Survivors say raid victims were friends
None of the prisoners taken in the raid, and now just released, were Taliban or al-Qaida. CIA pays compensation to families.

Young scolds the White House budget director
Budget targets local projects, but House Appropriations Committee Chairman C.W. Bill Young says not so fast.

Reporter kidnapping suspect identified
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistani authorities have found "definitive signs" that Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl is alive and have identified as a key suspect in his kidnapping an Islamic extremist with links to the al-Qaida terrorist network.

Countries, groups and others that are considered risks to U.S. security
CIA director George Tenet told Congress that terrorism is the most pressing threat against the United States. But various countries, groups and conflicts also could undermine U.S. national security:

Danger lurks, CIA warns
The al-Qaida network has been badly hurt but still plans major attacks, the head of the intelligence agency says.

Ceremony will feature flag from ground zero
Olympic organizers announce a change of heart, saying the tattered flag will make a solemn entrance.

Battle turns cold in a snowy assault
Relief efforts, and the war, slow down as the brunt of winter blasts out of the mountains.

Israel's Sharon gets White House greeting today
WASHINGTON -- President Bush hosts Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at the White House today amid continuing Mideast violence and escalating U.S. pressure on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Senate kills bill to jolt economy, but helps jobless
WASHINGTON -- The Senate killed a proposed economic recovery package on Wednesday, but then briefly put aside partisan recriminations to approve a narrow measure extending unemployment benefits for 13 weeks beyond the 26-week limit.

3 Haitian senators ask for protection
Three Haitian senators requested government protection Wednesday after getting death threats from loyalists of the ruling Lavalas Family party.