[Washington Post: Nation and Politics]

Although the panel's leadership says it can still complete its investigation on schedule, a growing number of commissioners believe that is unlikely and are pushing the group to consider asking Congress for more time, several officials said. An influential group of relatives of Sept. 11 victims, the Family Steering Committee, also issued a statement yesterday recommending that the commission seriously discuss an extension.

"Unfortunately, the production of a timely report no longer seems to be possible, in large part because of the delays caused by the administration and the agencies that report to it," the group's statement said.

5:54:55 AM  Google It!  

- - - [Washington Post: Nation and Politics]

The nine Democratic presidential candidates all consider themselves religious, though most keep their faith and spiritual views to themselves when campaigning...

Their silence stands in contrast to President Bush, among the most overtly religious presidents in generations, and could undermine the Democratic nominee, as polls consistently show that voters want to hear more about faith from their national leaders.

5:49:08 AM  Google It!  

---[Washington Post: Nation and Politics]

After a year of management problems and budget woes for AmeriCorps, congressional negotiators agreed this week to give the troubled national service program $444 million for fiscal 2004.

...AmeriCorps volunteers work 20 to 40 hours a week and provide services such as literacy coaching, building low-income housing, mentoring children and cleaning parks. Some volunteers receive modest living stipends. Most also are eligible for grants of $4,725 to pay for college or to repay student loans.

5:35:30 AM  Google It!  

- --[Washington Post: Nation and Politics]

Jailed the night of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, the Algerian air force lieutenant with an expired visa has spent the past 26 months in federal prisons, much of that time in solitary confinement -- even though the FBI formally concluded in November 2001 that he had no connection to terrorism.

Since the government first took Benatta into custody, the United States has apprehended and released about 760 domestic detainees. More than 80 prisoners have been released from the military jail where alleged al Qaeda and Taliban fighters are held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It appears that no detainee has been locked up as long as Benatta, although it is impossible to know because of secrecy surrounding some material witnesses who may still be in government custody.

5:31:21 AM  Google It!  

  [AP Politics]

In a letter Friday to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Peter Fitzgerald of Illinois said it would be "irresponsible" for the department to go ahead without a full review into whether the Boeing executives, who were fired for alleged unethical behavior, improperly affected negotiations in the multibillion-dollar deal.

5:05:46 AM  Google It!