Bill Frist threatens to re-structure the Intelligence Committee in order to block NSA hearings  —  (updated below - updated again)  —  The Senate Intelligence Committee was created in 1976 and, from the beginning, it has been unique in its structure and operation.

PM attacked on Iraq 'God' remarks  —  Anti-war campaigners have criticised Tony Blair after he suggested his decision to go to war in Iraq would ultimately be judged by God.  —  The prime minister told ITV1's Parkinson chat show: "If you believe in God (the judgement) is made by God."

Army to open criminal probe of Tillman death  —  Friendly fire blamed in death of former NFL player in Afghanistan  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Pentagon has directed the Army to open a criminal investigation into the death of former NFL star Pat Tillman, CNN learned on Saturday.

A state with one abortion clinic  —  FRED DE SAM LAZARO: Already, South Dakota is perhaps the most difficult place in the country to get an abortion.  There's a 24-hour waiting period and mandatory counseling to discourage the procedure.  The law requires parental notification in cases where the patient is a minor.

Bush Goes to Bat in Pakistan  —  President Musharraf thanked the US for assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake tragedy from last year.  Musharraf also thanked Bush for efforts in bringing peace to the region.  Finally, the Pakistani president thanked Bush for showing concern over the cartoon controversy,

2005 Koufax Awards — The Polls Are Open  —  It is time to vote.  Before doing so, please allow me to make a short comment about the awards and explain the procedure.  —  First, the comment.  From our point of view, the important work of the awards is mostly complete.

BARBRA STREISAND STILL HASN'T FOUND THE SPELL-CHEQ  —  Today's grammar-addled foreign policy wrapup, in which the Diva comes out in favor of profiling to oppose the UAE ports deal...  Bonus points: "political curruption," "subpoening," "impeachment preceedings," "warrented," "dictatoriship …

Aide's role in mosque deal eyed  —  BRA official raised funds, priced land  —  A top Boston Redevelopment Authority official who previously downplayed his role in the Roxbury mosque project of the Islamic Society of Boston assisted in the city's reduction of the price the mosque backers paid …

E-mails undermine Reed claim  —  Ralph Reed has said he didn't know it until last year, but emails suggest he was informed that eLot — a firm then in the online lottery business — was behind his effort to fend off a ban against internet gambling in 2000.  —  The e-mails passed between Reed …

Vermont Losing Prized Resource as Young Depart  —  POULTNEY, Vt. — Not long ago, Ray Pentkowski, the principal of Poultney Elementary School, published an unusual request in the school newsletter.  Please, he urged parents, have more babies.  The school desperately needs them.

Acquittal in video rape case  —  Advocates decry 2nd not-guilty verdict from '02 teen party  —  After repeatedly viewing a videotape that captured the alleged gang rape of a 16-year-old girl, a jury acquitted a Burr Ridge man Friday of sexual assault and child pornography charges.

U.S. commander says Iraqi 'crisis has passed'  —  The top U.S. commander in Iraq yesterday declared an end to a 10-day wave of sectarian violence that killed an estimated 350 civilians, asserting that many reports of violence were "exaggerated."  —  "It appears that the crisis has passed …

New Drugs Hit the Market, but Promised Trials Go Undone  —  WASHINGTON, March 3 — When it approves new drugs for sale, the Food and Drug Administration often requires their manufacturers to study whether they are working as intended and whether they have unwanted side effects.