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SFGate: Top News Stories

Top news stories. From SFGate.com: the Bay Area's home page, online home of the San Francisco Chronicle and much more.

Death toll from Myanmar cyclone nearly doubles
The official death toll nearly doubled to 78,000 from Myanmar's killer cyclone as heavy rains on Friday lashed much of the area stricken two weeks ago, further hampering relief efforts. Aid workers shackled by the country's military regime struggled to get...
Clinton to Oregonians: Don't count me out
Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday she wasn't ceding Oregon _ or the nomination _ to opponent Barack Obama, who is heavily favored to collect another victory here next week as he comes closer to winning the Democratic nomination. "I've been declared...
Huckabee quips about gun aimed at Obama
Republican Mike Huckabee responded to an offstage noise during his speech Friday to the National Rifle Association by suggesting it was Barack Obama diving to the floor because someone had aimed a gun at him. Hearing a loud noise and interrupting his speech,...
Obama criticizes McCain for 'naive' foreign policy
Barack Obama laid into John McCain on Friday for advancing a tough-guy foreign policy that he called "naive and irresponsible," serving notice that he's ready to launch a full-throttle challenge to the Republican presidential contender on international...
Trapped survivors freed after nearly 100 hours
A powerful aftershock knocked out roads and communications in some of the most quake-ravaged parts of central China on Friday, as emergency crews rescued 163 people who had survived up to 100 improbable hours trapped in the ruins. As Saturday dawned, rescuers...
Florida, Michigan cannot save Clinton
Michigan and Florida alone can't save Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign. Interviews with those considering how to handle the two states' banished convention delegates found little interest in the former first lady's best-case scenario. Her position, part of a...
Napa Wine Pioneer Robert Mondavi Dead At 94
Robert Mondavi, the charismatic Napa Valley vintner whose work helped establish California wines as among the world's best, died Friday morning. He was 94. A spokeswoman for the Robert Mondavi Winery confirmed that Mr. Mondavi "died peacefully" at his Wappo...
California's unemployment rate holds steady at 6.2 percent
California's unemployment rate held steady at 6.2 percent in April, as job losses in the construction and banking sectors were offset by strength in other pockets of the economy, the state said Friday. California shed a negligible 800 of its nearly 15.2...
Driver-passenger argument on I-680 ends in roadside stabbing
An argument between two men in a van on Interstate 680 in Fremont ended with one of the men being stabbed to death and the other arrested, police said. The men began struggling as the van headed north on I-680 around the Mission Boulevard exit, Fremont police...
Routine conduct at risk with MySpace suicide case
Think twice before you sign up for an online service using a fake name or e-mail address. You could be committing a federal crime. Federal prosecutors turned to a novel interpretation of computer hacking law to indict a Missouri mother on charges connected to...
Man shot to death in Fruitvale District of Oakland
A man was shot and killed in Oakland's Fruitvale District, police said today. The 49-year-old victim, whose identity hasn't been released, was found behind a van on the 1400 block of Derby Avenue about 11:40 p.m. Thursday, police said. The street is near the...
China tallies losses, costs from quake
Cracked dams and buckled roads, collapsed buildings and toppled factories _ China has begun to tally its losses from an earthquake this week that killed thousands and left thousands more missing, with estimates ranging to over $20 billion. It remains unknown...
MAKING HISTORY | SAME-SEX MARRIAGE DECISION / Frequently asked questions / The gay marriage decision
When will county clerks issue marriage licenses to gay couples? Not until after the court's decision becomes final - at least 30 days. The court must then send the case back to the lower court for it to issue an order allowing same-sex marriages. The state...
Doctor's help couldn't save S.F. heroin addict
A 23-year-old man who died after being stabbed and crashing his car in the South of Market area of San Francisco was a drug addict who had been trying to quit with the help of a local emergency room physician, the doctor said Friday. Samuel Bontrager lost...
Cooling breezes still MIA in Bay Area
Spring weather around the Bay Area Friday again seemed more like a midsummer day in Texas. Temperatures remained well above normal but depending on the location, it may have been hotter, cooler or about the same as Thursday. Coastal temperatures dipped the...
S.F. woman's death not a clear bridge suicide
Roberta Pursley's body was found about 150 yards off the Richmond shoreline April 28. Her injuries, medical examiners said, were consistent with a plunge from a great height into water. And there were no signs of foul play. It sounds like a terrible, private...
Last roundup for several cows on Highway 4
The California Highway Patrol herded cattle on Highway 4, well, until the cows came home and managed to reopen the busy roadway in time for today's commute. Problem is, some of the cows didn't make it home. At least two cows were apparently hit by cars, and...
Marriage ruling a victory for Newsom
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had barely been on the job a month back in 2004 when he ordered the city to issue marriages licenses to gay and lesbian couples. Thousands of same-sex partners flocked to City Hall to exchange vows. For four weeks, a steady...
State's top court strikes down marriage ban
The California Supreme Court struck a historic but possibly short-lived blow for gay rights Thursday, overturning a state law that allowed only opposite-sex couples to marry. In a 4-3 ruling that elicited passionate responses on both sides of the debate and...