ElBaradei free to seek presidency: Mubarak

BERLIN:  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said on Thursday that former U.N. nuclear chief Mohamed ElBaradei was welcome to run for the presidency if he wants, but tartly dismissed any suggestion that he was a national hero.

Mubarak, who has ruled for almost three decades, made the comments on a visit to Germany, during which he will undergo medical tests, the official Egyptian news agency MENA reported.

ElBaradei, one of Egypt's best-known international figures after leading the International Atomic Energy Agency, arrived home last month to an exuberant reception from his supporters who want him to run for president in 2011.

"If he wants to join any political party as a citizen, he can do so. We do not have any restrictions on this. If he wants to run as an independent, he is also welcome," Mubarak told a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

Analysts say election rules make it almost impossible for any candidate to stage a realistic challenge against the one nominated by Mubarak's ruling National Democratic Party (NDP).

ElBaradei leads a coalition of opposition parties and other activists set up last week to press for political reform. He has garnered tens of thousands of supporters on Facebook and other sites backing him.

Small plane is flown into Texas IRS offices

TEXAS:  A small plane smashed into a seven-story federal building housing U.S. tax offices in Austin, Texas on Thursday and media reports said it may have been a deliberate attack.

Two people were taken to the hospital after the crash, which left the building in flames, and one person was believed to be missing, Austin fire officials said. The fate of the pilot was not immediately clear.

The incident renewed fears of domestic terrorism and gaps in security for private aircraft, although U.S. officials said they had no reason to believe that terrorism was involved.

Interpol seeks arrests for Hamas chief's killing

DUBAI/PARIS:  Interpol should issue a warrant to help locate and arrest the head of Israel's spy agency Mossad if the organization was responsible for the killing of a Hamas chief in Dubai, the emirate's police chief said on Thursday, as the Interpol issued arrest notices for 11 suspects wanted by Dubai for the killing.

In comments to be aired later on Dubai TV, police chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim called for Interpol to issue "a red notice against the head of Mossad ... as a killer in case Mossad if proved to be behind the crime, which is likely now".

The Interpol meanwhile issued arrest notices for 11 suspects wanted by Dubai for the killing of Hamas leader Mahmud al-Mabhuh there.

2012 Olympic stadium will look like.

Olympics 2010 Pic