Want someone else's Social Security number?It's $35 at www.secret-info.com. It's $45 at www.Iinfosearch.com, where users can also sign up for a report containing an individual's credit-card charges, as well as an e-mail with other "tips, secrets & spy info!" The Web site Gum-shoes.com promises that "if the information is out there, our licensed investigators can find it." -Washington Post

Also not beyond the realm of possibility would be for the Establishment to trigger (or simply do nothing to prevent) the collapse of the monetary and banking systems in a full-blown depression, coupled with acts of aggression (so-called "preemptive strikes") by the General Government's armed forces overseas that ignite a world war -Dr.Edwin Vieira, Jr.,Ph.D.,J.D./NewsWithViews

Lawmakers investigating claims a Kuwaiti supplier to a Halliburton subsidiary charged too much for fuel deliveries to Iraq are complaining about the lack of support the U.S. military and the American company have provided.No comment from the U.S. military or KBR was immediately available.American Embassy spokesman Mark Stroh also declined comment because the issue is under U.S. government investigation

The impetus behind the pending third period of inter-party cooperation after 56 years is of course the escalating threat from the common enemy, the Taiwan independence movement, fanned by anti-China elements in the United States in defiance of official US policy.'One China'advocate Henry C K Liu details a hi of KMT-CCP -Asia Times

This evidence given to Inhofe’s office and described by me to Inhofe included a tape recording of a conversation between an FBI agent and the terrorism advisor discussing the policy of allowing known Middle Eastern” terrorists to circulate for extended periods of time inside the US to track their movements before bringing them to justice even though they were in position to commit terrorist acts during the time -Patrick Briley/NewsWithViews

I believe that this case should be made, to serve as the basis of a coherent opposition to Mr. Chávez.Today Venezuelans are going through a passive, resigned stage.They go to work every day, those who still have jobs, refraining from speaking their minds and from sticking their necks out.This is what a repressive regime does to a society -Gustavo Coronel/VCrisis VE

Next June, the Organization of American States(OAS) will not only be choosing a new Secretary General, it will also be discussing a Social Charter, which will complement the 2001 Democratic Charter. According to The Miami Herald, Venezuela has taken the lead on this occasion.The Venezuelan proposal is 17 pages long and, like the 1999 Constitution, contains a long list of citizens’ rights –longer than a day without food-, but with no mention of citizens’ duties -Veneconomy VE

The lack of masculine courage and willpower is quickly turning America's men into milquetoasts.Where are the Patrick Henrys, the George Pattons, the Teddy Roosevelts, the Andy Jacksons, or the Harry Trumans today?Pastors are afraid of their congregations. Husbands are afraid of their wives.Chief Executives are afraid of opinion polls, ad infinitum, ad nasuem -Chuck Baldwin/Gulf 1

At an impasse over how to coordinate Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank, Israel and the Palestinians have turned to an American think tank for a way out of a stalemate that could collapse the peace process.Top Israeli, Palestinian and US leaders were slated to convene this week in Washington at the Aspen Institute, a prominent think tank involved in leadership development in the developing world -Jerusalem Post IL

Bush’s new nominee for national intelligence director has a background in human rights and Geneva Convention violations with respect to torture and renditions just like the new attorney general Alberto Gonzales and the new Homeland Security director Michael Chertoff -Patrick Briley/NewsWithViews

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales will propose some "technical modifications" to the controversial USA Patriot Act today in an effort to address the concerns of critics and ensure that the anti-terrorism legislation is renewed by Congress later this year, according to a Justice Department official -Washington Post

Sens. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) were expected today to introduce a bill amending controversial provisions in the USA Patriot Act.Their bill, the Safety and Freedom Enhancement Act, seeks to review provisions concerning delayed-notification search warrants and the right of law-enforcement officials to access personal records, such as library cards or medical charts. It also seeks to amend the definition of “domestic terrorism.” -The Hill

President Bush and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko launched "a new era of strategic partnership" between their nations on Monday and Bush said he wanted Ukraine to join NATO and the World Trade Organization.Bush gave Yushchenko the red-carpet treatment, welcoming him to the White House for the first time since the former Soviet republic went through a convulsive election dispute late last year during which Yushchenko rode popular protests to power over the pro-Moscow prime minister

Russian banks had more inter-bank loans and deposits with banks in Germany, France and Italy, but less in the United States, Britain and Austria in 2004, the Central Bank of Russia reported on its website.

In the past, India and China merely talked about building a relationship. For the first time in five decades, they in fact have a growing relationship, in its most visible form.

The European Union and Canada said Thursday they will impose a 15% tariff on U.S. products starting May 1 to punish Washington for failing to repeal the Byrd Amendment, an antidumping law ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization.

The United States will bring trade cases against China to determine whether quotas should be re-imposed to protect textile and clothing manufacturers against a surge in Chinese imports, the Bush administration said Monday.