• 43 people suspected of being members of the Eastside Pain Bloods gang were arrested by more than 400 police officers in predawn raids yesterday.
• More staff cuts coming at the Daily News: zone coverage of Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley to be eliminated.
• Yikes! How much did Tony spend to help get his three candidates onto the school board?
• The L.A. City Council has just approved a ban on smoking in city parks.
• The J. Paul Getty Museum has agreed to return 40 antiquities - including the prized statue of Aphrodite - to Italy.
• Ever wish you could lay your hands on Tony Soprano's Suburban or Uncle Rico's sweet van?
• Good news for you Pogue fans: the band will be returning to L.A. later this year to play a few shows.
• Did God smite Christina Aguilera for being a "sexual terrorist"?
• In a blow to Iraq's fledgling (some might say non-existent) coalition government, the largest Sunni Arab political bloc has decided to leave parliament amidst continuing sectarian and militant violence.
• It's about time: the U.N. is set to send 26,000 troops to help war-ravaged Darfur.
• Once thriving virtual hotspot "Second Life" not so hot anymore.
• Funky Winkerbean returns to the LA Daily News, a nation readership rejoices

Photo by dogseat via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr