US dollar down in Europe

The U.S. dollar was down against other major currencies in European trading Tuesday morning. Gold rose.

The euro traded at US$1.4118, up from US$1.4086 late Monday in New York.

Other dollar rates:

_95.81 Japanese yen, down from …

A Bigger Pal Than Rival, P.T. Supports Harbaugh

Another man might be enraged right now, lobbying in the press,demanding high-level meetings, crying injustice. Who could blameP.T. Willis if he were P.O.'d Willis? All his good deeds have beenignored this preseason, as if the projector suddenly ate the film.

He has been stiletto-sharp in his exhibition appearances,easily grasping a San Francisco offense that Chicago so willinglyrips off. He throws precise passes, makes intelligent reads, directsscoring drives. And as he was quick to volunteer late Friday night,after playing a major role in the Bears' first victory for thevirginal Dave Wannstedt, it is fallacy to assume he has performedsolely against second-team …

Bullock, Bridges, Berry to present at Oscars

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Academy Awards winners Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Halle Berry and Marisa Tomei are among stars appearing on the next Oscar show, along with past nominee Oprah Winfrey.

Academy overseers announced Monday that all five will serve as presenters on the Feb. 27 telecast.

At the last Oscars, five-time nominee Bridges won the best-actor prize for "Crazy Heart," while …

Vendor tells of alerting NYC police to car bomb

A street vendor who says he saw the smoking SUV parked with a bomb near New York City's Times Square feels like he dodged a bullet.

Duane Jackson tells The Associated Press he saw the Nissan Pathfinder parked in a no-standing zone at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, with the engine running and the key in the ignition.

The 58-year-old Jackson says he and another vendor who sells trinkets next to him outside a hotel went to peer inside the tinted windows, then smelled smoke and heard a "pop pop pop" like firecrackers.

Jackson says he first thought the car might have been on fire. Once he learned that a bomb had been discovered, he says he realized …

Fancy winning a veggie meal?

Bath-based vegetarian restaurant Demuth's is supporting AnimalAid's Veggie Month by offering one lucky person a FREE meal for two.

All you have to do is say why you should win! Competitionentries, including answer, …

'SHE'S TOO WELL'

Cindy Scinto pulled a CD-ROM from her purse and handed it Dr. John Boehmer, her cardiologist.

"This looks beautiful," Boehmer said about the images from Scintos last heart X-ray Iodine - the dark liquid that illuminates blood flow on an X-ray - shot freely through her artery and venal bypass.

He grinned.

"Aw, man...can't beat that," Boehmer said.

The X-rays showed a vessel had sprouted and formed a loop around a blockage in her artery sparing Scinto from a heart attack. Another vessel appears to have restored blood flow to a bypass that had become blocked. Her stress test was normal.

"This is the point in clinical care when we usually claim victory" …

Cycling body clears Armstrong for comeback race

Cycling's governing body is relaxing its rules to allow Lance Armstrong to make his comeback at a road race in Australia in January. The International Cycling Union said the seven-time Tour de France champion can compete in the Jan. 20-25 Tour Down Under, his first race since coming out of retirement after three years.

A strict application of testing rules would not have allowed the 37-year-old Texan to compete until Feb. 1, 2009, six months after he filed paperwork with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

But the UCI said Wednesday that Armstrong could return early because its drug-testing standards have improved since the rule was drawn up four years ago.

…

Yesteryear

100 years ago

Home hint: Utilising bits of soap: small pieces of soap should besaved from the soap-dishes and when a sufficient quantity has beencollected, it should be cut into shavings and dissolved in boilingwater. When the soap is dissolved, add enough fine oatmeal to make astiff batter. The mixture is then turned into moulds, and when drymakes an excellent soap for the skin.

Show Night - the butchers and other tradesmen's shops inGlastonbury were decorated on Tuesday evening on the occasion of theChristmas Show Night.

50 years ago

Street Urban District Council is to adopt a fortnightly system ofrent collecting for council houses in …

MLB Celebrates Civil Rights History

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Major League Baseball began an effort to emphasize its place in the history of America's struggle for racial equality just one day after a study said only 8.4 percent of its players last season were black, the lowest level in at least two decades.

Participants in a panel discussion Friday night on baseball's civil rights history agreed that baseball should crank up efforts with community groups, schools and others to interest more young blacks in the sport.

"To play this game you have to start early and play continuously," Hall of Famer Dave Winfield said. "You can't say, 'Oh, this is a good opportunity' at 14 or 15 years old. It's too late. You'll never …

Cargo plane crashes in eastern Indonesia; 6 killed

A cargo plane crashed into a hillside in Indonesia's easternmost Papua province Thursday, killing all six people on board, police said.

The Avia Star was carrying food and building supplies from the provincial capital, Jayapura, to the nearby district of Wamena, said Maj. Gen. Bagus Ekodanto, the local police chief.

The bodies of the pilot, co-pilot and four crew members were pulled from the smoldering wreckage of the British-manufactured BAe 146-300, he said. An investigation was under way.

It was not clear …

Dow tumbles 32.67 as 2nd qtr. begins

Stock prices tumbled Monday, getting off to an uninspired starton the second quarter of 1991.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 32.67 to 2,881.19.Declining issues outnumbered advances by about 3-to-2 in nationwidetrading of New York Stock Exchange-listed stocks, with 637 up, 979down and 445 unchanged. Volume was 144.01 million shares, against150.75 million in the previous session.

As traders returned from the long Easter and Passover weekend,they were confronted with evidence that the economy turned in aslightly improved, but still weak, performance in March.

A group of corporate purchasing executives said its index stoodat 40 percent in March, up …

Financial institions back Nabucco pipeline

BRUSSELS (AP) — Three international financial institutions have thrown their weight behind an international pipeline aimed at helping Europe reduce its dependence on Russian natural gas.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and an affiliate of the World Bank Group are getting behind the Nabucco pipeline.

A financial package would provide up to €4 billion for the Nabucco pipeline, which …

Army presence soars amid deadly Kashmir protests

Indian troops patrolled tense, curfew-bound cities in Kashmir on Wednesday in a show of force to help quell increasingly violent street protests.

Patrols in Srinagar, Kashmir's main city, and the key town of Baramulla marked the first time in nearly two decades the army was called in to help police and paramilitary forces curb deadly civil unrest in the troubled Himalayan territory.

The recent deadly violence during demonstrations against Indian rule have raised concerns the situation could spin out of control.

"We are out to give support to the state machinery. We are ready to move anywhere, anytime," Col. Vineet Sood, an army spokesman, said in Srinagar.

The protests have grown increasingly strident in recent weeks, with residents accusing government forces of killing at least 15 people during street demonstrations. The recent unrest had prompted authorities to impose a curfew in most parts of Kashmir.

More than a dozen militant groups have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from India or its merger with Pakistan since 1989. More than 68,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the conflict, which in recent years has largely transformed from an insurgency into street demonstrations.

Thousands of government forces strictly enforced the curfew Wednesday by putting up road blocks and barbed wire, forcing people to stay indoors.

Most streets in Srinagar and other towns were deserted and schools, offices, shops and businesses remained shut.

In the Batmaloo district of Srinagar, small groups of people came out on the streets with placards reading, "Go India, Go Back."

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella group of political and religious outfits, called for street protests later Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Indian forces opened fire on hundreds of rock-throwing protesters in Srinagar killing three people and re-imposed a curfew in the city. The curfew was later extended to other towns as well.

"Our protests and civil disobedience will continue until India withdraws its military and paramilitary soldiers from all populated areas," said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key separatist leader who led thousands of marchers in downtown Srinagar on Tuesday.

Kashmir is divided between Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan and is claimed by both. Separatist politicians and armed militants in Kashmir reject Indian sovereignty and want to carve out a separate homeland, or merge the predominantly Muslim region with Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over control of Kashmir since they won independence from Britain in 1947.

Hand helps No. 13 Oklahoma top New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Whitney Hand put back her own miss with 18.6 seconds left to help No. 13 Oklahoma beat New Mexico 58-56 on Saturday.

Aaryn Ellenberg scored 14 points and had four steals for the Sooners (2-0), who scored the final three points of the game, overcoming a 56-55 deficit in the last minute.

Caroline Durbin, who scored a game-high 16, put the Lobos (0-3) up with a running floater from the lane with 1:35 left.

But Ellenberg hit one of two from the line and Hand then got loose in the paint. Her first shot hit the front iron, but the rebound came right back to her and she made the follow.

New Mexico had led by 42-32 early in the second half, but Oklahoma used its defense to get back in the game by forcing 23 turnovers, 14 of which came on Sooners' steals.

Hawks Brush Leafs Aside

Hawks 5 Leafs 2

TORONTO About the only thing missing was the Russian accents asthe Blackhawks made like Detroit on Wednesday and thoroughlydominated Toronto, skating out of Maple Leaf Gardens with a 5-2victory in what could be a preview of the playoffs.

And who more appropriate to lead the drive than the man fromMotown, Bob Probert, who conjured up images of Red Wings history withhis performance."He had a Gordie Howe hat trick - a fight, a goal, and anassist," Jeff Shantz said.The Hawks held Toronto shotless for one span of 18 minutes."And I don't think they had more than six quality (scoring)chances all game," coach Craig Hartsburg said. "We just played ahell of a game for 60 minutes. It wasn't so much what they weren'tdoing. We worked hard along the wall and did the little things."Even the much-maligned power play came to life, scoring twice ina game for the first time since Feb. 6. Murray Craven's first of twotallies, on a man-advantage late in the second period, proved to bethe game-winner as the Hawks pulled away with three unanswered goalsin the final two periods.About the only thing that wasn't even in the first period -which ended in a 2-2 draw with the Leafs holding a 7-6 edge in shots- was the fight between Probert and Toronto's Tie Domi in the finalminute. Probert pounded the diminutive Domi at mid-ice with 36seconds remaining after Domi "gave Chelios a little stick," accordingto the Hawks enforcer.The presence of Probert, who has six points in the last twogames, meant much more than his empty-net goal with 1:07 left."Probie gave us a tremendous lift," said Joe Murphy, who scoredthe first power-play goal. "And he just seems to be coming into hisown the last month. He changes the momentum of games and is bringingthe total package to the table. That's why they invested all thattime in him. He's such a great person, no one can be happier forhim than the guys in this room."Aside from Probert's pugilism, the Hawks connected on a coupleof their opening shots as well.Chris Chelios, with a lucky bounce off Toronto's Todd Warriner,tallied his 14th goal of the season 56 seconds into the game when heput his centering pass near the slot, and shocked goalie Felix Potvinwith the ensuing near-90 degree angle deflection into the net.Taking a page from Toronto's recent game plans - the Leafs hadaveraged just more than three goals in the opening period of each oftheir last three games (all victories) - the Hawks kept the pressureon Potvin.Three seconds after rookie Eric Daze's backhand shot from justin front of the Toronto net hit the post, defenseman MathieuSchneider held Daze within sight of referee Don Koharski, who sentSchneider off for the infraction.Less than a minute into the Toronto penalty, the Hawks scoredtheir first power-play goal in their last 21 attempts. Murphy gavethe Hawks a 2-0 lead at 3:17 on their third shot of the game when hedeflected a slap shot from Gary Suter. Chelios also assisted on theplay, giving the Hawks' captain his 68th point on the season, and theteam lead in scoring.Two seconds after Murphy lit the lamp on his 21st goal of theseason, Shantz made like Schneider and went to the penalty box forinterference on the faceoff. That set up the Leafs' first powerplay, during which Kirk Muller made like the Hawks' Murphy anddeflected Todd Gill's slapper at 4:41 for Toronto's first goal.Toronto's Larry Murphy tied the game late in the first onanother power play. The Hawks lit the lamp three more times and leftToronto in the dark.

Reports: Chilean court suspends LAN-TAM merger

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Officials have suspended a merger between Chile's LAN Airlines and Brazil's TAM Airlines while they investigate whether it complies with the South American country's antitrust laws, Brazilian news media reported Saturday.

The five-member Court for the Defense of Free Competition issued the decision Friday in response to a request from the private National Consumer Corporation, the daily Tercera newspaper reported.

No one answered the telephone Saturday at the court or at LAN's offices.

Corporation president Hernan Calderon told radio Cooperativa on Saturday that "we value the court's ruling."

Calderon said that the tribunal's review will involve consultations with numerous organizations involved in the merger, "and that means several months."

Earlier this month, LAN Airlines announced that it planned to finalize the merger in six to nine months.

A report LAN sent to Chile's markets regulator said the new company would be one of the world's 10 largest airlines, providing both passenger and cargo services to more than 115 destinations in 23 countries. It would be known as Latam Airlines Group SA, or LATAM, but LAN and TAM would both continue operating under their own brand names.

Together, the airlines have 40,000 employees and more than 280 planes. The merger, announced last August, also depends on approval by Brazil's civil aviation agency; markets regulators in Brazil, Chile, and the U.S.; antitrust authorities in Brazil, Spain, Germany, Italy and Argentina; and shareholders for both companies.

LAN is one of the world's few investment-grade airlines, with $737 million in cash, no short-term debt and low interest rates on long-term debt needed to maintain its fleet of 131 jets, including 13 more added in the fourth quarter.

On Wednesday, the company reported a 50 percent jump in fourth-quarter profits to $165 million, reflecting growth in passenger and cargo businesses despite a drop in traffic in Argentina due to labor unrest and the temporary closure of the Buenos Aires airport during the quarter.

LAN is controlled by the Chilean Cueto family, and until last year Chilean President Sebastian Pinera was a principal shareholder. He sold his 26 percent interest for $1.5 billion amid criticism over conflicts of interest between the presidency and the airline.

(null)

Dutch police have arrested Joran van der Sloot on suspicion of involvement in the killing of Natalee Holloway in Aruba, prosecutor says.

Eastern Canada delegates consider call to ministry

Kitchener, Ont.

The theme, "Gifted and called," echoed through the Mennonite Church Eastern Canada delegate sessions here April 11-12. On Friday, speaker Maurice Martin spoke on "Whose ministry is this anyway?!" On Saturday, his topic was "Creative disarray--leading the church through changing times."

The Mission and Service Commission introduced new church plants, including the intercultural church of the Korean ministry at Toronto United Mennonite Church.

[Graph Not Transcribed]

[Graph Not Transcribed]

"I want to praise the Lord first, because he hired me, not MCEC!" said Bo Ki Kim, the pastor, adding that "church planting is hard work."

The Community Mennonite Fellowship in Stouffville was received into full membership. The Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church has planted an English Chinese congregation in Toronto; a Cantonese work has begun in Markham, and now a Mandarin-speaking ministry is taking shape in Toronto, with assistance of $20,000 from the Churches Planting Churches program (formerly City on a Hill).

Two congregations closed in 2002: the Toronto Taiwanese Revival Mennonite Church and the Abundant Life Mennonite Fellowship in Waterloo.

Another evidence of "gifted and called" was the introduction of MC Eastern Canada program staff.

"They have a passion for people and the church, and often go beyond the call of duty," noted David Brubacher, Minister to Conference.

There are a number of staff changes. James Watson, administrative assistant, began a new position with Outreach Canada at the end of April. Andy Brubacher-Kaethler ends his assignment with Youth Ministries in June and will be teaching in that area at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS). Ilene Bergen completes her service as Minister of Christian Education as the end of August, and Mary Mae Schwartzentruber ends her work as Minister of Missions in September.

As each program commission reported, they drew an appropriate symbol out of a "gift box." Muriel Bechtel, Minister of Pastoral Services, moderated a presentation on initiatives in leadership development. She noted that "the shortage of pastors" is not a new phenomenon. Martin Luther, aware that parents were no longer sending their children to the monasteries, called people to raise children for God's service so that the pulpits of the Protestant churches might be filled. How do we respond to that call today?

Campbell Nisbett described how Mennonite camps train "ministers." Tom Yoder Neufeld described ministry training options through Conrad Grebel University College. Reynold Friesen introduced the CALD program (Church and Leadership Development) for youth. LeRoy Shantz described several initiatives of the Leadership Commission. This year there were four persons in the Ministry Inquiry Program and extra funds are making more opportunities available.

Shantz concluded with the question, "What are you doing in your circles to encourage people to enter ministry as a vocational choice?"

As Paul Penner presented the slate of officers, he noted the blanks that have yet to be filled. He wondered who among us might yet feel "gifted and called" to serve. Elected as moderator was Darrell Fast, pastor of the Leamington United Mennonite Church. Fast was pastor of the Toronto United Mennonite Church for many years before moving to Bethel College Mennonite Church in Kansas in 1986. He was moderator of the General Conference Mennonite Church from 1992-99.

Assistant moderator Barb Draper recognized the leadership of outgoing moderator Andrew Reesor-McDowell. "His quick wit helped to transform some tense moments!" she noted.

Money matters

Concern for money matters was also evident. The Listening Committee suggested that it may be time again to engage in explicit stewardship talk in congregations.

Sam Steiner, secretary of Mennonite Church Canada General Board, outlined eight things that "went wrong" in MC Canada financial planning. Delegates appreciated the candor of his report.

Ester Neufeldt, MC Eastern Canada accountant, noted that the financial woes of MC Canada have an affect on planning but internal shifting of funds will allow MC Eastern Canada to proceed with a 3.5 percent increase. The budget for 2003-2004 is $2,571,787, with $1,834,953 being spent within MC Eastern Canada. MC Canada will receive 38.5 percent of the budget, and AMBS 3 percent.

The Season of Discernment on areas of disagreement continues, reported Matthew Isert Bender, chair of the Reference Group guiding the discussion. He outlined the core issues that influence differing views on homosexuality, such as how we read the Bible and how we use the Confession of Faith. The Executive Board will announce its decision later this spring on the licencing of a homosexual pastor in Toronto.

David Brubacher reported on the Executive Board's visioning process this past year. The board is suggesting that youth and Christian education positions be limited to half time for an interim period, freeing half time for a person to lead a review and bring a new model on ministry and structure to next year's sessions.

A number of delegates spoke in favour of the plan but were concerned about cutting back youth ministry.

This year's "Peace Mug" was given to Lena Weber in honour of her husband, George, who died in a car accident in January while in Iraq with Christian Peacemaker Teams. He was on the Peace, Justice and Social Concerns Commission of MC Eastern Canada from 1994-98.--From a report by Maurice Martin

Royals 5, Giants 3

Royals 5, Giants 3
SAN FRAN @ KANSAS CITY @
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Umpires_Home, Chuck Meriwether	First, Bill Welke	Second, Todd Tichenor	Third, Tim Welke.
T_2:55. A_28,903 (38,030).

The Ethics of Accounting & Finance: Trust, Responsibility, and Control

The Ethics of Accounting & Finance:Trust, Responsibility, and Control

EDITED BY W. MICHAEL HOFFMAN, JUDITH BROWN KAMM, ROBERT E. FREDERICK AND EDWARD S. PETRY

Quorum Books, 88 Post Rd.W, Westport, CT 06881 248 pp. $59.95

Here are the best papers from the Tenth National Conference on Business Ethics, sponsored by Bentley College's Center for Business Ethics. Throughout this publication, contributors from academe, law, government, and finance and accounting fields emphasize the ethical dimensions of problems and issues that confront the financial services and accounting industries as well as issues that are of critical importance to business in general. Part I examines the ethics of the fiduciary relationship between principals and agents; Parts II and III look at cases that illustrate specific issues in ethics and financial disclosure; and Part IV offers ethics lessons from the past, and a look toward the future.

Sharpton seeks probe of Bush in Iraq war

Democratic presidential hopeful Rev. Al Sharpton on Thursday called for a congressional investigation of Bush's role in the Iraqi war because he says it was launched without credible evidence in violation of international law.

Sharpton is taking part in a presidential debate organized by the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's annual convention at the Chicago Sheraton in downtown Chicago.

Sharpton, who wants the truth to be known "once and for all," thinks that Congress and possibly an independent panel or commission, should conduct a full, bipartisan and mostly open investigation surrounding the questions that are now surfacing about both Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair's involvement in that war.

Sharpton told the Chicago Defender Bush "may have massaged and selectively manipulated intelligence information in a way that justified a decision he or they may have already made, in an effort to justify war with Iraq.

"It would be premature to call for an impeachment of President Bush without a full accounting of the facts, but it is fair to call for a thorough and full investigation to determine the facts.

"It is the facts, as determined by an independent source, that should be the basis of any discussion, pro or con, of an impeachment proceeding against President Bush," Sharpton added.

Agreeing with Sharpton was West Side activist Richard Barnett, who said: "I agree there should be an investigation because going to war was a huge step. We put more than 200,000 troops over there and put them in harm's way, and you don't do that for trivial reasons.

"No weapons of mass destruction were found, and if they are found now, no one will believe him," Barnett told the Chicago Defender. "You don't usually question folks when they go to war," he added.

But Barnett said given the huge military budget that has negatively impacted domestic social programs like Social Security, education and drugs for the elderly, the president's integrity is questionable.

"People are suspect at what Bush and Cheney are saying because there is such a conflict of interest," he said. "Both of them are in the oil business, and Iraq has the most oil in the world.

"If they don't have anything to hide, then hold the hearings. That would put the American people at ease," said Barnett.

"I think the hearings should be partially opened to the public unless there are security issues at stake; but I never thought there were weapons of destruction in Iraq because they wouldn't give the inspectors more time to look for these weapons.

"And besides, Halliburton had a $900 million contract before they dropped the first bomb and that is what makes this suspect. Whose interests were they acting in, Bush or Cheney's?"

Photograph (Al Sharpton)

Federer tops ATP career money list

Roger Federer became the ATP Tour's career leader in prize money Thursday, topping $43.3 million to overtake Pete Sampras.

Federer, a 13-time Grand Slam champion, set the earnings total with his 6-4, 6-1 win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga that put him in the Madrid Masters quarterfinals.

"It's not very special," Federer said. "It's very nice to have records. Sure, money is important in life but it's not everything."

The five-time Wimbledon champion's total is now $43,317,870. Sampras, who won a record 14 Grand Slams, held the mark at $43,280,489.

Federer, who turned pro 10 years ago, paid homage to the tennis stars before him.

"This is also the moment when you can thank the amateur greats for helping to bring the game to where it is today," he said. "They helped create the platform where we are today."

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal is the only other active player on the top-10 career earnings list, but he has won less than half of Federer's total.

Federer has been the season's leading money winner for five straight seasons but could be displaced by Nadal. Sampras and Ivan Lendl topped the list six times, but never five straight.

Harper falls to Mt. Carmel

The Harper Cardinals gave it their best shot, but it didn't prove to be enough against determined Mt. Carmel.

Led by a swarming defensive effort and outstanding running game, Mt. Carmel defeated Harper 34-8 in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 6-A quarterfinals at Gately.

Mt. Carmel simply dominated the Harper offense as the Cardinals couldn't get anything going.

Leading the way for the Mt. Carmel defense was linebackers Brendan Noble and Steve Flerick, who each sacked Harper quarterback David Williams twice in the contest.

The win moved Mt. Carmel into the Class 6-A semifinals next weekend against Providence. It will be a revenge game for the Caravan, who dropped a 42-16 decision to Providence in the regular season finale.

Despite the loss, Harper isn't finished for the season. They'll return Public League playoffs with a shot at playing the Prep Bowl.

Mt. Carmel got touchdown runs from Nick Hofbauer and Larry Dortch in building am early 21-0 lead. Hofbauer finished with 107 yards on 19 carries Dortch had 83 yards rushing, and quarterback Dan Daigler had scoring runs of two and three yards.

In the Public League playoffs, Simeon defeated Dunbar and Hubbard ran past Robeson.

Led by quarterback Kevin Thunderbird, Simeon defeated Dunbar 40-22. Thunderbird rushed for three touchdowns and also threw for a score.

In addition to Thunderbird, Simeon, the defending city champs, got 145 yards rushing from Nate Bell.

Hubbard rolled past Robeson, 33-7 as the Greyhounds forced five fumbles and Quarterback Robert Hughes scored on a five-yard run and also threw a three-yard touchdown pass to lead Hubbard to the win.

The Public League playoffs resume Tuesday.

Article copyright REAL TIMES Inc.

Boxers says judges favoring China

A British boxer accused Olympic judges of favoring his Chinese opponent Tuesday, a few hours after the Ukrainian team lost its protest of a decision in its fighter's loss to another Chinese boxer.

British bantamweight Joe Murray left the ring incensed after his 17-7 opening-round loss to China's Gu Yu. Murray beat Gu at the world championships in Chicago last fall, but fell behind early and never caught up at Workers' Gymnasium.

"I thought it should have been a lot closer after the first round," said Murray, who trailed 4-0 after the first two minutes.

"I think the score was bad. I think they were giving him a score for anything, and I had to work to get all of my points. I knew going in that the only way I could win this fight is don't let him hit me."

British coach Terry Edwards echoed his fighter's complaints, calling the scores "absolutely stupid."

"The judges took it away from him," Edwards said of the early rounds, when the score deficit forced Murray to change his style. "I'm not saying he won, but when you're chasing the bout, you do things you're not comfortable with. ... I'm not grouching here. We lost fair and square, but you saw it for yourselves."

AIBA spokesman Richard Baker confirmed the Ukrainian team filed a protest over lightweight Oleksandr Klyuchko's 10-8 loss to Hu Qing on Monday night. The protest was reviewed and denied, Baker said.

"I thought the Chinese opponent was not very good," said Klyuchko, who beat Hu 26-13 at last year's world championships. "I'm very sad. I thought I would be the winner. I already beat him once before."

Judging controversy is as synonymous with amateur boxing as headgear. The sport's points-based punch scoring lends itself to wide interpretation, and Olympic history is full of loud protests over boxing results both before and after the sport switched to a computer scoring system in 1992 to make the results more transparent.

But the new complaints at the sport's biggest event could cast doubt on its progress over the last 18 months, when a slate of remarkable reforms in the international boxing association (AIBA) seemed to begin a cleanup of the sport.

Computer scoring was introduced at the Olympics four years after American Roy Jones Jr. lost the championship bout in Seoul to South Korea's Park Si-hun, a decision still considered one of the great travesties in Olympic history. Park even apologized to Jones, and one judge eventually acknowledged his decision was a mistake.

Lettuce grower makes major use of compost

Referred to as the world's largest grower-shipper of lettuce, Tanimura & Antle, Inc. (T&A) also is a major producer of compost. With a compost making capacity of 50,000 tons per year at its operations near Salinas, California, the end product is applied at a rate of three to eight tons per acre. To date, it's estimated that 15 percent of the farm's 25,000 acres have had compost applications. Feedstock consists of yard trimmings, manure, spent mushroom compost and lettuce culls.

Writes Dan Stephens, western editor for American Vegetable Grower: "In the heavily farmed Salinas Valley, where the soil never rests, organic matter measures about one percent. If that doesn't change, growers fear the soil will not be able to produce the yields and quality for which the area is known. But with the annual applications of compost, along with other prudent soil management techniques, Brian Ziemann of T&A hopes to raise the organic matter to seven percent within 10 to 15 years."

The cost of composting and applying is estimated to be about $40 per ton. Sums up Ziemann: "Extreme farming the past 40 years has hurt the soil ... Composting is not a quick fix. You can't put two tons an acre on and see a benefit. But we've been doing this since 1993, and we've seen the results."

A Drive for excellence

When transport giant Arriva announced it was to pull out of theretail motor trade to concentrate on its core business of publictransport, a number of Bristol dealerships began negotiations to takeover the Honda, Toyota, Lexus and Vauxhall franchises the companyheld in the city.

And the first people to pick up this opportunity were themanagement team at Arriva Vauxhall in Bristol, who formed a newcompany to take over the soon-to-be vacant business.

So Drive Vauxhall Bristol emerged as the new name for Vauxhall inBristol, with all the former Arriva sites being run by the newcompany.

The management buy-out picked up all Arriva's Vauxhall franchises,three in the West at Bristol, Clevedon and the Kawasaki motorbikefranchise (also in Bristol) and seven more around the country.

Drive now has more than 700 employees and an annual turnover ofGBP200million.

It expects to sell 10,000 new Vauxhall cars as well as 6,500 usedcars every single year, as well as fulfilling all the various after-sales and servicing commitments of the old Arriva dealership.

That little lot makes it one of the top 30 dealer networks in thecountry.

It's a huge undertaking, but Drive's joint managing directors,Steve Bessex and Paul Manning, are completely at ease with thesituation, having both been involved in the business for years.

Both are former directors at Arriva.

As far as Bristol customers are concerned, however, there will beno really noticeable changes.

Drive is committed to providing an even better standard ofservice, while the quality of the cars they sell seems to be on anupward trend at the moment, too.

The new Vectra is a huge improvement on the old car, while theAstra and Corsa are still selling well.

With the launch of the all-new Minerva and Sigma very soon and abrand new Astra in the pipeline, this is a very exciting time forVauxhall.

Steve Bessex, who's been working in the car business for 30 yearsand with Vauxhall for the past 19 years, is totally confident thatthe combination of the new Vauxhall name in Bristol and the promisingline-up of cars it will sell will ensure that Drive will go fromstrength to strength.

"Each Drive dealership aims to build on the excellent reputationestablished by the existing management team, " he said.

"We look forward to serving our many longstanding customers andbuilding on the relationships with them we have established overmany years.

"This is an exciting time to be with Vauxhall and I expect thewhole range to continue selling very well.

"Our customers won't notice the changeover, as we have gone fortotal continuity.

"Every member of staff has come with us to the new company,showing a complete commitment to us and to the Vauxhall name."

For more information about Drive Vauxhall Bristol and the carsthey sell, simply call ( 0117) 977 0411.

Meanwhile speculation is increasing about who will be taking overthe other Arriva sites in town.

Honda itself is said to be close to signing up the existing Hondafranchise in the city, while the two Toyota sites and the Lexus siteare still under negotiation.

The Lexus site seems to be a particularly attractive catch.

It's the only totally dedicated, solo Lexus site in the entirecountry.We'll let you know what happens!

Runoff set for Austrian presidency

VIENNA After six years of diplomatic isolation under KurtWaldheim, Austrians voted Sunday for a new president to usher theirneutral country into the European Community.

A runoff between the two front-runners in the four-way race wasscheduled for May 24.

Social Democrat Rudolf Streicher, 53, the former transportationminister and an orchestra conductor, finished first with 40.8 percentof the vote.

Trailing Streicher was Thomas Klestil, 59, a Foreign Ministryofficial and ambassador to the United States. He represents theconservative People's Party, which took 37.1 percent of the vote.

Waldheim, the 73-year-old former United Nations secretarygeneral, became a virtual pariah in the international community afterit was disclosed that he had concealed his wartime activities in theGerman army.

No evidence was found directly linking him to Nazi war crimes,but an international commission of historians found in 1988 that hemust at least have known about atrocities his unit committed in theBalkans.

Waldheim has denied wrongdoing.

WILDER -- AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED MASTER

For decades, writer-director Billy Wilder was undervalued bythe critics. The French cineastes, and their chief disciple, AndrewSarris, dismissed the Austrian-born filmmaker who co-wrote anddirected such masterpieces as "Double Indemnity," "SunsetBoulevard," and "Some Like It Hot" as a poseur. There was nodiscernible Wilder-style that allowed critics to pigeon-hole thewily director. Presumably, making some of the greatest films inseveral genres wasn't enough.

Tonight at 9, the PBS "American Masters" series pays a longoverdue tribute to one of America's greatest artists in "BillyWilder: The Human Comedy."

There's no jazzier comedy than "Some Like It Hot," or a morekinetic film noir than "Double Indemnity," or a smarter melodramathan "The Apartment," or a better crafted tragicomedy than "SunsetBoulevard," or a more brilliant mystery than "Witness for theProsecution."In an apologia, accompanying the advance tape for the program,Sarris issues a mea culpa for not including Wilder in his seminalbook, "The American Cinema." Sarris then goes on to say that Wilderis "probably our greatest living film director." Well, Wilder's 92and retired, and except for Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick,where's the competition? He's one of our greatest directors.Period.With Walter Matthau's narration, film clips, and briefinterviews with Wilder, the hour offers a broad appreciation of thedirector's genius, but it doesn't come close to appreciating hisdepth.They could have spent an hour, no two or three hours, on anyone of a dozen films. Like so much in Wilder's life, thisappreciation comes too late. So many of the people associated withhis work are dead -- Marilyn Monroe ("Seven Year Itch," "Some LikeIt Hot"), William Holden ("Sunset Boulevard," "Stalag 17,""Sabrina"), Fred MacMurray ("Double Indemnity," "The Apartment") aswell as his two primary literary collaborators, Charles Brackettand I. A. L. Diamond. These are the people who should be heard onWilder's behalf.But Matthau and Jack Lemmon (Wilder teamed them in theunderrated "The Fortune Cookie"), offer a few revealing anecdotes,and Nancy Olson, who played Holden's true love in "SunsetBoulevard," fills in some gaps. However, it's left to Wilder, insnippets from onstage tributes, brief interviews, and a short bitfrom one of his worst films, "Buddy, Buddy," to illustrate hismethods.In a snippet from a documentary on the making of "Buddy,Buddy," Wilder pleads with costars Lemmon and Matthau to bring some"electricity" to the scene, and that concept, electrifying cinema,is what characterizes Wilder the best.Wilder has one fear as an artist that's made very clear in"American Masters" -- he's terrified of boring people. In the end,that's why he slipped easily from genre to genre, missing theadulation that comes from stereotyping, as critics lionized JohnFord's Westerns and Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers. He didn't want tobore himself, nor us. He succeeded.In a variation on the legendary line uttered by GloriaSwanson's Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard," the pictures did getsmall, but Wilder didn't. He's generated more excitement during hiselectrifying career than any director in the history of the medium.And that may be an understatement.When Billy Wilder and William Wyler were leaving fellowdirector Ernst Lubitsch's funeral, a teary-eyed Wilder turned toWyler and said, "Too bad, no more Ernst Lubitsch." "Worst thanthat," responded Wyler. "No more Ernst Lubitsch pictures." Worstthan that, no more Billy Wilder pictures.

WILDER -- AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED MASTER

For decades, writer-director Billy Wilder was undervalued bythe critics. The French cineastes, and their chief disciple, AndrewSarris, dismissed the Austrian-born filmmaker who co-wrote anddirected such masterpieces as "Double Indemnity," "SunsetBoulevard," and "Some Like It Hot" as a poseur. There was nodiscernible Wilder-style that allowed critics to pigeon-hole thewily director. Presumably, making some of the greatest films inseveral genres wasn't enough.

Tonight at 9, the PBS "American Masters" series pays a longoverdue tribute to one of America's greatest artists in "BillyWilder: The Human Comedy."

There's no jazzier comedy than "Some Like It Hot," or a morekinetic film noir than "Double Indemnity," or a smarter melodramathan "The Apartment," or a better crafted tragicomedy than "SunsetBoulevard," or a more brilliant mystery than "Witness for theProsecution."In an apologia, accompanying the advance tape for the program,Sarris issues a mea culpa for not including Wilder in his seminalbook, "The American Cinema." Sarris then goes on to say that Wilderis "probably our greatest living film director." Well, Wilder's 92and retired, and except for Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick,where's the competition? He's one of our greatest directors.Period.With Walter Matthau's narration, film clips, and briefinterviews with Wilder, the hour offers a broad appreciation of thedirector's genius, but it doesn't come close to appreciating hisdepth.They could have spent an hour, no two or three hours, on anyone of a dozen films. Like so much in Wilder's life, thisappreciation comes too late. So many of the people associated withhis work are dead -- Marilyn Monroe ("Seven Year Itch," "Some LikeIt Hot"), William Holden ("Sunset Boulevard," "Stalag 17,""Sabrina"), Fred MacMurray ("Double Indemnity," "The Apartment") aswell as his two primary literary collaborators, Charles Brackettand I. A. L. Diamond. These are the people who should be heard onWilder's behalf.But Matthau and Jack Lemmon (Wilder teamed them in theunderrated "The Fortune Cookie"), offer a few revealing anecdotes,and Nancy Olson, who played Holden's true love in "SunsetBoulevard," fills in some gaps. However, it's left to Wilder, insnippets from onstage tributes, brief interviews, and a short bitfrom one of his worst films, "Buddy, Buddy," to illustrate hismethods.In a snippet from a documentary on the making of "Buddy,Buddy," Wilder pleads with costars Lemmon and Matthau to bring some"electricity" to the scene, and that concept, electrifying cinema,is what characterizes Wilder the best.Wilder has one fear as an artist that's made very clear in"American Masters" -- he's terrified of boring people. In the end,that's why he slipped easily from genre to genre, missing theadulation that comes from stereotyping, as critics lionized JohnFord's Westerns and Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers. He didn't want tobore himself, nor us. He succeeded.In a variation on the legendary line uttered by GloriaSwanson's Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard," the pictures did getsmall, but Wilder didn't. He's generated more excitement during hiselectrifying career than any director in the history of the medium.And that may be an understatement.When Billy Wilder and William Wyler were leaving fellowdirector Ernst Lubitsch's funeral, a teary-eyed Wilder turned toWyler and said, "Too bad, no more Ernst Lubitsch." "Worst thanthat," responded Wyler. "No more Ernst Lubitsch pictures." Worstthan that, no more Billy Wilder pictures.

WILDER -- AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED MASTER

For decades, writer-director Billy Wilder was undervalued bythe critics. The French cineastes, and their chief disciple, AndrewSarris, dismissed the Austrian-born filmmaker who co-wrote anddirected such masterpieces as "Double Indemnity," "SunsetBoulevard," and "Some Like It Hot" as a poseur. There was nodiscernible Wilder-style that allowed critics to pigeon-hole thewily director. Presumably, making some of the greatest films inseveral genres wasn't enough.

Tonight at 9, the PBS "American Masters" series pays a longoverdue tribute to one of America's greatest artists in "BillyWilder: The Human Comedy."

There's no jazzier comedy than "Some Like It Hot," or a morekinetic film noir than "Double Indemnity," or a smarter melodramathan "The Apartment," or a better crafted tragicomedy than "SunsetBoulevard," or a more brilliant mystery than "Witness for theProsecution."In an apologia, accompanying the advance tape for the program,Sarris issues a mea culpa for not including Wilder in his seminalbook, "The American Cinema." Sarris then goes on to say that Wilderis "probably our greatest living film director." Well, Wilder's 92and retired, and except for Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick,where's the competition? He's one of our greatest directors.Period.With Walter Matthau's narration, film clips, and briefinterviews with Wilder, the hour offers a broad appreciation of thedirector's genius, but it doesn't come close to appreciating hisdepth.They could have spent an hour, no two or three hours, on anyone of a dozen films. Like so much in Wilder's life, thisappreciation comes too late. So many of the people associated withhis work are dead -- Marilyn Monroe ("Seven Year Itch," "Some LikeIt Hot"), William Holden ("Sunset Boulevard," "Stalag 17,""Sabrina"), Fred MacMurray ("Double Indemnity," "The Apartment") aswell as his two primary literary collaborators, Charles Brackettand I. A. L. Diamond. These are the people who should be heard onWilder's behalf.But Matthau and Jack Lemmon (Wilder teamed them in theunderrated "The Fortune Cookie"), offer a few revealing anecdotes,and Nancy Olson, who played Holden's true love in "SunsetBoulevard," fills in some gaps. However, it's left to Wilder, insnippets from onstage tributes, brief interviews, and a short bitfrom one of his worst films, "Buddy, Buddy," to illustrate hismethods.In a snippet from a documentary on the making of "Buddy,Buddy," Wilder pleads with costars Lemmon and Matthau to bring some"electricity" to the scene, and that concept, electrifying cinema,is what characterizes Wilder the best.Wilder has one fear as an artist that's made very clear in"American Masters" -- he's terrified of boring people. In the end,that's why he slipped easily from genre to genre, missing theadulation that comes from stereotyping, as critics lionized JohnFord's Westerns and Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers. He didn't want tobore himself, nor us. He succeeded.In a variation on the legendary line uttered by GloriaSwanson's Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard," the pictures did getsmall, but Wilder didn't. He's generated more excitement during hiselectrifying career than any director in the history of the medium.And that may be an understatement.When Billy Wilder and William Wyler were leaving fellowdirector Ernst Lubitsch's funeral, a teary-eyed Wilder turned toWyler and said, "Too bad, no more Ernst Lubitsch." "Worst thanthat," responded Wyler. "No more Ernst Lubitsch pictures." Worstthan that, no more Billy Wilder pictures.

WILDER -- AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED MASTER

For decades, writer-director Billy Wilder was undervalued bythe critics. The French cineastes, and their chief disciple, AndrewSarris, dismissed the Austrian-born filmmaker who co-wrote anddirected such masterpieces as "Double Indemnity," "SunsetBoulevard," and "Some Like It Hot" as a poseur. There was nodiscernible Wilder-style that allowed critics to pigeon-hole thewily director. Presumably, making some of the greatest films inseveral genres wasn't enough.

Tonight at 9, the PBS "American Masters" series pays a longoverdue tribute to one of America's greatest artists in "BillyWilder: The Human Comedy."

There's no jazzier comedy than "Some Like It Hot," or a morekinetic film noir than "Double Indemnity," or a smarter melodramathan "The Apartment," or a better crafted tragicomedy than "SunsetBoulevard," or a more brilliant mystery than "Witness for theProsecution."In an apologia, accompanying the advance tape for the program,Sarris issues a mea culpa for not including Wilder in his seminalbook, "The American Cinema." Sarris then goes on to say that Wilderis "probably our greatest living film director." Well, Wilder's 92and retired, and except for Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick,where's the competition? He's one of our greatest directors.Period.With Walter Matthau's narration, film clips, and briefinterviews with Wilder, the hour offers a broad appreciation of thedirector's genius, but it doesn't come close to appreciating hisdepth.They could have spent an hour, no two or three hours, on anyone of a dozen films. Like so much in Wilder's life, thisappreciation comes too late. So many of the people associated withhis work are dead -- Marilyn Monroe ("Seven Year Itch," "Some LikeIt Hot"), William Holden ("Sunset Boulevard," "Stalag 17,""Sabrina"), Fred MacMurray ("Double Indemnity," "The Apartment") aswell as his two primary literary collaborators, Charles Brackettand I. A. L. Diamond. These are the people who should be heard onWilder's behalf.But Matthau and Jack Lemmon (Wilder teamed them in theunderrated "The Fortune Cookie"), offer a few revealing anecdotes,and Nancy Olson, who played Holden's true love in "SunsetBoulevard," fills in some gaps. However, it's left to Wilder, insnippets from onstage tributes, brief interviews, and a short bitfrom one of his worst films, "Buddy, Buddy," to illustrate hismethods.In a snippet from a documentary on the making of "Buddy,Buddy," Wilder pleads with costars Lemmon and Matthau to bring some"electricity" to the scene, and that concept, electrifying cinema,is what characterizes Wilder the best.Wilder has one fear as an artist that's made very clear in"American Masters" -- he's terrified of boring people. In the end,that's why he slipped easily from genre to genre, missing theadulation that comes from stereotyping, as critics lionized JohnFord's Westerns and Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers. He didn't want tobore himself, nor us. He succeeded.In a variation on the legendary line uttered by GloriaSwanson's Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard," the pictures did getsmall, but Wilder didn't. He's generated more excitement during hiselectrifying career than any director in the history of the medium.And that may be an understatement.When Billy Wilder and William Wyler were leaving fellowdirector Ernst Lubitsch's funeral, a teary-eyed Wilder turned toWyler and said, "Too bad, no more Ernst Lubitsch." "Worst thanthat," responded Wyler. "No more Ernst Lubitsch pictures." Worstthan that, no more Billy Wilder pictures.

US lawmaker gets chance to clear name before vote

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens pleaded not guilty to corruption charges Thursday and received an unusually speedy trial date, which he hopes will clear his name before voters consider re-electing him in November.

Stevens said the tentative Sept. 24 trial date set by U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan "should allow ample time for a decision before the general election" in November.

"I am looking forward to this trial as a way of finally showing the truth _ that I'm innocent," the 40-year Senate veteran said in a written statement Thursday evening.

Stevens, a Capitol Hill bulldozer accustomed to winning political battles, wrangled …

Organic conversion with mass appeal.

Byline: SEAN POULTER

A SUPERMARKET chain yesterday announced that its own brand goods were going totally organic.

The promise from Iceland came with a guarantee that customers would not have to pay extra.

Company chairman Malcolm Walker said it was acting on research which suggested that although consumers were keen to switch to organic produce, three out of four were put off by price.

The firm, which has 760 stores across the country, will begin its conversion by ensuring all its frozen vegetables are organic by October. More own-brand lines will follow, although it has no control over the ingredients of the other big brands it stocks. …

Organic conversion with mass appeal.

Byline: SEAN POULTER

A SUPERMARKET chain yesterday announced that its own brand goods were going totally organic.

The promise from Iceland came with a guarantee that customers would not have to pay extra.

Company chairman Malcolm Walker said it was acting on research which suggested that although consumers were keen to switch to organic produce, three out of four were put off by price.

The firm, which has 760 stores across the country, will begin its conversion by ensuring all its frozen vegetables are organic by October. More own-brand lines will follow, although it has no control over the ingredients of the other big brands it stocks. …

Organic conversion with mass appeal.

Byline: SEAN POULTER

A SUPERMARKET chain yesterday announced that its own brand goods were going totally organic.

The promise from Iceland came with a guarantee that customers would not have to pay extra.

Company chairman Malcolm Walker said it was acting on research which suggested that although consumers were keen to switch to organic produce, three out of four were put off by price.

The firm, which has 760 stores across the country, will begin its conversion by ensuring all its frozen vegetables are organic by October. More own-brand lines will follow, although it has no control over the ingredients of the other big brands it stocks. …

Bush out, Kerry in for 2004

We don't need another four years of George W. Bush! As the leader of the world's lone superpower, it's incumbent upon the commander-in-chief to maintain the utmost credibility in dealing with world leaders. When the President of the United States speaks, our allies should know that they are getting the unvarnished truth, even when they may respectfully disagree.

It is with that understanding that we at the Chicago Defender cannot endorse President George W. Bush for a second term.

Yes, this endorsement goes to Democratic challenger, Sen. John Kerry. But like most Americans, we are left to choose between one candidate who has spoken softly about why he should be president, …

BANK REACTIVATES LOANS.

Cuba's Popular Savings Bank, the only one of its kind on the island, announced it will once again lend money to workers, retired people and pensioners who need "cash for consumption or investments" reports UPI (April 19, 1999). The move excludes people …

Plastic fuel cell breakthrough in Britain.(update)

A UNIVERSITY of Southampton-based company has a revealed a breakthrough in a polymer formulated for use in bipolar plates for fuel cells. Bat2 makes ElectroPhen, an electrically-conductive room temperature curing polymer and composites of the polymer with conductive fillers. A new curing agent used with the material has led to an increase in conductivity to nearly 500 Siemens per centimetre, more than double …

HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM GETS EMERGENCY FUNDS.(Local)

Byline: Marv Cermak Staff writer

A $5,000 city emergency appropriation has been granted to the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission to carry out its homeless prevention program activities.

Marilyn McKeon, commission fair housing coordinator, said this is the first time since the federally funded program was implemented several years ago, that funds were depleted before the end of the grant period.

"We never had a waiting list for assistance and we never ran out of money," she said, noting that $46,000 had been expended in less than a year.

Anne M. Donnelly, acting commission director, said that in September the commission received an …

Joba's 1st start a bust as Blue Jays top Yanks 9-3

Joba Chamberlain struggled with his control, walked off the mound in the third inning and threw his glove in the dugout. His first major league start was a memorable one, all right. Just not for the reasons he'd hoped. Chamberlain lasted 2 1-3 innings and Roy Halladay held the New York Yankees in check despite some control problems of his own, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 9-3 victory on Tuesday night.

"I wanted to get my team a lot deeper into the game and it wasn't very good," Chamberlain said. "That's what it comes down to. I've got to be better, that's for sure."

Alex Rios extended his hitting streak against the Yankees to 24 games …

Blackhawks' Pulford to Remain on Negotiating Team

NEW YORK - The Blackhawks will not be mere spectators during whatcould be hockey's waning days.

General manager Bob Pulford has decided to continue as a memberof the owners' negotiating team, headed by NHL commissioner GaryBettman.

Bettman asked Pulford, who in 1966 was the first president ofthe NHL players association, to sit in during the final two days oflabor talks with the union last week in Chicago.

"Having gone through this back in '92 and before, I didn't havea great deal of enthusiasm for (negotiating) again," Pulford saidafter the 2 1/2-hour board of governors meeting here Monday.;

"But I feel I have a lot to offer. I've been there …

Don't let credit card cons catch you.

CREDIT card owners were warned to be cautious this festive season following news that credit card fraud in the province has increased sharply since last year.

The SA Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) reported yesterday that losses suffered between 2010 and 2011 year amounted to R30 million - more than double the R14.5m recorded between 2009 and 2010 .

Banks had experienced a 77 percent increase in losses as a result of card fraud nationally reported Sabric chief executive Kalyani Pillay.

She urged card holders to remain vigilant throughout the festive season.

"A lot of spending is done during this time of the year which opens increased …

Airlines expect loss on rising oil.(Business)

Byline: Associated Press

GENEVA - The airline industry will lose $2.3 billion this year because of hikes in oil prices, the world airlines group said Monday, revising its earlier forecast of a collective industry profit.

The loss forecast by the International Air Transport Association, which represents more than 240 airlines around the world, con trasted with a projected profit of $4.5 billion announced in March.

It was the second time IATA has lowered its forecast this year.

The forecast uses a consensus oil price of $106.50 per …

DINOSAUR FOSSIL A FEATHERY FIND.(MAIN)

Byline: Associated Press

A duck-sized dinosaur fossil unearthed in China last year sports a downy coat from head to tail, bolstering evidence that feathers arose first for insulation and not flight, scientists report.

The fossil, which will likely stoke the debate over the origin of birds, is the most complete of several found with featherlike features in China in recent years. It is dated between 126 million and 147 million years old.

Lying in a slab of petrified mud, the skeleton is fringed with feathery impressions that researchers said were left by tufts of down and primitive feathers. One scientist said the downy coat suggests that it was …

COMPLACENCY COST JOBS, EXPERT SAYS.(Local)

Byline: Associated Press

New York relied too much on factory jobs and failed to keep up with technology when heavy industry began leaving the state in the 1970s, the chairman of a science conference said Sunday.

Technology education in New York lags behind science programs in other states, said Steven Sample, president of the State University of Buffalo. Sample is heading a three-day program, "The Governor's Conference on Science and Engineering Education, Research and Development," which opened Sunday.

"Years …

Vaughan confirms retirement from cricket

Former England captain Michael Vaughan confirmed his retirement from all forms of cricket on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Vaughan led England to a national record 26 test wins from 51 matches, notably the victorious 2005 Ashes campaign against Australia.

"After a great deal of consideration, I've decided that now is the right time to retire from cricket," Vaughan said. "It has been an enormous privilege to have played for and captained my country and this is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make.

"Having played almost nonstop for 16 seasons, I feel that the time is right for the focus to shift to the next generation. We …

2001 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon

It's been one of those Michigan winters, when there were days I wished I were test-driving snowmobiles. Well, there aren't any snowmobiles in the local press fleet, but the next time the white stuff starts coming down rm begging for the keys to a Subaru Legacy GT Wagon.

The Legacy's Continuous AWD system may just be the best in the industry. The viscous-coupled system transfers power side-to-side and front-to-rear so seamlessly you feel like you're steering the car with your mind -just "think" what the car should do and it does it Snow-covered roads that once struck fear in this driver's heart have become a playground.

The Legacy feels connected to the road thanks to the …

Vr "CE" Marked.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)

In today's increasingly competitive plastics processing industry, being first past the post is never easy. To help you compete and win we've introduced the NEW Vr 'CE' marked series.

A range of precision built injection moulding machines from Victor Taichung with a …

New national technology benchmark for chemical technology.(NEWS / NOUVELLES)

Throughout 2007, the CSCT board has been directly involved in the structure and content of the new National Technology Benchmark (NTB) for the chemical technology discipline.

Beginning January 1, 2008, the educational agencies will be able to use the NTB to develop programs and obtain invaluable feedback as to the …

COMFORTABLE WITH COMEDY, MARTIN DEFENDS ITS MERIT.(ACCENT)

Byline: LUAINE LEE Scripps Howard

BEVERLY HILLS When Steve Martin was the prematurely gray comic with an arrow piercing his head and a white polyester suit plastering his body, he wasn't breaking new ground as a comic.

At least that's how he sees it today.

``I really think what I did was go back,'' says Martin, whose hair now is the color of wet goose-feathers.

``In the '70s when I started, comedy was very jokey, very `Vegas,' sequential and very political and very unfunny, with the exception of George Carlin and Richard Pryor,'' says Martin, sitting uneasily in a damask chair in a hotel room.

``I just thought there's another kind of comedy out there. I KNOW there is. And what I did really comes out of vaudeville, I think. Also …

Vonn looks to regain confidence in Cortina

It's not just the sun in Cortina that has Lindsey Vonn smiling again.

The two-time overall World Cup champion is anxious to put three less than stellar technical races behind her and get back to her favored speed disciplines.

"I'm definitely happy to be back doing speed. It was a pretty disappointing week after Haus, with Flachau and Maribor, but that's all behind me now and I'm really looking forward to the races this weekend and in St. Moritz," Vonn said. "I think it's going to be a good way for me to get my confidence back up before the Olympics."

The upcoming races in Cortina and St. Moritz are the final women's events …

Dolphins can distinguish mine types, Animal method is a first for wartime

CAMP PATRIOT, Kuwait - Meticulously combing their way through themurky waters of Iraq's Umm Qasr port is the U.S. Navy's mostsophisticated mine-detection team - the dolphin platoon. For the pastweek, a crew of Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins, specially trained tospot lethal mines littering the sea floor, have been scouring thecountry's only deep-water port to allow humanitarian aid to beshipped in. "They are the best," said their trainer, AviationOrdnanceman 1st Class Dee Jennings. "I couldn't see any other way todo it. It would take years for us to clear what they can do inweeks."

The dolphins'"echo location" - sonar more effective than anythingman has made - makes them …

MANAMA WEATHER FINE BUT PARTLY CLOUDY.

MANAMA, NOV 5 (BNA) -- THE METEOROLOGY DEPARTMENT AT THE CIVIL AVIATION IN BAHRAIN EXPECTS DUST HAZE BECOMING FINE LATER. NORTHWESTERLY TO NORTHLY WINDS IN GENERAL RANGE FROM 5 TO 10 KNOTS REACHING 10 TO 15 KNOTS LATER. MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE IS 31 C …

SHANIA LOOK MORE SEXY THAN COUNTRY.(PREVIEW)

Byline: MONIQUE FRETTO and CORRINA LESSER Staff writers The concert:

Country songstress Shania Twain, who's still the one on the Top 40 charts, struts her stuff at the Pepsi Arena Monday with Celtic-Pop music sensation, Leahy, dubbed the ``next big family act.'' The look: Shania epitomizes a new breed of country star. Gone is mile-high hair and garish makeup. Remaining is an elegant, albeit sexy style that maintains a few rustic touches from Nashville, like a cowboy (girl?) hat and soft leather vests and pants. Hey, ladies: Shania sports a buff tummy, thus midriff grazing and baring shirts are ideal. XOXO offers up a brown polyester spandex tank and wrap-around …

Iraqi security leader wants 'war of intelligence'

Iraq's top security official called Saturday for a shift from major military operations to a "war of intelligence" to track down remaining extremist cells responsible for attacks such as those that killed 60 people in the past week in the Baghdad area.

Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani also warned that his ministry has been forced to put on hold some of its plans to recruit more police due to cuts in the government's 2009 budget prompted by plummeting oil prices.

Al-Bolani's call came after suicide bombers struck twice _ once last Sunday near the Baghdad police academy and again on Tuesday in an attack targeting Sunni and Shiite sheiks touring an …