January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A1 A new study provides strong evidence that taking estrogen hormone pills significantly reduces the rate of death from all causes for post-menopausal women and offers even greater protection against heart …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A1 The bud stops here. Travis Hensley, 19, watches WSP trooper Marty Finan, left, and Sgt. Kris Boness search his car for drugs along U.S. Highway 395 south of Ritzville, Wash. …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A1 The four Westerners held hostage by Kashmiri militants for six months were seen four days ago in a village in Jammu-Kashmir state, an official said Sunday. The hostages, including Donald …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A1 “A Christmas miracle!” That’s how Rich Silva, community services coordinator with the Salvation Army, described response to the 1995 Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund. The Christmas Fund raised $432,323.80 - a record …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A2 Britain is in the midst of a food scare that has seen sales of beef drop 25 percent in the last two weeks. This has nothing to do with concern …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A2 Sunday’s winning “Triple Choice” lottery numbers are: 460. Sunday’s winning Washington Keno numbers: 6-10-16-20-22- 24-32-33-35-42-47-50-60-63-64-66-72-74-78-79.

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A3 The Clintons arrive in Beaufort, S.C., Sunday on way to Renaissance Weekend. Photo by Associated Press

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A3 A leading liberal and a conservative presidential contender agreed Sunday that the nation’s Social Security system will need to be overhauled, especially as aging baby boomers put more pressure on …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A3 A convict who escaped from prison picked the wrong house to break into Sunday: He was tied up by the couple who lived there. “Our people were chasing him the …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A3 Child welfare authorities took custody Sunday of three small children found filthy and starving after their father called police to complain that their mother had left them home alone for …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A3 A planned congressional study of how federal judges perform their duties may be an “unwarranted and ill-considered” threat to judicial independence, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist says. Rehnquist noted in …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A5 Four people died and hundreds were injured Sunday and today as Filipinos, continuing a dangerous tradition, defied a ban on powerful firecrackers and guns to welcome the new year. Police …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A6 Accountant Kristi Blake is active in professional circles, but prefers her individual practice over working for a big firm. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A6 There’s something brewing in the Pacific Northwest, and, this time, it’s not coffee. It’s tea. And while it hasn’t taken off with the fervor of a caffeine buzz, the tea …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A6 The Spokesman-Review will not publish year-end stock listings this year. Those who would like a complete guide of how stocks fared in 1995 might consider the Wall Street Journal’s year-end …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A6 The American Gas Association predicts a 5 percent jump in U.S. natural gas demand during 1996 and says gas provided most of the muscle for this year’s increase in total …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A6 Would-be small business owners will have a golden opportunity to assess some of their options this weekend when the Entrepreneur Expo debuts its 1996 run in Spokane. The exhibition to …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A7 A marine form of the measles may be killing blue whales in the Mediterranean, researchers say. Four blue whales that succumbed to the illness had skin that was mottled “like …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A7 Divers groping through muddy waters found 10 more bodies Sunday, raising to 135 the death toll from Christmas Day floods that washed away entire squatter settlements. “Bodies are still popping …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A7 A Basque separatist group claimed responsibility Sunday for two bombing attacks that killed seven people earlier this month, as well as five other attacks. A statement in the radical Basque …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A7 A U.S. armored vehicle heads across the new pontoon bridge over the Sava River. Photo by Associated Press

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A7 A tiny Indian Ocean island nation has attracted the attention of law enforcement officials in the United States and Europe after passing a law guaranteeing to protect from extradition anyone …

January 1, 1996 in Nation/World on Page A7 China is planning measures to stop obscene or harmful material from entering the country via the Internet, its official news agency reported Sunday. The Communist Party and the State Council, …