CNN Admits Holes in Screening of Questioners  —  CNN expressed regret yesterday for allowing a Hillary Clinton adviser to ask a question at Wednesday's Republican presidential debate, even as controversy swirled about two other questioners who have declared their support for Democratic candidates.

Shoot UK teacher, say protesters  —  Thousands of people have marched in the Sudanese capital Khartoum to call for UK teacher Gillian Gibbons to be shot.  —  Mrs Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, was jailed by a court on Thursday after allowing children in her class to name a teddy bear Muhammad.

Murtha's surge comments a problem for Dems  —  Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), one of the leading anti-war voices in the House Democratic Caucus, is back from a trip to Iraq and he now says the "surge is working."  This could be a huge problem for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other Democratic leaders …

Mandates and Mudslinging  —  From the beginning, advocates of universal health care were troubled by the incompleteness of Barack Obama's plan, which unlike those of his Democratic rivals wouldn't cover everyone.  But they were willing to cut Mr. Obama slack on the issue, assuming that in the end he would do the right thing.

Citing Statistics, Giuliani Misses Time and Again  —  In almost every appearance as he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination, Rudolph W. Giuliani cites a fusillade of statistics and facts to make his arguments about his successes in running New York City and the merits of his views.

A New Push to Roll Back 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'  —  Marking the 14th anniversary of legislation that allowed gay men and lesbians to serve in the military but only if they kept their orientation secret, 28 retired generals and admirals plan to release a letter on Friday urging Congress to repeal the law.

Study: Canadian Beer Drinkers Threaten Planet  —  Scientists have found a new threat to the planet: Canadian beer drinkers.  —  The government-commissioned study says the old, inefficient "beer fridges" that one in three Canadian households use to store their Molson and Labatt's contribute significantly …

The art of the attack  —  Consider, if you will, a deceptively political question: Three sharpshooters step outside at high noon.  Each has a gun and a single bullet.  Only one heads back to the ranch alive.  So — who shoots whom?  —  In game theory, the scenario is called a "truel," a duel with three participants.

The Candidate's 'Catch Me if You Can'  —  Reporters Following Hillary Clinton on the Campaign Trail Are Covered in Dust  —  CONCORD, N.H. — ABC correspondent Kate Snow was ready to push through the crowd and ask Hillary Clinton a question until an aide blocked the path of Snow's sound man …

Obama Campaign Worker Discussed PAC Donations  —  Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign helped recommend several of the donations his political action committee made in recent months to politicians in key primary states as the campaign was working to secure endorsements, campaign officials said yesterday.

Biden: Impeachment if Bush bombs Iran … aleech@seacoastonline.com  —  Check back mid morning on Friday for a photo gallery from this event  —  PORTSMOUTH — Presidential hopeful Delaware Sen. Joe Biden stated unequivocally that he will move to impeach President Bush if he bombs Iran without Congressional approval.

Iraq Lacks Plan on the Return of Refugees, Military Says  —  As Iraqi refugees begin to stream back to Baghdad, American military officials say the Iraqi government has yet to develop a plan to absorb the influx and prevent it from setting off a new round of sectarian violence.

Mercurio: The Three Kings of the Democrats  —  Candidates await Gore, Kennedy and Kerry endorsements  —  WASHINGTON - Forget about Oprah and Barbra.  When it comes to moving votes in the Democratic primary and shaping the race for the White House, there are only three Democrats left …

Immigration group: Huckabee a 'disaster'  —  Groups that support a crackdown on illegal aliens haven't settled on their champion in the race for the White House, but there's little doubt which Republican scares them most — former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

U.S., Banks Near A Plan to Freeze Subprime Rates  —  WASHINGTON — The Bush administration and major financial institutions are close to agreeing on a plan that would temporarily freeze interest rates on certain troubled subprime home loans, according to people familiar with the negotiations.