Today's Details

-Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski, (Alaska) whose missteps over the past four years have turned him into one of the most unpopular governors in state history, soundly lost his bid for re-election, finishing last in a three-way race for the Republican nomination. DETAILS

-President Bush has staked out a hardline position on Iraq that is out of step with even his top military advisers and leaves the United States few options, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden said in Iowa Tuesday."With him digging himself in (Monday), he went even beyond what I'm confident his military advisers are saying, that under no circumstances are we going to leave," Biden said. DETAILS

-Pornographic movies available in the rooms of some of America's best known hotel chains have caught the attention of conservative activists. A coalition of 13 conservative groups -- including the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America -- took out full-page ads this month urging the Justice Department and FBI to investigate whether some of the pay-per-view movies widely available in hotels violate federal and state obscenity laws. (I don't understand and have no patience for people who concern themselves with other peoples sex lives. If you don't like the pornographic movies, then don't watch them - don't tell me I can't!!!) DETAILS

-The US-led "war on terror" has bolstered Iran's power and influence in the Middle East, especially over its neighbour and former enemy Iraq, a thinktank said today. A report published by Chatham House said the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan had removed Iran's main rival regimes in the region. DETAILS

-Former CIA officer Valerie Plame is considering suing the recent No. 2 State Department official in a case accusing members of the Bush administration of conspiring to leak her identity to the media, Plame's attorney said Tuesday. DETAIL