Listen to the NPR interview, it is very good.

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n a new book, two British investigative journalists dig into the story of Pakistan's clandestine nuclear network — and America's role not just in condoning its ally's nuclear ambitions, but aiding them.

Adrian Levy and Catherine Scott-Clark are senior correspondents for the Guardian newspaper; both previously worked for the Sunday Times of London.

Nuclear Deception in Pakistan?

Seven of the most important Sunni-led insurgent organisations fighting the US occupation in Iraq have agreed to form a public political alliance with the aim of preparing for negotiations in advance of an American withdrawal, their leaders have told the Guardian.

In their first interview with the western media since the US-British invasion of 2003, leaders of three of the insurgent groups - responsible for thousands of attacks against US and Iraqi armed forces and police - made clear that they would continue their armed resistance until all foreign troops were withdrawn from Iraq, and denounced al-Qaida for sectarian killings and suicide bombings against civilians.

Insurgents form political front to plan for US pullout

Marking a significant step towards resolving a four-and-a-half-year stand-off with the US, North Korea has shut down its only operating nuclear reactor, the country's state-run media announced yesterday.

The 5MW facility at Yongbyon, about 60 miles north of Pyongyang, was closed on Saturday as international nuclear inspectors returned to the site for the first time since being asked to leave in 2002.

With Yongbyon offline, the site will no longer be able to process weapons-grade plutonium, though the plant is thought to have produced enough material already for six to eight warheads, including the one exploded underground in North Korea's first nuclear bomb test in October.

North Korea shuts nuclear plant in disarmament deal with US

The balance in the internal White House debate over Iran has shifted back in favour of military action before President George Bush leaves office in 18 months, the Guardian has learned.

The shift follows an internal review involving the White House, the Pentagon and the state department over the last month. Although the Bush administration is in deep trouble over Iraq, it remains focused on Iran. A well-placed source in Washington said: "Bush is not going to leave office with Iran still in limbo."

Cheney pushes Bush to act on Iran

Iran is secretly forging ties with al-Qaida elements and Sunni Arab militias in Iraq in preparation for a summer showdown with coalition forces intended to tip a wavering US Congress into voting for full military withdrawal, US officials say.

"Iran is fighting a proxy war in Iraq and it's a very dangerous course for them to be following. They are already committing daily acts of war against US and British forces," a senior US official in Baghdad warned. "They [Iran] are behind a lot of high-profile attacks meant to undermine US will and British will, such as the rocket attacks on Basra palace and the Green Zone [in Baghdad]. The attacks are directed by the Revolutionary Guard who are connected right to the top [of the Iranian government]."
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US officials now say they have firm evidence that Tehran has switched tack as it senses a chance of victory in Iraq. In a parallel development, they say they also have proof that Iran has reversed its previous policy in Afghanistan and is now supporting and supplying the Taliban's campaign against US, British and other Nato forces.

Iran's secret plan for summer offensive

The Bush administration is developing plans to "internationalise" the Iraq crisis, including an expanded role for the United Nations, as a way of reducing overall US responsibility for Iraq's future and limiting domestic political fallout from the war as the 2008 election season approaches.

The move comes amid rising concern in Washington that President George Bush's controversial Baghdad security surge, led by the US commander, General David Petraeus, is not working and that Iran is winning the clandestine battle for control of Iraq.

Bush may turn to UN in search for Iraq solution

Does Google (GOOG) want to be the next Amgen (AMGN)? The Internet search leader disclosed in a regulatory filing Tuesday that it had invested $3.9 million in a new start-up called 23andMe, a firm that the filing describes as “an early stage biotech company focused on helping consumers understand and browse their genome.”

What does browsing the genome have to do with browsing the Web? Not much on the surface. But Google’s investment makes a lot more sense when you keep reading the filing. 23andMe was co-founded by Anne Wojcicki, who is the new wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin (they wed earlier this month). According to the filing, Brin provided $2.6 million in interim debt financing to 23andMe and that was repaid as part of the recent round of financing.

Sergey Brin’s $3.9 million wedding present

ry though you might, Starbucks is making sure that you just can't escape their brand, regardless of where you go. In a joint venture with PepsiCo, Starbucks plans to expand their hot coffee offerings to the world by the use of vending machines. Apparently they will be located in places where full-sized stores just aren't feasible, such as universities and train stations.

Since the company is already selling chilled bottles of their various Starbucks beverages in gas stations, convenience, and grocery stores, the new vending machines will focus on their hot beverage line-up including roasted coffee, various lattes, and hot cocoa. They plan to test the machines this summer, and will reach broad distribution by wintertime.

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Please insert your $5 for an 8oz drink.

Starbucks Vending Machine

SANTA ROSA, Calif. -- The daughter of the former FBI agent who was revealed this week as "Deep Throat" has acknowledged that money played a role in the family's decision to go public.

Joan Felt, 61, told the newspaper there were many reasons her family wanted to reveal the elder Felt's role in Watergate after three decades, but added, "I won't deny that to make money is one of them." Some literary agents have said the family could earn more than $1 million from a book deal.

"My son, Nick, is in law school and he'll owe $100,000 by the time he graduates," she said. "I am still a single mom, still supporting them to one degree or another, and I am not ashamed of this."

Paper: 'Deep Throat' Daughter Cites Money

] The president could, of course, also order American air
] strikes on suspected Iranian nuclear facilities.
] According to military analyst William R. Arkin, plans for
] such a strike already exist. Dubbed CCONPLAN
] 8022 and described in Arkin's book "Code Names:
] Deciphering U.S. Military Plans, Programs, and Operations
] in the 9/11 World," the military option calls for
] pin-point bombings of selected targets, along with
] destruction of key communications and energy facilities
] in the vicinity.

Excellent. Another good military plan.

Few good options in Iran nuclear debate - International News - MSNBC.com