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France beats Italy 46-20 in 6 Nations

2012-03-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

France scored six tries to thrash Italy 46-20 and take a step closer to winning the Six Nations Grand Slam.

Center David Marty scored two tries and No. 8 Imanol Harinordoquy added another at Stade de France to put coach Marc Lievremont's team 22-3 up at the interval.

Winger Marc Andreu, veteran center Yannick Jauzion, and flanker Alexandre Lapandry added tries in the second half, before lock Carlo Del Fava and scrumhalf Pablo Canavosio got Italy's consolation tries late on.

"We are happy and relieved. We took charge of the game the right way," Lievremont said. "The two halves were similar. We played well for 25 minutes and then had …

Historic power-sharing takes hold in N. Ireland

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

The people of Northern Ireland - Protestants and Roman Catholics -for the first time have a provincial government they can call theirown.

Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday approved a law grantingsubstantial powers of self-rule to Northern Ireland, and power passedfrom London to the provincial capital, Belfast, at midnight.

The Protestant-Catholic government assumes control of its affairs610 days after the signing of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement toend a sectarian conflict in which more than 3,500 people have died inthe last 31 years.

The first meeting of the 12-member Cabinet will be today, but thetwo members from a hard-line Protestant party plan to skip …

England looks to repeat 2003 Grand Slam exploits

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

DUBLIN (AP) — England will attempt to lay down a marker ahead of the World Cup by beating Ireland to win the Grand Slam in the Six Nations on Saturday, eight years after achieving the same feat under the captaincy of its current coach.

In one of England's best ever performances, Ireland was blown away 42-6 in Dublin in a Grand Slam decider in 2003, setting the team up for a successful assault on the World Cup later that year.

The captain on that occasion was Martin Johnson and the former lock returns to Lansdowne Road this weekend as a coach, ready for the team's biggest challenge yet in this campaign.

"I'll never forget that match in Dublin — it was a big day," said …

Reavie shoots 62 to lead Deere Classic by 2 shots

2012-03-15T00:17:00.000-07:00

SILVIS, Ill. (AP) — For Chez Reavie, the mental aspect of overcoming knee surgery was tougher than the physical work of rehabilitation.

He didn't get comfortable on the golf course again until he stopped thinking about his rebuilt right knee.

Reavie, who had surgery on June 1 last year for a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, relied on near-flawless putting Friday to shoot a 9-under 62 and claim a two-stroke lead at the John Deere Classic.

"I knew if I just got it on the green somewhere, I really had a good chance of making a birdie," he said.

It was a sharp contrast to the way he played early in the year, when he missed the cut in three of his first five …

Nebraska extends list of dismissed, Assistant AD Dave Gillespie released after Frank Solich

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

LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska has dismissed an assistant athleticdirector for football following the firing of head coach FrankSolich.

Dave Gillespie is no longer with the department, sportsinformation director Chris Anderson confirmed Tuesday. Gillespiedeclined to comment.

On Sunday, Solich was fired after a 9-3 regular season. Defensivecoordinator Bo Pelini took over as interim head coach.

Gillespie served as Nebraska's running backs coach and recruitingcoordinator from 1998-2002. He moved into his administrative positionin January, when Solich overhauled his …

Wheldon Wins Third Straight at Homestead

2012-03-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Winning three in a row at Homestead-Miami Speedway is fine, but Dan Wheldon was barely out of the cockpit after his season-opening victory Saturday night before he was thinking about another race win he wants more.

"This is step one toward the Indianapolis 500," said Wheldon, who won both the 500 and the IndyCar Series championship in 2005. "I'm all about the Indianapolis 500, nothing else matters to me. But to get three consecutive wins on the same speedway is a big deal, too."

The Englishman, who started from the pole, fought off an early challenge from Sam Hornish Jr., another three-time Homestead winner, and easily overcame a bad pit stop to drive …

White House: Republicans are 'party of no'

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

President Barack Obama wants Republicans to return to Congress this week from their spring recess with a more constructive attitude toward health care, energy and other administration initiatives. Republican lawmakers say they have ideas, just not the ones the president may want.

"When you're the party of no, when you're the party of never, when you're the party of no new ideas, that's not constructive," White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said Sunday. "The challenge will be, will the Republicans come to the table with constructive ideas?"

Emanuel predicted progress by congressional committees on changing the health care system, …

CLINT EASTWOOD, INTO AFRICA

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

LONDON In the summer of 1950, John Huston went out to East Africa tofilm "The African Queen," and in the summer of 1989, Clint Eastwoodfollowed in his footsteps to make a movie about the making of thatmovie. From all accounts, and there are many, Huston loved Africa somuch that he could barely be bothered to make a movie there. He wastoo busy scouting locations, drinking whiskey, playing poker andtrying to shoot an elephant.

For Peter Viertel, a screenwriter who Huston brought along toAfrica, the untold story of the making of "The African Queen" was asgood as the one they were filming. Viertel was the second writer onthe picture, after the legendary James Agee suffered a …

Kyle Busch to face more penalties from JGR

2012-03-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Kyle Busch, contrite and remorseful, promised Friday to change his behavior and conduct himself in a way that will restore the respect he lost with his road rage incident at Texas.

It's a long way back for Busch, and he'll be on a very short leash.

Busch has been warned by M&M's that the primary sponsor will not tolerate any more incidents by him, and team owner Joe Gibbs said the driver is still facing further punishment for wrecking Ron Hornaday Jr. under caution in last week's Truck Series race. NASCAR suspended Busch from all on-track activity at Texas, fined him $50,000 and placed the driver on probation through the end of the year.

It led …

Ripa and husband to appear on `All My Children'

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

Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos (kon-SWAY'-lohs), will return to ABC's "All My Children" for the daytime soap opera's 40th anniversary.

Brian Frons, president of ABC's daytime unit, made the announcement Friday. "All My Children" will celebrate its anniversary on Jan. 5, 2010.

Ripa and Consuelos' episodes will air Jan. 4-5. It will be the first time either actor has appeared on "All My Children" since they left the show in 2002.

She is now co-host of the morning talk show "Live With Regis and …

Researchers create artificial human chromosomes

2012-03-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

Scientists in Ohio have created the first artificial humanchromosomes, an achievement that may someday allow doctors to alterpeople's genetic inheritance or cure diseases by slipping genetic"cassettes" directly into people's cells.

The artificial chromosomes, made in the laboratory from a blendof natural and synthetic human DNA, are miniature versions of humanchromosomes - the corkscrew-shaped structures inside cells that carryall the genes required for life.

Scientists said the advance marks the first time anyone hascreated an artificial human chromosome that can replicate likenatural chromosomes when a cell divides.In theory, the chromosomes could be custom …

ND flood victims start moving into temporary homes

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

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Federal officials are racing as winter approaches to finish up to 2,400 temporary homes for North Dakota residents displaced by summer flooding.

Record flooding from the Souris River swamped some 4,100 homes in Minot (MY'-naht) this summer and displaced nearly 11,000 residents.

Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Dolph Diemont (DEE'-mahnt) says the Minot temporary housing …

Senate heads toward vote on F-22s

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

The Senate debated Tuesday whether to spend $1.75 billion on seven additional F-22 jets, a decision that pits the possible loss of thousands of defense jobs against Obama administration assertions that the Pentagon has enough of the fighters and the program should be terminated.

Lawmakers from states that would benefit from manufacturing the jets want the money pumped into the aerospace and defense industries. Defense Secretary Robert Gates counters that the money would be better spent on ensuring that the military has the tools it needs to fight the unconventional wars taking place in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The chamber was expected to vote on the issue Tuesday.

Gates has been calling wavering senators to urge their support for cutting off spending for new F-22s. Vice President Joe Biden and other White House officials have also been calling lawmakers to press the issue and remind Congress that President Barack Obama has threatened what would be the first veto of his presidency if the money isn't removed.

"What I have not heard is substantive reason for adding more aircraft in terms of our strategic needs," Gates said Monday while reiterating his opposition to the purchase.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Tuesday that spending on the stealth fighter would "inhibit our ability to buy things we do need," including Gates' proposal to add 22,000 soldiers to the Army.

The $1.75 billion is currently part of a $680 billion defense spending policy bill.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., and the top Republican on the panel, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, sponsored the amendment to take out the F-22 money.

"The Senate has heard from the senior leadership of the Defense Department both civilian and military that we should end F-22 production. The recommendation is strong and clear, as strong and clear as I have ever heard," Levin said.

But there's strong resistance, particularly from senators representing states where the plane and its parts are made.

According to Lockheed Martin Corp., the main contractor, 25,000 people are directly employed in building the plane, and another 70,000 have indirect links, particularly in Georgia, Texas and California. Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., a supporter of the program, said there are 1,000 suppliers in 44 states.

Dodd, speaking on the Senate floor last week, questioned why Congress should approve $65 billion to prop up the automobile industry but can't spend $1.75 billion to support an important segment of the aerospace industry.

Supporters of the program also argued that it would undermine the nation's security to terminate the F-22 when China and Russia are both developing fighter jets that can compete with it.

The Senate took up the F-22 issue last week, but then put it aside to deal with two amendments having nothing to do with defense. On Thursday senators voted to adopt a major expansion to hate crimes law, and on Monday they turned to a proposal allowing people with concealed weapons permits in one state to carry their weapons into other states. A vote on the gun law was expected Wednesday.

The House last month approved its version of the defense bill with a $369 million down payment for 12 additional F-22 fighters. The House Appropriations Committee last week endorsed that spending in drawing up its Pentagon budget for next year. It also approved $534 million for an alternate engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, another program that Obama, backed by the Pentagon, says is unwarranted and would subject the entire bill to a veto.

The defense bill authorizes $550 billion for defense programs and $130 billion for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other anti-terrorist operations.

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The defense bill is S. 1390.

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On the Net:

Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov

Wal-Mart to Cut Back-To-School Prices

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

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, said Monday it is cutting prices on back-to-school items and other products in a move to combat the effect of high gas prices on customers' spending.

Starting this week, Wal-Mart will lower prices on more than 16,000 products across all stores, in conjunction with a new ad campaign on how to save money as gas prices remain high and kids head back to school.

The company said families with school-age children are expected to spend an average of $563 this year on back-to-school supplies, according to July 2007 survey data from BIGresearch.

Under Wal-Mart's new pricing plan, $1 will be able to buy 4 wide ruled notebooks, 2 bottles Elmer's glue (4 oz.) and a 24-pack of crayons. A $50 budget will be able to purchase a week's worth of school clothes, and $80 will buy two pair of prescription glasses at the Wal-Mart Vision Center.

"We'll provide families savings where it counts, and continue to work closely with key suppliers, reduce packaging and lower shipping costs as we steer this program through fall and beyond," said Bill Simon, chief operating officer, Wal-Mart Stores U.S.

Wal-Mart share rose 9 cents to $48.15 in premarket trading.

Stocks Rise on Bear Stearns News

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

Wall Street extended its big advance Monday as investors grew upbeat over a report that Bear Stearns Cos. could fetch more money than the amount set in a buyout deal a week ago. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped about 100 points.

Stocks rose on a New York Times report that JPMorgan Chase & Co. is in talks to boost its offer to $10 per share from $2. The discussions are aimed at soothing Bear Stearns shareholders upset over JPMorgan's earlier offer, which was made at the behest of the Federal Reserve when Bear Stearns was near collapse.

While the Fed would need to sign off on any changes to the deal, any sign that Bear Stearns could fetch more than originally thought could help boost Wall Street's mood.

In the first minutes of trading, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 100.37, or 0.81 percent, to 12,461.69 after rising more than 260 points on Thursday, the last day of trading before the Easter holiday weekend.

Broader stock indicators also rose. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 11.20, or 0.84 percent, to 1,340.71, and the Nasdaq composite index rose 25.36, or 1.12 percent, to 2,283.47.

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On the Net:

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com

Harrisburg University feeds area businesses, bolsters economy

2012-03-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

Dauphin COUNTY

Building a university based in Harrisburg was part of a plan to help engage businesses and drive the area's economy, according to a community report from more than a decade ago.

Six years of enrollment and more than 100 graduates later, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is well on its way to fulfilling those goals, community leaders and college staff said.

The school was designed to meet the needs of the emerging workforce and economy, focusing on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, said Stephen R. Reed, CEO of Reed Strategic Advisors in Harrisburg, university board member and former Harrisburg mayor.

The university is designed around a competency-based learning model with hands-on career training required through internships and business projects, and classroom study taught in part by local industry professionals.

"Harrisburg University has broken down and reformulated the kind of higher education that will make students ready for high-tech manufacturing jobs," said Emily Stover DeRocco, president of The Manufacturing Institute based in Washington, D.C., the nonprofit affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. She also serves on the school's board. "(The university) aligns the skills and academics that we desperately need in order for our companies to remain competitive."

The idea for a higher education institute was formulated in the late 1990s as part of a study by government, business and community leaders to identify measures for achieving the success of the Harrisburg region.

The school incorporated in 2001 as the Harrisburg Polytechnic Development Corp., or Harrisburg Polytechnic Institute. In 2003, the school reincorporated as Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. It received state approval for operations in February of 2005, and the following summer the university began offering classes for 70 students. Harrisburg University received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 2009.

The university held classes in various locations on Market Street until it opened a $73 million academic facility at Fourth and Market streets in 2009. Earlier this year, the school opened its first student housing building downtown owned by a private developer. The university offers 24 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs of study, and has more than 1,000 students enrolled in full- or part-time programs.

Around the time the school was opening its doors for classes, GeoDecisions, a division of Gannett Fleming Inc., was struggling to find qualified graduates as employees, Gannett Fleming President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Scaer said. Scaer is a university board member.

The idea arose to work with Harrisburg University to create a curriculum specifically for the company's needs in geospatial software, he said.

"The university has a strong desire to reach out to the corporate world and say what's your need? What's coming up? How can we help you be competitive? How can we steer a curriculum that will produce graduates to help you be more successful?" Scaer said.

Employees of East Pennsboro Township-based Gannett Fleming teach some of the geospatial courses at Harrisburg University, and the company provides internship placement, some of which have resulted in hires.

Harrisburg University has partnerships with about a dozen local companies, President and CEO Mel Schiavelli said. Faculty and students assist with research projects in the Food Science and Technology Center for area companies, including Hershey Foods Corp., New World Pasta and McCormick & Co. Inc., he said.

Businesses that aren't considered technical also connect with Harrisburg University, said Christopher Markley, vice president of corporate communications with Harrisburg-based Penn National Insurance.

The company's corporate information technology department, supporting its business in nine states, includes sophisticated Web development, programming and systems support, he said.

The school is feeding qualified graduates directly into local companies with information technology needs, including Penn National, he said.

Harrisburg University programs such as forensic science and integrated sciences are gaining recognition for the experience they offer, said Robert Dolan, the university's board chairman, and consulting actuary and board chairman for Conrad M. Siegel Inc., which does business as Conrad Siegel Actuaries and is in Susquehanna Township.

"We're preparing students for jobs that are currently available," Dolan said. "More than 90 percent of our graduates start out in jobs related to their area of study."

The business community has benefitted from Harrisburg University in more ways than getting qualified graduates, Schiavelli said.

Studies have estimated the school's economic impact on the area is more than $30 million per year, based on jobs created, goods and services the school purchases, construction projects and its operating budget, he said.

Rehabilitating the academic and student housing buildings raised property values in the downtown area, Executive Vice President and Provost Eric Darr said. About 150 students reside downtown and bring disposable income to vendors, about $3,000 to $4,000 per student each year, he said.

The school hopes to increase the variety of STEM programs and grow to about 2,000 students, but not much larger to retain the interactive teaching model, Schiavelli said.

The university also will focus on creating a business accelerator system, clustering startup companies in industries aligned with the school's curriculum, Darr said.

"As long as (Harrisburg University) keeps its true focus on its founding purposes of staying relevant and responsive to the ever-evolving domestic and global economies and workforce development associated with that, it will have a profound impact on the economy," Reed said.

[Sidebar]

Rusty Green, left, and Dimitri Mokpidie, right, began as interns from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology before becoming full-time employees at GeoDecisions, a division of Gannett Fleming Inc. in East Pennsboro Township. Christopher Bley, center, is an intern in his last semester at the university and will come on board as a full-time employee after graduation.

[Author Affiliation]

By Holly White

hollyw@journalpub.com

It's lights out for Disney World's Grad Nite

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

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — It's lights out for Disney World's Grad Nite.

The annual after-hours event for high school seniors ends with Saturday's last bash for the Class of 2011. It has become a rite of passage for students, who take over the park for late-night concerts, rides and other events especially catered for them.

Grad Nite began in 1972, shortly after the Magic Kingdom opened. Disney officials say the company will offer Florida schools a "Disney Senior Class Trip" next year — a special one-day, one-park ticket for $55 valid any time.

Over the years, Grad Night performers have included New Kids on the Block, the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Destiny's Child.

Officials say the Grad Nite at Disneyland in California will continue.

Business is rewarding for Web incentive firm

2012-03-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

While some managers worry that productivity suffers when employeessurf the Web at work, a local company is tapping the power of the Webto help boost worker output and loyalty.

Craig Muller is the founder and chief executive of MotivationOnline, an upstart Hoffman Estates-based company that developedsoftware that companies use to motivate, reward and train employees.Among its first customers is Delta Air Lines Inc.

The company, started last year with $3 million in seed and angelfunding, launched its software last month and expects to wrap up $15million in new venture capital next week.

"The No. 1 reason people leave a company isn't because they aren'tgetting paid enough. It's because they don't feel appreciated," saidMuller, speaking from 30 years of experience in the incentivesbusiness.

Motivation Online can help employers address that, said Muller, aco-founder of online consumer incentive company MyPoints.com, whichwent public a year ago. Motivation Online designs software programsthrough which clients' employees are automatically awarded points orrecognition for their performance, including such activities asachieving sales goals, completing training programs, following safetyprocedures or implementing new sales techniques. The software keepstrack of the points and immediately notifies employees through theWeb of points awarded and the actions that earned them.

Its technology allows employers to measure the effectiveness ofincentive programs and lets their employees keep track of their awardpoints via the Web. Using direct links with online retailers such asthe Sharper Image, Spiegel and Eddie Bauer, employees can easilyselect and quickly obtain their rewards, eliminating paperwork,Muller said. The company has 59 retailers on board.

It plans to target businesses with large sales forces or callcenters.

Earlier this year Motivation Online was hired by a majortelecommunications company to improve customer service performance atone of its customer care centers. Customer service representativeswere trained to cross-sell the telecommunications company's services.Three months after putting the rewards program in place, the callcenter reported a 40 percent rise in overall customer satisfactionand a 20 percent increase in orders, Muller said.

Industry analyst Nancy Jamison of Jamison Consulting calls thesoftware "a great tool" that could help reduce employee turnover atcall centers.

Muller, who left MyPoints .com to target the business-to-businessmarket, says unlike some new dot-com companies, Motivation Online isnot entering unknown territory. Indeed, 85 percent of the largestU.S. companies use recognition programs, according to a ConferenceBoard study.

"This is an old tried and true business," Muller said.

TODAY'S E-FACT

Whos hitting who?

Researchers at Media Metrix, New York, say 78.9 millionunduplicated visitors hit the World Wide Web in June. Media Metrixdoesn't report hits on individual adult-content sites. Here's how thetop sites ranked:

Rank Property Visitors:

(millions)

1 AOL Network 59,124

2 Microsoft Sites 49,834

3 Yahoo Sites 48,421

4 Lycos 31,286

5 Excite@Home 27,118

6 Go Network 21,907

7 About.com Sites 16,449

8 AltaVista Network 15,561

9 NBC Internet 15,279

10 Amazon 15,022

11 Time Warner Online 14,646

12 Real.com Network 13,886

13 Go2Net Network 12,398

14 eBay 12,242

15 Ask Jeeves 11,838

16 Viacom Online 11,756

17 LookSmart 11,651

18 eUniverse Network 11,291

19 CNET Networks 10,215

20 ZDNet Sites 9,637

21 IWON.COM 8,461

22 JUNO/JUNO.COM 8,057

23 Infospace Impressions 7,880

24 GoTo 7,847

25 Earthlink 7,835

26 Snowball 7,214

27 FortuneCity Network 7,196

28 American Greetings 7,179

29 The Weather Channel 7,172

30 CitySearch-TickerMaster Online 7,158

31 AT&T Web Sites 7,088

32 Network Commerce Inc. 7,055

33 iVillage.com: The Womens Network 6,615

34 Travelocity 6,584

35 The Women.com Networks 6,117

36 FREELOTTO.com 5,890

37 News Corp. Online 5,834

38 The Uproar Network 5,785

39 MAPQUEST.COM 5,669

40 LIFEMINDERS.COM 5,497

41 MyPoints Sites 5,424

42 OnHealth 5,399

43 COOLSAVINGS.COM 5,253

44 Promotions.com Sites 5,207

45 Priceline 5,147

46 Homestead Sites 5,002

47 Shockwave 4,955

48 PASSTHISON.COM 4,926

49 Flipside Sites 4,849

50 SONY ONLINE 4,732

Source: Media Metrix, New York.

[ NATION & WORLD BRIEFS ]

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

Top West African officials flew into Liberia's embattled capitalFriday to press the country's president to cede power afterpeacekeepers arrive, but Charles Taylor kept them waiting by headingto a southern war zone, then said he will meet with them today. Hourslater, the UN Security Council authorized a security force tomaintain order after Taylor steps down.

Bomb destroys Russian hospital

A suicide bomber rammed a truck packed with explosives through thegates of a military hospital near Chechnya where dozens of Russiantroops were recuperating Friday. Official reports on the death tollranged from 22 to 35. At least 76 others were wounded in the attack,the latest in an upsurge of suicide bombings that have killed morethan 100 people since May. Russian authorities suspected Chechnya'sseparatist rebels in the attack.

Blair sets Labor record

After six years and 93 days in office, Tony Blair will notch thelongest continuous service by a Labor Party prime minister today.

Fake fat warning to disappear

Snacks made with the fake fat olestra no longer will have to bearthe unappetizing label that warned they might cause cramps anddiarrhea. The Food and Drug Administration lifted the warning Friday,concluding that if the zero-calorie fat substitute has any stomach-troubling effect, it's mild and rare.

Archdiocese to pay $25.7 million

A judge approved a $25.7 million settlement Friday from theArchdiocese of Louisville to 243 people sexually abused by itspriests and employees.

Infant car seats recalled

Graco Children's Products said Friday it is extending itsvoluntary recall of the SnugRide infant car seat, begun in March. Tofind out which car seats are included, go to www.gracobaby.com orcall (800) 345-4109.

Candidate for Civil Rights Post Withdraws

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

WASHINGTON John Payton, a Washington lawyer widely thought to bethe leading contender for the Justice Department's top civil rightspost, withdrew his name from consideration Friday.

Payton's decision came in a letter to Attorney General JanetReno one day after Reno praised Payton as "a fine, dedicated,wonderful lawyer who would make a splendid assistant attorney generalfor the Civil Rights Division."

Some members of the Congressional Black Caucus have expressedreservations about Payton, the corporation counsel for the Districtof Columbia, because he has not voted in numerous elections.Enforcing voting rights is a big part of the Justice Department job.

Payton decided to withdraw his name after "he realized therewasn't the support there for him," said a Justice Department officialwho spoke on condition of anonymity.

Another potential Justice Department nominee also is pulling outof the running for a different position at the department. GeraldTorres asked that he not be considered to head the environment andnatural resources division. President Clinton said eight months agothat Torres was the leading candidate for the job.

Just Thursday, Reno told reporters she still expected Clinton tonominate Torres, and she praised Payton after news stories speculatedthat he would be dropped from consideration, in part because of thelukewarm reaction from the black caucus.

Payton is highly regarded by civil rights activists for hishandling of employment discrimination cases when he was a privateattorney.

He was a partner at the prestigious Washington law firm ofWilmer, Cutler and Pickering before he was appointed D.C. corporationcounsel in 1991.

The appointment of Payton, who is black, could have helpedimprove Clinton's relations with civil rights activists still angeredby his abandonment of Lani Guinier's nomination to head that divisionafter she was assailed by conservatives for some of her views.

Torres has worked at the department since the spring as deputyassistant attorney general, and he will remain as a counsel to Reno,becoming one of her senior advisers, he said in a letter to attorneysin the division he once hoped to lead.

Justice Department officials said there was no problem withTorres' background check, and he was not the subject or target of anyinvestigation.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported in October that hisnomination was clouded by unresolved allegations involving someassociates in a New York law firm where he once worked.

Coach can play some new tricks with full pack

2012-03-13T02:22:00.000-07:00

Mark Bakewell has been feeling like a kid with a new toy thissummer - because he can look forward to a winter with a full pack toplay with.

That's a luxury which will be new to the Bath forwards coach inhis second season at The Rec after a 2006/07 campaign which almosthad him tearing his hair out in frustration.

"This season, we can look forward to actually being able to dosome serious scrummaging practice in training," he said.

"That just wasn't possible last season because we were so underpressure for front-row players, we just couldn't risk it.

"We had to wrap all of our props up in cotton wool from game togame just to get them out in one piece on Saturday afternoons."

If Bakewell had had his way at the end of last season, he insistsDavid Barnes would have collected every player-of-the-year awardgoing along with a knighthood.

"It would have been a fitting end to a brilliant season-longeffort if his interception try at Sale had won us our first awaygame," said Bakewell.

"Without Barnesy, who was prepared to put his body on the lineabove and beyond the call of duty week in, week out, we would havebeen in real trouble."

From a situation last summer where front-rowers were thin on theground with Taufa'oa Filise decamping to Cardiff and veteran ChrisLoader forced into retirement, Bakewell admits he will be spoilt forchoice in a crucial area of the team this winter.

"Look at it this way - we can actually work on scrummaging and,more importantly, rotate the front-row guys to give them rest duringthe season."

With his front row problems behind him and two new signings in No8 Daniel Browne and lock Martin Purdy to bolster a powerful group offorwards, Bakewell is highly optimistic about this season.

"Even without Matt Stevens, Lee Mears, Steve Borthwick and DannyGrewcock for the early part of the season, we're in good shape," hesaid.

"Youngsters like Chris Goodman, Mike Myerscough and JonnyFaamatuainu are ready to push their claims for places.

"And we have had the benefit of building into this season with astructured plan instead of having to wing it the way we did lastsummer and for most of the season.

"This, I reckon, looks like being a season where we will underlinethis club's proud reputation for producing top-class packs."

Holder Man U looks to recover at battling Aalborg

2012-03-12T23:22:00.000-07:00

After breezing through last season's group stage without breaking a sweat, Champions League defending champion Manchester United's dream of a fourth European Cup will be imperiled if it stumbles at Aalborg on Tuesday.

The title defense began with Villarreal frustrating the Red Devils with a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in a repeat of the Spaniards' results against the English team in the 2005 competition.

And Tuesday's group match in Denmark _ one of 16 this week _ will also revive memories of the defeat at FC Copenhagen at this stage two years ago.

United's struggle hasn't been confined to Europe, taking just eight points from the first five matches in its Premier League defense.

"Having dropped two points in our first game it is important we get it right against Aalborg," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "They are playing Manchester United, they will have a sellout crowd and the whole town will be up for it. Danish clubs are always battlers."

Group E is a stalemate after Celtic, which is at Villarreal, also held Aalborg 0-0 two weeks ago.

Nine-time European champion Real Madrid travels to UEFA Cup holder Zenit St. Petersburg sitting second in the Spanish league after its fourth straight victory.

Madrid beat newcomer BATE Borisov of Belarus 2-0 in unconvincing fashion in the Group H opener, and will be without influential midfielders Wesley Sneijder and Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez in Russia.

"What we have to keep clear is that the pressure cannot beat us," Madrid defender Pepe said.

Zenit's entrance on the Champions League stage ended in a 1-0 defeat at Juventus, and coach Dick Advocaat needs a positive response to Madrid now the Russians' domestic title defense is over.

"We showed maturity away to Juventus when more determination in attack might have won us the game," Advocaat said. "Like last season, we need to grow, to be confident and to get good home results with attractive football."

Coming off two draws in Serie A, Juventus visits BATE without goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon (thigh), and surgery on both knees will keep striker David Trezeguet out until next year.

"We've made mistakes and we've paid for them," Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini said. "But I think we're on the right road and slowly but surely we'll be able to win again."

Especially with BATE still getting to grips with the elite opponents.

"As in Madrid, we do not know what to expect from our opponents _ we had never before played against such teams," coach Viktor Goncharenko said. "But we are capable of challenging any team."

The champions of Germany and France meet in Group F, with Bayern Munich eager to make up for its second straight Bundesliga loss against Lyon.

Juergen Klinsmann's team began by beating Steaua Bucharest and is alert to the danger posed by Lyon striker Karim Benzema, who should play despite a slight ankle knock Saturday.

Steaua's focus will be on stymieing striker Alberto Gilardino when the Romanian club visits Fiorentina. The Italy international scored two of his six goals this campaign in the 2-2 draw with Lyon in the first round of matches.

Arsene Wenger will shake up his Arsenal lineup against FC Porto after his side surrendered the Premier League top spot after an unexpected loss to newcomer Hull on Saturday.

"There will be changes on Tuesday, certainly," Wenger said. "I will see how many, but there will be changes. There were enough ingredients (against Hull) to make me physically sick."

Arsenal captain William Gallas salvaged a 1-1 draw when Group G began at Dinamo Kiev.

Fenerbahce plays Kiev coming off three losses in five games domestically _ the Turks' worst start in 20 years.

Having stunned AS Roma 2-1, Chelsea fears CFR Cluj repeating its eye-catching Champions League debut when May's beaten finalist travels to Romania.

"If Cluj can win away from home then we are in danger," said Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose Chelsea team swept past Bordeaux 4-0.

After Barcelona's worst start to a season for 35 years, new coach Pep Guardiola has reversed the team's slump by finding the offensive rhythm that was initially lacking.

Barcelona kickstarted the revival with a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon and the Catalans can put themselves in command of Group C at Ukraine's Donetsk, which opened by beating FC Basel 2-1.

Five-time champion Liverpool can effectively end PSV Eindhoven's campaign and smooth its progression with a victory at Anfield

The Dutch side was beaten 3-0 by Atletico Madrid as the Reds opened with a 2-1 win at Marseille.

"It was really disappointing to start the campaign with such a heavy home defeat," PSV coach Huub Steven said. "Going to Liverpool will be even more difficult."

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho lost his first derby against city rival AC Milan on Sunday as he prepares to meet Werder Bremen.

Inter controls Group B thanks to its 2-0 victory at Panathinaikos, while Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus announced its Champions League debut by holding Bremen to a scoreless draw in Germany.

Tax breaks not to be missed

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

It's always tough to think about income taxes, but lately it's even more annoying. Those are your tax dollars being given away to bail out the banks, the auto companies, and even some housing speculators.

I'm always amused when I remember that Election Day and Income Tax Day are spaced just about as far apart on the calendar as possible. This is no coincidence.

But enough complaining. If you're among the 40 percent of Americans who haven't filed their 2008 taxes yet, it's surely time to get started. And there's a lot that's new this year.

First-Time Home buyer Credit. If you have not owned a home in the last three years, and you purchased a home after April 8, 2008, and before Jan. 1, 2009, you get a tax credit for 10 percent of the purchase price, up to $7,500. That credit must be repaid over a 15-year period.

(There's a more generous provision for first-time home buyers who purchase a home in 2009 before Dec. 1. When you file your 2009 return next year, you may be eligible for an $8,000 tax credit, which does not have to be repaid.)

In both years, the credit phases out for those with income over $75,000 on a single return, and $150,000 on a joint return.

Debt Relief. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act has been extended until 2013. That means if your lender forgives a portion of your loan when you sell at a loss, or if your home is foreclosed and the lender forgives the remaining debt, you do not owe income tax on the amount forgiven, as was previously the case.

Recovery Rebate Credit. Remember the "stimulus" check you received last spring. It was really an advance payment for this rebate credit, which is claimed on your 2008 return. The amount was based on your 2007 tax return, filed last April. But if you lost your job last year, or took a pay cut, you may now be eligible for a portion of that rebate, which you can claim when you file this return.

Tax Deals On College Costs. The deduction for higher education expenses has now been extended for the 2008 and 2009 years, allowing those with income under $80,000 on a single return, or $160,000 on a joint return, to deduct up to $4,000 in tuition and fees. Other credits, including Hope and Lifetime Learning, have also been slightly expanded. And income limits have been expanded for those deducting interest paid on qualified student loans. Singles with incomes of less than $70,000 and married filing jointly with incomes under $145,000 may be able to get at least a partial student-loan interest deduction.

Deduct Capital Losses. If you sold stocks or mutual funds (except for those inside a retirement plan) at a loss before year-end, you can deduct up to $3,000 against your ordinary income. Any additional losses can be carried forward to future years. That $3,000 deduction hasn't been increased in many years, and should be expanded in the next tax bill. Unfortunately, you can't deduct losses on sales of collectibles -- or your residence.

Use Capital Gains. Many retirees who are selling stocks or mutual funds to pay for living expenses should be aware of special treatment of gains for those in the 15 percent bracket. According to H&R Block: "In 2008, 2009, and 2010, taxpayers in the 15 percent or lower tax brackets will pay no tax on their net long-term capital gains and qualified dividends." That presumes you still have capital gains!

(And by the way, if you have extra money to "give away" this year, you're allowed a gift tax exemption of $13,000 in 2009, up from $12,000 in 2008.)

It's a good bet that Congress will get around to rearranging the tax code this year -- after it deals with the bank bailouts and economic woes. Everything from income taxes to estate taxes to bankruptcy forgiveness will be on the table. Odds are, you'll be paying more next year -- in spite of all those campaign promises.

Meanwhile, get going on your 2008 return. If all these changes confuse you, try popular tax programs like TurboTax and TaxCuts. They've been updated to easily guide you through all the new programs. And they'll help you file online to get any refund more quickly.

If you happen to get a refund, you can join the 48 percent of respondents to a CRI survey who say they will use it to pay off debt. At these rates, it's better to owe the government than the credit card issuers. And that's the Savage Truth.

Terry Savage is a registered investment adviser. Distributed by Creators Syndicate.

Photo: Bloomberg News / (See microfilm for photo description). ;

Royals charm Californians with casualness, grace

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

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge returned to Britain on Monday after charming Californians ranging from Hollywood household names to inner-city school children with their mix of youthful casualness and graceful glamour.

The nonstop weekend, which included playing a few chukkers of polo, mingling with Hollywood stars, and chatting with inner-city kids and jobless veterans, capped the couple's first official overseas tour since their storybook wedding in April.

Before stopping in Southern California, Prince William and his bride Catherine visited Canada for nine days, where they received an enthusiastic reception.

In California, excitement was considerably more muted, though small crowds of well-wishers waving British and American flags lined up for an in-person view of the newlyweds outside their scheduled events.

The duke said he and Catherine appreciated the friendly reception.

"I would just say, on behalf of us both, how grateful we are to have been welcomed so warmly in the Golden State and the City of Angels," he told the crowd at the couple's last event Sunday, a military veterans' job fair. "Thank you so much."

The trip was a tightly scripted, formal affair, but a few moments revealed glimpses of personality.

Much to fans' delight, the couple took a few impromptu minutes early Sunday morning to shake hands and exchange pleasantries outside the British consul's residence in Los Angeles where they stayed.

Later Sunday, William, who is a military helicopter pilot, generated laughs when he took a friendly dig at his younger brother Harry, also a chopper pilot, calling him his "low-flying, Apache, very average brother" during a speech at the job fair. Apache is a type of helicopter.

The couple even indulged in a chaste, but rare display of royal affection: William kissed his wife on each cheek when she presented him with the trophy.

The trip was designed around promoting Prince William's causes.

The prince played in a charity polo match on Saturday in Santa Barbara, where a ticket in the stands fetched $400 and a champagne reception with the royals $4,000. The event benefited the prince and his brother's foundation, which supports a variety of causes.

That evening, the couple starred among Hollywood's version of royalty at a black-tie gala to promote British film industry talent to the likes of Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman and Barbra Streisand.

On Sunday, they saw another side of Los Angeles when they visited an arts academy for disadvantaged children in Skid Row, downtown's gritty homeless core.

Like many who interacted with the couple, both administrators and students were struck by the couple's down-to-earth style.

Jessica Cornejo, one of 16 teen dancers who performed for the duke and duchess, said she was thrilled when William gave a double thumbs-up and lauded them with "brilliant" at the end of their performance.

Others said the couple's easy manner made any nerves go out the window.

"They were like your oldest friends and family," said Bob Bates, co-founder of Inner-City Arts. "The kids really took them to heart."

Sunday's agenda also included a swanky private breakfast with patrons of Tusk Trust, an African wildlife conservation group, and a final stop with the group ServiceNation: Mission Serve, which helps veterans find jobs.

Inside the event in Culver City, giant U.S. and British flags hung behind a stage where the smiling duke addressed a cheering crowd.

"All the companies and employers taking part today are providing opportunities which mean something very immediate and personal to us," said William, who is a Royal Air Force search-and-rescue helicopter pilot. "Catherine and I both have friends back in Britain who could benefit from a brilliant initiative like this."

Kelly York, a 23-year Air Force veteran, said she was touched that the prince cared.

"I'm sure that they had 50 million places they could go and see," York said. "The fact that they even take five minutes to stop here and say something to the veterans, that's huge."

The duke and duchess also met for about 15 minutes with the Fraijo family, which includes three generations of Marine Corps veterans. Steve Fraijo said William seemed committed to veterans issues.

"He knows what war is about," said Fraijo, 48.

After speaking with veterans, the couple packed teddy bears in boxes to be sent to children of deployed service members. Their flight to London departed from Los Angeles International Airport shortly after 4 p.m.

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Associated Press writer Thomas Watkins contributed to this report.

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Kiffin fired by Raiders

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

Lane Kiffin is finally out as coach of the Oakland Raiders.

The team announced the decision to fire Kiffin on Tuesday after weeks of speculation.

The Raiders say the move was made for cause, meaning they will likely try not to pay Kiffin the remainder of his salary owed under his contract. Kiffin's agent had no immediate comment.

Kiffin's firing comes four games into his season. He had a 5-15 record with the Raiders, including a 1-3 mark this season.

No immediate successor has been named. The next coach will by Oakland's fifth in the past six seasons.

The firing was first reported by ESPN.com and NFL.com.