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LONDON, England (CNN) — Trying to quell politically damaging turmoil snowballing within the ranks of his own Labour Party, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to announce Thursday that he will leave office within a year.

Britain’s Press Association reported that Blair would use a scheduled photo opportunity to announce a 12-month timetable for his departure, after eight junior members of his government resigned Wednesday in a dramatic bid to force his hand.

However, the news agency reported that Blair was not giving an exact date for his departure.

Blair’s spokesman told PA: “I think the prime minister is very well aware of what the public must be thinking about events this week and I think if he does say something it will reflect on that as well.

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MIAMI (AP) — Anibal Sanchez was standing behind the mound when the scoreboard caught his eye, confirming what he already knew: He was one out from a no-hitter.

He froze. For a couple of seconds, the Florida Marlins’ rookie didn’t move.

“I said, ‘Wow. This hitter is the last one,’” Sanchez said.

Then he collected himself and, in this year of sensational rookies, finished up the greatest performance yet.

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LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) — Celebrity Paris Hilton was arrested and charged with driving under the influence early Thursday after driving erratically and failing a field sobriety test, police said.

Shortly after midnight, officers assigned to a driving-under-the-influence task force spotted Hilton driving erratically in Hollywood and pulled her over.

“She exhibited the symptoms of intoxication,” Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Irv Isabella said.

Hilton, 25, star of TV’s “The Simple Life,” was asked to perform a field sobriety test, which she failed, and was arrested and charged with DUI, a misdemeanor.

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LONDON, England (AP) — Wanted: Bright graduate student to assist world-famous scientist. International travel, developing computer systems and dealing with the press required.

Renowned astrophysicist and best-selling author Stephen Hawking has announced he is looking for a graduate student to work for him for one to two years.

The mathematics professor at the University of Cambridge has done groundbreaking work on black holes and the origins of the universe, making him one of the best-known theoretical physicists of his generation.

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By DAMON DARLIN
New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO — As corporate intrigue goes, it is hard to beat this: an uproar over news leaks from the boardroom, a cloak-and-dagger investigation, allegations of spying and double-dealing, and a clash involving some of Silicon Valley’s best-known names that could end in lawsuits and possibly criminal charges.

The furor at Hewlett-Packard, the personal computer and printer company, began unfolding when Thomas Perkins, a pioneer venture capitalist, quit the board after an investigation pointed to a friend on the board as a source of the leaks.

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