Today's Top Stories...

War:
Pakistan protests US air strikes
A week after a U.S. air strike aimed at al-Qaeda suspects in Pakistan killed 18 villagers, angry protests are continuing all over the country.

Bin Laden message: 'I'm still here.'
In new audiotape, the Al Qaeda leader both threatens the US and offers the possibility of a 'long-term truce.'

Carroll: a mother's plea for her daughter
Religious leaders, politicians, human rights groups also called for Carroll's captors to set her free.

The results are in: now the real struggle for power begins
Iraq's new leaders were squaring off last night for weeks, if not months, of tough political bargaining after final election results revealed that the dominant Shia theocratic alliance had failed to secure an absolute majority and that the marginalised Sunni groups had made substantial political gains. Also see: Iraq Vote Results Give Shiite Alliance Lead

Italy says it will pull troops out of Iraq by end of year
1,000 of Italy's 2,600 troops to be withdrawn by June and remainder by end of the year, says defence minister.


Headlines:
Google in court over refusal to let US examine search requests
Google users will face US government monitoring if the American authorities win a court case to get the web site to hand over copies of every search.

Defense Ex-Analyst Sentenced
Court papers show Franklin gave secret data to pro-Israeli lobbyists, unnamed "foreign official."

Syria supports Iran in standoff with West
Show of solidarity comes as US asks for a quick referral of Iran to UN Security Council.

Japan Again Bars U.S. Beef After Finding Banned Cattle Part
Barely a month after it eased a two-year ban on American beef imports, the Japanese government reinstituted it today after finding a prohibited backbone in a shipment from a Brooklyn meatpacker.

Soul legend Wilson Pickett dies aged 64
Wilson Pickett, best known for hard-driving hits Mustang Sally and In The Midnight Hour, dies of a heart attack, aged 64.


Politics:
GOP looks for white knight to lead House
Roy Blunt's allies say he has the votes to be elected majority leader, but ethics battle muddles the picture.

US university spying scandal prompts resignations
Alumni advisory board found to be offering students money to police "liberal" professors at University of California.

In Preview of G.O.P. Campaign, Rove Tears Into Democrats
The president's chief political adviser urged Republicans to make national security the pre-eminent issue in 2006. Come on! Where's the indictment Fitz?! Crap...


Economy:
Oil Prices Surge to 4-Month High; Stocks Fall Sharply
Oil prices rose on supply fears while stocks fell as Citigroup and General Electric reported weak results. Also, Dow Closes 200 Points Down and G.E.'s Profit Plunges 46 percent in 4th Quarter


International:
Chirac would use nuclear strike
France ready to use nuclear arms against any country that makes state-sponsored terrorism attack.

'Humanitarian crisis' in Somalia
Agency monitoring hunger in Somalia warns the country is facing an "acute food and livelihood crisis".

Curfew shuts down Kathmandu
15,000 soldiers and police patrol Nepal's capital after day-long curfew imposed to derail anti-king protest.

Nigeria told not to use force to free oil workers
British diplomatic officials caution Nigeria against using force to free four oil workers kidnapped in the south of the country.


Environment:
Forecast for Earth in 2050: not so gloomy
But new report says active ecosystem management must begin.

A Whale of a Tale on the Thames
A northern bottlenose whale measuring around 17 feet and weighing up to 7 tons was spotted today heading upstream near the London Eye Ferris Wheel, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

11 Indicted in Ecoterrorism Attacks
Suspects accused of 17 acts of arson tied to environmental issues in Western states. Damn dirty hippies...


And now, the good news...
U.S. Decides to Play Ball With Cuba
Treasury Dept. has granted a license for Cuba to participate in the World Baseball Classic.