Pakistan: Gen. Pervez Musharraf announced that parliamentary elections will be held before February 15, and that he will give up his military uniform before then to run as a civilian. The White House is cautiously optimistic—a sentiment the opposition party might share if 500 of its members weren’t rounded up and arrested during Musharraf’s announcement.

Mercenaries: A February Blackwater shooting incident was given only a cursory investigation by the U.S government. “It’s really surprising that Blackwater is still out there killing people,” said Mohammed Jasim, Iraqi Media Network’s deputy director. “This was absolutely a provoked incident,” said Blackwater spokeswoman Anne E. Tyrrell.

More Elections: In an attempt to end domestic unrest, Georgia president Mikheil Saakashvili has announced a special presidential election for January 5. The move knocks a year off his presidency.

Roofies for Tots: 4.5 million Chinese-made Aqua Dots bead toys have been recalled due to a coating that, once consumed, becomes GHB.

Blackhawk Down: Five dead, five injured after a U.S. Blackhawk helocopter crashed in northern Italy.

Supporting the Troops: According to a Veterans Affairs Department report, veterans make up 1/4 of the homeless population in the United States.

God Will Fix It: Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has urged the state’s citizens to pray in order to ease the state’s drought.

Progress, Kinda: The House passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act yesterday. It now faces a vote in the Senate, then a veto from President Bush.

Red Country: The national debt has reached a record of $9 trillion.

Big Brother: A former tech for AT&T says the company gave the federal government access to all web and phone traffic.

Student Scandal: UW student Amanda Knox told Italian authorities she was in the next room while her roommate was murdered. “The only thing I can say is that at a certain point I heard Meredith screaming,” she said. “I was scared and put my hands over my ears. I can’t remember anything else…I was in shock, but I could imagine what was going on.”

Over the Yellow Line: A Bethel School District bus driver has been held after pot and a handgun were found on her bus. Just six years ago, the same driver was called a hero for saving the lives of 22 children after an accident.

Moving On: Now that Proposition 1 has gone kablooey, state officials are working on a plan for a new 520 bridge.

Patty Has a Spine: Sen. Patty Murray will oppose the nomination of Michael Mukasky for U.S. attorney general.

Moneyball: The Seattle Mariners have signed a 12-year contract with Fox Sports Northwest. The deal is rumored to be worth $400 million.

Boris Yeltsin’s Greatest Hits…