The growing use by terrorist groups of women — some disguised as expectant moms — to deliver deadly homicide bombs has prompted the Department of Homeland Security and FBI to issue a rare warning that such attacks could take place on American soil. The joint security assessment cited recent female …

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA has cleared the shuttle Atlantis for liftoff this week on a long-delayed mission to deliver a European science lab to the international space station. Space agency officials said Tuesday they are confident they’ve solved mechanical problems that have dogged the mission since December. However, weather …

WASHINGTON – The Defense Department offered a cagey reaction Thursday to news accounts of a secretive, seperate prison area at the Guanatamo Bay, Cuba, military prison that is for the most dangerous terror suspects housed there. When asked to comment on story this morning, Pentagon pokesman Bryan Whitman said only: …

This is a rush transcript from “The O’Reilly Factor,” February 21, 2008. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated. Watch “The O’Reilly Factor” weeknights at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET and listen to the “Radio Factor!” BILL O’REILLY, HOST: Now for the top …

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – The mother of a high school senior arrested for allegedly trying to hire hit men to kill her and her husband said through tears Wednesday that her son had always been a “very good child.” Jacob A. Jett, 18, allegedly gave $260 and three handguns to two …

STUTTGART, Germany – After Knut and Flocke, welcome Wilbaer. Stuttgart’s Wilhelma zoo announced Thursday that one of its polar bears gave birth to a male cub on Dec. 10 — Germany’s latest high-profile bear arrival, following Berlin zoo star Knut and Nuremberg celebrity Flocke. But little Wilbaer has an advantage …

NAIROBI, Kenya – U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Kenya’s rival politicians to share power Monday, stepping up weeks of international pressure and holding out better relations with the United States as an incentive. Rice, on a one-day trip to Kenya, was the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit since …

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela’s top oil official on Friday accused Exxon Mobil Corp. of “judicial terrorism” and said court orders won by the oil major do not amount to confiscation of more than $12 billion in assets. Exxon Mobil has gone after the assets of state oil company, Petroleos de …

LISBON, Portugal – The justice minister said Wednesday that the police investigation into the disappearance last year of British girl Madeleine McCann in southern Portugal is nearing its conclusion. “We are at a stage now where we are approaching the conclusion of the process,” Justice Minister Alberto Costa told a …

GLENDALE, Calif. – The jury in the John Ritter wrongful-death trial heard testimonials Tuesday from his TV co-star, agent, personal assistant and son, who praised the actor as a kind, loving and funny man facing a bright future at the time of his death. “I loved John,” actress Katey Sagal …