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Heart problem ends De La Red's playing career

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid midfielder Ruben de la Red has been forced to end his playing career after suffering a heart problem during a match two years ago.

The 25-year-old was a member of Spain's European Championship-winning squad in June 2008, but three months later, he collapsed on the field 13 minutes into Madrid's Copa del Rey match against Real Union and has not played since.

De la Red said he had reluctantly taken the advice of doctors to retire. Madrid appointed him to its coaching staff on Thursday.

"I have fought against this but without results. The doctors have recommended I stop," De la Red said. "I thank so many people for all the support I've received …

Norway 1st in Europe to raise interest rates

Norway's central bank raised its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 1.5 percent Wednesday, making the oil-rich country the first European economy to boost rates since the height of the global financial crisis.

Norges Bank said in a statement that its decision was due to a sharper-than-expected rise in inflation and lower unemployment.

"The world economy is in a deep slump, but there are signs of new growth," said Svein Gjedrem, governor of Norges Bank. "The Norwegian economy has gotten moving again faster than anticipated."

The Nordic country of 4.8 million, which is not a member of the European Union, escaped …

Ex-con held on $6 million bond in Girl X assault

A $6 million bond was set today for an ex-convict charged in theattack on the 9-year-old known as Girl X in Cabrini-Green.

A veteran prosecutor said it was one of the most heinous crimeshe has handled in his 17-year career.

Patrick Sykes, 25, of the 3200 block of West Maypole, stoodsilently with his head bowed before Criminal Court Judge William Makias prosecutor Thomas E. Epach Jr. summarized Sykes' confession to theJan. 9 attack.Epach gave this version of the assault:Sykes dropped off his girlfriend at a bus stop and was returningto her apartment at 1121 N. Larrabee when he spotted the girl in ahallway, grabbed her and dragged her into his girlfriend's …

Lohse shutout sees Cardinals beat Nationals

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Kyle Lohse threw a career-best two-hitter to steer the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-0 defeat of the Washington Nationals in the National League on Thursday.

Lohse (3-1) struck out six in his eighth career complete game and sixth shutout, both accomplished last on April 12, 2009.

Matt Holliday kept his average near .500 with a two-run homer and single, while Albert Pujols added a two-run homer in a three-run eighth for the Cardinals.

Tom Gorzelanny (0-2) extended the Nationals' run of five-inning starts in every game, but had to work for it.

Dodgers 5, Braves 3, 12 innings

In Los Angeles, Matt Kemp hit …

Athletics 4, Giants 1

…

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Dear Abby: ; Hyper-suspicious mother leaves teenager no privacy

DEAR ABBY: I'm a high school student in the top 2 percent of myclass. I'm heavily involved in extracurricular activities. I don'tgive my mom much to worry about, but she is always "concerned."

She spies on me from the other room while I'm online and hasrecruited my brother to help her. She has forced me to give her thepasswords to my e-mail and Myspace accounts and constantly asks mewhat I'm doing.

When I'm in my room alone, she repeatedly comes in to ask mewhat's going on and says I'm not supposed to close my bedroom door.If I do, she will open it without knocking. Abby, even the bathroomdoor isn't permitted to be locked. If it is, Mom breaks in with abobby pin, and …

Health club dangers

A recent study of 122 health and fitness clubs in Ohio by University of Massachusetts' associate professor, Dr. Kyle McInnis, published in the July issue of the journal, Chest, found that 28 percent of the 65 clubs that responded to the survey don't do "pre-entry screening to identify members with signs, symptoms or history of cardiovascular disease," even though 52 percent of clubs offered special programs for older adults, cardiac patients or both. Despite the fact that, during the past five years, 17 percent of clubs reported one or more cardiovascular emergencies (e.g., stroke or sudden cardiac death), only three percent of health clubs surveyed maintain an automated external …

Niners WR Battle out with foot sprain

Receiver Arnaz Battle will miss the San Francisco 49ers' game at Arizona on Monday night with a sprained right foot.

Battle, the 49ers' second-leading receiver with 24 catches for 318 yards, has played in 42 consecutive games. The six-year veteran also occasionally returns kickoffs and punts while serving as San Francisco's No. 3 receiver in most offensive sets.

Jason Hill, rookie Josh Morgan and Bryant Johnson all are likely to get more playing …

Horoscope

TODAY'S FORECAST

eARIES (March 21-April 19). You have questions about so manythings, and you're eager to learn. In the right environment, you doso quickly, but the information is heavy and the distractions arenumerous..

rTAURUS (April 20-May 20). The noise and activity around you mayput you a bit on edge. Take measures to calm yourself. Also, thereis financial luck in store for you - perhaps in the form ofinsurance money, refunds or royalties.

tGEMINI (May 21-June 21). Before you make your move, consult theother people involved. Everything will be easier for you if you takethe time to get them on board first.

yCANCER (June 22-July 22). You …

ALL BUSINESS: Mortgage Woes No Surprise

NEW YORK - Century 21 Real Estate's CEO Thomas Kunz may have unintentionally hit the nail on the head when he declared that a "pity party" is gripping the housing industry right now.

Many recent home buyers are expressing shock that their properties may be worth a lot less than when they bought them. CEOs like Countrywide Financial Corp.'s Angelo Mozilo are claiming that "nobody saw" the deterioration of real estate values coming, and are pointing fingers at others for causing this mess. And Wall Street seems to only now be waking up to the implications of mortgage securities imploding.

They all need an education in how markets work. In a perfect world, everyone keeps …

Boston Globe union votes against pay, benefit cuts

Union members at The Boston Globe narrowly rejected steep cuts in their pay and benefits Monday, prompting the newspaper to immediately impose even steeper reductions in hopes of cutting $10 million in annual expenses and staving off a shutdown from parent company, The New York Times Co.

The Boston Newspaper Guild, which represents 700 editorial, advertising and business employees, voted 277-265 Monday against the new contract negotiated after the Times Co. said it needed $20 million in annual savings from Globe unions _ half from the Guild.

Six other Globe unions have approved concessions _ but they hinged on the Guild's ratification of new terms.

…

Brewers Trade Carlos Lee to Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas - Wanting the big bat now and hoping to keep him longer, the Texas Rangers acquired All-Star slugger Carlos Lee from the Milwaukee Brewers in a six-player deal Friday.

Milwaukee traded Lee after it became apparent that the outfielder wasn't interested in staying there after this season when he can become a free agent.

"Carlos is an impact bat that we need right now," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "He's a middle-of-the-order hitter, a run producer, big makeup, leader, just entering his prime. We feel strongly he can be a big piece for us as we make a run at the pennant."

The Brewers got reliever Francisco Cordero and outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix, and minor league left-hander Julian Cordero - no relation to Francisco. Minor league outfielder Nelson Cruz also went to the Rangers, and was added to their major league roster.

Lee was scheduled to arrive about an hour before Friday night's game against Kansas City, and manager Buck Showalter planned on him hitting fourth behind Michael Young and Mark Teixeira.

It was the first major deal completed in the days leading up to Monday's non-waiver trade deadline. Because of his potential to become a free agent, Lee was considered one of the biggest trade targets.

Brewers GM Doug Melvin started entertaining offers after Lee and his agent, Adam Katz, on Thursday turned down a four-year extension reportedly worth $48 million.

"Because they never countered to us and said there was a large gap, we don't know what it was they were looking for," Melvin said. "It was probably the years, because the dollars we offered were very significant to any deal we've ever offered before."

Melvin said he talked to six teams about Lee, but settled the Rangers because of the "major-league-ready" players involved and his familiarity with them. Melvin acquired Mench, Nix and Francisco Cordero in Texas when he was the GM there.

Lee hit .286 with 28 home runs and 81 RBIs in 102 games for Milwaukee, already his fifth straight season with at least 25 homers. Lee is a .284 career hitter over eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox (1999-2004) and Milwaukee (2005-06).

Before Lee's addition, Brad Wilkerson led the Rangers with 15 homers, one more than Teixeira, and Young had a team-high 67 RBIs.

"It was a little shocking," said Young, a three-time All-Star. "It's really the first time since I've been here ... the first (deal) that opens your eyes and says this team is changing course."

After completing the trade, Daniels told Lee and Katz of the team's desire for a deal past this season.

"I hope he comes in here and is comfortable, and we're comfortable with him. We'll explore a contract down the line," Daniels said. "We don't want to get ahead of ourselves right now. We've got games to win."

Texas went into Friday's game against Kansas City in third place in the AL West, but only two games behind division-leading Oakland. The Rangers haven't been to the playoffs since 1999.

The Rangers recalled right-hander Josh Rupe from Triple-A Oklahoma on Friday, to solidify the bullpen after Cordero's departure. Rupe was 1-1 with a 5.59 ERA in 18 minor league appearances.

Outfielder Freddy Guzman was optioned to Oklahoma. He has appeared in eight games in two stints with Texas.

Francisco Cordero, an All-Star two years ago when he set a team record with 49 saves, was the Texas closer until he set a major league record with five blown saves in April. Akinori Otsuka took over that role. In his last appearance for Texas, Cordero allowed four runs in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees on Wednesday night. The right-hander was 7-4 with six saves and a 4.81 ERA in 49 appearances.

Brewers manager Ned Yost said Cordero gives him a choice late in games. Embattled closer Derrick Turnbow, an All-Star this year, is 0-4 and allowed 14 earned runs over 4 2-3 innings (26.98 ERA) his last nine appearances.

"Production will decide who closes ball games," Yost said.

Mench hit .284 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs in 87 games, going 16-for-36 (.444) his last 10 games in Texas. Earlier this season, Mench set a club record with home runs in seven straight games, one short of the major league record but the most by a right-handed hitter.

Nix, who has played 240 major league games for Texas over the past four seasons, has been in the minor leagues since batting .094 (3-for-32) in nine games in April.

Trading Lee made sense for the budget-conscious Brewers because they have several highly regarded young outfield prospects - although Cruz was considered the most promising.

Cruz was the Brewers' minor league player of the year last season. He hit .302 with 22 doubles, 20 home runs, 73 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 104 games at Triple-A Nashville this year. Showalter said Cruz would start in right field Saturday night.

The Brewers entered play Friday six games out of the National League wild card, with five teams ahead of them in the standings.

---

AP Sports Writers Colin Fly in Milwaukee and Chris Jenkins in Green Bay contributed to this report.

Underserved marketplace: How to underwrite loans profitably through independent auto dealers

The independent auto market is comprised of approximately 55,000 independent auto dealerships across the United States (roughly two-thirds of all dealerships). Because of its size, the independent market would appear be a prime target for banks. Traditionally, many bankers are reluctant to venture into this market, because in the past they have been unable to effectively manage the combination of risk, compliance challenges, atypical financial situations and limited access to the dealer.

The end result is that today, many bankers simply surrender the potential revenue of working with independent auto dealers to their competition - falsely assuming there is no way to manage these relationships profitably. Often, their more aggressive competitors have learned how to manage and mitigate these risks so they can capitalize on these opportunities and generate significant profits through the underserved independent auto marketplace.

Challenges

Banks typically prefer working with franchised dealers because these dealers follow more standardized business practices and predictable guidelines. But, these dealers only make up one-third of the auto marketplace.

By definition, independent dealers are just that - independent - and not usually subject to anyone's existing business practices but their own. Each dealer operates uniquely; some dealers run a tight ship, while others are much more informal in how they function. This can create a host of potential problems for banks operating in this marketplace because many bankers are not knowledgeable enough about the individual dealers to tell the two styles apart.

While many bankers are unfamiliar with the specifics of the independent auto marketplace, they are all aware of the potential risk associated with this space. Trudifully, most of the risks result from lack of knowledge or training on the part of the dealers. Regulatory compliance is one of the biggest challenges faced by bankers. Many independent auto dealers are too focused on their core competency - selling cars - to devote the time to training staff or implementing compliance procedures. Most dealers do not realize that simply reducing the number of operational errors would simultaneously reduce the level of risk for bankers to do business with them.

Some of the most common, and problematic mistakes made by independent auto dealers include, but are not limited to: not properly conducting identity screening in accordance with the Office of Foreign Assets Control as required by the USA Patriot Act; failing to make all of the proper disclosures to the buyer, as they are required by law; not remitting the warranty and gap premium when a buyer finances an automobile; failing to pay out trade-in loans; and using inaccurate loan-to-value ratios. This happens when dealers do not accurately describe all features and equipment on a particular automobile that is being financed.

The issue of fraud is also of great concern for bankers. Many bankers have previously lost money at the hands of dishonest independent dealers, and these bankers are unaware of the technologies that now exist to mitigate the risk of fraud in the marketplace.

Some of the most common examples of fraud occur when an unscrupulous dealer does not secure a lien on a vehicle and spends the money elsewhere, causing an accounting shortfall. Other dealers encourage what is known as a "straw purchase." In this example, a car buyer with bad credit does not qualify for a loan. The dealer persuades an associate, significant other, family member or friend to purchase the car in his or her name instead, while the car remains in possession of the person with undesirable credit. Occasionally, these relationships go sour and the associate refuses to continue to pay the loan, leaving the bank with limited means to collect the rest of the loan or repossess the car.

Solutions

With all of these factors in play, it is no wonder that many bankers are reluctant to do business with independent auto dealers. However, mere are now tools available to mitigate the risks of working with these dealers and enable banks to profitably and safely make these loans.

The first thing a bank can do when entering the independent auto marketplace is identify a vendor who can provide a complete risk mitigation service that incorporates both technology and face-to-face representation to the dealers. The best vendors conduct a comprehensive review of each dealer, which includes regular onsite visits to each dealership. These visits help assess inventories and conduct a critical analysis of the methods used to train salesmen, screen applicants and ensure compliance.

Reputable vendors also establish a rating on each independent auto dealer using statistical and financial data on both the business and its management staff. The scoring model is traditionally derived from business and personal credit histories, historical performance and geographical information and is updated frequently to reflect the most current level of risk associated with each dealer. These ratings are then available to banks dirough a completely automated system that links the dealers with the banks and facilitates the underwriting of the auto loan.

Smart independent auto dealers are eager to work with banks so that they can offer a wider variety of financial options to their customers. When working with a vendor, dealers can get wider access to lenders; an automated loan system that enables them to be fully compliant with local and federal regulations, reducing the threat of fines and penalties; and faster financing, which enables dealers to maintain their focus on selling more cars, services and products.

Utilizing a vendor to properly assess individual risks, supervise, conduct onsite visits and employ an electronic system of uniform loan documentation enables banks to profitably conduct business in the independent dealer market. With so many buyers looking for cars through independent auto dealers throughout the country, and a viable set of solutions for mitigating the associated risks, this is an underserved marketplace that a growing number of banks should be targeting to generate revenues.

[Sidebar]

Smart independent auto dealers are eager to work with banks."

[Author Affiliation]

Lee Domingue founder and CEO of Baton Rouge-based AppOne, a provider of risk management software and services to lenders underwriting loans through independent auto dealers. For more information, mtwww.appone.net.

Pool ace ready for title tilt

Xabi Alonso believes Liverpool now have the ability to make an impact in the title race.

The Basque midfielder will be a key component of boss RafaelBenitez's side as they embark on a new campaign at Aston Villatomorrow.

Alonso is confident that the new players who have arrived theclub in a pounds40million summer spending spree, will maintain aconsistent title challenge.

Alonso said: "The manager has bought good, new offensive playersand that will be a major boost for us.

"We are all now glad that pre-season is over and we are lookingforward very much to the new season and the game at Aston Villa.''

Benitez has a fully fit squad to chose from, which leaves him witha tough task of selecting his two strikers with Dirk Kuyt, PeterCrouch, Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres all battling for a spot inthe starting line-up.

Study: Racial disparity grows for graduation rates

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A new study shows growing disparity between graduation rates for white and black players at schools in the men's NCAA basketball tournament.

An annual report by the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport found a 2 percent overall graduation rate increase to 66 percent for Division I players, but showed the rates for white players is increasing at a higher rate.

The gap has grown from 22 percent in 2009 to a current level of 32 percent. White players show a 91 percent graduation rate, which is up 7 percent. Black players have a graduation rate at 59 percent, up 3 percent from last year's study. This is the third straight year the gap has increased.

Leader of Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid expects U.S. president to attend IOC vote in 2009

The leader of Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics came to an international sports gathering in Beijing to promote his city's campaign. It turned out there was another campaign delegates really wanted to talk about _ the U.S. presidential race.

"That's really on the front of mind of a lot of people here," Chicago 2016 chairman Patrick Ryan told The Associated Press in an interview. "They know more about this campaign than people from the U.S. do. It's amazing the intricate detail they have."

The upcoming change of administration in Washington figures to have a significant impact on Chicago's chances of taking the Summer Olympics back to the United States for the first time since the 1996 Atlanta Games.

The unpopularity of President George W. Bush around the world is also reflected in the International Olympic Committee, which handed New York a humbling fourth-place finish three years ago in the vote for the 2012 Games.

Ryan views the keen IOC interest in the U.S. election as a positive sign ahead of next year's Olympic vote.

"It tells me that they are very interested in the U.S.'s position in the world and how the U.S. will be viewed by the world post this election," he said. "I think it's good that the IOC decision is after the American public make their decision."

There's a certain presidential candidate who, if elected, could be Chicago's greatest asset _ the city's own Barack Obama.

"Right across the street from the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Park _ that's where he lives," Ryan said of the Illinois senator.

Whoever wins the election, Ryan is counting on the new president to personally lead Chicago's delegation at the IOC vote in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October 2009.

"I would hope so," he said. "Each of the three candidates would be available, and each of the three candidates have said they're very supportive of the Chicago bid."

That would be a first, a U.S. president going to an IOC assembly to stump for a bid city. It's become almost expected now for heads of state or government to attend the vote.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair helped London land the 2012 Games when he traveled to the Singapore session in 2005, lobbying IOC members and outworking French President Jacques Chirac and his pitch for Paris. Russian President Vladimir Putin was widely credited with securing the 2014 Winter Games for Sochi when he went to the IOC meeting in Guatemala City last July.

"I think Mr. Blair and Mr. Putin have set a standard now," Ryan said. "I think it's fair to say if heads of state are invited that we would be able to get the U.S. head of state there."

He said Chicago has the backing of the three contenders _ Obama, Democrat rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain.

"I think people are clearly very intrigued by Sen. Obama's role in government in the U.S., as they are Hillary Clinton," Ryan said.

Clinton traveled to the Singapore meeting to back New York's bid.

"I think (IOC members) don't know Obama very well but they're following it closely and I think a lot of them feel they know Hillary Clinton better because they've met her," Ryan said. "Probably very few have met Sen. McCain."

Many members, however, may recall McCain as the vocal IOC critic who chaired Congressional hearings on the Salt Lake City corruption scandal in 1999. His committee accused the IOC of creating "a culture of corruption."

Chicago is one of seven candidates in the Olympic contest, vying with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Tokyo; Madrid, Spain; Doha, Qatar; Prague, Czech Republic; and Baku, Azerbaijan.

The IOC executive board will pare the field at a meeting in Athens, Greece, in early June. Chicago should have no problem making the cut. The big question is how many finalists the IOC will pick _ three, four or five. The others in the mix are Madrid, Rio, Tokyo and Doha.

"Some would say we're better off if there are five, others say we're better off if there are four, others say we're much better off if there are three," Ryan said. "It's sort of like the conspiracy theorists you get often in politics. ... We're assuming there'll be five."

The numbers speculation is in line with the "mystique" surrounding the whole bidding process, Ryan said, including varying views on the impact of geography, politics and lobbying strategy.

"I've never seen a business that has more different theories as to how to succeed at it," he said.

Ryan and representatives of the other bid cities came to Beijing for a conference of the Association of National Olympic Committees, which oversees the world's 205 national Olympic bodies. The powerful IOC executive board also was meeting.

"They're not interested in sitting down and talking about the bid, but they are interested in meeting you and getting to know more about the team and the city," Ryan said.

The Beijing meetings took place as turbulent anti-China protests marred the global Olympic torch relay in London, Paris and San Francisco.

"I think it's really unfortunate," Ryan said. "I was inspired by the Olympics all my life and remember reading how in ancient times battles were suspended, wars were stopped to let Olympians through or to hold their games. I think it's unfair to the athletes that people are disrupting the torch parade."

What kind of torch relay would Chicago organize if it gets the games?

"Certainly we'd want to have one that's appropriately symbolic," Ryan said. "But we haven't thought it through. I'm not sure it's totally in the host city's province either."

Maybe the new president will have a say.

King papers to be published in 1990

PHILADELPHIA (UPI) Coretta Scott King, wife of the late MartinLuther King Jr., has announced plans to publish a 12-volume editionof her husband's papers chronicling his life.

Published by the University of California Press in a projectsponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent SocialChange and Stanford University, the papers include early letters,speeches, articles and recordings.

The first volume will be published in 1990. Additional volumeswill be published annually.

CBA Life Isn't Bad Alternative

Twenty-five players have been called up from the CBA to play inthe NBA this season. A record 38 were called up during the 1992-93season. While the main dream for CBA players remains to play in theNBA, conditions in the CBA are not as bad as many people believe.

"People still envision the CBA teams riding an old bus down adusty road," CBA chief publicist Brett Meister said. "I get a littlesensitive about that. Ninety percent of our travel is by airline, 10percent by bus. And the buses are chartered.

"We are also staying in hotels and not sleeping on the bus.It's not a bad life. Some of the players are spoiled in basketball.They come from high-profile, Division I college programs. Maybe theCBA is not equal to those programs, but it's way ahead ofminor-league baseball and hockey."Salaries in the CBA range from $1,000 to $2,000 a week ($700 or$800 for rookies). Players get 18 checks during the regular season."We don't have a salary cap," Meister said. "The players gettheir housing paid for, they get a per diem of $25 a day and mostteams provide vehicles in their home city. They are not going to getrich. But they aren't poor, either. A lot of them are making morethan I am. For 18 weeks, they basically have no expenses. (In theoffseason) a lot of them will go to NBA rookie; free-agent camps inhopes of being invited to training camp. They also play in the USBL(the United States Basketball League), a summer league."NOTES: Hawks guard Steve Smith has agreed to a six-yearextension paying him an average of $5 million a year. But Chicagonative Ken Norman is so deep in coach Lenny Wilkens' doghouse that herarely plays even in garbage time.Pat Croce, the future president of the Philadelphia 76ers under newownership, is trying to recruit longtime friends Billy Cunningham andDave Wohl to help him build and run the team. Croce reportedly hastold John Lucas that he must decide whether he wants to coach or begeneral manager because he will not do both. But if he chooses tocoach, he will coach only if the new general manager wants him.Some information for this page was contributed by other NBAwriters.

SAfrica's Smith having surgery on injured knee

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa captain Graeme Smith is having surgery on Friday on the knee he injured in the Indian Premier League.

Smith says on Twitter he is in hospital in Cape Town for the operation.

Cricket South Africa confirms the surgery and says Smith's recovery period will be clear only after the procedure.

The 30-year-old opening batsman, who hurt the knee playing for new IPL team Pune Warriors, is set to lead South Africa in test series against Australia and Sri Lanka this year.

The Proteas host Australia in two tests, three ODIs and two Twenty20s starting from Oct. 13, followed by a three-test and five-ODI series vs. Sri Lanka.

Smith has stepped down as South Africa's limited-overs skipper, handing the one-day and T20 captaincy to AB de Villiers.

Higgins scores in OT to lift Senators over Canucks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Chris Higgins scored 2:18 into overtime to lift the Vancouver Canucks to a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night.

Henrik Sedin also scored and Cory Schneider, replacing an injured Roberto Luongo for a second straight game, made 28 saves for the Canucks.

Colin Greening scored and surprise starter Alex Auld, who got the nod in favor of injured Craig Anderson, made 25 saves as Ottawa fell to 3-2-0 on its season-high six-game road trip.

Higgins went hard to the net in the extra session and deflected a Dan Hamhuis shot behind a startled Auld for his seventh goal of the season.

Less than a minute prior to Higgins' winner, Erik Condra snuck behind the Vancouver defense and tipped a pass on goal, but Schneider was in position for the save.

With the score 1-1 midway through the third period, Schneider did the splits and robbed Milan Michalek with a glove save on a breakaway after Michalek executed a pretty backhand deke.

The Senators had tied the game 3:32 into the third, when Greening eluded Aaron Rome in front of Vancouver's goal and one-timed a Jason Spezza pass behind Schneider.

Schneider was strong all game in relief of Luongo, who suffered an undisclosed upper-body injury during last Sunday's victory over the New York Islanders.

With Sergei Gonchar in the penalty box for tripping, Henrik Sedin took a pass from twin brother Daniel Sedin and one-timed a shot past Auld for his seventh of the season.

The puck caromed off Ottawa forward Jesse Winchester's stick before it slipped through Auld, who played for Vancouver from 2002-06.

Auld, who has struggled this season, made a surprise start after Anderson left the morning skate with neck stiffness. Anderson was well enough to serve as backup and is day-to-day.

Auld, who entered with a 0-3-0 record and an .823 save percentage, made his best save with Vancouver leading 1-0 midway through the second period, moving from his right to his left on a 2-on-1 and robbing Ryan Kesler with a glove save.

Seven minutes later, with Vancouver on another short-handed 2-on-1, he used his six-foot-four frame to block Higgins' blocker-side attempt.

Notes: The victory was Alain Vigneault's 246th with the Canucks, tying him with Marc Crawford on the franchise's all-time wins list. Vigneault accomplished the feat in 430 games, 99 fewer than Crawford. ... Ottawa's last win in Vancouver came in March 2004. ... Canucks D Andrew Alberts was inserted into the lineup for Keith Ballard, who hurt his back in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to Chicago. Alberts looked rusty and had two minor penalties, including a boarding call that could have been a major.

Obama's book: What's real, what's not

When Barack Obama was only 33, he wrote a memoir, Dreams from MyFather: A Story of Race and Inheritance.

I remember Obama telling me about his book when he visited myoffice in Washington back in 1999, when the Democrat was making whatturned out to be a failed run for the House of Representatives.

Dan Shomon, Obama's aide, sent me a copy of the book. I tuckedShomon's letter, dated Aug. 13, 1999, inside the cover and stuck thebook on a shelf. There it sat until last June. I dug it out and readit because Obama is virtually certain to win election to the U.S.Senate and become a national political figure. Because of Obama'ssoaring popularity, the book is being reissued, and 50,000 copieswill be in bookstores on Tuesday.

I was dismayed, however, at what I found when I read Dreams fromMy Father. Composite characters. Changed names. And reams of dialoguebetween Obama and other people that moves the narrative along but isan approximation'' of the actual conversation.

Except for public figures and his family, it is impossible to knowwho is real and who is not.

Obama disclosed in his introduction that he uses these literarydevices to buttress his recollections. He also kept a journal. Forthe sake of compression,'' Obama writes, some of the characters thatappear are composites of people I've known and some events appear outof precise chronology. With the exception of my family and a handfulof public figures, the names of most characters have been changed forthe sake of their privacy.''

The devices well serve to eloquently take the reader along onObama's quest to understand his heritage as, as he writes, the son ofa black man and white woman, an African and an American.''

Most of the book centers on his namesake father, a Harvard-educated Kenyan economist who he met only once, with less emphasis onhis mother, who grew up in Kansas.

In the preface to the 2004 edition, Obama, 43, writes of hisregret for focusing on the absent parent'' rather than on the parentwho was the single constant in my life.''

Obama devotes several chapters in the middle of the book to hislife in Chicago, where he moved after graduating from ColumbiaUniversity in 1983 and where he returned after picking up a HarvardLaw School degree in 1991.

Colorful characters populate the Chicago chapters: Smitty thebarber, LaTisha, the part-time manicurist, Angela, Ruby, Mrs. Turnerand one Rafiq al Shabazz. Who they really are, or if they arecomposites, you would not know from reading the book.

I questioned Obama about his memoir in a phone interview justbefore the Democratic convention.

I don't remember what Smitty's real name was. I think it wasWally,'' Obama said.

I asked him about a man called Marty Kaufman in the book; he wasObama's boss at his first job in Chicago as a community organizer atthe Calumet Community Religious Conference.

Kaufman, Obama told me, is really Gerald Kellman. I tracked downKellman and asked him about his portrayal in the book.

I think Barack was very accurate not only about myself but otherpeople that I knew,'' Kellman told me.

That's reassuring, but most readers do not have the ability tocall around to try to sort out the fictional characters from realpeople.

I say in the book it is my remembrances of what happened,'' Obamatold me. I don't set it out as reportage . . . read the book forwhat it is worth.

"You reconstruct your memory for what happened. It is notreportage. It is not appearing in the New York Times or the Sun-Times. I say that explicitly in the book.''

I bounced my reservations about Obama's book off of Caryl Rivers,a journalism professor at Boston University and a media critic whowrites fiction, non-fiction and screenplays.

Rivers did not have a problem with changing names. Usingcomposite characters -- without telling the reader -- is troublesome,she said. When you start to bring in composite characters youimmediately bring up the question of what is true,'' Rivers said.

Obama's home-run keynote address before the Democratic NationalConvention month vaulted him into the political stratosphere, andthere is much interest in him. As in his book, his keynote dwelledmuch upon his life. I urge him to be meticulous from now on.

Several direct-mail pieces issued for Obama's primary campaignsaid he was a law professor at the University of Chicago. He is not.He is a senior lecturer (now on leave) at the school. In academia,there is a vast difference between the two titles. Details matter.

France easily sells $12 billion in bond auctions

PARIS (AP) — France easily sold €9.5 billion ($12.2 billion) in bonds on Thursday despite the recent loss of its cherished Triple A credit rating, another indication that investors aren't overly concerned over the country's ability to pay down its debts.

Late last week, Standard & Poor's downgraded France because of concerns over its economy as well as Europe's ability to get a grip on a debt crisis that's been raging for nearly two years. Eight other countries that use the euro saw their ratings cut, too.

The decision was widely anticipated so the impact has been fairly muted.

On the secondary market, where bonds trade openly after they're issued, the yield, or interest rate, on France's 10-year bonds is back near the 3 percent mark. That is considered a benchmark of investor sentiment and indicates that investors think France remains a good bet.

Towards the end of last year, that rate looked set to cross 4 percent, and many wondered if even the largest of Europe's economies could suffer the same fate as Portugal, Greece and Ireland, all of which have sought bailout loans to avoid bankruptcy.

Since the downgrade, the French Treasury has staged a successful short-term auction and Thursday's longer-term issues continued the trend. Demand was healthy across the board and the amount raised was near the top target.

The interest rates on the two-year, three-year, four-year and 10-year inflation-linked bonds all fell significantly. The rate on 30-year inflation-linked bonds held fairly steady.

The largest issue Thursday was €3.43 billion ($4.4 billion) worth of 4-year bonds. The average interest rate was 1.89 percent, down from 2.32 percent the last time they were sold in November.

The Treasury also sold €425 million ($545 million) worth of inflation-linked 10-year bonds with an average interest rate of 1.07 percent, down from 2.32 percent in November.

Though S&P's downgrade hasn't had a big impact in the markets, the loss of the AAA rating was a severe blow to France's self-image and is shaping up to be a major factor in presidential elections this spring.

Re-shooting scenes as 'husband' changes

Street actress Emma Jacobs - who performs under her stage name ofJaye Jacobs - has had to re-shoot scenes in Waterloo Road, after heron-screen husband left the show after just three days.

The actress was best-known for her portrayal of Holby City nurseDonna Jackson.

Her time in front of the cameras - forged from training with theJoy Tinney School of Dance in Street, before going to take part inthe National Youth Music Theatre tour.

Although she has now moved to London, she still returns to Streetto visit her family, and old stomping ground.

Last month, the BBC announced she had been cast in the schooldrama alongside former EastEnders star Paul Nicholls, as husband andwife.

She plays Sian Diamond, a Cambridge graduate who wants to inspirethe pupils through her love of science.

Nicholls was to play her husband, Jez, who wanted to inject newlife into the school's PE department.

But he was replaced after just three days on set for, accordingto The Mirror, allegedly "behaving erratically during filming" andbeing reprimanded twice for being late.

The role of Jez Diamond will now be played by The Bill star AlexWalkinshaw. The re-casting of the role meant that Emma had to re-shoot her scenes with her new co-star last week, on location inRochdale.

A BBC spokesman said: "Paul Nicholls has left Waterloo Road. Theshow producers, Shed Productions, said the actor's decision was forpersonal reasons, following a recent family bereavement."

A NIGHT ON BROADWAY WITH DROP DEAD DIVAS

Great Baddow Parish Hall, Saturday, 19 February, 7.30pm; TicketsPounds 8.50/Pounds 7.50 on 01245 472448 or at www.essex-live.co.ukDrop Dead Divas (above) are West End actresses Jo Lee, Julie Patonand 'Tony Winner' Sarah Tavis and between them the three girls havefeatured in leading roles and productions of virtually every classicmusical. Their wealth of experience and vitality is combined toprovide you with an unforgettable evening's entertainment promisingplenty of humour, audience participation and musical expertise.

US envoy calls for end to Hamas weapons smuggling

President Barack Obama's new Mideast envoy called Wednesday for an end to Hamas weapons smuggling and a reopening of Gaza's borders, seeking to strengthen the shaky cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian militants thrown into turmoil by new violence.

Hours before George Mitchell met with Israeli leaders, warplanes pounded Gaza smuggling tunnels in retaliation for a Palestinian bombing on Tuesday that killed an Israeli soldier.

After talks in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Mitchell said consolidating the cease-fire is "of critical importance." He said a longer-term truce should be based on "an end to smuggling and reopening of the crossings" into Gaza. Egypt and Israel have kept their borders with Gaza largely closed since Hamas seized control of the territory by force in 2007.

Mitchell's tour launches the first Mideast foray of the Obama administration. Obama said his envoy would listen to all sides to then craft a way forward with stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. Mitchell said that after finishing his consultations in the region and with Europeans, he will report to Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on his conclusions for the next steps.

"The United States is committed to vigorously pursuing lasting peace and stability in the region," said Mitchell, who met earlier Wednesday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, the first stop on his Mideast tour.

He was expected to meet pro-Western Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank on Thursday. But Mitchell has no plans to meet with Hamas, which the U.S., Israel and European Union consider a terrorist group.

Hamas seized Gaza from forces loyal to Abbas in June 2007. Its control of the territory of 1.4 million and refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist are major obstacles to peace efforts.

The flare-up of violence was the worst since Israel and Hamas separately declared cease-fires on Jan. 18 to end a three-week offensive against the Palestinian militant group in the Gaza Strip. Since withdrawing its troops, Israel has threatened to retaliate forcefully for any violations.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak canceled a planned trip to Washington this week to deal with the crisis, defense officials said.

By Wednesday afternoon, when Mitchell arrived, there were signs the flare-up may have calmed. The Israeli military said it did not carry out any further action in Gaza after airstrikes in the early morning.

The soldier was killed Tuesday on Israel's frontier with Gaza by a roadside bomb planted on the Gaza side and set off by remote control, the military said. Three other soldiers patrolling the border were injured.

Israel responded swiftly, sending tanks and bulldozers into northern Gaza to plow up the attack site and launching an airstrike that wounded a Hamas militant who the military said "was prominent in the organization accountable for the attack." the military said.

Hamas said the Israeli strike injured one of its men as he rode a motorcycle in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis.

Airstrikes early Wednesday targeted the network of tunnels used to smuggle arms, money and people into Gaza from Egypt. Israel bombed the tunnels heavily during the war, but smugglers resumed work after the cease-fire.

There was no claim of responsibility for Tuesday's bombing, but Ramattan, a Palestinian news agency, released a video of it allegedly filmed by militants it did not identify.

"Hamas unfortunately controls the Gaza Strip and is directly responsible for all hostile fire from Gaza into Israel," government spokesman Mark Regev told The Associated Press.

"Israel wants the quiet in the south to continue but yesterday's attack is a deliberate provocation designed to undermine and torpedo the calm. If Hamas acts to undermine the cease-fire, it will have no one but itself to blame for the consequences," he said.

Before Mitchell's tour, Israeli officials said the envoy would discuss ways to solidify the cease-fire into a longer term truce _ a complicated prospect that will require international arrangements to ensure that Gaza border crossings are opened while preventing Hamas from rearming by smuggling in weapons.

The Israeli offensive killed nearly 1,300 people, including hundreds of civilians, and caused an estimated $2 billion in damage.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Israel had promised him in talks Wednesday to increase the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. Aid groups have complained that not enough supply trucks are getting through those crossings controlled by Israel.

"We've been talking about how to be able to accelerate the arrival of the humanitarian aid, how it can be distributed faster," Solana told reporters in Amman, where he visited after Jerusalem.

Israel has said an average of around 150 trucks a day are entering Gaza. Solana said he hoped that number would jump to 400.

Meanwhile, Israel's Foreign Ministry said it ordered Venezuelan diplomats to leave the country. The move comes in retaliation for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's decision to sever ties earlier this month to protest Israel's offensive. At the time, Bolivia also severed ties with the Jewish state.

___

Associated Press writers Diaa Hadid in JerusalemAnna Johnson in Cairo, Ibrahim Barzak in Gaza City and Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank, contributed to this report.

Rates mixed at weekly Treasury auction

Interest rates on short-term Treasury bills were mixed in Monday's auction with rates on three-month bills rising to the highest level in five months while six-month bills edged down.

The Treasury Department auctioned $26 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 0.125 percent, up from 0.100 percent last week. Another $28 billion in six-month bills was auctioned at a discount rate of 0.185 percent, down from 0.190 percent last week.

The three-month rate was the highest since three-month bills averaged 0.135 percent on Sept. 14, 2009. The six-month rate was the lowest since these bills averaged 0.170 percent three weeks ago.

The discount rates reflect that the bills sell for less than face value. For a $10,000 bill, the three-month price was $9,996.84 while a six-month bill sold for $9,990.65. That would equal an annualized rate of 0.127 percent for the three-month bills and 0.188 percent for the six-month bills.

Separately, the Federal Reserve said Monday that the average yield for one-year Treasury bills, a popular index for making changes in adjustable rate mortgages, fell to 0.34 percent last week from 0.36 percent the previous week.

Inside your Cheddar valley gazette this week

From Bunny Girl to Cheddar Valley landlady - page 3.

Axbridge student among the best at caring in the country - page6.

New Pounds 2.5 million cider facility is "UK best" - page 7.

Pounds 60k at 60 for Cheddar Help for Heroes fundraiser - page 8.

Stewart Wants New Contract

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. - When Tony Stewart signed a five-year extension back in 2003, many believed it would be his final NASCAR contract.

After all, the two-time champion threatens at least once a season to walk away from NASCAR when his existing deal ends.

Turns out, Stewart isn't going anywhere. He said Wednesday he's working on an extension to stay at Joe Gibbs Racing past 2009. The team also is trying to add three years to Denny Hamlin's contract that expires in 2010.

"I'm not looking to retire anytime soon," the 36-year-old Stewart said. "If I was doing that, I wouldn't look at signing a new contract."

Stewart has never seemed to embrace NASCAR the way he does the smaller racing series he still frequents. He's griped about the politics of the industry, the demands on his time and the non-racing related requirements that fill his schedule.

It often appeared Stewart simply was using the grinding 38-weekend Nextel Cup schedule to pay for his extracurricular racing. Besides the non-NASCAR races he competes in, Stewart owns Eldora Speedway in Ohio and is part-owner in two other race tracks.

But he's one of NASCAR's biggest stars and arguably its most talented driver. In nine seasons, he's won 32 races, scored 185 top-10 finishes and won championships in 2002 and 2005.

He's only finished outside the top seven in points once - last season, when he failed to qualify for the Chase for the championship and finished a career-worst 11th in the standings. But Stewart won a series-high three times during that 10-race stretch he wasn't eligible for the title.

Now, Stewart said he wants to win races well into his 40s.

"I've been racing since I was 8 years old. The day it's not fun, I'll quit," he said. "As long as I'm enjoying what I'm doing, I'm staying around."

JGR president J.D. Gibbs said the team was never sure how long Stewart would race in NASCAR.

"We've always told him, the ball is in his court," Gibbs said. "He wants to keep the ball rolling - it's up to him on how long - and we're thrilled he wants to keep racing with us."

Stewart's intent was announced the same day JGR said it will switch to Toyota next season and end its 16-year relationship with General Motors. Stewart won both his championships driving for GM - a Pontiac in 2002 and a Chevrolet in 2005 - and the manufacturer also supports his sprint car teams.

He said he hopes he can continue to work with GM in the lower ranks once JGR switches to Toyota next season.

Cup matches postponed

NARBERTH and Whitland have postponed Swalec Cup matches to playon Saturday.

Whitland are at Bridgend and will have to make another visit tothe Brewery Field later in the season as the Ravens would not agreeto …

Death toll at 17 in Rio building collapse

SAO PAULO (AP) — Firefighters have raised the death toll from the collapse of three buildings in Rio de Janeiro earlier this week to at least 17 people and say hopes of finding anyone alive beneath the rubble are slim.

A Rio de Janeiro fire department official says rescuers pulled five more bodies from the debris overnight and early Saturday morning. The death toll had been 12. The official …

What's new with QuickBooks?

A review of new software products for your business

QuickBooks has been one of the leading small business accounting systems for years. Originally, it was designed for small businesses with no accounting knowledge. But as Intuit's flagship product, it has now been updated with several new features, such as contact management, loan management, cash flow projection and a revised help function. The new version, QuickBooks 2005, shipped on September 2.

Like the previous versions, QuickBooks 2005 supports five simultaneous users and includes many highend functions such as multi-currency, custom fields, ability to break out finandals by division or department, multiple price levels and ability to buy, sell and stock inventory in different units of measurement. But there are ceilings on file sizes that might cause a problem for some; for example, you can have no more than 14,500 inventory items.

To meet the needs of larger organizations, Intuit launched its Enterprise edition in March 2003. This edition doubled the maximum number of simultaneous users to 10 and doubled the maximum file sizes. Although the edition took off in the US, especialIy among mid-market companies, it was discontinued in Canada this past July. That may be because QuickBooks has been branded as a small-business solution, and it's hard to change public perceptions without extensive marketing campaigns. According to Intuit, "The typical QuickBooks customer is a small business with 20 or fewer employees and annual revenue of less than $2 million. The ideal use of QuickBooks is to keep at least two years of detailed transactions in a data file so you can run comparative reports and have prior-year project information."

For QuickBooks 2005, the biggest enhancement is the inclusion of Customer Manager. Whenever a customer calls, Customer Manager gives a complete overview of that company's information on a single screen with easy access to key documents. The system allows you to view contact information as well as customer history, recent QuickBooks transactions, related documents, to-do lists and appointments. It integrates with QuickBooks and uses Microsoft Outlook for e-mail. Customer Manager also includes the ability to maintain multiple relationships associated with each contact.

Like ACT, Customer Manager is a contact management system. It is not meant to compete with customer relationship management systems svich as SalesLogix or Microsoft CRM, which include other functions such as sales force and marketing automation. It is also a separate single-user system (not part of QuickBooks). You will need to synchronize to keep the contact information up to date. Also on the downside, there is no way to select contacts based on multiple criteria, no mail merge for multiple contacts and no report writer.

Although Customer Manager has its shortcomings, the average small business will probably appreciate its one-stop shop for customer information.

QuickBooks keeps getting better and will undoubtedly remain on the list of leading accounting systems for small businesses. Nevertheless, Intuit faces an uphill battle in winning over the middle market. It should relaunch the QuickBooks Enterprise edition with a marketing campaign showing Canadian accountants that it's more than a small-business product.

For an expanded version of this article, which includes a more detailed analysis of features, please visit www.CAmagazine.com/multiview.

[Author Affiliation]

Michael Burns, MBA, CA, is president of 180 Systems (http://www.180systems.com), which provides independent consulting services, including business process review, business case development and system selection. Contact: 416-963-1296; mburns@180systems.com

PULSE announces fee reduction, rebates

The PULSE EFT Association, Houston, has announced fee reductions for 1997, an intent to rebate $2.5 million in 1996 switch fees and other changes to its fee structure.

Effective Jan. 1, the automated teller machine switch fee for PULSE transactions was reduced from five cents to 4.5 cents. Also, the point-of-sale switch fee for issuers for the network's PULSE PAY service will be reduced from two cents to one cent. Concurrently, the authorization fee paid to issuers for these transactions will be increased from the current five cents to eight cents.

PULSE member institutions will receive a rebate of $2.5 million in PULSE switch fees paid in 1996. Rebate checks will be sent …

Biomechanics of lumbar back pain in dentistry.(Report)

1. INTRODUCTION

Dentists have a high incidence of occupational back pain and injury, in some cases making it impossible for them to continue to work as dentists.

The nature of dental work means flexion of the lumbar spine and subsequent loading on inter vertebral discs or extra tension in the spinous ligaments both of which can contribute to discomfort and pain.

Mechanisms of trauma are dealt with only briefly because they are not of widespread interest, and there is little scientific work to support the classifications of injuries that are currently accepted. On the other hand, a great deal of effort has been spent on trying to understand the origins of limited structural failure in spinal tissues, because such failure is extremely common, is linked to back pain and tissue degeneration, and may be both preventable and treatable.

Not every case of back pain means that is damage in the tissues, and many have no detectable spinal pathology of any kind. Evidence is mounting that mechanical back pain can arise directly from high, but non-damaging, stress concentrations within innervated tissues.

A review of the literature documenting back/neck pain in dentistry has found that there are multiple areas of investigation. These include; firstly, the risk of dentists developing neck/back pain in the first place, secondly, the prevalence of back pain among the dental profession (including dental students), thirdly, the various treatments for back pain prescribed by physicians and, lastly, the various alternative therapies that can be provided by those working in such areas e.g. acupuncture.

A number of studies have examined the ergonomics issues associated with …

The garden of eating is the apple of her eye.(Capital Region)

Byline: ERIKA GROFF Special to the Times Union

SCHODACK - Imagine walking through gardens. Vegetable gardens. Perennial beds. Herbs. Tomatoes here, lavender there. Horticulture enthusiasts will get a chance to view nine such gardens as part of the Rensselaer County Garden Tour Thursday afternoon. The tour, put together annually since 1998 by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Rensselaer County, will showcase nine houses and gardens in Schodack this year. Last year, the tour highlighted Troy's east side neighborhood near Brunswick.

"We do it for a couple different reasons," said David Chinery, senior resource educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension. "Partly, …

Homosexual adoptions.(United States)(Catholic Charities allowing adoption by gay couples)(Brief article)

Boston -- In October 2005, the Boston Globe reported that Catholic Charities was involved in homosexual adoptions. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. papal nuncio sent a letter to Boston's Archbishop Sean O'Malley asking that this practice cease.

The chairman of Catholic Charities in Massachusetts indicated that homosexual couples adopting children posed no problem: "We facilitate adoptions to loving couples. I see no evidence that any child is being harmed."

Clearly, Catholic Charities is operating outside Catholic teaching, which specifically condemns the …

Freiburg will allow Papiss Demba Cisse to leave

BERLIN (AP) — Freiburg and Papiss Demba Cisse have agreed to a new contract that allows the Senegal striker to leave the club at the end of the season if the right offer comes along.

Cisse, who recently said he wanted to leave the club, agreed to improved terms and received a commitment from Freiburg to listen to offers.

Freiburg sports director Dirk Dufner …

Laugharne stay on top

LAUGHARNE won a close game by two wickets against Penygroes inthe Chem Dry League.

Penygroes scored a respectable 139 for six. M. Lewis hit aterrific 76 not out including eight sixes and four fours.Laugharne's A. Evans took 2-19 D. Reynolds 1-17 and M. Thomas 2-12.

Laugharne scored 143 …

DoT contradicts TRAI's proposal on additional spectrum allotment to new entrants.(INDIA)

The DoT (Department of Telecom) has made an attempt at reversing the proposals made by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) by giving priority to new telecom players like Uninor and Tata DoCoMo, which have not yet been given airwaves in many circles, in the allocation of additional spectrum. The regulator had recommended that these firms be positioned last in the queue for obtaining mobile …

Attempted murder man in court.

A BANBURY man charged with three counts of attempted murder and one of robbery will appear at Oxford Crown Court next month. …

PLENTY OF PLACES TO TAKE DAD FISHING.(SPORTS)

Byline: DICK NELSON

I can't think of a better Father's Day gift than to take pop fishing. It sure beats neckties, and with smoking being hazardous to one's health, you certainly don't want to present him with any cigarettes or cigars.

Actually fishing and Father's Day go hand-in-hand, especially now with the statewide opening of the New York bass fishing season. A trip down to the nearest lake, river or pond would make the ideal gift, and there is no shortage of waters to wet a line.

Large bodies of water such as the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, Saratoga Lake, Lake George and Lake Champlain have always attracted the lion's share of anglers. But there are dozens of smaller impoundments that are just as productive, and considerably shy of fishermen. These are just a few: …

Acquisitions, Security Solutions Highlighted.

VALLEY FORGE, Penn -- USERS Incorporated, a unit of Fiserv, Inc. signed 16 new or converted, credit unions to USERS' growing client base in 2005. USERS also renewed relationships with 122 current clients that signed agreements for hardware upgrades, Access RMS optical systems, or PCU Internet Banking services, or extended their DataSafe On-Line contracts.

USERS' major product introductions during the year included:

* CIP Member Verification, which helps credit unions comply with the Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements of the Patriot Act during account opening, while keeping the process streamlined for members.

* Secure Messaging, a …

Colorado voters reject affirmative action ban

Colorado voters have rejected a proposal to ban state affirmative action programs.

Colorado becomes the first state to say no to a ballot measure that has been passed in four other states. The measure would have barred officials from considering race or gender in decisions on hiring, contracting and admission to public …

Musculoskeletal case 21. presentation

Radiology for the Surgeon

Chirurgie et radiologie

A 59-year-old woman complained of sudden onset of severe disabling back pain. She had a history of cervical carcinoma treated 2 years earlier with local and external beam radiation. No abnormalities were obvious on clinical examination; in particular, no neurologic deficit was evident.

Plain radiographs of the lumbar spine were interpreted as normal, apart from bony demineralization, which was likely due to osteoporosis. Radioisotope bone scanning was performed to identify any bony metastases.

The bone scan (Fig. 1) demonstrated intense radioisotope uptake in the alae and across the midline of the …

Tubular glass: solar energy advancement.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

A new proprietary rooftop solar panel system has been designed that uses glass tubes rather than traditional flat panel systems. * Compared to previous technologies, the system is easier to install and replace, as it is ideally set flat on rooftops with no anchors. The module design also enables a greater concentration of panels per square foot of rooftop area.

In addition, the cylindrical structure of the tubes creates a greater incident angle for light absorption, since it captures sunlight across a 360[degrees] photovoltaic surface. The new panels are also very durable. Each module is designed to produce electricity for more than 25 years …

The Cottage Ownership Guide.(book)(Brief article)(Book review)

The Cottage Ownership Guide

Douglas Hunter

Cottage Life Books

Box 1338, Ellicott Station, Buffalo, NY 14205

0969692250 $35.00 www.cottagelife.com

If you've ever wanted to own a waterfront cottage, here's your chance to do it right, with The Cottage Ownership Guide: How to Buy, Sell, …

Mideast stability the top U.S. priority.(Main)

Byline: JOHN BATISTE

At the outset of any examination of America's alternatives in Iraq, four questions deserve to be answered:

Do you believe that there is a rare (but narrow) window of opportunity as the White House, the Congress and the new leadership in the Department of Defense seek improved strategies in Iraq?

Do former senior military leaders have an obligation to speak out when their experience provides them with valuable insights into proposed alternatives?

Would the impact be greater if former leaders spoke with one voice?

Do you think that America's long-term goals are well-served by a strategy that doesn't include a precipitous withdrawal from Iraq?

If you answered yes to all these questions, read on.

This white paper has been …

Vikings DE Edwards frustrated by fine

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards calls his $25,000 fine for hits against Tampa Bay two weeks ago "ridiculous" and "outrageous."

The NFL fined Edwards on Friday for a late hit on Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia and what the league called a leg whip on an offensive lineman.

When asked about it Monday, Edwards said, "No offense to women, but …

Bloomie's has designs on Michigan Avenue

When Bloomingdale's opens on Michigan Avenue in 1988 you're going tosee the same fashion-forward merchandise mix that made its flagshipstore a not-to-be-missed place to shop in New York.

"We believe what Chicago would like is another Bloomingdale's59th Street store," said Marvin Traub, chairman of Bloomingdale's.

Traub was here for a press conference covering all aspects ofthe $450 million building going up at 900 N. Michigan.Bloomingdale's will occupy 250,000 square feet on six levels for afull-line department store. Its selling space will be about 35 to 40percent of that in its 59th Street store.

"We're known for discovering trends and trend setters," …

Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).(Movers & shakers)(Brief article)

Douglas Kell has been appointed chief executive and deputy chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC). He will take up the position at the beginning of October. Kell was director of the Manchester Centre for …

SQUEEZE GETS WORSE FOR STRAPPED ORANGE COUNTY.(BUSINESS)

Byline: ROB WELLS Associated Press

SANTA ANA, Calif. Orange County's financial squeeze worsened Monday, aggravated by the threat of another bond default, dwindling cash and a gloomy assessment of its bankruptcy from a major Wall Street credit rater.

The Orange County Water District, which provides drinking water to the nation's fifth-largest county, asked a federal bankruptcy judge for permission to withdraw from the county's shriveled investment fund to pay creditors and avoid delinquency on its bonds.

The request was expected to lead to the first showdown among the county's creditors over which one gets access to whatever's left in the fund. …