U.S. confirms bin Laden audiotape
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- White House and State Department officials have confirmed the authenticity of an audiotape with Osama bin Laden's voice aired on the Al Jazeera network in which the al Qaida leader urges the Iraqi people to engage in martyrdom operations against American "crusaders." Bin Laden also threatens numerous Arab and Islamic nations that have recently cooperated with the United States, including Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Yemen -- whom he refers to as "American agents among the Muslims." "Beware your time has come. Decide whether you are with the Muslims or with their enemies," bin Laden says. In the 16-minute tape, bin Laden predicts a great battle between Iraq and the United States and urges the Iraqis to remain strong.
Exclusive: U.S. has al Qaida backers' list
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The FBI has discovered a list of the top financial backers of al Qaida during a raid of a Muslim charity in Sarajevo, Bosnia, according to court documents obtained by United Press International. The reference to the list is the first public indication U.S. authorities have specific information as to the identities of the financiers of Osama bin Laden's terror network, but it is unclear what, if any, action has been taken against the people named in the document. The handwritten list -- referred to within al Qaida as "The Golden Chain" -- details 20 wealthy donors to al Qaida followed by the specific recipient of the funding. Bin Laden's name appears next to seven of the entries, including at least one donation made by the "bin Laden brothers," according to the court document.
EU seeks to resolve N. Korea nuke crisis
SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- EU security chief Javier Solana said Wednesday sanctions against North Korea would only raise nuclear tensions. Solana told a news conference he would send a high-level delegation to North Korea to persuade the leadership to drop its nuclear ambitions. Solana's voice against sanctions came just ahead of a key vote on North Korea nuclear crisis by the governing body of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog. The International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to adopt a toughly worded resolution on North Korea that would take the nuclear issue before the U.N. Security Council. North Korea has warned it would view any sanctions as "a declaration of war."
Tape: Stoic flight team stunned by loss
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Feb. 12 (UPI) -- With even-keeled voices but rising anxiety, flight controllers grappled with a puzzling array of sensor readings and failures during what would be the final moments of shuttle Columbia's flight, then waited in silence while radars began searching for the ship and its astronauts, a chilling audio tape released by the accident investigation board Tuesday shows. Columbia was just minutes from its scheduled landing in Florida Feb. 1 when it broke up over Texas, killing the seven astronauts on board. The first indication of trouble was a report to Flight Director Leroy Cain of four separate high-temperature readings from instrumentation located in the rear part of Columbia's left wing, just in front of the moveable flaps, called elevons, needed to control the shuttle's position during its hour-long glide to the landing strip.
Kerry set for prostate cancer surgery
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Sen. John Kerry entered Johns Hopkins Hospital early Wednesday to undergo prostate cancer surgery. The Massachusetts Democrat said the cancer will not derail his presidential bid, and he expects full recovery. Kerry, 59, held a late afternoon press conference Tuesday to announce his illness. The operation will be performed by Dr. Patrick Walsh, chief of urology. The doctor plans to remove Kerry's prostate gland during a two-hour procedure. Kerry said he felt lucky that his cancer was detected at an early enough stage to be treated by surgery.
Paraguay leader avoids impeachment
ASUNCION, Paraguay, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Paraguay's embattled president managed to avoid impeachment Tuesday despite effort by members of his own party to force him out of office on charges of corruption and the misappropriation of state funds. Luiz Gonzales Macchi, who was also accused of ordering the kidnap and torture of leftist militants, survived more than two weeks of impeachment hearings headed up by his own Colorado Party. A two-thirds majority was need in the 45-person Senate to impeach Macchi. Twenty-five votes were cast in favor of his removal from office.
Asian markets mostly higher
TOKYO, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- A stronger yen sent stock prices higher in Tokyo despite uncertainty triggered by the latest audiotape believed made by al Qaida head Osama bin Laden. Japan's Nikkei 225 Average rose 1.65 percent to 8,624.77. Hong Kong; Seoul, South Korea, and Taipei, Taiwan, also were higher. Elsewhere, Sydney, Australia, closed higher while European markets were lower in morning trading.
Defending champion Enqvist ousted
MARSEILLE, France, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Thomas Enqvist's defense of his Marseille Open title ended Tuesday with a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-6) first-round loss to Raemon Sluiter of the Netherlands. Enqvist, a Swede, captured this tournament last year but failed to finish in the top 30 for the first time since 1994. Sluiter went into Tuesday's encounter with four losses in five matches this season. He lost both singles matches in last weekend's Davis Cup first round as the Netherlands was beaten by Switzerland. Last year, the 24-year-old Dutchman claimed four Challenger events and won a career-high 12 ATP-level matches, including a semifinal effort at Queen's and a quarterfinal showing in Stockholm.
