SPB News for Friday.

Mukasey collapses during speech — WASHINGTON - Attorney General Michael Mukasey, the no-nonsense former federal judge who took over the Justice Department after Alberto Gonzales resigned in disgrace, collapsed during a speech Thursday night and lost consciousness.

Michelle Obama Taps Jackie Norris for Chief of Staff

CNN: Obama Getting Foreign Policy Advice From Scowcroft

Emanuel Meets With GOP Leaders On The Hill

Investigation of 'Joe the Plumber' released

Ohio official: McCain camp- aign figure was vetted 8 times for unknown reasons.

Stevens gives farewell speech in Senate

Veteran GOPer saluted; failed in reelection bid after federal convictions.

Senate OKs jobless benefits extension

Defense contractor charged in Afghan murder --New Orleans man allegedly shot, killed civilian who was handcuffed A defense contractor who provided personal security to Afghan and Iraqi leaders has been charged with killing an Afghan civilian. Documents filed in federal court in Virginia allege Don M. Ayala of New Orleans helped subdue and arrest civilian Abdul Salam after he tossed a container of flammable liquid at a fellow contractor.

Iraq-U.S. Accord Wipes Out Contractor Immunity U.S. government contractors in Iraq are balking at a new agreement that eliminates their immunity from local laws, saying thousands of Americans would be subject to a legal system that still fails international standards. "This agreement throws the DoD contractors under the bus,'' [] said Doug Brooks, president of the International Peace Operations Association, a trade group that represents 57 firms that provide services including security, development and military support. Pretrial detention and incarceration in [US-occupied] Iraq are "way below'' global standards, he said.

Bush and Olmert to meet over Iran's nuclear ambitions President [sic] Bush is to hold White House talks with the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday after publication of a nuclear watchdog’s report this week showing that Iran may have stockpiled enough enriched uranium to make a nuclear bomb.

Iranian 'Blogfather' Hossein Derakhshan is arrested on charge of spying for Israel A prominent Iranian blogger, nicknamed the Blogfather for spawning Iran’s spectacular blogging revolution, has been arrested in Tehran and accused of spying for Israel. Hossein Derakhshan, who was last based in London after spending several years in Canada, returned to live in his homeland a few weeks ago.