No new info on hostage: Downer
Daily Telegraph - 54 minutes ago THE federal government had no new information on the kidnapping of an Australian man held hostage in Iraq, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said today. Mr Downer, speaking from New York after securing a commitment

UPDATE 6-Verizon wins MCI with $8.5 billion offer
Reuters - 7 hours ago By Justin Hyde. WASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ.N: Quote, Profile, Research) won its 10-week battle for MCI Inc. (MCIP.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday, as Qwest Communications International Inc.

Morgan Stanley fails to silence rebel campaign over Purcell
Independent - 2 hours ago By Katherine Griffiths in New York. Former executives at Morgan Stanley have refused to call off their campaign to oust the investment banking giant's chief executive Philip Purcell, despite concessions from the board.

US reminds N.Korea of its Pacific military might
Reuters - 8 hours ago WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reminded North Korea on Monday the United States has extensive military might in the Pacific after a suspected North Korean missile test over the weekend.

Stand up. Tongue update. Time travelers.
Houston Chronicle - 8 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

Georgia City May Want Bride to Pay
New York Times - 3 hours ago DULUTH, Ga., May 2 - The runaway bride-to-be who led this Atlanta suburb on an expensive game of hide-and-seek last week may face charges after all, the authorities said, and the city was investigating whether to bill her for the search.

US Urges Punishment For Iran Nuclear Work
Washington Post - 3 hours ago By Dafna Linzer. UNITED NATIONS, May 2 -- The Bush administration said Monday that Iran was trying to build atomic weapons in secret and suggested the international community should respond by taking away Tehran's right to nuclear energy technology.

Italy challenges US on shooting
Pittsburgh Post Gazette - 2 hours ago By Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times. ROME -- Italy yesterday sharply challenged a US Army report that had exonerated American soldiers in the shooting death of an Italian intelligence officer near Baghdad.

Prisoners abused for 'amusement'
Houston Chronicle - 41 minutes ago By JOHN W. GONZALEZ. FORT HOOD - A clique of US soldiers tormented Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison for "amusement," not for any authorized military mission, Pfc. Lynndie England testified Monday as she pleaded guilty to seven abuse-related charges.

China to lift ban on citizens going to Taiwan
Reuters - 1 hour ago By John Ruwitch. BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing will lift restrictions on Chinese tourists going to Taiwan and is offering the island a pair of giant pandas in a show of goodwill at the end of a visit by Taiwan opposition leader Lien Chan.