House votes to give states control over coal ash

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans pushed through legislation Friday that gives the states the power to regulate coal ash from power plants as if it were municipal garbage, pre-empting pending federal regulations that could be much tougher.

The vote on coal ash disposal was the latest of several passed by the GOP-controlled House that would shift authority away from the Environmental Protection Agency and reduce federal regulations that Republicans say are burdensome, hamper economic growth and cost jobs.

Other bills have dealt with toxic emissions from power plants, cement plants and incinerators. Like those bills, the coal ash bill is unlikely to be considered in the …

Bangladesh mourns 117 killed in massive fire

Flags in Bangladesh were lowered to half-staff Saturday as the country mourned 117 people killed in a massive fire.

The country's deadliest blaze in recent memory broke out Thursday night in the narrow alleys of the old section of Dhaka, when an electrical transformer exploded soon after a rainstorm swept the city. About 100 others were injured.

As of Friday, a total of 117 bodies had been found.

Dhaka's Deputy Commissioner Muhibul Haque said earlier Saturday that 39 injured people, many in critical condition and on life support, were still being treated at the state-run Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Later, 14 patients with …

Ginseng diggers ready to harvest their crop, Most will be exported, primarily to China

Wild ginseng diggers are getting ready to trudge deep into thehills. If the crop is anything like last year's, more than $2 millionworth of the perennial herb is laying ready in the soil.

The cash crop grows in all 55 counties of West Virginia. Last yearnearly 4,800 pounds of ginseng were harvested.

Much of West Virginia's ginseng is exported, mostly to China, saidRichard Strickland, a forester for the West Virginia Division ofForestry. The root is popular in Asia and is often brewed in teas tocure digestive ailments, headaches or act as an aphrodisiac.

Strickland said the root grows best east of the Mississippi andparticularly well in a region like the …

Japan projects 2 pct growth in fiscal 2008, but minister says that may hinge on US economy

The Japanese government on Wednesday projected the economy would grow 2 percent next fiscal year even as the economy minister warned that target would be hard to reach if the U.S. economy slows and oil prices remain high.

Economy Minister Hiroko Ota also said a slowdown in domestic construction could drag on growth.

"If these risks (persist), the next fiscal year's growth rate may be lower than the projection," Ota told a news conference.

The U.S. economy, struggling with a housing slump and credit crisis, is Japan's biggest export market, so a slowdown there could hurt Japanese companies.

In the latest annual outlook …

Vick signing means no Eagles picks from NJ camel

Philadelphia Eagles fans thirsty for predictions on whether their team will win or lose each week won't get them from a New Jersey pigskin-prognosticating camel.

Princess, the star of Popcorn Park Zoo, won't predict the results of any Eagles games this season to protest the signing of quarterback Michael Vick. Vick spent 18 months in prison for organizing a dogfighting ring.

The 2,600-pound camel went …

Feds find huge cache hidden by bank fraud

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Three 55-gallon drums with an estimated$805,000 in silver coins hidden by convicted bank fraud artist C.H.Butcher Jr. were recovered Tuesday in a rented truck at a suburbanairport.

Federal authorities also said they recovered $732,000 in U.S.Treasury coupons which Butcher had hidden from bankruptcy creditors,who have claims of $237 million against him.

Found with the coins was a rosary, wrapped in plastic.

The coins - damp, dirty and most still in rotting bank bags -were turned over pursuant to Butcher's guilty plea to bankruptcyfraud, bank fraud, tax fraud and money-laundering, said U.S. AttorneyJohn W. Gill Jr.

Although …

Dollar Falls to New Low Against Euro

BERLIN - The dollar fell to a new record low against the euro on Thursday, with the euro buying $1.4305 after trading opened in New York.

The dollar weakened amid negative U.S. economic data. The U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of newly laid off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits …

Oil slips to $71 as investors take profits

Oil prices slipped to near $71 a barrel Friday as the crude market took a breather from its recent daily gains. But the mood remained bullish as investors eyed signs that the global recession may be easing.

Benchmark crude for July delivery fell $1.60 to $71.08 a barrel by afternoon European time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Thursday, it rose $1.35 to settle at $72.68, the highest since October.

Reflecting expectations of continued global economic weakness, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries forecast Friday that demand for its crude this year would average 28.6 million barrels a day _ 2.2 million barrels …

Statue Opponents Report Getting Threats

The city's human services commissioner, Daniel Alvarez, Thursdayrevealed he is under police protection after receiving death threatsfor criticizing a controversial statue of Puerto Rican independenceleader Pedro Albizu Campos.

Radio talk show host Ray Rubio and businessman George Perez alsosaid they had received threats.

Some people who favor the statue said the threats had beenfabricated to skew public opinion against the statue.

"Nobody has received any threats," said Ald. Billy Ocasio(26th) during a City Hall press conference held by members of thecommittee that has raised $30,000 to put up a 6-foot tall statue inHumboldt Park.

Alvarez said …

Evicted Occupy Philly protesters begin march

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Occupy Philadelphia protesters have begun marching through the streets after police ordered them from their tent encampment near City Hall.

Police began pulling down the tents at about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday after giving protesters three warnings that they had to leave. The action comes more than two days after the deadline for protesters to remove all structures and belongings from …

Sun helps Olympic snowboard venue, but rain looms

First, unseasonable rain nearly ruined Cypress Mountain. Now, unseasonable sun is saving the Vancouver Olympics' maligned snowboarding venue.

"Mother Nature is finally being kind to us," said Tim Gayda of the Vancouver organizing Committee. "I couldn't be happier.

"I wasn't so happy early on, but ... I actually slept last night."

It took an unusual, merciful reversal in weather, plus the importation of snow from as far away as Calgary. But the chief of sport for the Vancouver Games said suburban Cypress is now in prime condition to meet its next challenge _ converting the snowboardcross and skicross course into the …

IRS Will Give Last-Minute Filers a Hand

Your taxes are due at midnight.

The IRS gave you a little more time this year, figuring it wouldbe somewhat inhumane to force people to file by the usual April 15deadline on Saturday, which also was Passover.

And in that spirit, the agency has gotten the post office tostay open late to postmark returns until midnight at nearly 50 cityand suburban locations - last year, they offered the service at onlythree area locations.

Nevertheless, you say that there's absolutely no way you'll getyour taxes done by midnight? The form you want is Form 4868. It's asimple, one-page document, though you'll still have to estimate thetaxes you owe the government and send a …

Move-In Time at UIC

NO TEXT

Color Photo: Al Podgorski, Sun-Times / University of Illinois at Chicago students tote their belongings near Harrison and Halsted on Wednesday in advance of the start of classes next Monday. More than 3,800 students live in UIC's 10 residence halls. ;

Do Beetles Get Cold?

"What's he doing?" he asked.

"I don't know," I said. There was a beetle burrowing into frozen dirt. His legs were going swiftly and mechanically.

"Hold my sword." He ran towards the house. He came sprinting back.

"Here. I bet he's trying to get warm." He placed a square of toilet paper onto the beetle.

"Do beetles get cold?" he asked.

"Hummm. I don't know," I said. I thought about you. I wondered if you knew that I was trying to love you, to warm you.

"Do you think beetles love?" I asked.

"They probably only love other beetles."

"...and poop."

Article copyright Bar Bar Inc.

Wrestling World Championships Results

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Men's freestyle results Friday at the wrestling world championships at Sinan Erdem Dome:

Men
Freestyle
55 kilograms
Final

Victor Lebedev, Russia, def. Radoslav Marinov Velikov, Bulgaria, 1-0, 2-1.

Bronze Medals

Hassan Rahimi, Iran, def. Nicholas Scott Simmons, United States, 1-0, 4-0.

Daulet Niyazbekov, Kazakhstan, def. Mihran Jaburyan, Armenia, 5-1, 5-3.

Inside

Inside

* Shaking hands with Bush worth the wait/8A

* Photos from July 4 celebration and Bush visit/1D, 2D

Strange, Watson alarmed

The danger of lightning, which did harm to recreational golfersat Carriage Greens in Darien and Arrowhead in Wheaton last week, wasnot lost on the players on the PGA Tour.

Both Curtis Strange and Tom Watson said officials at the 71stPGA Championship were too slow in bringing players off the courseFriday when lightning was spotted at Kemper Lakes.

For Strange, the episode was particularly frightening.

"We should not have teed off on the seventh hole," he said. "Youcan stop playing whever you feel in danger, and that's what we did."

But he and playing partners Howard Twitty and Ian Woosnamdidn't do it quickly enough.

They reached the green and Twitty, with a five-foot bogey putt,decided to finish the hole.

"There was a big bolt right around us and we started running,"Strange said. "You could see the flash no matter where you werelooking. It was hailing when we came in, but I don't think theweather was that bad around the clubhouse."

Like Twitty, Strange wanted to finish the hole but the boltscared him and he was able to make a five-footer for birdie when hereturned. Play had not been suspended when they headed for safety.

"You don't want to put anybody in danger, and today we were,"Strange said. "This area is scary with all the water on the course.It's a judgement call by our officials on when to bring us in, andsometimes the players don't agree with the officials."

Players are especially fearful of lightning in Chicago becauseLee Trevino, Jerry Heard and Bobby Nichols were struck by it in the1975 Western Open at Butler National.

Mike Reid, the second-round leader, was also on the course whenthe lightning hit. He waited it out in a maintenance shed andbirdied four of his remaining 11 holes after play resumed to continuehis mastery of one of the longest courses to ever host a PGAChampionship.

Reid tacked a 67 to his first-round 66 to reach the 36-hole stopin the 71st annual championship at 11-under-par 133.

"The Cubs shouldn't be in first place in August, either, shouldthey?" Reid said.

He owned a two-stroke lead over Craig Stadler, who shot a courserecord 64 Friday, and Leonard Thompson, with Watson another shotbehind.

The 1-hour 48-minute delay caused by the lightning made itnecessary for 24 players to complete their second rounds Saturdaybefore the third round could begin.

Kemper continued to be easy pickings in the year's last majorchampionship, and Stadler - who hasn't won on the PGA circuit in fiveyears - handled it the best.

His 8-under 64 was two better than the previous record of 66set by co-first-round leaders Reid and Thompson on Thursday. Beforethe tourney, the course standard was 69 by Larry Nelson in the 1988Grand Slam of Golf, an annual exhibition. The course has rarelyhosted tournaments, with the Wilson/Illinois PGA Championship itsonly other annual big event.

Stadler posted his score thanks to only 23 putts, but just two- 25-footers at Nos. 3 and 16 - were of substantial length.

"It wasn't a phenomenal putting round," he said. "I made theones I was supposed to make."

A week ago Stadler left the PGA circuit to play in a tournamentin Sweden and he failed to make the cut. "I just had a good timeover there," he said.

He had a better one Friday playing before the weather turnedugly.

"It was a very solid round," said Stadler, who had five birdieputts of five feet or less. "It wasn't phenomenal because I didn'tknock the pin down every hole or make a bunch of 40-footers. I'vegot a lot of confidence driving the ball, which is make or break forme."

Thompson had fun, too. The highlight of his round was a40-foot eagle putt at No. 4. He also birdied from 15 and 12 feet andhad par saves from 30 and 20.

"I'm not going to sleep with my putter, but I'm not going toget far from it," Thompson said.

Watson, bidding for the only major championship he hasn't won,shot 69 and was again pleased with his improvement.

"If you had asked me two months ago if I could win, I wouldhave said no," he said. He wouldn't say no Friday after a round thathad "only one glitch" - a three-putt bogey at the par-5 15th.

Curtis Strange, the U.S. Open champion, was at 138, five behindReid, and Masters titlist Nick Faldo at 143.

Economy shrinks as consumers cut back on spending

The government reported Thursday the economy shrank in the summer, the strongest signal yet that a recession may have already begun, a day after the Federal Reserve slashed a key interest rate to battle an economic downturn.

The Commerce Department reported that the gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic health, fell at an annual rate of 0.3 percent in the July-September period, a significant slowdown after growth of 2.8 percent in the prior quarter.

The spring activity had been boosted by the $168 billion economic stimulus program, but the economy ran into a wall in the summer as the mass mailings of stimulus checks ended and consumer confidence was shaken by the upheavals on global markets. Consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the economy, dropped by the largest amount in 28 years in the third quarter.

The classic definition of a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative GDP. Many analysts believe the GDP will decline in the current October-December period by an even larger amount and they are forecasting a negative GDP figure in the first three months of next year.

The National Bureau of Economic Research, which is the official arbiter of recessions in this country, has not said when it will make its determination of whether the country has entered a recession.

Meanwhile, the Labor Department reported Thursday that applications for unemployment benefits remained at an elevated level last week, another sign of the economy's struggles. The number of laid-off workers filing new claims totaled 479,000, the same as the previous week, disappointing analysts who had expected a small drop.

On Wednesday, the Fed cut the federal funds rate _ the interest banks charge each other on overnight loans _ by half a percentage point, and the government finally began distributing funds from the billions in the financial rescue package.

Those efforts were part of a concerted drive by officials, just days before a national election, to demonstrate they are moving as quickly as possible to deal with the most serious financial crisis to hit the country since the 1930s.

"Policymakers have their foot to the accelerator and they are using every effort at their disposal to stop the slide in the economy and financial markets," said Mark Zandi, chief economist with Moody's Economy.com. "And it's not a moment too soon given the serious damage that has already been done."

While Wall Street posted its second biggest point gain in history Tuesday in anticipation of the Fed rate cut, the bleak economic reality appeared to ensure that the euphoria was short-lived. The Dow Jones industrial average was up about 130 points in Thursday morning trading, after closing down 74 points on Wednesday, a drop analysts said partly reflected growing worries about whether the government's actions will be sufficient to avert a deep and prolonged recession.

The Fed, as investors had hoped, announced the half-point cut in the federal funds rate, driving it down to 1 percent, a low last seen in 2003-2004. That rate has not been lower since 1958 when Dwight Eisenhower was president.

Reducing the rate as low as zero cannot be ruled out, some analysts said, but they cautioned that reducing rates that far carried some risks, including that if the credit crisis suddenly worsened, the Fed would have used up its ammunition.

Analysts also noted that just lowering rates cannot serve as a panacea to overcome a credit crisis. While the goal is to encourage banks to begin lending again, financial institutions are skittish about extending new loans given the huge losses they have racked up in bad mortgages.

Meanwhile, the administration announced that the spigot had been opened on the $700 billion fund created by Congress Oct. 3 to rescue the U.S. financial system. Treasury issued a report showing checks had been disbursed for $125 billion in payments to nine major banks, including Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. The goal is to bolster their balance sheets so they will resume more normal lending.

And the administration was nearing an agreement on a plan to help around 3 million homeowners avoid foreclosure, according to sources who had been briefed on the matter. The program would be the most aggressive effort yet to limit damages from the severe housing slump.

Besides cutting interest rates, the Fed announced it was extending credit lines worth $30 billion each to the central banks of Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and Singapore in an effort to bolster financial markets in those countries and relieve investors' anxieties.

It brought to 14 the number of central banks that the Fed has entered into so-called swap arrangements for currency as a way to pump more liquidity into global credit markets, part of an effort that the Bank of England estimated has resulted in $5 trillion in support being put forward by governments worldwide.

The International Monetary Fund unveiled a new streamlined lending process to get support to countries caught up in the credit crisis, another effort by the 185-member institution to show it was prepared to perform its job as lender of last resort to countries facing difficulties. The IMF already has moved to help Iceland, Ukraine and Hungary with other nations quickly lining up for aid.

The Fed's half-point interest rate cut marked the second rate reduction this month. The Fed slashed the rate by a half-point on Oct. 8 in a coordinated action with other foreign central banks. Economists predict foreign central banks will follow suit with another round of rate cuts over the next week.

In a brief statement explaining Wednesday's action, the Fed said that "downside risks to growth remain" holding out the promise of further rate cuts if needed. The rate-cut decision was unanimous.

Many analysts said they believe the Fed will not stop at 1 percent if officials see the need to cut rates further. Some are forecasting another half-point move at the Fed's last meeting of the year on Dec. 16.

But other economists said with rates already so low, the Fed may decide to hold at 1 percent, leaving some room for a further reduction next year should the country's economic troubles intensify.

The Fed's action was quickly followed by a reduction by commercial banks in their prime lending rate, the benchmark for millions of consumer and business loans, which was cut from 4.5 percent down to 4 percent, its lowest level in four years.

The central bank also announced that it was lowering its discount rate, the interest it charges to make direct loans to banks, by a half-point to 1.25 percent. This rate has become increasingly important as the central bank has dramatically increased direct loans to banks in an effort to break the grip of the credit crisis.

Inouye predicts Stevens will keep his Senate seat

Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye provided a campaign boost Saturday to embattled Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, predicting that his colleague from Alaska will win re-election and overturn his conviction on appeal.

"I am absolutely confident that Ted Stevens will be sworn into the Senate while he appeals this unjust verdict," said Inouye, D-Hawaii, a longtime friend of Stevens. "I am certain that this decision in Washington, D.C., will be overturned on appeal."

Stevens was convicted last month by a jury in Washington on seven counts of lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and renovations to his home from VECO Corp. founder Bill Allen.

Inouye's written statement was issued at the request of the Stevens campaign _ an unusual case of a Democratic senator campaigning against a Democratic Senate candidate.

It seeks to counter Stevens' Democratic opponent, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, who says Stevens can't effectively represent the state while pursuing an appeal.

Several senators, both Republicans and Democrats, have called on Stevens to resign.

In a statement Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid noted that GOP leaders including presidential candidate John McCain and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell have said Stevens should step down.

"While I respect the opinion of Senator Daniel Inouye, the reality is that a convicted felon is not going to be able to serve in the United States Senate," Reid said. "And as precedent shows us, Senator Stevens will face an ethics committee investigation and expulsion, regardless of his appeals process."

During Stevens' monthlong trial, Inouye testified on his behalf and called his colleague's reputation for truthfulness and honesty "absolute." The two are so close that Stevens' daughter calls Inouye "Uncle Dan."

"I've never known of him to lie," Inouye testified, "and I wouldn't expect him to."

Saints-Colts a Super matchup

The New Orleans Saints finally reach their first Super Bowl, and one of their city's favorite sons will be out to ruin it.

Peyton Manning was born and bred in the city the locals call Nawlins.

Yet when Manning leads his Indianapolis Colts onto the field next Sunday against the Saints in as juicy a Super Bowl matchup as anyone could imagine, all of New Orleans _ and pretty much any place in Bayou Country _ will be wishing the worst on one of their own.

Despite Manning's pedigree and polish, the Saints take precedence in their fans' quest for a first NFL championship.

Manning, whose father Archie was the first Saints superstar, understands.

"I'm very happy for the New Orleans Saints and, of course, the entire city of New Orleans," Manning says. "My parents live there, my older brother Cooper lives there. (Brother) Eli and I have both participated in philanthropic organizations down in New Orleans, whether it's Katrina relief or just various charities. So New Orleans is a huge part of my life. My dad's been a part of the Saints organization for 39 years in some ways. We definitely have strong ties.

"The Saints have had a great year. They deserve it, and I know the city is excited. And the New Orleans Saints players do just wonderful things for the community down there."

But it's Manning's job to spoil the party, to put some misery into the Miami Mardi Gras for those Saints and their fans. Nobody is better equipped to do so.

This season, the NFL's dominant player became the only four-time winner of the league MVP award. He led the Colts to the championship three years ago, in the rain in Miami, and could have gone into this year's finale with a perfect 18-0 record if the Colts hadn't withdrawn Manning and other regulars in the final two games of the regular season, when they'd already qualified for the playoffs.

Against two of the league's stingiest defenses in the playoffs _ Indy beat the Baltimore Ravens then the New York Jets _ Manning was masterful.

The Saints' defense isn't as highly rated but Manning still is cautious.

"You know a team is going to have a Super Bowl package," he says. "There are two weeks to prepare. That's more things they can change. You have to prepare for the unexpected."

The unexpected? Such as the Saints in the Super Bowl?

The Saints were one of five teams never to get this far; Detroit, Jacksonville, Cleveland and Houston are the remaining outsiders. Born in 1967, the Saints took 20 years to enjoy a winning season. They were so bad that fans wore paper bags over their heads in 1980 and called them the "Aints." They didn't win their first playoff game until 2000.

After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city in 2005, the Saints had no home, and their future was in doubt. But they became one of the most successful clubs in America's most popular league.

Times have been hard for New Orleans, which still is in recovery mode from Katrina. Nothing has provided quite the boost that the Saints' ascendancy has given locals.

Indeed, a city steeped in a culture all of its own shares a very fundamental trait with the rest of America: Pride in local triumph. It's not something Saints fans are accustomed to, but it's something quarterback Drew Brees believes can become habit.

"Winning definitely can be contagious," he says.

The best way to establish such a habit: Win next Sunday in the biggest game in New Orleans football history.

"It's a moment I've been waiting for for a long time," Brees said. "The job is not done yet but obviously we're going to enjoy this. Now we've got to finish it in Miami."

Can they? If history is an indicator, why not? After all, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an even uglier resume and they won it all seven years ago, beating one of the premier teams, the Oakland Raiders.

We know the Saints will attack on offense, and getting in a shootout with the Colts is not such a bad idea; New Orleans led the league with 510 points. The Saints, who forced 39 turnovers, must be proactive on defense to match the aggressiveness with which the Colts have performed recently _ just as Indy did in its Super Bowl run after the 2006 season.

If Manning gets free rein, he's likely to have the answer for all those "Who Dats?" they're proudly screaming in the French Quarter.

It might even be a Big Easy for him.

PLUS BUSINESS

Rand McNally maps out sale plans Rand McNally, the world's largest commercial map maker, said todayit is exploring the possible sale of the company. Rand McNally saidit made the decision to ensure its future growth and also because ofthe high value of media properties in today's market. The companyhas retained investment firm Goldman Sachs to assist in exploring itsoptions. Rand McNally, which is privately held, was founded in 1856in Chicago.Xerox sues U.S. RoboticsXerox Corp. has sued U.S. Robotics Corp. for alleged patentinfringement by U.S. Robotics' Pilot hand-held computer and itsseparately sold Graffiti software. Xerox said today it is seekingtreble damages and an injunction, claiming U.S. Robotics' allegedinfringement was "willful and deliberate." The suit was filed Mondayin U.S. District Court in Rochester, N.Y. A U.S. Roboticsspokeswoman declined immediate comment.Savings bond interest changingIn response to sagging sales, the government is planning to changethe way it calculates interest on U.S. Savings Bonds to provideinvestors a better return. The change, to be announced by TreasurySecretary Robert Rubin at a news conference scheduled today, willaffect millions of Americans, many of modest means, who use the bondsto save for their children's education or as holiday and birthdaygifts. For the past two years, the Treasury Department has had atwo-tier system. For the first five years after purchase, a holderof a Series EE bond would be paid 85 percent of the average marketrate on six-month Treasury bills. After that, the bonds would earn85 percent of the rate on five-year Treasury notes. Under the new,simpler system, all bonds issued starting Thursday will earn 90percent of the five-year note average.AT&T to raise some business ratesAT&T Corp. said it will raise prices on some business long-distanceservices to make up for monthly payments of $47.2 million it's nowrequired to make to local phone companies that operate pay phones.The No. 1 U.S. long-distance company said that effective Thursday itwill boost prices 7 percent for interstate phone calls to toll-freenumbers and raise rates 2 percent for interstate and internationalcalls made by businesses. Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996,the U.S. Federal Communications Commission now requires long-distancephone companies to pay local pay phone operators for coinless calls,which include calls made with credit cards and calls made totoll-free numbers.S&P raises UAL debt ratingsUAL Corp.'s credit rating was raised by Standard & Poor's Corp.,which cited "strong and growing earnings" and progress in reducingits debt. The credit rating company raised the rating on $6 billionof debt issued by UAL and its subsidiary United Air Lines one notchto "BB+" from "BB." UAL's rising earnings and reduced labor costssupport the higher rating, S&P said. In 1994, employees received 55percent of UAL in exchange for $4.8 billion in wage concessions.Soybeans jump on forecastSoybean futures prices surged to 8 1/2-year highs today on theChicago Board of Trade after a respected forecaster reiterated thatsupplies could run out at a time when Chinese demand appearsinsatiable. Willard Sparks, head of the Memphis, Tenn.-basedresearch group Sparks Cos., predicted the United States would have120 million bushels of soybeans left over by Sept. 1 - less than atwo-week supply and 30 million bushels short of what would beconsidered a comfortable amount. The expiring contract for Maysoybeans rose 22 cents to $8.89 1/2 a bushel - the highest closesince the $8.93 1/2 reached on September 14, 1988. July soybeansrose 21 1/4 cents to $8.87 a bushel; May corn rose 3 1/2 cents to$2.95 a bushel; July wheat rose 10 1/2 cents to $4.33 1/2 a bushel;May oats rose 5 3/4 cents to $1.72 1/4 a bushel.

Lloyds H1 profit down 92 pct but bad loans drop

Part-nationalized Lloyds Banking Group PLC reported Wednesday that first-half net profit fell 92 percent from a year ago, when it booked a big one-off gain, but revenue grew and bad loans were almost halved from a year ago.

Lloyds, formed last year when Lloyds TSB took over Halifax/Bank of Scotland, said net profit was 596 million pounds ($950 million), down from 7.1 billion pounds a year earlier when the company benefited from an 11.2 billion pounds exceptional goodwill gain on the acquisition of HBOS.

Provisions for bad loans and other losses dropped from 13.4 billion pounds to 6.55 billion pounds.

Before taxes, the bank made a profit of 1.6 billion compared to a loss of 4 billion pounds a year ago and 6.3 billion pounds in the second half of 2009. Revenue was up 5 percent to 12.5 billion pounds.

Comparisons with 2009 assume that Lloyds had control of HBOS for all the first half.

Shares in Lloyds, in which the government holds a 41 percent stake after bailing it out during the credit crisis, were up 3.7 percent at 74.58 pence in afternoon trading on the London Stock Exchange.

Bruce Packard, analyst at Seymour Pierce in London, was unimpressed by Lloyds' improved results.

"This is profit in an accounting sense, rather than an economic sense, given the 132 billion of government support the group is still receiving and the billions of wholesale funding with maturity of less than one year," Packard said.

"As a stock broker it is pleasing to see customer deposits leaving the banking system to go into equity markets, as a banks analyst it makes us nervous," said Packard, who rated Lloyds shares as "sell."

Other analysts noted that the absence of a dividend continues to make some investors shy away from Lloyds.

Danny Clarke, analyst at Shore Capital in London, nevertheless saw the bank's report as "very strong" and he upgraded his recommendation from "hold" to "buy."

Looking ahead, the company's chief executive was upbeat about the bank's prospects.

"Based on our economic outlook and the current regulatory context we would expect to see a smaller, more productive balance sheet and are expecting returns on equity of more than 15 percent over the medium to longer term," CEO J. Eric Daniels said.

Lloyds said it shed 23 billion pounds of assets in the first half, bringing the total reduction to 83 billion since the HBOS acquisition on Jan. 19, 2009.

The bank said impairment losses in its retail division fell by 39 percent to 857 million pounds, helped by stabilizing house prices and continued low interest rates.

Retail impairment losses as a percentage of average loan balances fell from 1.15 percent a year ago to 0.7 percent.

Wholesale impairment losses dropped from 9.7 billion pounds last year to 3 billion pounds in the first half.

Nic Clarke, analyst at Charles Stanley & Co., saluted the bank's dramatic improvements in income, margins, costs and impairments, but said the prospect of a weakening U.K. economy was worrying.

"How the U.K. economy fares is key to the performance of (Lloyds Banking Group) as it has a leading market share in UK mortgages, savings and current accounts," Clarke said.

English Football Results

Results Sunday in English football (home teams listed first):

Premier League

Everton 1, Middlesbrough 1

Hull vs. Manchester City

League Championship

Blackpool 1, Preston 3

Boeing premieres 787 Dreamliner jet: New aircraft uses lightweight carbon fiber, promising better fuel economy, durability

EVERETT, Wash. - Boeing Co. raised the curtain on its first fullyassembled 787 to an audience of thousands who packed into itswidebody assembly plant for the plane's extravagantly orchestratedpremiere.

With flight attendants onstage from each airline that has orderedthe jet, the giant factory doors opened wide Sunday as the planeslowly moved into view to the strains of a theme song composedspecially for the 787, which Boeing calls the Dreamliner.

"Our journey began some six years ago when we knew we were on thecusp of delivering valuable new technologies that would make aneconomic difference to our airline customers," Mike Bair, vicepresident and general manager of the 787 program, told the crowd.

"In our business, that happens every 15 years or so, so you've gotto get it right."

Boeing Chief Executive Jim McNerney said the 787 will bring abouta "dramatic improvement in air travel: to make it more affordable,comfortable and convenient for passengers, more efficient andprofitable for airlines, and more environmentally progressive for ourEarth."

Boeing has won more than 600 orders from customers eager to holdthe jet maker to its promise that the midsize, long-haul jet willburn less fuel, be cheaper to maintain and offer more passengercomforts than comparable planes flying today.

The 787, Boeing's first all-new jet since airlines started flyingthe 777 in 1995, will be the world's first large commercial airplanemade mostly of carbon-fiber composites, which are lighter, moredurable and less prone to corrosion than aluminum.

To date, Boeing has won 677 orders for the 787, selling outdelivery positions through 2015, two years after Airbus SAS expectsto roll out its competing A350 XWB. Thirty-five of those orders cameSaturday, with Air Berlin ordering 25 and a Kuwaiti company taking 10for Kuwait Airways.

In a rare tip of the hat to the competition, Airbus congratulatedBoeing on the 787, whose commercial success has chipped away at theedge the European plane maker once held over its Chicago-based rival.

"Even if tomorrow Airbus will get back to the business ofcompeting vigorously, today is Boeing's day - a day to celebrate the787," Airbus co-CEO Louis Gallois said in a letter to McNerney.

"Today is a great day in aviation history. Whenever such amilestone is reached in our industry it is always a reflection ofhard work by dedicated people inspired by the wonder of flight," theletter said.

Airbus customers forced it to redesign the A350, which pushed backproduction. Airbus also has faced problems with its A380 superjumbo,which has been hit with delays that slashed profit projections forAirbus' parent company, European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co.

Boeing hired former NBC "Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw to serveas master of ceremonies for the 787 premiere - held, probably notcoincidentally, on 7-08-07 - which was broadcast live on the Internetand on satellite television in nine languages to more than 45countries.

Final assembly of the first 787 started in late May, after agigantic, specially outfitted superfreighter started flying wings,fuselage sections and other major parts to Boeing's widebody plant,where they essentially get snapped together, piece by huge piece.

Once production hits full speed, the company expects each plane tospend just three days in final assembly, but this time, Boeingworkers spent several weeks installing electrical wiring and otherinnards that suppliers will eventually stuff into their sections ofthe plane before they're delivered to the assembly plant.

Boeing decided to handle that work in-house for the first fewplanes rather than risk any production delays.

The 787 that debuted Sunday will serve as the first of six flight-test airplanes, while two other planes will be used for static andfatigue tests.

The 787-8, the first of three 787 models Boeing has committed tomaking, has an average list price of $162 million, though customerstypically negotiate discounts on bulk orders.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS BITS

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Ronnie Smith, a weightlifter from Louisianawho lost his legs, captured a silver in the bench press. Then hetook on ABC reporter Lynn Swann in an impromptu arm wrestling match.Lying on their stomachs, Smith nearly flipped Swann over in the firstof four defeats. In the final match, Smith baited Swann, allowinghim to almost get the pin.

"Ronnie told me he was going to let me win," Swann said, "butthen said, `You didn't give Dallas a chance, why should I give you achance.' "

"I was playing with him," said Smith.

"Ronnie's really left-handed," said coach Ralph Thomas. The Illinois men's basketball team lost to Alabama 76-58, despite 43points by Ervin Locke, whose performance drew an inquiry from ajunior college coach. "I'm ready for junior college," Locke said. "Itmight start out slow at first, but that's OK. I want to go toschool."

Indonesia attacks blamed on Jemaah Islamiyah

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, has suffered a series of terrorist attacks in recent years carried out by, or blamed on, members of Southeast Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiyah:

_ July 2009: A pair of bombs explode inside the neighboring Ritz-Carlton and Marriott hotels in Jakarta, but there is no immediate claim of responsibility. At least nine killed and more than 50 wounded.

_ November 8, 2008: Government executes three Islamic militants for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people.

_ June 2007: Authorities arrest the alleged leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, Afghan-trained militant Abu Dujana, along with seven other suspected terrorists in raids on Java.

_ November 2005: Bomb-making expert Azahari bin Husin is shot dead during a police raid on a terrorist safehouse on Java island. Information from that raid leads to other arrests. Fugitive Noordin Top appears on video soon after, threatening more attacks.

_ October 2005: Triple suicide bombers kill 20 in attacks on restaurants on Bali.

_ September 2004: A suicide bomber detonates a ton of explosives packed into a delivery van outside the Australian Embassy, killing 11 and wounding 200.

_ September-October 2003: Imam Samudra, convicted of masterminding the Bali bombings, and his accomplice Ali Ghufron, a fellow Afghan-trained militant who bragged of his friendship with Osama bin Laden, are sentenced to death.

_ August 2003: Suicide bomber attacks the J.W. Marriott Hotel, killing 11.

_ October 2002: Police arrest Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, the alleged spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah and a fiery Islamic preacher, but he is later acquitted.

_ October 2002: Triple bombings on the resort island of Bali kill 202, mostly foreign tourists, including 88 Australians. Police say al-Qaida helped fund the attacks, which thrust the country onto the front lines in the U.S.-led war on terror.

_ 1999-2001: Bloody fighting between Muslims and Christians in eastern Indonesia kills 9,000 and draws in al-Qaida combatants from the Middle East and Europe. Many Indonesian fighters go on to become members of Jemaah Islamiyah.

Price of Power

Mainstream consumers may be running from large trucks and SUVs, but here in the woods, we have little choice.

The cost of business is going up. Of course, I mean the price of fuel - an integral part of forestry work. And while this may change some habits, it's really not possible to change the demands that the industry places on its equipment. The best you can do is get the best truck, at the right price, and have it serve multiple needs.

I was considering this balancing act last spring while hauling an enclosed four-place snowmobile trailer to Sault Ste. Marie, ON, and back (about 1,300 km) with the new 2008 Ford F250 4WD Crew Cab - $400 bucks in diesel later... ouch! But then that's the cost of transporting a whole lot more than just you. After all, I was carrying four snowmobiles, four adults, a twin-axle, 25-foot, closed trailer, and all the assorted gear that goes with a week- long wilderness ride.

Yes, that was recreation, but work demands are often more extreme. So, weekday or weekend demands power and a truck that can haul comfortably, competently and safely - that's the first priority. This is a trait Ford has built into its trucks - saying that over 90% of Super Duty owners tow regularly. I went on to tow a 35-foot travel trailer with the same truck, and again found it to handle the load well and with considerable road confidence. On that basis, I'll say this new F250 works well - towing up to 12,500 lbs conventionally or 16,500 lbs if equipped with a fifth wheel hitch.

All Weather Towing

During that trip to the Sault, the truck also cruised confidently and towed the 9,000 Ib trailer with minimal effort - even through a wet, driving snow. Meanwhile, over the 10-hr trip to the Sault, inside, I found the quietest Super Duty yet, a result of better sound deadening material and a new quieter 6.4 L diesel which is also more powerful - putting out 350 hp and 650-ft-lbs of torque. The transmission also gets a new fifth gear that barely taxes the engine at 100 km/h, creating some fuel savings.

Front drivers and passenger seats were plush leather, power adjustable and heated, while in the rear the 60/40 leather bench seat folded up or down and had a recessed armrest. An adjustable gas/brake pedal and tilt wheel accommodated drivers of varying sizes, and a new centre consol offered extra cupholders and an armrest with a cavernous storage space underneath. The rear passengers were surrounded by privacy glass, had plenty of room for elbows and knees, and could even relax with an available DVD entertainment system. Also new this year is a six-CD, AM/FM/SAT Audiophile sound system that now has an MP3 input jack as well.

Precisely because it handles towing so well, over 80% of Super Duty buyers (F250 and up) order the turbo diesel option, at a cost of $8,570. This combination is a complete generational leap from the old 6L Power Stroke; particularly in its performance and its new emission reduction systems. Those new emission systems are all part of what's called Ford Clean Diesel Technology, which eliminates up to 97% of the particulate output - a figure on par with gasoline engines unfortunately these changes have driven the price of the diesel up by about $1,500 (over the previous 6L Power Stroke). Being green isn't free.

The gasoline alternative to the 6. 4L diesel engine is the base 5. 4L V8 or the optional 6.8L VlO, both of which are proven reliable engines - and unless you are packing on mega-miles in a year you should consider the lower entry price of the gas alternatives, even though the consumption will be worse. On the other hand - the diesel equipped truck will fetch more at trade-in time. Incidentally, clean diesel technology was government mandated in '07, so all manufacturers have had to comply and the resulting rise in the price of diesel engines has affected them all.

One benefit that stood out on my trip up north was the reworked high-pressure common rail fuel injection on the 6.4 L, which has improved cold weather starting - at least down to minus 20 C we found. No warm-up time needed, and no smoke.

New this year is the FX4 designation available on 4WD SuperCab or Crew Cab models. This package adds items like a limited-slip rear axle, skid plates, Rancho shocks, a billet-style grille, and 18" premium chrome wheels.

Ford's TowCommand System returns as an option - one that is well worth the money. It includes a factory- installed electronic brake controller that now works with the anti-lock braking system (when it detects poor traction), and helps to slow the trailer and truck in those conditions. And I can tell you that this integrated controller works better and quicker than any aftermarket add-on unit I've used. For this reason alone I'm happy to say that while Ford was the first to install its own unit in its trucks, GM and Dodge have followed suit on its HD trucks. Next year though you'll be able to order these factoryinstalled controllers even on half-ton trucks.

The TorqShift five-speed automatic transmission also has Tow/Haul mode for heavy loads, but frankly the low-end torque on this engine pulls even the largest trailer smartly off the line without using it. Also of note is the available PTO feature and dash- installed extra power switches for any number of custom applications and/or ready for upfitters equipment installations. Twin alternators in the Super Duty supply enough power for multiple uses, including hydraulic add-ons.

A wonderful feature is the PowerScope trailer tow mirrors. These large, heated mirrors slide out at the push of a button, affording a clear view down the sides of a towed trailer. Drop the trailer, push the button and the mirrors slide back in. They also "break-away" in both directions and have large adjustable convex spot-mirrors.

Out back, Ford's hide-away tailgate step is a good example of a company doing its homework and giving truck people what they need. It makes getting up and down from the bed easy - no more bruised shins.

But having said that, sometimes un- expected problems do surface. During that last snow storm of the season, just south of Sudbury, a warning light came on - "check air filter" it said. I did, only to find that it was packed with snow. I scooped it out - before day's end I'd have to do it once more. Interestingly the owner's manual mentioned that driving snow or rain might clog the intake to the filter - and it suggested a remedy - dry it out. Say what?

I called Ford when I got back, and found they were aware of the flaw and were offering a winter front cover as a remedy to any customer who experienced this problem. And this is the paradox for all manufacturers really - something innovative like the tailgate step is loved by everyone. Then despite tens of thousands of test miles on the new engine (where this problem never presented itself), they end up with plugged air filters.

The new Ford SuperDuty is a handsome truck, even when it's all muddy. Mine was dressed in red with a blackout grille, chrome step rail and eight-spoke 20" rims (upgraded from 18") - it looks tough, capable and ready to haul.

[Sidebar]

No need to slum it in your work truck. Lots of space for papers, tools and more.

[Sidebar]

Clearance and off road work is no issue with the F250. (Editor's Note: CFI Magazine does not encourage or support driving through watercourses of any kind, even stagnant mud holes like this. This photo was run in part to show the double standard facing the forest industry. It's alright for off -road enthusiasts and other cowboys to let 'er rip like this, but set one tire in water in our business, and look out).

[Author Affiliation]

Howard Elmer is a specialized truck and ATV specialist based in rural Ontario. He tested and wrote this review for Canadian Forest Industries Magazine.

UN food agency threatens to stop aid to Darfur

A U.N. agency is threatening to suspend food distribution in Sudan's troubled Darfur region due to relentless attacks on its aid convoys.

The World Food Program says the bandits are hijacking the convoys and making it increasingly difficult to reach 3 million hungry people in the area.

The Rome-based agency says in a statement Sunday that more than 100 vehicles carrying WFP aid have been hijacked this year. It says many have been shot at and robbed, while 69 trucks and 43 drivers remain unaccounted for. Drivers are refusing to travel certain routes.

The agency's deputy representative in Sudan, Monika Midel, says operations in some areas of Darfur will be suspended if attacks continue.

IN THE GAB GAME.(NEWS)

Roseanne is joining Oprah and Rosie as a talk show host formidable enough to be known only by her first name. The blue-collar queen of primetime comedy announced Tuesday she is joining the daytime talk sweepstakes. She signed a deal with syndicator King World to begin producing a five-day-a-week gabfest in the fall of 1998. No word on money, but the deal includes a chance to produce and develop other shows.

Disney sued

Those once adorable, now 50-something Mouseketeers want Walt Disney Pictures & Television to pay them residuals and royalties for reusing the original ''The Mickey Mouse Club'' shows. The Screen Actors Guild contends Disney hasn't paid residuals, clip-reuse fees or merchandising royalties even though the shows are used in TV specials, movies, videos, records and theme park attractions. The show ran 1955-59.

Innocence claim

Former ''Diff'rent Strokes'' star Todd Bridges, pleaded innocent Monday to charges he rammed an acquaintance's car. Charges include one count each of reckless driving, malicious vandalism of an automobile and battery. Bridges, now 31, has a June 23 trial date.

IN THE GAB GAME.(NEWS)

Roseanne is joining Oprah and Rosie as a talk show host formidable enough to be known only by her first name. The blue-collar queen of primetime comedy announced Tuesday she is joining the daytime talk sweepstakes. She signed a deal with syndicator King World to begin producing a five-day-a-week gabfest in the fall of 1998. No word on money, but the deal includes a chance to produce and develop other shows.

Disney sued

Those once adorable, now 50-something Mouseketeers want Walt Disney Pictures & Television to pay them residuals and royalties for reusing the original ''The Mickey Mouse Club'' shows. The Screen Actors Guild contends Disney hasn't paid residuals, clip-reuse fees or merchandising royalties even though the shows are used in TV specials, movies, videos, records and theme park attractions. The show ran 1955-59.

Innocence claim

Former ''Diff'rent Strokes'' star Todd Bridges, pleaded innocent Monday to charges he rammed an acquaintance's car. Charges include one count each of reckless driving, malicious vandalism of an automobile and battery. Bridges, now 31, has a June 23 trial date.

IN THE GAB GAME.(NEWS)

Roseanne is joining Oprah and Rosie as a talk show host formidable enough to be known only by her first name. The blue-collar queen of primetime comedy announced Tuesday she is joining the daytime talk sweepstakes. She signed a deal with syndicator King World to begin producing a five-day-a-week gabfest in the fall of 1998. No word on money, but the deal includes a chance to produce and develop other shows.

Disney sued

Those once adorable, now 50-something Mouseketeers want Walt Disney Pictures & Television to pay them residuals and royalties for reusing the original ''The Mickey Mouse Club'' shows. The Screen Actors Guild contends Disney hasn't paid residuals, clip-reuse fees or merchandising royalties even though the shows are used in TV specials, movies, videos, records and theme park attractions. The show ran 1955-59.

Innocence claim

Former ''Diff'rent Strokes'' star Todd Bridges, pleaded innocent Monday to charges he rammed an acquaintance's car. Charges include one count each of reckless driving, malicious vandalism of an automobile and battery. Bridges, now 31, has a June 23 trial date.

IN THE GAB GAME.(NEWS)

Roseanne is joining Oprah and Rosie as a talk show host formidable enough to be known only by her first name. The blue-collar queen of primetime comedy announced Tuesday she is joining the daytime talk sweepstakes. She signed a deal with syndicator King World to begin producing a five-day-a-week gabfest in the fall of 1998. No word on money, but the deal includes a chance to produce and develop other shows.

Disney sued

Those once adorable, now 50-something Mouseketeers want Walt Disney Pictures & Television to pay them residuals and royalties for reusing the original ''The Mickey Mouse Club'' shows. The Screen Actors Guild contends Disney hasn't paid residuals, clip-reuse fees or merchandising royalties even though the shows are used in TV specials, movies, videos, records and theme park attractions. The show ran 1955-59.

Innocence claim

Former ''Diff'rent Strokes'' star Todd Bridges, pleaded innocent Monday to charges he rammed an acquaintance's car. Charges include one count each of reckless driving, malicious vandalism of an automobile and battery. Bridges, now 31, has a June 23 trial date.

IN THE GAB GAME.(NEWS)

Roseanne is joining Oprah and Rosie as a talk show host formidable enough to be known only by her first name. The blue-collar queen of primetime comedy announced Tuesday she is joining the daytime talk sweepstakes. She signed a deal with syndicator King World to begin producing a five-day-a-week gabfest in the fall of 1998. No word on money, but the deal includes a chance to produce and develop other shows.

Disney sued

Those once adorable, now 50-something Mouseketeers want Walt Disney Pictures & Television to pay them residuals and royalties for reusing the original ''The Mickey Mouse Club'' shows. The Screen Actors Guild contends Disney hasn't paid residuals, clip-reuse fees or merchandising royalties even though the shows are used in TV specials, movies, videos, records and theme park attractions. The show ran 1955-59.

Innocence claim

Former ''Diff'rent Strokes'' star Todd Bridges, pleaded innocent Monday to charges he rammed an acquaintance's car. Charges include one count each of reckless driving, malicious vandalism of an automobile and battery. Bridges, now 31, has a June 23 trial date.

IN THE GAB GAME.(NEWS)

Roseanne is joining Oprah and Rosie as a talk show host formidable enough to be known only by her first name. The blue-collar queen of primetime comedy announced Tuesday she is joining the daytime talk sweepstakes. She signed a deal with syndicator King World to begin producing a five-day-a-week gabfest in the fall of 1998. No word on money, but the deal includes a chance to produce and develop other shows.

Disney sued

Those once adorable, now 50-something Mouseketeers want Walt Disney Pictures & Television to pay them residuals and royalties for reusing the original ''The Mickey Mouse Club'' shows. The Screen Actors Guild contends Disney hasn't paid residuals, clip-reuse fees or merchandising royalties even though the shows are used in TV specials, movies, videos, records and theme park attractions. The show ran 1955-59.

Innocence claim

Former ''Diff'rent Strokes'' star Todd Bridges, pleaded innocent Monday to charges he rammed an acquaintance's car. Charges include one count each of reckless driving, malicious vandalism of an automobile and battery. Bridges, now 31, has a June 23 trial date.

IN THE GAB GAME.(NEWS)

Roseanne is joining Oprah and Rosie as a talk show host formidable enough to be known only by her first name. The blue-collar queen of primetime comedy announced Tuesday she is joining the daytime talk sweepstakes. She signed a deal with syndicator King World to begin producing a five-day-a-week gabfest in the fall of 1998. No word on money, but the deal includes a chance to produce and develop other shows.

Disney sued

Those once adorable, now 50-something Mouseketeers want Walt Disney Pictures & Television to pay them residuals and royalties for reusing the original ''The Mickey Mouse Club'' shows. The Screen Actors Guild contends Disney hasn't paid residuals, clip-reuse fees or merchandising royalties even though the shows are used in TV specials, movies, videos, records and theme park attractions. The show ran 1955-59.

Innocence claim

Former ''Diff'rent Strokes'' star Todd Bridges, pleaded innocent Monday to charges he rammed an acquaintance's car. Charges include one count each of reckless driving, malicious vandalism of an automobile and battery. Bridges, now 31, has a June 23 trial date.

EDITORIALS

Auditorium

- How much would keeping it cost,

and where will that money come from?CHARLESTON Mayor Kemp Melton once suggested selling theMunicipal Auditorium to help the city fund its contribution to thecoming Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia.As the Daily Mail's Dan LeRoy reported this week, lots of peoplethink that's a bad idea.The 3,450-seat auditorium is very useful to the CharlestonCommunity Music Association, traveling shows, conventions and schooland civic groups. The 1,880-seat performance hall of the new centerwon't accommodate those needs in their current form.Well, OK. If the Municipal Auditorium is a resource, Charlestonneeds to …

Careful Contest Design Helps Everyone Win, New Study Shows.

Byline: Rotman School of Management

TORONTO, March 3 (AScribe Newswire) -- They win some, they lose some.

Trial and error is the method most companies use to decide the prize structure for promotional sweepstakes and contests - a marketing tool poised to cost North American firms nearly $2 billion this year.

But those companies have a better shot at hitting their marketing targets consistently thanks to findings in a new paper published in the Journal of Marketing Research.

Knowing which type of consumers a company is trying to target - current customers or potential new ones -- is key to deciding a contest's prize structure, says Mengze …

COLUMBIA TURNPIKE DOESN'T NEED WIDENING.(MAIN)

Byline: JIM GILLESPIE East Greenbush

What has the future in store for us? If we only knew. Some things come as a surprise. Others are quite predictable. It is a foregone conclusion that in all cases when building an arterial-type highway through a specified settled area, you change the nature of the area from one of tranquillity to a ``pass-through'' section at high speeds. The communal spirit is lost forever. This is a law of diminished return.

Presently, in East Greenbush on Columbia Turnpike (Routes 9 and 20), we have a situation that is not unique but bears close attention by fair-minded people. New York state wants to widen the highway (already four …

Kobe Bryant, Bologna working 'intensely' on deal

ROME (AP) — Kobe Bryant's management and Virtus Bologna have released a joint statement saying they are working "very intensely" to bring the Los Angeles Lakers star to Italy during the NBA lockout.

Bologna president Claudio Sabatini told The Associated Press on Friday that he had reached a tentative deal with Bryant's agent Rob Pelinka for a 10-game contract worth more than $3 million (€2.22 million).

"Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna and the management of Mr. Bryant are working very intensely to try and create this important deal," Monday's statement said. "Reaching such a complex deal requires both sides' maximum attention for every little detail.

"Everyone wants a …

L'echelle de developpement pubertaire: equivalence en langue francaise du Pubertal Development Scale

Une des transitions biosociales les plus importantes du developpement humain est certes celle de la puberte. Durant cette periode, un ensemble de processus biologiques produit des changements dans la physiologie reproductive et l'apparence physique des jeunes (Petersen et Taylor, 1980). Deux changements majeurs surviennent: 1) des changements endocriniens, impliquant principalement une augmentation des hormones androgenes, estrogenes et de la progesterone; 2) des changements physiques, impliquant des transformations concernant la forme et la taille du corps, ainsi que le developpement de caracteristiques sexuelles secondaires (Nottelmann, Susman, Blue, Inoff-Germain, Dorn, Loriaux, Cutler …

HGTV. (Network Consumer).(cable network's Web site)(Brief Article)

HGTV.com

Information, Ideas and Inspiration, Online!

Home & Garden Television's website, hgtv.com, is America's leading online destination for home and garden information, with original stories and projects straight from the …

Department of Homeland Security and Seneca Nation of Indians Announce Agreement to Develop Enhanced Tribal Card.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Seneca Nation of Indians today formalized an agreement to develop a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC) -- signed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Assistant Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski and Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder, Sr., at a ceremony at Liberty Park in Niagara Falls, N.Y (see also Seneca Nation of Indians).

The ETC establishes identity, tribal membership and citizenship for the purpose of entering the United States by land or sea -- enhancing safety and security of U.S. borders while facilitating legitimate travel and trade.

"This agreement will …

CHURCH RD. RESIDENTS WANT TRAFFIC PATROLS FREQUENT ACCIDENTS BLAMED ON SPEEDING.(Local)

Tuesday's 2-car head-on collision along Church Road has some residents complaining that local speed zones are not being enforced sufficiently.

At least one Church Road homeowner has said he plans to circulate a petition demanding more patrols from both the town police as well as State Police troopers.

Albany County Legislator Robert Haines, D-Guilderland, said he also feels the township's increasing development is leading to greater traffic problems.

On Tuesday afternoon, a car driven by Stephen A. Smith of Carman Road, Schenectady, collided head-on with a pickup truck driven by Gary W. Villeneuve, 37, of Salem Court, Voorheesville, on Church Road …

GOP BUDGET PLAN MAY MAKE TAX CUTS COSTLY.(MAIN)

Byline: ROBERT A. RANKIN Knight-Ridder

WASHINGTON Most Americans would gain tax cuts but lose government services under the budget plan that Republican congressional leaders have endorsed.

And if state and local governments try to make up for those lost federal services, you may very well spend money from your federal tax cut on higher state and local taxes.

The GOP budget plan aims to overhaul the way government works so that federal deficits can be eliminated by 2002. None of it will become law until Congress fleshes out the details in negotiations with President Clinton, who retains veto power. Yet the thrust of the GOP plan is likely to prevail, and the sweep of change it envisions would directly affect every American.

Under the Republican plan which is expected to come to the House and …

Renal transplant patients with headache may have intracranial hypertension.

2004 JAN 19 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Delayed diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) may result in permanent visual impairment.

"Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is a condition characterized by headache, papilledema, and a raised cerebrospinal fluid pressure with normal cranial imaging," scientists in the United States report.

"It is uncommon in childhood. Previously, there have been reports that children with chronic impairment of renal function may be at greater risk of developing BIH. This study involved retrospective case note analysis of children undergoing renal transplantation over the last 11 years at our institution," wrote …

Jose Mourinho sees coaching ability in Xabi Alonso

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's one wish for Xabi Alonso on his birthday? For them to be coaching rivals one day.

Mourinho says Alonso, who turned 30 on Friday, has the ability to be a top coach as he is "an important player on and off the field" for Spanish league leader Madrid. The Spanish team hasn't won the league since 2008.

Mourinho says the Spain …

Fall-out of mental illness

What happens when mental illness strikes? How can a person passon their assets when they do not have the mental capacity to draw upa will? Anthony Nash, of Bath law firm Mogers, explains.

It is vitally important to make a will if you want to ensure thatyour assets pass to the right people after you die. But what happensif someone has not made a will, and no longer has the mentalcapacity to do so? If you become ill or incapacitated and are unableto manage your own affairs, one of the first questions asked iswhether there is anyone who can deal with matters on your behalf andwho can act to protect you and your interests. There are variousways in which issues can be dealt …

Deutsche Bahn CEO apologises for S-Bahn Berlin chaos.

(ADPNews) - Sep 18, 2009 - Ruediger Grube, CEO of Deutsche Bahn, apologised to the customers of Berlin's S-Bahn for the recent chaos at the urban railways.

"What is happening at S-Bahn Berlin is an ordeal for our customers, and also for our workers," Grube said.

The Berlin S-Bahn fleet was reduced by 75% after numerous safety checks following a derailment. This resulted in delays and general chaos of the services. In addition to the problems with the defected brake systems of the trains, there is more evidence that employees of S-Bahn Berlin, have falsified maintenance …

INNER CITY STUDENTS TASTE SUCCESS.(MAIN)

Byline: JOANN LOVIGLIO Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- From the outside, the high school resembles many of its urban counterparts: The imposing structure, humbled by years of budgetary belt-tightening, stands its ground in a neighborhood troubled by drugs and poverty.

But walk inside Jules E. Mastbaum Vocational Arts High School, down the din-filled hallways and through a dingy cafeteria, and the scent of sauteing garlic and marinating scallops wafts from a kitchen-classroom.

The aroma sends a clear message: Mastbaum is no ordinary ``vo-tech.''

The inner-city school is one of 18 Philadelphia public schools and more than 200 nationwide that have transformed their old home-economics curricula through the Careers …

Electric motors.(ASSEMBLY SPEC SHET)

Looking for an electric motor? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers!

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Supplier Contact Information

Aerotech--Fax: 412-963-7459

Animatics Corp.--Fax: 408-748-8725

ARC Systems Inc.--Fax: 631-582-8038

Automotion Inc.--Fax: 734-662-3707

Baldor Electric Co.--Fax: 479-648-5792

Bosch Rexroth Corp.--Fax: 847-645-6201

Danaher Motion--Fax: 815-226-3080

EADmotors--Fax: 603-742-9080

Emerson Control Techniques--Fax: 952-995-8099

Galil Motion Control--Fax: 916-626-0102

H2W Technologies Inc.--Fax: 661-702-9348 …

Fewer Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, though applications remain elevated

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer Americans sought unemployment …

Guardian Adds 401(k) Options.(Guardian Insurance and Annuity Co.)(Brief Article)

The Guardian Insurance and Annuity Company, New York, has added 12 mutual funds to its group variable annuity, The Guardian Advantage, for use in its qualified retirement plans. The new choices …