For McCain, self-confidence on ethics poses its own risk
John McCain's relationship with a female lobbyist underscores a paradox: His confidence in his own integrity sometimes seems to blind him to potential conflicts of interest.
- Times story is 'not true,' McCain says
- Voters abroad give Obama his 11th consecutive nominating contest
- Clinton aides split on how to take on Obama
- Race matters less in U.S. politics in Deep South
- After wins, Obama is focus of McCain and Clinton

Bush ends tour of Africa with a visit to Liberia
The visit marked the first trip to Liberia by a sitting U.S. president in 30 years.
- In Africa, Bush denies intent to build bases

Rioters torch U.S. Embassy in Belgrade
Witnesses said that at least 300 rioters broke into the embassy and torched some of its rooms as angry Serbs took to the streets of Belgrade to protest Kosovo's declaration of independence.
- Serbs press their drive to control northern Kosovo

British territory used in 2 U.S. rendition flights
The American acknowledgment of two rendition flights contradicted previous U.S. assurances to the Labour government that no such flights had landed on British territory or passed through British airspace.

Satellite is destroyed but questions remain
There was little doubt Thursday that the U.S. missile strike on a dying spy satellite had squarely hit the target, but questions remained about the purpose of the operation.
- China on alert for debris from satellite

Microsoft makes more code public
Microsoft published 30,000 pages of code for Windows on its Web site. The European Commission, which is considering a pair of complaints against the company, reacted coolly.

New South Korean leader cleared in fraud inquiry
A special prosecutor on Thursday cleared the South Korean president-elect, Lee Myung Bak, allowing him to take office next week with his mandate untarnished.

'Coworking,' a cooperative for the modern age
The coworkers, armed with Wi-Fi laptops and cellphones, are in some ways offering a techie twist on the age-old practice of artists or writers who team up to rent studio space.

332 deaths in custody during Islamic insugency, Kashmir police say
In the Indian portion of Kashmir, the figures for the deaths and for 111 disappearances covered the 18 years since the Islamic insurgency began. But a rights group disputed them.

Soci??t?? G??n??rale posts record loss on trading scandal, subprime exposure
The report came a day after an independent panel said it identified no fewer than 75 red flags that should have alerted Soci??t?? G??n??rale managers to J??r??me Kerviel's activities.
- Credit Suisse traders linked to write-downs used old data, managers say
- UBS plans to cut chairman's next term after subprime losses

Embryonic stem cells control diabetes in study of mice
Scientists hope the treatment can be used in humans one day, although hurdles remain.

Muslim Students: How American should they be?
An intense debate over whether organizations for Muslim students should be inclusive or strict is playing out on college campuses across the United States.

How Bush's Africa visit trumps China's foray
President George. W. Bush's mission to African countries that are making strides on democracy was backed up with aid. By contrast, China has little to say about democracy, rights, or corruption.

Barcelona's faith in attack is rewarded
Critics suggested Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach, would have to go on the defensive in Glasgow. Instead he placed his faith in his attacking stars.

Courageous D&G asks: Is the party over?
Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Brioni and DSquared2