April 13, 2005

Israeli Prime Min Ariel Sharon, visiting Pres Bush's Texas ranch, reportedly spreads out photos of Iranian nuclear sites as he urges US to step up pressure on Iran to give up all elements of its nuclear program; reports Israeli intelligence shows Iran near 'point of no return' on developing weapon; he gives no indication that Israel is preparing to act alone, prospect raised by Vice Pres Cheney; Sharon warns European negotiators are softening position and might allow Iran to hold onto uranium-enrichment technology; information is not new but Sharon reportedly pressures Bush not to let talks drag on and says he has little confidence in outcome; photo of two (M)

Dan Barry About New York column profiles short life of Benny Paret, boxer who died after fighting Emile Griffith in 1962; Benny's wife Lucy is in New York for premiere of documentary Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story, which focuses in part on that fight; photo (M)

Cardinals electing new pope face unusual popular pressure to declare Pope John Paul II a saint, with campaign possibly even playing role in succession politics; photos; some cardinals are responding through deft messages, press leaks and internal lobbying and Vatican reportedly is collecting messages on healings attributed to late pontiff; John Paul II would be only fourth pope canonized in 900 years; early hint seen in Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger's eulogy (M)

ATHENS was a culinary backwater when Yiannis Baxevannis returned to Greece after years of training in France to be a chef. Escoffier was his muse back then. But in his new restaurant, Hytra, he has found inspiration in the foods of his homeland. ''I wanted to do haute French cuisine when I came back here 12 years ago,'' said Mr. Baxevannis, who grew up on Crete, ''but Greek food just snuck up on me.''

New York State legislative leaders and Gov George Pataki, in secret talks, change key provisions of spending plan, twelve days after passing state's first on-time budget in 21 years; lawmakers used public, bipartisan negotiations to enact budget in daylight, with much fanfare; new deal is reversion to form, requiring members of Legislature to wait into night for bills to be printed after their leaders strike deal in private; photo; Pataki had threatened dozens of vetoes over spending, but ends up accepting most of estimated $106.6-billion plan that restores key programs (M)