That dressing gown cord has been loosened from my neck and thrown jubilantly out of the window at the heart-stoppingly joyous news that, as Andy Reid prepares to sign for Sunderland, part of the deal means Charlton get Essex underachiever and 'utility' misfit Greg Halford! I'm already wetting myself in anticipation of his not fitting in!" And you got £4m for Reid too, which should come in handy when you need to bribe someone to take Greg off your hands.

11.57am: "In response to Mr McKerr's slander (10.06am), I have never claimed such transfers as Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba," says Jimmy McManners. "And my Dad did mutter 'tosser' under his breath upon receiving it from David Ccameron." Ah, but he didn't have to take it, did he? "I can, however, exclusively reveal that Keegan has a verbal agreement with Shaun Wright-Phillips to come to the Toon.

Flavors of Italy/Coral Springs

The divinely tender snails are as good as they get, and that focaccia takes on new meaning when dipped into the remaining scrumptious garlic butter.

Kudos to Barisone's Caesar salad presentation -- as refreshing as the bracing dressing. For $7, long lengths of artfully arranged romaine hearts are drizzled with an attention-getting creamy dressing robust with anchovies. Even passing up the house salad ($7), is hard to do, especially when the mysterious description says "house specialty -- trust us." I did. I hate to spoil the surprise, but it's a shareable portion of romaine, radicchio, Belgian endive, blue cheese, olives and assorted vegetables, with balsamic vinaigrette.

Pastas, served in Paul Bunyan-size bowls, include the basic yet flavorful goodness of linguine alla Guido -- garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, anchovy paste, crushed red pepper, sun-dried tomatoes and broccoli rabe, $19.

Richardson: U.S. losing terror war; must promote American values

Bhuttos assassination is strong evidence the U.S. is losing the war on terrorism, Richardson said. He also cited the resurgence of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, especially along the Pakistan-Aghanistan border, plus Americas continued presence in Iraq.

Bushs foreign policy has failed, but not for the lack of opportunity to make it better, Richardson said. When Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf declared martial law and suspended the nations constitution, the U.S. should have stood in opposition, but it did not, he said.

Now after yesterdays terrible murder, the United States must stand up. President Bush should immediately suspend non-terrorism related military aid to Pakistan until President Musharraf resigns, Richardson said. Not one penny moreuntil Musharraf is gone and the rule of law is restored.