Murtha decries 'swift boat-style' attacks on ethics  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Rep. John Murtha, the anti-war congressman who is the likely new House speaker's pick for majority leader, fended off what he called "swift boat-style attacks" on his ethics record Tuesday.

Abramoff Reports to Prison Tomorrow; Offers Testimony on Democratic Senators  —  Brian Ross and Rhonda Schwartz Report:  —  Convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff is scheduled to report to federal prison tomorrow, over the objections of federal prosecutors who say they still need his help to pursue leads on officials he allegedly bribed.

FOX NEWS INTERNAL MEMO: "BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ANY STATEMENTS FROM THE IRAQI INSURGENTS...THRILLED AT THE PROSPECT OF A DEM CONTROLLED CONGRESS"...  Huffington Post has obtained an internal Fox News memo written by the network's Vice President of news.  The memo details Fox's game plan …

Democrat wins Connecticut House seat  —  HARTFORD, Conn. - Democrat Joe Courtney's victory over Republican Rep. Rob Simmons in their U.S. House contest was confirmed Tuesday by results of a roller-coaster recount that stretched nearly a week and uncovered significant vote-counting flaws.

freed for $2 million  —  Terrorists used cash for arms to 'hit Zionists,' payment said to encourage more abductions  —  JERUSALEM - Palestinian terror groups and security organizations in the Gaza Strip received $2 million from a United States source in exchange for the release …

New No. 3 position created for Sen. Schumer  —  Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who played an instrumental role in helping Democrats regain majority control of the Senate, has been rewarded with the third-ranking post in the Senate Democratic leadership.  —  In return for the promotion …

Proposed Iraq pullout lacking specifics  —  The White House yesterday rejected Democrats' proposals for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq as lacking specifics or "meat on the bones," as President Bush met with the Iraq Study Group, which is seeking to advise the administration on ways to realign Iraq policy.

Hate videos of Muslim group they failed to ban  —  A Muslim organisation which the Government chose not to ban is preaching hatred and has infiltrated the Home Office, an investigation has revealed.  —  Hizb ut-Tahrir is showing inflammatory videos to small groups of followers then encouraging them to attack non-believers.

Get Out Now?  Not So Fast, Experts Say  —  One of the most resonant arguments in the debate over Iraq holds that the United States can move forward by pulling its troops back, as part of a phased withdrawal.  If American troops begin to leave and the remaining forces assume a more limited role …

IAEA finds traces of plutonium in Iran  —  VIENNA, Austria - New traces of plutonium and enriched uranium — potential material for atomic warheads — have been found in a nuclear waste facility in Iran, a revelation that came Tuesday as the Iranian president boasted his country's nuclear fuel program will soon be completed.

Swimming with anvils  —  Tony Blair is due to meet with the Iraq Study Group via video conference today, and shares the group's reported enthusiasm for talks with Iran and Syria.  Blair also is proposing a comprehensive Middle East peace plan as an aid to peace in Iraq.

Republican Party's Martinez: won't be "attack dog"  —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sen. Mel Martinez, who will become the new general chairman of the Republican Party after it lost control of Congress, said on Tuesday he would not be an "attack dog" in the 2008 White House race.