Morgan board backs Purcell
Guardian Unlimited - 57 minutes ago The board of Morgan Stanley has again given its backing to embattled chairman and chief executive Philip Purcell, but detailed a series of governance changes aimed at easing criticism of the Wall Street firm.

Israeli minister quits over Gaza pull-out
Scotsman - 43 minutes ago AN ISRAELI cabinet minister resigned yesterday in protest at the controversial plan by Ariel Sharon, the prime minister, to withdraw Jewish settlements from Gaza. Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident

Qwest Withdraws Bid After MCI Accepts Verizon Offer
New York Times - 53 minutes ago A fierce takeover battle ended yesterday when Qwest Communications said it would no longer pursue buying MCI Inc., leaving the once-bankrupt long distance carrier to be acquired by Verizon Communications.

Italian report blames novice soldiers for shooting
Scotsman - 43 minutes ago AN ITALIAN secret service agent was shot dead in Iraq by "inexperienced" US soldiers at an "unmarked checkpoint", an official report said last night. The 52-page dossier, issued late last night, was certain

England Pleads Guilty to Abusing Prisoners
ABC News - 3 hours ago Army Pfc. Lynndie R. England looks down as she arrives to testify in her court martial at Fort Hood, Texas, Monday, May 2, 2005. (AP Photo/LM Otero). By TA BADGER Associated Press Writer. FORT HOOD, Texas May 2, 2005 — Pfc.

Stand up. Tongue update. Time travelers.
Houston Chronicle - 4 hours ago By KYRIE O'CONNOR. 1. I was, I confess, slightly disconcerted by Laura Bush's stand-up act at the White House Correspondents Dinner Saturday night. Now, I'm thrilled she'd have the gumption to take on that

Annan singles out Iran in nuclear-free plea
Scotsman - 42 minutes ago KOFI Annan, the United Nations secretary general, yesterday urged Iran and other countries not to develop nuclear weapons. He also called on the United States and Russia to cut back more sharply on their arsenals

Hostage 'realised dangers' of post-war Iraq
ABC Online - 1 hour ago A journalist who met Australian man Douglas Wood, who has been taken hostage in Iraq, says Mr Wood was a well-liked man who, like many others, was taking advantage of the business opportunities in post-war Iraq.

Rice: US Can Deter North Korean Nuclear Ambitions
Voice of America - 2 hours ago By Meredith Buel. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in a tough statement aimed at North Korea, says the United States has significant deterrent capability to thwart Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. Secretary

Groom Still Wants to Marry Runaway Bride
ABC News - 55 minutes ago Jilted Groom Says He Still Wants to Marry His Runaway Bride: 'Haven't We All Made Mistakes '. In this undated image taken from television and provided by FOX News Channel, John Mason is shown during an interview on FOX News.