FRIDAY BRIEFING

EDITORS’ CHOICE: They’re full of forced cheeriness and rife with the danger that you’ll make a career-ending remark to your boss. In fact, many workers say they’d rather not go to company holiday parties. But that isn’t stopping employers from holding the soirees. BUSINESS, C1

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The World

South Korean is new U.N. chief

South Korea’s former foreign minister, Ban Ki-moon, is sworn in as the United Nations’ eighth secretary-general. Page A3

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Iraqis seized

Gunmen in a convoy of delivery trucks arrive at a Baghdad marketplace and take away dozens of people. Later, at least 23 are released. Page A15

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The Nation

Senator’s illness raises questions

The sudden illness of Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) casts new light on a quirk of the Senate: It has never forced a member out for being physically or mentally incapable of serving. Page A1

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Too few soldiers?

The Army chief of staff says the Iraq war “will break” the Army without an expansion in the size of the active duty force or the remobilization of the National Guard and reserves. Page A1

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Civil unions OKd

New Jersey lawmakers approve same-sex civil unions, acting on the state Supreme Court’s orders to allow gay marriage or create a legal equivalent. Page A21

Watching the spies

House Democrats propose creating a single congressional panel to oversee the budgets and operations of American intelligence agencies. Page A38

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California

Crackdown targets

fraud on skid row

Citing rampant abuse in food stamp and healthcare programs, authorities launch a crackdown on schemes that use homeless people to defraud the federal government. Page A1

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The name game

In California, it’s easier for a woman to take her husband’s last name than it is for a man to assume his wife’s name. Today, the ACLU plans to file a lawsuit over the matter. Page B1

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Hate crimes rise

Reported incidents of hate crimes in Los Angeles County rose 26% in 2005, the first increase in four years, a study says. Incidents in schools have more than doubled. Page B3

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Sports

From Chick to chucked

Taking over for a legend can be hazardous to your career, columnist Bill Plaschke says. A case in point: Paul Sunderland, the announcer who replaced Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn and was then replaced. Two years later, Sunderland hasn’t gotten another NBA job. Page D1

Kings win on road

They get two goals from rookie Anze Kopitar in a 4-2 victory over the Sharks, playing in San Jose. Derek Armstrong and Michael Cammalleri also score, and Barry Brust makes 34 saves in his first National Hockey League victory. Page D6

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Business

CBS Records ill be revived

CBS Corp. plans to revive CBS Records, starting with a handful of artists and a mandate to produce music that can be used on the parent company’s television networks and its fledging digital platforms. Page C1

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Greenhouse gases

The Public Utilities Commission approves a plan under which Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s business and residential customers can pay extra to offset the climate effects of their electricity and natural gas use. Page C1

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Film union deal

The union for Hollywood’s technical workers reaches a deal with makers of low-budget films that would cover productions in the U.S. and Canada. Page C2

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Religion and TV

The Parents Television Council contends that prime-time TV shows in the last year dealt with religion half as often as the year before. Page C3

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Calendar

Golden Globes avor ‘Babel’

“Babel” grabs seven Golden Globe nominations, including best dramatic picture and best supporting actor for Brad Pitt. Clint Eastwood and Leonardo DiCaprio each earn two nomination in one category. Page E1, E24

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‘Dreamgirls’ sings

A wonderful team effort makes the big-screen version of “Dreamgirls” fresh, critic Kenneth Turan writes. Writer-director Bill Condon and performers Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson deserve special credit, Turan says. Page E1

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Obituaries

Atlantic Records founder dies

Ahmet Ertegun, whose love of jazz and R&B; helped him become a titan of the U.S. music industry with Atlantic Records, dies at 83. The son of a Turkish ambassador, he shepherded the careers of Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. Page A1