Cubs defenseless behind Jackson

PIRATES 3 CUBS 2

PITTSBURGH No team had played better defense in the first weekof the 1992 season than the Cubs.

They made up for lost time when Week Two started Tuesday.

Four errors - the most by a Cub team in one game since Aug. 21,1990 - undid one of Danny Jackson's better pitching performancesince he joined the team last season.

Jackson (0-2) held the defending National League East championPirates to three hits in six innings, but the errors - including oneby Jackson - led to a 3-2 defeat before 14,963 in Three Rivers Stadium.

"We were kind of throwing the ball all over the place," saidfirst baseman Mark Grace, who committed his first …

Julio Grondona re-elected Argentine Football Association president despite fraud allegations

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Julio Grondona re-elected …

Bucknell rallies for 62-61 win over Colgate

Mike Muscala hit a jump shot with 2:09 to go to lift Bucknell past Colgate 62-61 on Saturday.

In the possessions following Muscala's shot, which gave Bucknell its first lead, Ben Johnson missed a 3 and Kyle Roemer had a block for the Raiders (5-14, 1-4 Patriot League). After the block, Darryl Shazier stole the ball back for Bucknell (7-14, 2-3), but Muscala missed a 3-pointer with 14 seconds left.

Colgate didn't get a shot off …

Indians injured, but still indestructible

It has been a strange season for the Cleveland Indians, who havehad their nine regulars in the starting lineup for only four of theirfirst 126 games.

But the Indians have had one of the best records in the majors allseason. Why?

Because of their young players, which is not good news for theWhite Sox, who hope to battle the Indians for the AL Central titlenext season.

The kids are Richie Sexson, Einar Diaz, Enrique Wilson, JacobCruz, Jolbert Cabrera, Alex Ramirez, Dave Roberts, John McDonald andRussell Branyan.

"This season has really been a credit to our young guys who havecome in and really stepped up," GM John Hart said. "Because of them,we've avoided …

Barak out of the fire

Barak out of the fire

Undoubtedly it eluded most of us, but not Skokie's Rabbi Nachman Rosenthal, who rejoices in finding revealing wordplays and statements in Torah and rabbinic texts which provide startling allusions to contemporary events.

Rabbi Rosenthal was in typical form when the haftarah for the first day of Shavuot was read last week. It records the prophet Ezekiel's famous vision of the Divine Throne-Chariot. Four words popped out at him as particularly relevant: ???.

That is: "and out of the fire went forth lightning" ("lightning" in Hebrew is barak) (Ezekiel I:13).

Without attempting to make too much of these words, or the context or meaning of them …

Wiggins beats the Olympic record

Bradley Wiggins of Britain broke the Olympic record in qualifying for the individual pursuit in track cycling Friday, beating the record he set when he took the gold …

Rugby club are letting city down

I am one of many Bath citizens who are dismayed and angered athaving to read headlines in the national press such as "Bathbrawlers' refusal to take drugs tests will not wash".

This city does not deserve to have its name tarnished in thismanner.

It is understood that this club does not intend to go public ontheir investigations - now there's a surprise. …

Study shows deterioration in syndicated loan quality

A continued deterioration in the quality of syndicated bank loans, consistent with general economic, sectoral and credit market trends is indicated in the 2001 Shared National Credit (SNC) review, recently released by the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

The results are based on analyses that were prepared in the second quarter and reflect business and economic conditions that prevailed at that time.

The report said that several key factors have adversely affected the quality of syndicated loans over the past several years, including bank underwriting and risk selection standards, and economic factors. The …

Obama govt gearing up to slash nuclear arsenal

The Obama administration, reversing the Bush administration's limited interest in nuclear disarmament, is gearing up for early negotiations with Russia on a new treaty that would reduce sharply stockpiles of nuclear warheads.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has notified Congress and her staff that she intends to get started quickly on talks with the Russians, who have voiced interest in recent weeks in settling on a new treaty that would provide cutbacks in arsenals on both sides.

The 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty expires at the end of the year. It limited the United States and Russia to 6,000 nuclear warheads each. The American stockpile …

Conservative women blast bishops' letter

Conservative women's church groups Tuesday strongly criticizedthe first draft of a pastoral letter by a panel of U.S. RomanCatholic bishops that condemns the "sin of sexism," and predicted themajority of bishops would ignore the document.

Phyllis Schlafly, president of Eagle Forum, a leadingconservative Catholic woman's organization, accused the bishops of"trying to create a new sin, hitherto unknown to the TenCommandments, the laws of the church, the seven capital sins and thesacrament of penance."

Schlafly called the 164-page letter "a kind ofself-flagellation."

Roman Catholic Bishop Joesph L. Imesch, of Joliet, who chairedthe committee that …

Detroit Cancels School Amid Strike

DETROIT - Detroit Public Schools officials canceled classes until further notice Tuesday, the eighth day of a teachers strike.

It was supposed to have been the first day of school for the district's 130,000 students. But instead, students returning from summer vacation were greeted by teachers on picket lines instead of in classrooms.

The decision to cancel classes came after Wayne County Circuit Judge Susan Borman ordered that both sides return to the bargaining table Wednesday morning.

"I don't think anyone disputes the facts that it's difficult to have the kind of learning you want to go on when you don't have a full complement of teachers," district spokesman …

Asia stocks drop after US mortgage plan

Most Asian markets fell Monday as investors worried over the depth of U.S. credit and housing problems after the country's central bank moved to prop up ailing mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Many of the region's major benchmarks opened higher but shed their gains. Only major indices in China and the Philippines held up against the negative swing. European markets, meanwhile, rose in early trade.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index lost 0.2 percent to close at 13,010.16. Hong Kong's blue-chip Hang Seng Index dropped 0.8 percent to 22,014.46.

The declines came after the U.S. Federal Reserve said Sunday it was granting its New York branch …

Mexican general, 29 soldiers on trial for homicide

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexican army general and 29 soldiers under his command in a town on the border with Texas are being tried on charges of torture, homicide, drug trafficking and other crimes, a top government official confirmed Tuesday.

Interior Secretary Alejandro Poire said that the crimes charged in the case are "deplorable and reprehensible" and that the troops are being tried in a military court.

Details about Gen. Manuel Moreno Avina and his subordinates' alleged reign of terror in the town of Ojinaga, across from Presidio, Texas, were first reported by the newspaper Reforma, which had access to some of the soldiers' testimony.

Shortly after Moreno arrived in Ojinaga in spring 2008, the troops under his command began kidnapping, torturing and killing suspects and stealing cars, computers, TV sets and even mattresses during raids on suspects' homes, according to the testimony reported by Reforma. They allegedly resold the stolen items as well as marijuana and cocaine they seized.

Poire did not confirm the allegations contained in Reforma's story, and the Defense Department didn't respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

According to the newspaper, prosecutors say at least 10 civilians were killed by soldiers or by hit men under the orders of Moreno in 2008 and 2009.

At least three of those slain were described as suspects in the custody of soldiers, including a man in his 20s who was detained in July 2008 and taken to the military garrison and given electroshocks until he died of a heart attack. His body allegedly was taken to a ranch, soaked in diesel and burned.

Seven other people were killed on the orders of Moreno by two hit men working for La Linea, a gang of assassins and corrupt police officers who act as enforcers for the Juarez Cartel, according to the testimony reported by Reforma.

Among the alleged victims were a secretary at the federal prosecutors' office in Ojinaga, a state police officer, a local police officer who stopped Moreno for speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol, and a businessman who filed a complaint with federal prosecutors and human rights officials after soldiers raided his house and stole money.

Soldiers also reportedly testified that Moreno often kept cars seized in legal and illegal raids and had them painted in military green.

Poire said the general and other soldiers are being tried in a military court in the Pacific coast state of Sinaloa and are all being held at a military prison in the state of Jalisco, it said.

Military investigators were first alerted to the soldiers' crimes in August 2009 by an anonymous complaint that they were collaborating with a criminal group, Defense Department officials told Reforma.

President Felipe Calderon deployed 50,000 soldiers and other military personnel to fight organized crime shortly after taking office in December 2006. More than 47,000 people have been killed in drug violence since Calderon launched his offensive, according to government figures.

The Inter-American Court on Human Rights and Mexico's own Supreme Court have ruled that soldiers who commit human rights violations against civilians should be tried in civilian courts. Calderon has said his government will comply with rulings, but so far it has not made the transition or agreed to give civilian courts military cases of murder.

A Human Rights Watch report on Mexico released in November said only 15 soldiers had been convicted following 3,671 investigations by military prosecutors into alleged human rights violations by soldiers against civilians from 2007 to June 2011. No soldier or state official had been convicted in any of more than 200 cases that the New York-based rights group documented in the report.

Lopez slam, Hernandez pitching beats Yankees 4-1

Jose Lopez hit his second career grand slam off Joba Chamberlain in the eighth inning, and Felix Hernandez went the distance in outpitching Javier Vazquez and leading the Seattle Mariners to a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday night.

Held hitless into the sixth inning by Vazquez, the Mariners offense came alive against the Yankees burly reliever, and Hernandez (7-5) earned his third straight complete-game victory against New York, which had its seven-game winning streak snapped.

Seattle loaded the bases against Chamberlain (1-4) on a fielder's choice by Ichiro Suzuki, single by Chone Figgins and intentional walk to Russell Branyan.

NYC's flagship Macy's store reopens after fire

Hundreds of holiday shoppers were evacuated from New York City's iconic Macy's store on Sunday after a fire in an escalator spread smoke through the building. No injuries were immediately reported.

The fire occurred in an escalator between the third and fourth floors, said Elina Kazan, a Macy's spokeswoman. The sirens of numerous police and fire trucks on 34th Street blared long after the fire was reported at 4 p.m. on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

The smoke was so heavy at one point that passers-by on the street could smell it.

Outside the building, a police officer announced to prospective customers after 5 p.m. that Macy's had closed. It reopened within an hour and will remain open until midnight, Kazan said. When it reopens at 7 a.m. Monday, it will remain open 24 hours a day until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, she added.

Kazan said the fire did not occur within the store's wooden-stair escalators but instead occurred in one of the newer, metal models.

[ CLUB HOPPING ]

ANSON FUNDERBURGH AND THE ROCKETS, 10 tonight, FitzGerald's, 6615W. Roosevelt, Berwyn.

One of the hardest-working blues bands, Anson Funderburgh and theRockets, featuring Sam Myers on vocals and harmonica, performs apotent mix of Texas jump blues and Delta blues. Led by Funderburgh'simpeccable guitar work, the band is adept at manipulating classicblues stylings while at the same time adding creative touches. Admission is $10 at FitzGerald's (708-788-2118).

BALDWIN BROTHERS, 10 tonight, HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo.

The Baldwin Brothers-Jimmy Deer (six-string bass), Jason Hinkle(drum kit and sampler) and TJ Widner (keyboards-synthesizer)-perform a blend of ambient house and trip-hop laced with elements offunk. The hip-hop jam band Organic Mind Unit opens. Admission is $10at HotHouse (312-362-9707).

ANNE PRINGLE & MARK BURNELL, 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Davenport'sPiano Bar & Cabaret, 1383 N. Milwaukee.

The vocal duo performs its new show, "Tales of Our Travels," anevening of songs about the trials and tribulations of traveling. Theywill play songs by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Steely Dan, DaveFrishberg and Noel Coward. Admission is $12 at Davenport's (773-278-1830).

WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY, 8 p.m. Monday, Schubas, 3159 N.Southport.

The dark, alluring songs of Robert Fisher and Paul Austin pull atthe gray areas between happy and sad. While melancholy rises to newemotional levels on the duo's dreamy release "Everything's Fine,"the songs feed off the inner soul of forgiveness and hope. Fisher'sNick Cave-like baritone gives the songs an eerie beauty that isredemptive. Edith Frost and Neilson Hubbard open. Admission is $10 atSchubas (773-525-2508).

THE PAPERBOYS, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace.

The glorious, upbeat music of Red House recording artists TomLanda and the Paperboys reflects today's global village. The group'smost recent release, "Postcards," abounds with bluegrass and Latinand Spanish influences, as well as the Celtic roots that inspired theband in its beginnings. The result is a pop-friendly mix of new musicinfluenced by rich traditions. Admission is $8 at the Abbey Pub (773-478-4408).

MARC OLSON & THE ORIGINAL HARMONY RIDGE CREEKDIPPERS WITH VICTORIAWILLIAMS, 9 p.m. Thursday, Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace.

A founding member of the alt-country group the Jayhawks, MarcOlson retreated years ago to the wilderness of Joshua Tree, where helives and records with his wife, singer-songwriter Victoria Williams.Now signed with HighTone Records, he has released his first widelyavailable album, "My Own Jo Ellen." While the Jayhawks have turned toa more pop-oriented sound, Olson's work continues to echo the work ofGram Parsons and the Byrds. And like Parsons had Emmylou Harris, animportant feature of Olson's music is Williams' warm and plaintivebacking vocals. Admission is $12 at the Abbey Pub (773-478-4408).

`Pencils' film retells terror of Argentina's `disappeared'

NEW YORK In 1976, a group of Argentine teenagers demonstratingfor student bus fares was kidnapped by security forces in theprovince of Buenos Aires.

It was one of the first roundups in what was to be known as the"dirty war" against the left, a state-sanctioned reign of terror inwhich thousands of civilians were tortured and killed under militaryrule.

Only one of those detained students, Pablo Diaz, survived. Hehas become the technical adviser on "The Night of the Pencils," afilm based on his experiences in a clandestine prison outside BuenosAires.

No one knows precisely what befell the other six members of thegroup. All are listed among Argentina's "disappeared."

"The Night of the Pencils" was shot in the schoolrooms andhouses where the events occurred, and it has become a hit inArgentina, which returned to democracy in late 1983.

The film was recently screened at the New Directors/New FilmsFestival here and will be shown at the Cannes (France) Film Festivalin May. Plans are being made for distribution throughout the UnitedStates and Europe.

The audience here was stunned by harrowing re-creations oftorture, mock execution and rape by Argentine security forces.

In an unrelentingly violent scene, a boy is tortured with anelectric prod while a radio plays loud tango music.

Diaz, who endured that experience, was hired by the filmmakersto oversee the production and advise on its authenticity.

"Pablo could tell me exactly what life was like inside thathell," director Hector Olivera said. "He now takes care of thechildren of the disappeared, and is active in human rights causes inBuenos Aires." All the actors, including Alejo Garcia Pintos, whoportrays Pablo, are young drama students and this is their firstmovie.

The film was shot in the homes of the missing youths, and theactors wore the school uniforms of the "disappeared," provided bytheir parents.

"It was a way to keep their children's memory alive," saidOlivera, 55. "Because the terrible thing is that the families had noaccess to the bodies of their loved ones. Most bodies were burned,dumped in common graves or thrown in the rivers."

It was the Argentine security forces that coined the phrase "TheNight of the Pencils" to refer to the abduction of students.

A similar police action in which lawyers and professors weretaken for a "one-way ride" was known as "The Night of the Neckties,"said Olivera, who has covered the walls of his New York apartmentwith photographs of himself with Argentina's democratically electedpresident, Raul Alfonsin.

The director chose to remain in Argentina during military rule.

"I was one of the ones who stayed," he said. "People would oftenask us about the conditions in the country. And we'd say: `There areno concentration camps in this country.'

"It was inconceivable to us," Olivera explains. "We were adecent society. And of course, the reality is that there was noAuschwitz and no Buchenwald, though we did have over 60 clandestineprisons where hundreds were kept secretly and tortured. Eventually,most of the detainees were put to death."

When Alfonsin took office, he named a commission led by authorErnesto Sabato to look into charges of widespread human rightsabuses, torture and secret prisons. The commission confirmed that atleast 9,000 people disappeared.

Harvest show countdown

The Glastonbury Harvest Show programme has now been published intime for applicants to get growing for next month's event.

It is the show's fifth year celebrating nourishing, sustainable,local food, and it has just received confirmation of a GlastonburyTown Council grant which will significantly help its running thisyear.

Councillor Jon Cousins said: "The day is for everyone, so thetime is now to get in your garden and get growing and feel inspiredby the wonderful celebration of local food taking place at theHarvest Show."

The classes include fruit and vegetables, flowers, home bakingand preserves. There will also be a councillors' challenge wherelocal councillors can submit their best entry from any of thecategories and let the judges decide.

Children under six are invited to take part creating fantasycreatures using fruit and vegetables, and seven to 12 year olds canmake fantasy fruit and vegetable hats.

Stalls from local growers, green groups and gardeners withrefreshments from Somerset County Market will be there on the day,as well as an illustrated talk by local permaculture designer,Patrick Whitefield, tomato tasting, practical container growingworkshops and more.

Visitors will be encouraged to submit their favourite recipes foran upcoming community cookbook to be produced by the TransitionGlastonbury Food Group.

Prizes have been donated from local businesses.

The event will take place on Saturday September 17, with publicentry from 12.30pm and competition entries received from 8.45am.

Officer Suspended After Traffic Shooting

NEW YORK - A police officer was suspended without pay Monday after the fatal shooting of an unarmed driver who may have pretended to have a gun during a traffic altercation a day earlier, when the officer was off-duty.

The undercover narcotics officer turned himself in Monday, said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. His gun was taken from him pending possible action by the prosecutor's office, police said.

The 34-year-old was not arrested and has been released, but authorities said criminal charges against him were possible. The Manhattan district attorney's office was investigating, said spokeswoman Barbara Thompson. His name was not released.

The officer, who has been with the force since 2004, was involved in a traffic dispute that began early Sunday after a fatal motorcycle accident forced police to divert traffic off the FDR Drive in East Harlem, police said.

Jayson Tirado, 26, apparently refused to let the narcotics officer's sport utility vehicle merge into traffic, and "words were exchanged," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

A passenger in Tirado's car told police that Tirado "made reference to the fact that he had a gun - 'Mr. Ruger' or something like that" - then pointed toward the officer with his right index finger, Kelly said.

At least one shot struck Tirado in the torso, and he died at a hospital, Kelly said.

The officer left the scene but approached a marked police car early Monday, identified himself, said he was having chest pains and "then makes a statement he may have shot somebody," Kelly said.

RACE IN THE EAST

Remaining games for the Eastern Conference's top contenders forthe title - the Bulls, New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks. BULLS (55-25) Boston Friday New York Sunday KNICKS (54-25)

Philadelphia Thursday At Milwaukee Friday At BULLS Sunday HAWKS (56-24) At Miami Thursday Orlando Saturday

Actress Vanessa Williams returns to Syracuse University after 25 years to receive diploma

Vanessa Williams has received her bachelor of fine arts degree from Syracuse University, nearly 25 years after she dropped out to become the first black Miss America.

The 45-year-old actress-singer, who stars in ABC's "Ugly Betty," also delivered the convocation address Saturday to graduates of Syracuse's College of Visual and Performing Arts.

She encouraged her fellow graduates to "treasure this moment."

"These days are irreplaceable and are the beginning of the rest of your life," she said, according to the Web Site of The Syracuse Post-Standard.

Williams attended Syracuse's drama department as a musical theater major from 1981-1983. She earned the remaining credits for her degree through industry experience and performances on stage and screen.

She became the first black Miss America in 1983, but surrendered the title in July 1984 after Penthouse magazine published nude, sexually explicit photographs of her taken several years earlier.

Over her career, Williams has sold more than 4 million albums, won critical praise for her performances on Broadway, made dozens of TV appearances and starred in several movies.

She has won a Tony, received two NAACP Image Awards and nine Grammy nominations.

In 1996, Williams received the George Arents Pioneer Medal, the university's most prestigious alumni award.

Phillies, Rockies Scoreless After Three

DENVER - It's not lights out for the Philadelphia Phillies just yet.

Jamie Moyer escaped a bases-loaded jam, got some help from gusty winds after the lights went out at Coors Field and helped the Phillies stay in a scoreless tie with the Colorado Rockies through three innings of Game 3 in their NL division series Saturday night.

Colorado won the series' first two games in Philadelphia by holding the high-scoring Phillies to seven combined runs, setting up a chance for the Rockies to reach the NL championship series for the first time in their 15-year history. The winner will face the Arizona Diamondbacks, who swept the Chicago Cubs earlier in the day.

It was the first playoff game in the Mile High City since 1995 and, boy, was it a strange one.

A cold front hit the stadium just moments before the Rockies took the field, dropping the temperature 15 degrees into the lower 60s, with gusty winds stirring dust and trash around the stadium. The eerie level went up another notch one pitch into the second inning, when the lights went out and cameras started flashing around the stadium.

It took 14 minutes to get the lights up to full strength again and the cold winds continued to blow, gusting up to 39 mph inside the stadium and knocking down any ball to the outfield.

The winds hurt Colorado's Garrett Atkins, who had a shot to left in the second inning land at the warning track, but Brad Hawpe and Ryan Spilborghs seemed to benefit from the gusts with singles that dropped in front of outfielders. Moyer followed by walking Yorvit Torrealba to load the bases, but got pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez on a weak grounder to end the second.

Jimenez was the second straight rookie to start for Colorado in the series - Franklin Morales gave up three runs in three innings in Game 2 on Thursday - and didn't seemed bothered by the added spotlight.

The hard-throwing right-hander threw a ball to Shane Victorino to start the second, waited out the light malfunction, then retired the side in order. Jimenez didn't allow a ball out of the infield in the third inning.

The Phillies turned to the veteran Moyer, hoping he could end his struggles at Coors Field and slow a Colorado lineup that hit four homers and scored 14 runs in two road wins to start the series.

Moyer has never had much success at Coors, going 0-4 with 12 runs and 17 hits in 11 innings, but the crafty left-hander retired the side in the first inning on three weakly hit balls in his first postseason start since 2001. Kaz Matsui led off the third with a single, but Troy Tulowitzki hit into a fielder's choice and was caught stealing after MVP candidate Matt Holliday struck out.

The wind certainly didn't diminish the enthusiasm of the fans, who have been waiting over a decade for playoff baseball in Denver.

The Lower Downtown district hasn't had a vibe like this since Larry Walker, Vinny Castilla and the rest of the Blake Street Bombers powered their way into the postseason 12 years ago.

Fans who had stayed away during the lean years - and there were plenty - descended on the ballpark in waves of purple and black, many with their faces painted and brooms in their hands in anticipation of a sweep. The streets and sidewalks surrounding the stadium were jammed more than three hours before the first pitch, then fans filled every seat and walkway inside, whipping into a frenzy by waving white towels that whirled like pinwheels.

How to Request Data on Holocaust Victims

The largest collection of information on Holocaust victims and survivors is held by the International Red Cross at its International Tracing Service facility in Bad Arolsen, Germany. Requests for information may be submitted directly to ITS or through a national Red Cross office in your state or country.

These organizations may provide documentation of forced labor, forced evacuation from Soviet-controlled areas, internment in concentration camps, or deportation.

Their certificates may be used to support claims for reparations.

Documentation comes from transportation or deportation lists, death books, records of medical experiments, concentration or labor camp registrations, ghetto records, and displaced persons files.

Applicants should call or visit a local chapter of the Red Cross, Red Crescent or Israel's Magen David Adom to complete a questionnaire. Details remain confidential and the service is free.

Be ready to answer questions about the sought person, including:

Family and first names, any other names that might have been used; name in Cyrillic or Hungarian script if applicable; gender; date and place of birth; parents' names and mother's maiden name; religion; nationality; marital details during the war; last known address.

The applicant also needs to provide his or her own personal data and the reason for requesting the search.

The 11 countries overseeing ITS have agreed to give one electronic copy of the archive to each country. That will happen only after a legal process is completed in each country, probably next year.

The countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The U.S. authority handling the records will be the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

---

On the Net:

International Tracing Service: http://www.its-arolsen.org/

U.S. Holocaust Museum: http://www.ushmm.org/

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: http://www.ifrc.org/address/directory.asp

American Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center: http://www.redcross.org/services/intl/holotrace/

Yad Vashem Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority: http://www.yadvashem.org/

Brookfield Zoo gorilla dies

A 13-year-old female gorilla has died at Brookfield Zoo, officialsannounced Thursday.

The gorilla, called Baraka, died Sunday, likely of an abdominalinfection, officials said in a statement.

According to the zoo, the animal began showing signs of illnesslast week. Keepers treated Baraka with antibiotics and had scheduledsurgery Monday in an effort to determine the source of the infection.

In the wild, western lowland gorillas such as Baraka can live for35 years. In captivity, life-spans are longer. One of Brookfield'sother half dozen gorillas is 43, another 36.

There are about 50,000 to 100,000 lowland gorillas in the world,mostly in tropical rain forests in western Africa. About 360 live inU.S. zoos. The species is considered endangered.

Baraka, born at Brookfield, gave birth three years ago to a male,named Nadaya. Western lowland gorillas live in structured familygroups. Typically, a gorilla remains close to its mother until age 5or 6.

Zoo spokeswoman Sondra Katzen said other gorillas seem to becaring for Nadaya and have been seen carrying the young gorillaaround.

Jammed finger won't stop MJ from jamming

Q. Isiah Thomas mentioned a lump on a finger on Michael Jordan'sshooting hand Sunday. What's up?Tony S.

A. The fickle finger of fate left Jordan with a jammed middlefinger. He has played with worse injuries and not only survived, butthrived. It's a handy explanation for poor shooting, but Jordangives a thumbs-down to excuses.

Q. Do you think there's a conspiracy in the NBA?Bob K.A. Conspiracy, as in seeing that certain teams win? So theBulls can reach the NBA Finals? What do you think this is, the WorldWrestling Federation? Close, but no Red Auerbach cigar. It may seemthat way, though.A high-ranking NBA official asked Sunday afternoon how theLakers-Blazers game was going."You don't have the script?" a member of Team Sun-Timesanswered."Not for the first-round games," the official said with a smile."I leave those back at the hotel."He was joking.But referees have whistles - and calls - to blow. It happens,sometimes at the most curious times. But a conspiracy would involvethe integrity of the game - not to mention the chance of gettingcaught.Direct your questions (even during the game) to Elliott Harrisvia e-mail at sports@suntimes.com, voice mail at (312) 321-2983 orregular mail at 401 N. Wabash, Chicago, IL 60611.

Gay pride marchers, floats out on both coasts

Thousands of marchers and a rainbow of floats filled the streets of New York and other U.S. cities Sunday as people celebrated gay pride, part of a full weekend of events marred by a shooting death Saturday at a street party in San Francisco.

Participants in New York's annual parade, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson, made their way down Fifth Avenue toward Greenwich Village. Throngs of people turned out despite the heat and humidity on Sunday to watch the city's annual parade celebrating gay pride.

This year's parade has three grand marshals, including Constance McMillen, the lesbian teenager who sued her Mississippi school district over its policy banning same-sex prom dates.

San Francisco's 40th annual gay pride weekend started Saturday at Civic Center Plaza, where thousands converged as vendors sold barbecue and burritos and DJs spun tunes on a large stage. The party later moved into the city's Castro District for the "Pink Saturday" street party, where police said a 19-year-old man was killed and two others injured in a shooting late Saturday.

It wasn't immediately clear if the violence had anything to do with the gay pride festivities.

Stephen Powell died early Sunday, said James Fiorica, an investigator at the Medical Examiner's Office. Powell was shot in the chest.

A 19-year-old man was arrested and a handgun was recovered, said Officer Samson Chan, a police spokesman.

The name of the suspect was not released.

A 19-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man were shot in the legs but are expected to survive, Chan said.

Thousands gathered Sunday to watch and participate in the city's gay pride parade. The Backstreet Boys were due to perform and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is from San Francisco, was scheduled to deliver a videotaped address to revelers.

Chicago's parade included the first-ever float from the Cubs and an appearance by the Stanley Cup _ NHL's championship trophy.

The Chicago Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup title since 1961 this year, and the parade marks the first time the trophy has been on display at a gay-themed event, according to the Hockey Hall of Fame's Phil Pritchard.

"We are thrilled that it worked out as it's important for the city and important for the franchise," Blackhawks spokesman Adam Rogowin said.

Music fans can tune into test

LOS ANGELES Musical eggheads can use their intellectual prowessto win prizes in a test next month hosted by heavy metal legend AliceCooper.

Rhino Records' third annual Rhino Musical Aptitude Test, takingplace May 12 in Los Angeles, will be broadcast live to Tower Records,2301 N. Clark, and sites in New York and Dallas. It also will go outlive over the Internet via Yahoo! Music.

The open-book trivia test covers all genres of music exceptclassical. The winner will be chosen from each of the fourlocations as well as one from the Internet.

Stock Market Analyst, CNNfn

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNNfn ANCHOR, STREET SWEEP: It may be light trading, but that still means stocks are posting these kinds of gains. Stocks at the best levels in two months. Susan Green of IDI joins me from the New York Stock Exchange. Susan, maybe there`s not a lot happening to drive these prices higher. But still at the end of the day, we`re going to be recording the Dow above 10,000 -- almost at 10,280. Why the turn around in sentiment mere?

SUSAN GREEN, IDI: I`ve got to tell you something. There was a rumor that hit the floor probably about 45 minutes ago. Something that was not mentioned yet. So I had to say, but the rumor floating around was the fact that Bin Laden might have been caught.

ROMANS: Another Bin Laden capture rumor. I haven`t heard one of those in maybe a couple months.

GREEN: I think people were discussing the fact that how ironic that it would be that that announcement may actually come out the day that Bush accepts the nomination this evening. So that coupled with the fact there were no major incidents in New York. You have to take into account the fact that yesterday we had the pepper spray scare in Washington, which drove the market down about 75 or 80 points.

The Bin Laden news today or the possibility of it had us rally late into the day. We also have a three-day weekend coming up. We have the jobs numbers tomorrow. A lot of people not going to be around tomorrow. They`re trying to get done what they need to get done today. That sparking the interest in stocks at the end of the day. But keep your eye on obviously my pet peeve, which is the volume. It feels really great, but there`s not a lot going on.

ROMANS: We talk about a rumor moving the market. It can be true, or it can be false. Sometimes it doesn`t matter. Even if people start talking about something in a light market, that can drive things up. And as we know, those Bin Laden rumors have not panned out every time there`s been one for the past few years. But why not jobless claims? Why not the concern about Wal-Mart [Company: Wal-Mart Stores Inc.; Ticker: WMT ; URL: http://www.wal-mart.com/], and another hurricane rumbling up the coast? Why isn`t that holding back the street?

GREEN: I think the reason being the fact that a lot of this is already priced in. If you look at the way tech stocks have acted recently, if you look at what happened today with retail stocks, if you look at all the numbers that are coming out economically, some of them good, some of them great, some of them a little disappointing. People wondering, are we seeing some sort of set back?

The bottom line is there`s no clear indicator that anything is really pulling back hard. If we keep going, all systems go into the election. We`re through the end of the summer. We`re into the third quarter. It is cyclically and seasonally a stronger time of year. People feel more comfortable putting money into the market. And that`s what we`re seeing. No big catalyst (ph), but a comfort level which drives money in, not out of the market.

ROMANS: A couple different of theories about how the political season affects stocks. Earlier this summer people were saying that it was so tight, Kerry and Bush were so tight that Wall Street doesn`t like uncertainty. That`s why stocks were weaker. Then people were saying, well, also Kerry was giving Bush a run for his money for a while, and Wall Street prefers a Republican. So that`s why stocks were weaker.

So as we get closer to the actual election, do you think we`ll get all of that posturing behind us, and people will start making investment decisions based on like investment fundamentals, and not politics?

GREEN: Absolutely. But I think the thing you have to watch out for is the fact that as we get closer to the election heating up, you`re also going to get a lot more information hitting the tape (ph). You`re going to see a lot of the bashing that goes on. A lot of the commercials, a lot of the finger pointing, which obviously happens in any election. And it is going to give us an emotional swing day-to-day.

But as we get closer to the actual election itself, you should see people finally feel comfortable with their decision, and making a decision based on the economy. And the market will react accordingly.

ROMANS: I know it`s quiet this week because the Republican National Convention. Next week is Labor Day. When do we get full engagement back in this market?

GREEN: I think once we get closer to preannouncement season again. So probably end of September. We have a couple weeks of doldrums coming up. But also keep your eye on Intel tonight. This will drive the market, and set the tone for tech stocks, which obviously move the Nasdaq, and will move the Dow overall if there`s nothing else going on.

ROMANS: Susan Green, IDI. Thanks Susan. Talk to you soon.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 888-CNNFN-01 OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT WWW.FDCH.COM

END

[Copy: Content and programming copyright 2004 Cable News Network, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Prepared by FDCH e-Media, Inc. (f/k/a Federal Document Clearing House Inc., eMediaMillWorks, Inc.), No license is granted to the user of this material other than for research. User may not reproduce or redistribute the material except for user`s personal or internal use and, in such case, only one copy may be printed, nor shall user use any material for commercial purposes or in any fashion that may infringe upon Cable News Network, Inc.`s copyright or other proprietary rights or interests in the material; provided, however, that members of the news media may redistribute limited portions (less than 250 words) of this material without a specific license from CNN so long as they provide conspicuous attribution to CNN as the originator and copyright holder of such material. This is not a legal transcript for purposes of litigation.]

Stock Market Analyst, CNNfn

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNNfn ANCHOR, STREET SWEEP: It may be light trading, but that still means stocks are posting these kinds of gains. Stocks at the best levels in two months. Susan Green of IDI joins me from the New York Stock Exchange. Susan, maybe there`s not a lot happening to drive these prices higher. But still at the end of the day, we`re going to be recording the Dow above 10,000 -- almost at 10,280. Why the turn around in sentiment mere?

SUSAN GREEN, IDI: I`ve got to tell you something. There was a rumor that hit the floor probably about 45 minutes ago. Something that was not mentioned yet. So I had to say, but the rumor floating around was the fact that Bin Laden might have been caught.

ROMANS: Another Bin Laden capture rumor. I haven`t heard one of those in maybe a couple months.

GREEN: I think people were discussing the fact that how ironic that it would be that that announcement may actually come out the day that Bush accepts the nomination this evening. So that coupled with the fact there were no major incidents in New York. You have to take into account the fact that yesterday we had the pepper spray scare in Washington, which drove the market down about 75 or 80 points.

The Bin Laden news today or the possibility of it had us rally late into the day. We also have a three-day weekend coming up. We have the jobs numbers tomorrow. A lot of people not going to be around tomorrow. They`re trying to get done what they need to get done today. That sparking the interest in stocks at the end of the day. But keep your eye on obviously my pet peeve, which is the volume. It feels really great, but there`s not a lot going on.

ROMANS: We talk about a rumor moving the market. It can be true, or it can be false. Sometimes it doesn`t matter. Even if people start talking about something in a light market, that can drive things up. And as we know, those Bin Laden rumors have not panned out every time there`s been one for the past few years. But why not jobless claims? Why not the concern about Wal-Mart [Company: Wal-Mart Stores Inc.; Ticker: WMT ; URL: http://www.wal-mart.com/], and another hurricane rumbling up the coast? Why isn`t that holding back the street?

GREEN: I think the reason being the fact that a lot of this is already priced in. If you look at the way tech stocks have acted recently, if you look at what happened today with retail stocks, if you look at all the numbers that are coming out economically, some of them good, some of them great, some of them a little disappointing. People wondering, are we seeing some sort of set back?

The bottom line is there`s no clear indicator that anything is really pulling back hard. If we keep going, all systems go into the election. We`re through the end of the summer. We`re into the third quarter. It is cyclically and seasonally a stronger time of year. People feel more comfortable putting money into the market. And that`s what we`re seeing. No big catalyst (ph), but a comfort level which drives money in, not out of the market.

ROMANS: A couple different of theories about how the political season affects stocks. Earlier this summer people were saying that it was so tight, Kerry and Bush were so tight that Wall Street doesn`t like uncertainty. That`s why stocks were weaker. Then people were saying, well, also Kerry was giving Bush a run for his money for a while, and Wall Street prefers a Republican. So that`s why stocks were weaker.

So as we get closer to the actual election, do you think we`ll get all of that posturing behind us, and people will start making investment decisions based on like investment fundamentals, and not politics?

GREEN: Absolutely. But I think the thing you have to watch out for is the fact that as we get closer to the election heating up, you`re also going to get a lot more information hitting the tape (ph). You`re going to see a lot of the bashing that goes on. A lot of the commercials, a lot of the finger pointing, which obviously happens in any election. And it is going to give us an emotional swing day-to-day.

But as we get closer to the actual election itself, you should see people finally feel comfortable with their decision, and making a decision based on the economy. And the market will react accordingly.

ROMANS: I know it`s quiet this week because the Republican National Convention. Next week is Labor Day. When do we get full engagement back in this market?

GREEN: I think once we get closer to preannouncement season again. So probably end of September. We have a couple weeks of doldrums coming up. But also keep your eye on Intel tonight. This will drive the market, and set the tone for tech stocks, which obviously move the Nasdaq, and will move the Dow overall if there`s nothing else going on.

ROMANS: Susan Green, IDI. Thanks Susan. Talk to you soon.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 888-CNNFN-01 OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT WWW.FDCH.COM

END

[Copy: Content and programming copyright 2004 Cable News Network, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Prepared by FDCH e-Media, Inc. (f/k/a Federal Document Clearing House Inc., eMediaMillWorks, Inc.), No license is granted to the user of this material other than for research. User may not reproduce or redistribute the material except for user`s personal or internal use and, in such case, only one copy may be printed, nor shall user use any material for commercial purposes or in any fashion that may infringe upon Cable News Network, Inc.`s copyright or other proprietary rights or interests in the material; provided, however, that members of the news media may redistribute limited portions (less than 250 words) of this material without a specific license from CNN so long as they provide conspicuous attribution to CNN as the originator and copyright holder of such material. This is not a legal transcript for purposes of litigation.]

Menezes to start renovation work with Brazil

Mano Menezes is intent on making a statement in his first match since replacing Dunga as coach after Brazil's World Cup quarterfinal exit last month.

Menezes plans an attack-minded formation for Tuesday's international friendly against the United States, with Robinho, AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato and Neymar starting, a repudiation of Dunga's choices. He wants players who are fast and agile from midfield forward. He talked about "renovations" the day he was appointed _ the job starts here.

"It's important to make clear to us and to all that Brazilian soccer always had this kind of talent. We're not inventing anything new," Menezes said …

Big I changes name to reflect membership changes.(Independent Insurance Agents of America Inc.)(Brief Article)

The 106-year-old Independent Insurance Agents of America Inc. has changed its name, in an effort, the association said, to more accurately reflect its membership makeup.

The new name-the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America-was officially ratified last month during a midyear membership meeting, the Alexandria, Va.-based group said.

IIABA President Thomas B. Ahart said in a statement that the change is a positive step for all independent agents and brokers. ``It conveys the reality and broad charge of today's national association,'' Mr. Ahart said.

Robert A. Rusbuldt, the IIABA's chief executive officer, added in the statement that ``we …

Senlac Scouts thank community for Centenary Year support.

A FINAL ceremony has rounded off Centenary Year for Senlac Scout District.

Bexhill Town Hall was the venue last Thursday evening when the movement locally placed on record its appreciation of for the support given it by the community - in particular the support given last year.

For the world-wide movement, Centenary Year was an opportunity not only for celebrating the past but for publicising what Scouting offers young people in the 21st Century.

But for one Senlac Scout Group it was a year both of trauma and of renaissance.

The community's rapid response to the plight of the 9th Bexhill after the arson attack which destroyed its headquarters featured prominently as a total of 20 framed Centenary Award certificates of thanks were …

REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN INADEQUATE ON THE BENCH.(MAIN)

Byline: PATRICIA MARTINELLI EAST GREENBUSH

I was extremely disappointed in Dan Lynch's recent column on women judges. Mr. Lynch suggests that the number of women serving as judges in the Third Judicial Department (covering the Capital Region and surrounding counties) is adequate under present circumstances. The fallacy in his opinion lies in his misunderstanding of the circumstances.

Currently only five percent of the judges in the Third Department are women. Mr. Lynch is correct that this number must be placed in context. One need only examine the progress made elsewhere in New York to realize how woefully inadequate five percent is. Statewide, women …

California still eligible for Medicaid money

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger got some good news Wednesday to help him deal with the state's financial woes as well as a stinging election defeat from the night before. Health officials told him that the state will continue to be eligible for an extra $8 billion in federal Medicaid funding.

The money was part of an economic stimulus bill approved in February, but it came with strings attached. The bill prevented states from passing on health costs to counties. Unions representing home health workers had complained that California ran afoul of that requirement when it lowered its contributions to home health care worker wages to save $74 million.

But federal …

Sense & Sensitivity: Take a seat, and enjoy the ride

Dear Harriette:

I just read the letter from Barb in Seattle (regarding her mother not wanting to use a wheelchair while vacationing with her family at a theme park) and your response (I read you every day). I, too, took a recent trip with my son, grandson and daughter-in-law to Universal Studios in Florida. I have a new knee implant, and my walking was slow and sometimes painful at best.

Happily, most of these venues have two choices for those of us who are handicapped in some way: Use the wheelchairs provided free of charge or rent an electric cart for a deposit and fee ($50 and $40, respectively). The deposit is returnable at the end of the day.

The carts are easy …

Solvay Polymers and Chevron Philips Chemicals.(Brief Article)

Solvay Polymers and Chevron Philips Chemicals will construct a 700Mlb/a, highdensity …

Compact heater/shaker.(Apparatus & Consumables: Product News)

Offering heating and shaking in a single compact unit, the RDT Metz Heater Shaker fits easily onto any bench or into any fume hood. Reactions or incubations are performed in a removable block that fits securely into the heated platform, which rotates in a circular orbit for …

SENIORS NEWS.(CAPITAL REGION)

AARP 1123 A meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 8, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1583 Carney Road, off Maple Hill Road, Castleton. Dessert will be served at noon followed by a trash or treasure sale. New members are welcome. CENTER BRUNSWICK A meeting will be held at noon Friday, Nov. 5, at the Center Brunswick Methodist Church, 990 Hoosick Road, Troy. Bring a brown bag lunch, coffee and dessert will be provided. All Brunswick seniors are welcome. EAST GREENBUSH

Seniors meet 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Clinton Heights Fire House, Sherwood Avenue. For more information, call Irma Landon at 449-2265 or Kathy DuPrey at 477-4305.

Dominoes played from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the East Greenbush Town Hall Community Room. Refreshments provided.

Trips:

Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular Show, Thursday, Nov. 18. Bus leaves Yankee Trails at 7 …

Animal care dividedNew, improved facilities planned amid differences.

Byline: Dave Flessner and Herman Wang

Jan. 2--EDITOR'S NOTE: See video on how animal control officers care for dogs and cats and enforce local ordinances. Go to www.timesfreepress.com. Click on the photo box with the top story. In the view of Chattanooga city officials, the Humane Educational Society facilities in Highland Park are too old, small and fractured to continue to house the thousands of animals captured each year by animal control officers. "Rather than rely upon an outdated animal pound without enough room, we're going to build a modern new shelter," said Councilman Jack Benson, chairman of the city's Legal and Legislative Committee. "I really believe our new facility could be to animal services what our revitalized riverfront has been for our visitors." But leaders of the local Humane Society, which has provided city animal services for most of the past century, see a much different picture. As he walks through the Humane Society's 76-year-old shelter, Guy Bilyeu points to recent and planned upgrades. Buoyed by more than $100,000 of recent donations for building improvements, the Humane Society is drawing up plans for a new public entrance, educational classroom and dog adoption rooms as part of a $250,000 expansion.

"This building is structurally very sound, and we're committed to continuing to improve our services here," Mr. Bilyeu said. The new year is bringing some of the biggest changes ever undertaken in Chattanooga in the way the city handles its animal services. After nearly a decade of studies and debate over sheltering animals, 2007 is expected to bring a new $5.6 million animal shelter in Hixson operated by a public-private partnership group that also will take over animal control enforcement. At the same time, improvements are being planned at the …

Worker drives over people at Japan plant, 1 dead

A disgruntled worker drove over people at an auto factory in Japan on Tuesday, killing one and injuring 10 others, police and ambulance officials said.

Toshiaki Hikiji, 42, was arrested about an hour later on attempted murder charges after fleeing in the car from Mazda Motor Corp.'s Ujina plant in Hiroshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, police said.

Japanese media reports said Hikiji was a contract worker who had been let go in April. Mazda Motor Corp. spokesman Kotaro Minagawa said the company could not yet confirm any details.

The incident has stunned …

Hungary sludge flood metals company fined $647M

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The metals company whose broken reservoir killed 10 people as it flooded several Hungarian towns with toxic red sludge has been fined 135.1 billion forints (euro472 million, $647 million) for environmental damages.

A 10-hectare (25-acre) reservoir at the MAL Rt. metals plant collapsed Oct. 4 and released a torrent of some 700,000 cubic meters (184 million gallons) of red sludge, a byproduct of aluminum production, on three towns in western Hungary — Kolontar, Devecser and Somlovasarhely. The highly caustic material also injured more than 150 people, many of whom suffered chemical burns.

Environmental State Secretary Zoltan Illes will hold a news …

Female Prisoners Need Opportunities, Solutions, Says University of Arkansas Researcher.

Byline: University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Nov. 12 (AScribe Newswire) -- New research from the University of Arkansas reveals the boredom and humiliation female inmates endure in prison and makes a strong case for allocating more treatment and education resources to this growing population. The research goes on to state that the expectations society pins on female convicts often are undermined by the treatment it dishes out to them.

Women currently represent less than seven percent of the prison population, according to Denise Huggins, assistant professor of criminal justice, but their numbers are increasing. Over the past dozen years, the female inmate population has grown at a faster rate than males, and women are now incarcerated at a higher rate for drug-related crimes than are men.

Yet in spite of this increased population and increased need, the criminal justice system continues to neglect the special needs of female prisoners - delivering …

Just below the surface ...(Product News)

Specialty Equipment recently unveiled its Liquid filler designed for filling 5- to 500-gallon containers. This new sub-surface filling machine allows the filling lance to penetrate within 3" of the bottom of an 81" tall intermediate bulk container (IBC). The company says it also exhibits:

* A retractable bellows for drawing away toxic fumes.

* 2 hydraulic cylinders to raise and Lower the boom and Lance carriage from drum to IBC height to within 1" clearance above the container.

* …

MAKE SURE PLANTS ARE WORTH BRINGING INSIDE.(AT HOME)

Byline: LAURENCE SOMBKE Special to the Times Union

Now is the time, before the weather gets really cold, to bring your tender house plants indoors for the winter. I know I've been putting this chore off for some time because I think summer will never end. But I've already begun to bring in my geraniums and other house plants that have been outside all summer enjoying the warm and sultry weather.

Bringing in house plants can be a very traumatic experience. For us and for them. They don't like to be moved and we don't like summer to end.

In my opinion, most plants don't like to be moved outdoors in summer and bought back in fall for the winter season. …

Women who use antihistamines are not at higher risk for developing breast cancer.

2003 OCT 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Women who use antihistamines are not at higher risk for developing breast cancer.

"Antihistamines are structurally similar to DPPE, a tamoxifen derivative known to promote tumor growth, and to antidepressants. Animal experiments have linked certain antihistamines and antidepressants with enhanced tumor growth in mice," scientists in Canada report.

"The few epidemiologic studies examining antihistamine use have not indicated an increased risk. In light of suggestive animal data, structural similarities between antihistamines and DPPE, the widespread use of antihistamines, and the lack of epidemiologic investigation …

Master Logger takes hold in Atlantic Canada

A certification program aimed at recognizing and encouraging excellence among wood harvesting companies is being launched across Atlantic Canada. Gerard Robichaud, chairman of the Canadian Woodlands Forum (CWF) and a manager in UPM-Miramichi's woods operation, says the Atlantic Master Logger Certification Program (AMLCP) is the first of its kind in Canada.

"The forest industry has several certification programs, but they all focus on the land base. The AMLCP is different in that it focuses on the specific companies doing the harvesting."

Robichaud says the time is right for this type of program because more of the ma]or customers in the market are starting to insist that …

MBA Moved Quickly To Hire Stevens.(Mortgage Bankers Association)(Conference news)(Brief article)

Byline: Brad Finkelstein

While change at the top of the Mortgage Bankers Association was expected eventually, the trade group's board didnot think it would happen this quickly.

Chairman Michael Berman said he recently heard that David Stevens might be leaving his position at the Department of Housing and Urban Development so he gave him a call. Still, the organization had always seen its chief executive, John Courson, as "a bridge" and was preparing a succession plan, Berman said in an interview Wednesday at the Regional Conference of the Mortgage Bankers Association in Atlantic City, N.J.

As part of that succession plan, the MBA was slated to form a search …

TODAY TUESDAY, JUNE 4.(CAPITAL REGION)

The Limon Dance Co. 7:30 p.m. Dance Theater. Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs. 580-5897. American Red Cross Bloodmobile. 1-6 p.m. King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1593 Crescent Road, Clifton Park. 371-9544.

Movies and a Snack. 10:15-11 a.m. For children ages 3-6 with an adult. Shenendehowa Public Library, Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park. 371-8622. Summer Six Faculty Exhibition Preview. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Schick Art Gallery, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs. 580-5000.

Lecture on the Limon Dance Co. ``Limon Legacy.'' 7:30 p.m. Dance Theater, Skidmore College, North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Upcoming WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 Panel Discussion: …

Broadband gives BT a Q3 profit boost

LONDON (AP) — A strong performance by the broadband business helped British telecommunications company BT PLC report a 41 percent increase in net profit in the three months ending Dec. 31.

BT said Friday that after-tax profit for the period, the company's third quarter, was 491 million pounds ($777 million), up from 418 million pounds a year …

PREPAID ATM ROLLS DICE ON ONLINE GAMBLING.(PrePaidATM Inc.'s advertising)(Brief Article)

Notices for the PrePaidATM Inc. electronic payment service have begun popping up at online gaming sites in response to Visa U.S.A.'s and MasterCard International's efforts to curtail the use of their cards for online gaming by American consumers. Las Vegas-based PrePaidATM claims it cuts all fraud and chargebacks for online merchants because enrolling consumers must prove they are U.S. citizens with Social Security numbers, provide a copy of their …

HOLLYWOOD TAKES A FEW SWIPES AT THE REPUBLICANS.(Preview)

Byline: Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel

With the Republican National Convention just around the corner, it's becoming increasingly obvious that Hollywood - or, at least, some people in Hollywood - are less than thrilled with the Republican Party.

Describing a vicious gang of teenage vampires in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," one character observes: "They had this look in their eye. Totally cold. Animal. I think they were Young Republicans."

Meanwhile, in "Death Becomes Her," Meryl Streep's character threatens her pathetic, murdering husband (played by Bruce Willis) by saying, …