It's complicated: Romney struggles to talk wealth

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitt Romney is no natural when it comes to "common man" politics.

The Republican presidential candidate bets a rival $10,000 on an impulse. He dismisses $373,000 in speaking fees as "not very much." And he hesitates on the release of his income tax returns but blurts out a key fact: He pays about 15 percent of his income in taxes — a lower rate than many Americans — because he lives mostly on investment income and not a paycheck.

Such comments suggest a presidential candidate who is far from an everyman — and who may not know how he sounds to those who are. That could pose a special challenge to Romney as he fights for the nomination to oppose President …

US housing concerns weigh on world markets

European stocks pared most of their gains Wednesday and Wall Street traded lower after a sharp fall in U.S. housing starts in October fueled concerns the U.S. economic recovery will not be as strong as some expected.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares closed down 3.8 points, or 0.1 percent, at 5,342.13, while Germany's DAX rose 9.18 points, or 0.2 percent, at 5,787.61. The CAC-40 in France ended less than a point lower at 3,828.16.

All three indexes had been higher earlier but a retreat on Wall Street saw most of the gains wiped out.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 40.06 points, or 0.4 percent, at 10,397.36 around …

Careful! Costs add up quickly

When ordering sushi, you can get either the maki, or rolls (theyusually come six pieces per order), or the nigiri sushi, largebite-sized balls of rice with a sliver of fish on top. They usuallycome two or three to the order. Prices vary at differentrestaurants.

The least expensive maki sushi usually is the cucumber roll. Itranges from $2.40 to $2.75 an order. The popular California roll cancost $3 to $3.75. The tuna nigiri sushi ranges from $2.75 to $3.50.

The mild-flavored eel nigiri sushi, usually seasoned with asweet soy …

Thrashers-Islanders Sums

Atlanta	1 1 0—2
N.Y. Islanders	0 1 0—1

First Period_1, Atlanta, Ladd 27 (Wheeler, Little), 7:56. Penalties_Stewart, Atl (delay of game), 14:00.

Second Period_2, N.Y. Islanders, Tavares 27 (Parenteau, Hamonic), 1:38. 3, Atlanta, Schremp 12 (Wheeler, Byfuglien), 13:56 (pp). Penalties_Moulson, NYI (high-sticking), 9:32; Martinek, NYI (holding), 12:35; Stuart, Atl, major (fighting), 14:53; Haley, NYI, major (fighting), 14:53.

Third …

Cyprus: 3rd baby dies of Legionnaires' disease

Officials say a third baby has died from an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at a private clinic in the Cypriot capital.

A total of 11 babies were infected, and one is on a respirator in critical condition at the state-run Makarios Hospital, according to Andreas Hadjidemetriou, a doctor there.

One baby died Wednesday and two others last week. The other seven are out of …

Hamilton, White overpower Terrapins

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA - Maryland allowed only 10 points in its first threegames. No. 9 Georgia Tech was hardly impressed.

The Yellow Jackets scored two touchdowns against the nation's top-rated scoring defense before the game was seven minutes old. When itwas over, the combination of Joe Hamilton and Dez White had poweredTech to a 49-31 victory Thursday night.

"We knew we could score," said White, who caught five passes for215 yards and two touchdowns. "There's no element of fear in ouroffense. We believe we can make plays against any defense."

With the stage all to himself in a nationally televised game,Hamilton bolstered his Heisman chances by …

Cell Line Authentication Using Isoenzyme Analysis

Strategies for accurate speciation and case studies for the detection of cell line cross-contamination using a commercial kit.

Confirmation of purity and identity of cell cultures is a necessary step in the production of biotherapeutics. Manipulation of multiple cell lines in the same facility introduces the possibility that cross-contamination may occur. Different cell lines may proliferate with varying growth rates such that a single cell from a rapidly growing line, introduced into a culture of slower growing cells, can overtake the original culture in the course of a few passages. In addition, cultures may be mislabeled during manipulation, again resulting in a …

Ryan wins NFL Offensive Rookie award

Matt Ryan is more than the face of the sensational turnaround by the Atlanta Falcons. He also is the best member of a superb rookie crop, earning The Associated Press NFL offensive rookie of the year award on Tuesday.

The quarterback from Boston College, selected third overall in April's draft, was a landslide winner in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Ryan became the third quarterback in five years to win the award; before that, no quarterback ever took the honor.

He joins Ben Roethlisberger (2004) and Vince Young (2006) as top rookie quarterbacks.

"I'm certainly flattered," …

Supreme Court rulings side with landowners

The U.S. Supreme Court recently did something it hasn't done for65 years. It ruled that a government regulation amounted to a"taking" of property under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.

In a 5-4 vote, the high court overturned the California CoastalCommission's requirement that owners of a beachfront lot dedicate aneasement providing public access across their property in exchangefor permission to convert a dilapidated bungalow into a two-storyhome.

The case of Nollan vs. California Coastal Commission follows onthe heels of another major decision bolstering rights of landowners.On June 9, the court held for the first time that property ownersmust be …

Details on Methodology of AP-Ipsos Poll

The Associated Press-Ipsos poll on the 2008 presidential race was conducted Sept. 10-12, 2007 and is based on telephone interviews with a nationally representative random sample of 1,000 adults from all states except Alaska and Hawaii. The sample included 482 respondents who identified themselves as Democrats or who lean toward the Democratic Party, and 358 respondents who identified themselves as Republicans or who lean toward the Republican Party.

Digits in the phone numbers dialed were generated randomly to reach households with unlisted and listed landline numbers.

Interviews were conducted in both English and Spanish.

As is done routinely in surveys, results …

Malaysia secures coast to stop people smuggling

Malaysia is deploying helicopters, boats and an aircraft along its coast to catch a rising number of suspected illegal immigrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan, some of whom may have drowned during their perilous boat journeys.

But the saga of the South Asian migrants comes with a twist _ they are not trying to enter Malaysia illegally. Instead they are leaving Malaysia illegally on small overcrowded boats to sneak into Indonesia, most likely en route to Australia where they hope to eventually get asylum, officials said in interviews this week.

Many Indonesians, who work here without permits or overstay their visas, also use the boats to exit illegally.

…

What world leaders say, and what they really think

The only thing you see when world leaders meet is their exit.The only things you hear are pallid declarations as the leaders facethe microphones.

"We had a very fruitful exchange which will eventually lead tomutual understanding," the premier says.

The U.S. secretary of state then speaks. "The discussions werefrank and open and we hope someday they will produce positive resultsfor the entire region."

Diplomacy demands the two people make such statements. But youhave to read between the lines to get the real meaning.

This is what the premier really wished to say when he describedthe talks as fruitful. "When the secretary of state tried …

German Football Summaries

Summaries of Saturday's games in the Bundesliga, the German first-division football league (home team listed first):

Werder Bremen 3, Borussia Dortmund 3

Bremen: Frank Baumann (68), Claudio Pizarro (88, 90).

Dortmund: Alexander Frei (59 penalty), Mats Hummels (72), Mohamed Zidan (90).

Attendance: 42,100.

Wolfsburg 4, Arminia Bielefeld 1

Wolfsburg: Zvjezdan Misimovic (5, 34), Alexander Madlung (54), Grafite (64).

Bielefeld: Alexander Laas (60).

Attendance: 22,000.

Hannover 2, Hoffenheim 5

Hannover: Christian Schulz (48), Jiri Stajner (63).

Hoffenheim: Vedad Ibisevic (36, 83), Chinedu Obasi (70), Sejad Salihovic (72), Demba Ba (80).

Red card: Hannover: Arnold Jan Bruggink (85).

Attendance: 40,000.

Eintracht Frankfurt 0, Bayer Leverkusen 2

Leverkusen: Patrick Helmes (6 penalty), Arturo Vidal (61).

Attendance: 45,000.

Hertha Berlin 2, Stuttgart 1

Berlin: Maximilian Nicu (29), Gojko Kacar (87).

Stuttgart: Cacau (51).

Attendance: 45,000.

Karlsruher 0, Bayern Munich 1

Bayern: Miroslav Klose (86).

Attendance: 29,699.

Cologne 1, Energie Cottbus 0

Cologne: Milivoje Novakovic (39).

Red Card: Cottbus: Igor Mitreski (29) .

Attendance: 45,000.

Edwards Increases His Money in the Bank

WASHINGTON - Democrat John Edwards increased his cash on hand this quarter despite a drop in contributions for his presidential nomination campaign, according to financial reports he was to file Sunday.

In a preview of his filing, the Edwards campaign reported $12 million in the bank for the primary elections, an increase of more than $2 million over his cash on hand at the end of March.

Edwards, the former senator from North Carolina and 2004 vice presidential nominee, raised about $8.8 million for the primary from April through June; he also raised $250,000 for the general election, money he can't use unless he becomes the Democratic nominee. The campaign planned to file its detailed report with the Federal Election Commission later Sunday.

Overall, Edwards has raised $21.8 million for the primary and $1.3 million for the general election. His totals trail those of the presidential field's money leaders, Democratic Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York. But his cash on hand places him firmly in third place in overall finances among Democrats, ahead of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut.

Dodd on Sunday reported raising nearly $3.3 million with nearly $6.4 million in the bank. For the year, Dodd has total receipts of $12.1 million, which includes a $4.7 million transfer from his Senate campaign account. Richardson on Saturday reported raising $7 million in the second quarter and having a similar amount in the bank.

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden said Sunday he had raised about $2.5 million during the quarter and planned to raise $20 million to $25 million by the time of the first nominating contests in January. His campaign reported a cash balance of more than $2.75 million.

With the early nominating contests still six months away, the campaigns have focused much of their attention on fundraising. While money is a measure of organization and early appeal, it is hardly predictive of how nomination contests will turn out.

"This should not be a race about money or who has the most glitz or celebrity," Richardson said Sunday following a presidential forum held in Chicago by a trial lawyers' group.

Edwards, who does not accept money from political action committees or from lobbyists, reported an average donation of $102.56 and a total of 100,000 donors for the year. His expenditures totaled $6.5 million in the second quarter.

Obama's campaign has said he raised $31 million in primary election contributions during the second quarter; the Clinton campaign has said she raised $21 million in primary funds. Neither has said how much cash it has on hand. They have until midnight Sunday to file their reports with the Federal Election Commission.

Among Republicans filing Sunday, Ron Paul, the Texas congressman running a long-shot campaign, reported raising nearly $2.4 million from April through June and ended the quarter with a similar amount in the bank.

The total is a remarkable showing for Paul, putting him ahead of Arizona Sen. John McCain in cash on hand. Paul still barely registers in public opinion polls and raised far less than McCain or the other leading Republicans. But his libertarian views and opposition to the war in Iraq have lit a fire among nontraditional contributors, particularly on the Internet.

Paul has relied on his debate appearances and on an online network to spread his message. He also spent $120,000 on printing and mailing fundraising letters, his single biggest expense. Overall, he has raised $3 million for the year and spent $646,000.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who are leading the Republican field in money and in public opinion polls, reported their finances on Friday. McCain and most of the Democratic candidates had until midnight Sunday to file their reports.

Other presidential candidates filing reports with the FEC:

-Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., raised $1.4 million, slightly more than his campaign brought in during the previous quarter. The candidate reported having $460,236 in the bank.

-Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican, raised $764,000 for his presidential campaign from April through June and had $437,000 cash on hand at the end of last month.

-Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson raised $461,000 in the second quarter. The Republican reported nearly $122,000 cash on hand, but also listed debts and obligations of more than $127,000.

Lackluster performance in the second quarter already caused one Republican candidate to quit the race. Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore announced Saturday he was withdrawing. On Sunday he reported $62,000 cash on hand and $129,000 in debts and obligations.

PUTNAM NEWS: SCHOOL BOARD: Putnam school board OKs budget; Spending plan includes money for raises

The Putnam County Board of Education has approved a new budget andplaced 38 school system employees on the transfer list.

By unanimous vote, the board Monday officially passed apreliminary $84 million budget that mirrors the current budget, saidschool treasurer William Duncan.

The major change, he told the board, is in salaries. Board membersagreed late last year to provide all county teachers and servicepersonnel with a $1,000 raise spread over two years.

Superintendent Chuck Hatfield complimented Duncan on the budgetpresentation and on his management of the county school funds.

Also Monday, the board placed 38 teachers and school servicepersonnel on the list for possible transfer.

"Actually, some of those on the list were placed there simply tosafeguard the positions until federal money arrives for those jobs,"Hatfield said.

A few teachers or service personnel may be transferred becausechanges in individual school enrollment alter the need for thesepositions, he said.

"But really the vast majority of them will probably be workingexactly in the same place in the fall," Hatfield said.

The board voted to hold a special meeting May 23 to complete andmake public its evaluation of Hatfield. During a meeting in Septemberlast year, specific goals were set for him.

Now the board plans to determine how many of these goals have beenmet, according to board president Debbie Phillips.

While postponing action on several policies up for review, theboard approved a new policy on managing life-threatening allergies inschools.

The policy would require that staff be trained to recognize andrespond to allergic reactions as well as identify food allergens andhelp students avoid them. Parents, in turn, will be required tonotify the school if their children have a life-threatening allergy.Parents also will be required to provide a doctor's written diagnosisto the school.

Several members of the faculty at Putnam County Technical Centerin Eleanor spoke to the board in favor of extending their contractsto 210 days per year.

About 15 vo-tech teachers have been hired in recent years on 201-day contracts as the school system attempted to phase out the longerteaching year at the technical school.

Judy Hale of the American Federation of Teachers estimated thecost of adding the days for all 15 teachers would reach $31,000.

Phillips noted the issue was not placed on the public agenda andcould not be considered by the board until a later date.

Yemen claims 34 killed in raid on Qaida hide-outs

Yemeni security forces struck suspected al-Qaida hide-outs and training sites Thursday, and officials said at least 34 militants were killed, in an unusually heavy assault as Washington presses the deeply unstable country for tougher action against the terror network.

Witnesses, however, put the number killed at over 60 in the heaviest strike and said the dead were mostly civilians, including women and children. They denied the target was an al-Qaida stronghold, and one provincial official said only 10 militant suspects died.

The differing accounts raised questions over the seriousness of the government campaign. The United States has repeatedly called on Yemen to take stronger action against al-Qaida, whose fighters have increasingly found refuge here in the past year. Worries over the growing presence are compounded by fears that Yemen could collapse into turmoil from its multiple conflicts and increasing poverty and become another Afghanistan, giving the militants even freer rein.

If that happens, al-Qaida would have a foothold bordering U.S. ally Saudi Arabia and near other oil-rich states. Already militants in Yemen have crossed into Saudi Arabia to conduct some operations, including an attempt this year to assassinate the deputy interior minister. Moreover, Yemen is located on a strategic maritime crossroad at the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the access point to the Suez Canal _ and across the Gulf is Somalia, an even more tumultuous nation where the U.S. has said al-Qaida militants have been increasing their activity.

At the same time, Yemen's government is facing an escalating war with Shiite rebels in the north and clashes with separatists in the south. The San'a government already has little control in much of the mountainous nation, the poorest in the Arab world, where tribes hold sway.

In Thursday's biggest assault, warplanes and security forces on the ground attacked what authorities said was an al-Qaida training camp in the area of Mahsad in the southern province of Abyan. Saleh el-Shamsy, a provincial security official, said at least 30 suspected militants were killed.

Elsewhere, government forces killed four would-be suicide bombers and arrested 17 militants in a raid in the Arhab district northeast of the capital, the Interior Ministry said. The bombers "planned to strike at schools as well as interests at home and abroad," the ministry said, without elaborating.

But residents of Abyan said there was no al-Qaida training camp in the area and said the heavy assault had destroyed homes in the rural, tribal area, a collection of small mud-brick houses, huts and tents. Abbas al-Assal, a local human rights activist who was at the scene, said 64 people were killed, including 23 children and 17 women.

"The government wants to show the world that it is serious in pursuing al-Qaida elements and that the south of Yemen is a refuge for al-Qaida. That is not true at all," al-Assal told The Associated Press by telephone.

A resident of the area, Ali Mohammed Mansour, gave similar casualty figures, saying he helped bury the dead in a mass grave.

Abyan's deputy governor, Mohammed Hazran, said 10 al-Qaida suspects were killed in the attack, including Mohammed Saleh al-Kazemi, a Saudi who had came to the country after fighting in Afghanistan and was imprisoned in Yemen for two years before being released in 2005.

A provincial security official said "grave mistakes occurred in the operation due to failures of information, which led to a large number of civilian deaths." The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said the assault was carried out without consulting with local officials.

Mansour, the resident, dismissed claims the site was a training camp, pointing out that the community was only 100 meters (yards) off a major highway and two kilometers (1.6 miles) from an army base. He said al-Kazemi, the slain militant, had lived there with his family since his release and was not in hiding.

"If he was wanted, why didn't the authorities come and arrest him all this time?" he said.

Christopher Boucek, a Yemen expert at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the government's "heavy-handed" methods. "There are a lot of ... innocents who suffer."

He said Yemen is under pressure to crack down against al-Qaida not only from the United States but also from Gulf countries. "The Americans are very concerned with what is happening in Yemen, and terror experts talk about Yemen as a trouble spot second only to Afghanistan and Pakistan," Boucek said.

Al-Qaida fighters, many of them coming from the war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, are believed to have found refuge among tribes disgruntled with the central government _ particularly in the northeast of the country, a trio of provinces bordering Saudi Arabia known as the "triangle of evil." The south has seen less al-Qaida activity in the past year.

The country was scene of one of al-Qaida's most dramatic pre-9/11 attacks, the 2000 suicide bombing of the destroyer USS Cole off the Aden coast that killed 17 American sailors. The government allied itself with Washington in the war on terror, but U.S officials have complained that it often strikes deals with militants.

In recent months, Yemen has been more focused on its war with the Shiite rebels, known as the Hawthis, which Boucek warned "is rapidly accelerating Yemen's economic collapse."

"The international community wants them to focus on the issue that affects them, which is terrorism," Boucek said. "But the longer the war goes on (with the Hawthis) the weaker the government looks."

___

Associated Press writer Hadeel al-Shalchi in Cairo contributed to this report.

NATION // BUSINESS IN BRIEF

A LITTLE LESS FINE PRINT ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Six automobile distributors and dealerassociations have agreed to stop burying the total cost of leasing acar in tiny print at the bottom of their advertisements, New Yorkstate Attorney General Robert Abrams said. Since most car adcampaigns are national, Abrams predicted the settlement will affectconsumers across the country. He called the ads deceptive becausethey promote low monthly payments but obscure the hefty down payment.The settlement was reached with Mazda Motor of America, MitsubishiMotor Sales of America, American Isuzu Motors, Alfa RomeoDistributors of North America, Tri-Honda Advertising Association andUpstate New York Lincoln Mercury Dealers Association. LITTON TO CUT UNIT IN HALF LOS ANGELES - Litton Industries said it will eliminate about 700jobs at its 1,500-employee navigation systems unit in suburbanWoodland Hills by 1995, reflecting defense spending cutbacks. Inthe mid-1980s, Beverly Hills-based Litton had 4,000 employees inWoodland Hills. L.A. TERMINAL GETS JAPAN LIFT TOKYO - The Export-Import Bank of Japan said on Friday that it wouldmake its first-ever equity investment when it joins other Japaneseand U.S. investors in setting up a coal export terminal in LosAngeles. The Los Angeles Export Terminal would be established in afew months at a paid-up capital of $120 million shared 51 percent byseven U.S. companies and 49 percent by 29 Japanese partners, the banksaid in a statement. The company will build a new terminal with ahandling capacity of 9 million tons to replace the existing facilityof 3.5 million tons at the Port of Los Angeles. LIBERTY RETURNS TO DENVER CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Liberty Media Corp. will return to Denver just twoyears after the cable television company moved to Cheyenne. LibertyMedia, a spinoff of the nation's largest cable television operator,Tele-Communications Inc., likely would make the move in June, saidLiberty vice president Jim Martin. Liberty Media is comprised ofmany of the cable programming interests that TCI once owned. TOUGH ON COMPLIANCE LOS ANGELES - Teledyne Inc., the defense contractor faced withwide-ranging legal troubles, is stepping up efforts to ensure thatits 60-plus units meet federal laws, officials said. The company hasposted 22 auditors at its headquarters to check on contracts. And itis requiring subsidiaries to review government regulations, saidWilliam Rutledge, chairman and chief executive officer. In addition,Rice said he will avoid any direct role in trying to keep onesubsidiary, Teledyne Relays, from losing its military contracts overfraud allegations. CHIEF QUITS AFTER QUITE A RUN FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - Henry J. Nasella, president and chief operatingofficer of the office superstore pioneer Staples Inc., has resignedafter leading the company's expansion from 11 stores to 180 over fiveyears. Louis R. Pepi was appointed president of Staples' U.S. retailstore division, and Joseph S. Vassalluzzo was made executive vicepresident of growth and support services.

Mennonite Publishing Network continues 'forward momentum'

Scottdale, Pa.

Reports of new marketing initiatives and progress on stabilizing finances highlighted the annual meeting of the Mennonite Publishing Network (MPN) Board, held in Scottdale, Pa., earlier this month.

"We have shifted from a survival mode to engaging the future," said board chair Phil Bontrager in observing that MPN has operated in the black for the last three years. A clean, unqualified audit showed a break-even year on a cash basis. Publishing revenue included $185,000 in donations, which helped to offset $250,000 in curriculum development costs. Total costs included $615,000 in debt payments for principal and interest-financed in large part from ongoing operations. Over the past four years, the long-term debt has been reduced from $5.1 to $3 million.

In the past year, MPN focused on building relationships with congregations in Mennonite Church Canada and MC USA. Marketing initiatives included researching curriculum use in congregations, appointing a resource advocate coordinator, holding a "train the trainers" event for the Gather 'Round curriculum, making follow-up phone calls to all congregations, and improving online access to MPN materials. Other efforts included exploring new markets for the Simply in Season cookbook and hosting a successful Anabaptist-focused bookstore at the church-wide assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Herald Press published a total of 19 new books last year on themes such as basic beliefs, marriage and family, peace, and Anabaptism, but its Simply in Season cookbook topped the sales charts.

While celebrating the significant progress in debt reduction, the board focused on strategies to keep MPN relevant and viable for the future. The board approved an advancement plan to further strengthen the relationship of the publishing ministry with its constituency and to raise funds for curriculum development and other publishing priorities. The board also endorsed plans to increase publishing revenue with an improved title acquisition process and an additional marketing staff person who will work in advancement and fundraising.

Outsourcing quotes for order fulfillment and warehousing for the U.S. showed that the most cost-effective option for now is to provide these services from the MPN facility in Scottdale. The facility will continue as one of the operational centres for MPN, subject to review as circumstances change. The other two centres are in Waterloo, Ont., and Newton, Kan.

The board continues to review the performance of Provident Bookstores in a challenging retail environment. Two stores were transferred to local ownership in the last 12 months as resources were focused on strengthening the remaining six stores.

The board unanimously approved the appointment of Ron Rempel as executive director to an additional three-year term.

-Joint MPN/MC Canada release

Roukema bill would repeal examination fee authority

Examination fee authority for the FDIC and Federal Reserve System would be repealed under legislation introduced by Rep. Marge Roukema (R-N.J.), chairwoman of the House Financial Institutions Subcommittee.

Her action was in response to Clinton Administration proposals to require new fees by federal regulators on state-chartered banks.

"We need to stop this budget gimmickry and take this off the table as soon as possible,' Roukema said. "This is the seventh year in a row that the administration has proposed this unnecessary fee. The agencies have consistently said they don't need it to fund their operations. And the Banking Committee and Congress have rejected the request on a bipartisan basis every year."

The measure is H.R. 3900. Roukema has also introduced H.R. 3899, which would merge the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) and the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF).

Edward Yingling, executive director, government relations, for the American Bankers Association (ABA), said the ABA opposes the legislation because it merges BIF and SAIF without addressing other key deposit insurance issues.

"In ABA's recent testimony before the House Financial Institutions Subcommittee," Yingling said, "ABA indicated that any legislation addressing a BIF/SAIF merger should also address other key issues, including capping the insurance funds, providing rebates and merging the OTS and OCC."

He said that the ABA "will strongly advocate a comprehensive approach and oppose a single merger, which, if enacted, would ensure that Congress does not address other important related issues for years to come."

EU lifts growth forecast but warns on deficits

LONDON (AP) — The European Commission revised up its economic growth forecasts for the 16 countries that use the euro on Monday despite concerns over the debt crisis, but said it expects deficits in weak countries like Portugal and Spain to be higher than expected.

In its autumn forecast, the Commission said eurozone economic growth this year would likely be 1.7 percent, nearly double its spring forecast of 0.9 percent.

Growth is expected to moderate next year to 1.5 percent on the back of waning global growth and the impact of austerity measures being pursued across the eurozone. However, it is expected to pick up again in 2012 to 1.8 percent as the private sector starts to take up the slack from the public sector's retrenchment.

The slowdown next year will be most marked in Germany, Europe's biggest economy. Though growth is set to slow from this year's stunning 3.7 percent, it will remain at an above-average 2.2 percent.

France, Europe's second largest economy is expected grow by 1.6 percent this year and next.

The countries with the biggest debt difficulties will continue to underperform as their governments rein in spending and raise taxes.

Portugal —widely-considered to be the next most vulnerable eurozone economy following Greece and Ireland — is expected to fall back into recession next year, shrinking by 1 percent following 2010 growth of 1.3 percent.

Greece, which was effectively saved from bankruptcy in May by an emergency €110 billion package, is expected to shrink again next year but by less than it has in 2010. The Commission expects the Greek economy to shrink by 3 percent in 2011, less than this year's 4.2 percent contraction.

Ireland, which on Sunday was bailed out by its partners in Europe and the International Monetary Fund to the tune of €67.5 billion, is expected to grow by a below-par 0.9 percent next year following this year's 0.2 percent decline.

Olli Rehn, the commissioner in charge of economic and monetary affairs, said the recovery has taken hold but that governments need to continue to get a grip on their public finances.

"The turbulence in sovereign debt markets underlines the need for robust policy action," Rehn said.

Rehn said countries should be ready to enact further austerity measures even if growth comes in lower than expected. The Commission is forecasting budget deficits for Spain, Portugal and Ireland to be above the levels those countries have set out in their austerity programs.

Spain is a particular worry in the markets at the moment because its sheer size would make it extremely expensive for policymakers in Europe to muster the necessary bailout funds.

Rehn said the Commission expects the country's deficit to be 6.4 percent of its national income, which is above the government's target of 6 percent. He explained that the reason for the discrepancy is that the Commission expects the Spanish economy to grow by only 0.7 percent in 2011, slower than what Madrid is predicting.

Even though Rehn said the Spanish fiscal strategy is "on track," he conceded that Madrid might have to take "further measures" if growth proves to be lower than expected.

The forecasts came after the Commission said its economic sentiment indicator for the eurozone rose to 105.3 from October's 103.8, largely on the back of continuing improvements in the services and manufacturing sectors. The increase was bigger than markets' expectations for a rise to 105.

The survey will fuel hopes that the recovery in the eurozone is on a fairly sound footing despite the debt crisis following much stronger than anticipated economic growth this year.

"November's consumer survey confirmed that the sovereign debt crisis in Ireland and elsewhere is not yet standing in the way of a broader recovery in the eurozone economy but the worrying division between the core and periphery is continuing to widen," said Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at Capital Economics.

The key to the wider eurozone recovery is that Germany continues to grow strongly and the survey will likely reinforce expectations for a rebound in exports. More significantly, the survey indicated that consumer spending is on the up as unemployment declines and wage settlements rise.

Despite the further pick-up in sentiment, the European Central Bank is expected to keep its main lending rate at a record low of 1 percent at its meeting Thursday and for many months to come, partly because higher borrowing costs are the last thing the highly indebted countries like Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain need right now.

The Commission also said it expects the wider 27-country EU, which includes non-euro countries like Britain and Sweden, to grow by 1.8 percent this year, moderating to 1.7 percent next and picking up to 2 percent in 2012.

___

AP Business Writer Gabriele Steinhauser in Brussels contributed to this story.

Report: Merkel hopes to meet with Dalai Lama again; rejects boycott of Beijing Olympics

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she plans another meeting with the Dalai Lama, despite strong protest from Beijing against her reception of the Tibetan leader last fall, according to excerpts of a newspaper interview released Saturday.

Merkel was quoted as telling the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper for its Sunday editions that while she will be in Latin America during the Tibetan leader's upcoming visit to Germany in May, she will "surely meet again with the Dalai Lama at a later time."

China harshly criticized Merkel for receiving the Dalai Lama at the chancellory in September. Beijing broke off several meetings with German diplomats in an apparent sign of Chinese anger and more normal relations were restored only after several months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy.

Nevertheless, Merkel has stood by her decision to become the first German leader to receive the Dalai Lama, defending the visit as that of a foreign religious leader.

China routinely criticizes visits abroad by the Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 during a failed uprising against Chinese rule, and has blamed him for the outbreak of violence during recent pro-independence protests in Tibet.

Asked by the paper if she thought a boycott of the Beijing Olympics would help the situation in Tibet, Merkel said simply, "No."

The chancellor referred to Western nations' decision to stay away from the 1980 games in Moscow to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, but noted that had little impact.

"The boycott of the 1980 Olympics did nothing other than lead to a counter-boycott of the 1984 Games," Merkel was quoted as saying.

Brady, Newcomers Lead Pats Over Chargers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots proved they don't need to spy to win. A few brilliant offseason acquisitions are more than enough.

The Patriots routed the San Diego Chargers 38-14 Sunday night as Tom Brady threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns and got three TDs from players picked up last spring: Randy Moss with two receptions and Adalius Thomas, with a 65-yard interception return.

The victory came three days after the NFL fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick $500,000, the team another $250,000 and took away what is almost sure to be a first-round draft choice.

It wasn't Belichick's spying that paid off Sunday night against a San Diego team that finished 14-2 last season but lost to New England 24-21 in its first playoff game. It was the players he brought in during the offseason - Thomas, Moss and Wes Welker, who combined with Brady and linebacker Rosevelt Colvin to completely dominate a team that figures to be among their main competitors in the AFC.

Moss, who had nine catches for 183 yards and a touchdown in the win over the New York Jets last week hade eight more for 105 yards and 23 and 24-yard TD catches. Welker had 8 catches for 91 yards, including a 34-yarder on the first drive of the game that set up Brady's 7-yard TD pass to Benjamin Watson that got the Patriots (2-0) off to a quick start.

Peru Freer, Richer Today

LIMA, Peru - When Alberto Fujimori abandoned the presidency in November 2000, faxing his resignation from Japan, his ancestral homeland, thousands of Peruvians celebrated the end of an increasingly oppressive regime that was clinging to power in constitutionally questionable ways.

But his legacy lives on in the free-market reforms he introduced and the political violence he snuffed out. Peru today is prospering and peaceful. Democracy, meanwhile, has survived Fujimori's authoritarian ways, deepening its roots under two presidents who were judged to have been freely and honestly elected.

Subsequent governments have not had to contend with violence or the hyperinflation Fujimori inherited when he was elected in 1990, and opinion polls show many Peruvians still admire him.

After he was forced to flee, his elected successor was Alejandro Toledo, the first Peruvian president of Indian descent. The incumbent since 2006 is Alan Garcia, who had already been president from 1985 to 1990.

Many Fujimori supporters are quick to note parallels between Fujimori and Garcia. Garcia also fled into exile to escape corruption charges and political persecution after Fujimori closed Congress, but was able to return and run for president again because the statute of limitations on the charges had run out.

Fujimori, 69, was extradited to Peru a month ago. He is to be tried on charges of corruption, kidnapping and murder and could be jailed for 30 years.

Cubs 4, Astros 2

Houston			Chicago
ab r h bi		ab r h bi
Bourn cf	5 0 3 1		Fukdm rf	3 0 2 0
Altuve 2b	3 0 1 0		SCastro ss	3 0 0 1
Pence rf	4 0 0 0		ArRmr 3b	4 1 2 2
Ca.Lee lf-1b	3 1 0 0		C.Pena 1b	4 0 0 0
Wallac 1b	3 0 1 0		Byrd cf	3 0 0 0
Bourgs ph-lf	1 0 0 0		Soto c	4 0 0 0
CJhnsn 3b	4 0 2 0		ASorin lf	4 1 2 1
Barmes ss	4 1 1 0		Marshll p	0 0 0 0
Quinter c	3 0 1 0		Barney 2b	3 1 1 0
AngSnc ph	1 0 0 0		Zamrn p	2 1 1 0
Norris p	2 0 1 0		JRussll p	0 0 0 0
SEscln p	0 0 0 0		Smrdzj p	0 0 0 0
FRdrgz p	0 0 0 0		DeWitt ph	1 0 1 0
Michals ph	1 0 0 0		Campn pr	0 0 0 0
		Grabow p	0 0 0 0
		Marml p	0 0 0 0
		RJhnsn lf	0 0 0 0
Totals	34 2 10 1		Totals	31 4 9 4

Houston	010	100	000—2
Chicago	000	040	00x—4

DP_Houston 1, Chicago 2. LOB_Houston 8, Chicago 6. 2B_Ar.Ramirez (26), A.Soriano (14). HR_Ar.Ramirez (18), A.Soriano (15). SB_Bourn 2 (37), Barney (5). S_Norris. SF_S.Castro.

	IP	H	R ER BB SO
Houston
Norris L,5-7	6 1-3	9	4	4	0	5
S.Escalona	0	0	0	0	1	0
Fe.Rodriguez	1 2-3	0	0	0	0	1
Chicago
Zambrano W,7-5	6	9	2	2	1	3
J.Russell	0	1	0	0	0	0
Samardzija H,5	1	0	0	0	0	2
Grabow H,5	1-3	0	0	0	0	1
Marmol H,2	2-3	0	0	0	0	2
Marshall S,3-6	1	0	0	0	0	1

J.Russell pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

S.Escalona pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

HBP_by Fe.Rodriguez (Byrd), by Zambrano (Altuve).

Umpires_Home, Mark Ripperger; First, CB Bucknor; Second, Dale Scott; Third, Jerry Meals.

T_2:39. A_39,855 (41,159).

South Africa vs. Sri Lanka Scores

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) — Scores Tuesday in the third one-day international between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Chevrolet Park:

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Sri Lanka 266-9 in 50 overs (Upul Tharanga 58, Nuwan Kulasekara 40; Morne Morkel 2-65).

Latin American Soccer Results

Banfield 4, Huracan 3

Estudiantes 3, Rosario Central 1

Gimnasia de Jujuy 1, Idependiente 2

Olimpo 2, Colon 1

Velez Sarsfield 3, Lanus 2

Racing 0, Tigre 0

River Plate 4, Argentinos Juniors 2

San Lorenzo 1, Boca Juniors 0

Newell's 1, Gimnasia y Esgrima 0

Arsenal 2, San Martin 1

Standings: Estudiantes, River 27; San Lorenzo 24; Boca 23; Velez, Newell's 21; Independiente 20; San Martin, Central, Tigre 16; Banfield, Arsenal 15; Colon, Huracan, Argentinos 14; Gimnasia y Esgrima 12; Racing 9; Gimnasia (J), Lanus, Olimpo 8.

Next round: Huracan-Gimnasia de Jujuy, Independiente-Newell's, Argentinos-Estudiantes, Lanus-Arsenal, San Martin-Olimpo, Colon-Banfield, Central-Racing, Tigre-Velez, Gimnasia y Esgrima-San Lorenzo, Boca-River.

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BRAZIL

Sao Paulo Championship

(Paulista)

Finals

First Leg

Ponte Preta 0, Palmeiras 1

Second Leg

Sunday, May 4

Palmeiras vs. Ponte Preta

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Rio de Janeiro Championship

(Carioca)

Finals

First Leg

Flamengo 1, Botafogo 0

Second Leg

Sunday, May 4

Botafogo vs. Flamengo

___

MEXICO

Clausura

16th Round

Veracruz 2, Pumas 4

Cruz Azul 1, Morelia 0

Tigres 1, Santos 2

Atlante 2, Monterrey 3

San Luis 0, Atlas 0

Pachuca 0, Jaguares 1

Chivas 4, Puebla 0

Toluca 3, Tecos 0

Necaxa 2, America 0

Standings:

Group 1: Toluca 27; Jaguares 25; Pachuca 21; Puebla 20; Pumas 19; Tecos 16.

Group 2: Santos 28; Monterrey 24; Atlas 20; Atlante, Veracruz 16; America 8.

Group 3: Guadalajara 32; Cruz Azul 31; San Luis 30; Necaxa 24; Tigres 16; Morelia 15.

Next round: Tecos-Veracruz, Jaguares-Chivas, Morelia-Toluca, Tigres-Necaxa, Atlas-Cruz Azul, Pumas-Pachuca, Santos-San Luis, America-Monterrey, Puebla-Atlante.

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BOLIVIA

Apertura

10th Round

Bolivar 3, Aurora 1

La Paz FC 5, San Jose 2

Real Potosi 1, Universitario 1

Wilstermann 2,The Strongest 1

Guabira 2, Blooming 0

Oriente Petrolero 2, Real Mamore 1

Standings: Universitario 21; Oriente Petrolero 20; San Jose 19; The Strongest 18; La Paz FC 16; Bolivar 14; Blooming, Real Potosi 12, Wilstermann 11; Real Mamore, Guabira 9; Aurora 6.

Next round: La Paz FC-Real Mamore, Bolivar-Blooming, Guabira-San Jose, Real Potosi-Aurora, Universitario-Wilstermann, Oriente Petrolero-The Strongest.

___

CHILE

Apertura

17th Round

U. Catolica 2, U. de Chile 0

La Serena 2 Colo Colo 2

Melipilla 0, Antofagasta 1

Everton 4, Cobreloa 2

Osorno 1, Palestino 0

A. Italiano 2, S. Morning 0

U. de Concepcion 1, Rangers 2

Huachipato 1, Nublense 2

Cobresal vs. Concepcion, postponed, labor strike

Standings: Nublense 35; U. Catolica 33; Audax Italiano 31; O'Higgins 30; U. de Chile, Everton 29; Concepcion, Santiago Morning 27; Colo Colo, Huachipato 26; Cobresal 25; Cobreloa 23; Palestino, Union Espanola 21; Rangers, La Serena 20; U. de Concepcion 18; Antofagasta 14; Osorno 13; Melipilla 7.

Next round: O'Higgins-U. de Chile, Cobreloa-U. Catolica, U. de Concepcion-Cobresal, Palestino-La Serena, Osorno-Everton, S. Morning-Melipilla, Nublense-A. Italiano, Rangers-U- Espanola, Sntofagasta-Concepcion, Colo Colo-Huachipato.

___

COLOMBIA

Apertura

15th Round

Deportivo Cali 2, Envigado 1

Tolima 4, Once Caldas 3

La Equidad 1, Bucaramanga 0

Pereira 3, Huila 3

Atletico Junior 2, Pasto 0

Atletico Nacional 3, America 2

Millonarios 0, Santa Fe 2

Cucuta Deportivo 3, Chico 0

Quindio 1, Independiente Medellin 0

Next round: Once Caldas-Millonarios, America-Quindio, Pasto-Nacional, Chico-Atletico Junior, Huila-Cucuta, Santa Fe-Pereira, Bucaramanga-Tolima, Envigado-La Equidad, Medellin-Deportivo Cali.

Standings: Santa Fe 30; La Equidad 28; Medellin 25; Cali 24; Chico 23; Envigado 22; Quindio 21; America 20; Cucuta, Nacional, Caldas, Pasto, Bucaramanga 19; Millonarios, Atletico Junior 18; Huila 17; Tolima, Pereira 15.

___

ECUADOR

Campeonato Nacional

13th Round

El Nacional 2, Olmedo 1

Universidad Catolica 0, Macara 1

Tecnico Universitario 2, Liga de Quito 1

Deportivo Cuenca 0, Deportivo Quito 0

Espoli 6, Emelec 2

Barcelona 2, Deportivo Azogues 0

Standings: Liga de Quito 27; Deportivo Quito, Deportivo Cuenca 23; Barcelona, El Nacional 22; Espoli 20; Emelec 19; Tecnico Universitario 14; Macara 13; Olmedo 11; Universidad Catolica 9; Deportivo Azogues 8.

Next round: Liga de Quito-Universidad Catolica, Deportivo Quito-Barcelona, Macara-El Nacional, Emelec-Deportivo Cuenca, Olmedo-Espoli, Deportivo Azogues-Tecnico Universitario.

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PARAGUAY

Apertura

12th Round

2 de Mayo 1, Libertad 0

Tacuary 2, Guarani 5

Nacional 4, Olimpia 0

3 de Febrero 1, Cerro Porteno 0

Luqueno 2, Sol de America 1

12 de Octubre 3, Pettirossi 1

Standings: Libertad 29; Nacional 26; Guarani 22; Cerro Porteno 21; Olimpia, 3 de Febrero 16; 2 de Mayo 15; 12 de Octubre 14; Luqueno 13; Sol de America 12; Tacuary, Pettirossi 11.

Next round: Guarani-2 de Mayo, Pettirossi-3 de Febrero, Olimpia-Tacuary, Sol de America-Cerro Porteno, Luqueno-Nacional, Libertad-12 de Octubre.

___

PERU

Apertura

14th Round

14ta fecha

San Martin 1, Universitario 1

Sport Boys 2, Atletico Minero 1

Jose Galvez 4, Juan Aurich 0

Alianza Atletico 1, Bolognesi 4

Melgar 1, Cristal 0

Alianza Lima 1, Sport Ancash 0

Cesar Vallejo 1, Cienciano 0

Standings: Cristal 24, Cienciano, Universitario, FBC Melgar 23, San Martin 22, Jose Galvez 20, Cesar Vallejo 19, Juan Aurich 18, Alianza Lima, Bolognesi 17, Alianza Atletico 16, Sport Ancash 14, Atletico Minero 13, Sport Boys 11.

Next round: Sport Ancash-San Martin, Universitario-Jose Galvez, Juan Aurich-Melgar, Cristal-Cesar Vallejo, Cienciano-Sport Boys, Atletico Minero-Alianza Atletico, Bolognesi-Alianza Lima.

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URUGUAY

Clausura

11th Round

Liverpool 1, Nacional 1

Danubio 2, Rampla 2

Miramar 2, Wanderers 4

Penarol 3, Cerro 0

River 2, Bella Vista 0

Juventud 0, Defensor 2

Tacuarembo 1, Progreso 3

Central 2, Fenix 1

Standings: River, Nacional 28; Penarol 25; Defensor 24; Liverpool 21; Wanderers 16; Progreso 15; Central 13; Juventud 12; Miramar, Cerro, Bella Vista, Tacuarembo 11, Danubio 11; Rampla 7; Fenix 6.

Next round: Progreso-Penarol, Bella Vista-Central, Cerro-Danubio, Wanderers-Juventud, Nacional-Tacuarembo, Fenix-Miramar, Rampla-Liverpool, Defensor-River.

___

COSTA RICA

Verano

15th Round

Saprissa 1, Herediano 1

Perez Zeledon 1, Alajuelense 1

Puntarenas 1, San Carlos 0

UCR 0, Carmelita 2

Santos 1, Cartagines 1

Liberia 1, Brujas 0

Standings:

Group A: Saprissa 29; UCR 21; Puntarenas 21; Herediano 20; San Carlos 18; Carmelita 15.

Group B: Alajuelense 27; Perez Zeledon 21; Brujas 21; Liberia 20; Cartago 17; Santos 13.

Next round: San Carlos-Saprissa; Herediano-Carmelita; UCR-Puntarenas; Brujas-Perez Zeledon; Alajuelense-Cartagines; Santos-Liberia.

___

GUATEMALA

Clausura

17th Round

Marquense 2, Suchitepequez 0

Jalapa 1, Petapa 2

Comunicaciones 1, Malacateco 0

Heredia 0, Municipal 2

Zacapa 2, Xelaju 2

Standings: Comunicaciones, Municipal 32; Petapa 30; Xelaju, Suchitepequez 24; Marquense 23; Jalapa 21; Zacapa 20; Heredia 12; Malacateco 11.

Next round: Malacateco-Zacapa, Municipal-Jalapa, Petapa-Comunicaciones, Suchitepequez-Heredia, Xelaju-Marquense.

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HONDURAS

Clausura

17th Round

Platense 0, Olimpia 2

Marathon 5, Hispano 2

Olanchano 3, Real Espana 2

Motagua 2, Vida 0

Victoria 0, Savio 0

Standings: Olimpia 32; Real Espana 28; Marathon 27; Motagua, Victoria 24; Hispano 23; Olanchano 21; Platense 20; Vida 17; Savio 16.

Next round: Marathon-Victoria, Savio-Real Espana, Hispano-Olanchano, Motagua-Platense, Vida-Olimpia.

___

EL SALVADOR

Clausura

14th Round

Aguila 1, Firpo 4

FAS 3, Alianza 2

San Salvador 0, Vista Hermosa 1

Once Municipal 2, Metapan 5

Nejapa 1, Chalatenango 3

Standings: FAS 25; Firpo, Vista Hermosa, Metapan 24; Chalatenango 22; Aguila 17; Nejapa 15; Alianza 14; San Salvador 12; Once Municipal 6.

Next round: Firpo-San Salvador, Vista Hermosa-Once Municipal, Metapan-Nejapa, Chalatenango-FAS, Alianza-Aguila.

Mortlock rested against Italy in 2nd test

Australia coach Robbie Deans continued his policy of rotating players at will, resting Stirling Mortlock, handing veteran flanker George Smith his third match as Wallabies captain and making eight changes overall for the second rugby test against Italy.

Centers Ryan Cross and Quade Cooper, winger Peter Hynes, flankers David Pocock and Peter Kimlin and the front row of Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Pek Cowan are the new faces in the starting XV from the team which beat Italy 31-8 in the first test last Saturday in Canberra.

The most significant changes were in the backline, where outside center and skipper Mortlock was given the week off and regular flyhalf and goalkicker Matt Giteau was named to the substitutes' bench on Tuesday.

In the forward reshuffle, the 23-year-old Cowan will become the 15th new player to be introduced to the Wallabies since Deans took over as national coach last year.

"We've got potentially 14 test matches to play this year, as well as the Barbarians game we've already had," Deans said. "Not only would it be unrealistic to focus that entire work load on the same players, a policy like that would also deny us the opportunity to develop others."

James O'Connor, the 18-year-old fullback who scored three tries in his starting debut last week, was retained in a reshaped backline that includes one positional and three personnel changes.

With Mortlock and Giteau out of the starting lineup, Berrick Barnes was moved from inside center to flyhalf to give Cross and Cooper a run in midfield.

Smith has been switched from the openside flank to No. 8 to allow Pocock his run-on debut on the side of the scrum. The game's most capped loose forward became Australia's 75th test captain when he led the side against Canada at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Both Polota-Nau and Alexander appeared off the bench last weekend but have come in for Stephen Moore and Benn Robinson, who are listed on the bench for the Melbourne match.

Last week's tighthead prop Al Baxter and No. 8 Richard Brown are being rested, while New South Wales Waratahs flanker Phil Waugh was recalled to the squad to take a place on the bench.

Deans said the changes were related to workload and opportunity issues. Australia plays France in Sydney on June 27 and the Tri-Nations against South Africa and New Zealand begins in mid-July.

"The changes should not be seen as a slight on the blokes who have missed out after last weekend," Deans said. "It's quite the opposite. We were happy with the way the guys played.

He said Italy provided strong competition last weekend and he is expecting more of the same in Melbourne.

"They will have got a lot out of that performance," Deans said. "They have shown in their last two test matches against us that they are not too far off taking out a major nation."

___

Australia: James O'Connor, Lachie Turner, Ryan Cross, Quade Cooper, Peter Hynes, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess; Pekahou Cowan, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Peter Kimlin, David Pocock, George Smith. Replacements: Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson, Nathan Sharpe, Phil Waugh, Josh Valentine, Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Eurostat revises down euro growth for last year to 2.6 percent

Economic growth in the euro zone expanded by 2.6 percent last year, the European Union's statistics agency said Tuesday, revising downward an earlier estimate of 2.7 percent on newer figures for the fourth quarter that showed household spending shrank.

This is below 2006 growth when the euro area expanded at the fastest pace in six years, generating record profits for European companies and creating new jobs that shrunk long unemployment lines _ but above both the U.S. and Japan last year.

The euro area is likely to slow to 1.8 percent this year, EU officials said last month, warning of uncertain times ahead as Europe tries to ride out a slowdown in its major trading partner, the United States, and tighter credit conditions in the wake of the subprime crisis.

More immediately, the euro area is battling record-high inflation and a currency that hit a new high against the U.S. dollar on Monday, reaching US$1.5266 in afternoon trading _ making exports to the U.S. more expensive but cutting Europe's bill for dollar-priced imported oil.

The EU statistics agency, Eurostat, said the euro zone grew just 2.2 percent in the last three months of 2007 compared with the same period a year earlier. This is down from its first estimate of 2.3 percent and leaves unchanged its 0.4 percent figure for growth from the previous quarter.

Household consumption _ one of the main drivers of Europe's recent growth spurt _ shrank by 0.1 percent from the third quarter as shoppers shied away from big purchases when faced with higher prices for transport fuel, heating oil and groceries such as milk, bread and vegetables.

The strong euro was the likely brake on exports in the final three months of the year with sales abroad rising 0.5 percent quarter-on-quarter after a booming summer saw a 2.1 percent surge.

The euro area has more than 318 million people and accounts for more than 15 percent of the world's gross domestic product.

SAFE KIDS WORLDWIDE WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO - KATE CARR.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The following information was released by Safe Kids USA:

Kate Carr has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Safe Kids Worldwide effective October 1. John Formisano, who has served as the interim President and CEO since December 6, 2010, will continue in his capacity as Vice Chairman for Safe Kids Worldwide Board of Directors.

"Over a thousand child deaths each day and thousands more injuries that require medical care could be prevented if known injury prevention methods were applied across the globe," said Carr. "It's vitally important that Safe Kids continue to provide an advocacy voice and expand its education of parents, caregivers and children to empower them with prevention skills. Safe Kids has been a vital partner in the effort that has resulted in the 51 percent reduction in the rate of child deaths in the U.S. since 1987. But there is much more to be done. Child safety and booster seats significantly reduce the risk of injuries and deaths to children, yet in the U.S. car crashes remain the leading killer of kids ages 3-14. Looking forward, road traffic injuries are projected to be the number one killer globally, surpassing infectious diseases. This is a trend we can and must reverse."

"Safe Kids has tremendous programs in place for child passenger safety, pedestrian safety, youth sports injury prevention and home safety," continued Carr. "With support from Johnson and Johnson, FedEx, the General Motors Foundation and other partners, I look forward to working with Safe Kids coalitions across the U.S. and throughout the world to further improve the effectiveness of those programs."

"Kate Carr's exemplary leadership will strengthen Safe Kids capability as the premier global child injury prevention nonprofit organization," said Safe Kids Worldwide Board Chairman John H. Claster. "And her experience with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Malaria No More will help catalyze the growth of Safe Kids' global initiatives."

"I also want to thank John Formisano for his service to Safe Kids," continued Claster. "He successfully directed the organization as interim President and CEO for the past nine months while the Board of Directors executed a methodical search process and selected Kate Carr to lead Safe Kids."

"We welcome Kate Carr to her new role," said Kurt D. Newman, President and CEO, Children's National Medical Center. "Safe Kids is an integral part of Children's National, which started the organization more than 20 years ago with support from founding partner Johnson and Johnson. With a mission to eliminate preventable childhood injury, Safe Kids is leading the way with a bold, visionary approach that over the years has fundamentally re-imagined how we care for and protect kids. We look forward to ongoing creative collaborations with organizations around the world, with Ms. Carr at the helm of this vital organization."

Safe Kids Worldwide works in 20 countries to support the recent World Health Assembly resolution on child injury prevention, the leading cause of death for children over the age of 5 years globally. More than 830,000 children die each year from road traffic crashes, drowning, burns, falls and poisoning -- and pproximately 44 percent of these deaths are preventable. The adoption of this historic resolution by the World Health Assembly is a landmark accomplishment, as it firmly frames child injury as a major child survival issue and highlights the need to expand child survival programming and financing streams to include child injury prevention.

Carr comes to Safe Kids Worldwide from Malaria No More, where, since 2008, she served as the Managing Director and Chief Development Officer. Malaria No More is a nonprofit organization that seeks to end deaths from malaria by 2015. As President and CEO for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation from 1998 - 2005, Carr successfully led a dramatic expansion of programmatic activities that produced significant domestic and international advancements on behalf of children's health.

About Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe Kids Worldwide is a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children ages 1 to 14. Twenty member countries and more than 600 coalitions and chapters across the U.S. bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families.

About Children's National Medical Center:

Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, has been serving the nation's children since 1870. Home to Children's Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals by U.S.News and World Report and the Leapfrog Group. With 283 beds, more than 1,330 nurses, 550 physicians, and seven regional outpatient centers, Children's National is the only exclusive provider of acute pediatric services in the Washington metropolitan area. Children's National has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet' designated hospital, the highest level of recognition for nursing excellence that a medical center can achieve. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, receive the latest news from the Children's National press room, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SAFE KIDS WORLDWIDE WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO - KATE CARR.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The following information was released by Safe Kids USA:

Kate Carr has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Safe Kids Worldwide effective October 1. John Formisano, who has served as the interim President and CEO since December 6, 2010, will continue in his capacity as Vice Chairman for Safe Kids Worldwide Board of Directors.

"Over a thousand child deaths each day and thousands more injuries that require medical care could be prevented if known injury prevention methods were applied across the globe," said Carr. "It's vitally important that Safe Kids continue to provide an advocacy voice and expand its education of parents, caregivers and children to empower them with prevention skills. Safe Kids has been a vital partner in the effort that has resulted in the 51 percent reduction in the rate of child deaths in the U.S. since 1987. But there is much more to be done. Child safety and booster seats significantly reduce the risk of injuries and deaths to children, yet in the U.S. car crashes remain the leading killer of kids ages 3-14. Looking forward, road traffic injuries are projected to be the number one killer globally, surpassing infectious diseases. This is a trend we can and must reverse."

"Safe Kids has tremendous programs in place for child passenger safety, pedestrian safety, youth sports injury prevention and home safety," continued Carr. "With support from Johnson and Johnson, FedEx, the General Motors Foundation and other partners, I look forward to working with Safe Kids coalitions across the U.S. and throughout the world to further improve the effectiveness of those programs."

"Kate Carr's exemplary leadership will strengthen Safe Kids capability as the premier global child injury prevention nonprofit organization," said Safe Kids Worldwide Board Chairman John H. Claster. "And her experience with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Malaria No More will help catalyze the growth of Safe Kids' global initiatives."

"I also want to thank John Formisano for his service to Safe Kids," continued Claster. "He successfully directed the organization as interim President and CEO for the past nine months while the Board of Directors executed a methodical search process and selected Kate Carr to lead Safe Kids."

"We welcome Kate Carr to her new role," said Kurt D. Newman, President and CEO, Children's National Medical Center. "Safe Kids is an integral part of Children's National, which started the organization more than 20 years ago with support from founding partner Johnson and Johnson. With a mission to eliminate preventable childhood injury, Safe Kids is leading the way with a bold, visionary approach that over the years has fundamentally re-imagined how we care for and protect kids. We look forward to ongoing creative collaborations with organizations around the world, with Ms. Carr at the helm of this vital organization."

Safe Kids Worldwide works in 20 countries to support the recent World Health Assembly resolution on child injury prevention, the leading cause of death for children over the age of 5 years globally. More than 830,000 children die each year from road traffic crashes, drowning, burns, falls and poisoning -- and pproximately 44 percent of these deaths are preventable. The adoption of this historic resolution by the World Health Assembly is a landmark accomplishment, as it firmly frames child injury as a major child survival issue and highlights the need to expand child survival programming and financing streams to include child injury prevention.

Carr comes to Safe Kids Worldwide from Malaria No More, where, since 2008, she served as the Managing Director and Chief Development Officer. Malaria No More is a nonprofit organization that seeks to end deaths from malaria by 2015. As President and CEO for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation from 1998 - 2005, Carr successfully led a dramatic expansion of programmatic activities that produced significant domestic and international advancements on behalf of children's health.

About Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe Kids Worldwide is a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children ages 1 to 14. Twenty member countries and more than 600 coalitions and chapters across the U.S. bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families.

About Children's National Medical Center:

Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, has been serving the nation's children since 1870. Home to Children's Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals by U.S.News and World Report and the Leapfrog Group. With 283 beds, more than 1,330 nurses, 550 physicians, and seven regional outpatient centers, Children's National is the only exclusive provider of acute pediatric services in the Washington metropolitan area. Children's National has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet' designated hospital, the highest level of recognition for nursing excellence that a medical center can achieve. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, receive the latest news from the Children's National press room, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SAFE KIDS WORLDWIDE WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO - KATE CARR.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The following information was released by Safe Kids USA:

Kate Carr has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Safe Kids Worldwide effective October 1. John Formisano, who has served as the interim President and CEO since December 6, 2010, will continue in his capacity as Vice Chairman for Safe Kids Worldwide Board of Directors.

"Over a thousand child deaths each day and thousands more injuries that require medical care could be prevented if known injury prevention methods were applied across the globe," said Carr. "It's vitally important that Safe Kids continue to provide an advocacy voice and expand its education of parents, caregivers and children to empower them with prevention skills. Safe Kids has been a vital partner in the effort that has resulted in the 51 percent reduction in the rate of child deaths in the U.S. since 1987. But there is much more to be done. Child safety and booster seats significantly reduce the risk of injuries and deaths to children, yet in the U.S. car crashes remain the leading killer of kids ages 3-14. Looking forward, road traffic injuries are projected to be the number one killer globally, surpassing infectious diseases. This is a trend we can and must reverse."

"Safe Kids has tremendous programs in place for child passenger safety, pedestrian safety, youth sports injury prevention and home safety," continued Carr. "With support from Johnson and Johnson, FedEx, the General Motors Foundation and other partners, I look forward to working with Safe Kids coalitions across the U.S. and throughout the world to further improve the effectiveness of those programs."

"Kate Carr's exemplary leadership will strengthen Safe Kids capability as the premier global child injury prevention nonprofit organization," said Safe Kids Worldwide Board Chairman John H. Claster. "And her experience with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Malaria No More will help catalyze the growth of Safe Kids' global initiatives."

"I also want to thank John Formisano for his service to Safe Kids," continued Claster. "He successfully directed the organization as interim President and CEO for the past nine months while the Board of Directors executed a methodical search process and selected Kate Carr to lead Safe Kids."

"We welcome Kate Carr to her new role," said Kurt D. Newman, President and CEO, Children's National Medical Center. "Safe Kids is an integral part of Children's National, which started the organization more than 20 years ago with support from founding partner Johnson and Johnson. With a mission to eliminate preventable childhood injury, Safe Kids is leading the way with a bold, visionary approach that over the years has fundamentally re-imagined how we care for and protect kids. We look forward to ongoing creative collaborations with organizations around the world, with Ms. Carr at the helm of this vital organization."

Safe Kids Worldwide works in 20 countries to support the recent World Health Assembly resolution on child injury prevention, the leading cause of death for children over the age of 5 years globally. More than 830,000 children die each year from road traffic crashes, drowning, burns, falls and poisoning -- and pproximately 44 percent of these deaths are preventable. The adoption of this historic resolution by the World Health Assembly is a landmark accomplishment, as it firmly frames child injury as a major child survival issue and highlights the need to expand child survival programming and financing streams to include child injury prevention.

Carr comes to Safe Kids Worldwide from Malaria No More, where, since 2008, she served as the Managing Director and Chief Development Officer. Malaria No More is a nonprofit organization that seeks to end deaths from malaria by 2015. As President and CEO for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation from 1998 - 2005, Carr successfully led a dramatic expansion of programmatic activities that produced significant domestic and international advancements on behalf of children's health.

About Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe Kids Worldwide is a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children ages 1 to 14. Twenty member countries and more than 600 coalitions and chapters across the U.S. bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families.

About Children's National Medical Center:

Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, has been serving the nation's children since 1870. Home to Children's Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals by U.S.News and World Report and the Leapfrog Group. With 283 beds, more than 1,330 nurses, 550 physicians, and seven regional outpatient centers, Children's National is the only exclusive provider of acute pediatric services in the Washington metropolitan area. Children's National has been recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet' designated hospital, the highest level of recognition for nursing excellence that a medical center can achieve. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, receive the latest news from the Children's National press room, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

FBI probes possible Israeli spy in Pentagon

WASHINGTON -- The FBI is investigating whether an aide to thePentagon's No. 3 official acted as a spy for Israel, giving theJewish state classified materials about secret White Housedeliberations on Iran, two federal law enforcement officials saidFriday.

No arrests have been made, said the officials, speaking oncondition of anonymity, because the investigation is continuing.

The officials refused to identify the Pentagon employee who isunder investigation, but said the person works in the office ofDouglas Feith, the undersecretary of defense for policy at thePentagon. Feith is a key aide to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld,working on sensitive policy issues, …

University of Pittsburgh details research in cancer.

According to a study from the United States, "Traditionally, the intensive care unit (ICU) has focused on reversal of life-threatening illness. Patients with incurable cancer admitted to the ICU present unique challenges for clinicians when these patients transition to end-of-life (EOL) care."

"A dimensional analysis of a single case study from a larger 30-case ethnographic study was used to explore the cancer patient's transition to EOL care in the ICU. Family members and clinicians had different expectations of care, which resulted in divergent treatment goals and desires for the patient, a 62-year-old woman with presumed pneumonia and underlying terminal …

LASALLE'S QUEST FOR TITLE FALLS SHORT WITH 6-5 LOSS.(SPORTS)

Byline: BILL ARSENAULT Staff writer

UTICA -- The LaSalle hockey team gave it everything it had here Sunday, but it just wasn't enough.

The Cadets battled defending champion Clinton High of Section III for the state Division II title. LaSalle led after the first and second periods, but Clinton rallied in the third period to pull out a 6-5 victory.

``That was our best game of the year,'' LaSalle coach Tim Flanigan said. ``These kids gave 150 percent. It was one of the toughest hockey games I've ever seen. I can't ask for anything more, except maybe a break or two in the end.''

Clinton turned back LaSalle 6-1 in the state semifinals last year …