NEWSGRIDS April 2005

April 29, 2005

WAR IRAQ On the ground:
Insurgents Unleash 17 Bombs in Iraq, Killing at Least 50 in Attempt to Shake Government + Iraq Attacks Kill at Least 41; 3 GIs Die + 11 Bombs Across Iraq Kill at Least 24 and Wound Scores + Series of Blasts Across Iraq Leave as Many as 41 Dead (LAT Reg) + Zarqawi-Attributed Audiotape Urges Militants to Attack U.S. Troops in Iraq + Car bombs kill 31 in Iraq after Cabinet formation + A Daily Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq + 10 bombs greet new Iraqi cabinet + Bomb attacks show task facing Iraq regime + Orders of battle + Juan Cole reports

Iraq government: Sunnis barred from top ministries + Assembly approves Shiite-led Cabinet. Divisions quickly surface within historic government + Iraqi Cabinet Approved, Though Divisions Linger (LAT Reg) + Lawmakers Take a Risk in Taking On Their Job (LAT Reg) + An independent judiciary will ensure the success of any future Iraqi government + Iraqi cabinet announced under US pressure

War prisons: Military told Hill of ghost prisoners + Military lawyers a war unto themselves + VIPs at Gitmo got dog-pony show, sez sgt. + Details about fake interrogations + Lynndie England to Plead Guilty in Abu Ghraib Case

ISRAEL, PALESTINE: Settlers injure officer after they attack Palestinians + Putin: Abbas can't fight terror with slingshot and stones + Barghouti: Israel's Gaza pullout is partial, won't bring peace + Israel rejects U.S. request to arm Palestinian police + Putin fails to keep his sarcasm veiled

RUSSIA: Pravda: Russia is not selling short-range ballistic missiles to Syria Putin tries to calm Israelis on security. Kremlin chief meets Jewish leaders, visits Holocaust memorial + On Visit to Israel, Putin Criticizes Iran's Nuclear Program (LAT Reg) + Putin pledges Russian aid to Palestinians + This time it's personal: justice Chechen-style

EUROPE: Italian data deepen Berlusconi gloom

Britain: Iraq report derails Blair's campaign + Blair's spectacular U-turn leaves unanswered questions + Did Blair mislead us? + The Ten Days + Try the truth next time, Tony + Haunted by history + A creature of ego and self-righteousness + Deceived into voting for invasion

Turkey's premier says political relations can be established with Armenia

Zapatero courting business and US

Austrian AG reviews MP's questioning existence of Nazi gas chambers

ASIA PACIFIC: S. Korea Shows Contested Isles to Press (No Japanese Allowed) (LAT Reg)

China and Taiwan's KMT seal historic rapprochement + Chinese Leader Meets With Taiwan's Opposition + China Tries New Tactic With Taiwan (LAT Reg) + Rival Chinese parties meet, united against one foe

End of the line for Tibetans' life in splendid isolation

Vietnam marks anniversary with eye on the future

Why Japan's 'so sorry' doesn't wash in China

AMERICAS: Mexico City Mayor Emerges Stronger as He Prepares Bid (LAT Reg)

Chilean candidate set to head OAS

America vs. USA

U.S. envoy to Canada needs 're-educating'

Guatemala Develops Plan to Protect Judicial Officials From Attack

Colombian Forces Strengthen Grip on Town Taken From Rebels, as Residents Trickle Back

Venezuela, Cuba Presidents Promote Trade Plan for Regional Integration

Venezuelan President Says He Will Not Return to U.S. Until Americans "liberate" Their Nation

INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AT WORK AND AT PLAY....

Negroponte Takes Over Daily Bush Briefings

Shias 'infiltrated by Iran' to control Iraqi police force

Pentagon to no longer allow CIA 'ghost' detainees Click.

Industrial Espionage Becomes Favorite Way to Achieve Quick Gains

Israel, Russia to increase intelligence cooperation

Reports: Berlusconi May Contradict U.S.

Israeli spy master: 'Syrian president could be toppled'

Official Pariah Sudan Valuable to America's War on Terrorism (LAT Reg)

Two 9/11 hijackers used college computers + 9/11 hijackers booked plane tkts from N.J. state college library

Canada: Secret military police unit exposed

Defendants protest innocence in Madrid trial

Washington tangled up in its assessments of the war in Iraq

France holds 'jihad recruiters'

FBI to Help Train Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Trinidad

Papers Released Decades Later Show Intelligence Sometimes Right - and Wrong - on Vietnam

Click.   Michael Isikoff, Mark Hosenball: A convicted terrorist was providing U.S. officials with very specific information about a terrorist attack three months before 9/11.

Internet posting stirs bin Laden death mystery

Click.  McLaughlin Statement on Curveball

Polish church wants further inquiry into Pope spy

U.S. 'Israel's lawyer' at Camp David

Accused Nazi guard asks U.S. judge to step aside on deportation case

Stanford Univ.: A boost for international studies. $50 million from 2 alumni covers more than half of plan

RIP: Charles Edwin NicklasForeign Service Officer

RIP: Henry W. KempForeign Service Officer

HOW LOW
THE
LAW GOES....

EBay leaders to settle lawsuit over IPO shares

Jack Sirard: Turning in tax cheats can earn IRS reward of up to $10 million (SB Reg)

The new face of witness protection

Georgia: Missing Bride Search Called Off +

Babies born to help ill siblings OK in Britain + Details

The "Charitable Choice" Bill that was Recently Passed by the House, and the Issues It Raises

US trade rep puts China on 'watch list' for copyright infringement Click.

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS....

Click to view, state and local

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA....

THE GOVERNOR: Click

LOCAL NEWS:  Click

SCHOOL NEWS: Click

NASA May Delay Shuttle Launching Until July

Apple to let loose its sleek Tiger system, good at hunting down files + Is new Apple software better than Windows?

New Design Could Transform 1st Bike Ride

Gates to Detroit: Make cars smarter

Backup tapes are backdoor for ID thieves

Duke 'All-optical' Switch Could Advance Light-based Telecommunications

Cassini Captures Swiss-cheese Look Of Saturn Moon

Luca Technologies Confirms Real-time Methane Generation

The Pen Is Mightier.... 

The President Meets the Press in Prime Time

Man Kills Himself in N.C. Newspaper's Parking Lot

Freedom House: Press Liberty Declined Worldwide in 2004

'Jeff Gannon,' Uninvited to WHCA Dinner, Heads to Bill Maher's HBO Show

Tamil Newspaper Columnist and Web Journalist Slain in Sri Lanka

Distracting Visuals Clutter TV Screen; Viewers Less Likely To Retain Content

Bay Area radio show canceled after remarks (SJM Reg)

After sports and action, men baffle TV networks

Today's papers

MILITARY Group Details Air Force Academy Religious Bias (LAT Reg)

Rolling Camera Eyeballs Danger

Spider-Man, Captain America team with Pentagon

Pace Passes Along Combat Lessons to West Point Cadets

The Art of War finds the truth in fiction

Myers Makes Mark in Shadow of Rumsfeld

Amputee GI Sets Example In Iraq

Flag-draped coffin photos released

GI Sentenced to Death for Fatal Attack + Death Sentence for Army Killer Hardly Ensures Execution, Experts Say


Black leaders upset over child's handcuffing

Strange Bedfellows Battle National ID Plan

The Mysterious Death of Marla Ruzicka

San Jose: Judge allows suit by Christian teacher restricted by school from using supplemental Christian material in classes

California Bill to Limit RFID in ID cards

Row over Nazi camp commemoration

CONNECT THE DOTS....

Pathological love for our cars

Take Back The Night, Part II

Quindlen: No equality for women Catholics

Secret Star Trek Pedophilia Connection?

Some Disney fans take it to extremes

The descent of man in an uncivilised world

The hotel at Hitler's hideaway

The Significance of Pope Benedict XV

Blood for pork....

Government spending boosts defense contractors

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK....

Crude Oil Falls Below $50 as Higher Output Boosts Supplies; Gasoline Drops

Rumours on revaluation of Chinese currency renminbi increase

Dell ready to go on India hiring binge

Wynn Las Vegas, World's most expensive casino-resort -- at $2.7 billion -- impresses visitors in a city not shy about going over the top

RIP: William Hanna -- ex-Bechtel engineer

Comcast chooses S.F. ad agency for creative work

Clear Channel Announces Spin-Off Plan

Good Things Happen to Those Who Sit on Their NYSE Seats (LAT Reg) + Could NYSE execs get big merger bonus? + Why Ken Langone's Bid for NYSE Is Strengthening

Asia: Boeing and Airbus' last battlefield

Oracle in Talks to Buy Siebel

Offshoring in Latin America

BIOWARFARE  WATCH....

CDC backs 2 repellants to stave off West Nile. Officials encouraging mosquito spray use, especially among Northern Californians

Genetic Mingling Mixes Human, Animal Cells

Yemen Faces Polio Epidemic

For victims of Agent Orange, final battle still being waged


Pioneering stem-cell surgery restores sight

Ophthalmologists Implant Five Patients With Artificial Silicon Retina Microchip

Stem-cell pioneer frustrated by debate

'Boutique' medical care is no solution to system's woes

Medical marijuana works in Canada

Study: No reason to extract wisdom teeth 

Nanobacteria In Clouds Could Spread Disease, Scientists Claim

Patients With Pituitary Gland Tumors Are Often Misdiagnosed

Lower Vaccination Rates Put Children At Risk

A New Study Examines How Shared Pathogens Affect Host Populations

Facelift Alternatives Rid Patients Of Neck 'Wattle' Without The Downtime Of Surgery

Ancient Enzyme Guides Healthy Eating In Mammals

Yale Researchers Identify Molecule For Detecting Parasitic Infection In Humans

Method Shows How Precisely Gene Expression Signals Are Copied DNA Replication

Study Of Unique Reproductive-cell Protein In Mice Could Lead To New Contraceptives For Women And Men

Major Wheat Pathogen Chosen For Genome Sequencing

Genetically Modified Rice In China Benefits Farmers' Health, Study Finds

Study Proposes New Method To Investigate Genetic Hybridization

'Lord God bird,' once thought extinct, spotted in Arkansas swamps

Biting Midge Harbors Livestock Disease Virus

New Test On Tap For Detecting Pesticide-Resistant Mites

Use Of Insecticides Linked To Lasting Neurological Problems For Farmers

Ocean tells the story: Earth is heating up. Human activity, not variables in nature, cited as culprit

Increased volcano monitoring urged in U.S. 

Scientists Confirm Earth's Energy Is Out Of Balance

Sea Level More Variable Than Previously Thought

THE BUSHWORLD...

Negroponte Takes Over Daily Bush Briefings

Wolfowitz holds talks with top Chinese general

Bush tries to revive fortunes

Chalabi named Acting Oil Minister in Iraq

Pentagon to no longer allow CIA 'ghost' detainees Click.

Bush: No Timetable for Withdrawal

Italy and US Disagree on Agent's Death

Social Security: US President defends Social Security means-testing + Bush pushes 'Social Security Plus' + Bush Makes Slight Shift in Approach (LAT Reg) + Many of Bush's allies retreating on private accounts + Key Dem behind W's plan + GOP sets June target for social security draft legislation Click.

The difficulties of distinguishing international law and international politics

Bush's Social Security plan hits middle class, wealthy. For the first time, president backs reducing benefits + Bush's words fail to quell political storms + Bush Recasts Message

Trying to promote Patriot Act, DOJ Says 9/11 Hijackers Linked to Library Use

Students Do Not Share Atty General Gonzales' View on Piracy (LAT Reg)

Vietnam war still divisive presence in the American psyche

Alameda Middle School: Laura Bush gives teachers high marks + Where no one is left behind

Guilty Plea in Travel Expense Case by Bush Administration's Ex-Undersecretary for Safe and Drug Free Schools

Bolton: Ex-Official Describes Dispute With Bolton Over Intelligence+ Two Detail Bolton's Efforts to Punish Dissent+ Click.   Farah Stockman: In citing Sudan dangers, Bolton went beyond CIA + Laura Rozen blogging on Bolton + Agonist Bolton thread + Click.  Stygius: John Bolton & Russia's chemical weapons

N. Korea: North Korean threat worsens. Nation now seen as able to put nuclear warheads on missiles + Concerns grow over N Korea nuclear talks + North Korea: Six-nation meltdown nears + Pentagon: No New North Korean Nuclear Weapon Capability

Iran: Tehran says time running out for nuclear talks with Europe + Iranian Nuclear Talks With European Powers End Without Agreement

Syria, Lebanon: Israeli spy master: 'Syrian president could be toppled' + UN chief says militias in Lebanon still need to be disarmed + Lebanon replaces security chiefs

Other foreign: USA praises Russia's anti-terrorist actions, acknowledges the danger of Chechnya + China and the power game

Rice: Can Rice deal with N. Korea's Kim and the nuclear problem?

Domestic: NRLB Recommends Dismissal of Union Complaint Against Wal-Mart + U.S. Civil Rights Commission Closes Two Regional Offices, Citing Budget Cuts + Treasury to Give Frozen Cuban Funds to Miami Woman

Congress:  Congress approves budget for 2006. Measure would trim Medicaid, clear way for drilling in Alaska + GOP's Budget Deal Cuts Programs, and Taxes (LAT Reg) + Medicaid Cuts Pass + Dems turn down GOP solution on judges. Proposal to limit debate on nominees labeled 'a big wet kiss to the far right' + Democrats Reject Deal on Judges + DeLay Faces Lengthy Inquiry (LAT Reg) + Volcker, Congress Clash Over Oil-for-Food Subpoenas

Democrats: Top Democrat: 'Miracle' needed to win back Senate

GOP: Maher: Grouchy Old Party Needs to Chill Out (LAT Reg) + GOP Leader: Republicans Are United Behind Bush, While Democrats Practice "reactionary Liberalism"

Voting: The 'We're Smart, You're Dumb' Principle (LAT Reg)

OPINIONS:

Krugman: A private obsession

Clouds of War Still Hover Over Vietnam (LAT Reg)

A Very Special Kind of Math (LAT Reg)

Eleanor Clift: News Conference Didn’t Help Bush

Fineman: Has the White House Lost Its Touch?

The Oval: Bush’s Lukewarm Support for DeLay

Patti Davis: Seeking One Good Man (Or Woman)

Bushism of the Day

Has Bush delivered on pledge to expand nation's wetlands?

Andrew Greeley: Don't blame pope for Kerry defeat

Al Gore: Breaking the rules to destroy our courts

Barry Goldwater's Warning

The Thirty Years War: Justin Raimondo

A Useful Whitewash: Alan Bock

Guerrillas vs. the State: William S. Lind

Put the Marx Brothers in Charge: Michael Scheuer

Victory Will Be Blair's Undoing: Peter Oborne

San Francisco gay marriage and beyond:   Methodists to reinstate lesbian minister + FarOutFest celebrates gay/lesbian filmmakers



Vincent van Gogh, The Painter on his Way to Work Enlarge
 

Daily picture from the Metropolitan

Greek Orthodox Easter Dawns

On opening day of trout season

Mark Morford: scariest Music Video...Ever

Mural captures Crockett history: Artist turns senior center residents' vision into scene of memories (CCT Reg)

Sandia lab puts children at the helm

Saturday. Lathrop pow wow features dancers, drummers

Festival Adds Some Hipness to Riverside (LAT Reg)

Seaside and Gonzales: Local events observe Cinco de Mayo

AmCan stable gives kids with disabilities a chance to saddle up

FarOutFest celebrates gay/lesbian filmmakers

Alex Ross on Jordi Savall

Dream Teams Thrive On Mix Of Old And New Blood

Does 'Hitchhiker's Guide' live up to the book?

Beware Bird Watchers: Rediscovered Woodpecker's Home a Rough Place for Humans

That's it. I'm staying in

Stone: Sightseeing the World From Your Desktop

Rock, Paper, Payoff: Child's Play Wins Auction House an Art Sale

Prof goes on odyssey of religious art

What would you do to beat out Bach?

Paul Haggis's LA epic, "Crash"

Rush & Molloy: De Niro got plot right, target wrong

Lloyd Grove's Lowdown: Sorrenti's very own film strip

Page Six

Liz Smith

Cindy Adams

Your daily braindrop

Word of the day

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA....

The Governor:   Gov. endorses Minutemen on border. He parts with Bush on armed volunteers stopping illegal immigrants in Arizona + Gov.'s Border Remark, Part II + Gov. causes immigration stir (SB Reg) + Gov. Praises 'Minuteman' Campaign (LAT Reg) + Brighter budget numbers bring call for school funds. PTA members rally in hopes of getting promised money + PTA pushes for funding (SB Reg) + Bersin Picked for Top Schools Position (LAT Reg) + Schwarzenegger picks San Diego superintendent as education secretary + Gov.'s unpopularity now rules + Democrats teach Gov. and Riordan tough lessons about Sacramento's ways + Gov. scorned by backer over shift on redistricting + In-home caregivers threatened by proposed budget cuts + Paying for his Hollywood ways (OC Reg) + Riordan details reasons for his leaving (SB Reg) + State workers' comp director confirmed (SB Reg)

California to get federal money to battle West Nile (SB Reg)

State adopts tough smog rules + California approves new ozone-level limits (CCT Reg) + Smog Rule Tougher, but It's Symbolic (LAT Reg)

Workers' comp on the mend

2006 races: Dan Walters: Schwarzenegger dims, Lockyer opts out, and Angelides improves (SB Reg) + Lockyer drops out of governor's race. No taste for such a high-profile battle, he says -- opts instead to run for state treasurer (SF Chron) + Lockyer scraps gubernatorial hopes (CCT Reg) + Lockyer drops bid for top job (SB Reg) + In surprise, Lockyer drops out (Oakland Trib) + Lockyer Won't Run for Governor (LAT Reg) + Joe Dunn drops from 2nd race this month (OC Reg)

Legislature: Termed-out legislators roil politics + Lawmakers cut prisons budget plan. Program failures, waste lead Senate panel to reject $100 million of $6.5 billion request + Restoration plan for Angel Island seeks funding + California bill would ban RFID chips in IDs

Stem cell panel: Last pitch to stem cell team. S.F.. first of 4 stops -- decision on site due next Friday + Stem cell HQ pitch enters home stretch + 15 reasons San Francisco is the right city for the stem cell headquarters + Biotech firms eye Mission Bay + What is Mission Bay? + Why stem cell research needs San Francisco

Indian tribes: Casino proliferation worries Bay Area leaders + Casino meeting replays debate (San Pablo) + McCain says inquiry focusing on lobbyist, not on lawmakers + Stiffer rules urged / Panel may reopen Indian Gaming Act

HOW LOW
THE
LAW GOES....

CALIFORNIA BREAKING LAW NEWS...

San Francisco: Logging protesters win pepper spray case. Jury awards $1 each after third trial over Humboldt incident

Justice Brown puts foot in mouth again (CCT Reg)

Ex-Valley man eyes U.S.-Mexico border as a Minuteman

California suspends corporate registration re: BALCO + BALCO's Conte faces tax troubles (SJM Reg)

Judge upholds stricter diesel rules

Sacramento & north: Folsom man arrested in sex assault of 9-yr-old girl (SB Reg) + Purloined falcon is owner's passion (SB Reg) + Fake licenses net arrest (SB Reg) + Money to Sacramento law enforcement funds for cold cases (SB Reg) + Mormon church leader arraigned for lewd acts with boy under 14 (SB Reg) + Obituary: Earle Simmons loved bringing crooks to justice (SB Reg) + Sutter Health sues union over warnings (SB Reg)

San Francisco, San Mateo: Attack on son, arson is 1 strike. Charles' conviction for gun possession ruled No. 2, not 3 + SF: Gonzalez represents woman suing city in identity theft case, Ex-supervisor helps client wrongly named as fugitive + SOUTH SF: Reward offered in boy's beating + SF: Suspect arrested in 3 carjackings + Facing Third Strike, He Gets a Break (LAT Reg) + Peninsula: Police seek suspect who hit cruiser + Peninsula: testimony continues in coach's molestation trial + Peninsula: flooded businesses, city threaten suits

Alameda: Livermore: 2 similar slayings in 2 weeks. Women lived alone in nearby apartments + Livermore: Woman found dead in home + Oakland A's fan hit by chair files lawsuit + Fremont mom charged in school disruption case + Area trio charged in major meth bust + Not oldies, just goodies + Oakland: Woman injured in baseball fracas sues Texas players + Oakland: Federal charges for 3 after meth sting + De La Fuente Jr. Surrenders on rape charge + Son of Oakland councilman arrested on suspicion of rape (CCT Reg) + Irate Fremont mother shocked with Taser + Baiting the 59th St. vigilante

Santa Clara: San Jose: Judge allows suit by Christian teacher restricted by school from using supplemental Christian material in classes + Teacher's lawsuit moves forward (SJM Reg) + 9 guilty verdicts in tech sting (SJM Reg) + Infamous dad avoids life term (SJM Reg) + Poisoned-dog reward grows (SJM Reg) + Lawyer: 2 police officers unpaid (SJM Reg) + EBay officers agree to pay $3 million + Action Line: Runaround ends with new washer (SJM Reg) + Cops liable in 1997 logging protest (SJM Reg)

Contra Costa: Defense witness' testimony could shake nanny's case. Hit with new data, he says drugs may have impaired her + San Pablo: Federal charges for 3 after meth sting + Barreto not intoxicated, witness says + San Ramon: Reward possible to find vandals (CCT Reg) + Orinda: Polk allowed to represent herself in murder trial + Barreto defense: You can't prove she was drunk, or on drugs + San Ramon mom accused of embezzling school fundraiser makes court appearance

Marin: Alcohol not a factor in Novato crash + DA wants strict supervision for Ghilotti

Sonoma: Jury begins deliberating fatal shooting case + Split decision in pepper spray case + SR woman denied asylum awarded $87,500

Napa: Showdown over Wal-Mart reaches judge + Napan arrested in Vegas faces 3rd strike in Napa

Solano: Fairfield: Injured Canada geese to be moved to sanctuary today. State investigating whether residents ate birds' meat, eggs + Killer used knife + Crippled geese find refuge + Officers' gunfire justified, DA says

Monterey: Seaside killer J.D. Horne gets multiple life sentences + Getting to know the gang + Ex-teacher gets five years for meth lab

Central Valley: Churches deliver scam alert + Sutter sues over union's postcards + Tire shop employee arrested + Driver who hit woman cleared + No date selected for execution + Stabbing victim fights for life + Foster care sentence delayed+ Atwater man given 10 years for assault + Turlock gets taste of reality on gangs + 'Homeless' rapist paroled to Stockton + Tracy police obtain hybrid vehicle

Central Coast: Heartless burglar swipes Little League’s defibrillator + Several from county arraigned on car theft and other charges + Cops and Courts

Southern California: LA: 6 cops face penalties + LAPD, sheriff to vie for officers + 2 Homestore.com executives face charges in probe + Avila Guilty of Abduction and Murder of Samantha Runnion (LAT Reg) + 6 Officers Facing Discipline in Beating (LAT Reg) + Judge Lifts Court Control Over O.C.'s Jail System (LAT Reg) + Jaramillo Lawyers Drop Probe of Leak (LAT Reg) + It Might Help to Catch Up on News Before Calling Your Bookie (LAT Reg) + What Gives Drivers a License to Kill? (LAT Reg) + San Clemente Woman Found Fatally Shot (LAT Reg) + Man Arrested in Killing of Boy in San Gabriel (LAT Reg) + Former Barstow Fire Official Fined (LAT Reg) + Anaheim: 2 Men Who Were Shot in Apparent Fight Die (LAT Reg)

Michael Jackson: Jackson Prosecutors Won't Rest Case Yet + Ex-wife bashes Jackson aides. Her testimony ends in less than 3 hours + Jackson Jury to See Seized Photos from 1993 search (LAT Reg) + Michael Jackson jury sees books about boys from 1993 probe+ Jackson's Ex-Wife Calls Pop Star a Loving Parent (LAT Reg)

MORE ONLY IN CALIFORNIA....

LOCAL NEWS:  

Northern California: Endless winter bodes well for water supply

BART directors unmoved. Angry commuters told fare increase is only solution + Fare hikes, layoffs may be needed to tame BART budget

Langberg: Cities should think carefully before jumping on WiFi bandwagon (SJM Reg)

The Politics of Cynicism

Sacramento & north: Elk Grove begins plans to police itself (SB Reg) + Elk Grove report criticizes Cooper (SB Reg) + Sacramento Unified: Trustees ax jobs, air strategies for deficit (SB Reg) + Yolo revenue may help cut SMUD rates (SB Reg) + R.E. Graswich: Possible lifeline offered to financially troubled Port of Sacramento (SB Reg) + Sacramento fire chief may be set to retire (SB Reg) + Fed bill gives El Dorado region help on asbestos (SB Reg) + Lockyer to fight for Sacramento housing rule (SB Reg) + El Dorado: Waste workers walk out (SB Reg) + Sacramento waste sites down to 4 (SB Reg) + Firms leaving Sacramento, going to Reno for lower overhead (SB Reg) + DHL blasted by labor activists (SB Reg) + SMUD's expansion into PG&E turf is confusing (SB Reg) + News in brief from Northern California

San Francisco, San Mateo: South SF: Flood prevention project causes deluge at businesses + S.F. home to five expensive ZIP codes + 15 reasons San Francisco is the right city for the stem cell headquarters + Biotech firms eye Mission Bay + What is Mission Bay? + Pacifica opens art exhibition + Peninsula: Union puts pressure on hospital rebuild

Alameda: Hayward: 3 firefighters hurt in bridge crash + Hayward: Woman dead in fire; husband in hospital + Pleasanton Mayor Hosterman asked to speak at U.N. conference (CCT Reg) + Altamont windmill, bird issue deadlocks (CCT Reg) + Cherryland: Woman dies in mobile home blaze + Hayward: Parents fight again to save JV sports + Route 238 'mini-loop' still alive + Hayward fire engine crash blocks bridge + Foes may force tweaking of group-home proposal + Rare blood found for boy + First lady praises East Bay kids + Hayward considered for VA clinic + Assemblyman Klehs to host education forum + Bay Area fails air quality tests + Mimi's Cafe may come to Southland Mall area + Foster children need adult bond + Can Ward sell his school vision in Oakland? + Doctors protest at Highland ER

Santa Clara: Atherton homes priciest in U.S. (SJM Reg) + Initiative to tackle world problems (SJM Reg) + Springtime brings model missions (SJM Reg) + War's mines, explosives still kill and maim (SJM Reg) + Two lead campaign fundraising (SJM Reg) + WHO RAISED WHAT (SJM Reg) + Bay Area radio show canceled after remarks (SJM Reg) + Low-priority city services target of cuts (SJM Reg) + Chung: New greeting of hybrid fans (SJM Reg) + Weimers: Shoulder pain tied to sports, not age (SJM Reg) + Palo Alto to try to soften cutbacks (SJM Reg) + Roadshow: Ray of comfort in gas price story (SJM Reg) + Clergy group urges rental-car firms to boost wages (SJM Reg) + Park to be dedicated in San Jose (SJM Reg)

Contra Costa: Pittsburg: Grand opening for senior housing + Wal-Mart to open in Richmond mall (CCT Reg) + Mt. Diablo payroll gets state scrutiny (CCT Reg) + Alter Walnut Creek plans for building (CCT Reg)

Marin: Marin's median income is $94,410, highest in state + Novato considers broader renovation of city complex + Sausalito planners approve 'green' building + Funding for Angel Island is opposed + Marin nonprofits agree with United Way's status report + 60 years after Dachau + San Rafael: Completing a 9/11 victim's dream

Sonoma: On ROTC, secret bonuses and 10 stories + Grand jury faults disaster planning + Casino proliferation worries Bay Area leaders + Interchange gets go-ahead + Developer woos city with soccer field offer + Garage security cutback studied in attempt to avoid meters + Generations make connection + Marathon man pushes past pain + Biodynamic kids at Waldorf school + Empire Waste Management workers strike in Petaluma + Calpine stock plunges on rumor

Napa: AmCan stable gives kids with disabilities a chance to saddle up + Proposed law protecting county from suits draws ire + 79-year-old Napan launches flight around the globe + City of Napa proposes cutting vital services and adding fluff

Solano: Wal-Mart war looming + Citizens express fears at forum on health care + Former POW shares story with Travis personnel + VCUSD board president backs idea of higher taxes to support education + Workshop to focus on student behavior + Vallejo woman injured in crash + Lillian's Green Thumb Project turns 25

Monterey: Vietnam refugee finds way to repay America + Marina elementary school goes K-6 + Vigil to protest lecture at CSUMB + King City shows off new arenas + Your town + Local events observe Cinco de Mayo

Central Valley: Tehama County: Soldier killed in Afghanistan + 'Crank babies cry out + How's the air? Check the flag + Spill contaminates Dry Creek + Rainfall catches drivers by surprise, snarls roads + New chief for Merced organization + War strains Red Cross funds + Toughest air rules are adopted + MJC to hold graduation ceremonies this evening + NY Times exec to give send-off + Pombo's mailer leads to new rules + College's Measure E committee to meet + Greek Orthodox Easter Dawns + News & Notes + Around the Region + Community Briefing + OID water plan vital to future use + Stockton: Minor league park, major league atmosphere + Visalia: Pioneering ethanol plant

Central Coast: Supervisor rips library chief over Felton closing + Lowe’s eyeing Lipton factory on Westside + Traffic woes to grow in Pajaro Valley + Aptos pilot overcomes latest hitch + Crops bill finds little support + Watsonville Volunteer Center gets new home + Coast Lines + Supes OK water buyout ballot + News briefs from California's Central Coast

Southern California: Villaraigosa to return $47,000 in questionable funds + Its Ego Bruised, San Diego Asks: 'What Next?' (LAT Reg) + Villaraigosa to Return Florida Donations (LAT Reg) + Another King/Drew Physician Accused of Lying (LAT Reg) + Battered LA Health Department Chief Soldiers On (LAT Reg) + LA Mayor Race: Miami Vice' Meets 'Dumb and Dumber' (LAT Reg) + L.A.'s Rainfall Inches Closer to All-Time Record (LAT Reg) + High Winds Damage Homes as Storm Strikes Dana Point (LAT Reg) + MTA Approves $640-Million Budget for Downtown-to-Westside Rail Line (LAT Reg) + News briefs from San Diego County + Best Buy revisions challenged

School days: Alameda Middle School: Laura Bush gives teachers high marks. Reading program at Chipman school singled out + Stanford. Univ. A boost for international studies. $50 million from 2 alumni covers more than half of plan + San Jose: Judge allows suit by Christian teacher restricted by school from using supplemental Christian material in classes + Where no one is left behind + Mt. Diablo payroll gets state scrutiny (CCT Reg) + Sacramento Unified: Trustees ax jobs, air strategies for deficit (SB Reg)+ Trajan: A school that serves all abilities (SB Reg) + Biodynamic kids at Waldorf school + Under NCLB, state tinkers with dropouts (SB Reg) + Assemblyman Klehs to host education forum + Sandia lab puts children at the helm + Getting to know the gang + VCUSD board president backs idea of higher taxes to support education + Workshop to focus on student behavior + The Tyranny of the 'Juvenocracy' + Can Ward sell his school vision in Oakland?


Greek Orthodox Easter Dawns

On opening day of trout season

Mark Morford: scariest Music Video...Ever

Mural captures Crockett history: Artist turns senior center residents' vision into scene of memories (CCT Reg)

Sandia lab puts children at the helm

Saturday. Lathrop pow wow features dancers, drummers

Festival Adds Some Hipness to Riverside (LAT Reg)

Seaside and Gonzales: Local events observe Cinco de Mayo

AmCan stable gives kids with disabilities a chance to saddle up

FarOutFest celebrates gay/lesbian filmmakers

April 28, 2005

WAR IRAQ On the ground:
Leaders in Iraq Attempt to Engage Insurgents (LAT Reg) + Iraq general killed + Militant Web Site Carries Statement, Video Purportedly Showing the Killing of Six Sudanese Kidnapped in Iraq+ U.S. toll in Iraq - 1,571 + Orders of battle + Juan Cole reports

Iraq government: Iraqi MPs approve partial cabinet + Iraqi Parliament backs partial Cabinet + Baghdad approves cabinet but key posts stay unfilled + Iraqi cabinet list + Three Sunni MPs quit Iraqi alliance + Zebari Named Iraqi Foreign Minister as Assembly Approves Partial Cabinet + Details of new cabinet + Chalabi makes his return + History lost in war-torn Iraq +