Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - Page updated at 08:37 p.m.
UPDATE - 8:37 PM
Manager Tony La Russa says union is pressuring Albert Pujols during contract talks | Baseball
St. Louis manager Tony La Russa contends Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and his representatives are being pressured by the players' union during contract negotiations.
UPDATE - 08:34 PM
Scottish deerhound is best in show at Westminster
A Scottish deerhound that loves to chase wild animals caught her biggest prize yet, winning best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club.
NEW - 7:12 PM
Google's Schmidt confident smartphone outpacing PC
The mobile phone is the new PC, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said Tuesday at Mobile World Congress. "Smartphones surpassed PC sales...
UPDATE - 8:16 PM
No charges against Seattle officer who shot woodcarver
King County prosecutors have decided not to file criminal charges against Seattle police Officer Ian Birk in the fatal shooting of woodcarver John T. Williams, according to sources familiar with the decision. Meanwhile, the Police Department has found the shooting unjustified, which could lead to Birk's firing.
Nokia's Elop confident Microsoft deal will succeed
Since the announcement Friday that Nokia would partner with Microsoft, the mobile industry has been in an uproar over the decision of the...
UPDATE - 7:19 PM
Seattle officer admits in court he wrongly described kicking teen in store
Seattle police Officer James Lee acknowledged Tuesday he wrongly described the kicking of a teenage suspect in a convenience store, telling a jury he mistakenly wrote in a report that he "took control" of the teen suspect during a "struggle."
NEW - 7:04 PM
Patients fake, benefits real as students explore medicine
Simulated patients such as "Pediatric Hal" help doctors and nurses practice their skills and give Ballard High School students a taste of careers in medicine that don't take years of college or a medical degree.
NEW - 5:55 PM
Dog show's rare breeds are glimpse of history
Several English breeds on display at Westminster, including the Otterhound and Harrier, have dwindled in numbers, becoming living artifacts of a bygone era.
NEW - 7:24 PM
Larry Stone
Yankees reduced to joining arms race
Cliff Lee wouldn't take their money. Zack Greinke landed in Milwaukee instead of the Bronx. Andy Pettitte retired. The Mariners won't even listen to Felix Hernandez offers — a stance the Yankees don't expect to change this year.
NEW - 7:25 PM
Deal to bring Starbucks' Via to hotel rooms
Starbucks announced Tuesday that it will partner with St. Louis-based Courtesy Products to provide its Via Ready Brew in 500,000 U.S. hotel rooms and promised more single-serve news to come.
Recipes: Sriracha-Glazed Chicken and more
These recipes from Everyday Food use Sriracha sauce.
NKorea's Kim Jong Il turning to designer fakes?
It's a North Korean version of Christmas, with Kim Jong Il playing Santa Claus. In past years, the authoritarian leader has celebrated his birthday by handing out gifts ranging from rice to Rolexes, an annual attempt to buy loyalty and stability.
UPDATE - 8:09 PM
Bothell picks Paul Allen's Vulcan for redevelopment deal
Paul Allen's Vulcan Real Estate, which spearheaded South Lake Union's transformation, is poised to play a big part in Bothell's ambitious plans to revitalize its downtown.
NEW - 8:30 PM
NYSE, Frankfurt stock-exchange deal unites 2 powerhouses
The $10 billion merger of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Deutsche Boerse, owner of the German Frankfurt stock exchange, combines...
NEW - 8:24 PM
CBS reporter, assaulted in Egypt, returns to U.S.
Lara Logan, CBS News' chief foreign correspondent, is back in the United States after being beaten and sexually assaulted by a mob in Tahrir Square last week while covering the celebrations surrounding the fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo.
UPDATE - 08:22 PM
Drug may slow growth of early prostate cancer
A new study suggests a way to help men with early, low-risk prostate cancer avoid being overtreated for a disease that in most cases will never threaten their lives. It found that a drug can slow the growth of these tumors in men who opt to be monitored instead of having treatment right away.
UPDATE - 8:18 PM
Ken Griffey Jr. returns to Mariners as a special consultant
Mariners president Chuck Armstrong says he's happy to have Ken Griffey Jr. back in the organization.
British prime minister adopts cat
David Cameron gave into the pleas of his children and some of his staff and appointed Larry, a rescued stray tabby, as the official prime ministerial cat.
Sideline Chatter
Let's just say that fights between hockey goaltenders won't make anyone forget Ali-Frazier.
Canadian drug kingpin resentenced to 30 years in pen
Onetime drug kingpin Clayton Roueche, founder of Canada's infamous "U.N. Gang," was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
UPDATE - 7:44 PM
Seattle's July Fourth fireworks underfunded, in jeopardy
The organizers of the annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Lake Union still need to raise about $157,000 to fund the event. If the money isn't secured by March 1, fireworks may not light up Lake Union this year, according to Aubbie Beal, the associate director of One Reel, the nonprofit that organizes the show.
UPDATE - 7:24 PM
Amanda Knox's parents indicted in Italy
A lawyer says the parents of Amanda Knox, an American student from Seattle convicted of murder in Italy, have been ordered to stand trial for alleging that Italian police abused their daughter.
Attorney says defendant insane in Spokane crossbow killing
A hearing was held in Spokane Monday to hear evidence on whether a Spokane man was insane when, as prosecutors allege, he used a crossbow to kill a 22-year-old woman in 2008.
Portland chief: Hospital tried to aid man outside ER
Portland's police chief has stepped back from criticism officers leveled at a Portland hospital where a 61-year-old man was dying in a parking lot last week and officers were told to call 911.
Seattle City Light resumes Diablo Lake tours
Seattle City Light is bringing back boat tours of Diablo Lake that were suspended in 2010 to save money.
Spokane man arrested 67 times in less than 5 years
Nicholas Limpert is well-known to Spokane police. His arrest over the weekend was his 67th in less than five years.
Starbucks brews up single-cup coffee deal
Starbucks Corp. has brewed up a deal to provide single-serve coffee to half a million hotel rooms, a major step into a small but fast-growing market.
Vancouver, Wash., man missing after all-day search
VANCOUVER, Wash., — Police and at least 10 volunteer searchers spent most of Monday looking around Fisher's Landing and Cascade Park for a missing man.
NEW - 6:45 PM
Alena Suazo, who had passion for justice, dies in Guatemala
Alena Suazo, 30, is remembered for the intensity of her caring and the courage of her convictions. Ms. Suazo died Feb. 9 in Guatemala from an unidentified illness. She was just starting what promised to be a long career trying to make the justice system work better for the least powerful and the most troubled.
NEW - 6:53 PM
Effort to end use of coal in Centralia plant earlier
Opponents squared off in Olympia Tuesday over how quickly the state's only coal-fired power plant, in Centralia, should transition to cleaner energy sources.
Northern border may be more secure than depicted
Depictions of the northern border as out of control may not be quite accurate because the assessment tools used are outdated, the head of the U.S. Border Patrol told a House panel Tuesday.
Opponents square off over state's coal-fired plant
Opponents are squaring off in Olympia Tuesday over how quickly the state's only coal-fired plant should transition to cleaner energy sources.
NEW - 7:38 PM
Turning out to support Planned Parenthood
About 90 people rallied in front of Seattle's Planned Parenthood health center Tuesday as a show of support for women's health during a time of threats to the organization's state and federal funding.
Richland, Wash., man killed in Honduras plane crash
One of the 14 people killed Monday in a plane crash in Honduras was a Richland businessman working as a Jehovah's Witnesses missionary.
Vancouver pays $383,000 to settle death claim
The Vancouver City Council approved a $383,000 settlement Monday with the family of a woman who was stabbed to death two years ago by her brother.
Heaps of love for classic cars
17th in an occasional series STEVENSON, Skamania County — The only guarantee from Sam's Used Cars in downtown Stevenson is that every...
The Budget Breakdown: State schools brace for deeper cuts: 'No easy choices left'
Funding public schools is legally the state's paramount duty, yet school districts across the state are sharing in the pain of the state's budget shortfall.
Nicole Brodeur
Can handy iPhone app make peace with God?
"Confession: A Roman Catholic App" for an iPhone is called "the perfect aid for every penitent." It includes a personalized examination of conscience, a step-by-step guide to the sacrament, and "invites Catholics to prayerfully prepare for and participate in the Rite of Penance."
Data center may be too big for state needs
Some lawmakers say a new state data center and office building may be bigger than necessary and will cost millions to get up and running as they roll back services, cut state-worker pay and increase fees to close a nearly $5 billion state budget gap.
Judge to rule in free-speech debate over canceled Metro bus ads
King County officials used unfounded fears that bus service would be disrupted as an "excuse" to cancel a bus ad that alleged Israeli war crimes, a lawyer for the ad sponsor said in federal court Monday.
Seattle U. to help entire neighborhood around Central District school
Seattle University's relationship with a Seattle public school is about to become much more significant. On Monday, the private Jesuit university announced a $1 million-a-year project to greatly expand the help it gives to Bailey Gatzert Elementary — to include the school's entire neighborhood, one of the lowest-income areas in the city.
NEW - 8:08 PM
Eastlake's Edward Kim riding wave of momentum / Boys Swimming
In his freshman season, Kim has already set two school records and
UPDATE - 8:00 PM
Bud Withers
Restructuring of Pac-10 football officiating just another aggressive move by always-busy conference commissioner Larry Scott.
NEW - 7:45 PM
All-league boys basketball teams
Further all-league selections will be published as they arrive. E-mail additional teams to sports@seattletimes.com.
Contador lauds doping decision, but damage done
Tour de France champion Alberto Contador believes "irreparable" damage has been done to his reputation despite being cleared of doping by the Spanish cycling federation, which ruled Tuesday that he was not at fault for a positive test that he attributed to contaminated meat.
UPDATE - 07:12 PM
Obama lauds Medal of Freedom recipients
Rep. John Lewis has been to the White House on many occasions, but Tuesday's visit truly was unique. An "impossible dream," as the former civil rights activist would later describe it.
UPDATE - 6:53 PM
Rebuilding Huskies open baseball season Friday in Texas
Second-year Washington baseball coach Lindsay Meggs has 21 new players on the roster this spring.
NEW - 7:06 PM
Boys swimming state championships at a glance
A capsule look at this weekend's boys swimming state championships.
NEW - 7:46 PM
All-league girls basketball teams
Further all-league selections will be published as they arrive. E-mail additional teams to sports@seattletimes.com.
APNewsBreak: Ages of Chinese skaters in question
China is facing new questions about the ages of some of its athletes after discrepancies were found in the birthdates of eight figure skaters.
NEW - 7:02 PM
Highlights of live chat with James Riley
Highlights of a live chat with Sounders FC's James Riley
NEW - 7:53 PM
P. Manning to get a hike: pay raise to $23M or more
The Indianapolis Colts are keeping Peyton Manning — no matter what it costs. Manning, the only four-time MVP in league history, has...
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover is Irina Shayk
A sun-kissed Irina Shayk in a tiny pink-and-yellow halter bikini has landed her first cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
NEW - 7:17 PM
Tour de France champion Alberto Contador is cleared of doping | Cycling
Tour de France champion Alberto Contador was cleared of doping by the Spanish cycling federation, which ruled he was not at fault for a positive test he attributed to contaminated meat.
Judge allows Bonds conversation recording in trial
A federal judge in the perjury case against Barry Bonds on Tuesday decided to allow an audio recording in which, prosecutors say, the baseball star's personal trainer discussed his steroids use.
Wednesday NBA basketball TV Radio 6 p.m. Denver at Milwaukee ESPN 7 p.m. New Orleans at Portland CSN College basketball 4 p.m. Men, Louisville at Cincinnati...
NEW - 6:54 PM
WIAA/Seattle Times state athletes of the week
Athletes of the Week, selected by the WIAA and The Seattle Times from nominations by athletic directors.
Anacortes 80, South Whidbey 60 Archbishop Murphy 56, Lynden 39 Burlington-Edison 81, Cedarcrest 57 Dayton 65, Liberty Christian 42 Walla...
Jerry Brewer
How Jason Terry helped Isaiah Thomas' incredible transformation
Washington guard Isaiah Thomas spent a lot of time last summer with Seattle native Jason Terry, an NBA veteran. The tough workouts are paying off for Thomas.
Larry Stone
Phillies' Phab Phour isn't interested in the hype
The Phillies signed Cliff Lee for a rotation that already included Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. Despite all the talk comparing the Phillies' starters with the best groups in baseball history, Lee says it's just potential — for now.
Jacob Pullen scored a career-high 38 points and Kansas State shot 56 percent from the field Monday night en route to a stunning 84-68 victory...
Charlotte Bobcats hand Los Angeles Lakers worst loss of season, 109-89
Gerald Wallace had 20 points and 11 rebounds and the Charlotte Bobcats routed the Los Angeles Lakers 109-89 on Monday night to extend one...
St. Louis skates past Vancouver 3-2
Roberto Luongo's flubbed clearing attempt led to a go-ahead goal for St. Louis and the Blues beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 Monday night...
Washington State running back James Montgomery cited for marijuana possession
James Montgomery, Washington State football's leading rusher last fall, was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession here over the weekend, according to the Spokane Spokesman-Review.
Lake Stevens wrestlers try to pin down storybook ending for documentary
The lives of current Lake Stevens wrestlers and coaches could be featured in an MTV documentary as part of a project actor Chris Pratt, a former Vikings wrestler, first envisioned six years ago.
Mat Classic: Wrestling state championships at a glance
A capsule look at Mat Classic, this weekend's wrestling state championships.
Anacortes 80, South Whidbey 60 Burlington-Edison 81, Cedarcrest 57 Archbishop Murphy 56, Lynden 39 Dayton 65, Liberty Christian 42 Walla...
Anacortes 80, South Whidbey 60 Burlington-Edison 81, Cedarcrest 57 Ferris 62, Central Valley 57 Liberty Christian 58, Dayton 41 Colfax 49...
NW Briefs
Washington golfer Trevor Simsby hits first career hole-in-one | Northwest briefs
Washington freshman Trevor Simsby hit his first career hole-in-one on the way to recording the low round of the tournament, and Washington...
UPDATE - 07:44 PM
United temporarily grounds 96 aircraft
United Continental Holdings Inc. said it voluntarily grounded 96 United Airlines aircraft temporarily Tuesday so that maintenance checks could be completed.
NEW - 3:20 PM
MicroVision stock tumbles 20.5 percent on preliminary 4Q results
Shares of MicroVision, which makes wearable and automotive video displays, plunged 20.5 percent Tuesday after the Redmond company gave investors a glimpse at preliminary fourth-quarter results and said its quarterly loss almost doubled from a year earlier as its revenue fell 30 percent.
NEW - 5:53 PM
Bolivia to stockpile food to avoid crisis
Bolivia will tap central-bank reserves to boost agricultural production and stockpile food, joining countries from Africa to Asia in a bid to avoid a looming global "crisis," Finance Minister Luis Arce said.
Stocks fall after surprisingly weak retail sales
A surprisingly weak retail sales report drove stocks lower on Tuesday, giving the Dow Jones industrial average its second straight day of losses.
What the NYSE merger will mean for investors
The New York Stock Exchange will be acquired by Deutsche Boerse, owner of the Frankfurt stock exchange.
Home Depot to add more than 60,000 seasonal jobs, including 800 in Seattle area
Home Depot Inc. will hire more than 60,000 seasonal workers to help with its busy spring season.
Delta, American boost some air fares by up to $120
Major U.S. airlines are raising the price of some tickets favored by business travelers again, this time by up to $120 per round trip.
JPMorgan aims to make amends with military clients
JPMorgan Chase & Co. on Tuesday announced new programs geared toward military customers and veterans, and apologized for overcharging thousands of active-duty service members on mortgages and improperly foreclosing on more than a dozen.
Judge blasts Barclays, halts Del Monte vote
A Delaware judge has delayed a shareholder vote on Del Monte Foods Co.'s planned $4 billion acquisition by a group of private equity firms and left the door open to competing bids.
Smart cars to be sold at Mercedes dealers in US
Coming to a Mercedes-Benz dealer near you: Those tiny Smart cars.
World Bank: Food prices at "dangerous levels"
Global food prices have hit "dangerous levels" that could contribute to political instability, push millions of people into poverty and raise the cost of groceries, according to a new report from the World Bank.
Apple unveils iPhone, iPad subscription policy
Apple Inc. announced a subscription system for buying newspapers and magazines on iPhone and iPad applications on Tuesday, making it easier for publishers to mine the popular mobile devices for more revenue.
FAA sees 1 billion U.S. airline travelers by 2021
Federal officials predict that the number of passengers traveling on U.S. airlines should increase 3.5 percent this year.
Businesses add to inventories as sales rise
Businesses added to their stockpiles for a 12th consecutive month in December, suggesting further growth at U.S. factories that could lead to more hiring.
Businesses and consumers give economy boost
American businesses and consumers are giving the economy a boost by spending more, but the troubled housing market remains an obstacle, new data show.
Dim view of housing market weighs on economy
Optimism is in short supply among U.S. homebuilders, a sign that the depressed housing market will slow the economy's gains this year.
Murdoch buys another $48.2 mln in News Corp. stock
News Corp. Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch has bought more shares in the company he controls - $48.2 million worth - adding to about $5.94 billion in shares he already owns through a family trust.
New York Stock Exchange: A timeline
The New York Stock Exchange traces its history back nearly 220 years, when brokers and merchants signed a trading agreement on Wall Street in lower Manhattan. Here are some highlights from the NYSE's history:
Oil prices fall on economy, supply concerns
Oil prices retreated Tuesday on concerns about growing supplies of crude in the U.S. and weak retail sales numbers that suggested consumers were spending less because of high energy prices.
Tech frenzy over mobile at world trade show
The crowd outside the auditorium at Mobile World Congress on Monday was a restive mass of executives waiting to hear Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer. It was worse than the dressing-room line at Nordstrom Rack.
Bond prices rise after mixed economic reports
Treasury prices edged up Tuesday as investors sift through mixed economic reports amid unrest in the Middle East.
Wheat falls as China wheat supply worries ease
Wheat prices fell 3.6 percent Tuesday after China said it has adequate reserves to satisfy demand for the grain despite a drought that has affected its winter crops.
UPDATE - 07:00 PM
Teachers, US education leaders attend Colo. summit
The nation's education chief chastised teachers and their bosses in equal measure Tuesday as he launched what the Obama administration is touting as the first-ever national summit between union leaders and administrators.
UPDATE - 08:05 PM
Obama on Mideast: Power by coercion won't last
Warily watching protests ripple across the Middle East, President Barack Obama said Tuesday that governments in the vital, volatile region are figuring out that they "can't maintain power through coercion." He slammed Iran as an exception, accusing the U.S. foe of beating and shooting protesters.
UPDATE - 07:59 PM
Obama, GOP steering onto budget collision course
On a collision course over spending, House Republicans advanced a sweeping, $61 billion package of budget reductions on Tuesday despite a veto threat and a warning from President Barack Obama against cuts "that could endanger the recovery."
NEW - 6:16 PM
Another Guantánamo prisoner enters plea deal
A Sudanese man accused of training a generation of terrorists ahead of the 9/11 attacks pleaded guilty Tuesday to supporting terror and conspiring with al-Qaida — handing the Obama administration its third conviction in a row at the reformed war court.
Census estimates show more blacks moving to South
American blacks who a century ago began leaving the South to escape segregation and racism are returning, lured by better jobs and quality of life and perhaps by something more intangible - a sense of home.
UPDATE - 06:51 PM
Dalai Lama nephew hit by car, killed on Fla. walk
The Dalai Lama's nephew was smiling, radiating energy as he tackled the first leg of a 300-mile walk to promote Tibet's independence from China. He insisted on finishing the last two miles on his own, even as darkness fell.
Italy's Berlusconi indicted in prostitution probe
His penchant for beautiful young women has cost him his wife, and now may cost Silvio Berlusconi what he cherishes most: power.
Montana gov. blocks Yellowstone bison slaughter
Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer blocked the impending slaughter of hundreds of Yellowstone National Park bison on Tuesday, in a surprise move intended to spark an overhaul of how the federal government deals with the iconic but disease-plagued animals.
Obama starts drive for medical malpractice reforms
Putting his own stamp on a long-standing Republican priority, President Barack Obama is launching a drive to overhaul state medical malpractice laws and cut down on wasteful tests doctors perform because they fear lawsuits.
Senate votes to extend provisions of Patriot Act
The Senate on Tuesday voted to extend for 90 days the legal life of three post-Sept. 11 terrorism-fighting measures, including the use of roving wiretaps, that are set to expire at the end of the month.
Senate: Punish misusers of body scanner images
Misusing body scanner images would become a federal crime punishable by up to a year in prison under a proposal approved Tuesday by the Senate, an attempt by lawmakers to address concerns raised by some travelers.
NEW - 7:30 PM
U.S. agent killed, another wounded in Mexico shootout
A U.S. agent was shot and killed in central Mexico on Tuesday and a second wounded when the pair were apparently caught up in a road blockade staged by drug traffickers.
211 killed: S.Sudan says Khartoum arming rebels
A top political leader in the emerging nation of Southern Sudan on Tuesday accused the northern government of backing southern rebels who killed 211 people.
A chicken war, where Afghans rule the roost
Abdul Haye, the self-styled Colonel Sanders of New York's tight-knit Afghan community, is preparing for battle after declaring a fried chicken war. "I'm declaring war against all the Afghanis in New York who have stolen my name and my idea," Haye said the other day at one of his five chicken outlets.
AP IMPACT: New proof of Ivory Coast vote killings
The entrance to the morgue is like a mouth through which comes an awful smell. It hits you as far back as the parking lot and makes your eyes water. From a dozen yards away, it's strong enough to make you throw up.
NEW - 8:04 PM
Bush, Russell among 14 awarded Medal of Freedom
President Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday to former President George H.W. Bush and 14 others, including poet Maya Angelou, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, investor Warren Buffett and basketball legend Bill Russell.
E-mails: Ariz. college was on alert for Loughner
The Arizona college that Jared Loughner attended was on alert and concerned he would return to the Tucson campus a week before a Jan. 8 shooting spree that killed six and wounded 13, including a congresswoman, according to e-mail messages.
Government finally declassifying Pentagon Papers
The Pentagon Papers were splashed over U.S. newspapers 40 years ago for the world to read. Not much of a secret after that. Except to the U...
UPDATE - 06:44 PM
Man, 84, survives desert ordeal over 5 days
There was a moment when Henry Morello began to lose hope, stuck as he was for five long days with his car in a ditch in the Arizona desert.
UPDATE - 7:50 PM
Minn. governor wants to raise tax on wealthy to fix state's deficit
Gov. Mark Dayton looked to the wealthy to erase about half of a $6.2 billion state budget deficit on Tuesday, proposing a new top tax bracket and a temporary income surtax that together would give Minnesota the nation's highest income tax rate.
NASA craft snaps pics of comet in Valentine fling
Nearly six years after an 800-pound copper bullet excavated a crater on a comet, a NASA spacecraft revisiting the site has seen evidence of the destruction in images snapped during a Valentine's Day flyby, scientists said Tuesday.
NEW - 5:45 PM
Online prescription for shy anxiety
The studies, with such titles as "The Influence of Shyness on the Use of Facebook" and "Shyness and Online Social Networking Services," grapple with an important question: Can the Age of Oversharing bring the shy and lonely out of their cocoons?
Study: Most school bullying aimed at rivals, not misfits
Research suggests that the road to high-school popularity can be treacherous, and that students near the top of the social hierarchy are often both perpetrators and victims of aggressive behavior involving their peers.
U.N. climate chief: Warming could cause 'chaos'
Global warming is a looming threat to stability and national security around the world, and militaries should spend some of their ever-expanding budgets on reducing carbon emissions to avoid "climate chaos," the U.N.'s top climate official said Tuesday.
Colorado Springs police find live grenade in park
Police in Colorado Springs, Colo., have safely exploded a live grenade that was found in a park.
Guantanamo prisoner admits aiding al-Qaida in deal
A Sudanese prisoner at Guantanamo Bay pleaded guilty Tuesday to two war-crimes charges, accepting a deal with military prosecutors that will spare him the possibility of life in prison if convicted at trial.
Pakistan: Multi-week offensive kills 120 militants
A Pakistani official says security forces have cleared insurgents from 90 percent of targeted tribal areas near the Afghan border in a nearly three-week offensive.
Panel: FBI overstated science in anthrax probe
Federal investigators overstated the scientific case against the late Army researcher blamed for the 2001 anthrax attacks that killed five people, but the evidence is also consistent with the government's finding that Bruce Ivins was behind the mailings, a panel of scientists said Tuesday.
Kyrgyzstan aims to shoot 10,000 stray dogs in 2011
Officials in the capital of Kyrgyzstan say budgetary constraints are forcing them to shoot the city's estimated 10,000 stray dogs rather than build shelters for them.
Brazil high court apologizes for prank Twitter message
The Brazilian Supreme Court has issued a public apology for a message sent on its Twitter account calling for the president of the Senate to resign.
Man pleads not guilty to stabbing over flatulence
A Connecticut man accused of stabbing a friend to death and injuring three other people at a party because people were making fun of his flatulence has pleaded not guilty.
Mideast uprisings spur new protests in Iran
Tens of thousands of protesters faced club-wielding security forces Monday in Bahrain, Yemen and Iran in what experts said may be shaping...
Court faces questions about Thomas
Discrepancies in reports about an appearance by Justice Clarence Thomas at a political retreat for wealthy conservatives three years ago have prompted new questions to the Supreme Court from a group that advocates changing campaign-finance laws.
Mall security guards killed fighting suicide bomber
The heroes in the suicide bombing at the Kabul City Center shopping mall on Monday were two poorly paid security guards who had what has lately been one of the worst jobs in Afghanistan — screening visitors at the door.
Seattle University: The school on the hill touches it's neighbors
Taking an important page from the successful Harlem Children's Zone, Seattle University expands help to one of the city's poorest schools to the broader neighborhood.
Amazon should stop dodging state sales taxes
The Seattle Times editorial board says Amazon is wrong in its dispute with the state of Texas, and should pay state sales taxes.
Holy smoke! What gets into these nanny-state lawmakers?
Seattle Times editorial columnist Bruce Ramsey takes aim at bills in the Washington Legislature that would "protect the children" by banning the sale of cigars, pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco with added flavorings.
Guest columnist
Congress must provide states more Medicaid flexibility
Washington and other states are faced with dire budget decisions about their Medicaid programs. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and co-author Jason Mercier make the case that Congress must provide states more flexibility to implement programs that best serve their own citizens.
Tackling the nation's leadership deficit
Failure of political leadership knows no party, writes Ruth Marcus. Witness House Speaker John Boehner ducking his appropriate role in countering the belief that President Obama is a Muslim, and the president himself, once again ducking a leadership role in dealing with the nation's fiscal crisis.
NEW - 7:00 PM
Happy Hour: Put a little swank in your evening at Urbane
You asked: For a swanky, girls-night-out kind of place, try the sleek Urbane, downtown in the ground floor of Hyatt at Olive 8.
Computer crushes the competition on `Jeopardy!'
The computer brained its human competition in Game 1 of the Man vs. Machine competition on "Jeopardy!"
NEW - 7:00 PM
Dunking, dribbling, flying Globetrotters plan Seattle-area stops
The Harlem Globetrotters plan stops in Kent, Everett and Seattle Feb. 17, 19 and 20.
NEW - 7:00 PM
Wednesday TV Picks: 'Survivor: Redemption Island'
Redemption Island' The mother of all reality shows is still in Nicaragua, but the new season features 16 new contestants joined by two of...
'Jeopardy!' pits man against computer in Round 1
In the "Jeopardy!" battle of man vs. machine, man and machine were neck-and-neck on Monday.
Billy Ray Cyrus: 'Hannah Montana' destroyed family
Billy Ray Cyrus says the Disney TV show "Hannah Montana" destroyed his family, causing his divorce and sending daughter Miley Cyrus spinning out of control.
Lady Gaga gets the HBO concert treatment
Lady Gaga is bringing her spectacle to HBO.
Grammy-nominated R&B; star El DeBarge enters rehab
R&B; star El DeBarge, who earned a pair of Grammy nominations following his comeback album last year, has entered a rehabilitation center and dropped out of a national tour with KEM and Ledisi that's scheduled to kick off this week in Texas.
Newton-John to host concert honoring John Denver
Olivia Newton-John is set to host a benefit concert celebrating the late John Denver as he becomes the first inductee of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame on April 21.
Publicist: Liz Taylor to remain hospitalized
Heart trouble is keeping Elizabeth Taylor hospitalized in Los Angeles, but her publicist says the 78-year-old actress is OK and has been visiting with family and friends.
The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes
iTunes' top 10 selling singles and albums of the week ending Feb. 14, 2011:
NEW - 7:51 PM
Scientists examine testing of immune system health
An immune system test may help inspiring healthier habits.
NEW - 7:00 PM
DIY cupcakes are taking center stage at weddings
If you plan on turning cupcakes into wedding cakes follow some expert advice.
AP poll looks at feelings on declawing, debarking
Cats scratch and dogs bark. Is declawing or debarking the answer?
NEW - 7:00 PM
Recipe: Mustards Grill's Curried Slaw
This curry dressing makes this slaw recipe a standout.
NEW - 7:00 PM
Recipe: Rose-and-Ginger Cupcakes
This recipe could be used to make cupcakes for a wedding display.
NEW - 7:00 PM
Sriracha gives little kick to a lot of food
Everyday Food offers suggestions on how to use Sriracha.
The batter for this Carrot-Pecan Bread is very dense.
Recipe: Maple-Garlic Roasted Parsnips
This recipe calls for parsnips but you could substitute carrots, beets or other root vegetables.
Recipe: Mustards Grill's Curried Slaw
This recipe is from Mustards Grill in Napa.
This recipe makes a great Sunday supper.
Recipe: Spinach-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
This stuffing makes this pork tenderloin recipe a real standout.
NEW - 7:00 PM
Recipe: Vegetable-Herb Frittata (Made With Egg Substitute)
This frittata is make with egg substitute.
Recipes: Peruvian-Style Potato Salad, Flanken Soup and more
This selection of recipes were requested by readers.
Recipes: Super Cinnamon Rolls and The Proud Bird's Honey Mustard Dressing
These are recipes that were requested by readers.
How to handle quinoa.
Countdown to Westminster's best in show
Four group winners were selected at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on Monday night, leading to Tuesday's finale of best in show.
shopping
events for Tuesday, Feb. 15
- Butch Blum Winter Sale
- "Look for Love" hunt in West Seattle
- Horseshoe's Big Sale
- Juniper progressive sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides
