Free Republic

Operation Graduation Surprise With their father serving in Iraq, twins Marina and Bettina Thomas intended to film their graduation to share with him later. But a knock on the door Friday changed their plans. By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer Published May 8, 2004 [Times photos: Willie J. Allen Jr.]Tears flowed Friday as Sgt. 1st Class Robert Charles Thomas embraced his twin daughters Bettina, left, and Marina after surprising them at their home in St. Petersburg. Holding back tears, twins Bettina, left, and Marina Thomas listen as principal John Leanes talks about their father during a ceremony at Boca Ciega...

MSNBC Flash News: Loud explosions heard on the outskirts of Najaf. Sadr is holed up in Najaf. Report comes from Reuters. Will look for wire copy.

Fox New is reporting that Dru Sjodin has been found, according to the sheriff on her case. There was at least 100 people searching for her today, including border patrol agents and search dogs.

Dad: McKinney wants rematch against MajetteBy BEN SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, ousted from office in a hostile 2002 Democratic primary, wants a rematch against the woman who beat her: U.S. Rep. Denise Majette (D-Ga.).On Sunday, McKinney's father, Billy McKinney, a former state representative, confirmed his daughter's planned entry into the 2004 4th District Democratic Party primary."Absolutely, she's running," the elder McKinney said. "We're going to make it exciting."He said his daughter was in Barbados for a speaking engagement and could not be reached for comment. Attempts to reach Majette were unsuccessful.McKinney's apparent return ends months of...

Just breaking on MSNBC: John Hinckley has been granted unsupervised visits with his parents.

The decision of the jury will be announced within 15 minutes.

1 Firefighter Killed, 2 Injured in Calif. SAN DIEGO (AP) -- One firefighter was killed and two were critically injured while battling a blaze that has charred more than 230,000 acres in San Diego County, authorities said.It was the first firefighter death in the outbreak of fires that have ravaged Southern California this week. Sixteen other people have died, many of them trying to escape the flames.The firefighter died while battling the Cedar Fire in San Diego County - the largest and deadliest blaze in California. It has burned nearly 1,100 homes.Department of Forestry spokeswoman Cathy Fritz said she had...

breaking news on Fox--DC sniper John Muhammed to represent himself.

14:3730 people injured in Haifa explosion, 12 in serious condition (Haaretz)

U.S. Holding Six Americans, Two Britons in Iraq The Associated Press Published: Sep 16, 2003   ABU GHRAIB, Iraq (AP) - The United States is holding in Iraq six prisoners who claim to be Americans and two who say they are Britons, the general in charge of detention centers said Tuesday. Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, commander of the 800th Military Police Brigade, said the eight were considered security detainees - those who attacked or helped carry out attacks against coalition troops - and were being interrogated by military intelligence. Karpinski said they are being held at the notorious Abu Ghraib...

<p>Forget about cocaine and heroin.</p> <p>Stolen baby formula is apparently the way to go.</p> <p>At least until Wednesday, when a terrorism task force of federal and state agents fanned out across the East Valley and Southern California to arrest 15 people accused of trafficking more than $22 million in stolen infant formula.</p>

Nothing more.

MSNBC is reporting a bus hijacking on the road between Bremen and Hanover, Germany. The hijacker is holding a gun to the bus driver's head. There are 14 other people on board. The bus hijacker is reported to be of "southern" appearance, which is considered to be either Arabic of Asian in Germany.

Feds arrest 16 in coupon fraud scheme Last Updated: Feb. 26, 2003 Federal law enforcement officials today arrested 16 people in five states - including Wisconsin - in a white-collar crime scheme involving fraudulent coupon redemption and money-laundering, a spokeswoman for a federal prosecutor said.The arrests were not related to terrorism, FBI spokeswoman Monica Shipley said.The coupon redemption scheme involves more than 300 stores in at least 15 states, said Francia Wendelborn, a spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic. Grocery coupons are involved in the scheme, she said.The scam involves the loss of more than $4 million, a significant portion...

Tribune Series Exposed USF Ties To TerrorismTAMPA - In 1995, The Tampa Tribune published a series about "a nonprofit organization that helps raise money in the name of two groups that claim responsibility for bombings that have killed hundreds in Israel and around the world." The head of that organization? USF professor Sami Al-Arian. Read the 1995 series below.Ties To TerroristsTerror Law Cuts Rights, Arabs SayExtremist Groups Agree On GoalsTerms Don't Separate Religion, PoliticsAcademic Freedom Or Poor SecurityMosque Bears Martyr's Name

War in Iraq, another here  Engine 8 was returning to the firehouse from a run, and yesterday afternoon that meant turning down a block of E. 53rd St. that was packed with protesters.The roof lights were flashing, but the protesters did not budge. The driver hit the horn, and the protesters responded with shouts. Some were so dim as to imagine the firefighters were seeking to disperse them."They're trying to break up the crowd!" a woman shouted.A squad of police officers stepped in and the protesters grudgingly stepped out of the way. A young man in a green fleece...

Priest tells of struggle with pedophilia in therapy journalMiller's comments indicate archdiocese officials knew decades ago about abuseBy Peter Smithpsmith@courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal    The Rev. Louis E. Miller said: ''To print any part of my medical and psychological records is a violation of my human rights and confidentiality.'' In a journal written during 12 years of therapy, the Rev. Louis E. Miller describes a decadeslong struggle with pedophilia and says that, in 1961, an archbishop reassigned him to another parish despite being told Miller was accused of abusing children. The journal is part of a 246page treatment file obtained...

NASA reports that Mission Control has lost contact with Columbia and has lost them on radar.

College trustees to discuss Ritter's talk   SCCC's leader sees no detrimental effect from speech By MARY MARTIALAY and MICHAEL LAMENDOLAGazette Reporters SCHENECTADY - Trustees of Schenectady County Community College today will discuss whether or not to go ahead and allow Scott Ritter to speak Feb. 12 at the college, according to college President Gabriel Basil. The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. "It's one item on a long agenda. The board will consider whether Ritter's appearance is something that will have a detrimental effect on the college. At this time, we don't see...

WASHINGTON -- At least 105 foreign nationals suspected of terrorist involvement who may "pose a threat to national security" received visas granting them access to the United States earlier this year because of lapses in a new background check system ordered by President Bush, according to government officials and documents. Investigators for the General Accounting Office, who first uncovered the breaches, are trying to determine how many of the 105 entered the United States and how many might be at large here still, according to congressional officials familiar with the ongoing probe.