SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) — Addison Lynch and Samad Wagstaff each returned interceptions for touchdowns and Bryant defeated Robert Morris 27-21 on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (7-3, 4-3 Northeast Conference) led 7-6 before the back-to-back defensive scores. Addison Lynch had the first interception of Jeff Sinclair, returning it 43 yards late in the first quarter. Then Wagstaff followed with an 80-yard TD return with 9:15 left in the second …
Scoreboard Friday between England and Bangladesh in the third and final one-day international at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium:
England Innings
Alastair Cook c Rahim b Hasan 32
Craig Kieswetter b Razzak 107
Kevin Pietersen lbw Razzak 22
Paul Collingwood c Razzak b Suhrawadi 36
Eoin Morgan c Iqbal b Islam 36
Luke Wright not out 32
Tim Bresnan not out 6
Extras: (3lb, 10w) 13
TOTAL: (for five wickets) 284
Overs: 50.
Fall of wickets: 1-59, 2-96, 3-170, 4-237, 5-257.
Did not bat: Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Ajmal Shahzad, Liam Plunkett
…
The outlook appears to be dimming on Rondell White's return to theCubs. Manager Don Baylor said Thursday he doubts White will be ableto play full games when he returns to the team after being out sixweeks with a strained left groin muscle.
"He was going to try to play a full game [Thursday night at ClassAAA Iowa]," Baylor said of White's rehab. "He should be back here inthe next week or so, and he's worked awfully hard through this. But Iknow the soreness will be there all year. I don't foresee him backin a full capacity. I think it would be a long shot."
That outlook puts another damper on the offense, because White washitting .302 with 13 home runs at the time of …
CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Sweden swept past Moldova 4-1 on Friday to tighten its grip on second place in its Euro 2012 qualifying group.
Ola Toivonen opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a 25-yard shot before Johan Elmander made it 2-0 in the 29th with a left-footed strike and Sebastian Larsson added the third in the 59th.
Striker Igor Bugaiov gave Moldova a glimmer of hope by making it 3-1 in the 61st but Alexander Gerndt wrapped up a comfortable win for the visitors in the 87th.
Moldova could have taken the lead in the sixth minute but Alexandru Suvorov's 18-yard shot hit the crossbar.
Sweden has 12 points from …
North Koreans got a rare chance to see foreign films _ including Britain's Oscar-winning "Atonement" and China's "Assembly" _ on the big screen during the 11th Pyongyang International Film Festival held in the communist capital.
A total of 110 films from 46 nations, including Russia, France, Germany, Iran and Venezuela, were to be screened at the 10-day festival, which closes Friday.
North Korea is one of the most isolated countries in the world, and the average citizen does not have easy access to the Internet, cell phones or foreign broadcasts. But like people everywhere, North Koreans love movies and can watch mostly North Korean and …
Dr. Seuss event
"Go Green With Dr. Seuss" will be presented at 10:30 a.m.Wednesday at the South Charleston Public Library in honor of thebirthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss.
There will be crafts, refreshments and Dr. Seuss stories.
For more information, go to www.southcharleston library.org orcall 304-744-6561.
MU career expo
Marshall University students and alumni are invited to discovernew career opportunities at the annual Spring Career Expo on theHuntington campus.
The expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in theDon Morris Room on the second floor of the Memorial Student Center.More …
WASHINGTON - Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Tuesday she wants answers about the departure of the former U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, who resigned last October before the Justice Department's dismissal of eight other U.S. attorneys sparked controversy.
"I have questions about Debra Yang's departure and I can't answer those questions right at this time," Feinstein, D-Calif. and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters in response to a question. "Was she asked to resign, and if so, why? We have to ferret that out."
Debra Wong Yang went to work for a private law firm, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and has said she left of her own accord.
A Gibson …
Overall World Cup leader Ivica Kostelic left the World Championships on Saturday to return home to Croatia for treatment on his injured back.
The 29-year-old Kostelic said after Thursday's downhill training session that he was at 70 percent fitness, then completed another run on Friday.
He will have intensive treatment at a spinal clinic in Daruvar, Croatian ski federation manager Vedran Pavlek …
WASHINGTON A new president should tell his national securityadviser at the start of his administration that the secretary ofstate is his "one principal lieutenant" in foreign policy, a reporton presidential transition recommends.
The report noted that Presidents Reagan, Jimmy Carter andRichard Nixon "all found their administrations involved early ininternal disputes between the national security adviser and the StateDepartment."
The report never mentioned the Iran-contra affair, which came tolight in President Reagan's second term. During the affair, in whichthe United States sold arms to Iran and profits were diverted to theNicaraguan contras, Reagan's …
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jeremy Hazell somehow got lost in the wild ending surrounding Seton Hall's 84-70 upset of No. 15 St. John's.
It's the way his senior season has gone with the Pirates.
The shooting guard scored 28 points in a win over Alabama early in the season and broke his wrist in the game. In the middle of his rehabilitation, he was grazed by gunfire in a Christmas holdup attempt near his home.
And when Hazell scored a season-high 31 points in the stunning upset of the red-hot Red Storm on Thursday night, he got pushed into the background with the ejection of St. John's coach Steve Lavin in the closing minutes.
Hazell doesn't seem to mind. The lanky 6-foot-5 …
Sprint Nextel Corp. said Monday it has paid off the $1 billion balance on its $4.5 billion credit line, helping the company's stock gain more than 10 percent.
Shares jumped 35 cents to $3.44 in morning trading.
The stock also got a boost Monday from an upgrade at Credit Suisse. In an investor note, Credit Suisse analyst Jonathan Chaplin upgraded Sprint to "Outperform" from "Neutral" and raised his share price target to $6 from $4.
He said the growth of Sprint's cheaper, prepaid …
PENSACOLA, Fla. - When Marine Lt. Alan Zarracina finally did the splits after months of struggling with the difficult pose in yoga class, the limber women around him applauded.
Zarracina, a 24-year-old Naval Academy graduate and flight student, admits he would have a hard time explaining the scene to other Marines.
Each class ends with a chant for peace. Then, instructor Nancy La Nasa hands students incense sticks as a gift for their 90 minutes of back bends, shoulder stands and other challenging positions.
Zarracina has tried to drag some of his military friends to class, but they make fun of him. "It's not necessarily considered masculine," he said.
Still, the popular classes, based on ancient Hindu practices of meditation through controlled breathing, balancing and stretching, are catching on in military circles as a way to improve flexibility, balance and concentration. A former Navy SEAL told Zarracina about the class.
The August edition of Fit Yoga, the nation's second-largest yoga magazine with a circulation of 100,000, features a photo of two Naval aviators doing yoga poses in full combat gear aboard an aircraft carrier.
"At first it seemed a little shocking - soldiers practicing such a peaceful art," writes editor Rita Trieger.
Upon closer inspection, she said, she noticed "a sense of inner calm" on the aviators' faces.
"War is hell, and if yoga can help them find a little solace, that's good," said Trieger, a longtime New York yoga instructor.
Retired Adm. Tom Steffens, who spent 34 years as a Navy SEAL and served as the director of the elite corps' training, regularly practices yoga at his home in Norfolk, Va.
"Once in a while I'll sit in class, and everyone is a 20-something young lady with a 10-inch waist and here I am this old guy," he joked.
Steffens, who said the stretching helped him eliminate the stiffness of a biceps injury after surgery, said the benefits of regular practice can be enormous.
"The yoga cured all kinds of back pains," he said. "Being a SEAL, you beat up your body."
Yoga breathing exercises can help SEALs with their diving, and learning to control the body by remaining in unusual positions can help members stay in confined spaces for long periods, he said.
"The ability to stay focused on something, whether on breathing or on the yoga practice, and not be drawn off course, that has a lot of connection to the military," he said. "In our SEAL basic training, there are many things that are yoga-like in nature."
Zarracina, the Marine, said yoga has helped him improve his posture and become more comfortable while flying.
"Sitting in an airplane for two hours with a harness pulling on you, you will feel a hot spot around your back," he said.
But he said mastering difficult stretches like the splits wasn't easy despite being in top physical condition.
"For the first two weeks, I didn't like (yoga) because it was painful," he said. At Marine training in Quantico, Va., "we did hikes and field training. Yoga taps into those core muscles that people don't really use."
At the Army's Camp Rudder on Eglin Air Force Base outside Pensacola, Army Ranger candidates go through their final and most difficult stage in their grueling training regimen. Capt. Jeremiah Cordovano, a Rudder instructor, said that yoga isn't a part of Ranger training but that some use it to build flexibility.
"It's still something that is sort of catching on, but a lot of guys have done it," he said. "I have done it quite a few times. A friend introduced me to it and I was surprised. At first I was just smiling, but after five or 10 minutes you really start to work out your muscles and stuff."
But the peaceful meditation techniques and chanting taught in yoga classes don't necessarily transfer to the combat zone, Cordovano said.
"I spent 14 months in Iraq, and I didn't see anybody doing yoga while I was over there," he said.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents century's last Christmas Spectacular
For the fifth consecutive season, "Welcome Yule!" ushers in the holiday season at Symphony Center. Its five programs are a treat for children and Christmas-spirited adults alike.
Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Chicago Children's Choir, and Percussion Scholarship Group, all under the baton of CSO Chorus Director Duain Wolfe, will perform traditional Christmas favorites; a sing-along will prompt audience participation as well. Rumor has it that Santa himself will make an appearance!
The Christmas Spectacular will be held at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
Traditional songs will include "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Deck The Halls," "Christmas Flourish" by Bass, "March of the Kings (Farandole) from "L'arlesienne Suite No. 2" "Fum, Mum, Fum" traditional/arr.
Shaw, "Jordnanas" by Fry, "This Christmastide" by Fraser; "Welcome, Yule!" by Mathias; "Hallelujah" from "Messiah" by Handel, "I's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" Handel, "Skier's Waltz" by Wilson, "Christmas Menace" by Fry, "The Sleigh Ride" by L. Mozart, "Christmas in Chicago" and "Good Night" and "Merry Christmas."
William Eddins, resident conductor for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will conduct "The Millennium New Year's Eve Gala" with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra featuring Andrea Marcovicci, vocalist as soloist Friday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m.
On New Year's Eve 1999, Orchestra Hall audiences will end the year-and the twentieth century-with dinner, music, champagne, and dancing `til dawn. Guest artist and cabaret song stylist Andrea Marcovicci will interpret the history of American popular song.
The Millennium New Year's Eve Gala is sure to showcase Symphony Center at its most festive occasion with music, sing, a balloon drop, party favors and dancing.
Supper club singer extraor-dinaire Marcovicci's appearance marks the second time that she has graced the Orchestra Hall stage. She is among the new generation of singers and pursues an active concert and cabaret schedule throughout the country.
Article Copyright Sengstacke Enterprises, Inc.
Photo (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
Cricketer Kevin Pietersen has married singer Jessica Taylor in astar-studded wedding ceremony.
But residents of picturesque village Castle Combe were less thanbowled over by one of the celebrity weddings of the year.
England star Pietersen married the Liberty X singer in thevillage's parish church.
But as a host of stars of music and sport made their way to thevillage - best-known as the location for the Dr Dolittle film -local people found themselves confronted by bouncers and bypaparazzi.
Part of the lower village became a no-go area on Saturday.
Vice-chairman of the parish council Adrian Bishop said: "I thinkthis is the most hyped wedding that has taken place there.
"Access to the church was completely cut off to people who livehere.
"I understand several people wanted to lay flowers on graves butwere prevented from doing so by bouncers. It upset some people.
"There were lines and lines of paparazzi but I doubt if they gotanything, there was so much security there.
"No one bothered to tell us about the fireworks display, either."
At the pounds300-a-night, five-star Manor House Hotel, all 48rooms had been booked for the wedding
Flamboyant batsman Pietersen, 27, had tried to keep details ofhis wedding to Taylor, 27, a secret.
But news leaked out as teammates, including England captainMichael Vaughan, and celebrity friends began showing up.
Hair and make-up experts were on hand to ensure the bride, whoarrived at the church in a black Rolls-Royce, looked stunning.
One of the few locals who managed to catch a glimpse of her wasTina Seiler, 41, who said: "She was gorgeous. Her dress was abackless ivory silk chiffon design, tightly crunched at the frontwith sparkling beads hanging like icicles down the pleats."
After the 45-minute ceremony - which included the carol SilentNight - the bridal party and 200 guests walked to the hotel.
Pietersen had spent the night before enjoying a quiet meal withhis family and best man, England colleague Darren Gough, in aprivate room.
Other guests included England one-day captain Paul Collingwood,fast bowler Matthew Hoggard and veteran wicketkeeper Paul Nixon.
MILWAUKEE -- Speculation about Dusty Baker's future with the Cubsis reaching Florida, where rookie manager Joe Girardi is dealing withhis own rumors about feuding with team owner Jeffrey Loria and eyeinga move north to his old team.
Girardi tried to quell the rumors Tuesday before the Marlins' 4-2victory over the Washington Nationals.
"I am still the Marlins' manager, [and] I plan on being theMarlins' manager for a long time," Girardi, who signed a three-yearcontract, told reporters Tuesday. "People like to speculate that I amgoing to Chicago.
"If I was going to go to Chicago, I wouldn't have sold my house[in the north suburbs]. I have property there that we've kept therefor a long time. I don't have a house there; I sold my house, my kidsare enrolled in school in South Florida. I enjoy jumping in my poolevery day. It's a nice life."
Rumors have swirled that Girardi has an "out" clause in hiscontract that allows him to leave for the Cubs. It also has beenalleged that he has a handshake agreement with Loria for the samereason.
"There are no outs," Girardi said. "I have a three-year deal. Nohandshake agreement, no elbow rubbing, no kissing, nothing. Why wouldany club hire someone who had a handshake agreement that they couldget out? Because you would know their heart's not in it. I think theone thing that you know about my heart is that it's about winning."
Z STREAK: Carlos Zambrano (12-4) starts tonight hoping to extendhis 10-game road winning streak dating to last year. Zambrano is 10-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his last 14 games on the road, holding opponentsto a .194 batting average since Aug. 17, 2005, at Houston. Hisoverall nine-game win streak was halted Friday.
While Zambrano contends for the Cy Young Award, he also could be acandidate for the Silver Slugger honor, given to the best hitter atevery position, and a Gold Glove.
"I've never seen a guy who could switch-hit [Zambrano has hithomers from both sides of the plate] and throw with both arms," Bakersaid of Zambrano, who typically throws with his left hand in practicethe day after he pitches. "He's an athlete, not just a pitcher, andtakes pride in being an athlete."
REHAB TIME: Left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall threw three inningsin the bullpen at full speed without discomfort. Marshall, who hasbeen on the disabled list with a strained oblique since July 23, isexpected to be sent on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend.Wade Miller (shoulder) also will make another rehab start thisweekend.
tginnetti@suntimes.com
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Debutant Declan O'Donnell scored three tries as New Zealand came from behind to beat England 29-14 in Saturday's final of the Wellington Sevens rugby tournament.
England went ahead 7-0 in the second minute when Fijian-born British Army solider Isoa Damu crossed, but New Zealand piled on the pressure, mainly through tight defense, to score five straight tries and clinch a comfortable win.
The tournament victory took New Zealand level with England on 64 points after three of eight rounds of the World Series. The next round of the Series is at Las Vegas on Feb. 12 and 13.
New Zealand was the dominant team at its home tournament, clearing its pool with ease and progessing comfortably through Saturday's knockout rounds, beating Wales 26-5 in the quarterfinals and Australia 17-0 in the semis.
England, in contrast, was hard-pressed in almost all of its matches at the two-day, 16-team tournament. It needed a last minute try to beat the unranked Cook Islands in pool play and labored to a 14-7 win over Argentina in the quarterfinals and a 7-5 win over world champions Samoa in the semis.
Samoa had earlier ousted defending Wellington Sevens champions Fiji 12-5 in the quarterfinals.
England was seen to have more pace than New Zealand in the showdown between the top two teams in the World Series but New Zealand's defense quickly shut down the English speedsters and its robust style allowed it to dominate possession.
Damu scored a try from a tapped penalty in the second minute, exploiting the only lapse in concentration from the home side's defense. New Zealand quickly recovered and established its dominance, scoring tries through Toby Arnold and O'Donnell to lead 12-7 by halftime.
Veteran Tomasi Cama scored and converted his own try in the first minute of the second half to extend New Zealand's lead to 19-7, then O'Donnell scored back-to-back tries to make its advantage unassailable at 29-7.
England managed a consolation try in stoppage time.
"He's outstanding. He had an outstanding tournament," New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens said of O'Donnell who was playing in his first World Series tournament and final.
New Zealand lost captain D.J. Forbes to injury when it was still behind on the scoreobard but rallied in his absence to reclaim its home title.
"We lost D.J. early which could have been a major played but the guys went out and played for him," Tietjens said. "We got up from that setback, picked the game up and didn't look back."
Fiji won the plate competition, beating South Africa 26-12 in the final and Kenya won the bowl, beating Tonga 19-0.
If William Shakespeare were alive, he might revise his line fromHamlet to read, "Something is rotten in the state of Englisheducation."
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni did a survey andfound only 15 of the nation's top 70 universities require Englishmajors take a course on Shakespeare, whose birthday is Monday.
The report lists the University of Chicago and Northwestern amongthose that do not require such a course. The University of Illinoisat Urbana-Champaign does require it. "A degree in English withoutShakespeare is like an M.D. without a course in anatomy," the reportdeclares.
But that's not to say the Bard isn't taught at those schools: Thehome page for U. of C.'s English department features his picture,and students must take courses on British literature and onliterature written before 1700. NU requires a course in pre-1798lit. NU English department officials could not immediately bereached for comment.
Ever wonder what people say about you behind your back? Youngsenior forward Amanda Thompson, quite possibly the best girlsbasketball player in the Public League and one of the best in thestate, doesn't have to wonder anymore.
Thompson led Young to a third-place finish at the Class AA statefinals last season at Redbird Arena in Normal and also led theDolphins to the Public League title over Hope for its first citytitle since 1995.
After the season, Thompson participated in the USA BasketballYouth Development Festival and was ranked sixth in the latest NikeBlue Star report. Earlier this month, she was featured on the coverof School Sports magazine.
Thompson, who is averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds, took thefirst step to her promising future last month when she signed withOklahoma.
Thompson is sure to continue the Sooners' tradition of contendingin the Big 12 conference and making appearances in the NCAAtournament. The Sooners' first-ever Final Four appearance was in 2002when they reached the championship game and lost to Connecticut.Oklahoma has won four Big 12 Conference titles, all under coachSherri Coale.
Coale had the obvious praise for Thompson on signing day, usingthe same words to describe the 6-foot Thompson that many othercoaches and players have -- tremendous player, toughness, a specialkid, extraordinary skills. I could go on, but Coale also put a uniquespin on Thompson that I haven't heard from many others.
"Amanda Thompson is one of those rare finds," Coale said onsigning day. "You're going along and sifting through, and all youfind are rocks. Then all of a sudden, you find a diamond. That'sAmanda.
"We began watching her a couple of years ago and followed her. Themore we watched her and followed her, the more we fell in love withher grit and her toughness."
Similar to Dales-Schuman
Coale didn't stop there. She also compared Thompson to formerSooners standout and current Chicago Sky guard-forward Stacey Dales-Schuman, who was on Oklahoma's 2002 Final Four team.
"[Thompson] delivers the basketball in similar ways as StaceyDales," Coale said. "There are a lot of similarities in the offensiveway the two of them play the game."
Thompson's best asset might be blocking shots. I've watchedThompson perfect that skill over three years, and she seems to keepgetting better. Coale noted that blocking shots is almost an art formby itself in basketball because a player has to get the timing downjust right against players who might be taller. And it also takes aplayer of high caliber to block shots without picking up a foul inthe process.
Respect from Gaters
"She is an outstanding player," said Marshall coach DorothyGaters, whose team is set for its annual grudge match with Thompsonand the Dolphins on Wednesday at Young. "She's made consistentprogress, steady progress. We try not to let any one player beat usand just try to hold her down."
Dolphins senior guard Ashley Bey is good friends with Thompson andhas learned a lot about competing from just watching her.
"Playing off of Amanda is fun, and she's really hyper and likes toget her teammates involved -- and she's a good friend," Bey said."When she's playing well, people can feed off of her energy, and thatmakes everybody else play better."
Bey's favorite Thompson memory doesn't even have to do with aparticular game or move by Thompson on the court. Bey will miss thepregame pep talks.
"Before the game when we're in our huddle, she's always excitedand she gets hyped up," Bey said. "Then everybody knows we need toget things together to win this game."
Coaches can talk all they want about Thompson's skills on thecourt and what she'll bring to the game of women's basketball in thefuture. But I think Bey and Dolphins coach Corry Carter give the bestdescription of what Thompson is like as a person, and not necessarilyas a player.
"She's just a good person to be around," Bey said. "She's not sador anything and is just real happy all the time."
"She always plays at the same level all the time," Carter said."Off the court, she is a real genuine, nice kid, and never gets intoconfrontations with anyone."
PEOPLE WATCHING: It's never too early to think spring.
At the Young-Crane girls game Wednesday, I spotted CynthiaAnderson, mother of former Morgan Park state track record-holderAlexandria Anderson, who is now at Texas. Anderson was watching heryounger daughter, Ashlee, play for the Dolphins.
Track and Field News has ranked the Longhorns' freshman class No.2 in the nation behind Oregon. Who is leading that class? Anderson,who was named as a "prize recruit" in the latest issue of Track andField News, which also predicted the Longhorns will defend their NCAAnational title.
I can't wait until the snow melts, the temperatures rise and theoutdoor track season begins.
takouris@suntimes.com
BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS:
By Michael O'Brien
(Last week's rank in parentheses)
1. Glenbrook North 10-0 (1)
- Tyler Cullitan is pitching in
2. Simeon 3-2 (2)
- McKinnie played well in Indy
3. Crane 6-0 (3)
- Collins is a highlight film
4. Warren 7-0 (4)
- Marcus Lewis can score
5. Thornton 7-1 (6)
- Catron hot vs. Von Steuben
6. Proviso East 7-2 (7)
- Jacob Pullen is a smart player
7. St. Joseph 7-1 (8)
- Showdown with Oden on Sat.
8. Marshall 7-1 (9)
- Illini are watching Beverley
9. H-F 9-0 (11)
- Vikings dangerous at Proviso
10. Glenbrook South 9-0 (10)
- Can Titans repeat at Elgin?
11. Von Steuben 2-2 (5)
- Went cold late vs. Thornton
12. Bolingbrook 7-0 (12)
- Walker and Raiders keep rolling
13. Hillcrest 7-1 (13)
- Justin Taylor is playing well
14. West Aurora 7-0 (15)
- Thompson is a super soph
15. Schaumburg 8-1 (18)
- Another Pancratz beats T-Birds
16. Washington 6-1 (16)
- Mario Little living up to hype
17. Thornwood 6-1 (14)
- Fell short against the Saxons
18. Farragut 4-3 (20)
- Isiah Williams is growing up
19. Lincoln Park 6-2 (22)
- Could prove a lot at Dipper
20. T.F. North 7-3 (23)
- Redmond huge vs. Bloom
21. Loyola 7-1 (25)
- Matt Steger is a tough player
22. Julian 9-0 (NR)
- Rocky Hill brings Jags back
23. Marian Catholic 6-1 (NR)
- Vance Cooksey having a year
24. Proviso West 9-2 (NR)
- Stinnett delivers in clutch
25. York 8-0 (NR)
- Fendley has Dukes on a tear
CLASS A
1. Hales Franciscan 6-2 (1)
- Upset by Fenwick
2. Seneca 8-0 (2)
- Callahan, Irish undefeated
3. Timothy Christian 11-0 (3)
- Huizinga, Crittle lead the way
4. Leo 7-3 (4)
- Lawson great vs. Marist
5. North Lawndale 9-2 (5)
- Haywood Brown 21 vs. Crane
GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS:
By Tina Akouris
(Last week's rank in parentheses)
1. Bolingbrook 6-0 (1)
- M. Adams owns the boards
2. Fenwick 12-0 (2)
- A. DiCanio saves day with 3s
3. Wheeling 11-1 (3)
- A. Wilson a big freshman
4. Young 9-0 (4)
- Ashley Bey does a lot on floor
5. Marist 12-0 (5)
- M. Downs nails double-double
6. New Trier 11-1 (6)
- Riding 10-game win streak
7. Buffalo Grove 10-1 (8)
- Buchek gets 1,000th point
8. Loyola 8-2 (9)
- Can't keep B. McCoy down
9. Warren 9-3 (10)
- G. Lopez is a feisty guard
10. Benet 9-3 (7)
- McInerney, McGue tough
11. Maine South 11-2 (11)
- Angie Rieger pours it in, too
12. Thornwood 8-1 (12)
- Ashanti Walker gets boards
13. Marian Catholic 9-2 (16)
- Grossnickle sets pace
14. Palatine 10-0 (17)
- Big game with Wheeling Fri.
15. Crane 7-1 (15)
- K. Shelton rebounds, scores
16. Trinity 8-3 (14)
- L. Johnson a bright spot
17. Naperville Cent. 8-2 (19)
- Next stop: Dundee-Crown
18. Bartlett 9-3 (13)
- Shocking loss to Neuqua V.
19. Resurrection 9-3 (20)
- Monaco, Ortiz great tandem
20. Glenbard West 12-1 (NR)
- M.E. Mazza a clutch player
21. Sandburg 7-4 (18)
- J. Storm still plows through
22. Geneva 11-2 (NR)
- C. Whitley a hot shooter
23. Hillcrest 7-2 (22)
- Tough holiday tourney ahead
24. Joliet Catholic 7-4 (21)
- Career-high 39 for S. Quigley
25. Schaumburg 10-2 (25)
- Rebounded from Maine S.
CLASS A
1. Hope 12-0 (1)
- Jasmine Stewart also scores
2. Bishop McNamara 9-1 (2)
- Schmidt, Juergens score big
3. Montini 10-3 (3)
- Knocked off Sandburg
4. Walther Luth. 12-1 (4)
- J. Harvey keeps rolling along
5. North Lawndale 7-0 (5)
- Angelique Beasley does it all
Suspected Maoist rebels blew up a police jeep in India's restive east on Friday, killing at least nine police officers, an official said. The attack came after police thwarted the rebels' attempt to rob a bank.
Dozens of attackers also stabbed to death two of the police officers who earlier challenged them at the State Bank of India branch in Bokaro district, 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Patna, the capital of Bihar state, said Lakshman Singh, superintendent of police.
They fled the area but later triggered a roadside land mine blast targeting the jeep bringing police reinforcements to the bank in Jharkhand state, Singh told The Associated Press.
Another three police officers were wounded in the attack by suspected rebels, many of them women wearing civilian clothes, he said.
It was the second major attack blamed on rebels in Jharkhand state this week. On Wednesday, they killed 11 police officers in a similar land mine blast.
The rebels are called Naxalites after Naxalbari, a village in West Bengal state where the movement was born in 1967, and say they are inspired by Chinese communist revolutionary leader Mao Zedong.
The rebels have been fighting for more than three decades in several Indian states, demanding land and jobs for agricultural laborers and the poor.
Over the past few years about 2,000 people _ including police, militants and civilians _ have been killed in the violence.
He just had shot a 2-under-par 70 in the third round Saturday, putting him at 4 under and tied for 10th place heading into the final round today.
''You don't want to know my thoughts,'' Woods repeated.
That he said it twice means you probably didn't want to know. Without ear censors, that is.
Standing next to him, you wondered whether his big-toothed smile was propped open with fish hooks -- and whether he would snap your finger off like a boiled shrimp if it got too close to those pearly whites.
Later, as Woods walked up the path toward the clubhouse, agent Mark Steinberg muttered, ''What was your problem?''
''Who the [bleep] knows?'' Woods hissed.
If you haven't noticed Woods has been in a foul mood this week, you haven't been paying attention to the 73rd Masters.
It's not that he has played horribly; it's just that the four-time Masters champion with the surgically repaired left knee has played without consistency, flair or that Tiger-like genius we have come to expect.
Being 4 under after 54 holes isn't a terrible thing at Augusta National. It's just that co-leaders Angel Cabrera and Kenny Perry are 11 under and Chad Campbell is 9 under. Fellows such as Jim Furyk, Rory Sabbatini and Tim Clark are ahead of Woods, too.
NON-SUNNY DISPOSITION
It would be one thing if those guys were little kids or unconscious duffers high on dogwood pixie dust. But Cabrera won the 2007 U.S. Open, Perry has 13 PGA Tour victories, Furyk twice has finished fourth in the Masters, Sabbatini tied for second in 2007 and Clark finished second in 2006.
Every time Woods has had a chance to soar, he has dipped a wing and sputtered.
He especially wanted to get off to a good start Saturday. And what did he do? On No. 1, he clanked a drive into the woods, left his chip short, then three-putted for a double bogey.
''Just put myself right behind the eight ball,'' Tiger said.
But if there was some redemption for him, it came on the 18th. He analyzed his second shot forever, tossed grass into the air, switched clubs twice, then hit long and off the green. He chipped onto the putting surface and sank a seven-foot putt to save par.
That got a mini-fist pump from Woods, whose ill humor has been about the only non-sunny thing here this week.
It is an amazing and tantalizing coincidence that Woods and his anointed chaser, Phil Mickelson, who also is at 4 under, will be in the same twosome for the final round. The two haven't been paired in the final round of a major since the Masters in 2001, when young Eldrick was out of control and won with a 16-under 272. That was also the final victory of his now-named ''Tiger Slam'' -- four major championships in a row, but not in the same calendar year.
'WHAT ARE YOU MADE OF?'
Mickelson has been inconsistent this week, too. But he has settled some in his last 24 holes, shooting 6 under par during that stretch while chasing his third Masters green jacket.
If the 48-year-old Perry wins today, he will become the oldest player to win a major.
''Forty-eight's just a number,'' said Perry, who was born Aug. 10, 1960. ''You need to test yourself. You need to see what's inside yourself.''
That's a coincidental statement, considering there is a billboard on Washington Road, not far from the entrance to Augusta National, of Woods promoting Tag Heuer watches. Next to an image of his face are the shiny guts of an open watch.
''What Are You Made Of?'' the sign asks.
About a half-mile from that is another billboard, this one with a photo of Mickelson swinging a driver, promoting his timepiece of choice, Rolex.
''Phil Always Connects,'' the sign says.
All these statements are interesting, philosophical, even trite.
We'll find out today if they mean anything.
Photo:timothy A. Clary, Getty Images / Tiger Woods hits out of the trees on the eighth hole Saturday at the Masters. ;
Monopolies in America: Empire Builders and Their Enemies from Jay Gould to Bill Gates. By Charles R. Geisst. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. x + 300 pp. Bibliography, index, notes, and illustrations. $30.00. ISBN 0195123018.
Having earlier surveyed two centuries of Wall Street history in 367 pages, Charles R. Geisst requires even less space here to cover 130 years of "the constant tug-of-war ... between Washington and corporate America" (p. ix). The format closely resembles that of his Wall Street (1997). Following an introduction that attempts with only partial success to define "monopoly," Geisst organizes his eight chapters around a straight chronological survey of the rise of big business and the dogged attempts to curb its power. The emphasis throughout tends to be less on monopoly than on its alter ego, the antitrust efforts. Biographical sketches of key players are scattered throughout the story to enliven and humanize the narrative.
The result is a kind of tourist's guide to the subject, a basic map of the terrain with the prominent sites noted and given brief explanatory markers but no depth of analysis or detail. The road signs take the form of pivotal Supreme Court cases, which help connect an otherwise rambling narrative that tends to highlight points of interest rather than explore their meaning. Experienced travelers will find little new or informative here; casual tourists may come away confused by the lack of a clear sense of destination. Nor does it help that some important sites are given short shrift or ignored altogether.
As many earlier writers have shown, the history of antitrust is a complex one with roots deep within the eras that have debated the subject. Clear understanding of those debates requires careful definition of terms and close analysis that interprets events within their specific contexts and then connects them around a meaningful theme. Little of that occurs here. Geisst is mostly content to stay on the surface of things. He argues that "The entire period of American capitalism since the Industrial Revolution has been an unrelenting trend toward consolidation" (p. 4). This trend bred monopoly, which in turn provoked antimonopoly reactions of different kinds at different times. Tracing this pattern from the early railroad imbroglios down through the ongoing Microsoft suit, he concludes that "Monopoly is the logical outcome of free market economic organization" (p. 319), and that "The history of monopoly in the United States ... still relies upon a watchful government to keep big business in check" (pp. 319-20).
These are hardly revelatory observations. What is lacking above all is a clear sense of context that might impart meaning to the discussion of the many issues, people, and decisions that parade through the book. The terms "monopoly" and "trust" are handled loosely, as are many of the episodes in which they appear. The role of the railroads is stressed as an important precedent but described in a simplistic manner that ignores early pooling efforts, barely scratches the surface of the crucial Northern Securities case (which first applied the Sherman Act to railroads), and fails even to mention the severing of the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific systems in 1912. The pivotal role of J. P Morgan in the "monopoly" movement is emphasized, but often it is unclear whether a given reference is to father, son, or firm. The problematic segue of the Great Crash into a major depression is reduced to the observation that "Toward the end of the decade, many American businesses appeared to have expanded too rapidly... the overcapacity came crashing down with the stock market in 1929, creating unemployment-and with it a banking crisis-faster than anyone would have imagined" (p. 118).
One explanation for the lack of depth and insight can be found in a bibliography that is missing such basic works as those by Alfred D. Chandler, Jr., Julius Grodinsky, Naomi R. Lamoreaux, Ralph L. Nelson, and Hans B. Thorelli, to name but a few of the absentees. Numerous small but nagging errors of fact lend a dimension of carelessness to the text. Senator Nelson Aldrich is twice assigned to Georgia instead of Rhode Island; the publication date for Matthew Josephson's The Robber Barons is given as 1932 instead of 1934. These and other bloopers would scarcely matter if the narrative had more shape and substance. Nor do the biographical sketches offer much help; too often they come across as mere digressions rather than an integral part of the discussion.
The covering of this formidable subject-at once so dense and elusive-in a single volume is a daunting task. That Geisst's attempt falls short is hardly surprising, but business historian and general reader alike will be disappointed that it did not at least come closer to the mark.
[Author Affiliation]
Maury Klein is a professor of history at the University of Rhode Island and the author of numerous books and articles on railroads and other areas of business history. He has recently published a biography of E. H. Harriman and is presently working on a study of the stock market crash of 1929.
Do I look like I give a damn?
James Bond (Daniel Craig) to a bartender who asks him if he wantshis Martini shaken or stirred, in Casino Royale.
Agent 007 is changing. right from the early Bond flicks, one ofthe evergreen lines on most occasions mouthed by Bond has been:
A vodka Martini...shaken, not stirred , or a variation of it.Until Casino Royale two years ago, when Bond breaks the mould anddisplays his disinterest in what was once his favourite tipple. Inthe latest Bond caper, Quantum of Solace, Agent 007 doesn't evenhave his favourite introductory line:
Bond. James Bond . Not around any more too are the gadgets(exploding attache cases, bowler hats with a metal disc et al), and'Q,' who would equip Bond with those outrageous gizmos.
Bond has changed. He may not give a damn about his Martinis anylonger, but he sure gives a damn about his Indian fans. So much sothat Sony Pictures is bringing Commander Bond in Quantum of Solaceto India on November 7, a week before the film debuts in NorthAmerica. Who knows, the line,Oh the things I do for England , fromYou Only Live Twice, may well be replaced byOh the things I do forIndia , in Bond flicks to come.
If Indian audiences get to witness Bond's latest hijinks beforetheir American counterparts (the British still get the first glimpseof their home-grown secret agent, on October 31), it's with goodreason. Hollywood studios are embarking on emerging markets forhigher growth. Not only have they begun to release filmssimultaneously in India and the US (or, as in the case ofQuantum..., first in India), they're also looking to co-producefilms in India in local languages as well as with Hollywood stars,studios, technicians, directors and producers. Cross-culturalcasting coups, like Naseeruddin Shah and Sadie Frost in Shoot onSight, a film by Arun Govil, have become the order of the day.Hollywood films may still make up only 5-6 per cent of total boxoffice revenues, but clearly the country's demographic profile,increasing consumption and rising aspirations make India a marketripe for western entertainment fare (which can be localised andscreened in the country's burgeoning multiplex chains). Says VijaySingh, CEO, Fox Star Studios, a joint venture between STAR TV andFox Studios:
There are huge opportunities in the Indian film space. Revenuesare likely to double from the current $2.2 to $4.4 billion (Rs10,780-21,560 crore) by 2011.
Adds Farokh Balsara, Partner and Head of Media and EntertainmentPractice at Ernst&Young:
Hollywood is taking note of the fact that India and China aremarkets for the future. It is a deliberate growth strategy forHollywood Studios to look at expansion beyond their home markets. Areverse crossover is taking place.
Indeed, the spotlight on India was cast much before the shadow ofrecession loomed over the US in the wake of the subprime crisis. AsSanford Panitch, President, Fox International Productions, pointsout, Hollywood may not feel the brunt of declining consumerspending.
"It's the entertainment and movie business that tends to do wellin difficult times," says Panitch. It's expectations of brighterprospects in markets like India that persuaded Rupert Murdoch'sTwentieth Century Fox to finally flag off its Asian operation,called Fox Star Studios, to produce and co-produce Asian languageand Bollywood films in October. The Mumbai headquartered jointventure between two News Corp.-owned companies has announced amultipicture deal with one of Bollywood's ace Producer-DirectorVipul Shah. To begin with there are two projects: A contemporaryromantic comedy, and a visual effects-driven fantasy action movie.
Fox is a relatively late entrant into India. But the likes ofSony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) India, The Walt Disney Company andWarner Bros. Pictures India, who began by distributing Hollywoodfilms, have steadily moved into production as well. SPE India wasthe first to tap Bollywood with the extravagant co-production,Saawariya. Although that film didn't set the cash registers ringing,SPE India has plans to co-invest in a clutch of Hindi films, inalliance with Eros International, an integrated Indian Media companyinvolved in the production, acquisition and distribution of filmedentertainment content across all platforms.
Warner Bros. Pictures India, which has partnered with RameshSippy Entertainment and Orion Pictures, is readying to release itsfirst co-production, Chandni Chowk to China. Warner has also forayedinto the animation genre with an untitled film directed by JyotinGoel and produced by Geol Screencraft. The Walt Disney CompanyIndia's first Indian animation film Roadside Romeo, a co-productionwith Yash Raj Films, is awaiting release. As Siddharth Roy Kapur,CEO, UTV Motion Pictures, puts it:
"Typically, Hollywood Studios have been present in India foryears as distributors of their own films. But now to survive, thesestudios have to grow their pie in markets outside of the US."
To grow that pie, Hollywood is pretty clear that it has to marrywith Bollywood.
"For any international studios to participate in India's filmentertainment growth story, you have to make Indian films," explainsPanitch."
We are committed to building relationships in Bollywood and hopeto add value to the creative production process. However, we willtake a cautious but a committed approach to the business in Indiaand across Asia," he adds. To be sure, it's not just Bollywood.
read Hindi films.
that is luring the big studios. Warner Bros. Pictures India isthe first Hollywood house to announce its plans to co-produce filmsin the south with superstar Rajinikanth's daughter SoundaryaRajinikanth's company Ocher Studios. Three projects have alreadybeen finalised.
"Given Soundarya and Ocher Studios' creative skills and deepunderstanding of the Southern film market and our marketing anddistribution network, this is a perfect synergy," says BlaiseFernandes, Country Head for Warner Bros. Pictures India. Any bets onBond turning teetotaller and learning to brew the best South Indiancoffee in the years to come?
Sony pictures entertainment Has co-produced Saawariya with SanjayLeela Bhansali and has announced an alliance with Eros Internationalto co-invest in Hindi films.
Warner Bros. Pictures Recently distributed and released its firstHindi film Saas Bahu Aur Sensex. It is currently co-producing itsfirst Hindi film Chandni Chowk to China with Ramesh SippyProductions and Orion Pictures. Has entered into an exclusive, multi-picture deal with Soundarya Rajinikanth's Ocher Studios forproduction and distribution of films in Tamil, Telugu and otherSouth Indian languages.
The Walt Disney company Set to release the first of threeanimation co-productions with Yash Raj Films, called Roadside Romeo.Also planning a quartet of live-action features under its localbanner, Walt Disney Pictures India. The first project is The 19thStep, which revolves around the ancient Indian martial arts formKalaripayattu and stars leading South Indian actor Kamal Haasan. Thesecond film, Zokkomon, is a children's tale.
Twentieth Century Fox Has set up a joint venture with Star TV inAsia, called Fox Star Studios, to produce and co-produce Asianlanguage and Bollywood films. Has signed a multi-film deal withleading Bollywood producer Vipul Shah. Through Fox Search Lights ithas partnered UTV in India for Hollywood films such as The Namesakeand I Think I Love My Wife and with Fox for Night Shyamalan's TheHappening.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - U.S. citizens Mario R. Capecchi and Oliver Smithies and Briton Sir Martin J. Evans won the 2007 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for groundbreaking discoveries that led to a technique for manipulating mouse genes.
The widely used process has helped scientists use mice to study heart disease, diabetes, cancer, cystic fibrosis and other diseases.
Capecchi, 70, who was born in Italy, is at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Smithies, 82, born in Britain, is at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Evans is at Cardiff University in England.
They were honored for a technique called gene targeting, which lets scientists inactivate or modify particular genes in mice. That in turn lets them study how those genes affect health and disease.
The first mice with genes manipulated in this way were announced in 1989. More than 10,000 different genes in mice have been studied in this way, the Nobel committee said. That's about half the genes the rodents have.
"Gene targeting has pervaded all fields of biomedicine. Its impact on the understanding of gene function and its benefits to mankind will continue to increase over many years to come," the award citation said.
Capecchi's work has uncovered the roles of genes involved in organ development in mammals, the committee said. Evans has developed strains of gene-altered mice to study cystic fibrosis, and Smithies has created strains to study such conditions as high blood pressure and heart disease.
The medicine prize was the first of the six prestigious awards to be announced this year. The others are chemistry, physics, literature, peace and economics.
The prizes are handed out every year on Dec. 10, the anniversary of award founder Alfred Nobel's death in 1896.
Last year, the Nobel Prize in medicine went to Americans Andrew Z. Fire and Craig C. Mello for discovering RNA interference, a process that can silence specific genes.
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On the Net:
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group has criticized a breakaway commander for threatening U.S. troops in the country's south.
The criticism of Ameril Umbra Kato was posted Sunday on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's website. Officials are concerned that continued infighting among the guerrillas may threaten peace talks.
Kato recently broke away from the main rebel group with about 200 fighters. He has warned that his former comrades, Philippine troops and U.S. soldiers will be targeted if they attack his mountain stronghold.
U.S. troops are barred from direct involvement in combat in the Philippines.
Preliminary data released Thursday by U.S. government scientists predict the annual average temperature for 2007 across the contiguous United States at near 54.3 degrees Fahrenheit (12.3 Celsius) _ making the year the eighth warmest since records were first kept in 1895. Worldwide, the average temperature for the year, expected to be near 58 degrees Fahrenheit (14.4 Celsius), is on pace to be the fifth warmest ever, said the report by the National Climatic Data Center.
"Within the last 30 years, the rate of warming is about three times greater than the rate of warming since 1900," said Jay Lawrimore, chief of the climate monitoring branch at the center. "The annual temperatures continue to be either near-record or at record levels year in and year out."
In the United States, the months of March and August were the second warmest in more than 100 years.
Globally, seven of the eighth warmest years on record have occurred since 2001, and the 10 warmest years have all occurred since 1997, said the report.
"When you see these numbers, it's screaming out at you, 'This is global warming,'" said climate scientist Andrew Weaver of the University of Victoria in Canada. "It's the beginning and it's unequivocal."
Weaver said previous warm weather records probably would have been broken this year were it not for some cooling toward the end of the year because of La Nina _ a cooling of the mid-Pacific equatorial region.
At a U.N. climate conference on Bali this week, delegates from nearly 190 nations, including the United States, have been trying to hammer out a road map for negotiations for a new global warming pact that would take effect in 2012 after the current one expires. Former vice president and Nobel laureate Al Gore told delegates Thursday that the United States was "principally responsible" for blocking progress toward an agreement on launching negotiations to replace the Kyoto Protocol.
Gore won this year's Nobel Peace Prize for helping alert the world to the danger of climate change.
As the world warms, scientists fear an increase in disease, killer weather and the extinction of vast numbers of species.
Globally, the greatest warming took place in high altitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere, the report said. The impact of that can be seen in the large reductions in Arctic sea ice, which is melting so rapidly that some scientists have predicted it could disappear entirely by the summer of 2040. The U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center in September estimated the surface area of the Arctic sea ice nearly 23 percent below the previous record set in 2005.
The center is part of the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration and will update its data in early January to reflect the last few weeks of December.
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Associated Press writer Seth Borenstein contributed to this report.
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On the Net:
National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration: http://www.noaa.gov
WASHINGTON, DC. - You are beautiful no matter what others say. Anyone can be beautiful if they choose to be, but in order to achieve that, you have to be beautiful deep inside as well.
This is the lesson that author Aleysha R. Proctor wishes to share with all readers as Xlibris proudly releases her touching new book With Style & Amazing Grace: Style & Beauty Really Does Start on the Inside and Is Seen On the Outside.
The text tackles the many aspects of beauty and offers suggestions as to how anyone can obtain it. It emphasizes that beauty and style are internal qualities that show up on the outside. Whether or not we think someone is beautiful should be determined by the "real them" and that is what's going on inside of them, not what we see on the exterior. Aside from that, readers will learn that being beautiful is also a matter of making choices that shape and affect our inner-being. Once people have gotten their selves together on the inside (including their thinking, being patient and giving thanks), then they can start fixing up their exterior.
Richly-layered and inspirational, With Style & Amazing Grace is an exceptional look at beauty that truly challenges the mainstream definition of the term, especially since many people worldwide adore celebrities and objects purely on the outside without ever trying to find out what they actually look like inside. This book will teach readers to get to know people in a deeper fashion and at the same time avoid judging others by their looks.
With Style & Amazing Grace is a makeover for the soul. Make a difference and achieve a new sense of beauty by ordering a copy of this book today!
Aleysha Proctor is a professional, certified image consultant. She studied with Color Me Beautiful, Beauty for All Seasons and Brenda York's Image Management. She also has a bachelor's degree in Management & Leadership and an MBA in Marketing. The author is an Independent Consultant with Warm Spirit, Inc., the self-care & wellness company. She won the company's 2006 Top Living to Your Potential award and the 2006 Cornerstone of Success award.
She also leads a very productive team in the company's No. 1 state for sales (Maryland). For more information visit: www.WithStyleandAmazingGrace.com or www.AleyshaProctor.com
With Style & Amazing Grace Style & Beauty Really Does Start on the Inside and Is Seen On the Outside - by Aleysha R. Proctor Release Date: June 26, 2007.
After a seemingly endless struggle just to stay around the .500mark, I finally did something right.
I went 15-2-1 (not including Monday night's game) last week,clicking on every college game except the 24-24 tie between ArizonaState and Arizona. The only pro teams that let me down were NewEngland and Cleveland. The Browns showed absolutely nothing intaking a big-time whipping from the 49ers.
Flushed with that success, let's go to lucky Week 13 and startwith Army over Navy in the traditional season-ending game that hasn'tbeen any fun since Roger Staubach left Annapolis.
In the other college game, I'll take Miami (Fla.) over SouthCarolina, although this could be very, very close.
On the pro side, I'll try Minnesota over the Bears, Dallas overAtlanta, Cleveland over Indianapolis, Cincinnati over Kansas City,the Rams over Detroit, the Giants over Philadelphia, Houston over SanDiego, San Francisco over Green Bay, Pittsburgh over Seattle,Washington over St. Louis, the Raiders over Buffalo, Denver over NewEngland, New Orleans over Tampa Bay and Miami over the Jets 34-24.
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has successfully test fired three new models of missiles in the Persian Gulf, state TV reported Friday.
Television showed footage of the elite Revolutionary Guards firing the missiles from mobile launching pads on the shore, and from warships.
The three new types of missiles, named Noor, Kowsar, and Nasr, have a range of about 105 miles and were built for naval warfare, TV reported.
The weapons are "suitable for covering all the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the sea of Oman" said Admiral Sardar Fadavi, the deputy navy chief of the Revolutionary Guard.
Some 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes every day through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Revolutionary Guards began maneuvers Thursday, shortly after a U.S.-led military exercise in the Gulf.
Batheaston Agents Savills Contact 01225 474550 Price Pounds 2.4mThe Tower House is a magnificent Grade II Listed family house, in acommanding village position close to Bath.
It provides a delightful combination of different periods andarchitectural styles, and successfully blends Georgian, Victorian,Edwardian and late 20th century design.
The property is approached by a long drive that snakes throughthe gardens of open lawn and shaded copse and from midway alongaffords a fine view of The Tower House and its elevated position.
The drive forms a turning/parking area by the front door with agateway leading to a further parking area and The Coach House, …
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez has been scratched from his scheduled start against San Diego because of a nail infection on his pitching hand.
Jimenez had been slated to make his second start of the spring Wednesday. A team official said the right-hander had been treated and was feeling OK.
The Rockies haven't decided when Jimenez will pitch again. He …
Byline: Sara Kugler Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg's explanation that the city's cleanup of the World Trade Center site was done quickly out of respect for victims' families did little to quell the anger of some who fear the remains of their loved ones were overlooked.
Bloomberg said Tuesday that city officials who handled the World Trade Center cleanup years ago worked "as fast as we could" but said they were urgently trying to get remains back to the families.
"It had very little to do with the families," said Monica Gabrielle, whose husband Richard was killed and has no identified remains. "This is another spin -- it's a …
REMAINS CONTINUE TO BE FOUND AT WTC.(News)Byline: Sara Kugler Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg's explanation that the city's cleanup of the World Trade Center site was done quickly out of respect for victims' families did little to quell the anger of some who fear the remains of their loved ones were overlooked.
Bloomberg said Tuesday that city officials who handled the World Trade Center cleanup years ago worked "as fast as we could" but said they were urgently trying to get remains back to the families.
"It had very little to do with the families," said Monica Gabrielle, whose husband Richard was killed and has no identified remains. "This is another spin -- it's a …
REMAINS CONTINUE TO BE FOUND AT WTC.(News)Byline: Sara Kugler Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg's explanation that the city's cleanup of the World Trade Center site was done quickly out of respect for victims' families did little to quell the anger of some who fear the remains of their loved ones were overlooked.
Bloomberg said Tuesday that city officials who handled the World Trade Center cleanup years ago worked "as fast as we could" but said they were urgently trying to get remains back to the families.
"It had very little to do with the families," said Monica Gabrielle, whose husband Richard was killed and has no identified remains. "This is another spin -- it's a …
Eleven law firms raised the bar by adding more attorneys between 2001 and 2002. Nine other firms had fewer attorneys.
The Business Journal ranks the top list of law firms by number of local attorneys. Of the 366 law firms surveyed in the fivecounty region, 32 firms responded.
Harrisburg-based McNees, Wallace & Nurick tops the list with 79 attorneys. The firm had 78 attorneys in 2001.
Established in 1935, the firm employs 24 female attorneys and one minority attorney. John S. Oyler is the managing partner.
Barley Snyder, formerly Barley, Snyder, Senft & Cohen, had the same number of attorneys as in 2001; it ranks second, with 52 attorneys.
Barley …
Bayer HealthCare's US Innovation Center has begun operations in San Francisco's Mission Bay life sciences …
Byline: CATHY WOODRUFF Staff Writer
SCHENECTADY - If it was affordable housing and family ties that first sparked an influx of Guyanese into the Electric City, it is jobs with welcoming employers that sustain the trend.
In workplaces throughout Schenectady, from factories to health care facilities, Guyanese employees - those who hail originally from the rural nation in northern South America - are making their mark.
Employers say they are delighted with the new pool of workers, and several Guyanese employees said in interviews that they like the opportunities they are finding here.
"What I like is that they let you build skills, and then they move you," Savitri Mahabeer, 41, said of her supervisors at St. Clare's Hospital. She joined the housekeeping staff shortly after moving here five years ago and now is a nursing assistant in the outpatient surgery unit. …
Byline: GLORIA GONZALEZ
LOS ANGELES-The Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team has sued the Hartford Life Insurance Co. for denying a $1.7 million claim related to a hip injury suffered by retired relief pitcher Paul Shuey.
In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court earlier this month, the Dodgers allege that the Hartford, Conn.-based insurer wrongfully denied coverage from an insurance policy intended to provide coverage if Mr. Shuey became temporarily or permanently disabled.
During the 2003 baseball season, Mr. Shuey began experiencing severe pain in his right hip joint while pitching, and he had arthroscopic surgery on the hip in October 2003. …
| Washington | 0 1 0—1 |
|---|---|
| Buffalo | 2 1 2—5 |
First Period_1, Buffalo, Adam 7 (Szczechura), 10:47. 2, Buffalo, Pominville 9 (Vanek, Ehrhoff), 15:23. Penalties_Schultz, Was (holding), 2:21.
Second Period_3, Washington, Chimera 9 (penalty shot), 6:39. 4, Buffalo, Kassian 1 (Sekera, Roy), 7:06. Penalties_Sekera, Buf (slashing), 3:42; Gaustad, Buf (tripping), 12:00; Backstrom, Was (cross-checking), 12:28; Semin, Was (diving), 18:38; Leino, …
COLTS 34 - BENGALS 16
Colts 11-3 Next: at Texans
Bengals 8-6 Next: at Broncos
- - -
INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning-to-Marvin Harrison is the surestway to get the Indianapolis Colts out of an offensive funk.
The most prolific quarterback/receiver duo in NFL history toreapart the Cincinnati Bengals, connecting for three touchdown passesin the Colts' 34-16 victory Monday. The result ended the Colts'modest two-game losing streak.
"When your backs are against the wall, you go to that oldblanket," Manning said.
Even the Colts' maligned defense woke up after yielding a jaw-dropping 375 rushing yards Dec. 10 to the Jacksonville …
Company: Orgachim AD-Ruse (5ORG)The company notifies herewith of the following sales made under the frame contract pursuant to Art. 114 (1) of the POSA in the period 29.11.-16.12.2010:- To Policolor SA, Bucharest at the total value of EUR 258,860- To Deko Professional Services SRL, Bucharest at the total value of EUR 50,445- To Deko Professional Services EOOD, Ruse at the total value of BGN 14,938The entire notice can be found at the financial web-site X3News.
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Company: Railway Infrastructure-Holding Company Plc.-Sofia (RA8)BSE-Sofia has entered in its database the following changes within the management bodies of Railway Infrastructure-Holding Company Plc.-Sofia …
Authors: Ville Helasoja (corresponding author) [1]; Eero Lahelma [2]; Ritva Pr�tt�l� [1]; Janina Petkeviciene [3]; Iveta Pudule [4]; Mare Tekkel [5]
Background
Despite the relatively low recorded alcohol consumption level [1, 2], the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and Finland suffer from harmful consequences related to the heavy use of alcoholic beverages. This may be partly due to the undercoverage of consumption statistics, but people's drinking patterns [3] are likely to contribute as well. These countries are usually regarded as sharing a common European drinking pattern, which is particularly evident in the Northern European countries [4] and is characterised by high consumption at weekends. This pattern is known to contribute to harmful consequences of drinking, including socio-economic inequalities in premature mortality in Finland [5].
In the Baltic countries heavy alcohol use is recognised as a social problem [6], and there is aggregate level evidence on the adverse consequences of drinking and alcoholism [7, 8]. In a comparative cross-sectional study in 1997, weekly alcohol consumption was associated with young age among both sexes, and with higher income among women [9]. In many Eastern and Western European countries, heavy drinking is patterned by key sociodemographic factors, such as age, sex, ethnicity, family status, socioeconomic status and living environment [10].
Little evidence is, however, available on changes in the sociodemographic patterning of heavy drinking in the 1990s and early 2000s in the Baltic countries, although mortality studies suggest that this will likely become an important issue in the near future [11, 12, 13]. Such evidence is needed to better understand these harmful drinking patterns and to efficiently implement preventive alcohol policies [1] as mere regulation of supply does not necessarily lead to diminished alcohol-related harm [14].
The Finbalt Health Monitor data [15] allow harmonised comparisons of alcohol drinking habits of the Baltic countries. Moreover, the data provide comparison to Finland, a neighbouring country that shares many long-term cultural and historical characteristics with the Baltic countries, but has particularly during the post second world war period been more close the Scandinavian and Western European countries. There is also evidence on rigorously-surveyed alcohol consumption habits and reliable consumption statistics from Finland, which thus provides both a methodological and substantial yardstick for interpretation of the comparative results from the Baltic countries.
This study aims to compare the patterning of heavy drinking and binge drinking by key sociodemographic determinants, i.e. sex, age, education, urbanisation, marital status and ethnicity in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland in 1994-2002. More specifically, the aims are to examine:
1) What is the overall sociodemographic patterning of heavy drinking in these four countries from 1994-2002?
2) What kind of changes occurred from 1994-2002 in the sociodemographic patterning of heavy drinking in these four countries?
3) What is the overall sociodemographic patterning of binge drinking in these four countries from 2000-2002?
Methods
Data were collected from nationally representative cross-sectional postal surveys from the Finbalt Health Monitor project in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002 in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland. Lithuanian data on weekly alcohol consumption has been available since 1996. In Latvia, surveys were carried out since 1998. The national surveys have been accepted by respective ethics committees. In Estonia by the Tallinn Medical Research Ethics Committee, in Lithuania by the Lithuanian Bioethics Committtee, in Latvia the Ethical commitee of Riga Stradins university and in Finland by the ethical Committee of the Public Health Institute. In all the countries the covering letter of the questionnaire is formulated in a way that a respondent provides an informed consent by returning the questionnaire.
The methodology and questionnaires of the surveys have been standardised [15]. The data have also been compared to census information [16]. Generally, the youngest age group and men are slightly underrepresented but the proportion of urban and non-native population corresponds well with censuses. Despite lack of comparable information, we can assume that those with better education and married are somewhat overrepresented. Late response, as well as unit- and item- non response have also been analysed. The direction of bias is likely to be similar in all four countries.
In Estonia, Lithuania and Finland, the questionnaire measured education as the total number of years of education. In Latvia, the questionnaire measured education according to four standard educational levels. In all four countries, the level of urbanisation was based on the administrative classification of the respondent's address. Ethnic origin was dichotomized as 'natives' and 'non-natives'. In the Baltic countries, 'non-natives' comprised mainly Russians. (Additional File 1)
Weekly alcohol consumption was measured with the following question: 'How many glasses (regular restaurant portions) or bottles of the following drinks have you consumed …
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