Mukasey takes helm as AG; 4,000-year-old temple found in Peru; IPCC expected to push binding emissions cuts...

12 November :: Judge Mukasey was sworn in Friday as US attorney general, after key senators said they were re-assured by his promises not to endorse any interrogation practices beyond the law... "A 4,000-year-old temple filled with murals has been unearthed on the northern coast of Peru, making it one of the oldest finds in the Americas, a leading archaeologist said on Saturday" according to Reuters news service... IPCC meeting in Valencia, Spain, gathers representatives and scientists from 140 countries "to draft a report that could increase pressure on countries like the United States and China to make binding cuts in greenhouse gas emissions"; meeting comes just weeks before Bali conference expected to begin draft for replacement to Kyoto Protocol... Texas legislature caught violating rules, multiple members franticly voting multiple times for absent colleagues; rules already propose penalties, new law would make such abuse criminal offense... Oil spill spreads across San Francisco Bay as weather condiditons make containment, clean-up hazardous, unpredictable; state officials continue to call for probe into lax response in early stage of spill... At least 7 were killed, 80 injured in Gaza demonstration when gunfire broke out, allegedly between supporters of rival Fatah, Hamas factions; Hamas said to be planning crackdown on Fatah after deaths...

Scientists craft synthetic chromosome, to announce first "artificial life"; first lady poised to succeed husband as president, of Argentina...

6 October :: Guardian reports "Craig Venter, the controversial DNA researcher involved in the race to decipher the human genetic code, has built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals and is poised to announce the creation of the first new artificial life form on Earth"; if achieved, breakthrough will spur heated ethical debates on genome generation, manipulation, could lead to new energy sources; new chromosome based on Mycoplasma genitalium, a bacterium, which could be controlled in uses for cleaning up excess atmospheric carbon dioxide... New age of dynasties: a 2nd Clinton in 8 years (immediately after a 2nd Bush in 8 years)? Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, wife of Argentine pres. Kirchner may succeed him? India's Congress party names another Gandhi to poss. pre-PM post, could be 4th consecutive generation to hold office; Japan names PM whose father was also PM previously; Philippine pres. daughter of fmr. Philippine leader; even Burmese opposition leader Suu Kyi is daughter of former leader; Putin, Chávez, Musharraf, just want to rule indefinitely as themselves... Democrats in US Congress vow to override Bush veto of expansion to Children's Health Insurance; Bush reiterates position that bipartisan legislation is not fully funded, while House majority leader Hoyer says new tobacco taxes will cover costs... Unsold US homes on offer reach record 10 months' worth of sales; prices are dropping in key markets, as dollar reported to have lost 40% of its value in 6 years... Geneva-based International Organization for Migrants (UN assoc.) reports 480,000 Iraqis have "registered" officially as internally displaced refugees since start of 2007, 2.2 million since war began; further 2.2 million estimated to have fled abroad means 4.4 million Iraqis (approx. 16.9% of pop.) have been made refugees in 4.5 years of conflict... Fujimori to stand trial on murder, corruption charges in Perú, after Chile's Supreme Court ordered his extradition...