WEDNESDAY BRIEFING

Security Council welcomes Panama

The U.N. settles a stalemate over which country should be added to the Security Council by selecting a compromise candidate, Panama.

Guatemala, backed by the U.S., and Venezuela had been vying for the appointment to a two-year term. But Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s fiery condemnation of President Bush hurt his country’s chances, and Guatemala lost some support because of active U.S. lobbying.

U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton says the U.S. is pleased that Venezuela will not be joining the Security Council. Page A9

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Latest FCC word on indecency

It’s OK to swear over the airwaves in the pursuit of news but not OK when it’s just for fun, the FCC rules.

Reversing an earlier ruling, the commission decides that the CBS morning program “The Early Show” should not be held accountable for broadcasting a naughty verb uttered by an interview subject. But the panel reaffirms that unscripted profanities uttered during the “Billboard Music Awards” on Fox still constitute indecency. Page C1

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Hussein’s refrain: Let’s all get along

Two days after angrily denouncing his death sentence, Saddam Hussein returns to court for a different trial and urges his countrymen to reconcile.

“I call upon all Iraqis, Arabs and Kurds, to forgive, reconcile and shake hands,” Hussein says, invoking images of the prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ showing forgiveness to their enemies.

Kurdish witnesses then recount some of the atrocities they say were committed under Hussein’s orders. Page A6

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Home sellers still making a bundle

Hold the tears for home sellers. Although the market is slumping, the vast majority of Southland sellers doubled their money in October, data show. That could mean the housing slowdown won’t be as big a drag on the economy as some observers had feared. Page C1

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Ferrari case coasts to a close

The driver who turned a million-dollar red Ferrari Enzo into a bucket of bolts will get some jail time to ponder his recklessness.

In a case that began with his 162-mph smashup in Malibu, Bo Stefan Eriksson agrees to plead no contest to charges of embezzlement related to a pair of exotic cars. He also pleads no contest to one count of possessing a gun illegally. Eriksson, of Sweden, is expected to spend a year in prison, and he’ll also lose two other expensive cars and his Bel-Air house. Page B1

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He warned of the dangers of life

Sid Davis, who produced such film noir as “What Made Sammy Speed?” and “The Dangerous Stranger,” has died at 90. Davis crafted more than 180 short films aimed at educating 1950s and ‘60s students about the hazards of bad driving, talking to strangers, using drugs and even running with scissors. Page B8

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Prayerful glow

“I like to fight against the big guys,” Richard Alceda says, although he makes his living helping worshipers pray to the really Big Guy. Alceda’s Pomona factory turns out 80,000 novena candles daily, and he’s preparing to enter a hotly contested market: scented decorative candles. Page C1

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CALENDAR

The heat over ‘hot mom’

Maybe you’ve noticed something resembling “hot mom” showing up all over the place, the result of a marketing fight between two groups over who owns the term. But it’s also about the delicate balance between wholesome mom and sexy, fulfilled woman. Page E1

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Are you sure you want in here?

It’s said to be an exclusive kind of night place, West Hollywood’s Hyde, where so few people can get in -- yet so many want to.

It’s the kind of place where one actress socks another in the jaw and her guy pours a drink over the first one. And singer Avril Lavigne spits on photographers. And Nicole Richie reportedly collapses before checking into a hospital for something.

And, of course, these people have their own entourages and each of them wants in too. So this Sunset Strip place is really full when it gets to 100 “guests.” So too bad for you. Page E1

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The Envelope on Oscars arrives

There’s a special section in today’s newspaper. It’s called The Envelope, and it’s bulging with entertainment news.

There’s a look at talent agents and how these people so important to the Hollywood process are not allowed to vote on the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ Oscars.

There’s a Q & A on what Harvey Weinstein has been up to.

There’s a look at how Philip Glass scores a shocking scene from the upcoming film “Notes on a Scandal.” There’s a look at how five unlikely actors have a good chance of walking up for an award. And more. Section S

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You must believe, but in what?

To viewers and critics alike, the message of this year’s Country Music Assn. Awards seems pretty gosh darn clear: You should believe.

Believing is a most familiar theme to nationwide fans of country music. The 6,000 voters of the CMA clearly believe in the power of happy music to make life better, or at least livable.

The voters believe in Brooks & Dunn’s sentimental ballad “Believe;” that’s why they gave it three awards. And other awards from the 40th annual show reflect the power of believing in values held by the country establishment. Page E3

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HIGHWAY 1

High hopes for Saturn’s Aura

“Car companies are like baseball teams,” writes Dan Neil in Rumble Seat. “They love home runs. They need base hits.”

For much of Saturn’s 16 years on this planet, it’s been an ordinary utility infielder. Nothing remarkable to note.

But Neil sees a turnaround coming at Saturn and a winning record just ahead.

First, there was the Sky roadster. And now arriving is the Saturn Aura, an agreeable midsized sedan.

It has many familiar GM pieces -- the handsome machining and harmonious lines, the stamped-steel bones. And the Aura is knit together so well.

There’s very little evidence of cost-cutting. The car gets 20 miles per gallon city, 30 mpg highway. It’s got some zip. “And, God help me, it is fun to drive,” says Neil. Page G1

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Here zooms the Night Rod Special

There’s a growing motorcycle trend in Scandinavia and southern Europe not to play dress up any longer with their bikes. Less chrome and more -- much more -- black surfaces.

Now, pan the camera to North America and into view zooms the Harley-Davidson V-Rod, the Night Rod Special with a blacked-out powertrain, exhaust shield and wheels.

“Feminine isn’t the first word that comes to mind in describing the bike’s riding position,” writes Throttle Jockey Susan Carpenter. She does have some advice. “Pick out your nicest pair of undies because they’re probably gonna show” on a bike this nimble, long and low. Page G1

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LATIMES.COM

Up-to-the-minute election results

The votes are in, so check in at latimes.com to get the final count.

The website will have reaction and breaking news throughout the day from California and across the nation as experts and pundits try to make sense of what voters decided on Tuesday and what it will mean down the road.

Visit the site for complete vote totals broken down by region and full exit poll results, and gain insight into who voted and what motivated them.

Political Muscle blogger Robert Salladay, who has been on the trail all fall, will be chiming in throughout the day with how Sacramento is responding to the results and with slices of life from election night and the day after.

See how it all shakes out with updates throughout the day at latimes.comand latimes.com/capolitics

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New film probes ‘Da Vinci Code’

Is “The Da Vinci Code” wrong about Mary Magdalene? On her Hollywood Bytes blog, Elizabeth Snead reports that a new film may have unearthed some major new evidence about Jesus’ famed disciple.

The makers of “Bloodline,” a documentary that examines the claims in Dan Brown’s bestseller, “The Da Vinci Code,” said they have stumbled upon an interesting relic in the French countryside, where legend has it Mary Magdalene retired. It’s a vessel that could be her anointing jar. latimes.com/hollywoodbytes

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It’s a Clippers referendum

On the Clippers blog, Rick Cipes offers a democratic choice for the teams fans: Proposition 1A -- Coach Investment Fund. It would provide a generous financial package to keep Mike Dunleavy onboard through the two seasons after this one. Vote and debate the measure before the Staples Center electorate at latimes.com/theclips

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FOOD

For some Scotch, it’s all in the finish

In case you haven’t been closely following news from within the world of overseas distilleries in recent years, the hottest trend in making Scotch is wood finishing.

This involves putting single-malt Scotch in the traditional secondhand Bourbon barrels for 10 years and then “finishing” it for another two years in barrels that once held wine.

The results are typically fruitier and sweeter than traditional Scotch, which is more appealing to some people.

Wood finishes also attract connoisseurs because they bring a surprising and refreshing side to a well-known brand of familiar Scotch. Page F1

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Great chefs, great ideas, great books

Say you’re a cook, one of those people who likes to try new things and follow the guidance of pros. What would be on your holiday wish list?

How about a squadron of new cookbooks not written by familiar cookbook writers, those tireless veterans of countless kitchens who test and retest recipes with the cook at home in mind, poring over the books there and staining them.

Instead, imagine a cookbook season populated by books written by great chefs with their greatest ideas.

That’s what we get this year -- a whole bevy of new volumes. Page F1