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Davis Cup Results

2012-03-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

Viktor Troicki, Serbia, def. John Isner, United States, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-4.

Novak Djokovic, Serbia, def. Sam Querrey, United States, 6-2, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3.

Switzerland 1, Spain 1

At Plaza de Toros de la Ribera

Logrono, Spain

Surface: Clay-Indoor

Singles

Stanislas Wawrinka, Switzerland def. Nicolas Almagro, Spain, 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

David Ferrer, Spain, def. Marco Chiudinelli, Switzerland, 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-1.

France 2, Germany 0

At Palais des Sports

Toulon, France

Surface: Hard-Indoor

Singles

Gael Monfils, France, …

Greene awaits high-speed chase U.S. sprint star seeks triple gold at world track

2012-03-15T05:02:00.000-07:00

SEVILLE, Spain Maurice Greene swaggers onto the stage like a rapstar, flashbulbs popping all around him, basking in the fame thatbefits his status as the world's fastest man.

Greene grabs the microphone and delivers his message for the day:"Beware of the Phenomenon."

Greene is referring to himself, using a nickname that sums up thespectacular impact he has had on sprinting in the past three years,highlighted by his 100-meter world record of 9.79 seconds.

Now, Greene has his sights set on another prize: three gold medalsat the World Championships.

The 25-year-old American is competing in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter relays. Carl Lewis (1983 and 1987) and …

German gets prison term for abusing Thai minors

2012-03-15T02:40:00.000-07:00

BERLIN (AP) — A German court has sentenced an HIV-positive sex tourist to nine years in prison on 399 counts of abusing minors in Thailand.

German news agency DAPD reported the Lueneburg state court on Thursday convicted the man of sexual abuse of minors and additionally of causing serious bodily harm because he had not …

Despite ban, Palestinians build the settlements

2012-03-15T00:16:00.000-07:00

ARIEL, West Bank (AP) — It's a startling fact: The workers building Israel's West Bank settlements have generally been Palestinians — even though Palestinians widely consider these communities a toxic threat to their dream of an independent state.

Now comes a twist: Earlier this year, the Palestinian government passed a law forbidding work in the settlements — and its determination to stamp out the phenomenon is being sorely tested in recent weeks, as a settlement building boomlet has emerged in the West Bank.

With the Palestinian economy facing double-digit unemployment, the issue has sparked some soul-searching and debate.

"It is immoral for us — totally immoral for us …

Wise seeks help for volunteer effort: Group would assist police on state security

2012-03-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

DAILY MAIL STAFF

Gov. Bob Wise is asking counties for assistance in launching WestVirginia Watch, a new volunteer organization that would assist lawenforcement in safeguarding the state's people and resources.

In letters sent out Monday, he asked county commission presidentsfrom the state's 55 counties for help in implementing his plan.

"Through this program," Wise wrote, "responsible citizens can formNeighborhood Watch-style volunteer groups that will assist our policewith surveillance of industrial plants, businesses, gas lines,waterways, bridges and other critical structures and naturalresources."

Wise initially announced the program Jan. 9 during his …

Tax Charges Dismissed Against Pot Guru

2012-03-14T19:35:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO - A judge dismissed tax and money laundering charges Wednesday against a man who declared himself "Guru of Ganja," after defense attorneys argued the prosecution was retaliation.

Ed Rosenthal, 62, still faces charges that he grew hundreds of plants for a medical marijuana dispensary.

Rosenthal successfully appealed his earlier conviction on drug charges because of misconduct by a juror. But federal prosecutors indicted him again in October over the same marijuana operation, adding four counts of hiding money and five counts of filing false tax returns.

U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer dismissed all the non-drug charges against Rosenthal, saying …

Judge: Nev. gov can be questioned in civil case

2012-03-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

A federal judge says Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons can be questioned in a civil suit filed by a former administrator who claims she was improperly fired from the governor's office.

The judge ruled Tuesday that attorneys for Mary Keating will be allowed to take pretrial testimony from Gibbons after the legislative session concludes.

Keating claims she was fired last May …

Robbery suspect may be tied to Feitler killing

2012-03-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

Chicago police on Monday released a sketch of a suspect in aJune 6 robbery near a Gold Coast cash machine, hoping that it couldlead to an arrest in the robbery and slaying of Dana Feitler.

Police believe the suspect may be involved in both robberies,which were similar in many respects and happened 12 days apart.

"I hope it's the break we've been looking for," said Area 6police Cmdr. William Callaghan.

In the June 6 robbery, a man stopped at a cash machine in the1100 block of North Clark at about 1 a.m. and withdrew $20. Hewalked about a half block before two men approached him from behind,told him they had a .22-caliber gun and took his wallet.

…

Hamilton pulls U-turn, says F1 chances alive

2012-03-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) — Lewis Hamilton performed a quick U-turn on his Formula One championship hopes a day after just about ruling them out.

The McLaren driver said "it's finished really, in the sense of the championship, it's almost over already" after finishing fourth in the European Grand Prix on Sunday.

But Hamilton, who had come under …

Oil above $67 despite high inventories

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

Strengthening stock markets in Europe helped push oil prices above $67 a barrel Wednesday despite data showing U.S. crude inventories rose for a third week, suggesting consumer demand remains weak.

By mid-afternoon in Europe, benchmark crude for November delivery was up 69 cents at $67.40 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 13 cents to settle at $66.71 on Tuesday.

Major European stock indexes were all higher, boosted by improving German unemployment figures and a more optimistic forecast by the International Monetary Fund about the pace of the global economic recovery.

A report by the Commerce Department …

Cardenas continues his quest to bring MLS team to Chicago

2012-03-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

Chicago soccer promoter Henry Cardenas gets a long-awaitedmeeting today with Sunil Gulati, deputy commissioner of Major LeagueSoccer.

Cardenas has been working to bring an MLS franchise to Chicagowhile staging a series of international matches at Soldier Field thissummer.

His meeting with Gulati, which follows several informalconversations between the two, will take place in Los Angeles.Gulati has been unavailable while attending the Olympics, andCardenas will hurry home to complete preparations for his thirdSoldier Field card on Aug. 17.

Cardenas' June program brought the national teams of Mexico andSlovakia to Chicago, and many of the players on the …

Libya: Area near Gadhafi compound struck in raid

2012-03-14T05:33:00.000-07:00

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Hours after NATO airstrikes pounded the area near Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's compound again before dawn Thursday, Russia's envoy to Libya turned up at a bombing site while on a visit to Tripoli for talks on ending the civil war.

The ITAR-Tass news agency said Mikhail Margelov met Libyan Foreign Minister Abdul-Ati al-Obeidi and planned a session with Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Al-Mahmoudi. Reporters taken to a bombing site — it was not clear if it was the location hit early Thursday — saw Margelov there, in the company of government officials.

Last week, Margelov visited the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi and said that Gadhafi has lost his …

Ginsburg released from hospital, back to work

2012-03-14T03:01:00.000-07:00

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been released from a Washington hospital after spending the night there as a precaution.

The court said in a statement Friday morning that the 76-year-old justice plans to be back at work later Friday.

Ginsburg fell ill in her office Thursday afternoon after receiving treatment for anemia. Although she was found to be stable after an examination, the court said she was taken to the Washington Hospital Center as a precautionary measure. Ginsburg underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer in February.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the 76-year-old Supreme Court justice who underwent pancreatic cancer surgery earlier this year, fell ill at work after a treatment for anemia and was hospitalized overnight.

Ginsburg was taken to Washington Hospital Center at 7:45 p.m. EDT Thursday and would remain there for the night as a precaution, a statement from the court said.

Earlier in the day, Ginsburg had received an iron sucrose infusion to treat an iron deficiency anemia that had been discovered in July.

About an hour later, she "developed lightheadedness and fatigue," the statement said. She was found to have a slightly low blood pressure, which the court said can occur after the type of treatment she received.

Although an examination found her to be in stable health, she was given fluids and taken to the hospital, the court said.

The July evaluation found "that she was in completely normal health with the exception of a low red blood cell count caused by deficiency of iron. Intravenous iron therapy was administered in a standard fashion," the court statement said.

Doctors on Feb. 5 removed a small, malignant growth from Ginsburg's pancreas. Doctors found no spread of it elsewhere, the court said at the time. Her spleen also was removed.

She returned to work quickly and hasn't missed a day of work since. In March she said the operation had been "a complete, successful, surgical removal" of the cancer. However, she also said she was to undergo chemotherapy treatment.

A common side effect of chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer is anemia.

Two months after her surgery, Ginsburg told law students at a symposium at Ohio State University that serving on the Supreme Court was "the best and the hardest job I've ever had." She said she wanted to match the tenure of Justice Louis Brandeis, who served for more than two decades and retired at age 82.

Ginsburg spent part of this past summer the way she usually does, teaching in Europe. This year's class was in Rome.

After the retirement in January 2006 of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Ginsburg was the only woman on the nine-member court until Sonia Sotomayor joined the court last August.

Nominated by President Bill Clinton, Ginsburg took her seat on the Supreme Court on Aug. 10, 1993. She had been a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 1980.

___

AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this report.

NACE's town hall meeting is host to robust debate

2012-03-14T00:09:00.000-07:00

DALLAS-With the stage taking on the look of a television news program, moderator Bob Anderson introduced panelists for NACE's 2002 Town Hall Luncheon on Dec. 7. The guests included John Carona, Texas' state senator; Robert Hurns, counsel for NAII; Denise Lloyd, publisher of BodyShop Business magazine; Ron Ray, executive director of the I-CAR Education Foundation; Bob Redding,Washington, D.C., representative for the Automotive Service Association (ASA); and Alan Walne, a member of the Dallas City Council and president of Herb's Paint and Body.

Panelists first addressed the topic of a bill that Sen. Carona (R-Texas) will be introducing next month to the Texas state legislature. The bill is modeled after California Senate Bill (S.B.) 1648, and seeks to ban insurance companies from having an ownership interest in repair facilities. Redding says the concept of insurance companies owning collision repair shops "removes all checks and balances and is a conflict of interest," which is why ASA is supporting the bill. Lloyd agreed, but said, "It comes down to what's best for the consumer.We have to be saying that it's not about us, it's a consumer issue."

Hurns was the only dissenter on the panel, adding that the issue is an uncomfortable one and could lead to lawsuits. But Carona countered by saying, "The insurance companies believe they can ride roughshod over the consumer. It's just bad public policy" Lloyd offered this pronouncement to shop owners: "Don't panic. The average shop has been owned for 23 years. We don't know if they can do it better. They have to deal with the same [production] problems that you do every day."

Shop licensing is also emerging as a cause for concern among shop owners. "Repairers support licensing," Redding said. "But it needs enforcement. It [licensing laws] has to have teeth in it before our members would support it," he says of any federal legislation. Walne offered a shop owner's perspective by saying, "We have got to be in control of these issues," instead of letting the government draft federal licensing legislation. "The only way we can do that is to come together. Also, more than half the people in this audience could not tell me who their [congressional] reps are. That has to stop." He told audience members to start out on Monday morning by finding out who their representatives are and sending e-- mails and letters of support for issues they care about.

The panelists addressed more than a dozen issues during the one-hour session, many of which were raised by the audience. One question that was brought into the discussion was why ASA won't move NACE permanently to Las Vegas, or hold the show every other year. "To do it every other year doesn't meet the needs of the industry," Anderson said. "More than 4,000 people attended seminars this week. We try and serve a lot of people. The show will go on every year."

He also mentioned that the show is held in December instead of November because the association receives reduced rates during the month. They rotate the show in different cities to reach attendees in other markets.

NACE attendance totals

NACE 2002 drew between 24,000 and 25,000 attendees. NACE 2003 is scheduled for Dec. 4-7 in Orlando. NACE 2004 will take place in Las Vegas. NACE will now rotate between the two cities. Galen Poss, a NACE manager with Hanley-Wood Exhbitions, said attendance came out at near expected numbers. The absence of several paint companies this year was partially the reason attendance was down because it affected the distribution channel and the jobbers and PBEs that typically attend. Poss said all but two paint companies so far have responded affirmatively for next year.

[Author Affiliation]

By Lisa Greenberg

Senior Associate Editor

US Wants Fast Shutdown of NKorea Reactor

2012-03-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

SEOUL, South Korea - The chief U.S. envoy to North Korean nuclear talks called Tuesday for rapid progress in shutting down Pyongyang's bomb-making reactor when U.N. nuclear inspectors visit the communist nation next week.

Next week's trip by the International Atomic Energy Agency will be the first concrete step toward dismantling North Korea's nuclear program after a weekend breakthrough in a financial dispute that has delayed implementation of a disarmament accord.

"We want the IAEA to be able to quickly make an agreement and get on with shutting down the reactor," Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill told reporters.

The Vienna-based IAEA said it would send inspectors to the North next week, possibly as early as Monday, to discuss how to monitor and verify the shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor, as agreed by Pyongyang under the February agreement.

Under that deal reached in Beijing with China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States, North Korea had pledged to shut down the reactor by the middle of April.

There is no new deadline set, however, for Pyongyang to carry through the pledge after the first deadline was missed.

Hill, on a regional tour to Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo, has said he hopes to see a shutdown "within weeks, not months."

Russia's Interfax-China news agency cited an unidentified North Korean official on Monday as saying Pyongyang plans to shut down the reactor in the second half of July.

"Again, we're going to really have to pick up the pace if we're to get back on our timelines," Hill said, stressing the need to make up for time lost due to the banking dispute.

The envoy said he said he has been in contact with the IAEA and it understands the "need to move quickly."

In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice welcomed as "indeed a good step" North Korea's invitation of the IAEA team. "We expect North Korea to carry through with its obligations," she said.

The process of persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear program was stalled for months by a dispute over about $25 million in North Korean funds that were frozen in a Macau bank backlisted by the United States.

North Korean state media said Saturday that enough progress had been made on the issue that a "working-level delegation" from the IAEA had been invited to discuss procedures for the verification and monitoring of the reactor's shutdown, as agreed under the February pact. North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors in December 2002.

North Korea had boycotted the six-party nuclear talks for more than a year, saying the financial freeze was a sign of Washington's hostility. It conducted its first-ever atomic bomb test last October.

Hill said Tuesday that the banking issue, which involved the transfer of the money from Macau's Banco Delta Asia to a North Korean account in Russia via the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Russian central bank, is basically resolved.

"Everything was clear as of last night," Hill said. "If it hasn't been transferred by now, I'm sure it's very, very soon. So we really are done with that issue."

Hill said the North Korean account is in a bank in Vladivostok in the Russian Far East and any delay in transferring the money from the central bank would be due to the vast time difference from Moscow.

South Korea plans to start shipping 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil to North Korea by the time it shuts down its nuclear reactor as part of the disarmament deal. North Korea is to eventually receive further aid equivalent to 950,000 tons of heavy fuel oil in return for irreversibly disabling the reactor and declaring all of its nuclear programs.

---

Associated Press Writer Kwang-Tae-Kim contributed to this report.

How can first-time buyers get on the property ladder? ; Property expert Nigel Lewis answers your questions

2012-03-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

Q: Is it really that bad for first time buyers? A: Stories aboundof desperate young people struggling to raise deposits or findmortgages without the help of the bank of mum and dad. But it's notquite that bad and if you're prepared to put the hard work in thenhelp is at hand for anyone trying to step ont o the property ladder,despite the gloomy headlines.

At first the problem looks daunting. On average first-time buyersneed a deposit of 1.6 times their annual salary and face hostilityfrom mortgage lenders and are often worried by today's wobblinghouse prices. But support is out there - including generous dealsfrom new homes developers, government schemes offering affordablemortgages and discounted properties. But can they help? TheFindaproperty.com house price index recently revealed that first-time buyer deposits have dropped nine per cent to an average ofPounds 50,172 over the past year. Which is in theory is good newsbut still leaves many young people wondering where to get Pounds50,172.

One strategy worth considering is to doorstep developers for adeal. For example Fairview Homes is offering a five per cent deposit'top up' scheme that enables buyers to borrow 95 per cent of theirdeposit interest-free for 10 years. Other developers includingBarratt and Bovis offer similar schemes.

On a more subtle front, remember there are more homes for sale atthe moment - it's a buyers' market. The Findaproperty index saysfirst-time buyer homes for sale have leapt by 53 per cent comparedto September 2009.

And although the average house price for first time buyers ishigh at Pounds 154,824, there are other ways to knock down the costof a property. Snap up repossessions from one of the specialistdealers or try your luck at auction; it's easy to find repossessedhomes from most estate agents, although you often need to requestthem, as well as from banks and at auction. More than 30,000properties a year are sold at auction are sold at a discount of upto 40 per cent.

But if it's more advice you need then come to the First TimeBuyer Home Show in partnership with FindaProperty.com at the GrandConnaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London, on Saturday, October 23.

If you are keen to get on the ladder then this is the place toget advice from the industry experts including lawyers, developers,financial advisors, interior designers and estate agents. As well asinformation on shared ownership, new homes and shared equityschemes, there will be an "affordable housing village" whereinformation on the many private and government-backed deals forfirst time buyers will be offered.

To get free tickets for the First Time Buyer Home Show on October23 in London visit www.ftbhomeshow.com.

Nigel Lewis

Shout-outs to some of Chicago's finest professionals

2012-03-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another edition of In the Mix - your who, what, when, where and why of our people. Here's to you...Stay cool and enjoy what little hot weather we get in Chicago. Get your rest now, because I will have your complete list for the weekend in my next edition. Enjoy.

In good company....

I recently had the honor of sitting down with the beautiful, smart, perceptive and down to earth Allison Payne. Despite being the center of attention in a million homes each night, I found Payne, co-anchor of the Ch. 9 News at Nine and a 16-year veteran of WGN-TV, to be "real" and not the attention seeker that some famous people are. I felt as if I were talking to a well-seasoned history teacher. Allison is a five-time Emmy award winning anchor and co-anchor of WGN's bi-weekly program, People to People with Steve Sanders.

During our conversation, I enjoyed hanging on to her every word as she carefully explained each of our points of discussion. We covered everything, including her career, relationships and world issues, and how we can help our young generation to grow. She enjoys all aspects of her job, but she especially enjoys covering her favorite topics: politics and current events. Payne is a native of Richmond, Va., but grew up in Detroit - where her dad raised her - and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Detroit. She has a master's degree from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. In 1995, Payne established the Kathryn Payne Memorial Scholarship fund in honor of her late mother.

Payne also enjoys reading and watching the History Channel in her spare time.

Thank you, Allison, for having such a wonderful conversation with me and it's good to talking with someone who understands giving back. Keep up the good work.

Moving on up...

On Saturday evening, more that 150 people came out to the Victor Hotel to toast the new community relations director for WMAQ-TV/Ch. 5, Deborah O. Brown, as she embarks on her latest endeavor. The talented Ms. Brown has enjoyed an upwardly moving career as a television producer, actress, model and community organizer. It was no surprise when I got the news of her latest success. Deborah has always been one to care for others and has avoided credit for the things she has done for so many.

This job is a perfect place for her to impact upon the relationship between the station and the community. A Who's Who came out to celebrate. In the house was Allison Payne, Bonnie Deshong, Derrick Baker, Gloria Brown, PR Diva Melody McDowell, and PR King John McCartney, with his hot list of client restaurants and clubs like Marche, Gioco, Red Light, Carnivale, Excalibur, and Hotel Victor just to drop a few names.

Real estate queen Janis Corley and husband Ray Blaney, Valerie Warner and author Yolanda Joe attended the event as well. Our hat's off to Deborah's lovely sister, Karen Tolbert, and her close girlfriends: Michelle Williams, Leshelle Davis, Jada Curry and Jennie Spain. They all were quite sweet and very much the "Divas." This was one hot party for such a steamy night.

Homes to sell, a man to marry and a party too...

Ambition is not one of the things lacking from the life of Marki Lemons-Ryhal, who recently hosted a massive 30-something birthday party Saturday night in Bronzeville for 200-plus guests, with a barbecue buffet and open bar. Marki has really made a name for herself in real estate. She is the owner/broker of Homes 2 Sell, Inc. and is a real estate instructor with Triton College and The Chicago Association of Realtors. One would think that this sister's plate is completely full. However, she recently added wife to her string of titles. On June 6, Stephen C. Ryhal took Marki as his wife. Stephen currently works for Union Pacific Railroad and is a partner in KGRyhal Construction.

Here's to living your life to the fullest and having someone to love. I wish you and yours nothing but the best.

Must be nice...

Congratulations are in order for music retailer, Dedry Jones, owner of The Music Experience, 1959 1/2 E. 73rd St. A few years ago, Dedry, in an effort to keep local neighborhood music retail alive, created "The Experience," a series of fan-only consumer events which allows consumers to enjoy a personal conversation with an artist who is interviewed about his/her career, personal interests and latest album release. The interviews are typically followed by an intimate performance and CD autograph session. Past guests have included such esteemed artists as John Legend, Patti LaBelle, CeCe Winans and Will Downing.

Well, all of Dedry's hard work has paid off. All of "The Experience" events have helped drive Chicago consumers back to neighborhood stores. In June, the platinum-selling urban/pop musician Lyfe Jennings was the featured artist in "The Experience." His performance was recorded for an exclusive limited edition live CD, which consumers will receive with the purchase of The Phoenix, Lyfe's eagerly awaited sophomore album, available in stores on Aug. 15 from Sony Urban Music/Columbia Records. The value-added CD, The Experience with Lyfe Jennings, is a first in the music industry for independent retailers across the country because of the strategic partnership between The Music Experience and SonyBMG Distribution. This CD will only be available at only small music retail stores. This allows us to give some love to our Black-owned music stores, just like back in the day. Please stop by and show The Music Experience some love or you can visit them on the web at www.AMusicExperience.com. Yes, my friends, Lyfe's new CD is off the hook!

You Are My Sunshine...

Make plans now to join me for a true evening of soul, rhythm and love as the one and only Terisa Griffin presents her CD release party Thursday at Green Dolphin, 2200 N. Ashland Ave. Her new CD, entitled My Naked Soul, is off the chain. My Naked Soul is available in stores August 8. The first single, Sunshine has already seen success on the UK charts with Producer-DJ Terry Hunter's house remix-included as a bonus track. Terisa has many wonderful accomplishments to her credit. She has worked with the biggest names in music from Isaac Hayes, Ashford & Simpson and Roberta Flack, to Jerry Butler, Parti Labelle and Rhassan Patterson. The party start at 7 p.m. Admission is $20, which includes an exclusive signed copy of her new CD. For more information, please visit www.terisagriffin.com. I'll see you there.

[Author Affiliation]

by Art Sims

Defender Staff Writer

[Author Affiliation]

Art Sims is the night life/entertainment/relationship columnist for the Chicago Defender. He can be reached at chatdaddy@chicagodefender.com.

Roger Ebert's one-minute critic

2012-03-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

Rating 4 Superior

Rating 3 Recommended

Rating 2 OK

Rating 1Rating 1Time-waster

NR Not reviewed

NA Not available

24 Realities Per Second*

Rating 2 out of 4

This thin profile opens an eight-film retrospective "MichaelHaneke: The Cinema of Transgression." In it, the Austrian auteur ofaustere thrillers scouts locations and speaks to festival audiences.(None, 58 min.) Bill Stamets

BARNYARD*

Rating 2 1/2 out of 4

Another pleasant, but not especially unusual foray into the worldof cute animals with all the attributes of humans -- including (ormaybe especially) our less attractive foibles. Good for the kids.(PG, 84 min.) Bill Zwecker

BEOWULF & GRENDEL

Rating 3 out of 4

Set in the 6th century and shot in Iceland, this sword-and-stormadventure by Icelandic director Sturla Gunnarsson offersbreathtaking, bone-chilling scenery and action. (R, 102 min.) BillStamets

BROTHERS OF THE HEAD*

A faux documentary of a fictional 1970s punk band fronted byconjoined twins. A bleak look at a creative duo, who, despiteinterdependence are at odds, with no way to escape. (None, 93 min.)David Germain/AP

CARS

Rating 3 out of 4

A racing car named Lightning McQueen strays from the Interstateand finds itself in Radiator Springs, seat of Carburetor Country,where the retired racer Doc Hudson (Paul Newman) is in retirement.(G, 118 min.)

CLICK

Rating 2 out of 4

A workaholic (Adam Sandler) is given a "universal remote" thatallows him to control his life like a DVD. He can fast-forward, mutethe sound, freeze a scene, jump to the future, but he can'texperience his real life. (PG-13, 98 min.)

THE DESCENT*

Rating 4 out of 4

British horror-thriller recalls grueling, adrenaline-pumpingclassics like "Deliverance." It's that good. A savage and grippingpiece of work about six women who go cave-diving in the Appalachians.(R, 99min.) Jim Emerson

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

Rating 2 out of 4

Can a young girl (Anne Hathaway) from a campus newspaper out inthe Midwest find wealth and happiness as the assistant of a rich andimperious Manhattan editor (Meryl Streep). Perhaps a teenage special?(PG-13, 109 min.)

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

Rating 4 out of 4

Al Gore warns that global warming is real, and unless it isreversed, the planet will pass a "tipping point" in about 10 yearsand start a slide into the destruction of civilization. You owe it toyourself to see this film. (PG, 95 min.)

JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE

Three popular girls from different cliques discover they've allbeen dating the school stud. They cleverly scheme to get revenge withthe help of the inconspicuous new girl in town. (PG-13, 87 min.)

KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS

Rating 3 out of 4

The rival of a Hollywood agent (Jeremy Piven) throws a Titanic-themed bar mitzvah for his son. Not to be outdone, Piven pays to rentDodger Stadium and hire Neil Diamond for his own son's bar mitzvah.Funny, quirky. (PG-13, 99 min.)

LADY IN THE WATER

Rating 2 1/2 out of 4

M. Night Shyamalan's supernatural thriller in which an etherealwater nymph emerges from the swimming pool of an apartment complex insuburban Philadelphia. (PG-13, 110 min.) Richard Roeper

LEMMING*

Rating 2 1/2 out of 4

Dominik Moll directs a spooky, quasi-sci- fi, psychologicalthriller that's a teasing pastiche of psychosexual motifs linked to alemming stuck in a kitchen pipe. A wry homage to Alfred Hitchcock.(None, 129 min.) Bill Stamets

LITTLE MAN

Rating 1 1/2 out of 4

From the men who brought you "White Chicks," here's a newcollection of flatulence and groin-injury jokes, this time wrappedaround a diminutive criminal (Marlon Wayans) posing as a baby. (PG-13, 80 min.) Darel Jevens

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE*

Rating 3 1/2 out of 4

A little girl travels from Albuquerque to Redondo Beach with herdysfunctional family to compete at a junior beauty contest. A gentlecomedy that harks back to anti-establishment '70s comedies. (R, 101min.) Jim Emerson

MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND

A movie with a fresh premise and one of the best casting choices,Uma Thurman as a superhero using her powers to exact payback on theman who jilted her. But the result is so unfunny. (PG-13, 96 min.)David Germain, AP

THE NIGHT LISTENER*

Rating 3 out of 4

An atmospheric Hitchcockian thriller about the relationshipbetween a radio storyteller and an abused boy whose connection isinitially established via long-distance phone calls. (R, 90 min.) JimEmerson

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Rating 2 1/2 out of 4

Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are back for asecond turn as a rowdy bunch of buccaneers, this time in search of afabled treasure chest. A weak script detracts from the overallexcitement. (PG-13, 140 min.) Bill Zwecker

POLICE BEAT

An African man, known only as Z (Pape Sidy Niang) works as abicycle cop in Seattle. The movie follows him on his daily beatthrough absurd, mundane and brutal incidents. (None, 81 min.)

A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION

Rating 4 out of 4

Robert Altman's salute to Garrison Keillor's great radio programis gentle and whimsical, simple and profound. As the story opens, theprogram is going off the air and its theater has been sold. Justplain fun. (PG-13, 105 min.)

PREMIUM*

Rating 3 out of 4

Pete Chatmon writes and directs a fine romantic drama about anAfrican-American actor who wants to reprise his role as a real-lifeleading man for his ex-fiancee. (None, 97 min.) Bill Stamets

A SCANNER DARKLY

An institutional fight against drug addiction, as an undercovercop is assigned to spy on his friends, and, in the complexconvolutions of the plot, to spy on himself. (R, 100 min.) DuaneByrge, Hollywood Reporter

SHADOWBOXER

Rating 1 1/2 out of 4

A miscast Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding Jr. are totally wasted inthis unfortunate film about a stepmother and stepson -- who also arelovers -- as well as contract killers. (R, 93 min.) Bill Zwecker

SCOOP

Rating 2 1/2 out of 4

Another breezy, well-paced, class-conscious British murder mysteryby Woody Allen starring Scarlett Johnansson Hugh Jackman is thedashing aristocrat who might be the infamous Tarot Card Killer. (PG-13, 96 min.) Richard Roeper

STRANGERS WITH CANDY

Rating 3 out of 4

The backstory of Amy Sedaris' "boozer, user and loser" characterfrom TV is told with effective deadpan wit. Fake newsman StephenColbert does funny support work as a self-loathing teacher. (R, 97min.) Darel Jevens

SUPERMAN RETURNS

Rating 2 out of 4

A glum, lackluster movie in which even the big effects sequencesseem dutiful instead of exhilarating. Brandon Routh is monosyllabicas Clark Kent and microsyllabic as Superman. (PG-13, 140 min.)

TALLEDEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY

Rating 3 1/2 out of 4

The ultimate high-concept comedy of 2006: Will Ferrell meetsNASCAR, and laughs abound. Ferrell has perfected the art of thecharmingly clueless oaf, here as a socially dysfunctional NASCARdriver. (None, 105 min.) Richard Roeper

WAIST DEEP

Rating 2 out of 4

An ex-gang member tries to redeem himself on the level, but when awarlord kidnaps his son, it's clear his redemption will come on theother side of the law. (R, 97 min.) Thomas Conner

WORDPLAY

Rating 3 out of 4

A documentary centered on the 28th annual American CrosswordPuzzle Tournament, hosted every year in Stamford, Conn., by WillShortz, the editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle. (None, 90min.)

YOU, ME AND DUPREE

Rating 2 out of 4

The uncouth Dupree (Owen Wilson) moves in with his newlywed bestfriend (Matt Dillon) and his wife (Kate Hudson). Devastation ensuesand the story makes no sense. (PG-13, 108 minutes) Jim Emerson

* Reviewed today Search the Ebert Review Database on the web:www.suntimes.com/ebert

NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS

MIAMI VICE

Rating 3 out of 4

Other than the setting and the names of the characters, MichaelMann's dark, violent remake starring Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxxbears little resemblance to the TV series he executive-produced inthe 1980s. (R, 125 min.) Richard Roeper

THE ANT BULLY

Rating 3 out of 4

A delightful, entertaining morality play that delivers its messageof consideration and tolerance in a clever and totally engagingmanner. A solid combination of top-flight voice talent and visualartistry. (PG, 88 min.) Bill Zwecker

To learn to be safe, kids really go to town

2012-03-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

If your kid tells you he's going to Safety Town, brace yourself.

Next thing you know, he'll start giving you heat for speedingthrough yellow lights. He'll remind you to look both ways - twice -before you cross the street. He'll insist you and your family comeup with a fire escape plan. And then you'll have to practice it.

That little town leaves a big impression, and that's just howthe Safety Town people want it. The things young people learn therecould save their lives. Maybe yours, too.

There's a Safety Town building boom in the Chicago area. Thesepint-size villages, with their buildings, streets, crosswalks,railroad tracks, stop lights and traffic signs, seem to be sproutingeverywhere.

Darien, Hinsdale, Naperville, Wheeling, Arlington Heights,Northbrook, Glen Ellyn, Mount Prospect, Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove,St. Charles are among the 40 Safety Town, Safetyville and SafetyVillage sites in the Chicago area. Glendale Heights has one underconstruction.

"I like riding my bike a lot," said Lorena Munoz, 10, ofRomeoville, who learned the rules of the road at her town's newhands-on training facility. "Now I tell everyone what's safe, and I'mglad I know it so I can keep on riding my bike safely. I always lookboth ways - two times."

There are 100 Safety Towns in Illinois and 850 nationwide.There are similar programs in 26 foreign countries, including theSoviet Union and Saudi Arabia. The Chicago Park District runs abike-safety program for day campers, but has no Safety Town-typefacility, a spokesman said.

Safety Towns range from portable models that can be set up in aclassroom to elaborate permanent structures, such as Romeoville's new$300,000 facility, which has a real caboose, a classroom buildingthat is a replica of the 1905 Romeo Santa Fe train station, workingtraffic signals, street lights and a special "smoke house" wherechildren experience a simulated house fire and escape down a ladder.Built by volunteers and donations at no cost to taxpayers, the effortearned Romeoville a Governor's Hometown Award. It was dedicated aweek ago.

"Probably only 10 across the country cost that much," saidDorothy Chlad, a Cleveland grandmother and former nursery schoolteacher who has run the National Safety Town Center for 26 years.

"The majority of the safety programs in operation cost about$1,000 to $2,000 per setup. I consider curriculum 99 percent of theprogram and the outside facilities the frosting on the cake."

"We've set the standard that others are trying to duplicate orexpand on," boasted Robert Starke, Romeoville police chief and actingvillage manager. "This is hands-on safety. It's much more importantto walk into a caboose and see how big a train car is than tell kidsnot to go on the tracks because they could get killed. This kind oftraining will help someone."

Romeoville's facility and curriculum are tailored for thevillage's rapid growth, with an emphasis on traffic safety.

"Romeoville is growing a lot right now. When I grew up we couldbe gone all day on our bikes and our parents wouldn't worry about us- it was all gravel farm roads. Now they're all four-lane highways,"said Jill Davis Moore, a resident, mother and Safety Town publicist.

Because of the building boom, she said, "There is an increasedrisk to children in the community, and we want to make sure they areprepared for that. We're working on a class about how to play safelynear construction sites."

Romeoville's Safety Town site, outside the village hall, was abaseball field shunned by players because it was too dangerous. Homeruns routinely landed in Illinois 53, a four-lane highway with heavytruck traffic.

The biggest Safety Town attraction is the two-story "firehouse," which fills with theatrical smoke. As the smoke alarmshrieks, children escape down a ladder from an upstairs bedroomwindow.

"A real fire would be pretty scary," said Joey Misra, 8, aRomeoville boy who attended a two-week safety program this summer."We learned all about the heat and the smoke and everything. I don'tknow if I'd stay calm, but I'd know what to do."

"I was brave to do it," said 4-year-old Yesenia Munoz, whoescaped the smoke house by climbing down the ladder.

Her siblings - George, 11, and Lucy, 8 - said "The littlest onealways goes first" as they helped Yesenia out the window.

"We don't use tickets or whistles. We do it in a very positiveway with no scolding," said Rex King, Romeoville's crime preventionofficer.

Safety Town is booming in part because these are dangerous timesfor children. But Chlad emphasizes that to be effective, a programhas to teach children without frightening them.

"It can make a child feel very much in control if it is withinhis or her capabilities," she said. "If you put tremendous pressureon them, it could cause additional stress. We present it (to 4-, 5-and 6-year-olds) on their level through songs and games. We can'texpect children to handle every situation. We still want Mom or Dadcrossing the street with them."

Mexico: Drought hits water supply for 2.5 million

2012-03-13T05:52:00.000-07:00

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Forget lawn watering or car washing: A drought has dried up even drinking water supplies for an estimated 2.5 million people in more than 1,500 small communities in northern Mexico.

Social Development Secretary Heriberto Felix Guerra says water has to be trucked in, treated on the spot and stored in tanks for many of those towns.

Felix Guerra said Friday that seven Mexican states are suffering from drought while other parts of the country have been troubled by such severe weather as floods or hail.

The secretary notes that the trucked-in water is for drinking and doesn't help problems with crops and cattle. He estimates farmers have lost 2.2 million acres (900,000 hectares) of crops to dry conditions this year.

Política Internacional: La Guerra Se Ha Ganado, pero "Por qué?"

2012-03-13T02:21:00.000-07:00

LA guerra ha tenido un final que todos preve�amos, el triunfo ha sido el esperado, no pod�a ser de otra forma, Turner High escribi� que la guerra es la habilidad de toda una sociedad, y no de un solo individuo, ya Napole�n admiraba a sus jinetes, a los que abati� en Las Pir�mides y luego convirti� en su guardia personal, de ellos, dec�a: son grandes guerreros, uno solo es capaz de derribar a cuatro de mis h�sares. El General Schwarzkopf dijo que la Guerra del Golfo fue ganada por sus soldados, no por las armas "high-tech" que manejaban, contin�o diciendo "si Saddam Huseim hubiera contado con los mismos barcos, aviones y misiles que nosotros, hubi�ramos ganado igualmente, �l no ten�a nuestros soldados.

El 11 de septiembre, el mundo occidental pareci� desamparado ante la agresi�n de una banda asesina, no era as�, nosotros, los americanos, hemos demostrado, antes que nada, una voluntad f�rrea, esta naci�n siempre ha ten�do l�deres en�rgicos en las horas dif�ciles: Andrew Jackson, Douglas MacArthur, Abraham Lincoln y, ahora, George Bush. Ya Woodrow Wilson, en 1917 dijo: "Es una sensaci�n formidable ir a la guerra con esta gente", y MacArthur, en 1941: "No aceptamos alternativas hasta la victoria total".

En esta guerra, que acabamos de ganar, las tecnolog�as del siglo XXI se han unido con acierto con las audacias del XVI siendo combinadas con acierto. Los bombardeos a�reos han sido, casi insoportables, incluso para una naci�n que llevaba veinte a�os en continua guerra. Las patrullas de comandos se movieron con eficacia y secreto. El enemigo AI-Qaida solo era un enemigo hipertrofiado, 4.000 expatriados, y los talibanes una pandilla de salteadores, s�lo valientes para patear los cad�veres del enemigo. La diplomacia americana ha funcionado bien, la guerra religiosa ha sido evitada. El mundo isl�mico ha visto que eran musulmanes del Norte los que barr�an a los musulmanes del Sur. Todo quedaba entre ellos.

Bm Laden pag� 250.000 d�lares en los viajes, hoteles, alquileres, clases de piloto, conferencias a la veintena de suicidas que acometieron contra las Torres Gemelas el 11 de septiembre, a esto hay que sumar los gastos de 300 extremistas de los grupos de apoyo, con este dinero se habr�a alimentado a los 35.000 ni�os que, seg�n, los vocingleros, murieron de hambre. Afganist�n sufre una sequ�a desde hace tres a�os, sus habitantes estaban en condiciones extremas antes de los bombardeos, pero el multimillonario, Bm Laden, se met�a en su cueva para no presenciar la agon�a del pueblo de Afganist�n.

China: Sportswear Sell Well

2012-03-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

During the Chinese New Year, well-known brands of sportswear and sports shoes enjoyed favorable sales. Whether it was at shopping centers or specialty shops, sport brands were the center of attention.

It is said that sport brands have become popular thanks to improvements in quality, function and fashionableness. Sales are supported by the significant modifications manufacturers have made to their products, such as the functions of materials and design structure.

The people of China are principally pursuing a comfortable and healthy life today, and with such a life style, supporters of sport brands are on an increase. In fact, there are more women supporters than men; it is analyzed that women select a considerably wider range of clothing than men.

Chinese consumers can be divided roughly into three groups: junior high and high school students, sports enthusiasts and consumers who attached importance to comfort.

Celtic fan jailed over Champions League incident

2012-03-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

A Celtic fan whose Champions League pitch invasion led to the Scottish club being fined by UEFA was jailed for six months Friday and banned from matches for five years.

John Murphy ran across the Celtic Park pitch during the Nov. 5 match against Manchester United, which ended 1-1.

The 18-year-old from Glasgow, who had already admitted charges of breaching the peace and being intoxicated in a sports ground, said he could not remember the incident because he had been consuming alcohol since 11 a.m.

"Not only did you create a situation in which there were fears for the safety of the players on the pitch, but you interrupted a high-profile match and created a situation which might easily have provoked serious public disorder," Sheriff Linda Ruxton told Glasgow Sheriff Court. "Furthermore, you brought Scottish football generally and Celtic Football Club in particular into disrepute and your behavior caused the club to be fined a substantial amount."

UEFA fined Celtic euro50,000 $62,600), including euro20,000 ($25,000) that had been suspended following a similar incident last season, when a fan invaded the pitch and clashed with AC Milan goalkeeper Dida.

Eddie Robertson, representing Murphy, said his client had written to apologize to Celtic.

"Mr. Murphy realizes that Celtic have paid a major penalty for this financially and also their reputation has been tarnished," Robertson said. "He is deeply sorry for what he has done."

Scandinavian style helps to create an illusion of space in our interiors

2012-03-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

MAKE no mistake, the Scandinavians have designs on us -- whetherthey're keeping us glued to the TV with dark Danish crime series TheKilling or winning us over to their stylish home furnishings.

While a select few may wish to emulate the scruffy look of DeputySuperintendent Sarah Lund (Sofie Grabol), who wears thick, knittedjumpers from the Faroe Islands, transforming rooms is easier andarguably more visually impressive.

After all, what's not to like about furniture that has timelessgood looks, and colour schemes and settings that seem to make themost of every inch of space and every ray of light? That's theessence of cool, calm, sleek Scandi-style. Those appealing qualitiesprobably explain why we don't seem to be able to get enough of it.

"Scandinavians don't like showing off, so their style isunderstated and more about relaxing and enjoying your home thanmaking it a showpiece," says Anne Tiainen-Harris, founder ofCloudberry Living, which specialises in interior pieces andaccessories by Scandinavian designers.

"It's all about simple, pure and calm beauty combined with a highdegree of functionality.

"I think it's hugely popular in Britain because space is veryexpensive here and Scandi-style helps create the illusion of spaceand airiness in any interior."

While connoisseurs may yearn for pieces by iconic designers suchas Denmark's Arne Jacobsen, whose Butterfly chair was famouslystraddled in the 1960s by a naked Christine Keeler, or fellowcountrymen including Henrik Pedersen and Verner Panton, most of usprobably get our Scandi-fix at affordable Swedish homestore Ikea.

Its popularity was highlighted by recent Mintel research whichfound that we buy almost ten per cent of our furniture from its 18UK stores, even though some may be tempted to commit a crime againstthe authors of its flatpack instructions.

Whether you're already a Scandi convert, or keen to make theswitch, check out this guide to sourcing the style.

DANISH DELIGHT Dark settings add to the atmosphere of BBC Four'sThe Killing, but in reality Danish interiors are about unclutteredspaces, white painted walls and richly grained wooden floors.

"If white's too cold and stark for your taste, opt instead for asoft colour palette of pale greys and blues which are on trend thisyear," advises Gail Abbott, author of Living With Light, a guide todecorating the Scandinavian way.

"Include an accent colour -- blue or red is characteristic of thestyle -- which can instantly give a lift to a white room."

GET THE LOOK: A classic Danish-designed light, the Louis PoulsenPH5 white pendant, is Pounds 432 from Cloudberry Living.

Inject colour with retro style.

Verner Panton's sleek S chair, Pounds 189, comes in variouscolours including red.

Lounge on the new upholstered Tarn seating by a fellow Dane,Henrik Pedersen -- chair Pounds 499.

Or enjoy sweet Scandi dreams by furnishing a bedroom with theAspen furniture collection by Hans Thyge Raunkjaer. Bed from Pounds250.

All furniture from John Lewis. Alternatively, dine in style withthe strangely named but handsome About A Chair, Pounds 189, fromIcons of Denmark.

Crane collapse in NYC kills 2 construction workers

2012-03-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

A construction crane collapsed Friday on New York's Upper East Side, smashing into a 23-story apartment building as it fell to the ground, killing two construction workers and seriously injuring another.

It was the second deadly crane accident in 2 1/2 months and the latest of several construction mishaps in the city, which recently shook up its Building Department and beefed up inspections.

"What has happened is unacceptable and intolerable. Having said that, we do not know at the moment what happened or why," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a news conference, adding that it appears the builders followed regulations.

City building department records show that inspectors stopped crane work twice last month, once because they said a crane lacked the proper permit and was being operated in an unsafe manner.

The mayor said the top part of the crane snapped off and fell against the building on the southwest corner of 91st Street and First Avenue about 8 a.m. Witnesses described a loud boom, then a cloud of smoke and debris.

"The sound was like a thunder clap. Then, an earthquake," said Peter Barba, who lives on the seventh floor of the damaged building across the street from where workers were erecting a luxury apartment tower.

Video from the scene showed the upper-floor balconies of the apartment building were severely damaged and a hole extended several stories down the side of the building. The mayor said seven buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

One body was brought out of the rubble, placed on a gurney and covered in a white sheet. A construction worker knelt over the stretcher, gently stroking the sheet.

Killed were crane operator Donald Leo, 30, who was in the cab when it broke away from the spindly machine and plummeted to the ground, and Ramadan Kurtaj, 27, pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital, officials said.

A third construction worker was seriously injured, and one pedestrian was treated for minor injuries.

Construction foreman Scott Bair said one of the workers on his 40-man crew, Simeon Alexis, was taken to the hospital with his "chest slashed open."

"Everyone was shook up and crying. These are some hardened men, but they were crying," he said.

Chaos enveloped the largely residential neighborhood of town houses and apartment high-rises as dozens of emergency vehicles raced to the scene during the morning rush hour.

Robert Lopez, manager of a Duane Reade pharmacy on the ground floor of the building that was hit, said he was 10 feet from the window when he heard "a big boom."

"Everybody was yelling and running and calling 911," he said. When he looked out again, he saw part of the crane had landed just feet from the window where he had been standing.

Susan Haines, a retired inspector for the Consolidated Edison utility, said she went out on the street when she heard the commotion and saw neighbors running.

She was later evacuated, carrying one dog in her arms and another in a shoulder bag. Asked where she was going, she replied, "I have no clue."

The general contractor on the project, Leon D. DeMatteis Construction Corp. of Elmont, posted a statement on its Web site Friday: "First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those affected by this terrible tragedy. We are currently in the process of gathering all the facts surrounding this unfortunate accident and will provide more details as they become available."

Sorbara Construction, a subcontractor, was in charge of operating the crane. A woman who answered the telephone at Sorbara on Friday said no one was available to comment.

The neighborhood, not far from the mayor's official residence, Gracie Mansion, has undergone a construction boom in recent years, with high-rises swiftly replacing older, low-rise brownstones.

Full of bars and casual restaurants, the neighborhood is populated with a mix of retirees, students and young professionals. Until recently, it had been considered one of Manhattan's more affordable neighborhoods.

Cranes at the site had generated several complaints in the neighborhood, including reports that safety barriers were breached and heavy loads passed over the heads of pedestrians, according to city building department records.

Inspectors found that most of the concerns were unwarranted, but they did temporarily order one crane at the site to stop all work on April 23 for not having the proper permit and for operating the crane in an unsafe matter.

Building Department records also said officials halted work after a crane on the site failed a "load test" on April 22. The crane passed a second test, however, the next day, and no violation was issued.

In a March 15 accident about 2 miles to the south, contractors building a 46-story condominium near the United Nations were trying to lengthen a crane when a steel support broke, killing seven people. A four-story town house was demolished and several other buildings were damaged.

A buildings inspector had found the crane to be safe a day before the collapse; another inspector resigned after his arrest on charges of lying earlier about inspecting the same crane.

In April, the city's buildings commissioner resigned, under fire over a rising number of deadly construction accidents that have left more than 26 construction workers dead in the past year.

Since then, the city has added extra inspections at building sites and required that its staff be on hand whenever the towering cranes were raised higher, a process known as a jump. But on Thursday, just a day before the newest accident, the city reversed that rule, allowing crane jumps without the presence of inspectors. Procedures at the sites are still being revised.

___

Associated Press reporters Amy Westfeldt, David B. Caruso, Adam Goldman, Colleen Long and researcher Susan James contributed to this report.