Announcement  —  I was hired by the Edwards campaign for the skills and talents I bring to the table, and my willingness to work hard for what's right.  Unfortunately, Bill Donohue and his calvacade of right wing shills don't respect that a mere woman like me could be hired for my skills …

In Shift, Accord on North Korea Seems to Be Set  —  The United States and four other nations reached a tentative agreement to provide North Korea with roughly $400 million in fuel oil and aid, in return for the North's starting to disable its nuclear facilities and allowing nuclear inspectors …

Star Character Witnesses at Libby Trial  —  A familiar-looking man in his early 60s took the stand at the Scooter Libby trial yesterday morning.  "I need to ask you to spell your last name," said defense attorney Bill Jeffress.  —  "W-O-O-D-W-A-R-D," the man replied.  —  This was not sufficient for Judge Reggie Walton.

Purported al Qaeda message: Unite with Taliban … (CNN) — In a message released Monday, al Qaeda's No. 2 leader called on Muslims to unite under Taliban leader Mullah Omar, stop trying to form secular governments and instead follow strict Islamic Sharia law.

Iraqi insurgents using Austrian rifles from Iran  —  Austrian sniper rifles that were exported to Iran have been discovered in the hands of Iraqi terrorists, The Daily Telegraph has learned.  —  More than 100 of the.50 calibre weapons, capable of penetrating body armour, have been discovered by American troops during raids.

Long a Target Over Faulty Iraq Intelligence, Ex-C.I.A. Chief Prepares to Return Fire  —  For the past two years, George J. Tenet has maintained a determined silence even as senior White House officials have laid the blame for the prewar mistakes about Saddam Hussein on him.

McCain Fears 'Tet Offensive' in Iraq  —  RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful John McCain said Monday he fears an offensive by Iraqi insurgents similar to the Tet offensive by the Viet Cong that sent U.S. casualties soaring in Vietnam nearly 40 years ago.

U.S. Senator John McCain in Seattle, WA  —  His Vision for the United States' Role in the World  —  Discovery Institute is pleased to co-present with CityClub of Seattle and the Seattle World Affairs Council a luncheon featuring U.S. Senator John McCain.  —  What is the role of the U.S. in the global community?

Pace Demurs on Accusation of Iran  —  General Says He Knows Nothing Tying Leaders to Arms in Iraq  —  Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said yesterday that he has no information indicating Iran's government is directing the supply of lethal weapons to Shiite insurgent groups in Iraq.

Too late to halt Iran's nuclear bomb, EU is told  —  Iran will be able to develop enough weapons-grade material for a nuclear bomb and there is little that can be done to prevent it, an internal European Union document has concluded.  —  In an admission of the international community's failure …