NEW YORK, Jan 29 (Reuters) - The New York Times reported the following stories on its front page on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. * Iran's ambassador to Baghdad outlined a plan to expand its economic and military ties with Iraq that will almost certainly bring more conflict with the U.S. * 250 are killed in major Iraq battle: An American helicopter was shot down in fighting near Najaf between gunmen and Iraqi forces backed by U.S. firepower. * The new politics of maternity strike down the notion that women seeking office have to play down their softer, domestic sides. * The first anonymous smear of the 2008 presidential race illustrated how easily dubious information can spread. * The design for a Levi's pocket, first used 133 years ago, has become the biggest legal battleground in U.S. fashion. * Money has been lost, stolen or mishandled in case after case in New York State's town and village courts. * In Los Angeles, anti-gang efforts start on the street: Law enforcement officials have stepped up efforts to combat gang violence as racial tensions escalate.
