Election: In a Second-Floor Room, Iraq's Vote Slowly Unfolds + Low Voting Rate Risks Isolation for Sunni Iraqis + Sunni clerics seek role in new government. While condemning election, they will work with its results + 'Fuzzy Math' and the Iraqi Election + Deal-making begins on new Iraqi government

War prisons: Abu Ghraib Called Filthy and Volatile at Army Hearing + Judge: CIA Must Turn Over Detainee Records + Psychologist Says Abu Ghraib Conditions Ripe for Violence From Typical Soldiers
SEC OKs Use of Data-Tagged Corporate Reports

IRAN: Iran Tests Atomic Parts Despite Freeze + Diplomats: Iran Testing Centrifuge Parts

MIDDLE EAST: Abbas Says Palestinians to Call Cease-Fire; Israel Will Free 900 Prisoners + Mideast summit aims to keep up momentum. Egypt, Jordan ready to announce return of envoys to Israel + Sharon and Abbas Agree to Meet Tuesday in Egypt

RUSSIA: Pro-Moscow government dismisses Chechen rebel ceasefire 

Mikhail Gorbachev deeply disappointed in Putin

EUROPE: EU lawmakers want communist symbols banned

Saakashvili steps in as PM dies + Georgian Prime Minister 'killed by gas leak'

The New Kosovo War: Nebojsa Malic

'Democratic' Latvia refers to Nazis as lesser evil as opposed to those who liberated them of fascism

Whitehall still mired in 'culture of secrecy'

Why French Prez Jacques Chirac is a Closet Cowboy

AFRICA: Sudan: Officials Failed to Halt Deaths, U.N. Envoy Says

Businessman Takes Oath as President of Mozambique

Russia Might Send Peacekeepers to Sudan

ASIA PACIFIC:

China Environment Agency Takes On Giant Dam Corporation

Ancient tribes swept into the world by Tsunami

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

Homeland Security seen hampered by bureaucracy, conflict

United Nations: All Players Gained From 'Oil-for-Food' + UN oil-for-food process 'tainted' + UN Oil-for-Food Chief Sevan Had `Grave' Conflict of Interest, Volcker Says

Atlas rocket lofts spy satellite for U.S.

Feds act out terror attack scenario

Night-vision goggles still missing at Fort Lewis

US Asks Saudi Arabia to Indict or Return Terror Suspect

Jane’s warns of new terror group more radical than Al-Qaeda Click.

Russian SAMs versus the U.S. Patriot

People Smugglers Moving Terrorists Around

Armed Robots That Think For Themselves

Master List Of Dead Scientists And Microbiologists

Iranian judiciary official: Israeli spy sentenced to 10 years in prison

Human intel vs. technology

FBI Urged to Scrap $170M Computer Project

We're going to do it again, says man behind Beslan bloodbath

Nuclear Evidence Could Point To Pakistan

Local execs stole secrets for Chinese

Al-Ashwa charged with spying for Hizbullah

Somaliland frees girl jailed for espionage

S. Korea's Spy Agency Picks 7 Cases for Reinvestigation

Kenney questions PM on espionage

Tel Aviv court charges Danish citizen with spying for Hezbollah

Fidesz mayor in spy charge

Committee to List Agenda of Probe into Spy Agency's Past

N. Korea May Have Sold Uranium + North Korea May Have Sent Libya Nuclear Material, U.S. Tells Allies

Saudi intelligence a "critical problem"- US report

2.2% need vetting; US reduces visa delays

Congress was told of DoD intel plan

Fear makes counter-terrorism book bestseller

Atta "was disturbed"

HOW LOW
THE LAW GOES....

San Francisco: FBI sets up hot line for corruption tips re: local, state, federal

Gang trial tests reach of new laws on terror + Giving jobs to gang leaders + Cameras after gangsters

Connecticut Debates a Death Wish

Arizona: Doctors Arrested Over Bootleg Botox That Paralyzed 4

Woman Gets Prison and Fine for Philadelphia Airport Threat

Shanley: Rape, Assault Charges Against Ex-Priest Shanley Stand + Ex-Priest's Defense to Call Psychologist + Ex-Priest's Child Rape Trial Goes to Jury

Fewer Mexicans die trying to cross border

Background 'DWI' Checks Effective: Study Shows That Pilots Who Drink And Drive Are At Higher Risk To Crash Planes

New Zealand: International ring of perverts exposed but no arrests

Car Chase Tech That's Really Hot

Hunting Down E-Commerce Bandits

Did Zoloft Make Him Do It?

Bombing Suspect's Lawyers Claim 'numerous Deficiencies' at ATF Crime Labs

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Calif. Supreme Court to review $500 million verdict against Genentech

How dead can you get?

Court clears execution path for Crips founder, children's author

Top FBI Agent in L.A. Placed on Leave After Suicide of Former Girlfriend + Report: FBI agent set for transfer romantically linked to agent who committed suicide

Opinion: Close the youth prisons

Sacramento & north: Diana Griego Erwin: Oak Park resident kept low profile, but gun in his face was too much + Fair Oaks: Suspect held in long chase + Not-guilty plea in sex case involving Reno teenager + West Sac police want resident input + Train victim was West Sac man + Citrus Heights girl admits making up kidnap story + Yolo: Meth found in car; 3 men arrested + Stockton CYA staffers vow to fight for jobs

San Francisco, San Mateo: Click. Gary Thompson gets his job back. But the juvenile justice system is still a wreck. + Man who set son on fire testifies he needs gun. He explains fears, how he burned boy at '3 strikes' trial + Key may be key to recent rash of thefts at several parks. $20,000 in losses -- master opener may have been used

Alameda: Fremont: Food fight injures two + Fremont: Gun store thieves net more than 30 firearms + Fremont residents to discuss alarm policy + Unsolved murder baffles investigators + Fremont: 32 guns taken in break-in. Store owner blames new police policy brushing off alarms

Santa Clara: East Palo Alto crime task force unveils recommendations + Santa Clara: Mortally wounded dad dies in hospital + Sex crime Web site not for dates + Police seek man who used cards of victim + Police identify shooting victim + Massage therapist arrested on sex charge

Contra Costa: Martinez: Police search for missing foreign-exchange student + College student from Pleasant Hill dies in hazing + Man, 34, accused in sex crimes. Investigation leads to Richmond church + Martinez: No charges for man who took son from wife + Montara: $50,000 reward offer in post office robbery + Richmond: Ex-church janitor charged in sex abuse

Marin: Marin Judge Sutro rules Kaiser has right to evict patient Mrs. Nome

Sonoma: Ukiah sting nets 845 pot plants + D.A. drops rape case vs. video producer after judge bars tape as evidence

Napa: AmCan man sentenced, gets prison time for molesting then 13-year-old 'girlfriend'

Solano: Grant widow named executor of slain businessman's estate + Vallejo Police Calls

Monterey: Rescued cats recovering, no charges in hoarding case + Driver in fatal crash says he fled to call 911 + Teen was racing before crash, witness says

Central Valley: Split trial urged for home invasion defendant+ Lawsuit says priest molested two girls+ Peterson reimbursement among county's priorities + Law & Order

Central Coast: Moss Landing: Woman dies in police pursuit + Police link thefts to value of copper + Logging battle goes to Supreme Court + Cops and Courts

Southern California: L.A.. jail Called Deadly, Outdated + OC: Juror Reveals a Link to Haidl + Irvine: Two Charged in Involuntary Servitude Case of Girl in Garage + Anaheim: Hit-Run Deadly for Passenger, Police Say + Report criticizes LA's downtown Men's Central Jail over safety and staffing issues + Rapper Tray Deee gets 12 years in Long Beach shooting case + D.A. Decides Not to File Charges in Los Angeles Police Beating

Michael Jackson: Jurors' questionnaire scarcely addresses issues in molestation case, only 8 pages + Potential Jackson jurors quizzed on sex accusations

Robert Blake: Blake Defense Says Police Ignored Other Leads + Detective decided not to investigate most of men bilked by Bakley

The Governor:  Leaders and Gov. prepare to go east to lobby for state + Capitol Primed for War, Not Solutions + Walsh to Lead Gov.'s Planning, Research + Planning office leader named + Daniel Weintraub: Big bucks, trust and the tale of two governors + Other view: Discount drug plan for state falls short + State begs for transit funding + State set to push toll roads + Gov. touts special election plan to donors in Orange County Click.

Shelley: Hearing delayed + Shelley hearing delayed. Lawyers ask for time to review evidence

Jerry Brown's got $1.44M on hand for AG run

Burton considers run for state schools chief. $622,000 in fund gives him 'a leg up' in 2010 election Legislature: Bill would let abused kids testify on closed-circuit TV + Group wants air laws to refocus on individuals Click.

Privatizing state pensions, CalPERS: New way to calculate pensions sought + Angelides enlists allies + Angelides to fight Gov.'s pension plan + Gov.'s proposal for pension criticized + Angelides, others start national fight against changing pensions

State control of land use would boost California's marketability

Office of Criminal Justice planning missing $425 million: Click. Records are so bad, a real audit could not be done + Audit: Defunct agency misplaced millions + State office may owe U.S. millions

AdWatch: Hospital care's quality is focus of nurses' ad

CalSTRS pension fund is looking overseas

Caltrans officials make case for switching design of Bay Bridge

Indian tribes: Applicants sought for D-Q board + Indian gaming revenue unclear about billion in transportation revenue + River Rock casino liquor license hearing delayed + Pauma taps Hard Rock for casino project. Tribe must first reach agreement with county + Tribal deals fall far short of projections. Governor predicted $300 million in revenue this year, but challenge to compacts clogs gains + Yolo won't join tribal collective of counties + Lytton chairwoman touts casino employment outlook + NIGC wants to ensure tribes receive 'fair share'

LOCAL NEWS:   If NASA approves, UCSC will have new view of universe

Sacramento & north: A frat house death in Chico + Pledge dies in hazing at Chico fraternity. House was kicked off CSU campus in 2002 for infraction + Close watch on sex probe of Sacramento firefighters + Strip clubs irk Rancho Cordova

San Francisco, San Mateo: Union complains about high bonuses for UC hospital executives + UC faulted for paying millions in bonuses, Union says money for hospital officials could be better spent + Click. Mirant's claim of reduced land value could cost the city $8.5 million + Click. Affordable-housing developer faces scrutiny after fumbling before city panel + Editorial: Save the Harding Theater + 49ers help out with new Burton High field + St. Brigid slated for demolition + Pat Yankee's back, Ms. Stone's abroad + S.F. bonus for families earning IRS tax credit. First payments expected this fall + Supes seek to save St. Brigid Church. Landmark status could thwart archdiocese plan to raze, sell land to pay abuse suits + $200 in rebates on low-water fixtures + $600 in free drugs for eligible seniors

Alameda: Local Dems pan domestic vision + Union criticizes bonuses for executives at UC med centers + Newark board rejects cuts to child care + Livermore: Vote on Pardee development likely — but when? + Alameda 'Divas' are all in tune + Oakland enacts massage parlor moratorium + Firm is hired to audit Oakland cops overtime cost + Oakland airport parking fees will be highest in Bay Area + De La Fuente mayoral coffers flush + Candidates queue for Pleasanton election + Pleasanton council raises glass to pub + North Livermore petitions filed + Dublin's Ybarra earns city award for heroism + Dublin apartment conversion vote delayed + New speed-sensitive signal being set up near Livermore. Motorists rushing on country roads to avoid I-580 jams + Berkeley: Blacks favored in public housing, U.S. says. City urged to recruit more UC students -- official 'stunned' + Oakland moves to limit massage parlors

Santa Clara: Anxious tenants await fate of mobile homes + P.A. woman's body found in Florida woods + East P.A. extends limits on condos + Beloved BBQ purveyor tries to smoke out $100,000 + Mayoral hopeful aiming at labor + Weimers: Still a market for good peach + Hacienda Gardens going wrong way + Chow down on crab

Contra Costa: Richmond to answer audit + Brentwood eatery's art upsets patron + Pinole: Small dogs to get their own park

Marin: 'Chapel' in Canal Area to be torn down today + Local leaders assail pension proposal + Rare plant species nearly wiped out by Marin County work crews clearing culvert

Sonoma: Cotati fight re: big box totals nearly $690,000 + Healdsburg council seeks wireless Internet access for Plaza + Thompson, Woolsey accuse Bush of using scare tactics + RP may oust city manager next week + Some Santa Rosa seniors leery of plan for personal accounts + If they walk to dinner, all the better

Napa: Chardonnay golf course to reopen with tiny staff, despite court proceedings + Browns Valley most at risk due to slow fire response + Candidates team up in hopes of changing Napa politics

Solano: Area reaction to overhaul is subdued + County housing still shy of needs + AmCam reconsiders EDC pact + Waterfront group plans Valentine's ball

Monterey: Salinas, Caltrans work together in plan to preserve downtown trees + Holman Ranch's McEwen mourned + Pacific Grove Planning Commission nominee withdraws + Watsonville woman dies in Highway 1 crash + + Salvage crew hopes to raise sunken yacht today + A hope for Salinas libraries? + Carmel Valley incorporation backers seek return of state funding

Central Valley: Stanislaus County tops in heart deaths + Woman finds strength above+ Office complex may get housing+ Applications by freshmen record at UC + Hughson rethinks principal's transfer + Modesto firefighter hurt in blaze + MJC weekly series makes science fun+ Turlock temple planned + Putting school on cropland under fire + He's my hero; he also is my little brother+ Stockton covets warship+ Soldier, high-schooler represent Central Valley+ News & Notes+ Around the Region+ Community Briefing + Kiernan Business Park should exclude housing + Post office not suitable for a homeless shelter + Report grim on Central Valley flood risks Click. + Bakersfield: Price tag for Parra-Gardner race $4 million Click.

Central Coast: News from Central Coast + Student’s choice: Good grades or family + Trees cut down, upsetting La Selva Beach residents + Local politicians mixed on State of the Union speech + Coast Lines

Southern California: Head Start must make budget cuts + Parks would halt DWP rate hikes + Parks Vows to Freeze Rates + King/Drew Hospital Faces Loss of Funding + Federal medical agency warns that troubled South LA hospital may lose funding + LA mayoral Candidates Promising the World + Judge Upholds S.D. Mayoral Election + State judge upholds San Diego mayor's re-election + Los Alamitos Seeks Details on Base Plan + Howie's Ranch Customers Find Old-Fashioned Market Super + Placentia City Council to Take Charge of OnTrac + After the Pothole Gave Him a Jolt, Things Got Downright Nasty + LA Council Approves Hike in Sewer Fees + Proposed cuts by forestry offiicals to ground portions of air tanker fleet Click. + LA will investigate potential fraud in the cases of 35 of more than 5,800 former public safety employees who retired with disability pensions Click.

School days: A Matter of Principal + OC: Santiago school's Charter Is Intact for Now + More High School Seniors Apply for UC's Fall Term + UC Davis sees 4% drop in applicants + School districts make some cuts from the top + Fremont: Fund-raisers keep music in schools + Second study criticizes high cost of textbooks + Budget chief for Mill Valley schools + Oakland teacher to speak at black forum + Foster youths receive aid for college + Mt. Diablo schools face struggle + Editorial: SFUSD's bond mess + Vallejo: Sports facing ax? + Fewer out-of-state UC freshman applicants + Contra Costa: Free help filling out college-aid forms + If NASA approves, UCSC will have new view of universe

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Vietnam Moves to Curb Bird Flu + Vietnam appeals for bird flu help + Bird flu kills Cambodian woman

Spinal Cord Key to Sexual Dysfunction

Researchers Develop 'Biological Pacemaker'

New treatment zaps killer cancer, study says

Suicide Rate Down in the Era of Prozac

Sodium imbalance can have severe effects

Napans with spinal injuries hear how estrogen may lead to a cure

Autism network seeks to improve level of care nationwide

First defense in fighting kidney disease: Awareness

FDA has questions for Xcyte about design of drug trial

Biotech Falls Short in Farming, Group Says

Dispersal Or Drift? More To Plant Biodiversity Than Meets The Eye

New Language Points To Foundations Of Human Grammar

Chemists Create 'Superbowl' Molecule; May Lead To Better Health

Scientists Reveal Cells' 'Energy Factories' Linked To Cancer

Gene With Broad Role Also Causes Prevalent, Inherited Nerve Disorder

What Does An Airline Traveler Have In Common With A Glowing Fish?

Drinking Water Smarts

Slowing Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Vitamins

One contact can correct for distance while the other does close-up

VCU Research Shows Erectile Dysfunction Drug Reduces Death Of Heart Cells In Heart Attack Model

Structure Of A Conserved RNA Element In The SARS Virus Genome Determined

New Research Could Help Physicians Tailor Asthma Therapy In Children

More Homeless Mentally Ill Than Expected According To UCSD Study: Interventions Urged

Problems In The Bedroom Can Indicate Heart Problems

Screening For Osteoporosis Prevents Hip Fractures In Older Adults

NYU Biologists Find New Function For Pacemaker Neurons

Researchers Find New Genes Necessary To Make Embryo

Whisker Velocity Patterns Tell Rats What They're Feeling

Discovery Promises Simpler Therapy For Sickle Cell Disease

Calcium And Vitamin D Most Effective For Treatment Of Crohn's-related Bone Loss

A 'gene's kiss' turns on puberty

Microsoft's New Search Engine Falls Flat

Sun plans to start auctioning capacity

Inventor made millions on pop top

The Cell Chip - how will MS and Intel face the music?

Botnets strangle Google Adwords campaigns

Repair Costs for Hubble Are Vexing to Scientists

Computation Provides A Virtual Recording Of Auditory Signaling

CSIRO Finds A Way To Get More Out Of Old Cars

Brit Flying Car Earns Its Wings

Dyslexia Slows Drivers' Reactions

Scientists Find Evidence Of Electrical Charging Of Nanocatalysts

Report scorns Beagle 2 decision

Scientists Find Missing Matter

THE BUSHWORLD...

Bush Takes His Social Security Proposal to Voters in North Dakota, Montana

Bush to Propose Tightest Budget of Presidency + Bush Budget to Curb Domestic Spending Below Inflation Rate

Bush: Iran 'Primary Sponsor of Terror'

Rice heads to Mideast and Europe in new role

Bush Hints Election May Facilitate Exit From Iraq Top Military Officials Say US Forces Strained

Elliott Abrams Named Deputy National Security Adviser

Ideologues poised to kill social gains, rights leader says. Dems urged to bar picks for high court chief

Rep. Doolittle, 4 others miss speech for security reasons

Laura Bush to Shepherd Program for Troubled Boys

Carlyle group prepares for next generation

State of the Union: In Speech, Bush Sketches a Bold Domestic and Foreign Agenda + Confident, diplomatic presentation of plans + A closer look at some of president's assertions + Sacrifice Of The Union

Social security: White House notes plan lacks solutions for shortfall + Republicans Say the Sales Pitch Is in the Details + Here's how Bush's plan would work + Social Security proposal finds a wary audience + Democrats' reply: Plan 'immoral'

Nominations: Prisoner Policy Put Bush's Lawyer on Rocky Road to Justice Department + GOP Sees Breakthrough in Gonzales' Confirmation + Ridge's Likely Successor Welcomed + Bush nominee parries torture queries. Would-be chief of homeland security says he did not discuss details of interrogations + Homeland Security Nominee Grilled on the Hill

Congress: DeLay Critic Removed From Ethics Committee + Fazio out of running for base-closure panel + Pombo: Ocean trust fund not likely + Lawmaker makes history: speaking Spanish in Senate. Martinez pays tribute to attorney general nominee Gonzales

Democrats: Party says it's time to stand and fight + A year later, Dean fits leadership role + Dean for DNC chairman? Yeeaarrgghh! + Sen. Clinton's frank talk on abortion

OPINIONS:

Kennedy, Harts: Pentagon still failing to protect the troops

Morford: Come See Our Brutal Democracy

Domestic, Foreign Agenda Run Counter to Fiscal Goals

Bush's Case for Equal Justice

Margaret Carlson: Sex, Politics and President Hillary

Max Boot: George Bush Talks Big, and He Delivers

Living Under the Bombs:DahrJamail

The Shi'ite Earthquake: Juan Cole

Miller & Chalabi, Together Again: Jack Shafer

Judith Miller and Ahmed Chalabi, Together Again

Ted Rall: What would Republican Jesus do? Click.

Sheryl McCarthy: So far, Boxer stages a rebellion of one Click.

Fred Cederholm: A dangerous game of global poker Click.

David Corn: The State of George W. Bush Click.

Maureen Dowd: Inherit the windbags

Click. Exploding the myth of the Bushes as an all-American family

President Warbucks rides again

Waxing messianic

Noam Chomsky: The US occupation

Molly Ivins: Noble ideas, nasty actions

MILITARY  Army Considers Extending Reserve

Pakistan Army Denies Directing U.S. Artillery Fire

Pentagon Won't Extend Reservists' Deployment

New Mexico: Life Insurance for Guard Members Underwritten

Marines Fall Short of Recruiting Goal, Cite Parents' War Worries

UK: Commando admits he inflicted brutal rituals on soldier

UK: Naval officer charged over child images

Seven soldiers face Iraq murder charge

LEAKGATES  Justice and 9-11

Did September 11 Cause a Constitutional Paradigm Shift?

Marjie Lundstrom: Worrying signs suggest First Amendment faces second-class status Click.

Marine General: It's Fun to Shoot People + Marine general counseled for saying "it's fun to shoot some people ...

UK's ID Card Plan Could Violate Human Rights Law

Blair Defends House Arrest Plans

Controversial Ward Churchill lecture

Congress Ready to Dramatically Boost Indecency Fines

Blood for pork....

Defense boosts Northrop's bottom line

G.E., Halliburton Stop Doing Business in Iran + Halliburton and Iran

Halliburton Proves Expensive for US

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

Fed cranks up rate 0.25% again

Gates Ogles China in Davos

Ex-Chief of Big Board Had 'Unfettered Authority'

Big surge in homes costing $1 million. San Francisco Bay Area's sales rise 73% as low rates lure more buyers

The traps in amnesty for taxes

Views From Space Help Oil Prospectors See Deep Underground

Googling the Bottom Line

What's really at stake with IBM-Lenovo

SEC OKs Use of Data-Tagged Corporate Reports

CONNECT THE DOTS....

Northern Women: Tough Enough

Crazy Radio. Mental institution's station gives its patients a voice

New Take on Winchester Mystery

Vatican No. 2, Experienced in Behind-the-Scenes Diplomatic Missions, Now More in Spotlight + Pope's Deteriorating Health Raises Questions About What Happens if He Can No Longer Carry Out Duties

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond:  San Francisco gay group defends right to arms. Pink Pistols oppose ballot issue backed by supervisors

The Pen Is Mightier.... 

WHITE HOUSE FRIENDLY REPORTER UNDER SCRUTINY

Angry Talk Radio Callers -- Unite!

Martha Stewart to mirror Trump. She'll run her own 'Apprentice' show

Watching TV May Soon Be Like Being There

Federal Shield Law Introduced in House

Today's papers

Vincent van Gogh The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

Everything the Getty offers, in the palm of your hand

Anchored in Bar Harbor

Cuzco: Climb and punishment

Getty's lost psalter

Retirees Find More for Less in Panama

Wheelin' and dealin'

Neck Face is not a crackhead

San Francisco Independent Film Festival

Nature photographer Frans Lanting shows the extreme side of Hawaii

National Gallery unveils interactive art experience

500-year-old Tudor garden discovered

A SoHo Birthday

Louis Menand on Hollywood books

The real Macbeth was not all toil and trouble

Battle rages over Irish Celtic site

Rush & Molloy: Leona's small dog now a medium?

Lloyd Grove's Lowdown: Dogg-ed drive for charity

Page Six

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

Election: Iraq Says It's Winning War on Terror as Polls Near + In Armored Vehicles, U.S. Troops Tell Iraqis to Vote + It's time to vote: Stock up on food, and grab your gun.  + Ominous campaign literature makes rounds + Shiite parties prepare list of potential leaders + Elections begin yearlong political march in Iraq+ Few expatriates will cast ballots + Iraq expatriate voter registration a success+ Iraqis Trickle to U.S. Voting Venues + Blitz of TV ads rolls + 25,946 Iraqis expected to vote in U.S. + New Iraqi forces face security test at polls + Allawi prepares to tough it out + Analysis: Antonio Castaneda + Critics See Hypocrisy in China's Support for Baghdad Elections + How to Assess and Understand Election Days Results and Turnout

War prisons: Prisoner Released From Guantanamo Bay

AFGHANISTAN: Soldier Shoots Dead 5 Comrades in Afghan Base Attack

MIDDLE EAST: Israeli Army 'Reducing Operations' in W. Bank, Gaza + Palestinians restrict guns. Ban on civilians carrying arms is aimed at militants

RUSSIA: Putin's rating hits all-time low as retirees continue massive protests

EUROPE: Click. What does the UK education secretary see in the controversial Opus Dei group?

EU Ministers Promise to Tackle Anti-Semitism, Nazi Symbols in Europe

AFRICA: Libya plans to shed old and begin a new era

ASIA PACIFIC: Indonesia, Rebels Talk Peace for Tsunami-Hit Aceh + Indonesia offers amnesty to rebels

Despite 'reforms,' food crisis hits N. Korea

AMERICAS: Once Lula was a hero of the left - now they heckle him off stage

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

FBI in Talks to Extend Reach + FBI expands its role in domestic spying

Riggs Bank Agrees to Guilty Plea And Fine for failing to prevent money laundering by Pinochet and Equatorial Guinea officials

EU and U.S. Can Boost Fight Against Terror by Information Exchange

Spy games

Moussaoui seeks access to terror witnesses

Eavesdropping on terror talk in Germany

Officer who nabbed Lee Harvey Oswald dies

At Davos, U.S. is seen as aloof + Every Topic Is Fair Game for Bill Clinton

Malaysia, Thailand spar over 'mastermind'

Click. Alleged IRA Members Names N-Z

Russian ex-spy on hunger strike

HIZBULLAH USES WESTERN NATIONALS FOR ESPIONAGE

Middle East, Israel says Danish spy suspect filmed secret sites

Congressmen scrutinize IBM, Lenovo deal + China's Lenovo confident US panel will clear IBM deal

Britain's spies keep phone taps out of court+ Prime Minister says phone tapping violates press freedoms?

Chavez foe accused of treason with U.S. aid

Scientists Work on Software to Scan Arabic

Religious Historian Dies at 89

Former British Spy Chief Learned Early To Cope With Danger and Move On

Getting Past the Past

Blood for pork....

Military Contractors Target Latin America For New Recruits Click.

Contractors' work hinges on outcome of Iraq elections

Prime contracts for defense work up $21.7 billion

Pentagon: Lockheed Martin top contractor

HOW LOW
THE LAW GOES....

California Train Wreck Spawns Possible Copycat Bid

SEC Investigation Into Merck Becomes Formal

Serbian general to hand himself in to UN war crimes court

Illinois: Serial murder suspect tries to plead guilty

Gap close to settling: Clothing voucher handout in dress-code suit

U.S.: Kidnappings high along Mexico border

Putting a Price on Pain. Dividing $3 million among 132 victims

The moron defense

Judge blames teen's parents for unleashing Blaster worm

Cyber-stalker faces sentencing today

Kids' blogs a 'paedophile's dream'

Area 51 'hacker' charges dropped

Dad busted in daughter's slaying

Mob boss a rat

NIH Seeks Outside Inquiry of Scientist

Handguns Allowed on Houston's Buses,

Fugitive for 41 years, Mafia boss a master of elusion

John Dean: Chief Justice Rehnquist's Annual Report on the Federal Judiciary

Actress shot to death in Manhattan

Federal Court Invalidates Patent for Key Merck Drug

Shanley: Judge Denies Mistrial in Priest Child Rape Case + Ex-Priest's Accuser Weeps in Court

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Supreme Court: Driver causing fatal crash while fleeing police not necessarily guilty of murder

Groups sue over plans to log in Sequoia National Monument

Guarding comatose, incapacitated inmates costly

Stanislaus cuts check to pay for Peterson trial

Sacramento & north: Will thought-out + Sacramento man faces sex charge involving teen + Suspect pleads not guilty in eBay auction fraud + Top welfare officials mismanaged funds, Yolo grand jury says + El Dorado property crimes increase + Heavy fines in snakehead fish smuggling case

San Francisco, San Mateo: Fear of vigilantism blamed for convict's gun. Lawyer defends man who set son on fire in 1983 + Johns' cars may be seized + Counterfeiters making big bucks + San Mateo: Teacher pleads not guilty to sex charges involving teen boy. The 16-year-old fathered her child+ Daly City woman denies guilt in child molest case +  Ernst & Young former accountant sentenced to prison for falsifying records + Teacher denied lower bail in sex case

Alameda: Reward offered in 18-year-old Sunol murder case + Family drawing attention to slaying of woman in 1986 + Berkeley CPA will serve time for audit cover-up + Three arrested in Fairview pot farm case + Oakland: Alleged drug dealers face tougher sentences in U.S. court. FBI agents join cops in raid that nets 5 suspects + Violent end to retirement dream. Stray gunfire kills Hayward man

Santa Clara: Victim's family vows to press for justice against cop + Kids find pile of cash, spend it + Man charged in 8-month-old East Side drive-by shooting + No one claims baby's body in tree + State guards incapacitated inmate + Woman posed as boy, faces child sex charges + Man files second suit against Catholic order + 3 arrests in M.H. hotel stabbing + San Jose: Autopsy shows baby was full-term

Contra Costa: Concord: An ungodly legacy of pain. Former De La Salle students say abusive counselor made lives hell + Dublin police seek suspects in two Thursday night crimes + Police arrest hit-and-run suspect + Ex-student sues Christian Brothers + Conoco pollution fine: $4.5 million + Legaspi sentenced in tax fraud case + Moraga: Suspect arrested in hit and run death + Richmond: Cops say muggers singling out Latinos

Marin: Sheriff's deputy accused of tax evasion + Nonprofit's houses priced at more than $500,000 + High court asked to hear Marin flasher's case + San Rafael: Tax evasion charges against Marin sheriff deputy Matthew J. Allen

Sonoma: Bystanders nab fugitive fleeing CHP + Women's health club, state settle suit alleging sex bias towards men

Napa: Napa family sues company for moving nightmare

Solano: Vallejo, Scotts Valley Marines die in Iraq helicopter crash + Solano County: Water violates standards. But officials assure Green Valley that health risks are low + Benicia native among victims of copter crash + M.I. fans embark on 2nd decade + GVRD restricts potential uses of old mansion + Study: Too many earn too little+ Grant helps programs for homeless + County seeks reimbursement for license fees

Monterey: Strange device wasn't a bomb + Counting the homeless + Grease-disposal ordinance tightened + Click.

Central Valley: Police arrest Beyer, Elliott students on drug charges + Report: Deputy shooting accident + Frey agrees to visitation rights for son + Judge: One convict's word can't clear a cohort + Home intruder shot by occupant + We could never possibly sink that low ... or could we?

Central Coast: CHP re-enacts fatal accident for case information

Southern California: Metrolink fighting '03 crash + Revenge of the White Cops + Santa Ana high school baseball coach awarded $700,000 in defamation suit + Irvine police find suicidal man in SUV parked on rail tracks + Bryant attorneys say accuser reached money settlement with tabloids + Diver left adrift sues boat crew that left him off Catalina

Michael Jackson:  Trial to open Monday + Judge setting several ground rules + Judge: Trial can include adult-oriented items from Jackson ranch + Judge: Accuser Should Testify in Open Court + ury Will See Bashir TV Interview

Blake: Daughter of Blake's slain wife recounts treatment of her mother + Murder on spec

The Governor:  Gov., speaker trade barbs + Analysis: Dems, Gov. ignore foes' messages. Each side keeps to its own agenda on budget woes + It's Gov. vs. Democrats in costly game of Bay Bridge tug-of-war + Editorial: Gov., lawmakers in sandbox squabble + Dan Walters: Gov., Democrats gird for mother of all political battles + Reforms dead in the water? Click. + Gov. tempers tone toward Democrats Click. + Gov. urges Democrats to tackle agenda Click. + After the love is gone + Expect Gov. to be taught a political lesson + Gov. battles libel lawsuit. British woman says Schwarzenegger groped her, lied + Reason To Wheeze over ethanol + Dissonance: Gov. Girlie-man + Capitol Battle Lines Harden + A cold eye on state pensions + Pension revamp bills exploding

Ballot plan for two key issues - expand term limits, modify political boundaries

Little Hoover Commission panelists dispute plan to overhaul prisons + Administration: Prison plan would fix 'improperly managed' system

Water board plans hearing on staff enforcement work

State regulators PUC vote to sideline rules for cellular phone companies + PUC votes to suspend phone bill of rights + Crackdown on wireless carriers suspended

Sign up soon for California tax amnesty

12th and last candidate for Matsui's seat certified

California opts out of $525 million federal ConocoPhillips pollution settlement

Foster parents should be heard, senator says Click.

Shelley: New trouble for Shelley: U.S. board orders probe. If voting money was misspent, state might have to pay it back + U.S. begins Shelley probe + Smelly Shelley must go

Indian tribes: Ballot proposal would ban urban casinos + Studies on Lake island ordered + Casino workers not breathing easily + Bay Area casino sparks inter-tribal strife + Pechanga sides against urban casino in San Pablo + Sonoma supervisor Valerie Brown ends ties with anti-casino coalition + Tribe: Casino to help growth + Feud looms over new gaming hall + Napa County joins others for a voice on Indian gaming + Indian gaming conference gets under way in Palm Springs + Casino eyes I-10/Hwy. 95 location

LOCAL NEWS:   Record rainfall spawns wildflower blooms across Southern California

Things look up for sandhill cranes, but they're not out of woods yet

Forest service releases new maps covering Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

Train crash: Hearing delayed on train crash suspect + D.A. in train crash case doubts suspect is insane + Practice of 'push-pull' may have been a factor + Seeking death penalty in train wreck would be unusual, lawyers say + Crash reignites dispute over pushing trains. Regulators say having locomotive in back is just as safe + Crash details emerge

Sacramento & north: Lincoln in line for Catholic Healthcare West hospital + Capital family grieves for son + R.E. Graswich: Paragary, on arena panel, plans a full-court press for arts funding + Sacramento mayor sees big changes ahead for downtown + Sacramento: Input sought on senior programs + Sacramento 'Coming of Age' lecture series for seniors set + Yolo residents would see 25% rate increase if annexed by Sacramento Municipal Utility District

San Francisco, San Mateo: Muni wants another 25 cents. Officials of S.F. transit agency draft plan to increase bus and train fares, cut service+ Bagging the bags + Combustible Chris Daly + San Francisco's emerging right + Plan would force ID check at game spots + Man, 77, unharmed in highway rollover + District elections for San Mateo supervisors?

Alameda: Yearlong wait for 63 cops possible + Work starts on new Caldecott bore + Proposal to curb fire will be + Island antique dealer dies heard + Fremont resident courts stardom + Fremont man arrested in alleged eBay fraud + Day workers march for safety + Livermore to 'dine with divas' for future operas + Pombo aims to extend benefits + Strangers in a Strange Land + Oakland lawmaker calls on world to aid Darfur. Lee joins star of Rwanda film to decry genocide + Berkeley bashes Berkeley Bowl over growth

Santa Clara: SJ mayor thankful year after stroke + Valley women large, but men supersized + Bus gives families a lifeline + Funding delivered for marine center + Supervisor upbeat about valley's future

Contra Costa: Martinez girl killed in wreck + Big-rig fire snarls Pleasanton freeway traffic + Caltrans, agencies join to add Caldecott bore + Editorial: Can Lafayette afford to be high end + Ventura unleashes provocative talk + San Ramon eyes development plan + Contract ambulance bidder's fliers irk officials + Driver dies in solo crash at Altamont Pass + Cerrito Theater rehab now set to begin in May + Homeless census higher than estimate + Danville chamber honors outstanding residents + Report: Brentwood official may have only one domicile + Contra Costa helps residents with their taxes + Death of a San Pablo Community + Martinez: Main Street moving closer to makeover. City officials want make-over of stores, offices, homes in historic downtown + Martinez: Homeless census surpasses estimates

Marin: Suicide barrier debate reopened + Sutter eases deadlines for hospital plan + Noted Marin civic leader Robinson dies at 73

Sonoma: Checking pulse of homelessness + Prep school gains support + Riding on inspiration + Recalling 'Freedom Summer' + Trash haulers gear up for new vote + Petaluma gears up for 150th anniversary + A veteran doctor finally gets his license

Napa: Napa mayor hopefuls square off + Council misled on Mondavi highway

Solano: Vallejo, Scotts Valley Marines die in Iraq helicopter crash + Solano County: Water violates standards. But officials assure Green Valley that health risks are low + Benicia native among victims of copter crash + M.I. fans embark on 2nd decade + GVRD restricts potential uses of old mansion + Study: Too many earn too little+ Grant helps programs for homeless + County seeks reimbursement for license fees

Monterey: Strange device wasn't a bomb + Counting the homeless + Grease-disposal ordinance tightened + Click. LandWatch loses suit against county

Central Valley: Guard units head for Kuwait + MJC takes more nursing students + Builders to review city plan to raise water hookup fees + Patterson schools will buy office site at business park + Turlock residents tackle marathon step at a time + PG&E says irrigation district is unfit to distribute electricity + Delegates get more of a voice + Rev. Nelson, Methodist pastor, dies + Honoring America's flag, fallen + Frey agrees to visitation rights for son + Book Signing + Water board: Hilmar mess not official's fault + News & Notes + Around the Region + Study: San Joaquin depot generates millions + CalPERS to invest $10m in Valley Click. + Utilities to control efficiency programs Click.

Central Coast: Local Marine killed in Iraq + Homeless families have new option + Earth Summit shows off progress + `Judy Day’ salutes Westlake library aide + Red Cross delivers for fire victims + Harbor High School graduate involved in mishap at sea + Field trip driver slowly improving + Coast Lines + Simi Valley Navy medic killed in Iraq wanted to protect his comrades

Southern California: Fight seen over actors' new contract + Hahn tries to get support in San Fernando Valley + SDG&E plan triples some rates during peak hours Click. + Parks, Villaraigosa Mayoral Campaigns Get Funding Boosts

School days: Plan boosts Sonoma State Univ. budget + Complaint accuses Elk Grove school district of racial bias + San Francisco: Wells Fargo Bank gives $150,000 to counties' schools + Novato schools appeal to public + SFUSD reassures bond committee + UC regents panel backs growth plan + Fremont seniors plan on-campus graduations + UC seeks students for science camp + Maritme Academy still accepting applications + Dublin: No high-fives from parents over middle school transfers + State schools chief impresses Seaside students + Proposal for Mt. View schools challenged + Napa Valley SD sticks with extended break + UCSC clerical workers rally for new contract, pay raises + AP test scores solid in Vallejo, Benicia

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Frist Wants New 'Manhattan Project' on biowarfare

Mad Cow Disease Found in French Goat, EU Says

Secrets and Epidemics

Officials free flu shots for general use + Government eases flu vaccine restrictions

Research Identifies Promising Route For Treating Age-Related Hearing Loss

Click. Scandia Lab: Doctors may soon be able to screen patients for diseases in a matter of minutes using just a small sample of saliva.

Wanna lose weight? Get up! Move around! Study says fidgety tendencies can help melt away pounds

Through meditation, lower blood pressure

Chemical may cause whale hearing loss

U.S. Leads in Sexually Transmitted Disease Rate

Bleak First Results From The World's Largest Climate Change Experiment

First View Of Many Neurons Processing Information In Living Brain

COX-2 Levels Are Elevated In Smokers

Solving The Mystery Of Centuries-old Caribbean Ant Plagues

Blood Test Shows Promise As Monitor For Antiangiogenic Cancer Therapy

Discovery Of Pathway In Learning Impairment Caused By Liver Disease May Lead To Drug Treatment

Fat Deficiency Gene Also Spurs Obesity

Fat Hormone Acts On Brain Circuit To Curb Obesity, Diabetes

Desertification Alters Regional Ecosystem Climate Interactions

Novel Asthma Study Shows Multiple Genetic Input Required; Single-gene Solution Shot Down

Jump-starting T Cells In Skin Cancer

Mayo Clinic Recommends Broadening Treatment To Battle Recurrence Of Endometrial Cancer

Deficient DNA Repair Capacity Associated With Increased Risk Of Breast Cancer

Researchers Map The Sexual Network Of An Entire High School

Research Sheds Light On How Cancer Cells Become Resistant To Treatment

Cancer Vaccines: A Two-pronged Attack?

Penn State Scientists Spy On Black-hole Eating Habits With 'LISA'

Report finds more All-Terrain Vehicle deaths, injuries

Windows takes to the streets

Apple's tech support a work of Genius

Portable Gaming, Sony-Style

The Lock Busters

Hi-Tech Hot Rod Is The Ultimate Learning Lab

Floating Films On Liquid Mercury: New Results May Lead To Advances In Nanotechnology, Molecular Electronics

THE BUSHWORLD...

Bush says Iraqi vote will set a 'powerful example' + Public opinion key for Bush in Iraq vote + Bush Says Iraq Likely to Want U.S. Troops After Vote

Bush to Take Social Security Reform Proposal to Voters in Five-State Tour

Bush: Upgrade healthcare records

Judges skeptical of suit filed over 2001 Bush energy plan

Rice vows bold agenda

Study: Tax changes could raise billions

Bush won't appeal media ownership rules

Cheney tours Nazi concentration camp

Kennedy Calls for a Phased Withdrawal From Iraq

U.S. lawmakers call for pressure on Sudan

Mexico fumes over U.S. criticism of nation's drug violence+ U.S., Mexico exchange barbs over drug war dangers

UN Nuclear Chief Urges U.S. to Join EU on Iran

Civil Service System on Way Out at DHS

HHS says it paid columnist for help

Foreign-owner SBA limits eased re: competition for federal contracts

Bush doesn't see ghosts in White House

Rush & Molloy: Campaign aide gets Jenna's vote

Lockheed Martin Wins Presidential Helicopter Contract

Congress: Bush Faces New Skepticism From Republicans on Hill + Kerry, Clinton criticize Bush on health care

Social Security: Fixing Social Security + Automated Messages to GOP About Social Security + Democrats Complain Social Security Administration Improperly Pushing Bush Plan + Don’t let them steal our security

Democrats: N.J. Dem fund-raiser sentenced to 2 years + Nixon son-in-law eyeing challenge to Hillary + Outsider looking in + Hillary Says Bush Health Plan Hurts Poor + Former Clinton Aide Ickes Supports Dean for Party Chair

OPINIONS:

Closing in on Vietnam

Paul Krugman: Little Black Lies

Robert Parry: Freedom from reality

Jonathan Chait: A deficit you can't refuse Click.

Ivins: Flip-Flopping on Social Security Linguistics

Nurturing Iraq's Non-Election

Boxer's Match

Protocol for Lying

Vietnam on speed

Of oil and elections

Cheney at Auschwitz: an insult to the memory of Nazism's victims + Cheney's green parka and boots stand out

An Election of and by Ghosts

A Deficit You Can't Refuse

Escobar: Many stakes in Iraq election

Why insurgents may be the winners

Volcker The In-'credible'

Rhetoric remains high-flown, but arguments for war have fallen apart

Greg Dyke: Two years after the war, why hasn't Blair resigned yet?

MILITARY Navy admiral Wm J. Fallon tapped for Pacific Command + Navy to retain Pacific Command

Iraq War Vets to Get Follow-Up Mental Evaluations

Blockbuster Inc. Pushes Army National Guard Recruitment Click.

Heads roll at Veterans Administration (DU to blame?)

As Shock Hits Hawaii, Grief Spreads

Hi-Tech Hot Rod Is The Ultimate Learning Lab

Military Academy Panel Investigating Barracks Party in Which Cadets Dressed as Nazis

NAACP Searches for Leader

Antiwar activists fail to press their cause

Music stars ready to buttonhole leaders over poverty

Parents of Sutter, CA elementary School protest policy that students wear security badges

Professor Ward Churchill's views spark ire + 'Professor' who calls WTC victims Nazis to speak in N.Y.

Chinese government takes over Zhao funeral arrangements

The Left Loses College Kids

CONNECT THE DOTS....

UC's women scientists

Stardom: When PARODY Isn't FUNNY

The Parrot In The Bathroom

Friday fishwrap: Zodiac flick?

Click. Poker's popularity with teens troubles schools, groups.

Rice and the New Black Paradigm

Melon heir avoided spotlight

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

OPEC expected to keep oil production steady at Vienna meeting

Procter & Gamble to Buy Gillette for $57 Billion + Deal would merge big-brand names

SBC reportedly trying to buy AT&T -- again. Deal would form largest phone company in U.S.

ChevronTexaco's fourth-quarter profit doubles

Costs Make Employers See Smokers as a Drag

BofA plans to drop fee for transfers to Mexico

An outsourcing reversal: Chinese firms in US

Microsoft Still On EU's Bad Side

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond:  Bay Area: Gay Anglican bishop gets fervid reception. Robinson has been on roller coaster ride since election+ SoCal couple's suit seeks end to same-sex marriage bans + California Gov.'s sister-in-law at odds on same-sex unions + PBS Stations May Run Controversial Show about gay couple

The Pen Is Mightier.... 

Sacramento Bee wins bid for retirees' names who returned to work, yet draw salary and pension check

Comfy sitcom format faces a retooling

Pundit Payola: Syndicates Work to Prevent More Problems + Third Columnist Implicated with Payola Charges

Beware of the Blog

Judge: Maryland Gov. Must List Employees Banned from Talking to 'Sun'

Lawyers: Kobe's Accuser Reached Settlement with Tabloid Publisher

MARY CHENEY SHOPS BOOK

Today's papers

Vincent van Gogh The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge  

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

Move Over Shakespeare at Cinnabar Theatre

Improv movie making: 24 hours from action to finish

Robert Dwan, Groucho Marx's TV director, dead at 89

Youth get taste of jazz life from Oakland group

Woman discovers roots on internet

Time off that will do you - and Mother Nature - good

Museum extravaganza in Madrid

The 'indie' label as a catchall

The French New Vague

Stiller, Standing

Old vodka whacks its rivals

Archaeological Digs!: Dig and Tour Opportunities for 2005

Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette - Colette & Claudine

Tolkien Gets Ringing Endorsement

Cybersex: Seek and ye shall find

Debut for unknown Beethoven work

Ringo Drums Up Superhero Project

Black Baptists forge agenda

Turin Shroud is not medieval forgery, says US scientist

Film review: Aliens of the Deep

Ecologists See The Primeval Wood For The Trees

Universal Translator Might be Needed to Understand ET

The man who shaped modern America

Page Six

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

Election: Divided Kirkuk a rich political prize. Kurds hope to win control of city -- and its oil wealth + Iraqi expatriates' votes unlikely to make much difference in historic election + A Tale of 2 Iraqis Ahead of the Vote + Election Putting Neighboring Nations on Edge + Iraqi elections pose strategic headache for Syria + Iraqi, citing inclusion, suggests official jobs for those who boycott vote

War prisons: AP: Gitmo soldier details sexual tactics + Interview: Attorney Scott Horton: Bush Team Has Revived Nazi Ruses Rejected at Nuremberg  + Britons detained in Guantanamo freed without charge by anti-terror police + MPs condemn house arrest plan to 'control' terror suspects

MIDDLE EAST: Israelis, Palestinians meeting. Officials discuss Sharon-Abbas talks, possibly in 2 weeks + Israel, Palestinians renew political ties + Palestinians ban citizens from carrying weapons + Arabs have right to buy Jewish land, Israeli Attorney-General says

King Fahd removes chairman of the intelligence department from his post

RUSSIA: Terrorists seize apartment block in Russia's south + Putin tries to buy peace with 50% pay rise for the police

ASIA PACIFIC: Tibetan Monk's Death Sentence Is Commuted to a Life Term

Japan: Ruling Is Bad News for Foreign Workers +

TSUNAMI: Red Cross Says It Has Enough Tsunami Money to fund recovery effort for 10 years

AMERICAS: State Dept. warns Americans about traveling to Mexico. Drug-related killings and kidnappings surge along border

250,000 Join Protest Against Ecuador's President

Colombia: Guards Kill 7 Inmates After Blast at Prison + Mass break-out at Colombian jail

Canadian military will play increased global role: PM

Nicaraguans seize missile during sting

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

France seizes 11 accused of Iraq plot. Paris cell allegedly recruited fighters to join the insurgency + Paris detains 4 more Islamist suspects bound for Iraq

Poverty, Climate on Davos Agenda

Britain Proposes Wide Restrictions on Those Deemed a Threat

Spain Could Do Better on Terror Suspects, Group Says

FBI Special Agent: Some Trained 'Jihadists' Are in Oregon

A report speaks truth to unsympathetic U.S. power

Osama's Banda angels

NEW JOB RULES FOR HOMELAND SECURITY DEPT.

GOVERNMENT KEEPS LIST OF IDENTITY THEFT VICTIMS SECRET

Johnny Carson, Dead CIA Shill

The Twilight of the Nazi Hunter

'Pinochet' bank faces $16m fine

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Mad cow hard to get, study suggests

Menino and BU's biolab

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

Chiron posts unexpectedly steep loss in quarter + Flu woes blamed for loss at Chiron

Amazon Yellow Page directory turns to pictures of listed businesses

SBC Said to Be in Talks to Buy AT&T

Ellison taunts SAP, seeks close ties to IBM

Ford recalls about 800,000 pickups, SUVs

There's a crush at grape fest

Microsoft offers small businesses online advice 

World Leaders Step Up Pressure on Rich Nations to Save Millions of Africans Mired in Poverty + Despite Goodhearted Promises From the World's Elite, Africans Doubt Results

Oakland: 8-foot 'no-bomb' painting bombs. Port commissioner balks at artwork on shipping container

Gypsies sue computer giant IBM in Switzerland for alleged Nazi ties

The Court is next for SpongeBob foes

HOW LOW
THE LAW GOES....

New Hampshire: Judge Suspended for Groping 5 Women Quits

Quattrone's appeal due today

Okla. lawmaker proposes rooster boxing

Crooked Microsoft worker masterminded $7m racket

Spanish police arrest worm suspect

Eyes on the Prize Hits P2P

Summary Box: Methamphetamine Becoming a Threat in Some Cities

Carrying Concealed Handguns Now Legal on Houston Transit System

Authorities Charge Suspect in Deaths of Women in Rural Illinois

Former WorldCom Exec Says Ebbers Apologized After Accounting Cover Up

Shanley: Accuser Says Abuse Went on for Years + Emotional accuser tells of alleged abuse by Shanley

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Reforming '3 strikes' -- again

Pat-Down Searches of Female Inmates by Male Guards Banned

Appeals court reverses Solano Judge's dismissal of murder charges over lost videotapes

Sacramento & north: Lobbyist McFall's trial opens with tales of greed + Court rejects sex offender's term appeal + Parents ordered to trial in deaths of twin infants + Pedestrian hit, killed on Laguna Boulevard + Man loses $13,000 in Canadian scam

San Francisco, San Mateo: Deaths in the Children of God. Common thread of sexual, spiritual abuse among cult defectors who killed themselves + Ex-Raider to face steroid questions. Former teammate suing Romanowski over injury in fight + FBI agents raid home of accused steroid dealer Victor Conte + Police killer's competency hearing set + Police arrest suspect in San Mateo rape case + ‘Neighborhood Business: Barrier to entry

Alameda: Hayward: Driver held in crash in which 2 died + Sunol: $5,000 reward posted in 1986 strangling of Dana Lee Ramm + Man sentenced to 18 years for raping, sodomizing girl, 8 + Hayward: Two die in crash, driver suspected of DUI + Fremont: Some alarmed by new police policy + Union City: Smile! You're on red-light camera + Livermore skate park camera vandalized + 90% take Oracle's job offers, firm says + Prosecutor testifies in 'Riders' retrial

Santa Clara: San Jose: Baby's body found wrapped in blanket + S.J.Mountain lion shot after killing goats + Hopes for quicker resolution in salon suits + Abandoned baby found dead + Pedicure lawsuit's lengthy journey + Family struggles with son's vanishing

Contra Costa: Richmond: Road-rage link eyed in shootings of three + Richmond muggers prey on Latinos + Jury hears first testimony in killing of prostitute

Marin: S.F. man arrested in Mill Valley break-in

Sonoma: $25,000 the bank is eager to spend + SR crash probe focuses on car + Laytonville man shot in leg

Napa: Napan on trial for molestation, tried to hire inmate for murders

Monterey: Salinas man cited on gun possession charges

Central Valley: Gang graffiti mars school +Law & Order + Wrong-way driver triggers multiple-vehicle crash in Madera + Wesson jury pool shrinks + Pettis witness changes account

Central Coast: RIP: Peter A. Chang Jr. -- prosecuted killers + Legal fight between Alianza, PVUSD ends in draw+ Cops and Courts

Southern California: Record Label Chief Is Indicted on Money-Laundering Charges + Wife of 'Brady Bunch' star Barry Williams files for divorce + Former LA gym owner arrested in drug money laundering case + Los Angeles Armenian charities get $3 million from insurance settlement + LA archdiocese appeals order to turn over priest files + Insurers Sue Church for Abuse Data + Teen's 'Crush' of Redlands Student Was Fatal, Jury Told + Man Says He Accidentally Killed Mother After She Attacked Him + Predator's Luck Hasn't Run Out Yet + Court Upholds La Habra's Ban Against Lap Dancing + Burglar Drove Himself to Failure + OC: Rodman's Restaurant Sued Over Music Fees + City Hall's stickup

Michael Jackson: Prosecutors want jurors to see documentary on Jackson + MICHAEL JACKSON WANTS SNEDDON TO PERSONALLY TRY CASE+ Lloyd Grove's Lowdown: Jacko aide: resume fire

Blake: Alleged Plot to Kill Wife Unfolds

The Governor:  Gov. accuses Dems of stalling. He threatens to take agenda for change directly to the people + Critics blast Gov.'s reorganization plan + Plan to reduce boards bashed + Some GOP House members have doubts about Gov.'s redistricting idea + Gov. asks White House for help to aid storm areas + Redistricting changes needed + Meal-break rule called power grab + Sorry Arnold, No Two-Picture Deal + Gov., Democrats Argue Over Budget + Governor's finance chief cheerfully lays out gloom +  Quit stalling, Gov. tells Legislature + Poll: Gov's popularity erodes + Democrats do nothing, Gov. says + Public's Renewed Focus on Education Could Teach Gov. a Lesson + Governor's glow fades as school concerns rise + Panel Backs Gov.'s Parole Board Picks +Daniel Weintraub: Lessons for California from Oregon's pension debacle + Pension crossroads

Grape growers to vote in May

PUC may put cell-phone user 'bill of rights' on hold

State Department of Health Services received about $100 million in federal funds to fight bioterrorism, and officials can't account for it Click.

Shelley: Rules set for probe of Shelley + Feds will audit Shelley's use of election reform money + Spokesman: Shelley does not plan to resign and will testify + Shelley insists he won't resign + Editorial: Shelley must go

Bay Bridge: Plans for new Bay Bridge span defended by State transportation officials. Critics say reports portended overruns + Caltrans grilled over bridge costs + Frustration reigns at Caltrans hearing + Governor embraces bridge idea

High Speed Rail: Board OKs likely high speed rail routes, leaves possibility of extra stop + Board OKs likely high-speed rail routes

Stem cells: Stem cell center in capital?

Indian tribes: How gambling can transform East Bay, Jobs, nonprofits boosted in deal OR Mega-casinos will play havoc with region + Napa County joins others for a voice on Indian gaming + Tribe raps San Pablo casino plan + Harassment suit targets Thunder Valley casino + Bruce Babbitt’s Nemesis: Death of an Indian Casino

LOCAL NEWS:  Underfunded national parks must turn away children, study says + Parks teaching needs not being met

Train Crash: Compton man charged with murder in deadly California commuter rail tragedy + Train hits SUV -- 11 die in Glendale. Suicidal man blamed for crash + State leads in railroad suicides, but lacks prevention funds. Billions needed to separate rails from highways + A list of other serious U.S. train accidents + Court records, interviews show picture of troubled man + A Response of Grit and Grace + Concern Grows Over Rail Suicides + Train's Lineup May Have Added to Risk + No instant remedies for 'suicide by train'

Sacramento & north: Firefighter rules in question + Diana Griego Erwin: Firefighter spouses' minds whirl over another department scandal + Optimism on K Street overhaul + Anger erupts as Davis council mulls development

San Francisco, San Mateo: Determined volunteers count homeless people on the street + Most willing to take part -- if you can find them + Homeless death tally endorsed + San Francisco audit reveals how $36,155 was misspent. Chinatown group used funds set for open-space projects + A century later, quake's toll to rise + San Francisco Mission residents air fears of escalating crime. Police panel meeting hears neighborhood plea for more patrols + U.S. water experts to meet at Moscone Center, San Francisco + San Francisco Airport ready for 2006 arrival of Airbus A380 + Smokers not welcome at San Francisco's outdoor attractions + Potrero Power Plant emissions still high + Mayor: Daly City is 'looking good' + Peskin's preemptive strike + Tony's Treasure Island + S.F. environmental panel backs fee for grocery bags

Alameda: Berkeley Council OKs limiting Marin Avenue traffic + Man shot, killed by errant bullet in Hayward + Island renters group wants stricter laws + Leona Quarry project irks neighbors + Hillside herbicides provoking debates + Route 84 not yet eighty-sixed + Opposition builds against Sunol composting facility + + Livermore: Smokers asked to 'butt out' of parks + Livermore valley's big quake recalled 25 years later + Pleasanton women's group aims to educate + Groups debate Pardee measure

Santa Clara: Preserving Hmong treasures + Tiny district won't launch program

Contra Costa: Contra Costa supes set priorities + San Ramon: Dumping problem piling up + Audit reveals upswing for San Ramon + Officials disagree on Plan B limit line + New panel appointee may display limit line leniency + Volunteers count Contra Costa's homeless

Marin: Liberatore: Counting Marin's homeless + Woolsey leads call to bring soldiers home + Official defends lowering of age for retirement to 50 + Garage should open in spring, San Rafael says + San Anselmo orders Hub builder

Sonoma: Good grief, it's a 'Peanuts' invasion + Smith sees Sonoma County finances stabilizing + Woolsey: U.S. should leave Iraq + Developer denied chance to build hillside homes in Napa, files suit against city of Napa + Center field doesn't count as open space

Napa: Napa County joins others for a voice on Indian gaming + Harry Martin revising his campaign ads for mayor

Solano: Vallejo city staff accused of misleading council + State Farm officially opens new office site + Vallejo: Public wants more recreation facilities

Monterey: Bank loan rescues North County band trip + Planners OK proposal for Del Monte Forest + STEVENSON SENIORS SCORE SCIENCE WIN + Outdoor office suits parks official just fine + Seaside demands senior cab fare + Click. 2nd lawsuit:10-year-old Seaside water credits expired, river activists say + Carmel composer gets Oscar nod + County OKs final phase of Rancho San Carlos

Central Valley: Ahlem resigns state ag post+ Stan State professor's boss reacts + Hughson expects loan to be repaid, but it's not known when + Arts center redo needs a little help+ BMX waiting for flag to drop+ McFall corruption trial begins+ C News & Notes+ Around the Region+ Law & Order+ Community Briefing + Time to take step back, get big picture on pets + Cows get whiff of vindication in smog study Click.

Central Coast: S.C. Council votes 4-3 to approve Coast Hotel project + Santa Cruz teachers refuse to post grades online Santa Cruz architect Garmann dies on Teton slopes + Legal fight between Alianza, PVUSD ends in draw + PVUSD officials plan conference trip to New York, raising monetary concerns + County getting less with rent + Crab feed benefits historic Rodgers House + Seacliff shark doing ‘swell’ + Coast Lines + Critics say hotel project will make Santa Cruz too trendy

Southern California: Hahn Calls Valley Safer and More Business-Friendly + Plan to Add 250 LAPD Officers Is Approved + Mission Viejo Hillside Appears Stable for Now, but Residents Remain in Limbo + LA DWP Audit Results Mixed + Riverside Fire Unit Probe in Riverside Co. + Review of Orange County's Pension Risk Sought + LA County Cancels Contract With Foster Care Agency

School days: Berkeley: Upsurge in liberals among Cal freshmen + Hayward: Shrub shapers must get to work -- it just isn't C-S-U-H any more + Sonoma State Green Music Center gets green light from state + Napa Valley College to OK offering sabbaticals to faculty + Future Uncertain for Students Seeking Aid + Jerry Brown Touts Charter Schools Before Gathering of System's Backers in Pasadena + San Juan zeroes in on schools to shutter + San Juan School District Cuts $20 Million in Programs + Marin school districts use accused law firm + San Francisco schools face closure + New S.F. charter school approved + SFSU dorm evicts photographer + Benicia panel reviews school-closure issues + Cash for College workshops planned + Cal Grant application deadline is March 2 + Monterey high school students hold court + Monterey Peninsula College board urged to diversify + Legal fight between Alianza, PVUSD ends in draw + PVUSD officials plan conference trip to New York, raising monetary concerns + State students hold their own on AP testing + Study fuels CSU push for better grad rates + Pleasanton schools may alter elections + Mt. Diablo considers labor pacts + Reports tell of state schools' flaws, strengths + D-Q students say top officials should be ousted

Big jump in treatment for poor AIDS patients. 60% increase in last half year, WHO says

New Zealand to pay compensation to kidney donors

New Cancer Gene Identified By Memorial Sloan-Kettering Scientists

Combination Therapy Boosts Effectiveness Of Telomere-directed Cancer Cell Death

Researchers Find How Protein Allows Insects To Detect And Respond To Pheromones + Why Do Some People Get Bitten By Mosquitoes More Than Others?

Unusual Reproductive Behavior Of Odd Ants Surprises Scientists

Penn Researchers Add More Evidence To Demonstrate Role Of COX Inhibitors In Heart-disease Risk

Use Of Estrogen Therapy May Increase Risk For Gallbladder Disease

Multiple Therapies Curb Declining Ability To Learn With Age

Grapefruit Juice And Medication Can Be A Dangerous Mix

Molecule Predicts Colon Cancer Patient Survival

The Role Of Ethnicity In Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

A Morse Code For Human Cells

Researchers Discover New Fat Gene: Finding May Offer New Target For Controlling Obesity, Diabetes

T Cells Target HIV In A Relationship On The Rebound

Big, Old Fish Key To Restoring Groundfish Stocks

Two Minutes Of Magnetic Stimulation Can Change Your Brain For An Hour

Microsoft Earnings Double; Sales of Windows Software, Xbox Top Forecasts

Net regulation still possible

High-Tech Spacesuits Eyed for 'Extreme Exploration'

Bill Gates, Philanthropy Inc.

Videotape to DVD, Made Easy

B-15A Iceberg's Close Encounter Monitored By Envisat

Student Architect Designs Disaster Relief In A Box

Weighing The Smallest Stars

Huygens Lands In Titanian Mud

FUSE Observations Strengthen White Dwarf Theory

THE BUSHWORLD...

Bush hails mere act of voting a victory for Iraqi democracy

War Costs for US Push Past $200 Billion + How Bush Got Iraq War Cost So Wrong

Kennedy Calls for Troop Withdrawal, Says Military Is Fueling Insurgents

Secretary of state close to Bush, expected to have clout overseas + Rice expected to take first official trip

World leaders mark Auschwitz liberation

Sens. to Introduce 'Stop Government Propaganda Act'

U.S. Seeks to Create UN Tribunal for Darfur Crimes, Sidestep World Court

Paying boosters wrong, Bush says

Bush pushes computerized medical records

Michael Lind: How the US became the world's dispensable nation Click.

Senate panel OKs nominee for attorney general. Straight party-line vote reflects tension over Gonzales' bid

Contentious Defense Official Douglas Feith to Depart

Appeals court to revisit Cheney lawsuit

GOP head wants Giuliani to run vs. Clinton

USDA chief presses Japan on beef trade

Energy nominee plans to keep holdings+ Nuclear Waste Dump Timeline Is Updated

Homeless Count or Are Counted + Counting Homeless a Tough Task

Iraq crisis dominates Bush press conference

Why Bush is coy about his Irish links

As Texas judge, Gonzales heard donors' cases

Social Security: Privatizing Social Security: 'Me' Over 'We' + Race And Social Security: Cynical Politics + Social Security Battle Could Make Bush a Retiree

Congress: Need cold pills? Senate plan would require ID + Woolsey, 24 Dems, ask Bush to withdraw GIs + GOP Congressman Renews Push for Immigration Curbs + Lawmakers call for stepped-up pressure on Sudan + Kerry battling Bush on health care plan + Kennedy calls for troop withdrawal in Iraq+ Senate doctors share interests, not styles + House votes to tighten rules on Congressional Gold Medal awards + Congress shows sadness, division on Iraq+ GOP lawmakers urge IBM-China sale review U.S. government puts 9/11 record online + Meth is targeted in bill by Feinstein + Congress Puts Spyware on Hit List + Talk Simmers in Congress of Plans for Withdrawing U.S. Troops

Democrats: Daily News Exclusive: Hil vs. Pirro in '06?

OPINIONS:

Boxer's spine gets her cut off at the knees

Only chaos is sovereign

Destroying Babylon

Bullets and ballots

BLUMENTHAL: THE TROOPS ARE EXHAUSTED

The Iraq Election: Another Dead End?  

The War Party's Atrocity Porn

Neocons Owe Hersh an Apology

Stupidest guy on the face of the earth resigns

Stardom: Hell, Why Not Send Arnie Instead of KILLER ROBOTS?

As Shiites inherit Iraq, the Arab world trembles

Iraq's election of ghosts

Vote or no vote, we will kill you

Zarqawi vs. Sistani

Can't count on president

Gore Vidal on Bush Cheney Conspiracy

MILITARY  Pentagon Investigating Website Where GIs Post Pictures of Dead Iraqis

Illinois Soldier Detained for Making Bomb Threat Against Unit

US Women Get Closer to Combat

Pentagon Adds Post-Combat Counseling Session to Diagnose Long-Term Trauma

Guard wants to offer $15,000 bonuses

Tank museum

US Navy released first pictures of damage sustained by USS San Francisco attack sub after it collided with underground mountain

LEAKGATES 

U.S. government puts 9/11 record online

Demand Accountability: Sibel Edmonds

Blood for pork....

Russia, Syria eye oil, gas development deals

Iran warns BP it 'will not forget' oil firm's refusal to do business

Kuwait reopens largest oil-gathering center

Boeing wins key 7E7 order from China

Yukos's directors seek political asylum in UK

CONNECT THE DOTS....

Vallejo: Marine World offers hands-on dolphin encounter. Animal rights activists denounce latest attraction

Chris Cane: When memory goes bye-bye

Stardom: Disasters and Poor Nations AIDED By PEOPLE, Not Governments

School a giant chain of sexual connections

Authors Warn Of Inaccuracies Concerning Use Of Race In Health & Social Science Research

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond:  Gay marriage legal fight shifting to Southern California

The Pen Is Mightier.... 

FBI raids BALCO chief's home. Agents seek clues to IDs of Chronicle sources in scandal + FBI Raid Seeks 'S.F. Chronicle' BALCO Source

Dow Jones-MarketWatch deal to result in job cuts

Digging Into Seymour Hersh

A wartime media taboo

No Magazine, but Plenty of Ammo

Researchers Find Way To Make Internet Video More Appealing

Today's papers

Vincent van Gogh The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge  

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

San Francisco Ballet season opens with future on good footing. Artistic director Tomasson marks 20th anniversary

Oakland Port to sponsor new art festival

Philip Johnson Is Dead at 98; Architecture's Restless Intellect

Dave Alvin remembers the L.A. that shaped his musical life

Geeksta rap

Teen angst at Sundance

Divide and conquer

Spain's Moorish inspiration

Turin Shroud 'Older Than Thought'

Secret Nobel Prize dealings

David Denby on Ben Stiller

James Surowiecki on Vioxx

The biggest aqua park with tsunami waves and worshiping chambers to be constructed in Chechnya

Rush & Molloy: Did agent show heirs enough money?

Page Six

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

Election:  Politics popular in Shiite areas + Police Protests Raise Pre-Vote Fears in Najaf + Vote is at risk of inflaming, not taming, the region

War prisons: UK: Don't comment on abuse case, judge tells politicians + Photo-lab worker tells TV show of new Iraq abuse pictures + Soldiers' trial told of orgy of looting + Danish troops charged with abuse

AFGHANISTAN: Bomb Misses a Top Warlord in Afghanistan

IRAN: Intel on Suspect Iran Imports Was Flawed-Diplomats + Straw says Bush backs diplomatic approach to Iran
No common ground with Iran regime, says Rice + India, Pak closer to accord on Iran pipeline: Ayer + Paris, Moscow eye-to-eye on Iran, Iraq and Mideast

MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian Security Forces Deploy in Gaza + Israel will strike if Abbas fails

RUSSIA: Russian diplomats in Finland involved in outrageous sex scandal

Parents of Russian Massacre Victims Protest

EUROPE: Ukraine's Yushchenko prepares to take power, Western course + Ukraine's new chief plans trip to Moscow. Yushchenko to visit Kremlin, Europe after inauguration

Irish appeal court quashes only Omagh bombing conviction

Straw urges Europe to end ban on arms sales to China

ASIA PACIFIC: Military-backed militia sets up Aceh relief effort. Critics fear Laskar group, used in unrest in East Timor, will undermine cease-fire

China Confronts Its Daunting Gender Gap

North Korea Lets In Rescue Ship From the South

AMERICAS:  Mexico evaluates proposal for expatriate voting in 2006

Spain Trial Yields Gruesome Details about Argentine "dirty war"

Randolph T. Holhut: ''The good gringo", the story of Paul Bardwell Click.

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

Retaliation Investigated as Possible Motive for Tip on Boston Terror Threat +Radiation Sensors Deployed as Boston Probes Threat + Boston Cool in the Face of a Terrorism Tip

UC regents to pursue new lab contract to keep management of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory + No competition yet over contract for Lawrence Berkeley + For first time, Cal must bid + UC doesn't plan to lose Berkeley lab

Click.  Livermore Lab chooses Wayne Shotts as deputy director

Many Canadians Barred From U.S. Because of Security Lists

Bashir Had No Role in Bali Blasts, Militant Says

Rice Confirms US Has Contingency Plan for Pakistan Nukes

Software Re-Enacts Rwanda's Genocide

Russian Foreign Ministry criticizes U.S. for accusing Syria of terror ties

Solving the Enigma of Kryptos

Out-of-Work Bomb Makers

Click. MI5 plans Scottish base to target terrorists

Ex-German spy chief arrives home to face corruption trial

Click. Bring Jonathan Pollard Home failed in their most recent effort to free Pollard

New Osama tape, deeper propaganda twists

FBI GRILLS JACK KEMP IN OIL FOR FOOD PROBE

China says nationals warned to shun Iraq amid kidnappings

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

Are American corporate profits declining?

Dow set for worst new-year losing streak since '82

Startups see more venture funding

Silicon Valley does more with less. Profits are up, employment down in high-tech capital

Deutsche Boerse ready to raise stakes in London Stock Exchange battle

Big box meets big brother

Pension tension + Corporate honchos take care of their own first

Malls Fear a Retail Upheaval

JET BLUE, AMERICA WEST Outsource Maintenance to Central America

Cambridge Biotech Company Debuts on Nasdaq, Raising $65 Million

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Biotechnology improves lives in Africa

Vietnam: 7 Humans Dead of Bird Flu; Epidemic Feared

UW chided over bioterrorism lab

Study raises questions about how mad cow infects animals

Infections not listed in BU bid for biolab

Mad cow disease triggered by inflammation

HOW LOW
THE LAW GOES....

"Dubious Dealings" at Hague War Crimes Tribunal

State's Justices Refuse to Delay Connecticut Execution

Frenchman jailed for Cambodian pedophilia 

Couple lost in snowstorm, dials 911 several times, dies

Boyfriend guilty of Jodi murder

Former Philly Mob Boss Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Short Take: Prison guard's death deserves full investigation

Governor sets high bar for clemency. Beardslee case indicates standard will be legal insanity

Sacramento & north: 2 more slain in growing Asian gang war + 'Suicide by cop' attempt at school gets 10-year term + Student found dead at UC Davis + Remains on Klamath River ID'd as missing woman

San Francisco, San Mateo: Man held in robbery of teachers at S.F. school + S.F. airport: Mock grenades left behind after training + S.F. Court upholds ruling against Old Republic, must pay $13. million for pocketing interest on escrow accounts + S.F.: Van pulls alongside car, gunfire kills man + Grenades prove fake at SFO

Alameda: Fremont: Officers to ignore burglar alarms, save about $600,000 a year. They'll respond only if evidence shows a crime occurred + San Leandro: Wal-Mart accused of cheating on pay + Pleasanton doctor faces new charges of fraud + Feds level charges on Pleasanton Doctor Chattha + Witness: I didn't lie to help 'Rider' + Burglary suspect facing 3rd strike + Veteran tries novel approach to paying cab fare: Rob a bank + Former Pleasanton man killed in Oregon

Santa Clara: Police Blotter

Contra Costa: Another attempt to kidnap a boy in Antioch + Bay Point outrage over Verse proposal

Sonoma: Man hurt in SR drive-by shooting + Click.  Mendocino County man to stand trial on attempted murder and kidnapping charges for leaving a 9-year-old Willits girl for dead + New life ends abruptly for shooting victim

Napa: Judge tosses civil suit of former athletic club owners

Monterey: Burglary suspects arrested + Gang member Joseph (J.D.) Horne guilty of murder + Marina man suspected of molesting girls + 2 arrests in homicide cases

Central Valley: 14 new counts alleged against Daniloo, DreamLife by Alameda D.A. + Defender shies from Sabatino + No clues in 18-year-old killings+ Law & Order

Central Coast: Clients back sanctioned law firm: Ethics training ordered for firm representing P.V. schools + Cops and Courts + Santa Cruz man arrested in fatal Soquel collision

Southern California: Paddy wagons could get cops back on street + LAX crime drops for fourth year in a row + Riverside teen says brother admitted to killing mother + Socal man to stand trial in art fraud case + LA man indicted for smuggling Clarion angelfish into U.S. + Pawnshops Lend Hand in Tracking Stolen Goods + LA: Court Dismisses Doctor's Claims he was improperly suspended + Man in Cab Is Killed in Santa Ana + San Diego purveyor of illicit pills grew rich before his fall Click.

Jackson: Jackson judge to allow testimony by expert on molestation cases

The Governor:  Gov. makes inauguration appearance + Gov. Draws a Crowd in Capital Visit + As Private Jails Reopen, Critics See Long Arm of the Lobbyist close to Gov. + Medical Board Faces Revision or Death + Can Gov. fight spending monster without becoming a monster himself? + Assembly speaker attacks Gov.'s spending plan + Speaker: Gov.'s budget a product of 'right wing think tanks' + More speaker attacks + State workers blast Gov.'s plan + CalPERS fights on pension proposal + Democrats team up to tackle budget

Little California public work goes overseas. Auditors say $9.7 in 3 years

State is tops in recreational boats

Dan Walters: It's official proof that California's tax system is a corrosive mess

Input sought by California Law Revision Commission on homeowners groups

Battle is building over update of state's construction code Click.

Legislature: Bill would add exams for disability pensions + Senate Fellows applications sought

Stem cell panel: Stem cell holdings criticized + East Bay v. Palo Alto fight on stem cell research

Indian tribes: D-Q University, California tribal college: End of the road? +  Feinstein to attempt to block big tribal casino in San Pablo + Alameda council adds voice to casino outcry + Horse racing industry fearful of Indian casinos + Investigation targets off-track betting books at tribal casinos

LOCAL NEWS:  Visitors cap at one   option for Yosemite Click.

Mystery oil spill from Santa Barbara to Huntington Beach draws UC Davis team

Sacramento & north: 3 landowners question ballot plan for arena + W. Sac plans riverside growth + Wi-Fi's new hot spots + R.E. Graswich: Polls apart: Arena survey results aren't being released like last time + Bishop finds peace in work with tribes in Arizona + Yolo cities express interest in joining SMUD + Davis to hold 2nd housing workshop + SACOG chairman takes his post + Tsunami benefit in Davis

San Francisco, San Mateo: Old St. Mary's celebrates 150 years as part of evolving city + Business pushes S.F. 'to get things done', want to overhaul civil service rules + Admissions dispute at Laguna Honda. Doctor says new policy shortchanges elderly residents + Nonprofits face huge federal cuts + Bush protesters fill city streets + Board to have say in parties at Cow Palace + Friday fishwrap: Ploys, plays, pros

Alameda: UC Berkeley growth plan could trigger city lawsuit + Berkeley mayor says he'll seek compromise before filing suit vs. UC + Oakland women to get free home-buying advice + San Leandro extends ban on new marijuana clinics + Lee joins group headed for Darfur + Fremont Muslims embark on holy journey + Heavy fog blamed for multiple collisions + Park police credit cell phone for finding lost hiker + Utilities board picks site for Fremont water valve + Livermore home remains no-fly zone + Homeless find hope at migrant facility + Trash in the Tributaries

Santa Clara: Less affordable housing, more open space in Silicon valley + In an instant, lives full of promise take tragic turn, Tammie Chen dies + More City Hall e-mail fallout + Council contender eats his words + Root rot claims landmark from '60s + Beach hotel plan draws fiery response + Resignation leaves void in councilman's district + Bay Area activists protest `coronation' with songs, parody + Mercury News sues San Jose for release of city employee salaries + Chung: Pro, con of bridge suicide project + $1,000 checks distributed to residents displaced by fire + Charity ball feeling effects of tsunami aid + Bay Area Extra

Contra Costa: New signs fail to halt Vasco crashes in fog + Richmond assistant city manager resigns + Danville nears goal for O'Neill tribute + Buchanan Field not likely to move

Marin: Mosquito control chief faces heavy opposition + Marin schools decry Gov.'s plan + Inauguration wows Marin Republicans + MALT buys 714-acre West Marin dairy + Outage turns Santa Venetia cafe owner off + Cooking up a mess of kindness + Branson launches program on ethics

Sonoma: Latest plan for SR landmark + Petaluma: Search begins for new bus yard + Rancho Adobe fire district cuts hours, jobs + City trash rate hike draws fire + Petaluma council to outline goals for new year + Adobe Creek salmon run thrills students + Mentors lend an ear to youths + SR, county seeking contract for towing + In RP, plans for Wilfred Avenue interchange

Napa: Locals protest inauguration + Click.  Napa candidates tout credentials, suggest ways for easing city's budget woes + Union may ask customers to boycott some markets

Solano: Vallejoan heartened, inspired by events + In Benicia and elsewhere, Californians stage protests + Benicia closer to pact on playing fields + Local News Briefs + Damelio reschedules three appearances

Monterey: Residents revel in being witness to parade of support, protest

Central Valley: Merced posse a highly visible representative of valley contingent in D.C. + Drivers find rocky going on highway after spill+ Lunch cut may not last too long+ Patterson backs 'big box' law + Homeless count to help county grasp magnitude + Water decisions juggled + A Journey of Faith+ D. Dates, former Bee manager+ Ex-Stan State professor helped troubled children+ News & Notes+ Around the Region+ Community Briefing + Guard unit not coming to Castle; everyone pays + San Joaquin Valley misses particle pollution deadline again Click.

Central Coast: Santa Cruz protesters question Bush’s mandate + Watsonville protesters rally against war, for environment + Criticism flies over new UC position + Mayor pans conference center report + Demand for Watsonville library’s computers answered with Wi-Fi Web access + Capitola wants to operate as a business + Coast Lines

Southern California: Thousands raised for Hahn defense + Mayoral hopefuls stump for business + History buffs fight proposal to move train depot + Political vipers + LA cracks down on foster care abuses + Search ends for boy believed drowned in fast-moving SoCal creek + Actors unions reach three-year contract agreement with producers + Orange County diocese launches long-awaited expansion + L.A. candidates Debate Economic Issues + Hahn's Legal Bills on the Rise + Controversial Chief Investor in Tenet Hospital Sale to Be Replaced + Penalties Grow in L.A. Ethics Probe + Villaraigosa Announces Plan for Affordable Housing + Glendale Retail Project Clears a Legal Hurdle + LA councilman Cardenas to Pay FPPC Fine

School days: Sierra College chief bids tearful farewell + CSUS leader wants school renamed Sacramento State + Modesto schools shy of goals + San Francisco: Ackerman says she plans to stay. Schools chief, new board president to talk + Oakland students competing to design future city  + Mistakes plague SFUSD accounts + S.F. District has checkered history with bonds + SoCal air quality watchdog sues BP affiliate for $183 million + Californian charged in Philadelphia hotel shooting + Lawyers seek $12 million in punitive damages in bribery case vs. San Bernadino public officials and landfill executive + OC: Santiago Fights to Keep Charter despite teachers arrest on suspicion of sex with student + $60 million plan for West Contra Costa schools approved + New UC post irks workers union + Newark teachers vote on contract + Physical changes coming soon to Las Positas + CSUMB has room to improve, president says + Smith: 'Attack, attack, attack' + Farm-to-school programs catch on + Proposed busing boundaries rile AmCan parents + Petaluma school district's cuts won't be overturned

Spinal Cord Injury Patients Show Improvement In Early Device Study

CDC advises broader usage of anti-HIV drugs

Power gene in cancer growth found. A key new target for drugs

Senior drug addicts increasing

Take two tea bags and call me...

Biggest mass extinction tied to global warming, culprit was volcanic gases

50,000-Year-old Plant May Warn Of The Death Of Tropical Ice Caps

Titan's Streams Like Earth's

Norway's Grey Wolves at the Brink

Russian and British scientists develop new facial implant for children

Loggerhead turtles in serious decline

Ground-Breaking Research Into Effect Of Millimetric Waveband (MMW) Frequencies On Human Skin

Heart Failure Patients Treated For Diabetes With Insulin Have Increase In Mortality

Scientists Detect Probable Genetic Cause Of Some Parkinson's Disease

Brain Tumor Study Reveals Why Treatment Efforts Fail In Genetic Disorder

Consumers To Benefit From Organic Potato Breakthrough

Researchers Tease Out One Critical Role Of Tumor-suppressor Gene

Genetic Polymorphisms, Antidepressant Use May Be Associated With Altered Tamoxifen Activity

Study Of Chernobyl Residents Uncovers New Cause Of Thyroid Cancer

Protein In Urine May Warn Of Preeclampsia Risk In Pregnant Women

Weight Loss May Be An Early Sign Of Dementia In The Elderly

Colonoscopy Found To Be Most Effective Though Alternative Methods Show Promise

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Is Safe, Effective In Older Patients

Poor Response To Chemotherapy Does Not Mean Poor Outcome For Patients With Rare Breast Cancer

New Guidelines Conclude All Aerosol Therapy Devices Equally Effective

'Evil Twin' Hotspots Are A New Menace For Internet Users, Warns Cranfield University

Hack a day - www.hackaday.com

Microsoft cuts 62 software jobs

Electronics giants form alliance

Discovery Poses Cosmic Puzzle: Can A 'Distant' Quasar Lie Within A Nearby Galaxy?

Rapidly Rotating Star Dubbed 'King Of Spin' By Research Team

A Stellar Debut For Gemini Observatory's Online Image Gallery

Dwarf Galaxy Has Giant Surprise: Huge Gas Disk May Be Similar To Stuff Of Early Universe

THE BUSHWORLD...

Nuclear threat puts Iran at top of list, Cheney says. Israel might act first, vice president warns + U.S. Adds Israel to the Iran Equation

World media: Bush inaugural a jolt

Wolfowitz: Iraqi Deaths Show US Strategy Works

Bush to Boost AIDS Funding; Critics Say More Needed

FCC's Powell to Leave Agency in March -- Source

Norwegians confused by Bush's apparent Satanic salute

Senate confirms two Bush Cabinet nominees

Bush Administration Issues Final Rules for Medicare Drug Benefit

US to Be Aussie Nuclear Dump

Medicare to Give Employer Drug Subsidies in 2006 for 9.8 Million Americans

EPA Offers to Limit Fines to Factory Farms in Exchange for Data

Government to Allow Oil Exploration in Ecologically Sensitive Alaska Area

Inauguration speech: President taps into religion, American idealism + Resolute Bush pledges to spread democracy + Aggressive agenda forged in fire of 9/11+ Christian right marks start of `a good 4 years' + Black churches: Bush speech tests faith of an L.A. pastor + Bush puts his own spin on 'freedom'. Left's mainstay word recast in economic terms, analyst says + Putting Democracy First May Test Key Relationships

Social security: Social Security lessons + White House Looks to Sweeten Social Security Plan + Social Security Reform Tops Hispanic Agenda

Vote fraud: Washington judge refuses to speed up GOP challenge + Ohio AG wants to sanction those attorneys who fought vote fraud + Ohio's GOP Attorney-General launches revenge attack on Election Protection legal team + Bush/Rove's new Ohio attack is about revenge, intimidation and contempt for American democracy

OPINIONS:

Wm Blum: Imperial wonderland

Schorr: A spin cycle out of control

PEGGY NOONAN ON BUSH SPEECH

Morford: Suffering From News Fatigue? 

No Country Left Behind

What Chance for Reality?: Alan Bock

Kirkuk at the Crossroads: Aaron Glantz

Bush: The Crusade Must Go On Click.

Abdicating the Moral High Ground

Super Zero: Mr. Uncredible Bush goes on the warpath

W and Dostoevsky: Justin Raimondo

Next stop, Tehran

What's the lesson here for the Dems?

A fire is lit that could burn us, too

Freedom's call may lead us in wrong ways

Our self-interest; thus, the world's

Just Shut Up, John Kerry!

The idol worship of George W. Bush

Condoleezza Rice's academic background

Once They Were Cults: Bush's Faith-Based Social Services

Jenna's hand signal means "Hook 'em horns" in Texas, "bullshit" in sign language. Click.

Anthony Kennedy Shriver to run for Florida governorship? Click.

Greg Palast: Oaf of office

Robin Cook: Fireworks in Washington, despair around the world Click.

Krugman: The free lunch bunch

MILITARY Citing Problem, Marines Halt Osprey Flights

US Charges Conscientious Objector With Desertion

Military Offers Special Perks in Bid to Retain Special Forces

Military Reloads With Nanotech

An Interview with Army Medic and Anti-War Activist Patrick Resta

FBI fights for limited document searches re: FOIA requests

Loud, peaceful protest interrupts Bush speech. Code Pink activists access VIP section -- and get expelled

A.C.L.U. Will Consider Disciplining 2 Officials

Antiwar Groups Oppose Univ. Hawaii Navy Research Center

When Big Brother starts outsourcing its snooping

Beijing’s blog problem

Wife to seek medical parole for activist held in China

CHINESE SHOW OFF REPENTANT FALUN GONG

CONNECT THE DOTS....

No longer motorcycle mamas, women moving up to front seat

The Industry of Addiction: Carmex

New book on Judi Bari

FEMA pulls tsunami game from Web site

Terror rock n roll

An Invasion Of Cheats: The Evolution Of Worthless Nuptial Gifts

Blood for pork....

Deaths of U.S. Contractors Probed

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond:  Yellow and Porous and Outed + (PDF FILE) IRST GENOME SCAN OF MALE SEXUAL ORIENTATION PUBLISHED + Italy finally ready to recognize the suffering of gays in Holocaust camp + Canadian Prime Minister threatens "snap election" over gay marriage + Alleging Pro-Gay Agenda, Conservatives Criticize Tolerance Video Featuring Muppets and SpongeBob SquarePants

The Pen Is Mightier.... 

Iraqi station wins listeners--and threats

Santa Barbara News-Press names new publisher, vice president of news

Howard Stern on alleged unfair actions by the FCC

4 months on planet Bin Laden

Today's papers

Vincent van Gogh The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge  

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

Crumbling Catholic Mission Holds the Sacred Heart of a Town's Past

Paul Liberatore: Entertainment milestone for Marin Center Presents

'Da Vinci Code' to Be Shot Inside Louvre

Hollywood heads to the hills as Sundance film festival begins + Shall We Do the Tech Sundance? + Sundance kicks off on political note + REDFORD OPENS SUNDANCE 'FESTIVAL OF DISSENT'

Loyalty Prevails Over Money in Guggenheim Showdown

George Orwell - Orwell on Orwell

Possible da Vinci workshop uncovered

All is forgiven: Chew-happy dog saves owner in Spokane fire

Stiller, Standing

Looking for the site where Richard III really died

Original Picasso sells on Costco site

Page Six

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

Election: Rebel editor now stumps for votes. Election campaign picks up steam despite violence + New Yorker journalist corroborates murder allegations against Iraq's prime minister

War prisons: Judge tosses 1 Guantanamo suit; 2nd case in the works + Britons accused of abuse. Basra prison photos show graphic scenes of inmates wronged + British Leaders Seek to Contain Damage From Iraq Abuse Photos + What Is Wrong With Torture: Engelhardt/Schell + 'We were only following orders'. But whose orders? + Abuse 'was not confined to one camp' + Britain slow to learn from Abu Ghraib

MIDDLE EAST: Security talks on again in Mideast. Palestinians offer plan to curb rockets + Hundreds of Palestinian security forces head to north Gaza to stop attacks + U.S., Israeli Pressure Prompts Official's Exit as head of UN relief agency for Palestinians + Two Palestinian boys killed by IDF gunfire in Jenin and southern Gaza + Hamas v. Abbas: A profile of the Qassam Brigades, the lethal wild card at the Mideast peace table

RUSSIA: Oil politics and the mockery of democracy

EUROPE: Poland's ruling party likely to fall amid scandals

ASIA PACIFIC: Chinese villagers revert to communism with hefty dose of capitalism

Moscow stands firm on Korean standoff

AMERICAS: COLOMBIA: Calling All Bounty Hunters

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

Bostonians Wary Amid FBI Manhunt, Possible Threat + 6 sought after tip alleging 'dirty bomb' + San Diego area is origin of terror inquiry Click.

UN put in charge of coordinating tsunami warning system

Biden describes Gadhafi's stated motives

Iran Launched Hunt Operations to Find US Commandos

Cleric accused of handing $20 million check to bin Laden

Richard Bernstein: EU vs. U.S. vs. China - Partnership paradoxes

Sharon urges Russian President Putin not to sell advanced missiles to Syria

Smoke Signals for Explosives

The dangers of silencing Saudi dissent + Saudis caught in a vicious cycle

Bulgarian Official Vows Govt to Open Communist Secret Services Archive

DOE weighs random polygraph tests

In Age of Security, Firm Mines Wealth Of Personal Data

Zimbabwe breaks up South Africa spy ring

Russia scraps two Soviet-era subs

Intelligence agents reappointed by Burma junta

Saudis Cleared in 9/11 Cases

HOW LOW
THE LAW GOES....

Supreme Court weighs primary-election case+ Cell Tower Case Beamed to High Court

On Their Own on Death Row in Georgia without lawyers

Drug-lord inmates, corruption eroded Mexican prison's security Click.

Jury awards $75m in drunken fan case

Secrets of who pays what to Sicilian Mafia revealed for first time

Prosecuting Mom and Dad

PARENTS DENYING CHILD ACCESS MAY BE TAGGED

Lawyers Gather to Plan Attack on Merck Over Vioxx

Judge Upholds Warrantless Search of Scrushy's HealthSouth Office

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Murderer slipped quietly into death + Beardslee execution is silent, efficient + Fiery debate likely to surround next Calif inmate up for clemency

Lawyers, workers file lawsuit challenging workers comp disability regulations

State Fish & Game President official Intervened in Friend's Sentencing

Marjie Lundstrom: Judge tries to rein in serial litigant's 'extortion' under disability law

Sacramento & north: Letter claims arson devices as eco-terror + Second suspect ruled out in killing of stockbroker + Corn dogs, theft suspect found in car + Police probe spray-painting of racial epithet in Elk Grove + Driver investigated in fatal accident after CHP reads about it in The Bee + Rancho Cordova: Hundreds of marijuana plants seized

San Francisco, San Mateo: Blond boy, age 4 -- nobody claims him. Woman who may be his mother is a missing person + Body IDd as man missing off tour boat + Daughters file federal suit in father's death, crushed by postal truck

Alameda: 3 Wal-Mart ex-workers' suit claims timecards were faked + Berkeley, Bay Area: Crackdown on seat-belt scofflaws + Drive-by shooting leaves girl, 15, in critical condition + Alameda: Racers crash; police surprised no deaths + Riders prosecutor called back

Santa Clara: Action Line: Scam turns out to be sham + Police Blotter

Contra Costa: Bay Point: Convicted predator Cary Verse to reside in cottage behind law offices + Man, 84, charged in investment scam. Intricate scheme cost St. Mary's College $112 million pledge + Theft of school money called sophisticated + Verse set to settle in Bay Point + Colbrandt a victim in school scam, police say + Pleasanton meth lab seized; three arrested + Task force reports on agriculture in Tri-Valley + El Cerrito piano teacher arrested for molestation + Pleasanton OKs work on plan for housing near BART station

Marin:  Outrageous treatment of 82-yr-old by Kaiser, Judge Sutro stops hospital eviction by Jim Scanlon + Bullets about the Sarah Nome Story by Karen Nakamura + Marin Superior Court update January 2005 by Scanlon

Sonoma: Gang turf spreads to Santa Rosa. As Sonoma County's population soars, towns once known for Wine Country living must fight a big-city problem + Santa Rosa: Mental evaluation ordered for mom in son's death from heat in minivan. Results could determine whether she'll go to prison + Water park sues SR school district + Attorneys vie to replace judge Laurence Sawyer + Another Guerneville murder arrest + Prison evaluation for minivan death + Court barred teen from driving before fatal SR crash

Napa: Bel Aire Plaza tenant goes to court, says she's being forced out

Solano: Local woman found dead in her car in Tracy + Man claims he was stabbed on the way to liquor store

Monterey: School district law firm sanctioned by judge + Charges filed against victim of home-invasion who shot intruder + Inmate may face escape charge

Central Valley: Burglary has bus drivers on phone + Sex offender offered new home at lawyer's office + Law & Order

Central Coast: Couple sentenced for illegal legal work + One-day traffic crackdown nets 210 citations by 21 officers + Santa Cruz events commemorate Roe v. Wade ruling + Cops and Courts

Southern California: Former Inglewood officer speaks after winning $1.6 million award in discrimination suit + Michael Jackson's defense asks that accuser not be called 'victim' + Friend says Blake was determined to keep baby from Bakley + Former PTA president pleads guilty to having sex with minor + Judge moves L.A.'s overbilling case against Fleishman-Hillard to another county + Man who alleged faked death to avoid molest charges will be returned to California + Deukmejian presents results of probe into corpse-selling scandal at UCLA + Answer to Scandal: Barcodes in Cadavers+ Buyer of missing Arizona couple's boat faces separate theft case + Fire at Kern County oil refinery injures three workers + Council Wants Inattention Ruling Erased From Books as Legal Precedent + S. B. Wants Bribery Trio Squeezed + Troubled Life Led to Tragedy + Author Testifies on Role in Blake Investigation + OC: Tape Gives Two Sides of Defendant + Simi Teen Gets 9 Months for Racial Attack + Closed Court Sought for Young Jackson Witnesses + Ex-policeman says Robert Blake wanted to 'whack' Bonny Bakley + Jury recommends San Marino police should pay millions to coach re: false arrest for molestation + 'Bumfights' producers may face jail time Click.

The Governor: British judge rules libel case vs. Gov. will go ahead + 'Stooges' remark draws few yuks + Amid Broken Promises, Many Begin to Doubt Schwarzenegger + Gov. caught in a trap set by his own promises Click. + Gov.'s Budget Reforms On The Ballot? Click. + Senate Democrats plan their own bold budget ideas + Perata says Democrats will come up with bold ideas to counter Gov.

State offers amnesty for back taxes. Up to $600 million expected to make a small dent in deficit

Armed with new report, senator will reintroduce health care plan + State health care for all gets support

Workers’comp injured hold protest

Home-care standoff

Analyst: Coastal land may be lost

3 more file to run for Matsui's seat

CalPERS Web site draws fire

Study: Kids' mental health care mixed

Survey: Record number of Californians, young and nonwhite residents voted in 2004

Ax poised over California military bases

Caltrans delay cost millions

Truck toll routes pitched as traffic cure

Indians: Battle over San Pablo casino is heating up + The IRS probes use of tax-exempt bonds for the Cabazon Band's new Indio resort Click. + Governor's proposed budget would double gambling panel's staff Click.

LOCAL NEWS:  About 1,500 jumbo squid wash onto Southern California beaches

Sacramento & north: El Dorado supervisors to discuss bike plan + Talks to begin on Kings arena plan + County's mental health outlook brighter than most + Obituary: Founder put her heart into taco houses + Woodland man dies in truck crash + Two accidents - one fatal - near levee + Supplement firm backs sports event

San Francisco, San Mateo: Thousands expected at anti-abortion march. Lower-key approach tailored for area; counterprotest set + Mayor Newsom in D.C. den of Republican lions. He brushes off Democratic criticism while making rounds + San Mateo: Power line drops in protected habitat. PG&E delayed in repairing outage for 25,000 customers + New audit committee gets rules panel OK + D.C. hotel workers OK pact, synchronized contract with S.F. now abandoned + Golden Gate officials angry with filmmaker who recorded suicides + San Francisco, frustrated by rising homicides, tries handgun ban + New S.F. jail plagued by problems + Old 'relic' still in use + Caen: Delete when the weirdness mounts + Amid deficit, S.F. weighs tsunami aid

Alameda: Trucks-only toll lanes urged for East Bay by think tank + Berkeley Council OKs 115-foot downtown building + Oakland council postpones Police Dept. audit + S.F. police staffing reaches 'crisis' + Dublin considers joining ADA fight

Santa Clara: Police called heroes in San Jose apartment fire Popular Indian diner in trouble + Residents escape S.J. blaze + Studies: Kids benefit from flu shots + Herhold: Executions are twisted logic + Settlement in trail dispute + Produce pilfering + East P.A. questions cost of landing grocery store + S.J. Unified to weigh school closings tonight Pulling the plug on Powell scuttlebutt + Cultural players honored at Tech + Roadshow: Study urges toll lanes for rigs

Contra Costa: Half-dozen crashes on fog-shrouded Vasco Road + Controversial Alamo house proposal still undecided + Richmond sets schedule for its seismic repairs + Landmark Walnut Creek restaurant to bid adieu + Pleasanton's welcome will grow warmer + San Ramon Plan for 60 new houses moves ahead

Marin: Sausalito: Pact on developing Fort Baker. City and National Park Service agree to limit number of rooms in the project + Deal sets up $55 million overhaul at Fort Baker + CEQA Review Required For House On Creek By Tomales Bay Association + Officials leery of man who shot film of GG Bridge + Board cautious about Sutter's hospital plan + Boy, injured dog reunited after ordeal in Mexico + Sausalito raises tax on hotel rooms

Sonoma: Rohnert Park residents face big hike in sewer rates + Ukiah seeks to limit medical pot

Napa: Study shows promise in fight against sharpshooters

Solano: New math: Division of students + Fish and Wildlife exits M.I. in May + Teams assembled to solve school problems + Administrator no-shows at Roundtable meeting + Council at odds over police station + American Canyon City Council + Local News Briefs

Monterey: Board ponders leadership options + Animal rights group takes credit for deer release + Local dentists bring smiles to Cambodia + + Alisal teachers protest no contract + Pacific Grove city attorney put on defense

Central Valley: Hookups to water system going up + Twist in Carmen Sabatino saga: Are CEO and Simon behind charges?+ Officers' funerals should sound unique + Helping in a time of need + Rising home values to benefit troubled fire district + Sports complex a budget buster + Outsider to audit Patterson finances+ Vernal pool meetings next week + Children's Hospital expansion planned+ News & Notes+ Around the Region+ Community Briefing + Wasco inmate shot with foam projectile, Walmart applies to expand in Fresno, Tulare teens shoot police officers + Abundance of rain stocks Hogan Reservoir for year + Manteca may be fined for pollution violations

Central Coast: Santa Cruz Coast Hotel opposition speaks out at forum + Family of famed rocker Ritchie Valens plans concert in Watsonville marking 1959 plane crash anniversary + Report says county is ‘financially fit’: Expert calls study ‘absurd’ + County tops in state for funding mental health care + Live Oak board seat finally filled + Double Shot comes to Boardwalk + Semi-truck full of squid overturns, knocking out power to Aromas residents + Elkhorn Slough gets new land + A tame gross-out game at Watsonville youth center + Surfer survives trip to Thai island of Phuket + Watsonville designer sees change for the better in industrial area + Coast Lines

Southern California: Villaraigosa's Campaign Tries to Recapture Spark + Line Drawn in Sand Over Playa del Rey Dunes Project + L.A. Monolith Mural in Need of a Face-Lift + MTA Panel OKs Proposal to Expand 710 Freeway + OC: Hearings on Sale of 4 Hospitals Start Today + Thousand Oaks: Former Candidate Settles Case + Hahn Proposes Bond for Affordable Housing + Film Fest Fades Out of Pomona + LA: Audit Says Foster-Care Unit Should Lose Its County Pact + OC: Roman Catholic Church Forms 2 New Parishes + L.A.'s Air War + 'It's wrong-way L.A.' + Mayor pushes bond on housing + Mayoral hopefuls meet + $3 billion San Gabriel Mountains toll tunnel urged + City panel OKs plans for hotel tax breaks + Hardball politics

School days: 9,000-plus students interested in new UC Merced + San Juan Unified school closures weighed + Woodland, Davis drop special-ed takeover bid + Turlock school takes on new life + Berkeley: 3rd-graders raise money to keep deaf 3-year-old in private school. Boy's family can't afford the $25,000 annual tuition + Pimco founder and wife give $23 million to Duke University + Suspect in 1969 Killing Will Testify Next Week + New schools, campus fixes eyed for West Contra Costa + Former Martinez school chief ousted + Few students finish college in six years + Public opines on alternatives for Union City schools + Professor's Anatomy Web Quiz Garners Quarter-million-plus Hits

Drink a Day May Help Women Stay Sharp

Meteor Impact Theory Takes a Hit

Tests Identify Cancer 'Ringleaders'

Hot-Water Worms May Use Bacteria as Shield

Nose Spray to Help Lose Weight

Mouse Experiment on Clearing of Brain Plaques May Offer Hope in Alzheimer's Research

Component Of Plastic Stimulates Growth Of Certain Prostate Cancer Cells

Good News From Big Bad Black Holes

Combining Hormones With External, Internal Radiation Helps High Risk Prostate Cancer Patients

Gorillas In The Midst Of Extinction

Human Complexity And Diversity Spring From A Surprisingly Few (Relatively Speaking) Genes

Heart-stopping Antibodies

Scientists Reveal Molecular Secrets Of The Malaria Parasite

Pitt Scientists Study How Cancer Cells Get Out Of Control

'Old-Fashioned' Gonad Capsule A Simple And Effective Method For Blocking Radiation To Testes From MDCT Scan

USC Researchers Find Evidence That Progesterone Signaling Influences Ovarian Cancer Risk

Genome Comparison Of Four Campylobacter Strains Yields New Genetic Markers And Clues To Virulence

Mayo Clinic Researchers Report Success In New Molecular Breast Imaging Technique

Scientists Decipher Genome Of Bacterium That Helps Clean Up Major Groundwater Pollutants

K-Staters Research Willingness To Engage In Minor Moral And Legal Violations

Gadgets still don't talk to each other

Safe E-Mailing for Dummies

Sega Takes Leash Off Robot Dog

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission Takes Shape

See-through Galaxy: Revealing The Milky Way's Center

NASA Goes 'Down Under' For Shuttle Mapping Mission Finale

THE BUSHWORLD...

Bush launches term with vow to spread freedom + Ailing Chief Justice, Looking Frail, Swears in Bush + Text of inauguration speech + Golden State tops list of gala donors

Americans Oppose Invading Iran

Cheney: Cheney expresses concern that Israel may attack Iranian nuclear targets + Cheney thought Iraq would recover quickly + Cheney admits miscalculation with Iraq

Supreme battle likely over justices

Health nominee ready for Medicaid changes + States press Bush, Congress on Medicaid

Rice: Cabinet Votes Stall in Senate+ Dems seek Senate debate on Rice. Panel votes approval, but Boxer pushes to extend discussion + Senate Democrats extract promise from Rice + Sneider: Rice taps Stanford expert for post + Rice: Geneva Conventions Don't Apply to Terrorists

Gonzales: Senate panel delays vote on Gonzales. Attorney general designate still likely to be confirmed + Gonzales: CIA Exempt From Torture Ban

Bush appoints two to NRC

Cabral sworn in as U.S. treasurer

GOP Sees Outreach Potential in Agenda

Medicare coverage expands to surgically implanted heart-shocking devices

Airline Drinking Water Flunks EPA Tests

Life insurers fighting major Bush initiative

Techies Talk Tough in D.C.

Congress: Specter committed asbestos liability bill + Congresswomen endorse abortion opponent Roemer for DNC chairmanship

Democrats: Kerry, Democrats on hand for inaugural + Dean gaining early momentum in DNC race + Sen. Clinton urges use of faith-based initiatives + Michael Moore's bodyguard arrested on gun charge at JFK

Vote fraud: Early exit polls overstated Kerry results, media group says

OPINIONS:

Condi Rice, steady on toward disaster

Boxer on the offensive

It's all about the victory

New slant on a Teflon presidency

Bush's Democracy Project

A nation of religious illiterates

What will Bush's legacy be?

Same man, different president

Dying for Sycophants: Paul Craig Roberts

Bush: Unfazed...or Unhinged?: Teresa Whitehurst

Scheer: Pomp and Improper Circumstance

Bush the master of delusion

Ellis Henican: A party that's beyond belief Click.

Maureen Dowd: Don't know much about algebra

Lifestyles of the Rich and Heartless

Bush legacy. Is Jeb next?

Ivins: Henhouses stuffed with foxes

Protests Share Inaugural Spotlight Amid Tightest Security in Event History

Harvard's president apologizes for remarks. 'Innate differences' comment drew women's criticism

Spain's bishops reject stand on condoms. Church spokesman condoned their use to prevent AIDS

Political hero's 'burial' of disgrace

MILITARY Navy reassigns submarine commander who grounded sub

Children make deadly soldiers in the world's rebel groups

Army Scrounging to Boost Troops in Iraq

CONNECT THE DOTS....

Rancher fights for his truck

Diana Griego Erwin: Sounding a battle cry for wild horses who have lost federal protection

American shows up to help -- finds himself in charge. Chef for rock bands starts medical center

Hard job of blowing the whistle gets harder

JPMorgan acknowledges links to slavery, apologizes

Chinese to Overtake U.S. Net Use

Blood for pork....

U.S. Contractor Slain in Iraq Had Alleged Graft

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

What Is Driving The Rise In Over The Counter Drugs?

New York Apartment Buyers Face Powerful Co-Op Boards

Verizon's Deferred Tax Liabilities Too High?

Junk queen tries stocks

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Weill Cornell Team Develops Fast-acting Anthrax Vaccine

Rare Pneumonia in Iraqi Soldiers

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond: Group sees gay hook in cartoon. SpongeBob alarms conservative activists + Right to reject gay rites gets 1st OK. U.S. judge upholds Florida's refusal of Massachusetts law + UC hires lesbian partner of new UC Santa Cruz chancellor. Creates $192,000 post + For gay marriage, a defining role

The Pen Is Mightier.... 

Staff of Paris' Left-Wing 'Liberation' to Vote on Rothschild Deal

Prosecutor: 'NYT' Must Turn Over Phone Records in Islamic Charities Inquiry

Letter to the Editor Causes a Mistrial

Bronstein's Celeb Connections Pay Off for 'S.F. Chronicle'

Espionage by any other name

Like It or Not, Blogs Have Legs

Easily Unhinged

Today's papers

Vincent van Gogh The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge  

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

Marin Weekend: Grab some crab - and don't forget the wine

Pilgrims 'stone Satan' as Muslims mark Adha festival

Michael Moore nominated for "Fahrenheit 9/11" by Directors Guild

Guggenheim Loses Top Donor in Rift on Spending and Vision

Ancient Hominid Found in Ethiopia Is Yielding Teeth Like the Apes'

Jacqui Parker has got it going on

Jazz Great Endorses Reading the Paper 'Round Midnight, and at Other Times

Nanny cleans up at theatre awards nominations

Former Nazi camp to host Israeli opera

Blackpool Pleasure Beach launches school for magicians

'Look at me - I'm dying!'

Sundance Online Adjusts Focus

Rush & Molloy: Paris vs. porn seller: Girl gone wild?

Lloyd Grove's Lowdown

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

Election: Slates Still Blank for Iraqi Voters + Push for Sunni voters enters critical days

War prisons: Guantanamo Prepares for Renovations + Pictures of Abuse in Iraq Stun UK Court Martial + The Nuremberg Principles, Iraq and Torture + Lawyers Describe Guantanamo Detainees as Emaciated, Abused

MIDDLE EAST: 2 killed in Gaza bombing. 8 Israelis wounded in defiance of Abbas' call to halt attacks + Abbas and Militants Meet in Gaza + Sharon to Resume Security Talks With Palestinians, Seeks `Tangible Steps'

Report raps Israeli banks for Holocaust funds holdup. Parliament also criticizes authorities

ASIA PACIFIC: China Plays Down Death of Ex-Leader

AMERICAS: Colombia: Two Men Ruled Guilty of Murdering Archbishop

Mexico: Former Mayor, 2 Sons Found Shot to Death

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

6 Senate Intelligence Staffers Fired by GOP

Guilty plea tied to U.N. Iraq plan. Iraqi American got oil-for-food cash from Hussein regime

FBI Tosses Carnivore to the Dogs

Maltz series reveals secret world of spies

Virginian Admits To Acting As Illegal Agent of Hussein Government

Bulgarian Intelligence Chief Urges Burning Communist Secret Police Archive

Intelligence agents reappointed by Burma junta

The untold story in Ukraine + How Top Spies in Ukraine Changed Path

Should NSA be diplomat or spy?

No word from SA govt on Zim 'spy'

Spies are us: interest in Arabic soars

HOW LOW
THE LAW GOES....

High court asked to overturn Roe v. Wade

Jury Selection Begins in Abuse Case Against Priest Shanley + Time frame

Supreme Court considers nixing some types of lawyer advertising

Judge: Stan Lee entitled to profits from Marvel Comics films and toys

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Murderer Beardslee executed.

Richard C. Dinkelspiel Esq. dies

Guards: State lied to justices about racial segregation Click.

Sacramento & north: Auburn: Eco-terror group claims responsibility for bombs at sites + Man steers DUI suspect right into police hands + Glued locks gum up school day + Yolo drug agents arrest couple + Sacramento deputies cleared of excess force + Ohio man, suspected of luring girl, kills himself + 4th plea deal in San Joaquin corruption investigation

San Francisco, San Mateo: High-speed crash may put bulldog veteran S.F. cop in a tough spot

Alameda: Oakland: Wrongful death suit re: TRO to be tried. Ex-police chief, city are defendants + Original 'Riders' prosecutor called to testify at retrial

Santa Clara: Gadgets zero in on red-light runners + Police: Thief uses cat story as ploy

Contra Costa: Moraga: Cops get 300 tips in hit-run death + School embezzlement suspects likely to be charged today + Pinole High School beating prompts safety meeting + El Cerrito robberies stack up + Charges filed in St. Mary's debacle + San Pablo redevelopment plan ready for review + Suspected brothel busted in Concord + Verse to live in Bay Point

Marin: Kentfield civil rights lawyer dies at 91

Sonoma: Healdsburg libel lawsuit dismissed

Napa: Woman steamed about scalding cup of tea, taking mom-and-pop Napa cafe to court

Solano: New Vacaville police chief to speak at banquet + Vallejo Police Calls

Monterey: Accused drug dealer mistakenly released + Robber hits First National Bank in Salinas

Central Valley: Former San Joaquin aide pleads guilty + Law & Order

Central Coast: Cops and Courts + Farmers file suit to halt pipeline

Southern California: Taped Punch of Black Teen Costly to Inglewood + Former OC assistant sheriff pleas not guilty again + TV journalist fights call to testify in Jackson case + Orange County: Jaramillo Fails to Dent Prosecution + Tustin Business Agrees to Pay Fines + Fugitive From O.C. Is Arrested + Orange: 3 Charged in Killing of Merchant + Ontario: Police Kill Ex-Con Who Allegedly Had Hostages + Santa Ana: Killing trial starts for son + Defense attacks gunshot residue evidence in Blake trial + Prosecutors want child testimony kept secret in Jackson trial

Stanford: Procedure to remove brain tissue may help 8-year-old girl who suffers from epilepsy

CPR Is Often Done Wrong, Studies Find

Chip Sniffs Out Building Blocks of Life

Anticonvulsant Drug Cuts Drinking In Bipolar Alcoholics

New Study Reveals Treatment For 'Silent Killer' Using Diet, Not Drugs

15-year Study Shows Strong Link Between Fast Food, Obesity And Insulin Resistance

A Deep Sea Hydrocarbon Factory

The Power of Two: Strategies for Finding Cervical Cancer

Study Explores Antibiotic Misuse

Elevated Glucose Levels And Diabetes Associated Increased Risk For Cancer

Blocking Cell Suicide Switch Fails To Stop Prion Damage In Mouse Brains

OSU Scientists Develop Test To Detect 'Dead-Gut' In Dairy Cows

Treating Individuals: How Generalizable Are Trial Data?

Youth Fitness Linked To Diabetes Risk

High Infection Rate In Teens For Virus Linked To Cervical Cancer

Systems Microbiology Has Great Scientific Promise In Health

Don't Count On Vitamin C To Boost Your Exercise Performance

Surgical Treatment Of Migraines Reduces Sick Days

New Method Simplifies Search For Genetic Changes Associated With Disease

 Calcium Intake Contributing Factor In Formation Of Kidney Stones

The Governor:   Gov.: Starve state's 'monster' + Gov. uses private funds to pay for his trip to D.C. + Unions Protest Gov.'s Proposals + Officials Launch Salvos at Gov.'s School Budget + Peter Schrag: Hybrid democracy, cruise control and 'Caesarism' + A Man of the People ... People Who Pay + Democrats: Gov.'s budget would hurt some needy + Victory at polls wasn't enough Click. + Proposal to reform Medi-Cal gets little fanfare Click. + In the name of prison reform + Trying to Shore Up Limits on Fundraising + Meeting to address worker pay

Probe of State's Oil Is Sought by Controller Click.

Johnson will not take on Matsui

Shelley probe might come quickly

CalPERS prepares pension defense

Injured workers organize group

Nurses rally for staffing

Dan Walters: California bracing for more military base closures, but so what?

Stem cell directors disclose financial data. Despite biomedical ties, they pledge no conflicts of interest + Stem cell research eyed at UC Merced + Chair, vice chair of California stem cell agency are millionaires + State leads nation on stem cells

Connerly retiring as UC regent -- leaves controversial legacy

Millions of dollars of state's crops damaged in storms

LOCAL NEWS:   Kaiser doctors take time to help Sri Lanka

LA Zoo gets rare pangolin confiscated from tourists

PG&E to alter power rates?

Sacramento & north: Blanas steps down from arena fray + County child support collection rises + Growth prospects bright, SMUD told + San Juan may have to close more schools + R.E. Graswich: Reliance on private funding spurs Yee to lead cheers for arena plan + Grants to aid Latino community + Board: Seek funds to aid seniors

San Francisco, San Mateo: Film captures suicides on Golden Gate Bridge. Angry officials say moviemaker misled them + Supes committee OKs tsunami relief funds. But key officials say S.F. can't afford $1 million effort + Expert says areas of San Mateo Co. face landslide risk + Changes to affordable housing law urged+ Tanforan structure complete+ Three deals break mold re: inclusionary housing law + Beach patrol+ Peering at Aaron Peskin

Alameda: Berkeley: Regents panel approves Cal growth plan. City Council immediately votes to sue, as last resort + Oakland Mayor plans anti-crime curfew + Oakland: Public herbicide ban may be partly lifted + Albany council votes on possible street closures + Berkeley considers road diet for Marin Avenue + Airport drops new parking garage plan + Tech students may miss capitol trip + Fremont searching for a new fire chief + Day laborer dies in chipping accident + Lions Center for Blind may stay open + Refuge for women, kids gets $50,000 donation + Brown: Oakland on its way + Newark wants feedback on sale of school + Factory's permit renewal up to Union City residents + Fremont man receives honor decades later + Businesses bank on tapping niche market

Santa Clara: San Jose: Councilman quits amid charges. Gregory pleads no contest to 11 corruption counts + Mayor to recommend election to fill seat + Valley pessimistic on economy 56 evacuated after fire sweeps SJ apartment building + Embattled S.J. councilman quits + Chinese music draws crowds + Downtown library branch to reopen on Saturdays Carbon monoxide poisoning kills San Jose woman Students to attend D.C. gala + McGovern to highlight rally + Herhold: Council's pay-to-play culture remains When expectations and reality collide + Alcohol rehab center closes + Roadshow: 'Popular' argument about BART

Contra Costa: A new look at urban limit line + Old Ranch II homes get nod from San Ramon commission + Vessel sanitation ordinance approved + Shepherd's Gate closer to Brentwood

Marin: Mill Valley family's mission. Their Sri Lanka vacation turned into relief effort + Fairfax saves 7 acres of open space + Environmental prize awarded

Sonoma: Making a splash in Wine Country + Petaluma garbage rates may soar + RP water, sewer rates may jump 24% or more + Rancho Adobe to consider closing station + Healdsburg to recoup money from electric bills

Napa: Napa gift store Le Cadeau to close in March + Napa Council gives OK to Mondavi Highway, Calistoga says no + Chardonnay Golf Club mired in debt closes, buyers step forward

Solano: Benicia Council splits votes on commission appointments + Nurses from Vallejo join protest in Sacramento over ratio laws + Local News Briefs + Flyway festival celebrates birds with art show, outings and expo + Reception to welcome Ubalde to SCC board

Monterey: Researchers studying effects of carbon dioxide on ocean + Two suits challenge Rancho San Juan + CALLAHAN WILL BE OUT IN JUNE + UNIFIED TRANSIT CENTER PROPOSED + Council opposes hotel tax hike + Palo Corona park access will be limited + Salinas group helps rebuild Indian village

Central Valley: Report: Valley's economy lagging + Study: Central Valley plagued by high unemployment + Thousands honor officer shot in Ceres gunbattle + Veneman lands on feet with U.N. appointment + Restoration in Giant Sequoia National Monument to begin + Youth to witness inauguration+ Weekend lunch handout will stop after budget cut+ Annan makes Veneman pick official+ Turlock's tricky task: Ways to cut the budget+ San Joaquin moves quickly to find a new sheriff+ Hazy days spark 'burn discouraged' alert+ Chilly Day Spent Trimming Away Among TreeTops of MJC Orchard+ Preparing for surgery+ The Long Blue Line+ News & Notes+ Around The Region+ Community Briefing

Central Coast: Friends fear the worst: Live Oak resident visiting Thailand hasn’t been heard from since tsunami hit + Crowd backs hotel expansion + City plans ceremony for Catz + College grad rates scrutinized + Judge agrees stabbing suspects could be gang members; charges move forward + Orion deal magnifies firm’s reach + Two local water agencies earn kudos + Coast Lines

Southern California: Democrats Won't Back Candidate for Mayor in L.A. + Voters Will Get a Chance to Weigh In on Possible Merger of Airport Police, LAPD + PR Firm Gets Final Notice from LA on Bills + Move to Protect Health Funds OKd, County will hire 100 psych workers + LA tax Hike Measure Advances + Placentia's OnTrac Opens Its First Railway Overpass

School days: Oakland: Castlemont music program gets boost + Modesto college prep enrollment policy OK'd + Stan State to review résumés + San Juan may have to close more schools + Sierra College chief's status still in limbo after meetings + Novato's 'exclusive' public school + Free program helps people earn diploma, GED + Antioch district is considering building a continuation school + D.A.R.E. will remain with Tracy Unified + School crowding defies easy fix + Benicia district wants teachers to oversee larger classes with less pay to fix deficit

CONNECT THE DOTS....

Harvard women's group rips Summers

Lovers No Good At Spotting Cupid's Arrow In Others

Thank You, David Brooks!

Rush to Adopt Tsunami Orphans May End in Tears

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Bacterium infected 3 at BU biolab

Los Alamos Wizardry To Aid New Mars Science Laboratory

Dell exec dismisses Apple's iPod as a fad

Army to Hackers: We Know Where You Live

Google offers free photo software

Toshiba Enables Remote PC Access via Mobile Phones

Substructure Maps Show That Dark Matter Clumps In Galaxies

Gemini Observatory Welcomes The New Year With Galactic Fireworks

THE BUSHWORLD...

Bush Says He Feels Weight of History

Bush Schmoozing With Inaugural Donors

Bush calls for better intelligence means

Rice Acknowledges Bad Iraq Decisions + Rice Names New Targets

Americans Remain Polarized Over Bush

RNC Chair Unveils 'Durable Majority' Plan

Senator Agrees to Stop Blocking Confirmation of Education Secretary Nominee

Gonzales gives CIA a pass. Agency not bound by same rules as military, he says + Vote delayed on attorney general nominee

Mayors cry foul at Bush plan to cut $4.7 billion aid to cities

Schedule for Bush's inauguration + California Does Washington in Style + Capital Weaves a Steel Cocoon for a Big Party

Medicare to Pay for More Heart Devices

Rice: Democrats to Delay Rice Confirmation Vote + Rice Endorsed by Senate Panel to Be Next Secretary of State +  Rice defends Bush's Iraq policies in testy exchange with Boxer. Senator comes close to accusing nominee of lying about weapons of mass destruction + Read Tuesday's Boxer/Rice transcript

Congress: Future looks bright for 10 lawmakers

Democrats: Governors hope to guide Democratic party

Dean gaining early momentum in DNC race

Vote fraud: Report outlines exit polling problems + GOP gets specific about Washington charges

OPINIONS:

Ho Hum, More War And Death

Exporting Terror: Justin Raimondo

The Threat of Peace: Ran HaCohen

Does Wilson's Fate Await Bush?: Pat Buchanan

Iraq Election Worries Neighbors: Aaron Glantz

Something's Fishy in Fallujah: Dahr Jamail

Katrina vanden Heuvel: Annals of outrage Click.

Rupert Cornwell: Why the hawks are circling over Iran Click.

Will Bush Quit Iraq?

Social Security Privatization & Disability

Bush's Mangled Iraq Policy

MILITARY  Some Nebraska veterans could lose benefits

Soldier Faces Court-Martial in Killing of Bound Man + Camp Bucca Turns 180 Degrees From Abu Ghraib

Most of National Guard Is Now on Active Duty

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

Inflation on fastest pace since 2000

Ellison lays out Oracle's plans

Geography, Culture Divide U.S. on Liquid Gas Projects

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond:  Honduras Measure to Ban Same-Sex Marriage Mobilizes Rights Groups + Louisiana high court reinstates anti-gay marriage amendment + Gays' Rising Meth Use Tied to New HIV Cases

The Pen Is Mightier.... 

CBS plans to change evening news format. Multiple anchors likely to replace Rather

Shield Law Cited in Jackson Case

Seeking Man-on-the-Street Views of Iraq, U.S. Reporters Turn to Bloggers

Gov. Bush's Speechwriter Resigns, Citing Newspaper Controversy

The Man Who 'Stood Up to Scaife'

Today's papers

Vincent van Gogh The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge  

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

Leslie Harlib's Cuisine Scene: Grab some natties and haggis at annual fest

'Priceless' Stone Relics Are Returned to Iraq

Indie spirit lives on at Sundance despite festival's growth

Theater: Paying the Price

Peter Schjeldahl on the East Village’s art legacy

The Encyclopaedia of Japanese Tea Ceremony

Iron age artefacts found

Writer McLarty Scores After Years in Basement

Director Peter Jackson Buys Movie Rights to 'The Lovely Bones'

Rush & Molloy: Catch this: Piazza has Met his match

Page Six

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

Election: Expatriates determined to be heard. Hundreds of Iraqis registering to vote in 5 U.S. cities + Iraqis across the globe begin registering to vote + Iraq to close borders for polls

War prisons: Higher-Ups May Be Prosecuted for Abuses at Abu Ghraib + Another Abu Ghraib Guard Chooses to Stand Trial + Federal Judge: Abu Ghraib Abuses Result of Decision to Ignore Geneva Conventions + UK soldiers accused of abuse + U.K. Soldier Pleads Guilty to Abuse of Iraqi Captive in 2003, AP Reports

IRAN: Once more, the heat's on Tehran

MIDDLE EAST: Abbas orders forces to foil attacks. Israeli official calls instruction 'small, but positive sign' + Israel Hints at New Assassinations in Gaza + Six Israelis injured in suicide blast at Gaza's Gush Katif Junction + Gunmen for God, Part 1: A profile of the principal armed groups of the intifada

RUSSIA: Amid Protests, Putin Increases Pensions

War breaks out in Russia's Dagestan

Russia to sell strategic bomber planes to China

EUROPE: Ukraine loses 4 million people in 13 years without war

ASIA PACIFIC: China censors obit for Zhao. Ex-party boss fought crackdown in 1989

Kyrgyz Govt Looks to Head Off 'Velvet Revolution'

China's tsunami aid: political interests not humanitarian concern

AMERICAS: Argentine Recants Admission of Killings

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

FBI Says Man Threatens to Blow Up Van Near White House Over Child Custody Case

U.S. quietly penalizes 8 Chinese companies. Firms suspected of sending missile technology to Iran

Big reduction in extreme poverty 'utterly affordable,' U.N. team says. It asks small increase from rich nations

8 Terror Suspects Indicted in Spain re: 9/11 attacks

2 Serb Ex-Army Officers Convicted in Massacre

Our Tortured Language of War

Original DLI instructor dies

Spying's Big Secret? It Doesn't Work

The first hijackers

Hitler relative believed gassed by Nazis

U.S. man charged in oil-for-food probe

Car bomb explodes in Spain's Basque area

Karachi opens door to US forces + Pakistan weaves an elaborate web

Technology Can Fix U.S. Intelligence

How Top Spies in Ukraine Changed the Nation's Path

How George Washington really won the Revolution

LEAKGATES   Pop goes the Bush mythology bubble. Part 4: More reasons to not investigate 9-11

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

U.S. Stocks Rise, Led by Financials; Indexes Stage Biggest Rally This Year

Yahoo's Net Income Jumps Almost Fivefold on Advertising Sales, Expansion

Forbes: Four economic prophets of doom

Intel restructures its divisions

Ovitz and Eisner: A Kids' Story

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Bird Flu Spread a Worry, But No WHO Travel Warning

Mystery Meat: a Right-to-Know About Food Origins

USDA Mad Cow Malfeasance Exposes Food Cartels Threaten Public Health

MILITARY  Media training now required for soldiers going to Iraq

Some U.S. Soldiers Returning From Afghanistan Should Be Screened For Malaria

Air Force jet collides with small plane over Oklahoma

CONNECT THE DOTS....

Harvard Chief Defends His Talk on Women

Pre-Nazi swastikas. How Hitler hijacked a Hindu good luck sign, as used by scouts

Paul Gilroy: Why Prince Harry is confused

Christian missionaries who won't give food aide if religion rejected

HOW LOW
THE LAW GOES....

Click. Supreme Court declined to consider whether police officer may take a blood test from a suspected drunken driver without a warrant + High court won't review gay soldier case re: sex with 15-yr-old

High court sidesteps Guantanamo Bay case

U.S. Charges Law Partnership With Age Bias

Jailed Former Army Doctor Jeffrey McDonald to Seek Parole

UK: Child access law shake-up planned

German court rules email blocking 'illegal'

GPS Spying May Prove Irresistible to Police

DNA Scans Could Identify Criminals in Minutes

Cashing-In from High-Profile Criminal Trials

The idiot defense

Ebbers Lawyers Can Question Star Witness on Infidelity

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Missing Central Valley girl spurs Bay Area Amber Alert

Public-interest lawyers cash in on classroom suits

Curfew is latest tactic in pleas

Options running out for condemned killer Beardslee + 5 arrested at Quentin protest; execution set for tonight

Sacramento & north: Butte County probes racist fliers distributed Monday in Paradise + County to highlight elder-abuse caseload

San Francisco, San Mateo: Deputies skip work after inmate beats guard. Apparent sickout at jail in San Bruno

Alameda: 'Riders' prosecutor Hollister may testify + Fremont: Kidnapped boy reflects on ordeal + Man sentenced to 25 to life for cousin's killing + Police: I-580 crash may be alcohol-related

Santa Clara: No arrests yet in '03 frat fight + Group, P.A. woman's slaying intertwined + Police Blotter

Contra Costa: Martinez: Man held in burglary dies in med center + Bank robber escapes in Pleasant Hill

Marin: Marin officers plan to use 'bait car' to catch thieves + Search for 43-yr old woman at China Camp State Park winding down

Sonoma: 3 sought in SR killing; more gang attacks feared

Solano: Murder, suicide attempt suspected in Vallejo + Vallejo: Woman is found dead at ex-lover's + Two arrested after high-speed pursuit

Monterey: Salinas family mourns murder victim + Salinas: Gunman robs downtown cafe + ACLU includes Seaside in Taser criticism

Central Coast: Teens in stabbing have gang ties, police say + Cops and Courts

Southern California: Murder suspect escapes L.A. jail + Vick Case Shows System's Problems + Altadena Canyon Neighbors Gird for Legal Battle

The Governor:  Gov. OKs California's first execution in years + Legislative budget keeps on growing + Teachers wary on risk, rewards of merit pay + Health care changes tweaked + Dan Walters: Annual semantic debate resumed with Gov.'s new budget + Powerful school lobby challenges Gov. over budget cuts + Gov. proposes record spending + Scandals hurting Dems' fight with governor Click. + Legislative, Labor and ethnic politics snare governor’s appointments to Board of Education Click. + State Democrats seeing how the other party lives

Embattled Ag Leader Deserves To Keep Job California

Workers' comp premium rates drop

Move on for ballot measure to restrict sex ed in schools

Term is up for California's foremost foe of affirmative action, Ward Connerly Click.

Indian tribes: Head of Tribal Gaming Panel Resigns

LOCAL NEWS:   Higher use fees make Yosemite less attractive to day-trippers

New threat of non-native species inhabiting coastal waters + Moss Landing: Pressurized trap allows live fish to be brought up from ocean floor

Sacramento & north: San Joaquin County to Discuss Hiring of New Sheriff + Sacramento agency enters fertilizer business + Section of I-80 to close for construction Wednesday + Conference planners seek input + Tunnel links casino to Sinatra Click.

San Francisco, San Mateo: Lifting of import quotas a blow to garment factories. Bay Area apparel industry tattered by overseas competition -- immigrant workers try to start over after layoffs + Flood of China-made garments means job losses for millions in other countries + San Francisco: Hearing set Feb. 10 on ferry fare boost + Place to live is just a first step. Needs beyond Care Not Cash room send Brandy back to begging + Redwood City: Block evacuated after leak. Liquid oxygen valve breaks at Kaiser + Housing law falls short + Mom struggles for housing + Redevelopment talks take off in San Bruno + San Bruno's rail design takes shape + Democratic race keeps Web flying + Under public scrutiny, Redwood City publishes documents

Alameda: Jerry Brown: Strong mayor or untapped power? + Safeway gives $20,000 grant to ex-offender aid program + San Leandro to hold meetings seeking input on 5-year plan + Lions Club to close Oakland Center for Blind + Conflict escalating over Castro Valley property + County develops composting plans in three locations, Sunol protests Alameda working at retail renaissance + Fremont begins search for fire chief + Candid talk reveals unity at Union City youth summit + VA hospital plan sparks debate + County wins top honors for fair + Oakland may reinstate pesticides + Livermore landfill wants county approval + West Oakland neighborhood enjoys a rich history + Vessel ordinance on supes' agenda + Firefighter tops county workers + Brew-haha over Pleasanton pub plan

Santa Clara: 'Lost boys' find hope in S.J.+ New recruits for the dream + Chung: Let King speak to today's issues + Bookseller on same page as community + Avoid tumbleweed if it's safe to do so + Tips to manage cost of pay phone charges Bay Area Extra

Contra Costa: Editorial: An unpolluted Delta + San Ramon panelists eye building proposal + Martinez may hire development director + Editorial: An unpolluted Delta + Concord offers to give up military base Click.

Marin: Humane Society offers pets from crowded shelter

Sonoma: Biologist builds consensus to fight waterweed + Creepy crawlies have a friend in Sebastopol

Napa: Napa fire veteran named to top spot + Carniglia hangs up his fire hat after 57 years + New hospice center gets financial boost + Napa council, mayoral candidates taking their campaigns to the Web + Candidate Edwards defends plagiarism accusations

Solano: Delegates return from China trip + Benicia police station ballot issue indefinitely shelved

Monterey: Monterey banker in ringside seat at recent Ukraine uprising

Central Coast: Suicides by middle-age people spark prevention efforts + Online holiday-sales surge benefits county retailers + Watsonville Community Hospital names employee of the year + Park debate goes to voters + Animal shelter authors launch search for touching pet stories +Coast Lines + Santa Cruz weighs beachside center

Southern California: Residents return to SoCal neighborhood evacuated after dam scare + Authorities search for woman, child who fell into SoCal creek+ Doctor agrees to perform biopsy on 'Frank' re tumor for free+ Authorities search for woman, child who fell into SoCal creek+ Lion at heart of ownership battle headed to California + Developer eyes OC wilderness park for golf course + L.A. officials save only enough to hire 5 more cops + Study casts doubt on L.A. city hotel subsidy + Soiled coastal birds dying + Excising Hospital Politics + Party to Weigh In on L.A. Mayor's Race + Mayoral Challengers Square Off in Valley + Campaign for Hahn Breaks Radio Silence + Hahn Moves to Defend Integrity in PR Billing Case + Mud Pile in La Conchita to Stay Put + El Toro Junkies Keep the Clash on Their Radar + Orange County: Volunteers Are Needed to Count Homeless + Hayward class illustrates new minority-majority + Study casts doubt on L. A. hotel subsidy Click.

School days: Grow your own: S.F. teacher sees biotech staffing solution in American teens + Modesto test plan compromise still provides incentive + Time to put Modesto school board meetings on TV + School renovations in W. Contra Costa surpassing budget + Click. Sign language fulfills the requirement at many college campuses, but some question its merit + Sierra College buyout likely + Advocates push for homegrown school lunches + Media expert to speak at 'Parent University' + Monterey superintendent faces midyear evaluation + Click. Web resources help in search for college aid + Petaluma, Santa Rosa schools consider earlier start

More doubt cast on painkillers. Studies confirm arthritis drugs raise heart attack risk

Test for Colon Cancer Called 'Pretty Worthless'

Outbreak Delays Some Surgeries at Kaiser, Hollywood

Bangladesh 'endorses' GM rice

Human Hubble mission wins support

Skin or bones 'made to measure'

'UK seas are in crisis' says WWF

Dioxin found in German eggs

Target found for Parkinson's test

Cancer therapy targets stem cells

Camomile tea for aches and ills

Multiple sclerosis hormone link

Pet therapy 'helps schizophrenia'

Technology That Could Double The Effectiveness Of Cancer Drugs

Birth Simulator Helps Physicians I.D. Least Forceful Way To Manage Problem Deliveries + New Fetal Heart Monitor Could Give Better Health Picture During Labor

New Signaling Step For Key Player In Crohn's Disease

Co-polymer That Acts Like A Super Sunscreen To Prolong Life Of Antioxidants

Getting Pregnant While On The Pill:  Health Hazard Of Being Overweight

The Role of CRP in Heart Disease

Can Primary Care Doctors Treat Depression?

Do You Know Your Early Warning Stress Signals?

Transplantation Of Monkey Embryonic Stem Cells Reverses Parkinson Disease In Primates

Suspect Protein Found To Play Protective Role In Chronic Lung Disease

Baby Talk: Infants Have Much To Say If Adults Will Only Listen

New Rust, Mosaic-Resistant Beans

OSU Researcher Develops New Way To Detect Salmon Parasite

'Clusters' Of Earthquakes Yield An Ominous Scenario

Ubiquitination Protects Against Improper Notch Signaling

New Therapeutic Vaccine For HIV/AIDS Eliminates Needles, Excessive Toxicity

Scientists Develop Split Green For Tagging Protein

Absorbable Metal Stent Opens Blocked Leg Arteries

Antarctic Iced Over When Greenhouse Gases -- Not Ocean Currents -- Shifted

Airbus unveils 'superjumbo' jet

Yahoo, Verizon team up

Google seeks 'dark fiber' expert + Free-for-All Could Pay Off for Google

He Refuses to Put Down Electric-Powered Pickup Click.

'Tasktracer' Could Dramatically Aid Computer Users

Worm poses as porn-purging program

Race for Next Space Prize Ignites

Cell-Phone Shushing Gets Creative

Spray-On Solar Cells Are True Breakthrough

Space:  First Detection Of Magnetic Fields In The Central Stars Of Four Planetary Nebulae

Spitzer Sees Dusty Aftermath Of Pluto-Sized Collision

New Clues Found In Ongoing Mystery Of Giant Galactic Blobs

THE BUSHWORLD...

Bush Won't Rule Out Iran Attack + Neocons Take Aim at Iran

US: No Evidence WMD Moved From Iraq

New Intel Raises Questions About US Iraq Mission

Even Most Loyal GOP Soldiers Alarmed by Strain on Troops

Bush agenda faces some GOP resistance

Rice: Rice Pledges to Mend Ties as Confirmation Hearing Begins + Rice refuses to give Iraq timetable + Excerpts: Rice opening remarks + Rice tells Senate she will personally oversee Israel-Palestinian contacts

Report expected to address WMD in Iraq

Mexico presses U.S. on immigration deal

Guest Worker Plan in Doubt Click.

Bush Rewarded by Black Pastors' Faith Click.

Inaugural: Bush opts for costly bash in wartime. FDR scaled back event, but there's no clear precedent + Inauguration Is Their Brush With History + Greg Beato: A party for regular elitists Click.

Agriculture Sec., Calif. native Veneman nominated to head UNICEF

Bush 'Clear Skies' Proposal Hinders Power Plant Cleanups, Official Says

Gov. Bush proposes $61.6 billion spending plan

Social security: Social Security Needs A Tuning Fork, Not A Sledgehammer + Overhaul may affect benefits for disabled + Wall Street Lying Low on Social Security Click. + Pinochet and Pinocchio: George `Enron' Bush's 12 Big Lies About Social Security Privatization

Democrats: RFK Jr. eyeing attorney general's race

OPINIONS:

The New American Militarism

Does the Future Stand a Chance?

War lessons elude Bush

Bernard Weiner: Bush's Inaugural Address -- After a spritz of 'B.S. Away! Click.

Robert Scheer: Pomp and improper circumstance Click.

Paul Krugman: That magic moment Click.

Click. Marie Cocco: Expect 4 more years of the same Bush

How Americans Were Seduced by War: Empire and Militant Christianity

Syria Back in the Crosshairs?

Enter the Dragon: Will Washington Tolerate a Venezuelan-Chinese Oil Pact?

An Open Letter to Jenna Bush, Future Teacher

Dubya and the three stooges

Bush's Lavish, Bad-Taste Inaugural Irks Many

Where the Conservatives Aren't

Obviously, 'W' Stands for Woe

Jenna can't find work

Two cheers for hypocrisy

The Splendid Failure of Occupation. Part 25: Dick Cheney, the inferior art of bulldozing reality

"Corporate Americans"

The Plot Against FDR: A Model for Bush's `Pinochet Plan' Today

Interview: Gen. Joseph Hoar: The Iraq War and the Gonzales Nomination

Retired California man seeks volunteers for Arizona civilian patrol in April

NAACP members divided over venerable group's future course

Matter of Conscience: Refusing to Go Back to Iraq

Fingerprinting Plays Key Role in Biometrics Boom

Postcards of the Mexican Revolution

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond:  Bid seen weakening to ban gay marriage + Gay Rights Group Targets Inaugural Audience for Anti-Bush Ads

The Pen Is Mightier....

Moonves: Won't rule out 'Evening News' role for Jon Stewart + CBS may use multi-anchor multi-city format

Fox blurs naked posterior of cartoon character + Fox says it needs to lay off on reality + Universal to open "Fear Factor" theme park attractions

Ex-wife of former NYC Mayor Giuliani pens new book on rekindled romance

Jayson Blair Was Nothing: Richard Falk

TV Series 24 Goes Mobile in the UK

This Journalist for Hire

Today's papers

Vincent van Gogh The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge  

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

Tinker is a scholar of ingenuity

Many Spanish place names in valley given by one man

Interviews tell story of Pajaro Valley farming history

Portraits a window on World War II

Old-country Rhodes

Rita Moreno going strong at 73

Indian Education Museum receives one-year reprieve

S.F. dancers tense as N.Y. spots beckon

Virginia Mayo, blonde beauty of '40s, '50s films, dead at 84

What is the Hajj?

Shackleton hut to be resurrected

Ancient rock carvings go online

Dartmouth Researcher Mines Amazon.com To Measure Literary Tastes

Holes In Fossil Shells Show Effects Of Competition And Evolution

The Roaring Eighties

Hilton Als on “K.I. from ‘Crime’” and “Belize”

Push-Button Wine Tasting

Rudyard Kipling: "Permanent Contradictions"

Susan Superstar

Glastonbury to take 2006 break

Buried masterpieces

Page Six

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

Occupation: Iraq Outlines List of 'Election Crimes' + State of alert will match the battle for Fallujah + U.S. Army to Expand Role in Iraq's Civil Engineering

War prisons: Defense rests in Abu Ghraib court-martial. Alleged ringleader doesn't testify after all + U.S. Mulls Relocating Abu Ghraib Detainees + 28 Prisoners From Iraq's Abu Ghraib Escape + Group Calls for a Kenneth Starr for Abu Ghraib

IRAN: Nobel Prize Winner Shirin Ebadi ordered to appear before Iran's Revolutionary Court or face arrest

MIDDLE EAST: 6 Israelis Die in Gaza Attack + On Eve of Abbas' Inauguration, Sharon Severs Contact With New Palestinian Leader Until He Reins in Militants

EUROPE: Charles blocks Harry apology

ASIA PACIFIC: N. Korea will return to nuclear discussions

AMERICAS: Charges sought in '68 massacre during Mexico's "dirty war" +Bolivian Activists End Blockade + Venezuela's Chavez Suspends Diplomatic and Trade Ties With Colombia + Trial for Accused Argentine 'dirty War' Officer Opens in Spain + 20 Soldiers Killed in Black Hawk Crash in Columbia

Canadian Prime Minister Appoints Washington Insider as New U.S. Ambassador

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

Pentagon: Missile system may never be declared ready

Iraq War May Incite Terror, CIA  Says

New FBI Software May Be Unusable + FBI blew $170m on doomed IT upgrade

ATF says fertilizer purchase legitimate

Thatcher's son pleads guilty in coup case +

University of Texas drops its lab quest. Chancellor advising school isn't ready to run Los Alamos

FBI Draws Heat Over Pricey Software Trouble

Pilots Blindsided by Military Laser Tests

Ocala, Florida: Ricin Found at Man's Home, FBI Says

Internet Noise Threatens Emergency Radio

Pentagon Considered 'Gay Sex Bomb'

WMD Panel Fires FBI Agent for Sharing CIA Document

Desperate Lucan dreamt of fascist coup Click.

Number of gay linguists discharged higher than thought

Click. Secret Service Phone Hack Court Docs

Canada: Secret data-sharing network planned for crises

Intelligence Future-Gazers Look at 2020

Area McDonald's serve up spy themes

The future of lying

In Poland, accusations of a secret betrayal

Itälä defends decision to inform opposition leader of Rusi espionage investigation

Hacker Steals Secret US-Russian Treaty

PISANU: WE NEED ONE SINGLE INTELLIGENCE

UPI Intelligence Watch

Ottawa disputes release of Arar papers

Burmese police retrained to be intelligence forces

Government says intelligence bureau existed illegally

Chiyangwa sold secrets – lawyer

Spy Versus Spy

CIA Mired in Bureaucracy

HOW LOW
THE LAW GOES....

Harvard student's website leaked inside details on Apple's new products, Apple sues + Online Editor Facing Apple Lawsuit Seeks Legal Aid in Trade Secret Case

Former AOL exec enters guilty plea in wire-fraud case

Lazarenko tells Federal Judge in San Francisco that new president of Ukraine could clear him

Justices debate international law on TV

Baseball Players and Owners Set Tougher Policy on Steroid Use

Judges deal with sentencing rules fallout + (PDF Supreme Court decision)

How big tobacco reneged on pledge. Industry tried to subvert study, UCSF report finds

Biotech farmers hit high-tech hurdle: seed patents

Mexican Official Says Tijuana, Gulf Cartels Have United

Pittsburgh Man Guilty of Selling Videos of Dogfights. First conviction under 1999 federal animal cruelty law

Georgia: Deputies, Officers Fired by Sheriff Get New Low-Ranking Jobs

In Miami Dade, tighter guidelines for use of stun guns

Armed AirTran Pilot Charged With Drunkenness

Child-killers walk free in wake of rulings against felony murder

Report: Spitzer Wants $750 Million, Apology From Marsh & McLennan

Former Drug Agent Found Guilty of One Perjury Count

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Guard Vests Were in Storage when Chino officer killed

Editorial: Gov. should halt execution of Beardslee pending test for severe brain damage

State HMO regulators fine Health Net for underpayments to ER doctors

Landslide Suits Are Tough to Win, Experts Say + For Insurance Claimants, Wording Is Slippery Slope. Flood or slide?

San Quentin escape: High risk offender placed in minimum security

A Hanging Judge's Leniency Goes to Waste

Undercover testers help group find landlords who discriminate Click.

Sacramento & north: Police get a thank-you 'card' from community + Woman pleads no contest in series of arson grass fires + No trial delay in school shooting plot + Molestation suspect (Sacramento Youth Symphony manager) may have fled + Water-supply scare was false alarm + Auburn: 3 years prison in killing of mother's boyfriend + San Joaquin sheriff Baxter Dunn pleads guilty, quits + Man killed; Sacramento Asian gangs blamed + Teacher wounded in classroom siege hasn't left the scene + 'Guns & Hoses' gets update + Migrants to get pay

San Francisco, San Mateo: U.S. judge halts cop Sanders' suit against Hallinan for malicious prosecution + Redwood City man to beg for clemency from Gov. + S.F.: Reprimand of acting fire captain issued in sex-harass case + S.F.: Groups seek review of stun gun policies + Speier likes baseball's drug-testing policy changes, but wants more + Redwood City: DMV teacher denies groping accusations + Doctor: 'Weakness' led to placing embryo in wrong woman and covering it up for 18 months

Alameda: School Board member Atty Dan Siegel cited for possession of pot + Pot-using politician did dopey thing + Hearing continued for youth coach Alvarez accused of attacking youth soccer referee + 4 charged in Dublin robbery attempt + Packs (RU 486) point finger at Kaiser + Fremont: Man shot by police after threatening to kill a young hostage was wanted parolee, but may not have been armed + Fremont: Parolee shot to death by police after allegedly abducting 2 teens

Santa Clara: Nanny held in death of Palo Alto tot + San Jose; Ethics task force votes to forbid City Council members from keeping "special events" accounts + Palo Alto school suspends aide after party serving alcohol = Police Blotter + Violent San Jose man, escaped from San Quentin on the loose

Contra Costa: San Ramon: Letter sent to parents on alleged embezzling + Embezzlement of San Ramon school money was simple + MO similar to other embezzlements + Richmond fires Police Commission's only staff investigator + Maqsood homicide in El Cerrito is CoCo's county's first since 2001 + Fired CoCo judge Denise Schmidt's suit says she was targeted by other judges + San Ramon police search for burglars

Marin: D'Opal is sworn in as Superior Court judge + Feds add $5,000 to reward in theft of 39 guns from store

Sonoma: Click. Four people were injured and a 17-year-old Santa Rosa boy arrested on suspicion of drunken driving + Videotape of alleged rape tossed by judge + Burglary suspect shot by Sebastopol resident

Napa: Longtime prosecutor Gary Lieberstein promoted to assistant DA spot + Napa accountant hopes to avoid prison after pleading guilty to deceiving IRS

Solano: Vallejo: Nursing home fined $80,000 in death

Monterey: 6 suspects arrested re: stabbing death of Aprineru "Chico" Wua will be tried separately + Seaside man facing barrage of charges + Family to sue in dog's death by Sheriff's Deputy + Salinas: Pedestrian critically hurt; van driver arrested + Salinas Valley: E. coli victims settling claims + Judge hears union-busting case re: layoff of child care workers + Click. Investigators conclude a man wanted in connection with an attempted kidnapping on Tuesday might have been harassing the girl instead of attempting kidnap

Central Valley: Officer improves, but questions remain + Marines paint different picture of Raya + San Joaquin Sheriff admits his guilt in fraud+ Official demoted in strip incident + Turlock police confirm shots fired at officer in gang area + Law & Order + Gang sweep is good; prevention is better + Marine's Fatal Rampage Divides Grieving Town, some see gang link

Central Coast: Ranger absolved for shooting dog at Seacliff Beach + 13-year-old stabber sent to group home + Cops and Courts + Cabin-squatters leave hours before eviction

Southern California: Former PR executive of Fleishman-Hillard indicted in alleged defrauding of city of LA + Attorney wants conviction of Hollywood private eye Pellicano overturned + O.J. Simpson's former agent testifies about Simpson's finances + LA authorities capture Ohio bank robbery suspect mistakenly freed + Orange County: Charter school officials warned teacher had sex with students + Santa Ana Nursing Facility Is Rebuked + State Fines Ontario Care Home After Death + L.A.: Bratton Seeks a 10% Drop in Major Crimes+ 4th Simi Valley Teenager Admits Role in Racial Beating + Glen Avon Man Held After Alleged Break-In and Chase + Man Indicted in Alleged Speeding-Ticket Scam + South L.A.: Police Arrest 26 People Suspected of Gang Ties

Blake: Robert Blake jurors tour Vitello's restaurant, shooting scene

Jackson: Report: Jackson grand jury transcripts detail alleged molestation

The Governor:  Gov. vows to aid mudslide victims + County leaders say taxpayers should not foot the bill, contradicting Gov. + Gov. asked to oust ag undersecretary Ahlem + Gov. wants to amend Cal Environmental Quality Act, to encourage more housing in existing urban areas + State gearing up for tax amnesty + Gov. wants judges, not politicians to draw redistricting lines + Poll: Residents want housing near their jobs but want to retain local control over projects + Governor willing to mix it up with Dems + Pension showdown brewing + State's own workers' comp costs continue to increase Click.

Budget battle: Gov.'s finance plan called too restrictive + Colleges pleased by proposed budget + More money needed for fortifying levees + Democrats wary of raising taxes + Plan is no deficit cure, legislative analyst argues + Gov. predicts 30 percent increase in state's costs despite reforms + Gov. makes poor budget choices + Meddling by Public Pension Funds Is Picking California's Pocket + + Arguments honed in fight over state pensions + School funding a mixed bag + Budget plan avoids raising taxes, sort of Click. Educators gearing up for budget battle Click.

Legislature: Hearings planned on revised Bay Bridge plan + Assemblyman Ron Calderon regrets flier's wording: Send money + Alarcon Proposes Fines to Fund Trauma Care + Chamber of Commerce Reveals Legislative Agenda

With deadline near, Shelley opts to keep voter database + Shelley says he'll talk to state panel

Attorney General defends $15.5 million in park project funds to nonprofits + State Sen. Chuck "Pooch" Poochigian cranked his campaign to be next Attorney General Click.

Race against a widow (Matsui) is usually uphill + Padilla says he'll seek Matsui's seat + Matsui's widow runs

Dan Walters: Hastings' downfall underscores Capitol's ideological schism + Democrats block education nominee + Perata flunks first test

CalPERS program gets high Moody's rating

Stem Cell: Guidelines to precede stem cell grants + Stem cell research oversight panel off to a stumbling start

Indian tribes: Gov. asks lawmakers to approve San Pablo casino, while admitting they don't know if state will gain financially or impact on Bay Area

LOCAL NEWS:   Catastrophic Tsunami Possible On West Coast

La Conchita: Residents prepare to return to town devastated by mudslide + Bluff did not have warning system + Seabirds Victims of Mystery Oil Spill

More than 500 seabirds coated in oil after California spill

Bay Bridge 'congestion pricing' unpopular

BART finances cast dark shadow

Sacramento & north: SARTA expands startup services + Sierra board debates president's fate + Decision on Wal-Mart put off to Feb. 9 + Folsom: Meeting set on school-site asbestos cleanup + Citrus Heights: Decision on Wal-Mart put off to Feb. 9

San Francisco, San Mateo: S.F. budget problems lead to elimination of senior escort program + S.F. losing key advocate for homeless to national effort + Bay Area volunteers heading for Asia in the hope of helping + S.F.: 115 city workers to lose jobs in budget cutback + Park rangers missed by patrons at Funston + Grocery labor pacts set to expire tonight + Stanford to study Redwood City youth services + Friday fishwrap: Secrets of Sears

Alameda: Rival demonstrations to converge in Berkeley + PeopleSoft staff girds for layoffs + 'Hybrid' bank aims to help E. Oakland + Legislators enter fray over Cal growth in Berkeley + Youth violence subject of Union City forum + Sikh election results confirmed + Fremont: Central Park to host graduations + Newark tables childcare cuts + Union City plans improvements to garbage, recycling collection + City Council fills 16 posts on Fremont Planning Commission + Niles makes 'unbelievable strides' + Tauscher says fear will affect Iraqi vote + Alameda County to be honored in Reno + Group urges Dems to 'Think Blue' for 2008 + Dublin mayor pushes growth

Santa Clara: Speaker tells Palo Alto students that stripping can be lucrative + San Jose center for disabled (Agnews) to close + Palo Alto Cops on alert after mountain lion sighting + School workers claim `racist' behavior + Area girl walks dog for awards + Bay Area dislikes gas tax fund shift + Sobriety club threatened by permit woes + Chamber wants Gregory to resign + Mayor seeks tech contract answers

Contra Costa: Concord OKs extending growth limit + Airplane crash report (girl injured on 680) is due soon + Walnut Creek loses 2 on staff + Boiler malfunction triggers health alert for Contra Costa + County to buy voting machines from Election Systems & Software, Inc. + Community warning issued over Tesco Refinery smoke + Contra Costa supervisors OK Capitol platform + Levee flood zone still a muddy mess

Marin: City staffers won't miss old offices in Novato + Point Reyes study tracks tule elk once nearly extinct + Red Cross sends local official to help with SoCal mudslides

Sonoma: Sonoma County doctors will help in disaster zone + Rison has us falling all over ourselves + RP rejects idea of casino on Agilent tract + Jefferson Airplane drummer dies at Penngrove home + Point Reyes Bird Observatory moving to Petaluma + Centex homes taking longer for Casa deal in Petaluma + Businesses reject parking garage tax at Keller St. garage + Rosen leaves culinary legacy + Land trust buys San Pablo Bay site + Grape growers debate biotech use at forum + From 'Desperate' to 'Extreme' + Tsunami tale of survival

Napa: Napa praised for creative use of tobacco funds

Solano: Family pleased with ruling on nursing home + Wal-Mart launches campaign to respond to criticism, improve image + - Benicia council members rank planner applicants differently + Local News Briefs.

Monterey: A touch of Hollywood in Monterey from Clint Eastwood + Salinas librarians get pink slips + TSUNAMI STORY + Pacific Grove Council tries to fill openings + Storm runoff forces Agency to open upper gates on Lake Nacimiento + Pay-and-display parking meters installed in Carmel + Proposed Encina Hills subdivision hits roadblock + Surplus projected for C.V. 'town' + April 5 set for vote on Carmel hotel tax + Storms trash state beaches + Ecological farming meeting has grown

Central Valley: Merced Native Mum On Time As 'Survivor' + Marines paint different picture of Raya+ Winter storms are filling reservoirs+ AWOL Guard soldier is not alone+ Family reflects on child's death at school+ Landfill spills waste into creek+ Riverbank council gives first approval to annexation plan+ Turlock wants $500,000 to study 99 interchange + Procession to pass by police HQ + High School Reunions+ Around the Region+ News & Notes

Central Coast: Henfling’s abruptly closes + Santa Cruz transportation panel withholds hotel nod + Filling the hands that feed them + Home-builders eye 20 acres of South County industrial land + Watsonville card room is last one standing + Healthy Habits: Watsonville program steers kids away from junk food + Coast Lines + USGS seismologist’s lecture will examine quakes, tsunamis

Southern California: Fear of rising water behind dam prompts evacuations in Riverside County + Hahn Rivals Focus on Corruption + Another County Design at Public Works Has a Cross to Bear + Santa Ana: City Vote on Tower Is Still a Go + LA: Ludlow Seeks Ballot Measure for Tax Hike to Fund Anti-Gang Projects + 6-Year-Old Struck, Killed Outside School + Orange County Auditor's Report Details Financial Statistics + Hertzberg, Hahn Trade Jabs on Traffic + Miscikowski Backs Krisiloff in Council Race + Rising dam forces evacuations in Corona

School days: Mt. Diablo: Possible music cuts strike a sour note + Black college fund looking to Oakland + Study could lead to funds for Alameda Science Tech Institute + Children's Hospital Clinic gives Oakland students a campus outlet + Dublin Teachers Association ready for contract + At San Bernadino High School, Justices convene hearings to teach students + Ravenswood school workers claim `racist' behavior

CONNECT THE DOTS....

Morford: Stray Dogs Deserve Back Rubs

Are we going to have to 'card' the wine now?

Kids have their say about divorce in 'Dummies'-like book

CD-ROM from AAA lets seniors test their physical, mental driving skills

Maureen Dowd: Wanted: powerful male looking for maid to marry Click.

Martha worried jail can be a downer for inmates

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Weill Cornell team develops fast-acting anthrax vaccine

5TH BIRD FLU CASE IN VIETNAM

Cholesterol Drugs Need Prescription, FDA Panel Says in Blow to Merck, J&J

Patients Put on Thinking Caps

At an Indiana Lab, Better Thinking Through Chemistry

Hair Cell Hope for Hearing Loss

Epilepsy Drug May Delay Aging

Counting on Squirrels for Help

Albatross flies around the world in 46 days

Gene that may no longer turn a deaf ear to old age

Healthy Mix Of GI Tract Microbes Are Key To Preventing Allergies And Asthma

New Computer Program Predicts Mycotoxin Levels In Corn

Animal Experiments More Stressful Than Previously Recognized

Soil Fungi Linked To Insect-Associated Decline Of Resistant Grape Rootstocks

Jefferson Virologists Coax HIV Out Of Hiding

Seeking The Biological Basis Of Dyslexia

Repeated Unexpected Infant Deaths Most Likely To Be From Natural Causes

Protein Power: The Role of CRP in Heart Disease

More Pain Relievers Linked to Heart Risk

Unique Presentation Of Delirium After Stem Cell Transplantation

Study Examines Relationship Of Vitamin A Pathway To Breast Tumor Progression

Debunking Constipation Myths: The Truth About High Fiber Diets And Laxatives

Immune System Contributes To Evolution Of A New Fluorescent Protein

Cells Don Festive Holiday Colors

MDCT Angiography Can Potentially Help Determine Which Patients Are At Greater Risk Of Stroke

Evidence For Sun-climate Link Reported By UMaine Scientists

Study Finds No Reduction In Breast Cancer Risk With Consumption Of Vegetables And Fruits

Does Cancer Run In Families?

Mouse Brain Tumors Mimic Those In Human Genetic Disorder

MSI Reveals Invention For Detection And Precise Quantification Of Molecules

Shedding Feathers Early May Enhance Sex Appeal, New Songbird Study Shows

Applied Imaging Cleared by FDA for Bone Marrow-Transplant Test

European Craft Makes Safe, Soft Landing on Saturn Moon + FIRST PICS FROM SATURN'S MOON

NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft out of 'safe mode'

NASA Details Earthquake Effects On The Earth

Observation Of Material Circling A Supermassive Black Hole

Going Beyond Einstein: Spacetime Wave Orbits Black Hole

Hewlett-Packard Combines Printer, PC Units

Monster Fueled by Caffeine

Grids Unleash the Power of Many

THE BUSHWORLD...

IRAQ JAIL ABUSE LEADER GRANER FOUND GUILTY

U.S. Will Keep Troop Strength at 150,000 in Iraq Through June, Metz Says

Bush admits misgivings about famed phrases, e.g. "Bring it on!", "Dead or alive!"

James Baker, aide to Bush's father urges pullout

U.S. Homeland Security Chief Calls for International Biometric Standards

Bush Extends Waiver of Provision in Law on Cuba

Judge Denies Atheist's Lawsuit to Prevent Prayer at Bush Inauguration

Iraq War Cost $102 Billion Through Sept. 2004

Big cuts planned in HUD programs. Proposal intended to pare duplications draws objections

White House ducks torture proposal queries

FCC Chair Orders Investigation Into Williams' Deal With Bush Administration + Ed. Secretary Defends Payment to Armstrong Williams + BUSH HAS SERIOUS CONCERNS OVER ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS FLAP

Science panel faults Bush plan on air pollution. Clear Skies proposal called less effective than present rules

FAA releases report on O'Hare expansion

White House plans unfair trade case vs. EU for confusing tariff system

9/11 fund head urges asbestos legal reform

John Breaux, co-chair of Commission on Tax Reform: Hero or Hack?

Bush may raise Pell Grant award

Aid to Serbia and Montenegro withheld for failure to cooperate with war crimes tribunal

U.S. Calls Indonesia Deadline for Troop Pullout Reasonable

Dems seek Ridge's lobbying correspondence

Lobbyists take advantage of inauguration+ Inaugural donors at a glance

Social Security: FDR's grandson protests Soc. Security ad+ Cheney defends Soc. Security account plan + Molly Ivins: As a matter of fact + Paul Krugman: The British evasion

Democrats: Mich. Democrat ex-Democratic Party chair cleared of solicitation charge + Va. Gov. Mark Warner being talked up for national job + Ex-Democratic party chair endorses Martin Frost for party's chairmanship

OPINIONS:

Marjie Lundstrom: Emergency contraception omission a disservice to assault victims

Iraq and the El Salvador 'Option': Justin Raimondo

No Semblance of Accountability: Alan Bock

Let's Stop Pretending: Teresa Whitehurst

The Century of the Believers: William Lind

Gary Leupp: Fighting for the work of the Lord: Christian fascism in America Click.

Alan Bisbort: Not on my dime: Countering King George's coronation Click.

Shred the Constitution, Win a Promotion

Waiter, Where's the Blood on My Margarita Glass?

Is Torture Even Useful?

Robin Cook: Hold the Elections, Then Get Out

Sidney Blumenthal: Happy talk

Harold Meyerson: President of fabricated crises Click.

John W. Dean: The torture memo that haunted Gonzales' confirmation hearings Click.

Fatcat Inaugural Contributors Have a Lot to Gain

Ridge Took Care of His Cronies

Why I was wrong about Iraq

DHS nominee Chertoff defended man linked to bin Laden (Allan Duncan)

MILITARY  Navy to choose presidential copter builder, a decision with international political implications

Father's pride leads to honor for all soldiers

R.E. Graswich: Love from home goes out to Marine commanding a unit in Iraq

War Veteran Refuses 2nd Iraq Deployment

Pendleton base closure issue

U.S. Soldier Convicted of Murder in 'mercy Killing' of Wounded Iraqi Teen

LEAKGATES Official: Evidence supports FBI whistle blower Sibel Edmond's complaints

Blood for pork....

Halliburton-Iran Deal a Sign of Détente?

Torture Companies Win New Defense Contracts

Protesters get prime spot for Inauguration Click. + Protest group sues over inauguration route

Stardom: ANGRY As HELL At AMAZON!!

Scientist: Racism hurt him at MIT

Preacher abandons plan to raise Muslim orphans. Indonesia rejects Christian group home

Click. Foreign governments have cited Abu Ghraib in defending their civil liberties violations

Georgia Judge Nixes Stickers on Textbooks Challenging Evolution

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond:  22 gay, lesbian groups reset priorities in wake of losses + Lutherans Recommend Tolerance on Gay Policy + Retirement homes, without the closets. Market widens for gay Baby Boomers seeking a comfortable place to grow old + Enrollment of Gays' Sons Prompts a Plea to Bishop + Lutherans Compromise on Gays in the Clergy + Gay tourists discover Buenos Aires

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

Oracle to Fire 5,000 Workers After Its Acquisition of PeopleSoft Closes

PG&E's new leader lets his religious beliefs guide him

Google settles charges over illegal issuance of options

EBay increases some fees, angering small business owners

Treasury offers companies tax-break guide to cut tax bills on profits earned abroad

The Pen Is Mightier.... 

Saunders: CBS and the Holy Grail

U.S. to improve quality of broadcasts to Arab world

San Francisco station won't air gay dating ads

Free Book Notes.com - Free Cliff Notes, Summaries & Study Guides

Tech Mags Return, But Can They Survive?

Judge Bars Photos, Video of Accuser in Shanley Sex-Abuse Trial

New Editor, and Local Focus, for Chicago's 'La Raza'

'NYT' Obtains 10 Emails, with Photos, Sent by Accused Abu Ghraib Abuser

Pa. Press Objects to New State Police Limit on Public Records

Today's papers

Vincent van Gogh The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge  
 

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

'Cher's "Farewell' tours arrives in Sacramento, grossed $170 million

National Zoo puts cheetah cubs online

New fold for history of Lace House of Petaluma

Englishman to lead Steinhart Aquarium

Composer premieres new opera 'Doctor Atomic'

Aquarium aficionados invest a lot of money to maintain water worlds

Oscar-winning strategy?

Balzac's Paris - A Guided Tour

Emily Hahn: 'Nobody Said Not to Go'

The Medici Archive Project: Main Menu

Ancient Origins: Solstice

Ancient Astronomer's Work Found on Roman Statue

James Joyce's Death and Wake

JOURNAL: Scientists See High Likelihood of ET Visitors

Ancient rock carvings go online

Report: Harry ordered to visit Auschwitz

Rush & Molloy: Foxx makes it explicit: He likes those snaps

Page Six

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

War prisons: U.S. to release 5 Guantanamo prisoners. Australian, 4 Britons have been held there 3 years without charges as terror suspects + Prisoners testify about abuse at Abu Ghraib jail. Videos are played + SEAL defends Navy lieutenant accused of prisoner abuse in Iraq + Guard Was 'Primary Torturer,' Prisoner Says + Shackled, humiliated and crying out for some justice + Iraq Abuse Soldier Said to Flout Orders

MIDDLE EAST: Israel, Palestinians Back on Speaking Terms

RUSSIA: At a Crucial Oil Juncture, a Russian Calls on China

Russia's Boost to Tech Sector

ASIA PACIFIC: Lantos: North Korea seems ready to resume nuke talks. Congressman visits Pyongyang, China

Suspect in Musharraf Attacks Fled From Jail + Pakistan troops guard main gas facility

TSUNAMI: Doctors heading to Sri Lanka as part of Kaiser's effort to help + Indonesia wants foreign troops out, defends restrictions on tsunami aid + Under the guise of "humanitarianism", US marines land in Sri Lanka + Extent of tsunami destruction along African coast slowly emerges + Paris Club of Creditors Agrees to Debt Moratorium for Tsunami-Hit Nations

AMERICAS: Bolivia: Citizens Protest Price Hikes; Government Firm

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

U.S. Sends Flight Back to Britain, Suspect Freed

Terrorism Judge Baltasar Garzon Gets OK for U.S. Sabbatical to Give Terrorism Classes in U.S.

Supreme Court hears arguments on spy pay

Russian Gangs Create Internet Weapons

Thatcher 'to plead guilty' + Special report: Equatorial Guinea

Click. MI6 Agent Zeljko Peratovic

Click.  NSA Top Secret Umbra Gamma Orcon

Click.  USSS Security for Prez Inauguration

14 Islamic Extremists Arrested in Germany

U.S. wants spy agreement to stay secret

Sniffing Out Things That Go Boom

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

U.S. Trade Deficit Hit Highest Figure Ever in November

Executives of Nortel Will Repay Bonuses

Disney aims high in '05 + Saudi Prince Helps Out Euro Disney

Oracle Plans Speedy Layoffs

Boards More Independent, Study Says + Spitzer to Study Minority Directors

Firms Offer Card to Cut Drug Costs

Stun-Gun Maker Taser Defends Stock Sales

Harvard's high-paid star investor leaving

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Chiron may roll out vaccine production in stages + Chiron CEO: Unclear When Flu Vaccine Sales Can Resume

HOW LOW
THE LAW GOES....

Supreme Court rules federal judges are improperly adding time to criminals' sentences

Mint seeks to crack down on fake coins

Judge Finds Pricewaterhouse Withheld Data

F.T.C. Files First Legal Case Against Sexually Explicit Spam

Condit denies romantic affair with Chandra Levy

Technician Sentenced in Massive Thefts of IDs

'Vow of poverty' tax schemes alleged

Click. A visit to Edgar Ray Killen’s house.

Pair needs a lawyer after bust for telling lawyer jokes

RN commodore's death puts spotlight on child porn inquiry

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

All California prisons on lock-down after Chino guard slain + Warden Seeks Help in Death Probe + Protective gear issued after CIM officer is fatally stabbed Click.

Disney Averted Suit from Ovitz over Severance Payment, Witness Says

Sacramento & north: Former official guilty, to testify against San Joaquin sheriff + Suspect arraigned in stockbroker's slaying + Bank camera snaps robber + Ex-official, key witness on San Joaquin corruption probe takes plea deal + Rocklin: Crime prevention aid in peril + Victim Heydaragha honored, answers sought

San Francisco, San Mateo: Chase through Tenderloin, Protrero ends in arrest + Fangs sue over sale of the Examiner. $11 million claimed in countersuit aimed at ex-exec + S.F. coast mystery: Cow washes up on beach + Was Gary Thompson framed at Log Cabin + Editorial: The juvie justice mess

Alameda: Fremont: Widow sues police for killing husband + Working toward a caring society + Oakland police arrest two following gunfight + Oakland; Ex-con charged in fatal June shooting + San Ramon: Burglary suspects target of search

Santa Clara: Los Altos: Beauty salon owner charged in vandalism. Camera caught him tampering with planters, police say + San Jose man has pre-teen chauffeur

Contra Costa: Moms charged with embezzlement of San Ramon school funds + Hit-run driver kills Moraga woman + Two killed in crash of car pursued by police

Marin: Prosecutor Ed Berberian picked by Supervisors to fill remainder of Kamena's DA term

Sonoma: 4 Piner students arrested in vandalism + Two men convicted in violent SR robbery + RP chief: Officer appears justified in shooting Rohnert Park: State prison guard arrested for shooting at homeless man

Solano: Flames gut GVRD office +  County board balks at forming park district + Avoid bridge, boaters told +  Local News Briefs + School board meets tonight + Local Business Briefs + Celebrating Solano

Monterey: Girl eludes would-be abductor + Teen injured in Salinas shooting

Central Valley: Officers hunt for gunman + Meth cleanup set to begin at farm+ Auto dealer gets four-year term for DUI ++ Nesler defense wins trial delay ++ Line of fire creeping closer to officers + No clear motive in Marine's killing of police officer. Shooter's friends believe he suffered from combat stress + Young Marine who shot officers did not want to go back to Iraq

Central Coast: Gap vandal fined cleanup fee + Cops and Courts + S.B. County to Lease Desert Jail Space

Southern California: Hundreds of dogs removed from illegal SoCal kennel + Prison for woman who placed razors at Orange County playgrounds + LAPD flashlight ban rejected + L.A.: Social Security Number Led to Arrest in 1987 Murder + Detective Pellicano Seeks Nullification of His Conviction + L.A. Man Wanted in Slayings Surrenders to Police + Irvine caregiver Who Tied Up Toddler Sentenced + Hesperia: 2 Plead Guilty in Scheme to Smuggle Parrots+ Citrus State Park: Murder Charge Filed in Burning Death of Woman + Hollywood Pastor Pleads Not Guilty to Stealing From Woman

Donald Beardslee: Juror, warden and clergy urge clemency+  Ex-juror backs clemency

Jackson: Prosecutors want courtroom open during key hearings

Blake: Witnesses: Blake appeared nervous before his wife was killed

The Governor:  Gov.'s allies put labor on the defensive. Unions scramble to protect pensions, teachers' salaries + Group to Aid Gov.'s Push for Reforms + Arnold banking on pseudo-convention + Budget banks on borrowing, biting bullet + Gov. proposes monthly Medi-Cal premiums + Gov. willing to change term limits Click. + Prescription benefit amid health care cuts. Plan relies on help from drug makers + Drug makers reveal new discount Rx plan + State may require health coverage + Dems give up on tax increases, await Gov.'s next move + Dems: Gov.'s plans doomed + Cogdil: Legislature must follow Gov., reform budget

Shelley: Shelley given more time to decide on testimony + Shelley's silence + It's shameful! Democrats shield one of their own + Deadline Set for Shelley + Receives grace period + Dan Walters: Democrats mishandle Shelley scandal

Hastings:  Put kids above politics  + Peter Schrag: The school fixers: Once again, the kids come last

PUC Delays Vote on 'Bill of Rights' re: cell and other phones + CalPERS launches hotline for pension disability fraud

Doris Matsui takes on a new political profile + Ex-Supervisor Johnson says run +Unseemly? Not really

Ouster of ag official sought by environmentalists

Lawmakers demand inquest for Caltrans

California bears brunt of trade deficit with China Click.

Indian tribes: Oakland council votes down casino proposal + Lake County: Court order sought to halt work on Rattlesnake Island, sacred site of Elem tribe + Gambling Deals Are Downsized

LOCAL NEWS:   Quake shakes desert area near Palm Springs

La Conchita:  Rescuers claw through muck the consistency of concrete  + Slide area notoriously unstable. Same hillside failed in '95 + Unsteady hillsides can still let loose + $24 million in losses to Ventura farmers

Transportation moves to top of Bay Area's problem list.

Click. SEA LION LEADS MENLO PARK COPS ON SLOW AND STEADY CHASE

Sacramento & north: S. Placer takes name for tourism + Countdown for public vote on Covell Village + R.E. Graswich: Sick news: Healthy patients mean Sutter medical group's finances are ailing + Tow-truck driver's 'trippy' day - he hoists his first dead tiger + Natomas development OK'd

San Francisco, San Mateo: Assessor at a loss as to why Giants' park is worth $100 million less + San Francisco's emergency plan for terror  + S.F.: Outdoor pet dogs protected. + S.F. Mayor vetoes supes' homeless center pick + South City biotech a first for Mission Bay + Click.  At least six supervisors support fighting to increase PG&E's franchise fee + Click.  Developer seeks large tax credit to convert the old Chronicle Building