Defending Movistar Open champ Bellucci wins opener

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Defending champion Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil defeated Filippo Volandri of Italy 6-2, 6-2 in the first round Monday at the Movistar Open, the first clay-court tournament of the ATP season.

Third-seeded Bellucci converted five break-point opportunities and looked impressive in improving to a 38-24 career record on clay.

Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain beat Argentina's Leonardo Mayer 6-4, 6-4, Russian Igor Andreev downed Eduardo Schwank of Argentina 6-3, 7-6 (4), and Pablo Andujar of Spain defeated Australian Peter Luczak 6-4, 6-4.

In other first-round matches, Brazil's Ricardo …

Gabrielle Giffords has deal for a memoir

NEW YORK (AP) — The world has only begun to learn about Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

The Arizona Democrat and her husband, astronaut and Navy captain Mark Kelly, are working on a memoir that Scribner will publish at a date to be determined. The book, currently untitled, will be an intimate chronicle of everything from their careers and courtship to the Jan. 8 tragedy when a gunman shot Giffords in the head during a political event in Tucson, Ariz. Six people were killed in the attack and 12 others besides the congresswoman were wounded.

"Since Jan. 8, it's been really touching to us to see how much support there is for Gabby and her recovery, and how much interest there is in how …

'8 Mile' seeks to unify what it divides

Mosaic Youth Theatre remounts popular show May 8-15

DETROIT - There's no debating the divide that exists between the city of Detroit and its suburbs. Along municipal boundary lines lies a virtual chasm that's easily crossed, physically, but wider and deeper than the Grand Canyon, ideologically speaking. With a revamped remount of one of their most widely praised productions, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit is once again opening a candid discussion about the issues that divide us, while generating some serious laughs in the process. And it's their hope that, wherever you're from - city or suburb - you'll join them May 8 through 15 at the Detroit Institute of the Arts for "Crossing 8 …

Airlines Lighten Up to Cut Fuel Costs

Your ginger-ale doesn't come in a glass anymore on most US Airways flights. On Delta you'll find yourself in a thinner, lighter seat. If you fly JetBlue cross-country, you'll get a dainty bag of 100-calorie crisps in place of the original snack box of cookies, crackers and spreadable cheese.

With jet fuel prices so high, airlines have no choice but to scour their planes for ways to lighten the load. There's no room for even the smallest bits of dead weight, from redundant wing lights to extra wires in the walls. Manufacturers also are using lighter materials in plane construction.

"The pressure is immense" to cut weight, said John Heimlich, chief …

WHO: Up to 2 billion people might get swine flu

Up to 2 billion people could be infected by swine flu if the current outbreak turns into a pandemic lasting two years, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

WHO flu chief Keiji Fukuda said the historical record of flu pandemics indicates one-third of the world's population gets infected in such outbreaks. Independent experts agreed that the estimate was possible but pointed out that many would not show any symptoms.

In Mexico, the hardest hit country so far, high schools and universities opened for the first time in two weeks as the government's top health official insisted the epidemic is on the decline. All students were checked for swine flu …

Astros, Williams Shut Down Cards

Brian Williams gave up one run in eight innings Thursday as theHouston Astros whipped the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 5-1.

Williams (6-4) won for the third time in his last fourdecisions. He gave up five hits before Joe Boever finished.

Losing pitcher Donovan Osborne (9-7) struck out the first fivebatters he faced and retired the first nine in order before CraigBiggio doubled to lead off the fourth inning.

Astros outfielder Eric Anthony flied to Cardinals right …

Crocodiles, snakes are danger in flooded Australia

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia (AP) — Residents of an Australian city cut off by some of the country's worst flooding in decades are being warned to stay out of the water, and not just because of the risk of being swept away: Debris, snakes and even crocodiles could also pose a danger.

Large parts of the coastal city of Rockhampton were under water Tuesday. The waters were still rising, with the 75,000-strong population bracing for the floods' expected peak in the next 24 hours as a huge inland sea spawned by heavy rain across Queensland state drains toward the ocean.

Residents on boats made their way through Rockhampton's flooded streets, while police checked houses to see whether …

New investigation in Dresden court stabbing case

Two officials at the German court where a man fatally stabbed a pregnant Egyptian woman are facing a routine investigation for manslaughter after the victim's husband filed a complaint, a Dresden prosecutor said Saturday.

The investigation was opened several weeks ago against court president Gerd Halfar and judge Tom Maciejewski, who was in charge when Alexander Wiens stabbed Marwa al-Sherbini to death at a July 1 hearing, prosecutor Christian Avenarius said. The killing caused outrage in the Muslim world.

Wiens was convicted Wednesday and given the maximum sentence of …

OPINIONS FROM LEADERS IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

Tim UnsworthTim Unsworth is a columnist for the National Catholic Reporter andveteran observer of the local Roman Catholic scene. (The new archbishop) will have to be a man who can deal with thepolitics of cutback. He'll watch the Catholic population risedramatically, especially among Latinos, while watching the clericalpopulation diminish dramatically. He's going to have at least ahalf-million more Catholics, but only 400 active priests; he's goingto have to close more parishes. And yet he's going to have to besupremely pastoral. He's going to have to give a lot more leeway tothe people at the parish level. If he decides to tighten up andcentralize authority, he's going to be …

Anonymous donors spent $132M on 2010 campaign ads

NEW YORK (AP) — Independent groups that do not disclose the identity of their donors spent $132.5 million to influence elections nationwide this year, accounting for about a third of all spending by outside groups in the 2010 election cycle, a report released Friday found.

The analysis by the office of New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio aimed to quantify how federal campaigns had been affected by the Supreme Court's so-called Citizens United ruling. The ruling, handed down in January, cleared the way for companies and labor unions to spend unlimited funds to influence elections, often using money from anonymous donors.

Groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce …

Argentina legalizes gay marriage in historic vote

Argentina became the first Latin American nation to legalize gay marriage Thursday, granting same-sex couples all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexuals.

The law's passage _ a priority for President Cristina Fernandez's government _ has inspired activists to push for similar laws in other countries, and a wave of gay weddings are expected in Buenos Aires. Some gay business leaders are predicting an economic ripple effect from an increase in tourism among gays and lesbians who will see Argentina as an even more attractive destination.

But it also carries political risks for Fernandez and her husband, former …

Rod Blagojevich headed for retrial without brother

Corruption charges have been dropped against the brother of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich _ but the governor himself wasn't so lucky.

Robert Blagojevich was waiting to hear when he'd again stand trial alongside his sibling, after a jury deadlocked last week on all four corruption charges against him and 23 of 24 charges against the former governor.

Instead, attorney Michael Ettinger called him Thursday, saying prosecutors were dropping corruption charges against Robert Blagojevich even as they prepared to retry his brother.

"Mike called within five minutes and said, 'Hey, you're out of it, it's over, you're free, it's done,'" Blagojevich, 55, said in an interview at his son's home on Chicago's North Side.

With that, federal prosecutors sharpened their focus on their main mission: convicting the impeached Illinois governor in a retrial beginning early next year.

In court, prosecutors said their decision to drop charges against Robert Blagojevich was based on his less central role in alleged schemes to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat and to pressure people for campaign donations.

Jurors who deadlocked last week on all but one of 24 charges in the first trial described the case against Robert Blagojevich as by far the weaker of the two. And they said the former Army officer presented an earnest, sympathetic figure when he insisted on the witness stand that he and his brother did nothing wrong.

Robert Blagojevich's attorneys said prosecutors first signaled their desire to simplify their strategy Wednesday, when they privately offered to separate his case from the former governor's. Still, he was surprised when the charges were dropped.

"When it comes to my brother I've become accustomed to being an afterthought," Robert Blagojevich said. "I was a very small part of the six-year investigation."

Legal analysts said it was a rare but strategic step by the government.

"It is a very smart move on the part of prosecutors," said Bill Healy, a Chicago-based jury consultant. "This should really worry Rod, because they can focus like a laser on him now."

Judge James Zagel said Rod Blagojevich's retrial will start the week of Jan. 4. He also said he probably won't allow the former governor more than two taxpayer-funded lawyers when the case begins anew _ though he might allow more if lawyers volunteered or were financed by a benefactor.

Rod Blagojevich's attorneys argued he needed the half-dozen attorneys he had during the first trial, and say they will meet with him before deciding on any defense team changes.

While the two brothers have had a strained relationship, Robert Blagojevich said he felt bad for his sibling.

"The government failed to prove their case against my brother," he added. "With the exception of one charge, he's now a convicted felon. ... He's been impeached, he's been shamed, he's been disgraced as a governor _ I don't know how much more you can do to a guy."

Robert Blagojevich worked as his brother's campaign manager for only four months in 2008. The Republican had been a successful banker living in Nashville, but said he went to work for his brother, the Democratic governor, out of family solidarity.

He was seldom heard on the FBI wiretaps central to the case. Testifying at the trial, he denied allegations he helped his brother scheme to benefit from his public office, and portrayed himself as left out of his brother's most intimate dealings.

"What happened to my brother should have never happened, and I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for my brother and for his family that this nightmare for them is finally over," Rod Blagojevich told reporters.

"I know that he and I did nothing wrong together," Robert Blagojevich said when asked if he believed his brother was innocent of the charges against him. He added that it will be up to a jury to determine.

The former governor's attorneys have raised the possibility of Robert testifying on behalf of his brother.

Ettinger said his client does not want to testify against his brother. While he would have to obey any subpoena, Ettinger said he could invoke the Fifth Amendment to avoid self-incrimination.

Robert Blagojevich said his immediate plans are to take a trip with his wife, possibly to the Northwest. And he said, "I want my passport back."

Workers find more radioactivity at Hanford site

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — Workers cleaning up the nation's most contaminated nuclear site have discovered an area of soil so radioactive it exceeds lethal limits tenfold, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday with its cleanup contractor.

The finding represents some of the worst contamination at south-central Washington's Hanford nuclear reservation and highlights the difficulty and danger in cleaning up a site where records about Cold War-era weapons production either weren't kept or were incomplete.

Even though it's highly radioactive, the contaminated soil does not pose an immediate risk to health or safety of workers or the environment, said Todd Nelson, spokesman for Washington Closure, the contractor hired to clean up this area of Hanford for the DOE.

The federal government created Hanford in the 1940s as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project to build the atomic bomb. The site produced plutonium for nuclear weapons through the Cold War, but the work left hundreds of radioactive buildings, including nuclear reactors, debris and waste.

Workers found this soil contamination under a building that was used from 1966 to 1996 to explore methods to treat radioactive waste. The workers discovered a cracked steel liner under a drain in a radioactive hot cell, where the research years ago could be conducted safely, then used remote equipment to conduct soil samples under the building to determine if there may have been a leak.

The samples showed radiation levels thousands of times greater than allowable levels for exposure over one hour, and 10 times the lethal limit.

Nelson said the three biggest concerns when such a high level of radioactivity is located are direct exposure to workers, the contamination becoming airborne, and the contamination migrating to groundwater. Because the soil sits under a building and workers are shielded from the radiation, he said, the first two are not an immediate risk.

There also is no evidence the contamination has affected groundwater, said Mark French, project coordinator for the DOE's Columbia River corridor cleanup.

The building in question sits about a quarter-mile from the Columbia River, which is the largest waterway in the Pacific Northwest and creates the northern and eastern boundaries of the Hanford site.

French said the level of contamination was a surprise, though it had obviously been there some period of time.

"This is part of the business," he said. "We don't have good historical records in many cases, and even when we do, there's always things that happened that weren't documented. Things come up that we don't expect."

A 1993 report detailed a large spill of radioactive cesium and strontium in the cell in question, Nelson said, and it's possible the contamination is a result of that spill.

French said workers would redouble groundwater sampling efforts in the area and continue to work to characterize the extent of the contamination as they develop a new plan for cleaning up the area and demolishing the building.

The building, in Hanford's 300 Area where research was conducted, is considered one of the area's most difficult to decontaminate and demolish. Under a cleanup compact between the state and federal governments, the building is to be demolished by the end of 2012.

CBS reports 1 percent growth in earnings for 2Q

Media company CBS says earnings rose in the second quarter, beating analysts' estimates, on gains from asset sales amid a weak advertising market.

New York-based CBS Corp. says profits rose 1 percent to $408.4 million, or 61 cents per share, for the three months ended June 30, compared with $404 million, or 55 cents per share, in the same period last year.

Revenue is up 1 percent to $3.39 billion from $3.37 billion.

Thomson Financial says analysts expected earnings of 52 cents per share on revenue of $3.41 billion.

The company's earnings gained on the sale of its investment in the Sundance Channel.

Worley's streak ends in Phillies loss

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Vance Worley hesitated, thinking he had strike three on Ryan Braun in the seventh.

It just missed, and Braun made the most of another opportunity.

Braun singled in the go-ahead run off Worley and the slumping Milwaukee Brewers rallied for a much-needed 3-2 victory over the Phillies on Sunday that snapped Philadelphia's winning streak at six.

"I left him in the game because I wanted to get Braun out and still have a chance to win the game," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.

The Phillies had won Worley's last 14 starts dating to May 29, one short of the franchise record set when Steve Carlton was on the mound in 1972.

He was in position in this one, too.

Shane Victorino and Ryan Howard homered against Yovani Gallardo (16-10) in the sixth to take a 2-1 lead.

Milwaukee's seventh-inning rally started with a flare double by Corey Hart. Nyjer Morgan then lashed one of his own and stretched his arms high above his head as part of his "beast mode" celebration he helped begin with Prince Fielder this season.

Braun hit a long fly ball off Worley that was barely foul in the right-field corner, then singled to right to give Milwaukee a 3-2 lead after taking Worley's pitch just out of the zone.

"You are not going to get calls every time and that's just something you have to deal with," Worley said. "He's a good hitter. He's got a great batting average and he's one of the best in the game. Good for him and I'm sure it won't be the last hit I give up to him."

The Phillies could have clinched a playoff spot with a win and a St. Louis loss. The Cardinals beat the Braves 6-3.

Instead, the major league-leading Phillies (94-49) remain 12 games ahead of Atlanta in the NL East and could wrap up their fifth straight division title as soon as Wednesday after winning three of four in Milwaukee.

"I think coming into any series and taking three out of four is a good sign," Victorino said. "It's a good test. But when playoff time comes and October rolls around you throw all this out the door."

Braun said Philadelphia will reach the postseason and the Brewers just hope to make it. Milwaukee entered last week with a 10½-game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central, but it has dwindled to six with 14 to play.

"You're not going to play anybody tougher than the Phillies," Braun said. "I think this is the best team in the National League and the best team in baseball, and has been all year."

Philadelphia stranded runners at the corners in the eighth when Howard grounded out against Francisco Rodriguez.

Brewers closer John Axford allowed a one-out single by Pete Orr and a two-out walk to Michael Martinez before John Bowker popped out weakly. Axford has converted 39 consecutive save opportunities and is 42 for 44 overall.

Victorino led off the sixth with his 16th homer after Gallardo had allowed just one hit — a second-inning single to Howard — up to that point. Howard added his 33rd home run and NL-best 112th RBI to put Philadelphia ahead even though Gallardo had struck out two or more batters in four different innings.

"Gallardo was able to keep them in the ballgame," Victorino said. "Obviously, we went out and got that one-run lead, but he found a way to settle down and keep them going."

NOTES: Phillies batters struck out a season-high 14 times. ... Phillies RF Hunter Pence went 7 for 17 with a home run and three RBIs in the series. ... Milwaukee has a day off before starting a two-game series with Colorado. Brewers RHP Zack Greinke (14-6, 3.93 ERA) will pitch Tuesday's opener followed by RHP Shaun Marcum (12-6, 3.25 ERA). ... The Phillies continue their seven-game road trip with a series with the Astros. RHP Roy Oswalt (7-8, 3.72 ERA) makes his return to Houston where he'll face former Philadelphia RHP Brett Myers (4-13, 4.66 ERA).

Church group urges passage of global warming bill, Interfaith council wants to protect environment

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

An alliance of religious leaders from across West Virginia and 10other states are asking their U.S. senators to support federallegislation that would address global warming.

The West Virginia Interfaith Global Climate Change Campaignintended to deliver letters seeking help to the staffs of Sens.Robert Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va.

The letters to Byrd and Rockefeller were signed by 40 members ofvarious religious denominations, including American Indian, Baptist,Buddhist, Church of Christ, Episcopalian, Greek Orthodox, Jewish,Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker, Roman Catholic andUnitarian Universalist.

"Our scriptures teach us that we have a covenant with God and anobligation to future generations to protect the well-being of alllife on earth," said Dennis Sparks, executive director of the WestVirginia Council of Churches in Charleston. "This is the kind ofmoral principle that should guiding public policy. But to fulfill ourend of the covenant, we need our elected officials to at least allowdebate on the merits of possible solutions to the global warmingthreat."

Senators in Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon,Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin were to receive similarletters this week.

"Even though we come from various faith background, we all are ofthe belief that we have an obligation to be good stewards of God'screation," said Tonya Adkins of Huntington, who is a member of theChurch of Christ. "This is an important issue that needs to bedebated on the floor of the Senate."

Last fall, West Virginia's two senators were divided as the Senatevoted 55-43 to reject the Climate Stewardship Act. The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn.,would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasesfrom industrial smokestacks.

Rockefeller supported the legislation, calling it a goodcompromise, while Byrd voted against it.

The legislation has stalled in the Senate this year. Congress isin recess until Monday and could take up the issue but has yet toschedule it.

"Global warming is one of the most important issues of our time,"said Rose Edinton, co-pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowshipin Charleston. "And the Senate leadership will not even allow athoughtful debate about it."

The McCain-Lieberman bill would require U.S. industry to cut backthe amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasesreleased into the atmosphere to 2000 levels by 2010.

American Electric Power Co., the nation's largest electricitygenerating company, has been neutral on the bill, partly because thecompany's carbon dioxide emissions already fall below the cap thebill would impose.

Byrd, who has repeatedly criticized the Bush administration fornot doing enough to cut greenhouse gases, said climate changes mustbe addressed but should be done as part of a broader energy billrather than by stand-alone legislation.

"We must develop new and cleaner technologies to burn fossil fuelsas well as new methods to capture and sequester greenhouse gases,"Byrd said. "And we must develop renewable technology that ispractical and cost-effective."

Davydenko cleared in tennis betting probe

Russian tennis player Nikolay Davydenko was cleared by the ATP after a year-long betting investigation.

The ATP says it found no evidence of wrongdoing by Davydenko or Argentine player Martin Vassallo Arguello at their match in Poland in August 2007. The ATP says the case is now closed.

The probe centered on suspicious betting patterns during the match. Davydenko, then ranked No. 5, pulled out against his lowly ranked opponent in the third set citing a foot injury.

An online betting agency voided all wagers, citing an inordinate amount of money put on the match. Many bets came in for Arguello, even after he lost the first set.

Devils-Lightning, Sums

New Jersey 0 3 0_3
Tampa Bay 0 1 1_2
First Period_None. Penalties_Lecavalier, TB (hooking), :55	Ranger, TB (high-sticking), 7:52.
Second Period_1, Tampa Bay, Lecavalier 16 (St. Louis, O'Brien), :35. 2, New Jersey, Gionta 6 (Parise, Langenbrunner), 4:49 (pp). 3, New Jersey, Gionta 7 (Zajac, Parise), 12:19. 4, New Jersey, Clarkson 2 (Madden, Pandolfo), 13:01. Penalties_Vishnevski, NJ (holding), 1:43	Gratton, TB (high-sticking), 3:47	Ranger, TB (delay of game), 4:30	Clarkson, NJ (hooking), 15:11.
Third Period_5, Tampa Bay, Ward 3 (Ranger, Lecavalier), :36 (pp). Penalties_Clarkson, NJ (interference), :23	Parise, NJ (hooking), 13:36	O'Brien, TB, misconduct, 20:00.
Shots on Goal_New Jersey 13-7-1_21. Tampa Bay 7-15-14_36.
Power-play opportunities_New Jersey 1 of 4	Tampa Bay 1 of 4.
Goalies_New Jersey, Brodeur 9-10-1 (36 shots-34 saves). Tampa Bay, Holmqvist 10-8-2 (21-18).
A_19,077 (19,758). T_2:25.
Referees_Eric Furlatt, Brad Meier. Linesmen_Jonny Murray, Mark Pare.

TOP SWIMMERS

200 freestyle: Terry Silkaitis, Evanston; Sean McCaffrey,Evanston; Joe Obringer, Loyola; Tom Hayden, New Trier; NicholasBurgess, Marmion; Justin Gorson, Stevenson.

200 individual medley: Casey Dauw, St. Charles East; PaulRidgeway, St. Patrick; Matt North, St. Charles East; Jose Lopez-Lago, Naperville Central; Evan Parr, West Aurora; R.J Gurney, York.

50 freestyle: Pat Fleming, Naperville Central; Casey Wydra, St.Viator; Mark Witschorik, Naperville North; Brian Ellsworth, Fenwick;Chad Rusk, Shepard; Drew Page, Napeville Central.

Diving: Victor Paguia, Lake Forest; Devin Aikins, Libertyville;Dan Rybalko, Niles West; Adam Freeman, Barrington; Oliver DiBlasi,Waubonsie Valley; Ryan Hornback, Homewood-Flossmoor.

100 butterfly: Jonathan Burgess, Marmion; Silkaitis; PeterBoumgarden, Naperville North; Anthony Nicpon, St. Patrick; LeoLondono, Zion-Benton; Lopez-Lago.

100 freestyle: Fleming; Matt Grevers, Lake Forest; Andrew Hime,St. Charles East; Witschorik; Carl Kopecky, Conant; Ellsworth.

500 freestyle: Dauw; David Ashley, Lake Forest; Ian Getzler,Neuqua Valley; McCaffrey; Obringer; Hayden.

100 backstroke: Grevers; Kevin Barrow, Schaumburg; Ryan Foley, NewTrier; Jim Brennan, St. Charles East; Gorson; Parr.

100 breaststroke: North; Joey Lureau, West Chicago; Louis Torres,Niles West; Ridgeway; Stephen Miskovetz, Fremd; Eric Triebe, NeuquaValley.

Yankees safe at home, crush Tigers

The only object that dropped out of the sky at Yankee Stadium onFriday night was Darryl Strawberry's towering home run.

Back in their own ballpark, closed for 11 days after a 500-poundexpansion joint crashed from the upper deck, the New York Yankeesdefeated the Detroit Tigers 8-4 for their 12th win in 13 games.

Owner George Steinbrenner watched the first five inning in thesame section where the chunk of steel and concrete fell - but not theexact seat that was crushed - and was surrounded by a half-dozen fanswearing hard hats."It was great," Steinbrenner said. "It was like old times whenyou're a kid, going with a bunch of guys."All things considered, it was a rather tame night at YankeeStadium until the eighth, when the benches and bullpens cleared afterNew York catcher Joe Girardi angrily headed toward the Detroit dugoutfollowing a two-run double by Bobby Higginson.The incident occurred moments after Tigers manager Buddy Bellargued with plate umpire Jim Evans, claiming New York reliever MikeStanton had hit Joe Randa with a pitch in retaliation for a Yankeesbatter being plunked.David Cone (2-1) pitched the Yankees to their fourth straightvictory, improving the AL's best record to 13-5. Detroit dropped itsthird in a row overall and ninth straight on the road, and has themajors' worst record (4-15).Red Sox 7, Indians 5: Darren Bragg continued to rip Clevelandpitching and Tim Wakefield (1-1) overcame a poor first inning to leadvisiting Boston. The Red Sox, off to their best start through 21games since 1946, have won five straight and 12 of 13.Wakefield retired 16 straight after yielding three runs and fourhits to the first four batters he faced.Bragg hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning, giving him sevenhits in his last 11 at-bats (.636) against Cleveland.Angels 10, Devil Rays 3: Damon Mashore drove in three runs andJim Edmonds and Darin Erstad each had two RBI to back Allen Watson'seight-hitter as Anaheim defeated Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.Wilson Alvarez (3-2) took the loss. Watson's record improved to1-2.Athletics 10, Orioles 1: Scott Spiezio homered in a six-runfirst inning that sent Kenny Rogers and Oakland to its first roadvictory this season in the rout over Baltimore.Royals 11, Rangers 4: Jeff King hit a three-run homer in KansasCity's eight-run third inning off John Burkett, lifting the Royalsover visiting Texas.Mariners 4, Twins 2: Edgar Martinez, homerless since OpeningDay, connected twice as host Seattle beat Minnesota and reached .500for the first time since April 8. The Mariners (11-11) are 8-1 sincea seven-game losing streak.

UK tribunal frees 4 terrorism suspects on bail

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says she's disappointed that a London court has freed four suspected terrorists on bail.

The Special Immigration Appeals Tribunal said Friday that three Algerian men and one Jordanian man could be released on bail. All four had previously been held pending deportation to their homelands.

Smith said the men must be deported as they pose a threat to national security. She said she fears they might try to flee.

Prosecutors accuse the men of having links to terrorist organizations. None of the suspects will face trial in the U.K.

Judge John Mitting said a fifth man, an Algerian, must remain in custody prior to his deportation.

Kenyan president to announce coalition Cabinet

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki will announce a coalition Cabinet on Sunday following talks with opposition leader Raila Odinga, officials said, confirming the rivals have ended protracted negotiations over how to implement a power-sharing deal.

Kibaki and Odinga made "a breakthrough" in daylong talks Saturday at an official presidential residence outside the capital, Nairobi, the president's office said in a statement.

The new Cabinet will be announced at 4 p.m. (1300GMT).

Kibaki and Odinga agreed in February to share power after weeks of deadly violence following the country's disputed presidential election on Dec. 27.

They were expected to announce a new coalition government once parliament quickly passed laws to legalize the power-sharing deal in March, but the men did not work out how to implement the accord, with both sides trying to secure the most powerful positions in a new Cabinet.

Kibaki and Odinga had said they would announce a new Cabinet on April 6, but they did not do so after failing to reach agreement on how to divide a 40-member Cabinet.

Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement party had suspended talks with Kibaki on Tuesday, saying the president must first dissolve the current Cabinet and share the posts equally.

The public has grown increasingly impatient with Kibaki and Odinga. For three days this week, scuffles broke out in Kenya's largest slum, Kibera, between the police and people protesting the Cabinet delay. There were no reports of injuries.

Kibera was the scene of some of the worst postelection violence in January and February, which killed more than 1,000 people and displaced around 300,000 across the country of 36 million.

Kibaki and Odinga also came under international pressure this week to reach agreement, with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calling them on Monday and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband expressing dismay at the delay.

Buffalo plant sees no impact yet: If Calif. strike goes on, Toyota plant could be affected

DAILY MAIL BUSINESS EDITOR

The shutdown of the only major vehicle assembly line west of theMississippi hasn't had an impact on Toyota's Buffalo plant yet, butit could if a West Coast port strike drags on, a Toyota spokesmansaid.

New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. in Fremont, Calif., shut downWednesday night, said Dan Sieger, media relations manager forToyota's manufacturing headquarters in North America.

Toyota and General Motors jointly own the Fremont plant. Toyota'splant at Buffalo in Putnam County supplies the Fremont plant with 4-cylinder engines that are installed in Toyota Corollas and PontiacVibes, said David Copenhaver, general manager of administration atthe Buffalo plant.

Because of the West Coast port strike, the normally steady supplyof auto parts to the Fremont plant dried up and engines,transmissions and vehicle frames sat idle in cargo holds at the Portof Oakland, Calif., The Associated Press reported.

Dockworkers' union representatives and shipping lines were toresume federally mediated contract talks today.

Sieger said both the truck and car assembly lines at United MotorManufacturing shut down. "Obviously the shutdown of the truck linesdon't affect West Virginia because we don't supply those engines tothem," he said.

"The bottom line is, all of the other plants are running," Siegersaid. "We don't foresee any production stoppages at any of our plantsthis week. But if this drags on, it could be a problem.

"We are looking at alternate solutions to get the parts we need toNorth America," he said. "We're looking at airlifting stuff as well.We do import some parts to the West Virginia plant so we are lookingat all solutions to keep the system running."

The Fremont assembly plant employs about 5,500 workers and has anannual payroll of $300 million. There were no immediate plans forlayoffs, The Associated Press reported.

The engines built at Buffalo for Fremont are shipped by truck toChicago and by rail from Chicago to Fremont.

The Buffalo plant also builds V-6 engines and automatictransmissions and supplies Toyota plants in Georgetown, Ky., andOntario, Canada. The Buffalo plant employs about 950 people.

Writer George Hohmann can be reached at 348-4836 or by e-mail atbusiness@dailymail.com.

Back to the Russian Front // Yeltsin Needs To Woo Voters

MOSCOW After securing promises of increased U.S. support for hisfaltering reform effort, President Boris N. Yeltsin now faces themuch more difficult task of convincing his own people that he holdsthe key to stability and prosperity in Russia.

As Yeltsin flew home from his summit with President Clinton inVancouver, Russians reacted to the announcement of a $1.6 billionU.S. economic assistance package with customary cynicism. Informalquestioning on the streets of Moscow suggested that few ordinaryRussians believe they will benefit from the agreements.

"The aid won't reach us," predicted Sergei Kvaschuk, 27, whobelongs to the newly emerging class of private entrepreneurs andsmall-business people directly targeted by the new U.S. aid program."Aid has never reached the people for whom it is intended in thepast, so why should we expect this time to be any different?"

"I think Yeltsin sincerely wants to help ordinary people, but heis surrounded by bureaucrats who want to fill their own pockets,"said Igor Osharin, 29, who recently opened his own private business,a motel for truck drivers. "If I were able to draw on these creditsfor my business, I would be willing to go to the barricades forYeltsin. But I doubt this will be the case."

Yeltsin has promised to mount an aggressive public relationscampaign to drum up support before a national referendum April 25 inwhich voters will be asked to express their confidence in thepresident and his reforms. Over the next three weeks, he plans totour the provinces to drive home his message that a "no" vote in thereferendum could lead to a "rollback to the past" and a "return tothe Communist yoke."

Leaders of the Communist and nationalist opposition lost no timein denouncing the latest aid package as a national humiliation for aonce-mighty superpower. They also accused Clinton and other Westernleaders of intervening in Russian internal affairs through what theydepicted as a ham-fisted attempt to boost Yeltsin's chances in thereferendum.

"This particular summit was just a propaganda campaign arrangedby the West," said Mikhail Astafyev, a nationalist politician whoheads the hard-line National Salvation Front. "We, the opposition,are naturally going to come to power very soon, and this propagandacampaign is going to complicate our relations with the UnitedStates."

While there is skepticism about the benefit of direct U.S. aidfor the country's collapsing economy, Russians may be moresusceptible to the television image of Yeltsin as the trustednegotiating partner of Western leaders. The Vancouver summitunderscored his standing as Russia's first popularly elected leader -a man who, for all his mistakes and miscalculations, is the guarantorof political stability in a potentially very unstable part of theworld.

"The summit is important psychologically," said Alexei Pushkov,deputy editor of the liberal weekly Moscow News. "It confirmsYeltsin's role as the only Russian leader whose authority isrecognized by the West. Russians have always paid a lot of attentionto the opinion of foreigners."

Boeing posts $1.6B loss in 3Q on plane charges

Boeing Co. lost $1.6 billion in the third quarter, hurt by growing costs from two troubled plane programs that forced the airplane maker to slash its profit forecast.

The world's second-largest commercial plane maker after Europe's Airbus, Boeing has struggled to launch its new 787 passenger plane and a revamped version of its classic 747 jumbo jet. Production delays, parts shortages and last-minute fixes have cost the company billions in write-downs along with additional design and manufacturing expenses.

While sales edged up 9 percent during the quarter, profits took a big hit because Boeing booked charges of more than $3.6 billion for its two plane programs.

They "clearly overshadowed what continues to be otherwise solid performance across our commercial production programs and defense business," Boeing Chief Executive Jim McNerney said in a statement following the results announcement Wednesday.

They also led the Chicago-based company to cut its 2009 profit forecast to $1.35 to $1.55 per share from $4.70 to $5 per share.

Boeing's quarterly loss amounted to $2.23 per share, compared with earnings of $695 million, or 96 cents per share, a year earlier.

Quarterly revenue rose to $16.69 billion from $15.29 billion a year earlier. But the comparison was made easier by a labor strike and supplier problems last autumn, which sliced $2.1 billion off revenue.

Sales from Boeing's defense business, which makes fighter jets, satellites and security systems, rose 3 percent. The business accounts for about half the company's overall revenue. Commercial aircraft revenue rose 13 percent.

But investors remained focused on Boeing's delayed airplanes, with shares down 45 cents to $51.44 in midday trade.

Earlier this month, Boeing said production was delayed for a new version of its 747 freighter jet, blaming slow sales and late design changes.

Problems with the 747-8 program are hardly new. Last year, Boeing said it was postponing deliveries because of design changes and a strike that shut down commercial jet factories for eight weeks.

The 747 has been flying for four decades and is one of the world's best-known airplanes. The 747-8 version was unveiled in 2005 and is designed to be larger and more fuel-efficient. The passenger version of the 250-foot (76-meter) plane, called the Intercontinental, seats 467 passengers.

The freighter version of the 747-8 has sold in greater numbers than the passenger model. But demand remains muted as cargo operators have been hit particularly hard by the economic turmoil of the past year.

Boeing now expects the first flight of the 747-8 by early next year. First deliveries of the 747-8 freighter are expected in the fourth quarter of 2010, while initial deliveries of the passenger version remain on schedule for the fourth quarter of 2011.

The 787 has also struggled. In June, Boeing said parts of its aircraft needed to be reinforced. The highly anticipated passenger plane is more than two years behind schedule. The mid-size jet is built with lightweight carbon composite parts to improve fuel efficiency.

The 787 is supposed to be ready for its inaugural test flight by year's end, with first deliveries in the last three months of 2010.

Airline customers and analysts have grown skeptical of the company's timetable for the aircraft. Still, it remains Boeing's best-selling new plane to date, with 840 orders.

The latest charges come as Boeing grapples with dwindling orders amid the global economic downturn, which has undercut demand for air travel and cargo services.

Some airlines have been forced to cancel or delay plans to buy new planes. Boeing has cut costs and announced plans to slash thousands of jobs and scale back production of some aircraft.

Boeing said its order book shrank 2 percent during the quarter, to $320 billion, due to dwindling demand across its commercial airplane and defense businesses.

Salmond backs schools funding after row

First Minister Alex Salmond has insisted much needed new schoolswill be built in the North-east with a new funding system.

The issue was the latest in a series of increasingly acrimoniousexchanges between Mr Salmond, the MSP for Gordon, and his AberdeenSouth neighbour, Nicol Stephen, pictured, the leader of the LibDems.

During First Minister's questions Mr Stephen demanded to knowwhether the SNP's proposed Scottish Futures Trust could build newschools in places like Ellon and Laurencekirk.

Doubts have been raised about the future's trust because itrelies on the Scottish Government being allowed to sell bonds, whichit currently cannot do.

In the chamber Mr Stephen brandished a consultation document onthe proposal which he said contained nine excuses about why it wouldnot work.

"People don't want excuses, First Minister. Councils are waitingto get on with building new schools," he said.

"Projects have ground to a halt, waiting in St Andrews, inLaurencekirk, in Angus, waiting at Ellon Academy, waiting acrossEast Lothian."

But Mr Salmond hit back, saying: "I didn't realise that NicolStephen's knowledge of the North-east extended to Angus let aloneAberdeen."

He said the futures trust "would point the way" for fundingbuilding projects and was "light years in advance" of the publicprivate partnership used by the Lib Dems and Labour in the lastScottish Executive.

Packers sign KGB for $37M

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who had the fifth-most sacks in the NFL overthe last two seasons, signed a seven-year contract with the Green BayPackers on Wednesday.

The deal will bring the defensive end $37.3 million, of which$13.25million is guaranteed, agent Bruce Tollner said.

"I'm glad that I can finally say that I'm going to be here for along time and hopefully retire with this team, by the grace of God,"Gbaja-Biamila said. "I just want to continue to grow in Green Bay."

Gbaja-Biamila recorded 12 sacks in 2002, his second season with atleast 10 sacks. He also had a career-high 45 tackles, returned aninterception for a touchdown, forced four fumbles and had one fumblerecovery.

"He has a rare ability, in my mind, to pressure and sackquarterbacks as well as create turn-overs," coach and general managerMike Sherman said.

Gbaja-Biamila, a restricted free agent, had been courted by thePhiladelphia Eagles, receiving what he called a "legitimate offer."

*Wide receiver Jacquez Green and quarterback Jonathan Beas-leywere released by the Detroit Lions.

Pierce struggles through

Mary Pierce overcame blurred vision to beat Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Sarasota Clay Court Classic in Florida.

Pierce, who has adopted Sarasota as her hometown, used her edge inexperience to counter the quick 19-year-old Bartoli.

Pierce, ranked 44th in the world, had problems with her contactsthroughout the match.

"About 90 percent of the match I played with blurry vision,"Pierce said. "I've been trying new contact lenses, and my eyes weredrying up. There was one play where she asked me if a ball was outand I told her I couldn't tell because I was having problems seeingthe ball."

Breeders' Cup goes to Texas

The 2004 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships wereawarded to Lone Star Park.

The selection of the track in Grand Prairie, Texas, will put theevent in the Southwest for the first time. The eight races withpurses and awards totaling $13 million will be contested Oct. 30.

"The Dallas-Fort Worth area is one of the nation's great sportsmarkets, and Lone Star Park has done an excellent job of establishingfirst-class racing there," Breeders' Cup president D.G. Van Clief Jr.said.

The 20th running of the Breeders' Cup will be Oct. 25, 2003, atSanta Anita in Arcadia, Calif.