Sharansky quits government over Gaza withdrawal
Independent - 1 hour ago By Eric Silver in Jerusalem. A senior minister in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's cabinet has resigned in protest at the plan to evacuate all 21 Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip and four from the northern West Bank this summer.

US searches for crew of two missing jets
CNN - 3 hours ago BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A search is under way for the crews of two Marine F/A-18 fighter jets that were lost Monday while flying in support of the war in Iraq, the US military said. "There was no indication

Rice: US Can Deter North Korean Nuclear Ambitions
Voice of America - 3 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

Downer asks UN to assist in Australian hostage release
New Zealand Herald - 50 minutes ago CANBERRA - Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has asked the United Nations to assist in securing the release of an Australian held hostage by insurgents in Iraq. In a video released yesterday by

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

Morgan board backs Purcell
Guardian Unlimited - 1 hour 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.

US Demand Deepens Gulf With Iran Over Nuclear Facilities
New York Times - 18 minutes ago UNITED NATIONS, May 2 - The gulf between Iran and the United States deepened Monday when the Bush administration, at the opening of a conference on the future of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, demanded that Iran dismantle all the "equipment and

Death of agent not deliberate, Italian report concludes
CBC News - 40 minutes ago ROME - Stress, fatigue and the inexperience of some US soldiers led to the shooting death of an Italian intelligence officer at a Baghdad checkpoint, Italian investigators have concluded in their own report.

Qwest Withdraws Bid After MCI Accepts Verizon Offer
New York Times - 1 hour 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.

City may seek costs from runaway bride
CNN - 20 minutes ago DULUTH, Georgia (CNN) -- The city of Duluth may take civil action to recoup about $40,000 to $60,000 from runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks for costs incurred in her hometown's search for her, Police Chief Randy Belcher said late Monday.