Israel plans attack on Gaza  —  ISRAEL's new defence minister Ehud Barak is planning an attack on Gaza within weeks to crush the Hamas militants who have seized power there.  —  According to senior Israeli military sources, the plan calls for 20,000 troops to destroy much of Hamas's military capability in days.

POINTING THE WAY FOR PROSECUTORS  —  Under fire, not in retreat  —  Gonzales' plan for attorney reviews would further politicize process  —  Atty Gen. Alberto Gonzales so far has survived a political crisis over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys, a rare potential vote of no-confidence …

Beware of government as the last action hero  —  The other day, six Anglican archbishops called for the church to bless the unions of same-sex couples.  The Anglican Church of Canada is about to have a big vote on the issue, and depending which way they swing it will either deepen the schism within …

Iran: Putin pulls plans on radar station  —  TEHRAN, Iran - Iran said Sunday it had received indications from Russia's president that he would not follow through with an offer to allow the U.S. to use a radar station in neighboring Azerbaijan for missile defense against Tehran.

Senior prank leads to federal charges  —  Nation: N.Y. teens say alarm clocks were harmless; police are not amused.  —  MONTROSE, N.Y. - Well, it seemed a good idea at the time.  —  It's senior prank season, and this was the plan for the last day of classes Monday at Hendrick Hudson High School …

Prosecutor in Duke Case Disbarred by Ethics Panel  —  A state ethics panel on Saturday disbarred Michael B. Nifong, the Durham district attorney who pursued a false accusation of sexual assault against three Duke University lacrosse players, shortly after Mr. Nifong said through his lawyer that he thought disbarment was appropriate.

Administration pushes for mandatory sentences  —  WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is trying to roll back a Supreme Court decision by pushing legislation that would require prison time for nearly all criminals.  —  The Justice Department is offering the plan as an opening salvo …

The Life of the Chinese Gold Farmer  —  It was an hour before midnight, three hours into the night shift with nine more to go.  At his workstation in a small, fluorescent-lighted office space in Nanjing, China, Li Qiwen sat shirtless and chain-smoking, gazing purposefully at the online computer game in front of him.

BBC report finds bias within corporation  —  The BBC has failed to promote proper debate on major political issues because of the inherent liberal culture of its staff, a report commissioned by the corporation has concluded.  —  The report claims that coverage of single-issue political causes …

Mating hares block Milan airport runways  —  MILAN, Italy - Wild hares at Milan's Linate airport seem to have only one thing on their mind, and their excessive mating and growing numbers have blocked takeoffs, landings and radar systems.  —  Officials on Sunday mounted a daylight raid to keep …

The War Inside  —  Troops Are Returning From the Battlefield With Psychological Wounds, But the Mental-Health System That Serves Them Makes Healing Difficult  —  Army Spec.  Jeans Cruz helped capture Saddam Hussein.  When he came home to the Bronx, important people called him a war hero and promised to help him start a new life.

Melissa Noriega easily wins council seat runoff  —  Travis Quinn wins Ward D race in Clute by 1 vote  —  Melissa Noriega, a Houston educator whose campaign had strong funding and key support, easily defeated retired Air Force officer Roy Morales in Saturday's runoff for the Houston City Council At-Large Position 3 seat.