Gas Smelled Over Large Area Of Manhattan  —  NEW YORK — People over a large part of New York City are smelling a gas, but no cause has been identified.  —  Numerous people have called 911 concerned about the odor.  Con Edison, the Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard are investigating.

War Could Last Years, Commander Says  —  The new American operational commander in Iraq said Sunday that even with the additional American troops likely to be deployed in Baghdad under President Bush's new war strategy it might take another "two or three years" for American and Iraqi forces to gain the upper hand in the war.

White House Week  —  New Faces, a New Plan, as Bush Nears His Endgame  —  President Bush shook up his administration last week, putting in place the lead elements of a new team to deal with military and diplomatic policy in Iraq-and even with Congress.  The changes carried the feel …

Tax Cuts Offer Most for Very Rich, Study Says  —  Families earning more than $1 million a year saw their federal tax rates drop more sharply than any group in the country as a result of President Bush's tax cuts, according to a new Congressional study.  —  The study, by the nonpartisan …

Democrats Step Up Criticism of Iraq Plan  —  As the contours emerge of President Bush's expected plan to increase troop levels in Iraq, Congressional Democrats, who now hold the power to restrain military spending for the war, sharpened their opposition today — and revealed their internal divisions.

Sen. Biden announces intent to seek presidency  —  Democrat from Delaware tells 'Meet the Press' he'll file paperwork in Jan.  —  Sen. Joe Biden on Sunday told NBC's "Meet the Press" that he will seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.  —  "I am running for president," he told "Meet the Press" anchor Tim Russert.

Intel: A Writer's Blocked  —  A CIA panel has told former officer Valerie Plame she can't write about her undercover work for the agency, a position that may threaten a lucrative book project with her publisher.  Plame's outing as a CIA officer in July 2003 triggered a criminal probe …

Slimmer Time in the Age of the Internet  —  Richard Stengel, the managing editor of Time, took his wife and kids out to dinner Friday night.  —  As historic moments go, not a big deal, but it does reflect a seismic change.  Time magazine, which has been coming out every Monday for over 36 years, hit the streets on Friday instead.

Scientists See Potential In Amniotic Stem Cells  —  They Are Highly Versatile And Readily Available  —  A type of cell that floats freely in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women has been found to have many of the same traits as embryonic stem cells, including an ability to grow into brain …

Iranian Air Strike?  —  I have been paying attention to the growing tensions between Iran and Israel and after a flurry of reports coming out that Israel is preparing to attack Israel with the help of the United States and Saudi Arabia, something I would fully support.

Dallas-based food chain to accept Mexican pesos  —  Starting Monday, patrons of the Dallas-based Pizza Patrón chain, which caters heavily to Latinos, will be able to purchase American pizzas with Mexican pesos.  —  Restaurant experts and economists said they knew of no other food chain …

Now, a jumbo dilemma  —  Jan 7: It is an odd dilemma for forest officials of the district — torn as they are between the need to save human life and crops from marauding elephants and risking a decline in pachyderm population, as herds of them flee into neighbouring Bangladesh when chased away from the border district.

Limp language leaves kids with an awesome paucity of speech  —  Eavesdrop on any group of teens hanging around outside your local high school.  Their emotions may run the gamut, but their ability to express themselves generally does not.  They've got one all-purpose word — "awesome" …