IN: almost half the minefields have been cleared from the buffer zone separating the greek and turkish cypriot communities on this war-divided island , a top u.n. official said wednesday .
summary: u.n. says almost half the minefields cleared from cyprus buffer zone

IN: president-elect barack obama will wednesday nominate new mexico governor bill richardson as commerce secretary , in the latest addition to his rapidly filling cabinet , a democratic official said .
summary: obama to name bill richardson as commerce secretary

IN: on the first day of what was supposed to be tighter screening ordered by the u.s. for airline passengers from certain countries , some airports around the world conceded monday they had not cracked down .
summary: spotty enforcement for new us air screening rules

IN: nearly two years after a florida congressman abruptly resigned over sexually explicit messages he sent to a teenage house page , law enforcement authorities here have concluded there is `` insufficient evidence '' to charge him with breaking florida laws .
summary:
state rejects prosecuting ex-lawmaker in page case