Be attentive

Chavez: Nationalization agreements on schedule

2012-03-15T05:51:00.000-07:00

President Hugo Chavez says Venezuela has settled its payment plan for a steel company nationalized in May and is making progress in other negotiations.

He did not disclosed the price decided for steel-maker Sidor, owned by Argentina's Ternium SA.

Chavez says talks with Mexican cement giant Cemex SAB for its Venezuelan subsidiary are ongoing. He says Cemex should expect less …

Condo associations stand to gain from insurance bills

2012-03-15T03:25:00.000-07:00

Five bills now pending in the Illinois General Assembly are aimed atsolving consumer insurance problems, but condominium associationshope legislation will help them, too.

Many insurance laws on the books are geared primarily atconsumers and individual condo unit owners. The proposed legislationwould benefit not only unit owners but associations as well, saidRep. Ellis B. Levin (D-Chicago).

One of the major bills would establish modified insurance rateregulation in Illinois. House Bill 2560 would force state insurancerates to be based on Illinois' experience rather than on nationalaverages.

The Insurance Department would be authorized to requestjustification …

Sullivan Stays U.S. Attorney in Seattle

2012-03-15T01:01:00.000-07:00

SEATTLE - Federal judges have agreed to keep Jeff Sullivan, who has been serving as U.S. attorney in Seattle since the Bush administration ousted John McKay, in the position indefinitely, the district's chief judge said Wednesday.

All judges in the Western Washington judicial district concurred with the decision, Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik said.

"We wanted to maintain the standard of excellence and professionalism that John McKay set and that Jeff Sullivan has continued as interim U.S. attorney," Lasnik said.

Sullivan, who was McKay's chief criminal deputy, was named the interim U.S. attorney after McKay was forced to resign this year. The transition …

Jury selected for lawsuit between AIG, Starr

2012-03-14T22:41:00.000-07:00

A jury has been selected for a $4.3 billion lawsuit brought by American International Group Inc. against Starr International Co., the private investment firm run by AIG's former CEO.

The jury of eight women and two men was chosen after U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff said he will allow speeches by Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, the CEO who was ousted in 2005, to be heard in court as evidence.

The embattled insurer is trying to reclaim money it says was wrongly pocketed through stock sales by Greenberg.

AIG claims Greenberg breached his fiduciary responsibility by misappropriating shares held in trust by Starr for AIG's deferred compensation …

Muir, Hon. Jamie, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed., Ed.D. (Truro-Bible Hill) Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for the Youth Secretariat Act

2012-03-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

MUIR,HON. JAMIE,B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed., Ed.D. (Truro-Bible Hill) Minister of Education and Minister responsible for the Youth Secretariat Act.

B. Feb. 2, 1941 in Truro, N.S. S. of James Muir and Jean Robb. Ed. at Dalhousie Univ. (B.A.; B.Ed.) and Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville (M.Ed.; Ed.D.). M. Mary Jean Muir. Four adult children. Political Career: First elected to the N.S. Leg. g.e. 1998. Re-elected g.e. 1999 and 2003. Served as Min of Health, 1999-2002, and Min. of Justice and Attorney General, 2002-2003. Chair: Senior Citizen's Secretariat; Min. responsible for the Emergency Measures Act, the Human Rights Act, the Regulations Act and Part II of the Workers' …

Ionic Liquids Dissolve Wood in an Eco-Friendly Way

2012-03-14T18:00:00.000-07:00

ENERGY

Scientists at Queen's Univ. in Belfast, Northern Ireland, have discovered an eco- friendly method of dissolving wood using ionic liquids. Their process could lay the foundation for a sustainable future where a variety of products, such as biofuels, textiles, clothes and paper, are made from biorenewable resources.

Wood is currently broken down mainly by the Kraft pulping process, which is a wasteful technology that employs polluting chemicals. This method has been tolerated because it is very difficult to break down wood and separate it into its various components. Until now, any alternatives have had similar problems.

Ionic liquids are salts that melt at low …

Mahela Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas put Sri Lanka in control of 1st test

2012-03-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

Captain Mahela Jayawardene hit his 22nd century and Chaminda Vaas added 54 and a wicket as Sri Lanka took control against West Indies on day two of the first cricket test on Sunday.

Jayawardene hit 136 as Sri Lanka, overnight 269 for four, declared at 476 for eight an hour before the close. Vaas contributed an unbeaten 54.

West Indies stuttered to 29 for one after Vaas removed captain Chris Gayle for a duck at Providence Stadium.

Ramnaresh Sarwan (21 not out) and Devon Smith (eight not out) limited the damage with an unbroken partnership of 25.

Jayawardene, who resumed the innings on 25, dominated the day in notching his third century …

Walkers on a mission to raise cash for sick kids Kind-hearted ramblers have set off on a mammoth journey to raise cash for charity.

2012-03-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

Kind-hearted ramblers have set off on a mammoth journey to raisecash for charity.

The eight-strong group - all from Bridge of Don and Parkhill -are taking on the 95-mile West Highland Way for the JuvenileDiabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

The trek will see them tackle up to 21 miles each day as they aimto complete the journey from Milngavie to Fort William in just sixdays.

Mike Birnie, 47, Mike Roy, 45, Alan Mackay, 54, Doreen Mackay, 47,Ross Mackay, 21, Dave Munro, 44, Sandy Porter, 61, and Dave Smith,47, all set off on Monday and have now reached their thirddestination at Inverarnan.

Mike Birnie, 41, whose son Max, 10, suffers from type 1 …

Comverse Network Systems unveils Internet call waiting service

2012-03-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Comverse Network Systems, a division of Comverse Technology, Inc. and a supplier of enhanced services platforms to wireless and wireline network operators, has unveiled its Internet Call Waiting Service, which will give residential voice messaging and unified messaging (voice, fax and e-mail in a single mailbox) subscribers a virtual phone line while they are online. With Internet Call Waiting, subscribers need not miss a telephone call while connected to the Internet, allowing them to handle all their telephone calls, either at home or while traveling. The service is activated automatically, as soon as the subscriber connects …

Children seized in Ark. raid to remain with state

2012-03-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

Six girls removed from an evangelical compound as part of an investigation into the possible sexual abuse of minors will remain in state custody for the near future, an Arkansas state official said Tuesday.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services had until Tuesday night to ask the court for permission to keep the children or return them to the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound. State and federal agents raided the compound Saturday looking for evidence that children were being molested.

Department spokeswoman Julie Munsell said she could not comment about the legal process surrounding the girls' future, but acknowledged they would not be leaving the …

Etcetera ; The US space research agency NASA has warned that solar flares in 2013 could wreck global satellite communication and knock out electricity grids, causing blackouts in major parts of the world.

2012-03-14T06:18:00.000-07:00

How things work

Solar Flares

The US space research agency NASA has warned that solar flares in2013 could wreck global satellite communication and knock outelectricity grids, causing blackouts in major parts of the world.Even as the thought of life without air conditioning, (or worse,Twitter) sounds scary, can something happening 149 millionkilometres away really affect us? The answer is - yes. A powerfulsolar flare releases as much energy as 100 million hydrogen bombs,each of which is several thousand times bigger than the bombs thatlaid waste to Hiroshima. To make a point, a particularly large solarflare in 2005 released a high concentration of protons, …

Bruins sign Miroslav Satan to 1-year deal

2012-03-14T03:57:00.000-07:00

Unrestricted free-agent left winger Miroslav Satan signed a one-year deal with the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

The 35-year-old Satan had 17 goals in 65 NHL games last season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He added a goal and five assists in the playoffs to help the Penguins win the Stanley Cup.

Selected to Slovakia's Olympic team on Tuesday, he has 354 goals and 367 assists in 1,012 NHL games with Edmonton, Buffalo, the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh.

Botha inspires city side to win

2012-03-14T01:03:00.000-07:00

Aberdeenshire lost yet another game to the rains which swept thewest coast, but city rivals Stoneywood-Dyce tasted victory inyesterday's league fixture in Edinburgh in National League Two.

The People's Park outfit were the narrowest of winners in a lowscoring game in which the visitors were asked to bat first, butcontrived to get themselves out for only 109, setting the stage for aremarkable spell of bowling from teenager Wickus Botha.

The 19 year old, who has been excelling with the bat in recentweeks, turned from run maker to wicket taker when he weighed in withsix for 21 in an inspired spell to help dismiss the home side for 92.

Player-coach Jan Stander again played a supporting role, capturingtwo wickets for 13 runs to keep the Dyce side on target forpromotion.

''It was a massive character win and has probably set the tone forthe season,'' said captain Michael Louw.

At 66 for the loss of only three wickets, the Edinburgh sidelooked to be coasting to victory, only to be destroyed by the formerHuntly player who was persuaded by Louw to join the Stoneywood-Dyceside.

Stuart Coetzer was the Aberdeen batting hero, clocking up 58, butwas well backed by last week's star Shaun Fabe with 20.

Shire were less happy, having to settle for three points aftertheir game at Linlithgow against West Lothian was rained off.

''It's most disappointing to have two games called off onconsecutive weekends, particularly as the weather has been fine inAberdeen,'' said skipper Shaun Coetzer.

Olympic torch relay starts in Chinese city of Macau

2012-03-13T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Olympic torch relay has begun in the Chinese casino city of Macau.

Runners are carrying the flame on Saturday past glitzy new Las Vegas-style casinos and colonial buildings.

The flame is expected to get a warm patriotic welcome in the former Portuguese enclave that returned to Chinese rule in 1999.

Protests are relatively rare in the tiny city on the southern China coast _ the only place in the country where casino gambling is legal.

Christian comment

2012-03-13T19:21:00.000-07:00

This year marks the 350th anniversary of the Great Ejectment whennearly 2,000 non-conforming clergy (99 from Somerset - many morethan elsewhere) were brutally ejected from their livings as aconsequence of the Act of Conformity.

Then followed a long period of very difficult relations betweenthe Church of England and non-conforming churches. I remember wellthe very polite but distant relations between "Church" and "Chapel".

A further step towards unity and healing of long-standing scarswill be a special service on February 7 in Westminster Abbey in thepresence of many clergy and members of the Church of England andUnited Reformed Church (now in its 40th year) as well asrepresentatives from many other churches.

I'm very glad to say that, in the Wells area, relations betweenChurches of all flavours are remarkably warm with considerablecooperation between them. All will remember the tidal wave of love,concern and care that rose at the CWT United Service when we learntof the untimely death of Dave Hart.

This wave swept over his family and there remains a stronggroundswell. We are all - in our considerable diversity - members ofthe Body of Christ with each playing its part and, when one membersuffers, all feel the pain. One can echo the motto of the ThreeMusketeers - "All for One and One for All".

Michael Rowe

Henton Parish Church and editor of Diocesan Calendar of Prayer

Police: US nursing home shooting kills at least 6

2012-03-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

A gunman opened fire at a North Carolina nursing home Sunday morning, killing at least six people and wounding several others, police said.

The gunman was also injured before he was apprehended by police after the 10 a.m. shooting at Pinelake Health and Rehab in the town of Carthage, Police Chief Chris McKenzie told several television stations. A police officer was also hurt.

"It's a horrible event in any size town, particularly, though, when you deal with a small town such as Carthage," McKenzie said. "It's hard. This is my home, my small town. I was born and raised here so, yeah, I take it to heart a little bit. All you can do is move forward."

Gretchen Kelly, spokeswoman at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in nearby Pinehurst, said six people were brought to the hospital from the nursing home. Kelly said two of the injured died at the hospital, but it wasn't clear if those two were among the six initially reported dead by police.

Kelly said two other patients had been discharged, while two were still being treated. She wouldn't release further details on the injuries or conditions of those hospitalized.

McKenzie said the gunman wasn't a patient at the nursing home, located about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southwest of Raleigh, but didn't offer any further details on what the gunman's motive might have been.

Late Sunday afternoon, authorities appeared to be conducting a search of the nursing home's parking lot, which they had blocked off with yellow police tape. Among the items they found was a camouflaged-colored rifle or shotgun, which was leaning against the side of a Jeep Cherokee.

The road leading to the home was filled with parked cars, both of police and relatives of those living at Pinelake. Howard McMillian, of Lakeview, said he raced to the scene as soon as he heard about the shooting. His 56-year-old sister lives at the nursing home, and McMillian said his brother had gotten a call from officials saying she was unharmed.

"I know she's real nervous," McMillian said. "I just want to make sure she's OK."

A nursing home Web site said the facility that opened in 1993 has 110 beds, including 20 for those with Alzheimer's disease.

Calls to the nursing home by The Associated Press rang unanswered Sunday, and McKenzie and several state law enforcement agencies didn't immediately return messages or declined to comment. Police planned a news conference for later Sunday afternoon.

Carthage is a small town of roughly 1,800 people in the North Carolina Sandhills, an area popular among retirees and home to several noted golf courses, including the famed Pinehurst resort and its No. 2 course that regularly hosts the U.S. Open.

Pinelake Health and Rehab was last inspected in May, and the review resulted in an overall five-star _ or "much above average" _ rating from federal Medicaid officials.

___

Associated Press Writer Erin Gartner contributed to this report from Raleigh.

___

On the Net:

Pinelake Health and Rehab: http://www.peakresourcesinc.com/nursing/pinelake.h

tml

Video game review: 'Lost: Via Domus' never quite takes off

2012-03-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

"Lost" has intrigued audiences with mysterious numbers, polar bears, hatches and Others. Ubisoft's first video game based on the popular castaway drama hopes to do the same thing _ interactively, of course.

Unfortunately, the only engaging thing about "Lost: Via Domus" ($59.99;euro39) for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, $29.99;euro20) for Windows PC) is the unique opportunity to explore fantastic digital recreations of the show's weirdo island environment in the action-adventure game's way-too-sparse seven episodes.

Don't even think about buying this game if you're not a "Lost" devotee. Much like the show itself, "Via Domus" could easily alienate gamers not interested in a sometimes clunky, sometimes genius mystery that slowly unravels with a cavalcade of questions. That said, die-hard fans will appreciate the game's parallel storyline that's more interesting than castoffs Nikki and Paulo ever were.

As an amnesiac passenger who worked as a photojournalist before getting "Lost," players can camp out on the beach, investigate the hatch, enter the numbers in the computer, search the Black Rock for dynamite and flash back to riding on Oceanic Flight 815 before it crashed somewhere in the Pacific

Yes, just like the show did for the first three seasons, the "Via Domus" _ which, according to the game, means "the way home" in Latin _ heavily relies on flashbacks to push the plot forward. These minimal levels involve searching for clues and snapping a photo that will help jog your memory.

Moments like those, along with the inclusion of the "Lost" title sequence and those signature "previously on" moments throughout the game, are small steps in the right direction for the lowly regarded games-based-on-TV-shows subgenre, a niche known for spawning tedious and disappointing titles. (See any "American Idol" or "CSI" game.)

Most of the characters from "Lost" make appearances in "Via Domus," but only some of the actors lend their voices. There's nothing more distracting than standing within the game's lush landscape, looking at a surprisingly lifelike John Locke and then hearing a voice that's distinctly not Terry O'Quinn emanate from his mouth.

Fast-paced arcade-style chases that involve fleeing from the black smoke and the Others give "Via Domus" a much-needed shot of adrenaline, but it's not enough to keep up the plodding pacing.

"Via Domus" is ultimately bogged down by a lack of action. You'd think there'd be more to do in a video game based on a show where so much happens. Instead, players are tasked with awkwardly wandering through the forest, trading fruit and bottles of water with Sawyer and plugging fuses into electrical boxes.

It's the sort of minutia they don't show on TV for a reason: It's boring. Two out of four stars.

Viva Chicago targeting roots of Latin music

2012-03-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

VIVA CHICAGO

Latin Music Festival

- 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

- Grant Park, on three stages near the Petrillo Music Shell

- Free

- (312) 744-3315;

www.vivachicago.us

Even before illness forced headliner Lila Downs to cancel, this year's Viva Chicago Latin Music Festival looked radically different.

For the free event's 21st annual run, which kicks off Saturday in Grant Park, fest organizers have reduced the number of mainstage acts, added a third stage, increased arts and crafts areas, and changed the focus from mainstream Latin music to what new Viva Chicago chief Barry Dolins calls "a way of presenting a narrative."

The linchpin of this approach was to have been Downs, scheduled to close the two-day festival Sunday night. But she dropped out Monday after a ruptured appendix sent her to the hospital. Known for her folkloric and genre-bending style, the Latin Grammy-winning singer usually appears in more intimate, eclectic venues, such as the Chicago World Music Festival, as she did in 2000 and 2005.

But when Dolins took over the booking of Viva, after longtime organizer Enrique Munoz retired last year, he wanted to go in a different direction. In recent years, Viva Chicago tended to showcase industry hitmakers and favorites such as Jose Feliciano, Grupo Bryndis and Obie Bermudez. This year's lineup trades "star" power for more cultural diversity, Dolins believes.

"I come from a background of being a historian and folklorist," said Dolins, who for 26 years has organized the Chicago Blues Festival, which, like Viva Chicago, is presented by the Mayor's Office of Special Events. "I did a lot of research to find the best way to present the festival. We're trying to tell a narrative to show the community at large how diverse and significant Latin music is.

"We're also trying to delve into its roots. Of course, it's hard to do that in two days. We're trying to represent as broad a range of Latin American music as possible."

That's why he tapped Colombian alternative Latin rock group Aterciopelados, which usually plays local venues like the House of Blues or the Congress Theater, for a headlining spot Saturday. "Look at what Aterciopelados is doing; they fuse Colombian folkoric music with Latin rock. And Lila Downs [who usually performs with a largely acoustic quartet] was going to be performing with a mariachi band. That would have told the full story [of the folkloric roots] of traditional Mexican music."

The decision to present fewer acts at the Petrillo Music Shell mainstage was not dictated by a reduced budget but instead by the desire "to give acts more of an opportunity to stretch out and play," he said, "and create a more intimate experience with the artists."

This year's lineup is more locally based, Dolins said, in order to showcase the city's deep talent base -- not because of cutbacks. "Chicago is the musical capital of the world; why not give local talent an opportunity? To see young local artists like Juventud Vallenato at Viva -- that's such an honor for them."

Juventud Vallenato, which plays the accordion- and flute-driven Colombian folk music called vallenato, will appear Saturday at Los Barrios, one of three smaller Viva stages, along with Salon de Baile (for dancing) and Cantina (acoustic sets, with tables for relaxing).

The mainstage lineup is:

SATURDAY

5-6:15 p.m., AfriCaribe, which specializes in the plena/bomba music of Puerto Rico, with Angel Luis Torruellas, Ricardo Pons and local hero Angel Melendez, bandleader of Grammy nominees 911 Mambo.

6:25-8 p.m., Tribute to Manny Oquendo: New York salsa veterans Andy Gonzalez, Jimmy Bosch, Frankie Vazquez and Herman Olivera salute fellow salsero Oquendo, who died in March and who performed at the first-ever Viva Chicago fest in 1989.

8:10-9:30 p.m., Aterciopelados: The Grammy-winning, socially conscious rock group's latest disc is "Rio," which promotes environmental awareness.

SUNDAY

5-5:50 p.m., Banda Manzanera: Formed in the state of Sinaloa, the group is now based in Chicago and performs banda, the traditional Mexican music featuring brass, percussion and clarinets.

6-7 p.m., La India Canela: From the Dominican Republic, the singer-accordionist plays merengue tipico with her band of tambora, guayo and sax.

7:10-8:30 p.m., Javier Garcia: To sub for Downs, Viva organizers snagged this rising Latin rock-pop artist, who is making his long-awaited Chicago debut. Born in Spain to Cuban and Irish parents, Garcia now lives in Miami and takes a multicultural approach to his music, which draws on tropical Latin styles, reggae, rap and funk. His breakthrough disc, "13" (2005), was produced by Grammy- and Oscar-winning Latin tastemaker Gustavo Santaolalla.

Color Photo: Aterciopelados -- Andrea Echeverri and Hector Buitrago -- are on the bill Saturday night at Viva Chicago. ;

Staley ends holdout, will report today

2012-03-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia Eagles running back Duce Staley ended his 27-dayholdout Saturday, reporting to camp.

Staley met with coach Andy Reid after arriving in Philadelphia andwill report to practice today, team spokesman Derek Boyko said.

Staley, who is entering his seventh NFL season and led the Eaglesin rushing last season, has been fined $5,000 for each day of theholdout, for a total of $135,000.

He is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $2.2million this season.

Earlier this month, Staley released a statement criticizing Eaglesmanagement for not "seriously" discussing his future with the team.Staley pressed for an extension and said he wanted to finish hiscareer with the team.

With a pair of young running backs in Correll Buckhalter and BrianWestbrook, the Eagles have made it obvious that they're not preparedto make a long-term commitment to Staley.

COWBOYS GO WITH CARTER: Quincy Carter was named the startingquarterback for the Dallas Cowboys after two consistent and turnover-free preseason starts.

Coach Bill Parcells chose Carter over Chad Hutchinson, Dallas'starter the final nine games last season after replacing Carter.

"In the back of my mind, I thought that he was going to be it,"Parcells said of Carter. "I just thought he moved the ball better andhad a little bit better presence."

"It's just very exciting to have an opportunity to be a leader forthis team, to step up to forefront and be a leader again," Cartersaid.

While Parcells is inclined to make Hutchinson the backup, hehasn't ruled out undrafted rookie Tony Romo of Eastern Illinois.

TOE SLOWS GRIESE: Brian Griese was acquired by the Miami Dolphinsas injury insurance, and now he's hurt.

The Dolphins' new backup quarterback suffered ligament damage tohis left big toe during an exhibition victory over the AtlantaFalcons. He'll miss the final preseason game Thursday at New Orleansand may be sidelined for an extended period.

In Griese's absence, Sage Rosenfels becomes the No. 2 quarterbackbehind Jay Fiedler.

Defense: Amanda Knox 'crucified' in Italy's media

2012-03-13T03:21:00.000-07:00

PERUGIA, Italy (AP) — An Italian defense lawyer argued Thursday that Amanda Knox is an innocent girl "crucified" in the media and wrongly convicted of killing her roommate, urging an appeals court not to be afraid to correct a mistake.

Carlo Dalla Vedova told the court in his closing arguments that Knox has been the victim of a "tragic judicial case" and has spent more than 1,000 days behind bars as a result. The highly anticipated verdict in the appeals case is expected Monday.

Knox was convicted of murdering Meredith Kercher, a British student in Perugia, and sentenced to 26 years in prison, while co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito was sentenced to 25 years. They deny wrongdoing and have appealed.

"Knox has been crucified, impaled in a public square, subjected to the most sinister of speculations," Dalla Vedova said. "All, regardless of their nationalities, have offended Amanda Knox."

Soon after her arrest on Nov. 6, 2007, Knox became a media sensation, depicted either as a manipulative girl-gone-wild or as a naive young woman caught up in a judicial nightmare. The media remained hooked on the case, and hundreds of reporters, cameramen and photographers have descended on the central Italian town in anticipation of the verdict.

The role of the media in the four-year-long case has been a recurring theme of closing arguments of all parties. Prosecutor Giuliano Mignini has lamented what he said was media interference and an increasingly strong campaign in support of Knox. Defense lawyers said Knox had been unfairly portrayed.

"This has swept away her life," said Dalla Vedova, adding that Knox had been hit by "a tsunami, a tornado" and that her privacy had been violated.

The lawyer sought to refute the prosecution's case, saying that there was no motive for the brutal murder and insisting Knox and Kercher were friends who had quickly bonded upon their arrival in Perugia thanks to their shared language.

He said investigators were hasty in their conclusions — Knox and Sollecito were arrested four days after Kercher's body had been found in the apartment the 21-year-old Briton shared with Knox. The lawyer maintained that a court-ordered review of DNA had demolished much of the prosecution's case.

"Today there's very little left," Dalla Vedova said. "A clue is not enough."

The review found that crucial DNA evidence used to convict Knox and Sollecito was unreliable and possibly contaminated — an assessment vehemently denied by the prosecution and the forensic police that conducted the original investigation.

Dalla Vedova urged the court not to be afraid to recognize that the lower court that had convicted the two in 2009 had made a mistake. "That's exactly why we have appeals — courts can make mistakes," he said. "Nobody is infallible."

Kercher was stabbed to death in what prosecutors say had begun as a sexual assault. Prosecutors say that a fourth person was present the night of the murder, Rudy Hermann Guede from Ivory Coast, who has also been convicted and is serving a 16-year-prison term. Guede denies wrongdoing, but he has exhausted all levels of appeals under Italy's judicial system.

Knox and Sollecito — the American's boyfriend at the time of the crime — insist they spent the night at his house. Their defense lawyers maintain that Guede is the sole killer, while the prosecutors say that bruises and a lack of defensive wounds on Kercher's body prove that there was more than one aggressor holding her into submission.

Knox's family has flown in for the last stretch of the trial, attending hearings and visiting her in prison. Members of the Kercher family, which has kept a lower profile, are also expected to come to Perugia for the verdict.

"We visited her yesterday and she was rather anxious. But it was also the first time all my four daughters have been together for two years," a teary-eyed Curt Knox, the defendant's father, said.

He said Thursday's summations had given the court a chance to hear "a whole different story and a whole different presentation of what this case is really about".

"I think that gave her some extra strength," he added.

Knox appeared relaxed and even giggled at one point as her other lawyer, Luciano Ghirga, ridiculed a prosecution witness, covering her mouth with her hand as she tried to quickly regain her composure.

With a fatherly gesture, Ghirga ended his arguments by caressing Knox's head. He told reporters she had thanked him.

The trial continues Friday with rebuttals, beginning with the prosecution.

Bailey's Pick Keeps Broncos Tied 3-3

2012-03-13T00:18:00.000-07:00

DENVER - Champ Bailey intercepted Steve McNair's pass in the end zone to stop a late drive and Jason Elam's 43-yard field goal sent the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens into halftime tied 3-3 on Monday night.

The Ravens had the ball on the Broncos 10-yard line and McNair tried to force a third-down lob pass to receiver Clarence Moore in the right corner. Bailey, who had just been burned for a 26-yard gain, read it correctly and picked off his first pass of the season.

The game was billed as a battle of two of the top defenses in the league and the first half lived up to the hype. Both teams struggled to move the ball, but Elam's field goal with 4:54 left in the second quarter tied it at 3.

Playing in a cold rain, the Ravens had just 149 yards of total offense, and Denver had just 68.

The Broncos' offense, held to 9 yards of total offense in the first quarter, was given a boost by Darrent Williams' 33-yard punt return to the Ravens' 42. Tatum Bell, whose fumble in the first quarter set up Baltimore's field goal, helped move the ball to the 25-yard line, where Jake Plummer misconnected with David Kircus on a third-and-7 play.

In McNair's first game against the Broncos in his 12-year career, the Ravens took a 3-0 lead after one quarter on Matt Stover's 24-yard field goal following the first of Denver's two turnovers.

Chris McAlister recovered Bell's fumble at the Broncos' 40-yard line, setting up the score.

Bell gathered in a screen pass along the sideline, but a hit by Terrell Suggs jarred the ball free. McAlister scooped up the fumble and tightroped the sideline to keep two feet in before falling out of bounds. The Ravens are plus-10 in turnover differential this season.

Jake Plummer was picked off for the fifth time this season when he overthrew Javon Walker and Samari Rolle gathered in the long pass.

With the game-time temperature a chilly 39 degrees and steady rain falling, Plummer played with a glove on his throwing hand, which he's experimented with at times this season.

Baltimore's defense surrendered just three touchdowns all season coming into Monday night. The Ravens had allowed three points in the second half all year on their way to their first 4-0 start in franchise history.

Wheat Prices Surge to Daily Maximum

2012-03-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO - Wheat prices jumped to the limit allowed by the Chicago Board of Trade on Friday, while soybean prices declined.

Wheat for December delivery rose 30 cents, the daily maximum, to $8.555 a bushel; December corn rose 3 cents to $3.7025 a bushel; December oats a bushel; November soybeans fell 8.25 cents to $9.8325 a bushel.

Beef and pork futures finished mixed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

December live cattle rose 0.4 cent to 97.3 cents a pound; November feeder cattle fell 0.92 cent to $1.113 a pound; December lean hogs lost 0.45 cent to 56.92 cents a pound; February pork bellies rose 0.43 cent to 83.4 cents a pound.

Benitez confirms plans to offload winger Riera

2012-03-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants to offload winger Albert Riera next month.

The Spain international angered Benitez last week by claiming his compatriot does not communicate with players, and described Liverpool as a "sinking ship."

He was immediately suspended for several days by the club and Riera, who has a Russian wife, seems set to be sent out on loan to a Russian club before the close of their transfer window in early April.

Benitez said on Friday that "we are working with different clubs trying to find a solution at this moment."

Benitez added that Liverpool "will try to do some business if we can and see what happens."

Brazil judge bans sale, distribution, promotion of Rockstar video game 'Bully'

2012-03-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

"Bully" has taken a beating in Brazil, where a judge suspended sale of the video game on grounds it is too violent for young children and teenagers, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Judge Flavio Rabello prohibited the game from being imported, distributed, sold or promoted on Web sites and stores in Latin America's largest nation, Rio Grande do Sul state prosecutor Alcindo Bastos said. Companies have 30 days to comply.

Bastos said the judge found the game was inappropriate for children.

"The aggravating factor is that everything in the game takes place inside a school," Bastos said. "That is not acceptable."

Made by Rockstar Games and mainly distributed in Brazil by JPF Maggazine, the game lets players act out the life of a 15-year-old student and decide how to deal with teachers and cliques at a boarding school.

A local youth support center had requested the ban.

JPF Maggazine's attorney Diogo Dias Teixeira said the company has not been notified of the judge's decision.

"When we are, we will decide if we will appeal," he said, noting the company advised retailers not to sell the game to anyone under the age of 18.

A spokesman for Rockstar was unaware of the ban and could not immediately comment Thursday.

Rockstar, a unit of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., is known for "Manhunt 2," in which players fight violently to escape from a psychiatric institution, and for the popular "Grand Theft Auto" game series, in which players can hijack cars and run down pedestrians.

Bully is rated "T" for teenagers age 13 and older in the U.S., not of "M" for mature players 17 and older. It launched in October 2006 in the U.S. for Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2 gaming console. In March, it became available for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 and Nintendo Co.'s Wii, according to the Rockstar Web site for the game.

GOP bill would force action on Canada oil pipeline

2012-03-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (AP) — Angered by President Barack Obama's delay of a proposed oil pipeline from Canada, Senate Republicans are moving to force him to act.

A bill introduced Wednesday by 37 GOP senators, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, would require the administration to approve the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days, unless the president declares the project is not in the national interest.

The State Department decided on Nov. 10 to delay the project until 2013, after the presidential election, to allow the project's developer to figure out a way around Nebraska's Sandhills, an ecologically sensitive region that supplies water to eight nearby states.

McConnell, R-Ky., called the $7 billion pipeline the ultimate "shovel-ready" project and said it could create as many as 20,000 jobs.

He and other Republicans called Obama's decision to delay the project transparently political and said Obama had put his reelection above job creation.

"This is politics, pure and simple," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

The GOP bill has little chance of approval in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But the measure illustrates Republicans' frustration over the pipeline delay and their belief that Obama is vulnerable on the jobs issue.

House Republicans are expected to highlight the jobs issue again on Friday, during a hearing before the Energy and Commerce Committee on the pipeline project. Several labor union leaders are among those scheduled to testify.

The pipeline project has divided labor groups eager for the jobs it would create from environmentalists and other traditional Democratic allies who oppose the pipeline as an ecological disaster waiting to happen.

The 1,700-mile pipeline proposed by Calgary-based TransCanada would carry as much as 700,000 barrels of oil a day from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Texas, passing through Montana, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Supporters say it could significantly reduce U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil while providing thousands of jobs. Opponents say the pipeline would bring "dirty oil" that requires huge amounts of energy to extract. They also worry about possible spills, noting that a current pipeline operated by TransCanada has had several spills in the past year.

The Senate bill's chief sponsor, Richard Lugar of Indiana, said Keystone XL presented a dramatic opportunity to boost U.S. national security and North American energy production by providing oil from the nation's closest ally and largest trading partner, Canada.

"President Obama has the opportunity to help create 20,000 jobs now. Incredibly he has delayed a decision... apparently in fear of offending a part of his political base," Lugar said.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest called that criticism off-base.

"I recognize that there are people in Washington, D.C., who want to apply a political label to every single thing that the president or other members of this administration do, but at the end of the day this is a decision that falls cleanly in line with the priorities that the president laid out" in a recent interview, Earnest said.

Obama told a Nebraska TV station that he needed to balance job creation and energy security with public health and the safety of communities along the pipeline route.

The bill's supporters include Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., who had opposed an earlier plan that would have routed the pipeline through the Nebraska Sandhills, a region of porous hills that includes a high concentration of wetlands and a key aquifer.

The State Department cited the Sandhills as a key reason to delay the project. The State Department has authority over the project because it crosses a U.S. border. After the delay was announced, TransCanada agreed to divert the pipeline around the Sandhills, although an exact route has not been determined.

Last week, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman signed two laws aimed at oil pipelines, including one that requires state officials to conduct an environmental review of Keystone XL.

Johanns said the Senate bill would allow construction of the pipeline to begin in all states except Nebraska, where construction would be put off until an acceptable route is found and all required reviews are completed.

"The issues in Nebraska have been resolved," Johanns said, adding that the White House should not hide behind concern over the Sandhills as a reason to delay the project further.

Nebraska's other senator, Democrat Ben Nelson, called the GOP bill "well intentioned" but unnecessary. He said state officials have worked out a "good compromise" with TransCanada and the State Department that should be allowed to continue.

"If something goes awry, I can look at legislation at that time," he told reporters Wednesday.

Lugar, the senior Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he hopes to have a public hearing on the bill by the end of the year.

A spokeswoman for Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the panel's chairman, said Kerry was in contact with Lugar and "evaluating how best to move forward."

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Matthew Daly can be followed at http://twitter.com/MatthewDalyWDC