Washington Dc

Jack Valenti is busily scripting the end of his legendary life. But, even after 85 years, it's very much a work in progress. Valenti, who ended his 38-year run as Hollywood's leading man in the nation's capital more than two years ago, continues to work five days a week as something of an icon-on-call.

She grew up in a single-parent home in the working-class suburb of Tuxedo, Md. She got pregnant at age 14, dropped out of high school, and at 15 married the father. By 18 she was divorced and working two jobs -- secretary by day, waitress at night. Now 39, Cathy L. Lanier began her new job last week as acting police chief of Washington, one of a handful of women to head large-city departments in the U.S. and one of only a few white officers to lead forces in largely black cities.

ALL of Washington, D.C., becomes a stage this month as dozens of arts organizations embark on a six-month celebration of William Shakespeare, mounting more than 100 performances, exhibits and other events in the capital. The occasion? There is none, really. The city's Folger Shakespeare Library marks its 75th anniversary this year, but the Shakespeare in Washington festival wasn't prompted by that, said Rae Bazzarre, spokeswoman for Washington's Kennedy Center.

A subway train derailed near downtown Washington, necessitating the rescue of 60 people from a tunnel and sending 20 people to the hospital, officials said. About 150 people were on the train, officials said, and at least one person was seriously injured. The other injuries were mostly "bumps and bruises," officials said, and one of those with reportedly minor injuries was pregnant. The accident happened about 3:45 p.m.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is stepping onto a national political stage this week, talking to new audiences about poverty and crime and in the process positioning himself among the emerging field of Democratic Party up-and-comers.

Emboldened by the Democratic takeover of Congress and shrinking public support for the Iraq war, antiwar groups are planning what they hope will be a massive protest Saturday on the National Mall. Similar events are planned in dozens of cities around the country, with some of the largest expected in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Organizers said they aim to put pressure on both the White House and Congress to end the war. "The message will be 'Mr. President, bring our troops home,' " said Rep.

About 100,000 antiwar protesters from around the country converged Saturday on the National Mall, galvanized by opposition to President Bush's plan to increase the number of troops in Iraq. Protests attended by several thousand people also were held in Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities. But the demonstration in the nation's capital was among the biggest since the war began.

Federal aviation officials expect on Monday to begin introducing a proposal to finance a new air-traffic control system that they say will be needed to keep pace with increasing air travel over the next two decades. The next-generation network could cost $69 billion to $76 billion, according to the Congressional Research Service. The Federal Aviation Administration and other government agencies want the system completed by 2025. They have not said how much it would cost.

Hollywood plans to show the nation's capital today that it's more than just a pretty face, with the help of some of its most recognizable ones. In what amounts to a Hollywood 101 course, the Motion Picture Assn. of America trade group is holding a daylong primer on movie industry economics that will include cameos by two household names and current Oscar nominees: actor Will Smith and director Clint Eastwood.

A master sculptor from China was chosen Thursday to carve the image of Martin Luther King Jr. for a memorial to the slain civil rights leader to be built on the National Mall. Lei Yixin, one of nine sculptors considered national treasures in China, will carve King's likeness in the memorial's 28-foot granite "Stone of Hope," officials said. The figure will be sculpted from a light beige variety of granite stone found in China's Fujian province. Earlier Thursday, the U.S.