Nation/world roundup

Restive France declares state of emergency

PARIS -- France declared a state of emergency Tuesday to quell the country's worst unrest since the student uprisings of 1968 that toppled a government. The prime minister said the nation faced a "moment of truth" over its failure to integrate Arab and African immigrants and their children.

The extraordinary security measures, which began Wednesday and are valid for 12 days, clear the way for curfews after nearly two weeks of rioting in neglected and impoverished neighborhoods with largely Muslim communities.

CIA moves toward probe of prisons story

WASHINGTON -- The CIA took the first step toward a full-scale criminal investigation of a leak of possibly classified information on secret prisons to The Washington Post, a U.S. official said.

The agency's general counsel sent a report to the Justice Department about the Post story, which reported the existence of secret U.S. detention centers for suspected terrorists in Eastern Europe.

Calif. rejects Schwarzenegger initiatives

LOS ANGELES -- In a stinging rebuke from voters who elected him two years ago, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts to reshape state government were rejected during a special election that darkened his prospects for a second term.

Voters also rejected an initiative that would have required parents to be notified when minors seek abortions. All four of the Republican governor's signature ballot proposals were rejected in Tuesday's election, which pitted him against two of California's powerhouse political forces -- public employee unions and Democrats who control the Legislature.

From wire reports. Email news@thesantaclara.com.