NEWSMAKINGNEWS.COM

NEWSGRID FEBRUARY 2005

FEBRUARY 28, 2005

WAR IRAQ On the ground:
Suicide Bomb Kills 125 Near Iraq Marketplace + Map: where the attack happened + Insurgents Land Deadliest Blow Since Fall of Hussein's Regime + Status of 55 most-wanted Iraqis + Death toll + 3 U.S. Troops Killed in Iraq (LAT Reg) + Albania to Increase Number of Troops in Iraq + Orders of battle + Juan Cole reports

Occupation: AP: New Iraq must be Islamic state + Trials May Start Soon for Former Iraqi Leaders + Some Sunni leaders rethink attitudes on elections + Hussein kin's arrest a blow to insurgency + Turkmen Party Accuses US Troops of Office Raid + General Mohamed, America's Would-Be 'White Knight' on Haifa Street + Saddam to be in cage during his trial

War prisons: SAS chiefs defend soldier against Iraq murder claim

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Army Increases to 20,000 Troops + Afghan Commander Survives Attempt on Life

MIDDLE EAST: Egypt: Egyptians Doubtful of a Free Election (LAT Reg) + U.S. Pressure Helped Prompt Egypt's Call for Competitive Race (LAT Reg) + Egyptian opposition welcomes decision on multiparty presidential elections

Israel, Palestine: Sharon tells Palestinians to act against attackers. Israeli leader says peace progress hinges on rooting out terror groups + Nations meeting in London on needs of a Palestinian state. Economic reconstruction, streamlining of security services at center of global confab + Jewish settler homes may remain intact + Palestinians head to London conference + Israel Will Send Large Forces Into Gaza if Palestinian Gunmen Disrupt Summer Pullout, Defense Minister Warns

Lebanon: Karami Announces Cabinet’s Resignation! + Thousands Protest Against Syria in Lebanon's Capital + Lebanese Government Resigns Amid Protests + Lebanon: Syrian troops pulling back + Satterfield: Lebanese government insulting its people + Hariri's case gathers momentum + Lebanon's Hariri Was Killed To Make a `Clean Break' + State Dept: US Not Interfering in Lebanon + White House Praises Resignation of Lebanon's Prime Minister

RUSSIA: Principal locked in Beslan nightmare + Trauma of Beslan siege still haunts the town

Russia to close its last plutonium reactor in 3 years

EUROPE: Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan votes marred. Complaints of campaign violations, irregularities plague elections in ex-Soviet republics

French parliament tackles EU constitution + France's Latest Finance Minister Inherits Tough Challenge

AFRICA: Burundians vote on constitution

Yemen's economic prospects look bleak

ASIA PACIFIC: Illegal Indonesians rush to leave Malaysia

AMERICAS: Ex-Haitian soldiers endangering elections + Haiti remarkably unchanged year after Aristide

2 arrested in U.S. nun's slaying in Brazil

Venezuela: Venezuelan Navy taking a close look at US military presence on Curacao + USA charts roadmap to change OAS Democratic Charter vs. Venezuela + Mr. Bush wants to steal the oil, which belongs to the Venezuela people + White House frustrated in failure to destroy the Chavez Frias government + Why the elitist will continue to attempt to assassinate Hugo Chavez Frias + Oscar Heck: Saving Venezuelan culture from the grasp of the bald eagle

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

CIA Moves to Second Fiddle in Intelligence Work + No secrets, eyes on the CIA

FBI Backlog of Intercepts Minimal

Al Qaeda:  New Intelligence Indicate Al-Qaida Planning Terror Operations Outside Iraq + Briton pleads guilty in Shoebomber plot + Al-Qaeda Mocks Iraqi Claims That Noose Is Tightening on Zarqawi + Abu Ali linked to Saudi Arabia al-Qaeda leader + Profile: dark secret + Richard Reid + The second shoe bomber

United Nations: Iran, North Korea focus of IAEA meeting

Ex-spy Mahle finds own life

Translators know value of tough job

Prosecution of 'Confessed' Terror Suspect Not Easy After Torture

Study: Media Overstate Madrassa Enrollment in Pakistan (LAT Reg)

US Planning Arabic TV Broadcasts to Europe

Weird Australian 'spy' case casts shadow on Katsav trip

No spy will be let of the hook, warns Mugabe + Mugabe raps Zanu-PF 'spies'

Bulgarian Counterintelligence Officer Joins Ireland’s Money Laundering Probe

Japanese satellite successfully placed in orbit

Most International Aid Wasted, Say Agencies

Bosnia Muslim, Serb War Chiefs Surrender to Hague

Richard Girard: Mr. Gunson is probably British MI-6 or GCHQ

Ukraine blames Russia for the loss of shoulder-fired missiles

Man Accused of Being Nazi Death Camp Guard Makes Rare Public Appearance at Immigration Hearing

LEAKGATES  Iraq war documents must stay secret, insists PM

The blame for the Iraq war lies with our supine cabinet

HOW LOW
THE
LAW GOES....

Supreme Court: Court to address whether whistleblower prosecutor may sue former employers for retaliation after he reported wrongdoing at sheriff's office + Top court to weigh Indian reservation gas tax + High court to clarify when to file suits in federal or state courts

Issue of illegals roiling Arizona. New law denies public services to such immigrants

Alleged Italian Mafia leader arrested

Ex-WorldCom CEO Takes Witness Stand + Ebbers Testifies That Sullivan Never Told Him WorldCom Was Hiding Expenses

Webcam Trojan perv gets slapped wrist

Judge OKs $107.6 Million Settlement Against DuPont Over Alleged Poisoning of Water

Bradley Subject of Informal SEC Probe

Search Resumes for Missing Florida Girl; Frustrated Volunteers Find No Sign Yet

Hutterite Colony Has Day in Court Over Decision to Deny Medicaid Benefits

Court Rules Against Maker of False Teeth in Antitrust Case

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Berkeley: Sketches from famous trials on exhibit. Charles Manson, Patty Hearst among subjects of 2 courtroom illustrators

Bob Shallit: Morrison & Foerster, law firm's nickname will live in reruns

Sacramento & north: Sacramento: Full-blown war by Hmong gangs alarms police (SB Reg) + Man goes to check on noise, is slain (SB Reg)

Alameda: Oakland: Man shot -- first homicide in 3 weeks Man violating curfew killed in W. Oakland + Young athlete gunned down on 26th Ave. + Union City resident found dead in ditch + Palo Alto medical foundation grows with Fremont + P.A.L. keeps kids off street, in ring + Tri-City salons can help cut out domestic abuse

Santa Clara: Indo-American burglary victims fear they're targeted (SJM Reg) + Roadshow: Crazy things CHP officers see (SJM Reg) + Big-rig stolen while parked in Mtn. View (SJM Reg) + Action Line: Family Violence Center can help (SJM Reg) + Search called off for man who walked into ocean (SJM Reg)

Contra Costa: North Richmond: Bicycle rider slain by gunshots in street

Solano: Police use Taser on sledgehammer attack suspect + Vallejo Police Calls + Benicia Police Calls

Monterey: Salinas officer killed 60 years ago remembered

Central Valley: Corruption trial nears completion + Law & Order + McFall says he's a vendetta victim

Central Coast: ACLU’s Drug Law Reform Project relocates to Santa Cruz

Southern California: Easy pickings for cat burglars in posh L.A. neighborhoods + Inland Empire Sees Rise in Hate Crimes, Bucking Trend in State (LAT Reg) + Newport Beach couple, believed killed, sold boat for cash, suspicions raised (LAT Reg) + Fountain Valley: Men Arrested in Alleged Hostage-Taking

Michael Jackson: Jackson's full trial opens today. Opening statements expected to focus on pedophilia issue + Judge in Jackson Case Assures There Is Order in His Court + Opening Statements in Jackson Trial Today (LAT Reg) + Prosecutor says Jackson exploited boy (SJM Reg) + `Big lurid day' finally here for Jackson + In Opening Statement, Prosecutor Accuses Jackson of 'strange Sexual Behavior'

Scott Peterson: Moms in argument at Peterson home + Scott, Laci Petersons families argue

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA....

The Governor:  Decision time approaches for Gov., Democrats as special election deadline nears + Governor's plan could erode CalPERS clout (SB Reg) + 'News' Video Extols Gov.'s Plan to Alter Meal Break Rules (LAT Reg) + Gov. says he never considered presidential bid (CCT Reg) + Dems aim to thwart Gov. + The buzz: It's showtime! Gov. makes his pitch (SB Reg) + Dan Walters: Stripped of rhetoric, state budget finally looks brighter (SB Reg) + Daniel Weintraub: Governor's budget talk must return to reality (SB Reg) + Education funding is a top state test + Schools' financial woes linked to declining enrollment + Riverside: NASCAR not Oscar draws Gov.'s visit ( RP Reg) + Gov. to unveil compromise solar energy plan (FB Reg) + Tom Campbell finds budget niche (SJM Reg) + Closer look at home care (SB Reg) + Caltrans boss digs rail, tolls (SB Reg)

Legislature: Butts, bicycles on the agenda + Bill would aid college outreach (CCT Reg) + Recycling  bicycles proposed (SB Reg) + Lobbyists' new mag serves up chats with intriguing figures (SB Reg)

Utah uranium poses threat to Colorado River, drinking source for 18 million Southern California (RP Reg)

State's forest reseeding operation at risk. Budget cuts force state seed bank closure; merge with federal forestry agency planned

Indian tribes: Top court to weigh reservation gas tax + Lytton tribe waits for negotiations (CCT Reg)

LOCAL NEWS:   Bodego Bay: Mysterious squid suddenly vanish

Sacramento & north: Yolo set to map future (SB Reg) + Arden Spay Day is tale of success (SB Reg)

San Francisco, San Mateo: Supportive housing + A timely fare hike + Speak softly and carry a big broom

Alameda: Oakland: Chamber's PAC backs De La Fuente + Oakland: Historic Asian cannery may be turned to lofts + Oakland Public Works agency takes pains to spruce up image + Oakland driver dies in accident in Vallejo + North American Airlines loses bid to fly 14 routes from Oakland to China + Drama expected re: reopening boarding house in Fremont + Lonely, Elvis? Newark's a new place to dwell + Fremont teenagers showcase talents + Newark's former city attorney dies + Livermore: Veterans upset by restroom proposal near Memorial + Alameda County gears up for cleanups on Earth Day + East Bay Regional Park nod seen for park expansion at Pleasanton Ridge (SJM Reg)

Santa Clara: Father of the Mac dead at 61 + School's robotics program shut down (SJM Reg) + Park for Palo Alto residents only (SJM Reg) + Some food for thought (SJM Reg) + Black history fair educates, entertains (SJM Reg) + Proposal for college outreach (SJM Reg) + Sisters draw national eye with charity (SJM Reg)

Contra Costa: Concord: Seafaring homage to slain guard. Kayak run will raise funds for daughter + Homeland funds split East Bay (CCT Reg) + Martinez: Budding high school litigators close on state finals (CCT Reg) + Heritage Estates gives out 'Oscars' (CCT Reg) + Contra Costa may re-examine referrals to agency that employed sex offender

Marin: Lark Theater's party is a winner + Vision of future nearly done + Tributes flow for pioneer lawman

Sonoma: 10 school districts await tax elections + Weed challenge to Sebastopol's ethics + Santa Rosa's digital divide + Petaluma wastewater plant on table + Watching in style + North Bay Council gets new executive director

Napa: Twin gives ailing sister a new lease on life + EMS crews struggle to keep up with valley's Spanish-speaking community + Yountville Council candidates discuss town's future + Experts map out market for first-time homebuyers

Solano: Will Vallejo be the next Venice years from now? + Ex-NFL player tackles real estate + Dixon residents tour horse-racing facility + Local News Briefs + Teen hopes for golden skates

Monterey: Emergency chief Robins retires + Alzheimer's society plans support group

Central Valley: No fireplace bans this season + A Tightknit Group That's Now Hooked On Helping + Library closure brings in faithful + She penned her culture as a best-seller + Youngsters show their stuff in concert + News & Notes + A toast to water deal between Modesto and MID + Save county sales tax hike for road improvements + Cricket interest awakens in Tracey + Study: Tracy ranks high in retail growth

Central Coast: Mr. Handyman nails spot at Oscars + Strawberry campaign under way + Santa Cruz one of four UC campuses participating in teen science program+ Potential bike-riding reporter bemused by roadway conspiracy + Coast Lines + As We See It: Hands off the festival

Southern California: The Mayor's Race Is L.A.'s Traveling Circus (LAT Reg) + LA: GOP Candidate Makes Some Waves + L.A. Marathon Subsidy Faces a Run for the Money (LAT Reg) + Huntington Park: 50 Volunteers Are Acknowledged for Community Work (LAT Reg) + Churches Help Campaign to Restore Cross on County Seal (LAT Reg) + Orange County: 2 Groups File Suit to Halt Sea Cliff Project at Dana Point Headlands (LAT Reg) + Lofty Dreams of Downtown Living (LAT Reg) + Hollywood Hills: Homes Get Red Tags; Road Closed (LAT Reg) + Do Asian Americans Count in L.A. mayor race? (LAT Reg) + Candidates for mayor start rush to the finish + Ongoing drama of mayor's race is the best show in town

School days: 13 states form coalition for high school accountability. Governors to seek reforms raising education standards + Berkeley: Teachers cut back on work in protest. No raise for 2 years, no after school hours + Malibu's Black Students Reach Out (LAT Reg) + Not your father's shop class + CSUEB faculty shows off latest art works + Educators: School cuts embarrassing + New Haven job posting fuels turmoil + Parents rally around Fremont teachers + San Ramon choir coach seeks  recruits + `Broken' high-school system targeted + Language Development Via The Internet

CONNECT THE DOTS....

A bridge between chaos and adulthood

Harvard Presidents Used to Be Players (LAT Reg)

Hitler's former Alpine retreat site of new luxury hotel

Revising Humans: U.S. Constitution Provides Framework For Debate On Genetic Engineering Of Human Beings

Meeting to Assess Women's Equality Embroiled in Controversy Over U.S. Anti-Abortion Demand

Blood for pork.... 

China, Iran, Russia and Venezuela are making all kinds of oil deals

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

Owner of Macy's reported ready to acquire May Co. $10.4 billion deal would create huge retail store chain

Accountant decries IRS on insurance taxes

Atlantis on the gulf? Dubai builds a luxury archipelago

Influx of Chinese garlic wrinkles nose in U.S. (LAT Reg)

Biogen, Elan Voluntarily Withdraw MS Drug; Shares Plunge + Biogen's Drug Debacle Could Beat Down Industry

U.S. Workers Voice Increasing Dissatisfaction With Jobs, Survey Says

Traders Gather for Conference on the World's Newest Trading Commodity: Pollution

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

Man, 69, Is Vietnam's 14th Fatality From Bird Flu (LAT Reg) + 'Chicken Flu' Is No Big Peril (LAT Reg) + Bird flu to shake up Asian society

WHO Recommends Influenza Vaccine Composition For Northern Hemisphere 2005-2006 Influenza Season

Scientist gets US grant for germ warfare vaccine


Cartilage Repair Techniques Shown To Restore Patient Mobility And Reduce Pain

Kellogg to Develop Products Fortified With Heart-Healthy Compound

Girl with epilepsy on mend. After brain surgery, she has fewer big seizures

Brain Region Learns To Anticipate Risk, Provides Early Warnings, Suggests New Study

New Drug May Be Formidable Adversary For Hard To Treat Leukemia

Researchers Identify Target For Cancer Drugs

Lack Of Specific Collagen Type Leads To Osteoarthritis

Intervention Cuts Nerve Damage, Boosts Life Span

Faster, Less Expensive Test Proven More Effective In Detecting Bladder Cancer

What if you did all the right things?

No More Crash-Test Surgery

The Mind Takes Control

Diet: Restaurants Are Slow to Drop Menu Choices With Trans Fat

Friends, Enemies Communicate With Plants In Similar Ways

Antarctic Ice Shelf Retreats Happened Before

UVM Geologists Explore Link Between Human Action And Landscape Change

Animal Parenting, Personality And Pair-ups

Increasing Nitrogen Pollution In Nation's Coastal Waters

Feeding The World Requires More Than A Spoonful Of Safety

Report: Japan Eyes Manned Base on Moon

Intel execs to detail new units

Yahoo. It started as 2 guys in a trailer

Cyberspace to Outer Space, Let's Have a Conference and Go There

Film Download, Search Firms to Link Services

NASA Spacecraft Help Solve Saturn's Mysterious Auroras

Largest Machines On Earth: Particle Colliders

Bipedal Bots Star At AAAS Media Briefing + Brain Controls Robot Arm In Monkey, University Of Pittsburgh Researcher Reports At AAAS

Saturn's Moons Titan And Enceladus Seen By Cassini

Moonstruck: SMART-1 Mission Extended

New Methods Of Solving 'Hard' Computer Problems

Mac's Original Designer Dies

Chinese Soon to Embark On Private Space Flights

Scientists beam in on particles that shaped universe

Russia Launches Supply Ship to Space Station

THE BUSHWORLD...

With Social Security Support Coming Hard, Bush Will Hit the Road Again An AP News Analysis

Attorney General Says He Will Prosecute Obscenity Aggressively, Lays Out Other Priorities

Justice Department taking steps to fight violent crime in Hartford, Camden, Fresno, Houston, New Orleans.

Former Government Lawyer First Up as Senate Renews Fight Over Bush's Judicial Nominees

US Plans to Expand TV Broadcasts to Iran

Bin Laden Urges Zarqawi to Hit USA

Syria: Israel in Diplomatic Push Against Syria After Bomb + Israel 'To Show Damascus Guilt' + Bishara: Pressures on Syria serve Israel

Lebanon: State Dept: US Not Interfering in Lebanon + White House Praises Resignation of Lebanon's Prime Minister (Note: See Middle East, left side of page for more re: Lebanon.)

Iran: U.S. may join effort to coax Iranians. Europeans offering Tehran incentives to end nuclear program + McCain: US Should Bar Russia From G8 Over Iran Deal + Pakistan Brushes Off 'Old Story' Tying Khan, Iran + Whitney: Europe & Iran

Foreign: U.S. resists efforts to limit U.S. Navy sonar + U.S. resumption of Indonesia ties decried by human rights groups + Rice heads to London for Mideast meeting re: Palestinians + U.S. cites nations on human rights abuses+ U.S. OKs Revived U.S. military training in Indonesia (LAT Reg)

Domestic: Governors to discuss Medicaid with Bush + Governors eye 2008 race amid policy talks + Alaska refuge again in jeopardy

Social Security: Poll: How groups feel about Social Security plan + Santorum Puts Tax Rate Hike on Table (LAT Reg) + Change in labs' pension plans may have national impact + Blacks Courted on Social Security + Social Security fight gets personal + Former treasury secretary proposes investment savings accounts to make everyone a millionaire by age 65 + Poor Chileans labor past retirement + AP Poll: People Who Are Uneasy About Retirement Tend to Oppose Bush Social Security Plan + How Different Groups Feel About Bush's Social Security Proposal

Congress: Black farmers seek compensation from gov't+ Abortion Debate Still Tangled in Bankruptcy Bill (LAT Reg) + Nuclear option to get GOP judges in office

GOP: Hoosier hysteria over taxes

Voting: Judge Refuses to Block New FEC Restrictions on 'soft Money' Groups

OPINIONS:

Five days that shook world politics

Memories of Gonzo Journalist Are Reminder of What Campaigns Used to Be (LAT Reg)

Attack on AARP, Like 'Religious War,' Built on Either/Or Fallacy (LAT Reg)

Conservative History vs. Neocons: Justin Raimondo

Bye-Bye, Nonproliferation: Gordon Prather

Syria – and Lebanon – Are Doomed: Chris Sanders

N. Korea Waits for Spring: McCormack/ Engelhardt

Kenneth T. Tellis: How can REAL democracy have open election fraud?

Bob Herbert: It's called torture

Is Dubya in the closet?

MILITARY  Trauma of Iraq war haunting thousands returning home + Iraq injuries differ from past wars: More amputations, brain traumas

'Brain Rangers' Fight Iraq Stress

Is the Marine Corps PC?

Military Program Readmits Indonesia

Air Force Criticized For Detector Purchase

500,000 veterans homeless this year


52 Vermont Towns to Vote on Antiwar Resolution

Columbia's Middle East Studies Proceedings Will Not Be Public

Artist faces jail for being bioterrorist

Device tracks radio listening

Unger: Campus Resistance

Stauber: Neutralize Activists

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond:  Legal loophole in lesbian marriages stirs debate in India + Young Prosecutor Roils Brazil with Gay Marriage Case + Gay couple mull suit over anti-AARP ad

The Pen Is Mightier.... 

The race for low wattage stations:

Churches big winners in grab for micro radio

Homespun podcaster shows find big audience

Taiwan: They Can't Handle the Truth (LAT Reg)

Channel Surfing to a Life of Crime (LAT Reg)

CIA leak is threat to press freedom

Reuter uses socialism to elicit negative images of the Chavez administration

The Three Anchors

Richard A. Clarke Talks About Writing Regular Column for the 'N.Y. Times'

Inside The 'Gannon' Case: How Blogs Broke It Wide Open

Today's papers



Vincent van Gogh The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge
 

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

A chance to get close to the land at Slide Ranch, Muir Beach

Modjeska House in Orange County is a Retreat for All (LAT Reg)

Local scene from 1776 re-created

Hollywood: 'Million Dollar Baby' Delivers a 1-2-3-4 Punch + 'Million Dollar Baby' Dominates Oscars + 'The Aviator' flies in the face of hypocrisy about film sex + Some teens find desperation in Hollywood + Rock got the show rolling but it never hit the fast lane

Peter Schjeldahl on Cy Twombly

Fiction by Umberto Eco

Voltaire the Activist

Interactive Dig Hierakanpolis

The Enterprise Mission - Hoagland Faces His Accusers

Sensational diaries of Russian Empress Maria published

Part of Emperor Charlemagne's throne discovered

'This is London in all its beery-eyed, nervy exhilaration'

Push it

Indomitable Irishry

The human factor

Page Six

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

FEBRUARY 25, 2005

WAR IRAQ On the ground:
Iraq blast kills 3 U.S. troops, wounds 8 + US casualties in Baghdad bomb attack + Iraqi Govt Says It Captures Top Zarqawi Aide + Iraqi officials: Al-Zarqawi aide held + Iraq TV shows 'confessions' by fighters + Fear of death omnipresent in Baghdad + Pentagon reports fewer U.S. casualties from remotely detonated bombs + Attacks kill 30 as rebels strike in Sunni region. Resentment in area feared to have grown since election + Deaths Give Urgency to Search for Roadside Bombs (LAT Reg) + Sailors Guarding Oil Live on 'Target No. 1' (LAT Reg) + String of Rebel Attacks Leaves at Least 31 Dead (LAT Reg) + AI: Concern for arrested Iraqi woman + Orders of battle + Juan Cole reports

Occupation: Cleric endorses al-Jaafari PM nomination + Iraq's neighborhood councils are vanishing + Kurds Hold Out for Power in Political Wrangling + Iraqi Women Officials Vow to Implement Sharia

AFGHANISTAN: Troop cuts in Afghanistan concern general + 9 Afghan troops, 10 Taliban rebels killed + Lessons From the Hidden Afghan War + Expert briefing on Afghanistan + German army to relieve US troops in Afghanistan + The Quiet War: Special Forces in Afghanistan

MIDDLE EAST: Cries of 'enough' gain momentum in a frustrated Egypt

Israel, Palestine: Suicide Bombing in Tel Aviv Kills Three - Police + Several dead in Tel Aviv blast + Palestinian lawmakers confirm recast Cabinet. 17 nonpoliticians replacing Arafat loyalists seen bolstering reform-minded president + Israel to shorten evacuation timetable + Israel's Sharon plans Tunisia visit + Palestinian Lawmakers OK New Cabinet; Most Arafat Loyalists Out (LAT Reg) + World Bank, US: Make Palestinians Pay for Israel Checkpoints + Gaza strongman Dahlan returns to center stage + Israeli officials smile, and build more outposts on the ground + Hamas says Cairo talks won't yield truce unless Israel meets demands

Lebanon: UN Team in Lebanon Starts Probe Into Hariri Killing + Life goes on for Syrian troops in Lebanon + Syria Will Reconfigure Its Forces in Lebanon, by sending troops closer to Syrian border (LAT Reg) + Syria Moves Troops to Bekaa + Syria is to put the Taif accord into force + Syria's statement on a new withdrawal from Lebanon + Israeli warplanes renew violations of Lebanese airspace + Syria should leave Lebanon, says Jordanian ruler

EUROPE: Schroeder heads to Gulf for seven-nation tour

Ireland poll: Adams' popularity drops

FRANCE'S FINANCE MINISTER RESIGNS OVER FLAT SCANDAL

U.N. envoy optimistic on Kosovo talks

Speculation high on Kyrgyzstan revolution

AFRICA: Official: U.N. troops readying for Sudan

9 peacekeepers killed in Congo, U.N. says

ASIA PACIFIC: China proposes more flights with Taiwan + China relaxes market access for non-public economy

N. Korea: South Korea urges flexibility over nukes + North Korea ready to return to nuclear talks: Chinese minister

Behind Its Seawalls, Japanese Isle Debates Their Value + Japanese women staying single and loving it

Sri Lanka ruling alliance loses majority

Kashmir Rebels Attack Office Complex, Kill 5 (LAT Reg)

AMERICAS: Argentina Prepares to Shed Its Debt, Reenter Fiscal Markets (LAT Reg)

Murder in the Amazon

U.S. wants Nicaragua to give up its surface to air missiles (SAMS)

USA keeps insisting that we don't have a true democracy in Venezuela + Venezuela arrests suspected Colombian rebel leader Gentil Alvis Patino + Venezuela cannot depend on any outside force to relieve her of the USA threat

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

Navy's experimental interceptor downs missile

Italy probes possible CIA role in abduction

Watchdogs Sniff Out Terror Sites

Canada's opting out could alter NORAD role, MacDonald says + Trade seen as casualty of missile defence move

U.S. Says Thousands of Missiles Missing

Taiwan arrests man suspected of smuggling missile parts to Libya

Phillippines: Police Say Arrests Thwarted Terror Attacks (LAT Reg)

Syrian Disputes `Confessions' by Men Who Claimed Trained by Syrian Intelligence to Become Iraq Insurgents (LAT Reg)

Paper Links Putin to Dresdner

Diplomatic words hide rising tension over Israeli spy

Britain plans to shift spying powers in Northern Ireland to MI-5 agency

Tokyo does not explain essence of strange wording on Kuriles

Kasyanov Hints He May Run in 2008

Security tight for president visit

Viktor Yanukovich wants referendum on Ukraine’s admission to NATO

Russian group alleges secret service intervention

HOW LOW
THE
LAW GOES....

High court clears way for adult trial of 14-year-olds

Florida family begs for return of missing 9-yr-old girl

Delay sought in Schiavo tube removal + Schiavo case highlights eating disorders

Gunman kills ex-wife, bystander in Texas, angry over being sued for child support

Invocation of eminent domain by cities to seize property for private development is on the rise

Costa Rican family in long-shot bid to stay in U.S.

Denver: 9-yr old girl to get $129,000 home of molestor

Texas study: Minorities get searched more at traffic stops

Judge hears arguments in tobacco trial + Justice Department tobacco litigation site

Damage control for ID theft victims

Animal Rights Advocacy Is a Growing Field (LAT Reg)

Canada rules German Holocaust-denier to be deported to face prosecution

Monster who tortured boy giggles at life term

Ebbers Will Testify in His Own Defense at Criminal Trial on WorldCom Fraud

Florida Judge Orders Removal of Terry Schiavo's Feeding Tube on March 18

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS...

Study: Racial bias in juvenile justice (SJM Reg)

CYA wards face stricter screening for work crews (SB Reg)

Editorial: Forced prison segregation (SB Reg)

Sacramento & north: Newcastle man indicted in firebombing + Suspect indicted in 3 arson incidents (SB Reg) + Man takes plea deal in girl's killing (SB Reg) + Former lawman's defense backfires (SB Reg) + R.E. Graswich: Seeking diversity, Sacramento police are going to the wall for recruits (SB Reg) + Regional school radio thieves target Woodland (SB Reg) + Pair held in killing at car lot (SB Reg) + Deadline delayed on Yuba plan (SB Reg) + Fish and Game officials ask for charges in bear shooting (SB Reg) + 4 arrested in office burglary spree (SB Reg) + Police seek clues in shooting death (SB Reg) + Fire damages Roseville restaurant (SB Reg) + Boy, 5, reports kidnapping attempt (SB Reg)

San Francisco, San Mateo: S.F.: Western Addition killings not linked

Alameda: Newark cops arrest teen in shooting + Newark teen shot to death + Oakland: Man crushed to death -- investigation opens + Oakland promises billboard fame to shame 'johns' + Albany: + Driver fleeing police crashes. Suspect in hospital along with 2 others after running light + Hayward: Oakland man arrested in killing + Newark: Suspect arrested in teen's slaying + Berkeley: Homicide charge in beating death + Hayward police arrest suspect in failed carjacking, death + Livermore Police Department to put a taser shock into crime + Livermore not liable in fatal copter crash + Retrial begins in lab wrongful termination suit

Santa Clara: East Palo Alto: Boy pleads not guilty in slaying of aunt + Phony doctor strikes 12 year deal (SJM Reg) + Fake weapons get kids in real trouble (SJM Reg) + More drop-off sites for babiee (SJM Reg) + Dogfight ends in people-fight, loss of deputy + Teen arrested in shooting death of Newark man (SJM Reg) + S.F. deputy gets probation, loses his job (SJM Reg)

Judge postpones Alamo YMCA hearing + El Cerrito flood reveals pot (CT Reg)

Marin: Court upholds ruling on cult father who starved son

Sonoma: Agua Caliente: Slaying suspect arrested in Utah + Petaluma man Joseph Nieder accused in child porn case, 2 victims found + Sheriff investigating apparent shooting at home in Windsor

Napa: Local kids found safe one day after Amber Alert

Solano: Officers honored for taking guns off streets + Mother testifies at trial she gave daughter to suspect

Monterey: Salinas: Chief's defense of Tasers criticized. Some of his statements quoted directly from gunmaker's promotional literature + Burglars hit collectables shop again + Men take $8 in Greenfield home robbery + Lawyer wants probe of Taser caset

Central Valley: Daniloo fraud counts grow + Would-be peace officer arrested + Murder case plea deal sets 3 accessories free + Amador/Las Vegas: Pediatric resident accused of child molestation + Report: Woman was lying on road + Pair arrested in Ceres-area killing + Farmers seek to press individual water lawsuits + Former supervisor accused of fraud + Stockton: Defendant weeps at murder trial + Peterson sentencing delayed 5 days (CCT Reg)

Central Coast: Judge rules New Leaf attacker incompetent to stand trial + Cops and Courts

Southern California: Worker accused of killing boss in L.A. + Judge keeps Samantha Runnion murder trial in Orange County + Former Inglewood school official given five years for fraud + Couple Questioned About Ventura County Tiger (LAT Reg) + LA: 2 Are Shot to Death at Maintenance Yard by fired worker (LAT Reg) + Student Slain, Another Wounded by Gang Members in Long Beach (LAT Reg) + OC: Judge rules bedridden witness can testify early against former OC Ass't Sheriff George Jaramillo, accused of corruption + OC: Jury in Haidl Case Views Video Showing Alleged Rape of Girl, 16 + Trial in Samantha Runnion's Death Will Stay in O.C. (LAT Reg) + Federal Training Set for LA Sheriff's Employees to ID Jail Inmates Who Are Ilegals (LAT Reg) + Former Inglewood School Board Leader Gets Prison Time (LAT Reg)

Michael Jackson: Jackson Jurors Reflect Star's Influence + Alternate jurors selected -- Jackson trial next week + Woman's family threatens to sue Michael Jackson, hospital + Michael Jackson's lawyer previews defense strategy (SJM Reg) + Jackson defence to attack accuser's mother
 

Robert Blake: Prosecution presents rebuttal witnesses in Blake murder trial + Blake Witness Didn't Hallucinate, Jurors Told (LAT Reg)

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA....

The Governor:  Field Poll: Gov. far in front in new tally. Among Democrats, Hollywood's Reiner leads state officers + Field Poll: Head start for the Gov. (SB Reg) + Gov. still a strong foe (SJM Reg) + Gov. to Go on Road to Raise Funds (LAT Reg) + Gov. goes after congestion (CT Reg) + Democrat calls governor's redistricting plan a power grab + Gov.'s plan pushes toll roads, speeds up building + Legislative analyst suggests halting Gov.'s after-school program that launched his political career + Gov.'s after-school plan flawed, analyst says + Budget analyst Hill calls for Prop. 49 repeal (CT Reg) + Repeal of after-school program is urged (SB Reg) + Gov.'s School Plan Is Criticized (LAT Reg) + Gov.'s budget proposes that mentally ill kids would be schools' responsibility including the $70 million cost Click. (OC Reg) + Legislature, Gov. should listen to analyst re: unexpected $2.2 billion revenue + Dan Walters: Only the unreasonable can oppose a revamp of redistricting (SB Reg) + Other view: Pending deal would undermine state's water solutions (SB Reg)

Bay Bridge: Bay Bridge bondage + Perata says bond can pay for bridge overrun + Southern California lawmaker's bill imposes bridge costs on Bay Area

Doris Matsui raises nearly $700,000 in race for late husband's seat + Matsui leads the pack in election funding (SB Reg)

PG & E to charge customers for nuclear plant improvement that still need approval

Electricit