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Report: Al-Qaida poised to attack U.S.

WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- A draft National Intelligence Estimate suggested that al-Qaida is preparing for another attack on the United States, CNN reported Friday.

Two officials who said they have seen the draft reportedly said that it says intelligence agencies believe the terrorist group has most of the resources it needs for an attack, including a safe haven on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The NIE is compiled from the work of all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies.

On Wednesday, another U.S. government report said that al-Qaida had gained strength in the past five years and is as well-placed as it has been since Sept. 11, 2001, although not as strong as it was before the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, CNN said.

The officials said that the NIE also said that al-Qaida is believed to be trying to acquire nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

Rice urges patience on Iraq

WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Friday made the morning talk show rounds, defending the U.S. Iraq policy but allowing that the Iraqis must do more.

Rice told the CBS "Early Show" the Iraqis are trying to do "some very difficult things" but admitted "the Iraqi government has not done all of the things that we would want it to do." Rice disagreed with the premise the Iraqis need the threat of a U.S. troops withdrawal hanging over them before they will show progress in the areas in which they are lagging.

Rice noted a number of Sunni sheiks in some regions have begun turning against al-Qaida. Rice told NBC's "Today" the progress being made in Iraq "is not inconsequential." She said despite the government's shortcomings, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki "wants to do the right thing for his country."

On "Fox and Friends," Rice urged the public to wait until September when U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus is to deliver his assessment on progress in Iraq before deciding whether the administration strategy is a failure.

On other issues, Rice told Fox the Bush administration is very concerned about al-Qaida and a National Intelligence Estimate that says the terrorist group is bigger and stronger now than before Sept. 11, 2001. Rice said al-Qaida is different than it was then, largely because much of its former leadership has been captured or killed and its funds are tied up. Rice, however, said she is concerned about the "level of chatter."

Olmert: Syria may be willing to talk

TEL AVIV, Israel, July 13 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert discussed the possibility of renewed peace talks with Syria during a recent meeting with European ambassadors.

The Syrian government may be willing to resume negotiations on severing its ties with Hezbollah and other militant groups, Olmert said, but would be more likely to work with the United States than Israel, Haaretz reported Friday.

Whatever happens with the possible talks, Olmert told the ambassadors, there is no threat of war between Syria and Israel.

The main sticking point regarding the negotiations is the Syrian government's desire to approve all topics before the meeting, the newspaper said.

Meanwhile, U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Michael Williams said in an interview that Syrian officials indicated an interested in backing away from radical Islamists in favor of a better relationship with Israel.

One arrested after bomb plot freed

LONDON, July 13 (UPI) -- Police in London said one of the suspects picked up after the attempted car bombings in London and Scotland has been released without being charged.

Police released Marwa Asha, 27, the wife of suspect Dr. Mohammed Asha, 26. Her husband remained in custody, the BBC reported.

One suspect, Dr. Bilal Abdullah, 27, had been charged in the failed car bombings and faced the charge of conspiracy to cause explosions charge, the BBC reported. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

Australian police had three more days to question another suspect arrested there before deciding whether to charge him. Police in England had until Saturday to charge Asha and two other suspects and until Sunday to charge another two suspects, the BBC reported.

Yet another suspect, Kafeel Ahmed, 27, was under armed guard in a hospital. He was severely burned when a vehicle crashed at the Glasgow, Scotland, airport.

Utah fire causes radiation spike

SALT LAKE CITY, July 13 (UPI) -- The huge Milford Flat wildfire in central Utah was reported 65 percent contained Friday after burning more than 363,000 acres of forest and scrub.

Authorities said that the fire, in spite of its size, poses no threat to public safety because it is an empty area.

But scientists are trying to determine why radiation in the fire area has spiked to seven times the usual background level, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. One theory is that the fire has released naturally occurring deposits of radon gas.

The National Nuclear Security Administration said that the radiation is not dangerous.

Eight wildfires are burning in Utah or have recently been contained.

In Nevada, the Balls Canyon fire near Reno surged Thursday after a wind shift pushed flames across a ridge. Another change in the wind halted the fire's progress and sent thick smoke into Reno, the Reno Journal reported.