Soldiers put down two-day strike by Guinea police

Shooting erupted as soldiers raided the main police base in the capital Tuesday, putting down a two-day strike by officers protesting working conditions and salaries, witnesses and officials said.

At least seven people were treated for gunshot wounds at a hospital, said medical official Aminata Toure. An Associated Press reporter who toured the base saw a slain policeman, but there was no official word on the number of killed and wounded.

Police at the main base walked off the job on Monday saying they want improved working conditions, higher pay and more promotions. They seized the country's police chief and several other top officers, but released them …

Camp leg? Not this year Rookies will get real shot at booting slumping Edinger

Tyler Jones and Nick Novak will get their first chances to impressin the Bears' kicking derby today as rookie minicamp begins, butveteran Paul Edinger figures he already has a leg up on thecompetition.

With a tweak in his approach, Edinger has been in the team'soffseason workout program for three weeks, kicking almost daily infront of special-teams coach Dave Toub. No longer does Edinger lineup by taking steps backward and then to the side for his unusualcorkscrew windup. Now he retreats at an angle, a new approach hehopes will bring consistency to his game after he led the league withnine missed field goals last season.

I was approaching the ball a tad different …

Democratic activists focusing on Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. -- As Tamika Pierce, a single mother with three children, makes an impassioned plea for an increase in the Sunshine State's minimum wage, an unusual pair of visitors wait for their turn to speak.

Former Massachusetts Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II and comedian Al Franken sit perched on stools behind her to add some star power to the event promoting Question 5, a state ballot initiative to hike the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.15 an hour.

Out in the audience at the Oak Ridge High School gym, over 400 people, most of them union activists and community activists, listen as Pierce reels off the benefits of a hike in the minimum wage.

"People here are …

US joins press for truce as Gaza onslaught goes on

Israel seized control of high-rise buildings and attacked houses, mosques and smuggling tunnels as it pressed its offensive against the Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers on Monday, while the U.S. joined a stream of countries pushing for a cease-fire.

At least 14 Palestinian children were killed Monday, raising the known Palestinian death toll from the 10-day onslaught to 540 _ including 200 civilians, the U.N. and Palestinian officials said. Gaza's biggest hospital said it was overwhelmed.

Five Israelis have died since the operation began.

In one of the first major gunbattles of the ground campaign, Israeli troops and Hamas militants clashed at close …

Wells' praise for city athlete Neil

Olympic legend Allan Wells has tipped Aberdeen's Neil Fachie as afuture Paralympic medallist.

Wells has worked with the 23-year-old as part of the newlylaunched Scotland Sprint squad.

And Wells, who won 100m gold at the 1980 Moscow Games, reckons theAberdeen AAC star can take China by storm.

Wells, pictured right, said: "Neil Fachie has not been far offmajor …

Hotspots: Breaking News Around the World

HUNDREDS OF ACTIVISTS MARCH IN L.A. FOR DEPORTED ARELLANO

LOS ANGELES -- Immigrant rights activists marched throughdowntown Saturday in support of illegal immigrant Elvira Arellano,who was deported to her native Mexico last weekend. Some carriedlarge photos of Arellano and her 8-year-old son, Saul. Organizerssaid more than 2,000 people took part; authorities said it was 600.

BOMBS KILL AT LEAST 37 IN CITY OF HINDUS, MUSLIMS

HYDERABAD, India -- A pair of bombings …

Oil prices rise to more than US$1.50 a barrel amid expectations of tight supply

Oil prices rose above US$95 a barrel Friday amid expectations that global crude supplies will remain tight, despite a U.S. oil inventory report that showed a surprising build in domestic crude stockpiles.

Light, sweet crude for December delivery rose US$1.78 to US$95.21 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange by mid-afternoon in Europe. The contract expires at the end of Friday. It fell 66 cents to settle at US$93.43 a barrel overnight.

Some analysts attributed volatility in the market to the expiration of the December contract.

"Price direction should remain dominated today by the management of the expiring …

Ex-Miss Iceland named as tipster on US gangster

BOSTON (AP) — A newspaper's revelation that the tipster who led the FBI to notorious gangster James "Whitey" Bulger is a former Miss Iceland is raising concerns about her safety and whether the leak might discourage people from coming forward in other high-profile cases.

The Boston Globe on Sunday named Anna Bjornsdottir, who met Bulger and his girlfriend in California, as the person who led the FBI to them after a hunt of nearly two decades. Bulger had been wanted in connection with 19 murders.

The 57-year-old Bjornsdottir is a former actress who starred in shaving cream commercials in the 1970s and was crowned Miss Iceland in 1974. The Globe reported that she spent months at …

Mythologie grecque et psychanalyse

Mythologie grecque et psychanalyse, par Graziella et Nicos Nicola�dis. Neuch�tel et Paris: Delachaux et Niestl�, 1994, 207 pp.

Les auteurs affirment, dans l' introduction, que �le m�canisme et la dynamique par lesquels un mythe se construit pour mettre en forme les d�sirs d'un peuple ou d'un sujet, ressemblent au m�canisme et � la dynamique qui pr�sident � la construction de la repr�sentation de la pulsion pour l'individu� (p. 7). D'apr�s eux, Freud aurait privil�gi� la mythologie grecque parce qu'elle �tait la moins mystique, et que m�me les dieux s'y inclinent devant les lois de la nature. Ce ne sont pas les Grecs qui auraient imagin� arr�ter la trajectoire du soleil.

Le …

Pentagon Rules Out Fallon Testimony

The Pentagon on Friday ruled out including Adm. William Fallon as a witness before Congress when the top U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Baghdad testify next month on the way ahead in Iraq.

Fallon's abrupt announcement March 11 that he was resigning, effective March 31, as chief of U.S. Central Command overseeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan triggered accusations by Democrats in Congress that he was being forced out for publicly opposing launching a war against Iran.

In declaring that Fallon would not join Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker as witnesses before Congress next month, Pentagon press …

NO, ARAGORN, THIS IS HOW YOU WHACK ORCS

Not much magic will remain in the "The Lord of the Rings" filmsfor readers of a new coffee-table-sized chronicle of the backstagedoings during the 18-month-long concurrent filming of all three booksin the Tolkien trilogy.

The 192 pages of The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the MovieTrilogy, by Brian Sibley (Houghton Mifflin, $29.95) are crammed withhomely and instructive photos of make-up artists creating orcs, model-makers building cities and towers and artisans of all sorts craftingrobes, rings and weapons for elves, dwarves and men. The details arefascinating if one overlooks the gee-whiz text, but it's difficult tomaintain a sense of wonder about …

Recycled paper market update

Recycled content paper is still in search of a mass market.

Government and corporate purchasing have helped boost demand, and one paper company's innovative marketing tactic is making inroads among home and office users.

THE OFFICE paper recycling loop has three critical points of impact - the separation program at the source, cleaning and sorting technologies, and demand for quality finished product. After rolling with the punches for the last three years, the separation and technological logistics seem to be back on track. The question is whether the industry can establish true movement on the last and most important point of impact -- increasing market demand. The …

GATHERING STORM

State, national groups, Wall Street probe alleged violations at Intermountain

Reports of recent troubles at the psychiatric treatment facility Intermountain Hospital have now attracted the attention of state and federal regulators, and even Wall Street stock analysts.

First, BW's report of a recent patient disturbance (BW, News, "Juvenile Patients 'Riot' at Intermountain Hospital" 7/19/2006) alerted a concerned Wall Street stock analyst who said similar complaints arose about two Virginia facilities owned by Intermountain's parent company, Psychiatric Solutions Inc., based in Franklin, Tennessee. The situation also caught the attention of the investigative branch of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare's Bureau of Facility Standards, which is partially responsible for licensing such operations. Also, a national hospital accrediting body has confirmed that they conducted a review of Intermountain following the most recent incident. The situation might be serious enough to jeopardize at least one of Intermountain's major sources of income, and possibly its state operating license.

On the local level, BW has obtained a copy of a signed formal complaint and letter of resignation from Shawn Huntington, an Intermountain psychiatric technician, dated July 24 of this year, citing repeated assaults from several adolescents in the main unit on the previous Friday. Huntington's letter states, "I was in fear for my life," alleges "multiple cuts and wounds on my arms ... two large welts on my forehead and a scratch on my face," and details injuries severe enough that his wife took him to the emergency room at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. None of the youths involved were punished, he said.

"Prior to this, I was under the illusion that the staff was in control of the unit and that we could work to the unit safe," he wrote. "However, at this moment I realized that the patients held all the power." Huntington stated that he is pressing charges against these patients and "just feel extremely lucky to not have suffered any life-threatening injuries or death."

The official complaint reflects reports made in recent days to BW by some Intermountain staff members who did not want their names used for fear of losing their jobs. These staff, who deal with patients regularly, stressed that the hospital was understaffed and that many of the juvenile patients were violent, out of control, and unwilling to cooperate.

According to reports collected by the Idaho Bureau of Facility Standards (BFS), Intermountain has been subject to six separate investigations since the end of December 2004. Each inspection involved from one to six individual complaints ranging from failure to notify a patient's legal representatives of injuries, to "incident reports [that] were not completed when patient injuries occurred," to the violation of patients' rights to be informed of their health status (March 2006).

BFS also received and substantiated allegations that medical errors and "adverse patient events" were not tracked (February 2006), one patient was held "against their will" (July 2005), "patient units were dirty and crude comments were written on the shelves" (July 2005), patients' rights to request or refuse treatment were violated (June 2005) and the "examination and stabilizing" for one patient was unduly delayed until "this patient was coerced into leaving the facility without treatment because of his inability to pay for care" (December 2004). This last incident compelled inspectors from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to visit the hospital and issue a citation for noncompliance.

BFS reports say that allegations concerning insufficient supervision to prevent self-harm (March 2006), one patient-on-patient assault (January 2006), poor infection control, patient contraband, and verbal abuse by staff (July 2005) were not substantiated.

The recent disturbances at Intermountain have brought the hospital's parent company, Psychiatric Solutions, a publicly-traded company, under greater scrutiny from equity analysts.

One such analyst, who requested that his name not be used, works for the Healthcare Facilities Equity Research branch of the commercial Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. in New York City. Psychiatric Solutions recently reported that revenue for the second quarter was a record $248,404,000, up 78 percent from $139,490,000 for the second quarter of 2005.

According to the company's news releases, Psychiatric Solutions has purchased 11 facilities during the year 2006.

The Deutsche Bank analyst said his concern as an investment researcher is whether quality controls could get compromised during a phase of heavy acquisition. The value of Psychiatric Solutions stock has fallen since May, from approximately $35 to approximately $26 per share.

New coverage in The Daily Progress of Charlottesville, Virginia, this year documents violations at the Whisper Ridge Health System that were serious enough to motivate the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services to consider revocation of the facility's operating license. Aside from six attempted adolescent suicide attempts within two months, the state agency cited "23 medication errors." The Charlottesville Police Department is investigating the hospital for allegations of sexual assault and arson. North Spring, a Psychiatric Solutions-owned sister facility in Leesburg Virginia, has also been cited for several violations within the last few months.

According to Ross Mason of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (H&W), Intermountain's situation is complicated because two regulatory bodies are involved. The first, the national Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), oversees performance, medical standards and patient safety goals in more than 15,000 facilities across America. Failure to meet those accrediting standards entails loss of a state operating license.

"If H&W hears a complaint, we notify JCAHO and, on their request, we will inspect," Mason said.

But because Intermountain contains a residential treatment center-the scene of most recent incidents-it is licensed by the state's Family and Community Services Division. Mason would only say that "we are looking into the problems at the facility and do not know what will happen because we have just begun that investigation."

But officials in JCAHO's Chicago office confirmed that its own inspectors visited Intermountain on July 19, specifically because of violations of patient care and management of human resources standards. Their review is ongoing.

The situation could create a financial problem for Intermountain and perhaps other Psychiatric Solutions-owned hospitals. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has set the year 2007 as its deadline for JCAHO accreditation. Any hospitals that fail to meet JCAHO standards by that time will become ineligible for the kinds of Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement that fund most adolescent detox programs such as Intermountain's. The hospital could then only earn profits from patients with private insurance or who were able to pay with cash.

Despite offers to respond to this article prior to its publication, neither Intermountain nor the media relations office at Psychiatric Solutions returned phone calls before press time.

Germany gives (EURO)60 million to Auschwitz memorial

Germany is donating (EURO)60 million ($87 million) to a new endowment for Auschwitz-Birkenau, half the amount needed to preserve dilapidated barracks and the ruins of gas chambers at the former Nazi death camp.

Jaroslaw Mensfelt, spokesman for the memorial site, called the donation "huge." He said Thursday that "it's really such a good starting point that hopefully other countries will soon follow" with further donations.

The German pledge was announced Wednesday. It came in response to appeals from the Polish government, which has borne most of the cost so far of preserving the camp the Nazis set up in southern Poland during World War II.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Wednesday the donation is an expression of "our historical responsibility."

German bishop concedes mistakes in abuse case

BERLIN (AP) — A bishop who leads the German church's efforts to combat sex abuse says his own diocese made serious mistakes in failing to suspend a priest after allegations emerged against him.

Trier Bishop Stephan Ackermann wrote in an open letter Thursday that he is "personally very sorry" about the slip.

Ackermann says the diocese in January received indications of past abuse of minors by the cleric and made him take his case to prosecutors.

He says that should have been enough to suspend the priest — but it didn't happen, apparently because he was recovering from an assault and never officially returned to work before retiring Sept. 1.

But Ackermann says the priest's health later improved enough that he was able to attend Mass and even a kindergarten opening — and the church's supervisory efforts fell short.

Reaction to death of Geraldine Ferraro

Here is some reaction to the death of Geraldine Ferraro, the first female U.S. vice presidential candidate:

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"Geraldine will forever be remembered as a trailblazer who broke down barriers for women, and Americans of all backgrounds and walks of life. ... Sasha and Malia will grow up in a more equal America because of the life Geraldine Ferraro chose to live." — President Barack Obama.

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"She was a remarkable woman and a dear human being. She was a pioneer in our country for justice for women and a more open society. She broke a lot of molds and it's a better country for what she did." — Democratic presidential candidate and Ferraro running mate Walter Mondale.

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"She broke one huge barrier and then went on to break many more. May her example of hard work and dedication to America continue to inspire all women." — 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on her Facebook page.

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"Though we were one-time political opponents, I am happy to say Gerry and I became friends in time — a friendship marked by respect and affection. I admired Gerry in many ways, not the least of which was the dignified and principled manner she blazed new trails for women in politics." — Former President George H.W. Bush.

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"In 1984, her nomination was greeted with thunderous applause in the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The drumbeat that Geraldine Ferraro began that day in July will continue for a long time to come. As a woman and Italian American, my family and I loved her dearly and will miss her personally." — House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

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"She died the way she lived, fully, actively, heroically courageous, trying to change things for the better. As the first woman vice president candidate and an outstanding member of Congress, she made women proud, she made her family proud, she made Italian-Americans proud." — Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.

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"Gerry Ferraro symbolized grace in every aspect of her life, as a wife, mother, grandmother, community activist, lawyer, businesswoman, philanthropist and public servant. She broke barriers with a matter-of-factness, modesty, and grace that made her achievements all the more important and becoming." — Sen. Chuck Schumer, Democrat-New York.

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"Through her life in the public arena, Geraldine's accomplishments served as a milestone in our country's acceptance of equality and diversity. She is proof that a person can make a difference, and make a difference is what Geraldine did throughout her life." — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

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"She had to overcome a lot of impediments. ... She can certainly be counted among the pioneers in making certain that gender should not be a factor in limiting a person's contribution to society." — Rep. Charles Rangel, Democrat-New York.

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"To residents of Queens, she was our hometown hero who never forgot her roots. Today we mourn the passing of a great American success story." — Rep. Anthony Weiner, Democrat-New York.

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"It's a bittersweet moment to learn of Gerry passing as we near the end of Women's History Month. She opened the door for a generation of new leaders and certainly was an inspiration to me as I sought my own path in public service years ago." — Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, Democrat-New York.

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"As an eager young delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention, I can tell you first hand that Geraldine Ferraro thrilled us when she took the stage as the first woman ever nominated by a major political power to be its candidate for Vice President of the United States. It was absolutely electrifying." — Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Democrat-New York.

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"As a first generation Italian-American, she exemplified what it means to live the American dream and reminds us of the limitless opportunities afforded to all Americans with hard work and determination." — Rep. Michael Grimm, Republican-New York.

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"Gerry's nomination was a milestone for women in the United States but it was only one facet of her lifetime of contributions. She was the daughter of immigrants who lived the American dream and succeeded at a time and a place when women were frequently overlooked and undervalued." — Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Democrat-Maryland.

The new ballyard plenty of motivation for Black Eagles

DAILY MAIL SPORTSWRITER

ONA - Mike Carte stood in the middle to stress his message whilethe South Charleston players huddled around on a night so cold thattheir collective breath looked like a smoke stack.

Carte knew it was 10:30 p.m. on a school night 35 minutes awayfrom home. He knew it was frigid to the point knees ached.

He just had to make sure the Black Eagles didn't miss sight of theseason's ultimate goal, despite Tuesday's 7-4 setback in the MountainState Athletic Conference title game to Cabell Midland.

They want to get to Appalachian Power Park.

"That's what we just talked about out there," said Carte of theJune 1-4 state tournament. "We talked about what it takes to get tothe state tournament and what you have to do to get the starttournament is play all four phases of the game well."

South Charleston's downfall Tuesday was four errors - two each byChris Hunt and Joey Jobst.

"We can't give teams extra outs and make it to the new park,"Carte said.

There's no doubt making the state tournament is special. But thisone just might be more meaningful. Since most high school kids aren'tnecessarily history buffs, playing at Watt Powell Park isn't quite asappealing as the new $23 million ballpark.

"These guys are wanting to get to the new ballpark," Carte said.

Cabell Midland Coach Tracy Brumfield downplayed the extraincentive, though.

"To me I don't care where they are playing it at," said Brumfield,whose second-ranked Knights (20-3) lost to this same South Charlestonteam last week. "It's the state championship game.

"It could be in a cornfield. As long as we're there and we canplay in it, that's all that matters to me."

There's a good chance one of these two teams will make it. CabellMidland might just have a tougher road.

Brumfield's team is saddled in a region that includes No. 1Huntington, No. 6 St. Albans and No. 9 Hurricane. That's not tomention Nitro, last year's Class AAA champion Ripley and a SpringValley squad that already beat the Knights once this season.

On the other hand, when sectional play begins next week, SouthCharleston appears to have a favorable road - at least on paper.

Yet, Carte won't say it. That's not his style.

"In year's past we've had to go through Cabell Midland ... Logan,Hurricane," Carte said. "We are out of that region now, but we stillhave to play ball.

"The teams that are in our region are highly capable of beatingus. In fact, we've lost several games to teams in our region."

If eighth-ranked South Charleston (17-8-1) gets past GeorgeWashington's one-win team in the sectionals, then it could faceCapital, Greenbrier East or Beckley in the regionals. While none ofthose teams are ranked, Carte isn't ready to predict a statetournament berth.

"We've lost to Greenbrier East. We've lost to Beckley," he said."And Capital is highly capable of beating anybody, especially when(Kyle) Blank is pitching. On paper it's a different region, but itstill poses a lot of obstacles."

The MSAC posed a lot of obstacles too. In its quirky tournamentpairings, South Charleston reached the second consecutive title game,while the state's top-ranked team - Huntington - played for 11thplace.

"We've lost it both times, but the MSAC is such a ruggedconference that getting here is such a difficult task," Carte said.

* n n

South Charleston pitcher Ryne Holestine is expected to throw in agame over the weekend for the first time since March after injuringhis elbow. When healthy, Holstine is No. 2 behind ace Chris Hunt, whoBrumfield called one of the top three pitchers in the state.

Hunt threw a one-hit shutout against a Cabell Midland team thatwas without three starters last week.

"I personally think both teams are pretty evenly matched," Cartesaid. "We made some errors tonight that led to their runs. I think ifwe played 10 teams, it might go 5-5."

OPEC Cuts Oil Production by 1.2M Barrels

DOHA, Qatar - Oil cartel OPEC decided to cut production by a greater-than-expected 1.2 million barrels a day on Friday, and some members indicated it was open to further cuts.

United Arab Emirates oil minister Mohammed bin Dhaen al-Hamili made the announcement at a news conference after OPEC's oil ministers held an emergency meeting in the capital of Qatar.

Support for the move by the de facto leader of the cartel, Saudi Arabia oil minister Ali Naimi, shows the group's unity on the issue of price, said one analyst after the announcement.

"If the market doesn't stabilize, they are going to continue to cut production," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Alaron Trading Corp. in Chicago. "Prices from $57 to $60 is an area they are willing to defend."

Prices have declined more than 25 percent since mid-July. A barrel of light sweet crude rose 85 cents to $58.50 on the New York Mercantile Exchange Thursday before the announcement.

UAE's Al-Hamili did not specify the amount of production that each member country would cut, but said the reductions will affect all countries except Iraq. It is to take effect Nov. 1.

The cuts will come from actual production levels, he said, and are more than the 1 million barrels a day being called for earlier by cartel members.

The cuts are the first time OPEC has trimmed its output since December 2004, when oil traded slightly above $40 a barrel and the cartel lowered its official production quota by 1 million barrels a day.

However, many observers expect further production cuts in the near future.

Michael Fitzpatrick, a New York-based oil broker at Fimat USA, said "I'm not sure that a million barrels is going to be enough" of a cut to keep oil prices from further declines.

Qatar's Energy Minister Abdullah bin Hamid Al-Attiyah said the cartel's members are not excluding making further cuts.

Asked whether another cut could come in December, he said, "Everything is possible. We are working with the market and it is an open market."

Al-Hamili echoed the possibility, saying "We will monitor the market and review the situation and take a decision accordingly."

OPEC is scheduled to meet again in December in Nigeria and many analysts believe a further cut could be implemented then. "They better act quickly and decisively," Fitzpatrick said.

The organization's president, Edmund Daukoru of Nigeria, said talk of the possible need of a further 500,000-barrel cut was "in line with my own thinking," Dow Jones Newswires reported.

OPEC price hawks such as Nigeria and Venezuela have strongly advocated a cartel-wide production cut since the start of the month.

But without public support from Saudi Arabia, the market took with a grain of salt the likelihood of any cuts.

Vatican summons envoy in probe of Naples cardinal

VATICAN CITY The Vatican summoned Italy's ambassador to the HolySee on Thursday to discuss the loan-shark investigation of Naples'cardinal.

Some opposition politicians have joined Cardinal MicheleGiordano's supporters in denouncing a police search and reportedphone taps of the archdiocese's offices as a violation of Italy'schurch-state accords.

Prosecutors were investigating whether money the cardinal gavehis brother and other relatives was used in an alleged loan-sharkoperation involving hundreds of thousands of dollars. The cardinal'sbrother was arrested Aug. 20. The cardinal has said he is innocent.He said he wrote blank checks from his personal funds to his brother,who had business problems.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Italy's envoy tothe Holy See was summoned to hear Vatican Foreign Minister MonsignorJean Louis Tauran spell out the church's position on "aspectsrelating to church-state relations in the well-known affair involvingCardinal Michele Giordano."

Vatican officials did not say what they told the ambassador.But RAI state television reported that the Vatican believed therewere violations of the Italy-Vatican accords.

Earlier in the week, Italian Premier Romano Prodi said he wasconvinced no violations of the accords occurred.

After corruption probes earlier in the decade toppled hundredsof leading Italian figures, many politicians have seized on the probeof the popular cardinal as proof that Italy's prosecutors were goingtoo far.

The Vatican's rare intercession Thursday was "more thanjustified," according to Enrico La Loggia of the Forza Italia partyof Silvio Berlusconi, a thrice-convicted ex-premier who also hascomplained about Italy's crusading prosecutors.

About 30 agents from Italy's tax police had looked throughdocuments in the cardinal's offices, and Giordano invited reportersand TV crews to watch.

Zenga resigns as coach of Romanian club Dinamo Bucharest

Former Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga has resigned as coach of Dinamo Bucharest.

"We parted in civilized conditions," Zenga told the club's Web site. "We all wanted to get results together, but we did not succeed."

Zenga was appointed just over two months ago at Dinamo, which won the league title last year but has struggled this season. His resignation comes after Dinamo lost 1-0 at Steaua Bucharest on Sunday.

Dinamo is in seventh place in the league, 13 points behind league leader CFR Cluj.

The Romanian club is also out of European competition, being defeated by Lazio in the Champions League qualifiers and then by Swedish club Elfsborg in the UEFA Cup.

Dinamo appointed former player Cornel Talnar as its new coach, said club president Nicolae Badea. Another former player, Cornel Dinu, was appointed as technical director to work with Talnar.

Zenga also coached Steaua, but was sacked in 2005 despite leading it to the top of the league and the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup.

ASEE FISCAL YEAR 2006

ASEE MISSION STATEMENT

The American Society for Engineering Education is committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology.This mission is accomplished by promoting excellence in instruction, research, public service and practice; exercising worldwide leadership; fostering the technological education of society; and providing quality products and services to members.

The Society seeks to encourage local, national and international communication and collaboration; influence corporate and government policies and involvement; promote professional interaction and lifelong learning; effectively utilize the Society's human and other resources; recognize outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations; encourage youth to pursue studies and careers in engineering and engineering technology; and influence the recruitment and retention of young faculty and underrepresented groups.

ASEE VISION STATEMENT

ASEE will serve as the premier multidisciplinary society for individuals and organizations committed to advancing excellence in all aspects of engineering and engineering technology education. To realize its vision, ASEE will:

* Enhance services to its members

* Work with educational institutions to improve engineering education and promote faculty development

* Facilitate productive collaborations among industry, academia and government

* Increase the participation and success of underrepresented groups in the engineering profession

* Promote the value of the engineering profession to society

* Increase membership in ASEE in order to more completely serve the engineering and engineering technology enterprise

* Facilitate international cooperation in matters pertaining to engineering education

Endorsed by the ASEE Board of Directors on June 30, 1994, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and approved by the ASEE Board of Directors on June 24, 2001, in Albuquerque, N.M.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as ASEE's president during the past year. A lasting impression from the year has been the commitment of the ASEE staff to serve its members. I also have a strong realization of the importance of ASEE's continuous commitment to addressing the critical issues in education including curriculum and pedagogy, the attraction of underrepresented groups to engineering and engineering technology and the importance of viewing ASEE's activities from a global perspective. The attention to these critical areas has resulted in a growing ASEE membership.

The ASEE Board of Directors is tasked with providing strategic direction and assessing the operational relevance of ASEE's professional staff. An important part of this effort is the annual review by the Oversight Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Directors. Each year, this committee visits ASEE headquarters to meet with virtually every staff member to identify the accomplishments, the challenges and the opportunities at ASEE. As ASEE has grown, almost doubling in size over the past few years (with support of external funds primarily related to managing the award of federal fellowships), more formal attention to the human resource area has been identified as an important factor in ASEE's continued success. Thus, during this year, a human resource director has been added to the ASEE staff.

The full Board of Directors has taken an active role in identifying strategic opportunities for ASEE and in providing critical leadership in the divisions and councils that are the heart of ASEE's service to its members.

At this time, the national interest in engineering and engineering technology education has been heightened by the National Academies' report "Rising Above the Gathering Storm." This report has indicated that the future economic vitality of the country will be tied to the quality and innovative capabilities of the science and engineering graduates of the future. Also, the continued efforts of the National Academy of Engineering, represented by the publication of "The Engineer of 2020," have provided a focus on the future attributes needed in engineers to be successful in a global economy.

ASEE has responded to this increased national interest with the development of The Year of Dialogue (YOD), initiated in the plenary session of the ASEE 2006 annual conference as a Socratic dialogue addressing "What is an effective education for the global future and how is it best learned?" The ASEE Year of Dialogue is focused on how the community can collectively advance engineering and engineering technology education based on the wisdom and experience of faculty and industry and government professionals. Meetings of ASEE's 12 sections and four zones have been convened to engage members in the task of developing the education needed to produce effective global engineers for 2020 and beyond. A definitive report will be prepared to capture the concepts, the ideas and the opportunities from the YOD discussion to help chart future directions for engineering and engineering technology education.

During the past few years, ASEE has also strengthened its outreach to the K-12 community and, in particular, has developed a series of special workshops held prior to the summer annual meeting that involve K-12 teachers from the local community. This continued strengthening of ASEE's interactions with K-12 teachers provides a significant opportunity for ASEE members to contribute to preparing students so they may seek engineering and engineering technology careers.

During the past year, ASEE has continued its strong role in working with educational leaders throughout the world to advance international approaches to engineering and engineering technology education. Specifically, ASEE has been instrumental in helping to organize the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES), which will lead and provide a forum for the exchange of educational approaches developed throughout the world.

ASEE has now become one of the lead societies of ABET. During the past year, ASEE has taken responsibility for ABET accreditation visits, including identifying and training visitors in the areas of engineering and applied science; engineering and public policy; engineering science; engineering physics; general engineering; integrated engineering; and general engineering technology. This role for ASEE in ABET has been under development for several years and was approved this past year by the ABET Board.

As I look to the future, ASEE's current activities provide a very strong foundation for it to continue to make significant contributions to engineering and engineering technology education worldwide through its strong and committed service to its members.

In closing, I want to thank the members of ASEE and the ASEE staff who have contributed so much to the success of ASEE during this year.

DAVID N. WORMLEY

ASEE PRESIDENT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

DEAR MEMBERS,

2006 was a good year for ASEE. Membership increased, meetings were well-attended and Prism won more than a dozen awards. International activities soared with the fine success of the Global Colloquium in Rio. Expanded K-12 efforts raised ASEE's national leadership profile, while Projects work successfully assumed larger proportions. Bedrock programs such as Public Affairs, Awards, Finance and IT were reassuringly strong and reliable. Allow me to mention the highlights of 2006.

* MEMBERSHIP

I am pleased that last year, Membership had a good year. Both academic and corporate institutional membership posted gains, including strong growth in Engineering Research Council membership. Professional membership continued a steady ascent and is now over 9,550. The growth in Professional Membership reflects increased new member enrollments, thanks in large part to another good year for the Deans Program and Campus Representative recruiting. The Institutional Contact, Student and Global Online membership categories also showed significant growth during the year, and total membership is now at 13,050.

* ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The 2006 ASEE Annual Conference held in Chicago was our best-attended annual meeting to date. We had a record 3,509 attendees, 2,246 of whom were prime attendees, 1,572 papers and a full exhibit hall. Registration ran smoothly, and the opening picnic at the famous Navy Pier was a hit. We did something different for the Main Plenary and held an interactive Socratic Dialogue, which members seemed to enjoy. The Distinguished Lecture Series, now in its fourth year, has proved a popular addition to the program. In 2007, the annual meeting will be held in Honolulu, and it promises to be an excellent meeting in a wonderful setting.

* PRISM MAGAZINE

Prism magazine is a favorite benefit of ASEE membership. Last year Prism won 15 awards for editorial content and design. In September 2006, a redesigned Prism debuted with even more appealing graphics and new editorial additions such as the monthly Year of Dialogue column, written by top engineering educators.

* K-12

ASEE's K-12 engineering activities further expanded last year. Engineering, Go for It! continues as our flagship product about the rewards of study and work in engineering. We've embarked on a third edition, and with publication in September 2007, we hope to exceed 1 million copies in circulation of all editions.

Held in Chicago, the third annual ASEE Workshop on K-12 Engineering Education attracted 175 attendees, about half coming from K-12 communities and half from higher education, nonprofit and industry groups. The event featured 23 technical sessions and plenary speeches from national and Chicago-area leaders in K-12 STEM education. A diverse group of sponsors supported the event, and proceedings are available on our K-12 Web site, along with the other K-12 engineering resources that ASEE has developed. ASEE also played leadership roles in a variety of other K-12 education activities.

* INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

5th Global Colloquium

ASEE's international work and perspective has expanded significantly, and the ASEE Global Colloquium has contributed to ASEE's increasing visibility in the international arena. The 5th Global Colloquium in Brazil far exceeded expectations by increasing participation to over 450 representatives from 34 countries and by building a network of collaboration and partnership among Brazilian, U.S. and Latin American universities and institutions, the Organization of American States, the World Bank and corporate representatives. At the colloquium, the new ASEE Student Forum was highly successful with the participation of over 50 students from many countries. Next year's colloquium will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, hosted by Bosporus University. Relationships have been developed with the deans of the host universities for the Global Colloquium in Istanbul in 2007 and Cape Town in 2008. ASEE currently has 675 global online members, who receive our monthly ASEE Action International e-newsletter and have access to our publications online.

* IFEES

The 2006 Global Colloquium served as the platform for the inaugural meeting of the International Federation for Engineering Education Societies (IFEES), which is intended to foster global collaboration among engineering education organizations worldwide. At this first meeting, elections were held and the officers and an executive committee representing all regions of the world were elected by the 31 founding member institutions. The discussion focused on future activities of IFEES, and participants represented an impressive aggregation of engineering and corporate leaders.

* PUBLIC AFFAIRS

In February 2006, the Public Affairs Department held a successful Engineering Deans Council Public Policy Colloquium in Washington focusing on the recommendations of "Rising Above the Gathering Storm" and the President's American Competitiveness Initiative. Speakers included U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Richard Buckius, acting assistant director for engineering at NSF. The Public Policy Colloquium was attended by 94 deans from 39 states. Prior to the colloquium, the Engineering Deans Council held a joint university-industry intellectual property workshop.

The Engineering Deans Institute, held in San Francisco, drew more than 130 deans from the United States, Canada and Lebanon. The EDI Program focused on "Engineering Leadership in American Society."

* PROJECTS

ASEE has administered education-related programs for the federal government since 1963. For FY 2006, ASEE administered federal programs totaling $33 million. ASEE's federal contract administration has tripled since FY 2000.This increase in the number and size of the awards helps support headquarters' operations as well as enhanced membership services. ASEE's newest endeavor is managing the administration of the SMART Defense Scholarship for Service Program. The following is a list of the 2006 programs managed by ASEE:

* National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Program

* National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

* NASA Summer Faculty Research Opportunities

* Naval Research Laboratory-ASEE Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

* ONR-ASEE Summer Faculty Research Program and Sabbatical Leave Program

* Challenge X

* SMART Defense Scholarship for Service Program

* Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

* Helen T. Carr Fellowship Program

* ONR Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

* ONR Naval Research Enterprise Intern Program (NREIP)

* NSF Rigorous Research in Engineering Education with Colorado School of Mines and U of Minnesota

* DATA COLLECTION

ASEE collected detailed demographic data for degrees and enrollments in the annual survey of engineering and engineering technology colleges. Last year, ASEE's data was quoted several times in the press, including the Wall St. Journal and BusinessWeek.

* IT

The notable achievements of the IT department included the redesigned ASEE Web site, the successful implementation of the SmoothPaper system, improvements to the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program system and implementation of a bug-and-request tracking system. The redesigned ASEE Web site is better looking, responds more quickly and is more logically arranged. Changes made the site more helpful to members and others visiting the site. A complete rewrite of the previous system for submission of abstracts and papers for the annual conference was introduced, which improved the user experience as well as the robustness of the system.

* AWARDS PROGRAM

The culmination of ASEE's 2006 Awards Program took place at the ASEE Annual Awards Banquet with the presentation of 12 National and Society Awards. Presented for the first time was ASEE's newest endowed award, the John L. Imhoff Global Excellence Award for Industrial Engineering Education. After several years of sponsorship, DuPont fully endowed the Minorities in Engineering Award, now renamed the DuPont Minorities in Engineering Award. The Awards Program also recognized Board Members, Outstanding Zone Campus Representatives, ASEE Fellow Members and winners of the Annual Conference Best Paper Awards. Support was provided to the ASEE Awards Policy Committee, which established five new awards in the ASEE national, council, section and division areas.

* FINANCES

ASEE is in good financial health. Over the past dozen years, we have increased ASEE's reserves by adding more than $2 million to ASEE's net assets. With ASEE Board direction and support, ASEE last year substantially increased its commitments in the international and K-12 arenas and laid plans for a new online journal.

ASEE's Accounting Department meticulously applied internal governance practices to ensure fiscal accountability to the Finance Committee, Board of Directors and ASEE's membership, in preparation of ASEE's budget and supporting materials for the Finance Committee and Board meetings. The Accounting Department prepared annual reports for each corporation and worked with ASEE's auditors to successfully complete two audits with no notable exceptions. In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which sets strict standards for financial accounting, we adopted suggestions offered by ASEE's independent auditor.

* CLOSE

2006 was a productive year with staff and volunteers working together to further ASEE's goals and objectives. In all, we remain ever cognizant of ASEE's proud mission and exist to serve ASEE's membership. I commend ASEE's hard working staff, and I am appreciative of the unflagging support of ASEE's Board of Directors, committed volunteers and our members. Through our joint efforts, we ensure that ASEE's future is strong and promising.

FRANK L. HUBAND

ASEE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

League of Conservation Voters latest environmental group to endorse Democrat Barack Obama

In an election all about change, environmental groups are doing the usual _ endorsing the Democratic presidential candidate.

The League of Conservation Voters will become the latest green group to back Democrat Barack Obama in five separate events across the country Monday. Its pick shouldn't be a surprise. Its scorecard of votes on environmental issues for the first session of the current Congress gave Obama a score of 67 and Republican John McCain a zero. The Arizona senator did not show up for any of the votes the group scored.

"When you look specifically at the twin challenges of cutting global warming pollution and moving toward a clean energy future, on those issues Barack Obama has the most comprehensive plan we have ever seen for a presidential nominee," said league president Gene Karpinsky. The league has endorsed presidential candidates since the early 1980s, but not once has it selected a Republican.

Friends of the Earth and the Sierra Club announced their support for Obama earlier this year, citing McCain's support for more offshore drilling, expanding nuclear power and a gas tax holiday. Neither group has ever backed a Republican presidential candidate, although in 1988 Sierra Club made no choice because both Republican George H.W. Bush and Democrat Michael Dukakis would have been good stewards of the environment, said spokesman Josh Dorner.

Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, which has yet to announce its endorsement, said McCain's renegade image as a Republican crusader on global warming doesn't square with his record.

"McCain's campaign record notwithstanding, his record on the environment is decidely mixed compared to Barack Obama's," said William Lutz, a senior director with the group.

___

On the Net:

League of Conservation Voters: http://www.lcv.org

North Korea's military rejects South Korean response to recent provocations

A news report says the North Korean military has rejected South Korea's response to its recent provocations.

In a statement sent Thursday to the South, a North Korean general threatened the country would take unspecified "countermeasures" against its neighbor, Yonhap news agency reported. The agency did not cite any source. The Defense Ministry could not immediately confirm the report.

The exchange comes after the South complained earlier this week over North Korean comments threatening to turn the country into "ashes."

The North's tirade was prompted by South Korea's top officer saying last week that Seoul could strike suspected North Korean nuclear facilities if it had signs of an imminent atomic attack.

Fight's on to save a lowly but rare clover

To the whale, the eagle, the snail darter and the planet, add"Save the Clover!"

That's what the federal government is trying to do for the lowlyLeafy Prairie Clover, known to botanists and Latin language teachersas dalea foliosa.

Found only in a few patches in Tennessee, Alabama - and in WillCounty along the Des Plaines River - the purple-flowered plant isbeing considered for endangered species designation.

Done in by bulldozers and other beasts of modern man, the LeafyPrairie Clover would have a better chance if it were named anendangered species, said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologistRobert Currie.

Though being so designated would not prevent its destruction byprivate industry, any project using federal money that might injurethe plant would be prohibited, Currie said. Funds for research

Federal money also would be available for research on the plantand aquiring land where it grows, said Currie.

As Chicago marks the 20th anniversary of Earth Day today, anobservance that includes a daylong concert in Lincoln Park,environmentalists are hoping to bring attention to the clover'splight.

Actually more a pea than a clover, the plant should be protectedbecause "we know very little about how the whole family of natureworks," Currie said. "Anything taken away from that system would be amistake."

Once found growing in La Salle, Kane, Ogle, Boone and Kankakeecounties, the plant has only one home in Illinois today - Will. Inthe late 1880s, the clover grew wild in Kankakee until a scientistdug up most of the plants and took them back east to study, said JohnSchwegman, Botany program manager for the Illinois ConservationDepartment.

This year, the state is attempting to reintroduce the clover tothe Kankakee River Nature Preserve, Schwegman said. Found at 3 sites

In Will County, the plant can be found in the Lockport andRomeoville Prairie Nature Preserves, and at a site just north ofRomeoville, said Marcella De Mauro, a Will County Forest Preservenatural resource manager.

De Mauro said there are only about a dozen places in the worldwhere the clover grows.

She said that when the 18-inch-high plant's thimble-shapedflower head blooms in late summer, the clover is quite attractive.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting public comment ondalea foliosa until May 29 and will make its decision on theendangered species designation later this year. Comments should bedirected to the service field supervisor at 100 Otis, Room 224,Asheville, N.C. 28801.

Marine says he would have leveled Iraqi home

CAMP PENDLETON, California (AP) — A squad mate of a U.S. Marine sergeant on trial for killing unarmed women and children in Iraq testified Thursday that if he had to do it again, he would have called in an air strike to level a house where the group gunned down six people, including a man in a wheelchair.

Former Sgt. Hector Salinas testified at the court-martial of Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich that he believed small arms fire had come from the direction of the home shortly after a roadside bomb hit a convoy, killing a Marine.

He conceded, however, that he did not know at the time that there were women and children in the dwelling.

Wuterich, the squad leader, faces nine counts of manslaughter and other charges stemming from Marine actions that day that killed 24 Iraqis in the town of Haditha in 2005. The Marines stormed two homes for 45 minutes, killing unarmed men, women and children. They found no weapons or insurgents, squad members testified.

Salinas testified that he was the first Marine to enter the house after the roadside bomb exploded. He said he shot a figure he saw near the stairs and later learned he had killed an elderly woman.

He said he saw the man in a wheelchair after he went back to the home later. Four other unarmed civilians were killed there.

Asked by a defense attorney if he would have done anything differently that day if he had the chance, Salinas said, "I would have just utilized my air to just level the house."

Wuterich's attorneys have said Wuterich believed insurgents were in the home after the explosion.

Military prosecutors have implicated him in 19 of the 24 Iraqi deaths. The Camp Pendleton Marine is the last defendant in one of the biggest criminal cases against U.S. troops from the war. One squad member was acquitted. Six others had their cases dropped. Salinas was never formally charged.

Salinas was one of two squad members who testified Thursday. Both raised questions about testimony given Wednesday by another fellow Marine who said Wuterich had called for bloodshed of Iraqis if his squad ever was hit by a roadside bomb.

Salinas said he did not recall such a statement, and former Lance Cpl. Trent Graviss said he never heard it.

Salinas and Graviss also said they did not hear or recall hearing Wuterich ask them to lie about what happened that day, as Sgt. Sanick Dela Cruz testified Wednesday.

Salinas and Graviss told the all-Marine jury that they did not believe Dela Cruz to be a truthful person, and that they considered Wuterich to be a good Marine.

The issue at the court martial is whether Wuterich reacted appropriately as a Marine squad leader in protecting his troops in the midst of a chaotic war or went on a vengeful rampage, disregarding combat rules and leading his men to shoot and blast indiscriminately at Iraqi civilians.

Prosecutors in their opening statement painted a picture of a young Marine with no prior combat experience losing control after seeing his friend's body blown apart.

Prosecutor Maj. Nicholas Gannon said the evidence will show Wuterich "made a series of fatal assumptions and he lost control of himself."

Wuterich has said he regretted the loss of civilian lives but believed he was operating within military combat rules.

Chile's rescued enjoy fame, delay return to mines

COPIAPO, Chile (AP) — They're treated like rock stars today, offered book contracts, movie deals and all-expense-paid trips to see their favorite soccer teams in Europe, while demanding thousands of dollars for interviews.

A month after the remarkable end to their 69-day entrapment a half-mile deep in a collapsed gold and copper mine, Chile's 33 rescued miners are reveling in what they know may be just a brief burst of the good life. But when fame and money fade, and most go back to the mines, there is no guarantee that safety improvements promised after their ordeal will be delivered.

"Most of us thought we were dead," miner Daniel Herrera recalled in a conversation with The Associated Press. "I think that all of us now see our lives differently. We've got to live it."

For the moment, that life is an exhilarating whirl of travel and attention.

The government of Israel has invited them to visit Jerusalem's holy sites. They've been offered trips to Greece, the Dominican Republic and Disney World.

Edison Pena became a star of the New York Marathon, and got to sing a little Elvis on David Letterman's show. The whole group is being flown to Los Angeles for CNN's "Heroes" program. Then it's on to England to watch football club Manchester United play Arsenal, courtesy of Chilean winemaker Concha y Toro, one of Manchester's sponsors.

But psychologists say it's important for the miners' mental health that they get back to a routine. For most, that means going back underground, rescued miner Omar Reygadas told the AP on Friday.

"Most of us have this desire to go back to the mines because we're miners, it's where we make a living. But we have to think hard now because after all this, we're still not OK," said Reygadas, who confessed to breaking down in tears both during their entrapment and since the rescue.

"If we go into the mine with fear, we can work. But if we work with fear, it's better not to go in at all," he said. "A fearful miner is accident-prone, and could injure someone else at any time. So it's better that we think about other work."

President Sebastian Pinera embraced the miners as they began reaching the surface on Oct. 13 and promised reforms so that never again would Chile allow "conditions so insecure and inhuman as those inside the San Jose mine."

But with copper prices soaring above $4 a pound to near historic highs this week, Chile's mines are attracting ever more people willing to risk their lives in unsafe situations.

Two men died using dynamite in an illegal copper mine Monday, not far from the mine in Chile's northern Atacama desert where the 33 were pulled safety.

Between 1990 and 2005, 742 miners died on the job in Chile, an average of 49 per year. So far this year, 38 have died. It's safer than factory work, which claims 400 lives each year, Mining Minister Laurence Golborne told a congressional investigative commission this week, but "we need to go for zero as a moral imperative."

Chile is increasing its number of mining inspectors from 18 to 45 nationwide, with the goal of inspecting each mine at least once a year, Golborne said.

But there are still just 4 inspectors for as many as 2,500 mines in the Atacama region, despite all the global attention to the accident.

The successful rescue "doesn't mean that we're managing these things well," mining engineer Miguel Fortt told the AP. Chile urgently needs not only more inspectors, but better trained and more empowered ones, he said.

"In Chile, production takes a higher priority than safety," Nestor Jorquera, the National Miners Confederation president, told the AP.

Chile is the world's biggest copper producer, and its biggest mines, run by state-owned Codelco and multinational mining companies, have relatively low accident rates.

But far more numerous are mines like the San Jose, where an Aug. 5 collapse trapped the men below a 700,000-ton block of granite.

The marginal profit margins of smaller mines often lead to skimping on safety measures such as an escape route. After the collapse, the trapped miners discovered that the ladder in their escape shaft simply stopped after several hundred feet.

When they were discovered alive, Pinera told rescuers to use any resources they needed, and eventually spent more than $20 million on three simultaneous efforts to drill escape shafts. Some 300 people were mobilized to support the miners.

But a month after their rescue, wider industry changes remain far off.

Pinera created a commission to recommend safety reforms, but rejected its initial proposals. Congress won't begin to address changes until lawmakers return from summer vacations next March.

All 33 rescued miners are on an indefinite medical leave, receiving their salaries from the government while they ponder their future and try to figure out how to handle their many offers of trips, gifts and offers to buy their story.

They have insisted on keeping secret the details of those first 17 days, holding to a pact made down below to preserve the material for a book or movie deal that they all would share evenly.

They haven't yet signed a movie deal because they want to monitor the filming and make sure that it shows what really happened, Reygadas said. "We want it to show the truth," he said. And with the money, "we might be able to arrange a future."

So far, the miners have largely kept their promise of silence. Only a few have agreed to lengthy interviews, and most only for money. Those who talk generally offer only clues about what they suffered, the pain it caused their families and what they're doing now.

Reygadas said he suggested officials hire them as safety inspectors, and he was told the president would get the request.

"That's my idea — that they give us this opportunity. We have the knowledge."

Herrera, meanwhile, said he has no ideas for the future after the trips run out.

"I'm not making any long-term plans right now. I want to live day today," he said. "Now, you have to enjoy life, be more with your people, things that before you didn't do. I wasn't with my family much; I was out with friends. Now I prefer the family."

Still, he figures he'll return to the mines eventually.

"Yes, Yesss," he said. "My mother doesn't want it, but things are different. You have to work in life"

"I feel comfortable working in the mines."

Viacom 4Q Profit Jumps on DreamWorks

NEW YORK - MTV owner Viacom Inc.'s profits nearly tripled in the fourth quarter following the addition of the DreamWorks studio last year, which swung its movie business to a profit.

Viacom, which also owns BET, VH1 and several other cable channels, said Thursday it earned $480.8 million, or 69 cents per share, in the October-December period versus $129.5 million, or 17 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Viacom also reported a lower tax bill and had accounting adjustments to its year-ago figures following its split-off from CBS Corp.

On a comparable basis, Viacom's operating income increased 28 percent to $855.6 million from $669.6 million a year earlier. Those figures, which also exclude a tax benefit and restructuring charges, worked out to 65 cents per share.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting 58 cents per share. Those estimates typically exclude one-time items.

The improvement was largely due to its movie business, which earned $86.3 million in the quarter versus a loss in the year-ago period of $39.6 million.

Viacom's cable networks business, which makes up the lion's share of its operations, reported a 6 percent gain in profits to $809.9 million from $761.7 million a year ago.

Overall company revenues rose 32 percent to $3.59 billion from $2.72 billion as it added the DreamWorks studio to its movie operations, which include the Paramount film studio.

Viacom also said it would take about $70 million in charges in 2007 as it restructures its MTV division, largely in severance charges, with about $50 million being recorded in the first quarter of this year.

Viacom split up from CBS Corp. at the beginning of 2006 and became a separate company.

A lower tax bill contributed to the improved results. Viacom's paid $208.2 million in taxes in the fourth quarter, down from $265.6 million in the same period a year ago.

For the full year, Viacom reported earnings of $1.59 billion, or $2.22 per share, versus $1.26 billion, or $1.67 per share, in 2005. Full-year revenues rose 19 percent to $11.47 billion from $9.6 billion.

Viacom's Class B shares tumbled $1.78, or 4.6 percent, to $37.26 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange where the Dow Jones industrials briefly lost 200 points in early trading.

Greece: rescue plan includes euro10 billion for banks

Greece's deputy finance minister says a massive rescue plan announced Sunday will include euro10 billion ($13.3 billion) in support for Greek banks that could be affected by the country's expected three-year recession.

Philippos Sachinidis told state television Monday that the money would be reserved for a "stabilization fund" out of the total euro110 billion ($133 billion) pledged in loans by the eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund.

Greece on Sunday announced more austerity measures worth euro30 billion ($40 billion) through 2012 to be achieved through public service and pension pay cuts, higher taxes and streamlining government. The measures would exacerbate a recession, expected to last through 2011.

Calderon Appears Headed Win in Mexico

AP Online
10-03-2005
Dateline: SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico
Mexico's former energy secretary appeared headed toward another victory in Sunday's second round of the ruling National Action Party's three-part presidential primary.

Felipe Calderon scored a surprise victory in the first primary round in September over former interior secretary Santiago Creel, and with about 92 percent of the votes counted from Sunday's second round, Calderon had a comfortable lead.

Calderon got 50 percent of the votes counted, with Creel trailing at 36 percent; former environment secretary Alberto Cardenas was in a distant third, with 13 percent.

Sunday's election offered over 300,000 party members in eight southern states a choice between three candidates for the nomination, in states from Yucatan to Veracruz. However, less than a third of those eligible appeared to have voted.

The first round was held Sept. 11. The country's remaining northern and western states will take part in the third round On Oct. 23.

President Vicente Fox, who is prohibited by law from seeking a second term, has not endorsed any candidates from his party.

Mexico's three major political parties must register their candidates by January. The leftist Democratic Revolution Party is expected to nominate former Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who leads all polls ahead of the presidential election.

Creel led in polls among party members for months. But Calderon has steadily gained ground and performed well in a nationally televised debate.

Calderon has proposed to extend Fox's success on economic stability, while improving law enforcement and creating a coalition-style government if the PAN fails to win control of Congress. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in his home state of Michoacan in 1995.

An estimated 1.1 million party members were eligible to participate in the three PAN primary elections.

If no candidate obtains 50 percent plus one vote in the first phase a second round will be held Nov. 6 between the top two contenders.

Two people were seeking the candidacy of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. Former Mexico state governor Arturo Montiel and former PRI party president Roberto Madrazo were also scheduled to face off in a primary election.

During 71 years of uninterrupted power _ which ended with Fox's victory in 2000 _ the presidents from the PRI hand-picked their successors behind closed doors and the party conducted elections often marred by fraud.

Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved
Calderon Appears Headed Win in Mexico
AP Online
10-03-2005
Dateline: SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico
Mexico's former energy secretary appeared headed toward another victory in Sunday's second round of the ruling National Action Party's three-part presidential primary.

Felipe Calderon scored a surprise victory in the first primary round in September over former interior secretary Santiago Creel, and with about 92 percent of the votes counted from Sunday's second round, Calderon had a comfortable lead.

Calderon got 50 percent of the votes counted, with Creel trailing at 36 percent; former environment secretary Alberto Cardenas was in a distant third, with 13 percent.

Sunday's election offered over 300,000 party members in eight southern states a choice between three candidates for the nomination, in states from Yucatan to Veracruz. However, less than a third of those eligible appeared to have voted.

The first round was held Sept. 11. The country's remaining northern and western states will take part in the third round On Oct. 23.

President Vicente Fox, who is prohibited by law from seeking a second term, has not endorsed any candidates from his party.

Mexico's three major political parties must register their candidates by January. The leftist Democratic Revolution Party is expected to nominate former Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who leads all polls ahead of the presidential election.

Creel led in polls among party members for months. But Calderon has steadily gained ground and performed well in a nationally televised debate.

Calderon has proposed to extend Fox's success on economic stability, while improving law enforcement and creating a coalition-style government if the PAN fails to win control of Congress. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in his home state of Michoacan in 1995.

An estimated 1.1 million party members were eligible to participate in the three PAN primary elections.

If no candidate obtains 50 percent plus one vote in the first phase a second round will be held Nov. 6 between the top two contenders.

Two people were seeking the candidacy of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. Former Mexico state governor Arturo Montiel and former PRI party president Roberto Madrazo were also scheduled to face off in a primary election.

During 71 years of uninterrupted power _ which ended with Fox's victory in 2000 _ the presidents from the PRI hand-picked their successors behind closed doors and the party conducted elections often marred by fraud.

Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved
Calderon Appears Headed Win in Mexico
AP Online
10-03-2005
Dateline: SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico
Mexico's former energy secretary appeared headed toward another victory in Sunday's second round of the ruling National Action Party's three-part presidential primary.

Felipe Calderon scored a surprise victory in the first primary round in September over former interior secretary Santiago Creel, and with about 92 percent of the votes counted from Sunday's second round, Calderon had a comfortable lead.

Calderon got 50 percent of the votes counted, with Creel trailing at 36 percent; former environment secretary Alberto Cardenas was in a distant third, with 13 percent.

Sunday's election offered over 300,000 party members in eight southern states a choice between three candidates for the nomination, in states from Yucatan to Veracruz. However, less than a third of those eligible appeared to have voted.

The first round was held Sept. 11. The country's remaining northern and western states will take part in the third round On Oct. 23.

President Vicente Fox, who is prohibited by law from seeking a second term, has not endorsed any candidates from his party.

Mexico's three major political parties must register their candidates by January. The leftist Democratic Revolution Party is expected to nominate former Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who leads all polls ahead of the presidential election.

Creel led in polls among party members for months. But Calderon has steadily gained ground and performed well in a nationally televised debate.

Calderon has proposed to extend Fox's success on economic stability, while improving law enforcement and creating a coalition-style government if the PAN fails to win control of Congress. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in his home state of Michoacan in 1995.

An estimated 1.1 million party members were eligible to participate in the three PAN primary elections.

If no candidate obtains 50 percent plus one vote in the first phase a second round will be held Nov. 6 between the top two contenders.

Two people were seeking the candidacy of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. Former Mexico state governor Arturo Montiel and former PRI party president Roberto Madrazo were also scheduled to face off in a primary election.

During 71 years of uninterrupted power _ which ended with Fox's victory in 2000 _ the presidents from the PRI hand-picked their successors behind closed doors and the party conducted elections often marred by fraud.

Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved
Calderon Appears Headed Win in Mexico
AP Online
10-03-2005
Dateline: SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico
Mexico's former energy secretary appeared headed toward another victory in Sunday's second round of the ruling National Action Party's three-part presidential primary.

Felipe Calderon scored a surprise victory in the first primary round in September over former interior secretary Santiago Creel, and with about 92 percent of the votes counted from Sunday's second round, Calderon had a comfortable lead.

Calderon got 50 percent of the votes counted, with Creel trailing at 36 percent; former environment secretary Alberto Cardenas was in a distant third, with 13 percent.

Sunday's election offered over 300,000 party members in eight southern states a choice between three candidates for the nomination, in states from Yucatan to Veracruz. However, less than a third of those eligible appeared to have voted.

The first round was held Sept. 11. The country's remaining northern and western states will take part in the third round On Oct. 23.

President Vicente Fox, who is prohibited by law from seeking a second term, has not endorsed any candidates from his party.

Mexico's three major political parties must register their candidates by January. The leftist Democratic Revolution Party is expected to nominate former Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who leads all polls ahead of the presidential election.

Creel led in polls among party members for months. But Calderon has steadily gained ground and performed well in a nationally televised debate.

Calderon has proposed to extend Fox's success on economic stability, while improving law enforcement and creating a coalition-style government if the PAN fails to win control of Congress. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in his home state of Michoacan in 1995.

An estimated 1.1 million party members were eligible to participate in the three PAN primary elections.

If no candidate obtains 50 percent plus one vote in the first phase a second round will be held Nov. 6 between the top two contenders.

Two people were seeking the candidacy of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. Former Mexico state governor Arturo Montiel and former PRI party president Roberto Madrazo were also scheduled to face off in a primary election.

During 71 years of uninterrupted power _ which ended with Fox's victory in 2000 _ the presidents from the PRI hand-picked their successors behind closed doors and the party conducted elections often marred by fraud.

Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved
Calderon Appears Headed Win in Mexico
AP Online
10-03-2005
Dateline: SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico
Mexico's former energy secretary appeared headed toward another victory in Sunday's second round of the ruling National Action Party's three-part presidential primary.

Felipe Calderon scored a surprise victory in the first primary round in September over former interior secretary Santiago Creel, and with about 92 percent of the votes counted from Sunday's second round, Calderon had a comfortable lead.

Calderon got 50 percent of the votes counted, with Creel trailing at 36 percent; former environment secretary Alberto Cardenas was in a distant third, with 13 percent.

Sunday's election offered over 300,000 party members in eight southern states a choice between three candidates for the nomination, in states from Yucatan to Veracruz. However, less than a third of those eligible appeared to have voted.

The first round was held Sept. 11. The country's remaining northern and western states will take part in the third round On Oct. 23.

President Vicente Fox, who is prohibited by law from seeking a second term, has not endorsed any candidates from his party.

Mexico's three major political parties must register their candidates by January. The leftist Democratic Revolution Party is expected to nominate former Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who leads all polls ahead of the presidential election.

Creel led in polls among party members for months. But Calderon has steadily gained ground and performed well in a nationally televised debate.

Calderon has proposed to extend Fox's success on economic stability, while improving law enforcement and creating a coalition-style government if the PAN fails to win control of Congress. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in his home state of Michoacan in 1995.

An estimated 1.1 million party members were eligible to participate in the three PAN primary elections.

If no candidate obtains 50 percent plus one vote in the first phase a second round will be held Nov. 6 between the top two contenders.

Two people were seeking the candidacy of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. Former Mexico state governor Arturo Montiel and former PRI party president Roberto Madrazo were also scheduled to face off in a primary election.

During 71 years of uninterrupted power _ which ended with Fox's victory in 2000 _ the presidents from the PRI hand-picked their successors behind closed doors and the party conducted elections often marred by fraud.

Copyright 2005, AP News All Rights Reserved

`She's Gotta Have It' is a sex film that thinks about what it's doing

She's Gotta Have It (STAR) (STAR) (STAR) Nola Darling Tracy Camila Jones Jamie Overstreet Tommy Redmond Hicks Greer Childs John Canada Terrell Mars Blackmon Spike Lee Opal Gilstrap Raye Dowell Island Pictures presents a Spike Lee Joint film. Directed, writtenand edited by Spike Lee. Produced by Shelton J. Lee. Photographedby Ernest Dickerson. Music by Bill Lee. Running time: 84 minutes.Rated R. At the Fine Arts theater. It's not what you think.

Spike Lee's tantalizingly titled "She's Gotta Have It" is not thekind of film that lusty young lads will rent for bachelor-partyentertainment.

Of course, with a moniker like this, the movie is …