NATION

Confirmation Bear Traps

As Democrats get set to bloody some of Bush's Cabinet nominees, the divided Senate faces its first test

Blasting the Crusader

Why the Army's newest and biggest gun may become a target for Bush's Defense Department

In The Crosshairs

Four of Bush's more conservative Cabinet choices face opposition from Democrats hoping to bruise the President-elect. Herewith the lineup--and the big targets

Shall We Dance?

John McCain puts Bush on the spot with a campaign-reform bill the President-elect can't stand

When ELF Comes Calling

A radical environmentalist group expands from its Western haunts, staking a claim in the Northeast

SOCIETY & SCIENCE

Lost On The Campus (Behavior)

More mentally ill students can cope with college. But what happens to the ones who can't?

Buzzing About Safety (Technology)

The latest studies say there is no cell-phone risk, but many users are making their own decisions about taking precautions

Orange County Confidential (Crime)

The double murder on a desolate California road appeared unsolvable. Then the cops got a break

Penne From Heaven (Food)

In an era of kitchen showboats, Mario Batali is a back-to- basics master. Just ignore the shorts

WORLD

Secrets of the Square

Smuggled out of China, The Tiananmen Papers shows Beijing's nervous leaders at a dangerous time

The Work Of Assassins

From both sides of the intifadeh, high-tech hit squads and low-tech vigilantes wield street justice

BUSINESS

Power To The People

As California battles just to keep the lights on, heartland homeowners pay dearly to stay warm

Rebirth Of The Z

Putting Nissan back on the road to success is no easy task, but maybe a blast from the past will help

A Nasty Turn For Ford?

An Explorer rollover lawsuit tries to show that the Firestone crisis is not just about tires

THE ARTS

Top performers (The Arts/Cinema)

We like these films. But what we really love is what these actors do in them. Each is worth keeping your eye on--now, at Oscar time and beyond

State And Main (The Arts/Short Takes/Cinema)

Directed By David Mamet

Wow Flash! (The Arts/Short Takes/Music)

Elvis Crespo

Gary & Mike (The Arts/Short Takes/Television)

UPN, Fridays, 8 p.m. E.T.

Three Sisters (The Arts/Short Takes/Television)

NBC, Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m. E.T.

Identity Gap (The Arts/Books)

A memoir of growing up biracial falls too short

More from a Master (The Arts/Books)

Five previously unpublished short stories by the late Raymond Carver attest to his lasting genius

Sundance's Newest Kids (The Arts/Cinema)

A raucous rocker is leading the latest crop of hopefuls at the upcoming indie festival

Call Of The Child (The Arts/Music)

Firings. Lawsuits. And five Grammy nods. Beyonce and Destiny's Child are pop's most-buzzed-about vocal group

Chicks, Not From Dixie (The Arts/Music)

German band Chicks on Speed is making noise in Europe and in the press. Will Americans listen?

Squawking With the Animals (The Arts/Television)

Animal Planet's show-biz approach has made it a cable hit. Now National Geographic enters the alpha channel's territory

PERSONAL TIME

Don't Pass the Salt (Personal Time/Your Health)

Cutting back on sodium is a good idea if you have hypertension. And even if you don't

The Blame Game (Personal Time/Your Money)

Analysts missed the tech meltdown. They should have known better, but shouldn't you too?

Seeking Radio Me (Personal Time/Your Technology)

Are there music stations that broadcast only the tunes you like? Yes, but most just give you static

In Brief (Personal Time/Your Technology)