SPB News for Friday.

Ex-Sen. Santorum Rips On Specter In New Op-Ed

Sen. Webb Unveiling Prison Reform Bill

Bachmann's Office: She Just Wants To Keep The Dollar Here

US deploys warships as North Korea prepares to launch missile --North Korea informed international agencies of plan to fire missile as satellite test between April 4 and 8 The US has deployed two warships with anti-missile capabilities in the waters off Japan as tensions mount over North Korea's plans to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile capable of striking Alaska. The deployment comes as America, Japan and South Korea threaten North Korea with 'serious consequences' if it proceeds with plans to conduct the missile test in defiance of a 2006 UN resolution.

Pakistan set to reap $35 billion windfall from terrorism Terrorism pays. That may well be the message the United States and its allies send out to the world this week as they line up billions of dollars in aid to Pakistan despite the country’s military and intelligence agencies being implicated by American officials in acts and practice of terrorism.

British Army chief ready to send 2,000 more troops to Afghanistan The head of the Army is ready to send up to 2,000 extra troops to Afghanistan amid fears that the US-led mission will struggle without significant reinforcements. General Sir Richard Dannatt told The Times yesterday that elements of 12 Mechanised Brigade -- which had been training for deployment to Iraq but were later stood down -- had been "earmarked for Afghanistan".

Binyam Mohamed: Police are to investigate MI5 over torture allegations Baroness Scotland QC, the Attorney General, has asked police to investigate MI5 over allegations that they colluded in the torture of British former Guantanamo detainee Binyam Mohamed. Baroness Scotland QC said the evidence included open and closed court judgments of the in the case, transcripts of all evidence given by an MI5 officer known as "Witness B", the Foreign Secretary’s evidence given in secret and material from third parties about the case.

John McCain backs Texas troop request for border --Gov. Rick Perry confers with HS Sect. Janet Napolitano Pressure is mounting on President Barack Obama to send troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, with Sen. John McCain adding his support this afternoon. Gov. Rick Perry asked Washington last month for 1,000 National Guard troops, to free up local police and sheriffs, and federal border, immigration and customs personnel. In Arizona, Gov. Jan Brewer has also asked for troops.

Let's Stop Wall Street Loan-Sharking By Senator Bernie Sanders The "Masters of the Universe" on Wall Street – through their greed, recklessness and illegal behavior – have plunged this country into a deep recession causing millions of Americans to lose their jobs, their homes, their savings and their hope for the future. In order to fully understand the cause of this fiasco, I have introduced legislation calling for a thorough investigation of the financial meltdown and the prosecution of those CEOs who broke the law. The culture of greed, fraud and excessive speculation must come to an end.

Pennsylvania voters ready to deny Sen. Specter a sixth term, polls show --In surveys by Quinnipiac University and by Franklin & Marshall College, the senator registers a third or less of Republican support -- a dangerously low level for a well-known incumbent. Illustrating Sen. Arlen Specter's uncertain political future, two new surveys suggest that Pennsylvania voters are ready to reject him, with a majority of Republicans saying he doesn't deserve reelection.

Venezuela's free heating oil about to flow in Alaska villages Millions of dollars in free heating fuel will flow through Alaska villages early next month courtesy of a giveaway program paid for by the Venezuelan government. The sooner the better, say many villagers and rural nonprofits who appear more concerned about their towering energy bills than international politics.

Palin's prayer remark angers former staffers — WASHINGTON (CNN) - Some of Sarah Palin's former campaign aides are frustrated with the Alaska governor for remarking in a lengthy, freewheeling speech that she had refused to pray with them before last October's vice presidential debate.

Art Dealer Is Charged With Stealing $88 Million — A noted Upper East Side art dealer has been indicted on charges he stole $88 million from investors and collectors who consigned artwork to him and said they were cheated out of the sale proceeds or never saw the pieces again, according to a person briefed on the case.

US to add troopsin Afghanistan

AP: Obama plans to send another 4,000 soldiers, seek aid for Pakistan.

ABC: Bribes, public corruption on tape

Release of stimulus money expected to spur 'inevitable increase' in improbity.