mogadishu blast:- Webindia123
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China Leaves US Behind as World´s Top Consumer
Beijing, Feb 17 (Prensa Latina) China has replaced the United States as the world´s top consumer in the use of four of the five basic food, energy and industrial commodities, a study by the Washington-based Earth Policy Institute asserts.
Chinese consumers outperform US counterparts Business Report
Chinese consumption grows unabated - 17th February 2005 Platinum today
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Economic Report
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Momentum in the US economy slowed in January, the Conference Board reported Thursday. The board's index of leading economic indicators fell 0.3 percent, while the coincident index was unchanged.
Index of Leading Economic Indicators Falls in January Los Angeles Business Journal
US leading indicators show 0.3 percent decline: Conference Board Turkish Press
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Bush Tells Syria to Quit Lebanon
President Bush called on Syria on Thursday to withdraw its forces from Lebanon as Lebanese opposition leaders vowed to topple the country's pro-Syrian leadership.
Syria 'out of step', says Bush Ireland Online
Under the Shadow of Death CounterPunch
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Tehran supports its ally as the US turns up the heat. Meanwhile, Russia announces sale of anti-aircraft weapons to Damascus.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0216/dailyUpdate.html

Tehran supports its ally as the US turns up the heat. Meanwhile, Russia announces sale of anti-aircraft weapons to Damascus.

Link correction:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0217/dailyUpdate.html

America's first intelligence czar
WASHINGTON - As US ambassador to Iraq, John Negroponte already has a tough job. But now he's in line for something that in its own way might be tougher: service as the first US director of national intelligence.
Bush to Pursue Trade Liberalization Deals ABC News
Negroponte Nominated as National Intelligence Chief NPR (audio)
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Congress OKs Class-Action Curbs, Sends to Bush
Landmark legislation long sought by business to curb class-action lawsuits was approved by the US Congress on Thursday and now goes to President Bush, who is expected to swiftly sign it into law.
House passes bill to curb class-action suits Investor's Business Daily (subscription)
Congress Limits Class-Action Lawsuits ClickonSA.com
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Lebanon's central bank strives to soothe markets
Lebanon's central bank on Thursday sought to calm nervous local markets and contain the fallout from the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, the former prime minister who had led the country's reconstruction efforts after its civil war.
Bush Tells Syria to Quit Lebanon Reuters
Lebanon Asks Foreign Experts to Help in Hariri Murder Probe Voice of America
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Google Builds More Links into Toolbar
Google Inc. is bringing its search engine's abilities to retrieve related Web information, check spelling and translate languages to its Web browser tool bar. The company on Wednesday released a beta test of the next version of the Google Toolbar, a software add-on to Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser first launched in 2000.
Google Toolbar 3 beta released Geek.com
Google soups up search toolbar CNET News.com
Google launches new toolbar software TechSpot
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Bush Acknowledges Uphill Fight on Social Security
President Bush acknowledged on Thursday that after nearly a month of lobbying he had failed to sway Congress on his plan to overhaul Social Security but he vowed to keep up the effort.
Tricky politics of Social Security Christian Science Monitor
Dow, Nasdaq Decline in Afternoon Trading ABC News
Columbia Daily Tribune - Forbes - MarketWatch - Kansas City Star (subscription) - all 920 related »

Bush Economic Report Pushes Free Trade
President Bush gestures as he answers questions after announcing that John Negroponte will be nominated as the nation's first new national intelligence director, in a ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House, Thursday, Feb.
Summary Box: Negroponte named intel chief Seattle Post Intelligencer
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2 separatists arrested in Spain with explosives
MADRID Police arrested two suspected members of the Basque separatist group ETA who were armed with explosives and "going to attack imminently," the Interior Ministry said Thursday.
Iran Reaches Deal with Russia for Nuclear Fuel Voice of America
Iran: deal with Russia on nuke fuel near World Peace Herald
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Indonesian Journalists 'Missing' Not Kidnapped, Says Government
Two Indonesian journalists were missing in the turbulent Iraqi city of Ramadi, the country’s Foreign Ministry said today, stopping short of saying they’d been abducted by insurgents.
Two Indonesian journalists missing in Iraq Khaleej Times
Two Indonesian TV journalists missing in Iraq Xinhua
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China, US, South Korea step up diplomacy to coax North Korea:
[World News]: Beijing, Feb 17 : China today said it will send a senior Communist Party official to North Korea this week amid intense talks among Chinese, US and South Korean diplomats to coax Pyongyang back to the six-party talks mechanism on the vexed ...
US Envoy Says N.Korea Nuclear Path 'Dead End' Reuters
Hill Wants Coordinated NK Aid Korea Times
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Hearings may cover service in Honduras
Questions about John Negroponte's service in Honduras have been raised during his earlier nomination hearings, and they could come up again.
Negroponte Selected As Intelligence Chief Diario Digital Juárez
Yale alum named 1st national intelligence chief New Haven Register (subscription)
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Bush urges work on Social Security
WASHINGTON - President Bush declared yesterday that his overhaul of Social Security "is going nowhere" if Congress does not come to share his belief in the urgent need for change.
Four SC lawmakers push plans to public Myrtle Beach Sun News
Fresh ideas for Social Security Denver Post
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A Social Security Calculator compares the actual scheme vs. the G.W.Bush proposal
Click here to visualize your benefits! People have been saying for weeks that the president's privatization plan will cut benefits. Now all Americans can log onto democrats.govand find out how true this is! Calculate how much you will lose under Bush Privatization
Enter Your Average Annual Salary (e.g. 40000):
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Iraq's Main Shiite Religious Alliance Emerges Strong in Elections
The Iraqi electoral commission has certified the results of last month's poll, making them official. In the final breakdown, the main Shiite religious alliance received 140 of the 275 seats in the National Assembly.
Wrangling Over New Iraq Government Begins Guardian
Shi'ite Bloc Secures Majority in Iraq Assembly Reuters
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Israel to halt house razings
Israel announced yesterday it is halting a practice Palestinians find particularly objectionable that also has been denounced by human rights ...
Israel Halts Decades-Old Practice of Demolishing Militants' Homes New York Times
Israel Halts Razing of Palestinian Homes ABC News
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Threats of defiance greet hunting ban
A controversial ban on fox hunting and other forms of hunting with dogs came into force in England and Wales on Friday, with enthusiasts saying they were determined to pursue blood sports regardless.
Minister warns hunters not to flout new law Guardian
Hunters out on final day Suffolk Evening Star
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Troops say it's hard to get medical care
National Guardsmen and reservists who are injured on active duty face daunting and sometimes insurmountable hurdles to get medical care, soldiers and military officials told a congressional panel Thursday.
Mud melee flasher flushed New York Daily News
Hurt Troops Often Denied Pay, Benefits Los Angeles Times
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Data Theft Warning Widens
(CBS/AP) A company that collects consumer data said that it's alerting a total of 145,000 Americans that they might be vulnerable to identity theft after a crime ring paid for their credit reports, Social Security numbers and other sensitive information.
Info Breach Puts Data Firm in Hot Seat Forbes
Man sentenced in ID theft Boston Globe
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Baghdad Bombs at Shiite Mosques Kill at Least 17
At least 17 people were killed and 52 wounded in bombings at two Shiite mosques in Baghdad, the US military said, a day after the religious majority was confirmed as the dominant force in Iraq's new National Assembly.
Trio of bombings in kill 27 in Baghdad National Post
Baghdad hospital overwhelmed in wake of suicide attacks Turkish Press
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Lebanon Minister Quits; Syria Replaces Spy Chief
Lebanon's tourism minister resigned Friday and Syria named a new military intelligence chief amid political turbulence following the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri.
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Media groups say reporters not targeted, but charge US troops are killing journalists due to 'negligence or indifference.'

http://csmonitor.com/2005/0218/dailyUpdate.html

Rehnquist to Miss High Court's Opening
Updated 12:04 PM ET February 18, 2005

By HOPE YEN

WASHINGTON (AP) - Ailing Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist will be absent from the bench when the Supreme Court returns for the second half of its term next week, the court announced Friday.

The 80-year-old Rehnquist, battling thyroid cancer, plans to skip the two-week cycle of oral arguments that starts Tuesday, court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said. He will continue reading transcripts of the arguments and voting on decisions, she said.....

Rehnquist's illness has led to speculation that he will step down, giving the court its first opening since 1994. While such an announcement could come at any time, justices typically wait until the term ends in June to leave to avoid an extended vacancy and the possibility of 4-4 votes on cases......

http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...88b20900&src=ap

Irish police raids net millions
"We are following quite a number of lines as to where the money may have come from, and naturally enough, one of those relates to the Northern Bank robbery.
Irish police probe money laundering Kansas City Star (subscription)
Police quiz seven over Belfast heist Reuters.uk
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Forty dead in Iraq violence
BAGHDAD (AFP) - At least 40 people have been killed in violence in Iraq since Thursday night, security and medical sources said, including 26 in anti-Shiite attacks.
Series Of Deadly Blasts Rock Baghdad KHNL-TV/KHBC/KOGG
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Russia to continue nuclear cooperation with Iran: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that his country will continue cooperation with Iran in nuclear power generation and has no intention to change its position on the ...
Putin says Iran has no nuclear plans Reuters.uk
Russia to Cooperate on Iran Nuke Program ABC News
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Nepal cuts phone service in effort to thwart protests
KATMANDU, Nepal King Gyanendra's newly declared government plunged Nepal into another communications blackout Friday, cutting phone service in what appeared to be an effort to thwart opposition activists trying to organize the first nationwide protests ...
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__________________________________
NEWS ALERT
from The Wall Street Journal


Feb. 18, 2005

Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration concluded that Pfizer's popular painkiller Celebrex poses an increased risk for heart problems but should be allowed to remain on the market. The panel is slated to issue recommendations on Vioxx and Bextra later in the day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, see:
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB1108745...8558972,00.html