U.S. warns of Canadian spy coins (Yes, seriously)

The U.S. Defense Department has cautioned its American contractors about seemingly normal Canadian coins that may have a tiny radio frequency transmitter hidden inside. So far, the high-tech coins have been found planted on U.S. contractors with classified security clearances on at least three separate occasions between October 2005 and January 2006, the government is claiming. The U.S. isn't suggesting who might be behind this latest act of espionage, or even which Canadian coins carried the transmitters. No word yet on if Sydney Bristow or Jack Bauer will be involved in the investigation.
(Click here to read the full article by Associated Press writer Ted Bridis.)

B-52's, Jimmy Buffet sell ringtones

When it comes to music sales, there is no greater market around than that of ringtones. And so it's be natural to assume that hip-hop and R&B songs would be the most popular ringtones around. Well, not exactly. Acts like Devo, the B-52's, the Ramones and Jimmy Buffett are selling quite well in the ringtone marketplace. And as such, music companies are now digging into their vaults to add older artists to the mobile catalogs. What's old is new again as we see a little bit of history repeating, right here on our cell phones.
(Click here to read more details in the full article)

Short Ends: Terrorist as Drag Queens

Time for some short ends, stories that we found across the internet that we thought we should bring to your attention.

• ABC's Gretchen Peters reports on a new tactic that al-Qaeda has taken up to avoid being captured: dressing in drag.
• A story on MSNBC reports on an insurance company who won a court battle over flooding damage related to Hurricane Katrina. The verdict? Insurance policies did not cover the wind-driven flooding damages.
• The AP reports that federal authorities do not have enough information to press terrorism charges against the men who were found with 1,000 cell phones in their possession. The fear was that the team would attack Michigan's Mackinac bridge, which connects the upper and lower pennisulars.
• Outgoing Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) gave her first public address following her election loss at the polls last week, in which she spoke out against electronic voting machines.
• British Airway passengers are a little upset... Ever since the recent security measures were put in place in Britain's airports in connection with the London Plot, a shocking 10,000 bags have been misplaced.
• The computer manufacturer Dell is recalling 4.1 million batteries produced by Sony. The reason? The batteries may suddenly burst into flames.
• In an unsurprising turn of events, a recent national survey found that more Americans can identify pop culture icons than Supreme Court justices.