Canada compensates man U.S. deported to Syria … OTTAWA, Canada (AP) — Canada's prime minister apologized to Maher Arar on Friday and announced the government would compensate him C$10.5 million (US$8.9 million) for its role in his deportation from the U.S. to Syria, where he was tortured while held in prison for nearly a year.

Video: Gates says the anti-surge resolution "emboldens the enemy"  —  If you haven't signed the pledge yet, now's your chance.  —  Update: Mitch McConnell: "This is it."  —  Update: CNN's got a copy of the early draft of McCain's resolution.  Bet-hedging with an eye to 2008 or grudging compromise …

Will Rove Testify?  —  The president's political guru—and counselor Dan Bartlett—have been subpoenaed by Scooter Libby's lawyers.  What it means for the most-watched trial in Washington—and who's next on the witness stand.  —  Rove watching President Bush fly off to Camp David last Saturday

House Speaker Pelosi visits Iraq  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) and Rep. John Murtha (news, bio, voting record), both vocal war critics, were in the Iraqi capital Friday at the head of a delegation of House members on a fact-finding mission …

Back in the Saddle  —  You know things are going well on your blog when everyone is so busy they don't even have room for you to post.  Our site administrator RBG finally gave me the thumbs up to start blogging again today since things are thankfully a bit slower (emptywheel's fingers must …

Hagel Splits the Republican Ranks  —  There are two Republican parties operating in the nation's capital on the war in Iraq.  One is led by President Bush and Vice President Cheney, the other by Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.  —  Bush and Cheney seem intent on burying the party's interests in the mangled streets of Baghdad.

4 troops abducted, killed in Iraq attack  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - In perhaps the boldest and most sophisticated attack in four years of warfare, gunmen speaking English, wearing U.S. military uniforms and carrying American weapons abducted four U.S. soldiers last week at the provincial headquarters …

Amid Question of Flip-flopping, McCain to Back Reform Bill  —  Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will sponsor a bill to strengthen campaign finance laws in this session of Congress despite vehement opposition to campaign finance reform from conservative Republican activists whose support he needs …

President Bush Congratulates General Petraeus on Senate Confirmation, Discusses Way Forward in Iraq  —  THE PRESIDENT: I just had a full briefing with General David Petraeus about the way forward in Iraq.  I want to thank the Secretary, and General Pace, National Security Advisor, for joining this discussion.

Huckabee Hearts This Weekend  —  We wouldn't be surprised if Mike Huckabee announced his candidacy for WH '08 this weekend.  He's making his first appearance on Meet the Press since February of 2001, according to Nexis search.  He's also addressing the National Review Conservative Summit in DC that morning.

Right to the Top  —  One thing I've learned over the course of my 35 years, is that when you have a customer service issue and the lower level support staff won't help you, it helps to go to their supervisors to get a satisfactory resolution.  So what do you do when the person blocking …

Capitol idea: Senator Schilling?  Curt's not so sure, but fans think he's just the ticket  —  Curt Schilling seemed surprised yesterday by the sudden groundswell of local supporters hoping to draft him into national politics and a 2008 Senate run against John Kerry.

China censorship damaged us, Google founders admit  —  Jane Martinson in Davos  —  Google's decision to censor its search engine in China was bad for the company, its founders admitted yesterday.  —  Google, launched in 1998 by two Stanford University dropouts, Sergey Brin and Larry Page …

Corrections: For the Record  —  Because of an editing error, an article in some copies on Jan. 14 about wealthy foreigners moving to Switzerland and negotiating tax breaks incorrectly described a formula used for determining a lump sum tax payment.  The immigrants negotiate an annual payment based …

House majority leader threatens revised resolution authorizing force in Iraq  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — Democrats may push a new bill authorizing the use of force in Iraq — replacing the 2002 bill that allowed the Bush administration to proceed with the war, a top Democrat said Friday.