Spy 'Poisoned By Radiation'  —  A large quantity of radiation, probably from a substance called Polonium 210, has been found in the body of dead ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.  —  The "major dose" of alpha radiation was detected in his urine, said Government experts, who added that Polonium 210 is only dangerous if ingested.

Baghdad attack death toll rises to 202  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Sunni Muslim insurgents blew up five car bombs and fired mortars into Baghdad's largest Shiite district Thursday, killing at least 202 people and wounding 252 in a dramatic attack that sent the U.S. ambassador racing to meet …

Drug Industry Is on Defensive as Power Shifts  —  Alarmed at the prospect of Democratic control of Congress, top executives from two dozen drug companies met here last week to assess what appears to them to be a harsh new political climate, and to draft a battle plan.

AWB given advance warning of Iraq troop deployment  —  Previously secret AWB documents have revealed that the wheat exporter was told Australia would join the war against Iraq a year before the Federal Government says it decided to commit troops.  —  The information came from Australia's Ambassador to the United Nations, John Dauth.

Senate Democrats Revive Demand for Classified Data  —  Seeking information about detention of terrorism suspects, abuse of detainees and government secrecy, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are reviving dozens of demands for classified documents that until now have been rebuffed …

So how does 'engaging with Syria' look now?  —  In recent weeks the idea that the United States and the UK should "engage" Syria, but also Iran, to stabilise Iraq has been all the rage.  On Tuesday, in an east Beirut suburb, Lebanon's industry minister, Pierre Gemayel, showed what the cost of engagement might be.

'Flying While Muslim'  —  When six Muslim leaders were pulled off an airplane this week, some advocacy groups said it was another example of religious and racial profiling.  —  Janet Hostetter / AP  —  Omar Shahin purchased a ticket from Northwest Airlines on Tuesday after being removed …

DOUBLE THUMP  —  GOP WOES DEEPENING  —  PRESIDENT Bush contributed a new word to the political lexicon when he called the GOP defeat on Election Day a "thumpin'."  Now, two weeks after the election, the full nature of the "thumpin' " is coming through pretty clearly …

Calif. Judge Blocks Raids on Homeless Camps  —  FRESNO, Calif. — When city workers tore down her hillside encampment, Charlene Clay lost her asthma medicine, her sleeping bags and her only photos of her dead granddaughter.  —  The people living there weren't warned, she said.

Anti-War Movement's Strange Allies: Hard Line Islamists  —  Canada's progressive Muslims wonder why left would embrace theocrats.  —  TheTyee.ca  —  This is what it's come to: a disgraced, dictator-praising British MP who dances around in red tights on reality-television shows is visiting Canada …

Breaking News: Small Riots in Beirut and Gunfire in Tripoli - Updated!  —  Update:  —  Apart from a few isolated fist fights throughout Beirut, the demonstrations appear to have not resulted in any damage or injuries.  Reports coming in of deployment of security forces and a peaceful disperion of rioters.