Americans have apparently heeded the U.S. government's advice to prepare for terror attacks, emptying hardware store shelves of duct tape.

On Tuesday, less than 24 hours after U.S. Fire Administrator David Paulison described a list of useful items, stores in the greater Washington, D.C. area reported a surge in sales of plastic sheeting, duct tape, and other emergency items.

CNN.com - Duct tape sales rise amid terror fears

] Amnesty International has documented the brutal
] executions of Iraqi women accused of prostitution. For
] example, Najat Mohammad Haydar, an obstetrician in
] Baghdad, was beheaded in October 2000 after criticizing
] corruption within local health services. According to
] another report, in October 2000 "a group of men led by
] Saddam Hussein's son Uday, beheaded with knives 50 young
] women in Baghdad. The heads of these women were hung on
] the doors of their houses for a few days."
] The Iraq Foundation joins Amnesty International in
] chronicling human rights violations, such as the methods
] of torture in prison, which include rape and "bringing in
] a female relative, especially the wife or the mother, and
] raping her in front of the detainee."
] Why then does the Feminist Majority site have a "Help
] Afghan Women" button but no "Help Iraqi Women?" Why does
] an Oct. 10, 2002 press release from NOW warn, "A U.S.
] invasion of Iraq will likely entail ... dangers to the
] safety and rights of Iraqi women who currently enjoy more
] rights and freedoms than women in other Gulf nations,
] such as Saudi Arabia."

Iraqi Women Brutalized by Saddam

] While global markets fret over the prospects of war in
] Iraq, an Irish Internet trading exchange is doing nicely
] offering futures contracts on how long Iraqi leader
] Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) will hold on to power.
]
]
] Dublin-based Tradesports, better known for taking punts
] on soccer, allows investors to bet whether President Bush
] (news - web sites) will be re-elected, who will win the
] Oscars (news - web sites) -- even how much snow will fall
] in New York.

Time Runs Out for Saddam at the Betting Exchange

] Economists led by 10 Nobel laureates on Monday attacked
] President Bush's $695 million tax-cut proposal, arguing
] that the cuts fail to address the problems facing the
] U.S. economy and will add to long-term budget deficits.
] Their signed statement, to run this week as a full-page
] advertisement in the New York Times, comes as Congress
] prepares to examine the details of the Bush proposal.

Economists Blast Bush Tax-Cut Proposal

] Benjamin Curtis, better known as "Steven," the Dell
] Computer pitchman, was arrested Sunday night for
] marijuana possession, a misdemeanor, according to New
] York City police.

Dell Dude Busted for Pot

] A television industry source said negotiations are under
] way between executive producer Michael Davies -- who rose
] to fame after "Millionaire" became a hit on the ABC TV
] network -- and the WB network to bring a two-hour live
] special to the network this fall, with the top prize
] being $1 billion. The source said the deal is expected to
] close shortly.

Who wants to be a billionaire?

] When Microsoft chairman Bill Gates was shot dead on
] December 2, 1999, it was a tragedy that resonated
] throughout the world. But as time wears on, that tragedy
] has developed into a mystery for many observers, who see police
] misconduct and a cover-up where others see an
] open-and-shut case.

NOTHING SO STRANGE: The Film

] President Mohammad Khatami said Sunday Iran had mined
] uranium for use in its nuclear power plants and would
] reprocess the spent fuel itself, but he insisted its
] nuclear program was solely for civilian use.

Here comes the next war on the Axis of Evil. We will have
to wait and hear what Bush will have to say.

Khatami says Iran mines uranium for nuclear plant

Decisive Game 6 was transmitted live on ESPN2 - a popular American sports channel. Once again Garry played the Sicilian, but this time he chose his favourite sharp Najdorf. Black played an unusual move in the opening, but equalized easily. After the queens were exchanged, Black had a small edge. Trying to play for a win, Kasparov sacrificed an exchange for two pawns. Unexpectedly Kasparov offered a draw soon after the sacrifice, and the computer team declined! But two moves later a surprise draw was in fact agreed.

Kasparov tied the computer ove 3 points to 3 points.

Game 6: Match Ends With Surprise Draw

] The U.S. government Friday raised the national threat
] level to "orange," indicating a "high risk of terrorist
] attacks."

secure your networks, stock your food, we are going to war!

Ashcroft, Ridge, Mueller announce threat level increase