5 NATO service members killed in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Five NATO service members were killed Thursday in southern Afghanistan, the scene of heavy fighting as troops push into areas long controlled by the Taliban, the coalition said.

Three died when a homemade bomb exploded and two were killed separately — one following an insurgent attack and another in an explosion.

No other details or the nationalities of the troops was immediately disclosed.

Three Afghan civilians also died in the south in a suicide attack on a NATO convoy, a local official said. Nine other civilians were wounded in the bombing, which occurred near the airport in Kandahar, a Taliban stronghold. The suicide attacker detonated …

French police detain 14 in terror-linked plot

French police have detained 14 people, including a convicted terrorist fighting expulsion, on suspicion of plotting to free another terrorist from prison.

Judicial and police officials say the 14 were detained Tuesday morning in the Paris region and in Cantal, in central France, where Djamel Beghal, who was convicted in 2005 for a role in an alleged plot against …

Mourners celebrate King's life and legacy: President,\ first lady lead list of dignitaries expected to attend funeral

ATLANTA - After a rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" stirredworshippers at the new Ebenezer Baptist Church, the congregationpaused to mourn the loss of Coretta Scott King - who remained afaithful member until her death.

Standing in the pulpit of the church's Horizon Sanctuary - acrossthe street from the original Ebenezer, where the Rev. Martin LutherKing Jr. was a pastor with his father from 1960 to 1968 - the Rev.Raphael Warnock thanked King for her courage and wisdom.

"Praise God for Coretta Scott King," Warnock said Sunday. "Let theheavens rejoice for the witness of our sister."

Later, in the original Ebenezer, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklinthanked …

Saturday's Major League Linescores

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Baltimore	003	000	000—3	4	0
Tampa Bay	000	510	01x—7	15	1

Matusz, Albers (5), Gabino (7), Simon (8) and Wieters; Sonnanstine, Cormier (6), Benoit (8), Choate (9) and Shoppach. W_Sonnanstine 3-1. L_Matusz 4-12. HRs_Baltimore, Ad.Jones (17). Tampa Bay, Shoppach 2 (3).

___

…

Seattle	100	152	000—9	13	0

China says door open to talks with Dalai Lama

A senior Chinese official said in comments broadcast Friday that Beijing is open to further discussions with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama following talks earlier this month.

Zhu Weiqun claimed in remarks to the BBC that "China has done everything it can to talk to the Dalai Lama." He added that "the door is still open."

Weiqun made the comments just days before a special meeting called by the Dalai Lama to discuss how the Tibetan exile communities and political organizations in Dharmsala, India, will deal with China in the future. The five day meeting begins Monday.

China insists Tibet is …

Fred Morgan Sr., one of city's first black district fire chiefs

Fred P. Morgan Sr., 67, a retired 38-year veteran of the ChicagoFire Department and one of its first black district chiefs, died ofcancer Monday at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Hospital.

Chief Morgan, of the South Side, was born April 29, 1919, inShelby, Miss. When he joined the fire department on Feb., 8, 1944, hewas one of 16 blacks on the force.

He was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau in 1959, promotedto lieutentant in 1963, became a captain in 1966 and was promoted tobattalion chief at headquarters in 1972.

After serving as battalion chief at the third and 10thbattalions, Chief Morgan was named fourth division marshal inJanuary, 1979.

…

Brown, Bush Reaffirm Shared Values

CAMP DAVID, Md. - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told President Bush Monday he shares the U.S. view that there are "duties to discharge and responsibilities to keep" in Iraq.

"Our aim, like the United States is, step-by-step, to move control to the Iraqi authorities," Brown said, joining Bush at a news conference at this mountaintop presidential retreat.

Brown hinted that a decision about British troop levels was coming soon, while assuring that such a determination would be based "on the military advice of our commanders on the ground," thus echoing language often heard from Bush.

Indeed, minutes later, in response to a question, Bush said: "The decisions …

US ship, choppers, shadow hostage captain, pirates

U.S. warships and helicopters stalked a lifeboat holding an American sea captain and his four Somali captors Sunday as a Somali official and others reported negotiations for his release have broken down.

The district commissioner of the central Mudug region said talks went on all day Saturday, with clan elders from his area talking by satellite telephone and through a translator with Americans, but collapsed late Saturday night.

"The negotiations between the elders and American officials have broken down. The reason is American officials wanted to arrest the pirates in Puntland and elders refused the arrest of the pirates," said the commissioner, …

BO FACTS & FEATS

PERSONAL Name: Vincent Edward Jackson. Born: Nov. 30, 1962 at Bessemer, Ala. Height, weight: 6-1, 235. Family: Wife Linda; children Garrett, Nicholas, Morgan. Background: Drafted in 1986 (fourth round) by Kansas City Royals. WHAT MADE JACKSON A SPORTS LEGEND 1990 Hit a career-high .272 with 28 home runs and 78 RBI in 111 gameswith Royals. Became third Royal to hit 20 or more homers for three straightyears. Hit three consecutive homers July 16 but was injured and went on thedisabled list until Aug. 25. In his first at-bat off the DL, Jacksonhit a homer, becoming the 19th player to homer in four consecutiveat-bats. On May 4, his outstanding throw from left field doubled the …

Mancini wants to stay at City for many years

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says he wants to stay at the club for "many years."

City is currently top of the Premier League after winning seven and drawing one of its opening eight games — its best start to a season since 1897.

Mancini's contract at City runs until the end of next season and he says "it is not important" that discussions about an …

23 dead as vehicle overturns in north India

At least 23 people were killed and 12 others injured when a vehicle overturned in northern India, police said Tuesday.

The accident took place late Monday night in Sitapur town, 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of state capital Lucknow, said Amitabh Yash, a senior police official.

He said about 70 people were packed into a wagon pulled by a tractor when the driver lost control of the vehicle …

On 'SNL,' Penn State scandal offends even Satan

NEW YORK (AP) — On "Saturday Night Live," even the devil was offended by the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.

"SNL" cast member Jason Sudeikis reprised his role as Satan, appearing with red horns and pitchfork. The devil was informed by "Weekend Update" host Seth Meyers of sex charges against a former defensive coordinator and allegations that university officials failed to report the abuse.

Even he was disturbed by the news. Addressing Penn State students who protested football coach Joe Paterno's firing, the devil spoke directly into the camera, asking, "Do you know how bad that made you look?"

Disgusted by the scandal, the devil says, "Evil isn't what it used to be."

He pledged to quit and said he would return to his old job: customer service for a cable TV company.

ABC Movie Critic Joel Siegel Dead at 63

NEW YORK - Joel Siegel, a longtime movie critic for "Good Morning America" who was famous for his weekly, often humorous reviews, died Friday, ABC officials said. He was 63.

Siegel, who got his start at the network by working for New York affiliate WABC-TV, had battled colon cancer, the station said.

"Joel was an important part of ABC News and we will miss him," ABC News President David Westin said in a statement. "He was a brilliant reviewer and a great reporter. But much more, he was our dear friend and colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joel's family."

Siegel was known for his sense of humor, movie acumen and sharp judgment. He never let an actor off the hook if the performance was lackluster.

"The appeal of Matthew McConaughey has long evaded me both as a pinup and as an actor," Siegel said in his review of 2006's "We Are Marshall." "His constant ticks, bad hair and strained syntax as a coach fumble what should have been the tragic and inspirational story of the rebuilding of Marshall University's football team after a devastating plane crash."

Dave Davis, president and general manager of WABC-TV, said Siegel loved to poke fun at uninspiring movies.

"No one had more fun writing about a bad movie than Joel," Davis said.

ABC anchor Charles Gibson said Siegel knew how to tell a story.

"He had an inexhaustible supply of stories - most funny, many poignant, all with a point or a punch line," Gibson said.

Born in Los Angeles on July 7, 1943, Siegel graduated cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles. After college, he started writing for The Los Angeles Times, where he reviewed books.

He landed in New York City in 1972 and worked as a reporter for WCBS-TV. He also hosted "Joel Siegel's New York" on WCBS Radio. Four years later he jumped to WABC, cementing his reputation as a film critic over the next three decades.

In 1981, he joined "Good Morning America" and became a regular as the network's entertainment editor, easily recognizable by his thick mustache and glasses.

In addition to five New York Emmy Awards, he received a public-service award from the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, and was honored by the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association for general excellence in individual reporting.

Survivors include his son, Dylan, and wife, Ena Swansea.

Chicago's Top Picks: What Chicagoans bought from Amazon.com last week

You: On a Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management

Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz

(Simon & Schuster, 384 pages)

Health, Mind & Body

The Audacity of Hope

Barack Obama

(Random House, 375 pages)

Nonfiction

I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence

Amy Sedaris (Hachette Book Group USA, 304 pages)

Home & Garden

The Secret

Rhonda Byrne

(Beyond Words, 216 pages)

Religion and Spirituality

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game

Michael Lewis (Norton, 288 pages)

Nonfiction

Next

Michael Crichton

(HarperCollins, 448 pages)

Literature & Fiction

You: The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide

Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz

(HarperCollins, 432 pages)

Health, Mind & Body

For One More Day

Mitch Albom

(Hachette Book Group USA, 197 pages)

Fiction

Cross

James Patterson

(Hachette Book Group USA, 400 pages)

Mystery & Thrillers

The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town

John Grisham

(Random House, 378 pages)

Mystery & Thrillers

Morgan Stanley shares sink on worries about future

Morgan Stanley Inc. shares plunged more than 22 percent Friday as investors questioned the investment bank's future even with a major investment from Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

Friday marked the fifth straight day that shares of the nation's second-largest investment bank have been pummeled. The latest round of selling was triggered on renewed fear that Morgan Stanley's credit ratings might be cut, a move that threatens earnings power.

The potential for a downgrade heightens pressure on Chief Executive John Mack, who spent most of Friday meeting with major investors to reassure them about the firm. Most of Wall Street remains painfully aware that many of Morgan Stanley's rivals have either collapsed or been sold off as confidence in the financial industry plummeted.

And, analysts on Friday agreed that Morgan Stanley's shares have come under intense pressure _ more on fear than any real problems with the bank. Investors wiped away about $18 billion of value in Morgan Stanley in the past week, with shares closed down $2.77, or 22.3 percent, to $9.68 after sinking to a 52-week low of $6.71 earlier in the session.

"Morgan Stanley shares have been under extraordinary pressure as of late, for no apparent fundamental reason, as we estimate liquidity, the balance sheet, and long-term earnings prospects are sound," said David Trone, an analyst with Fox-Pitt Kelton. "We expect the firm to get major funding support from Mitsubishi, with details to emerge on Tuesday when the transaction is formally closed."

The steep drop in the investment bank's market value is reminiscent of what happened to both Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, said Ladenburg Thalmann analyst Richard Bove in a research note. Short selling has been cited as a reason Lehman filed for bankruptcy protection and for Bear Stearns being acquired by JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a fire sale.

He said there is some indication that short sellers, who bet on stocks falling instead of rising, might be putting pressure on shares. On Thursday, a three-week ban on short selling expired.

"The focus on Morgan Stanley is to change the ending," Bove wrote in the note. "In sum, one must hold one's breath at the moment and hope that this is a different movie."

At least for the moment, Morgan Stanley has one important distinction from all the others. The company will formally sell 20 percent of itself for $9 billion to Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial.

Spokesmen for both Morgan Stanley and Mitsubishi UFJ reiterated on Friday that the deal is set to be completed by Tuesday. There has been speculation in recent days that the transaction could fall apart as the deepening credit crisis makes financial companies even more vulnerable.

Mitsubishi UFJ agreed to pay $6 billion for preferred stock and $3 billion for common stock at a value of $25.25 apiece. That's 50 percent more than Thursday's closing price.

Both Morgan Stanley and Mitsubishi UFJ are expected to hold meetings this weekend ahead of the deal's closure, according to a person familiar with the situation who asked not to be identified because of not being authorized to speak publicly ahead of the talks.

Pressure on Friday also stemmed from concerns that Morgan Stanley's counterparties and trading partners could lose confidence and pull their business. That's one of the reasons Lehman and Bear Stearns were unable to survive, but Morgan Stanley might be in a bit better shape.

The investment bank has about $900 billion of assets and an equity market value of about $8 billion, and is still considered to be one of the world's most well-capitalized investment banks. A research report from Barclays Capital said Morgan Stanley has between $100 billion and $115 billion of liquid reserves.

Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, the last two Wall Street investment banks standing, have also converted themselves into bank holding companies to help stay in business. Commercial banks have higher asset bases by taking deposits, and are also more heavily regulated.

However, Moody's Investors Service felt that the earnings potential for the company still doesn't look good. The rating agency placed the long-term debt ratings of Morgan Stanley and its subsidiaries on review for a downgrade.

"An extended downturn in global capital market activity will reduce Morgan Stanley's revenue and profit potential in 2009, and perhaps beyond this period," Moody's said in a statement. "Investor, counterparty and customer confidence is critical to the funding and profit generation of the firm, especially in a hostile market environment."

Big companies need more minority execs

To say that it's lonely at the top does not overstate theisolation of black vice presidents at Fortune 500 companies in theChicago area.

Seven of the 10 largest Fortune 500 companies in the area have atotal of 13 blacks working as vice presidents or higher, according toa Chicago Sun-Times survey to which the three other companies did notrespond. That is in this day and age an astonishingly low 2 percentof the more than 625 executive positions involved.

Whatever else can be said about the dearth of minorities inexecutive offices, one thing is clear. There's a mission here forsomeone or some group to help make room at Chicago's corporateconference tables for more minorities.

The firms should be encouraged to aggressively recruit moreminorities who can move up their corporate ladders and to devote moreof their philanthropy to pre-college education in order to widen anddeepen the pool of qualified candidates for executive suite jobs.

Some firms, like Amoco Corp., have expanded their recruitment ofblack engineering, business and science graduates. Through its AmocoFoundation, that company has also announced that it will contributemore than $60 million, almost half of its philanthropic budget, toeducation programs over the next five years.

Organized pressure on companies to do more, including suchconfrontational tactics as the boycott now being pursued by OperationPUSH against the makers of Nike athletic shoes, is one legitimateapproach to the problem.

There are others. More black and other minority youngstersshould be able to dream about becoming top-job business executives.Corporations, educators, community-minded groups have to sell them onthe dream - and prepare them for making it come to pass.

May Shows Glimpse of Shooting Potential

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Sean May is determined to eventually become a consistent outside shooter. The plan moved into fast-forward on Wednesday.

May had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 16 seconds left, leading the Charlotte Bobcats to a 111-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

The 6-foot-9 May, who had been 0-for-6 on 3s in his two-year career, hit both of his 3-point attempts.

"A lot of guys don't expect me to shoot 3s," May said. "As you can see, last year I started shooting 12 to 15 feet. Now, I'm moving it to 15 to 20. Hopefully I'll eventually move out beyond that arc in a consistent basis.

"Tonight we were just fortunate that it went down and we got a huge win out of it."

Matt Carroll added 22 points and Raymond Felton fought off flu-like symptoms to score 16, including two free throws with nine seconds left to put Charlotte ahead by 3.

Felton also assisted on May's 3, and his former North Carolina teammate never hesitated giving May the ball.

"He was open and he was hitting all game. Who else should I give it to?" Felton said. "He was right there and hitting jump shots all game. He had hit that 3 at the end of the shot clock earlier in the game, so I said why not? Go for it, big fella. Go for the kill."

Kevin Martin scored 26 points for the Kings, but failed to hit the rim on a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer. Ron Artest added 21 points, but ran into May and drew a charge with 10 seconds left with the Kings trailing by one.

"It wasn't a charge, but referees for the most part give me a lot of calls," Artest said. "So I'm not going to argue."

Sacramento shot 52 percent, but committed 18 turnovers and lost its fourth straight game as it fights for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

"It's not a problem. We've just lost four games," Artest said. "Dallas lost four in a row in the beginning of the season. We're going to be fine."

The short-handed Bobcats won their first game since part-owner Michael Jordan announced Bernie Bickerstaff would not return as coach next season.

Leading rebounder Emeka Okafor (strained left calf) missed his ninth straight game and guard Brevin Knight was out with a groin injury.

Leading scorer Gerald Wallace fouled out with 3:37 left, and center Primoz Brezec went out with a twisted ankle with 25 seconds to go, but Charlotte still won its second straight.

And Derek Anderson said it means a lot to win for Bickerstaff.

"Because you know when you first start off, this is not the most attractive job," Anderson said of the third-year expansion team. "But he's made it attractive for people to want to come in and coach us. Hats off to that guy. He's done a great job."

Artest, in his third game back from a two-game absence following his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence, hit a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left to put Sacramento ahead, 107-104. But Artest hit only 1 of 2 free throws six seconds later.

The Kings shot 60 percent in the first half in taking a 61-56 lead, with Martin and Artest combining for 29 points. Charlotte stayed in it by going 6-for-10 on 3-pointers in the half.

The Kings lost forward Kenny Thomas to a jammed left big toe in the third quarter, and Charlotte rallied to take an 82-80 lead behind Felton's 11 points.

Martin's 3 with 6:13 left gave the Kings a 96-91 lead, before Derek Anderson and Carroll made 3s to get Charlotte within one with less than five minutes to go.

"We haven't done a very good job all year of defending the 3-point shot," Kings coach Eric Musselman said. "Tonight it cost us the game."

Notes:@ The Kings remain the only NBA team not to have beaten the Bobcats in Charlotte. ... Bickerstaff will be busy over the next four days, scouting NCAA tournament games in Winston-Salem, N.C. on Thursday and Chicago on Sunday, in between Bobcats games on Friday and Saturday. "Not bad for a guy who was fired," said Bickerstaff, upset with some reports that said he was forced out as coach. Bickerstaff said it was a mutual decision between he and Jordan. ... Knight is afraid he'll need additional abdominal surgery at the end of the season.

US pension plan to run permanent deficits

WASHINGTON (AP) — New congressional projections show the U.S. government pension plan known as Social Security running permanent annual deficits unless lawmakers act to shore up the massive retirement and disability program.

The Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday that Social Security will pay out $45 billion more in benefits this year than it will collect in payroll taxes, further straining U.S. finances. The deficits will continue until the Social Security trust funds are eventually drained, in about 2037.

Previously, the budget office said Social Security would start running permanent deficits in 2016. In the short term, Social Security is suffering from a weak economy that has payroll taxes lagging and applications for benefits rising. In the long term, Social Security will be strained by the growing number of retirees.

Sharp tying up in LCDs with Toshiba amid competition in flat panel TVs

Japanese electronics rivals Toshiba and Sharp are tying up in the liquid crystal display business, company officials said Friday, the latest development in the intensifying competition in flat-panel TVs.

At a joint news conference at a Tokyo hotel, the presidents of the two companies said Toshiba Corp. will purchase LCD panels from Sharp for TVs of 32 inches or larger. In turn, Sharp will buy more computer chips for use in LCDs from Toshiba as part of the expanded partnership.

Speculation has been growing recently that Japanese electronics makers will need to join forces in the panel business to compete against each other and formidable rivals such as Samsung Electronics Co. of South Korea, Taiwan makers and others.

The biggest players now in LCDs include Sharp Corp., Samsung, which has a joint venture with Sony Corp., and Hitachi Ltd.

Toshiba President Atsutoshi Nishida said the partnership will create a "win-win relationship" combining the strong LCDs of Sharp with the strong semiconductors of Toshiba.

"To survive the tough competition, we need to be strong in both the key device of panels and the technology of system LSIs," he told reporters, referring to the sophisticated chips increasingly used in digital consumer goods that are Toshiba's forte. "It is difficult for one company to handle both."

Toshiba and Sharp will work together to develop TV technology and products although details aren't decided, said Nishida and Sharp President Mikio Katayama.

"Many companies are starting to make choices to focus on core businesses," Katayama said.

As a result of the collaboration, Sharp will buy about 50 percent of its system LSI for TVs from Toshiba, and Toshiba will buy about 40 percent of LCD panels from Sharp by 2010, and the numbers may grow in the future, they said.

The companies did not say how much of such products they now buy from each other, or identify other companies with which they do business.

But Nishida said Toshiba's business with Sharp, now estimated at about 80 billion yen (US$708 million; euro490 million), will triple because of the deal.

Kazuharu Miura, analyst with Daiwa Institute of Research, said the decision reflects Toshiba's strategy to partner with Sharp to ensure a steady supply of panels for Toshiba brand TVs while not producing the panels on its own.

"Many TV makers don't make the panels. The important issue for them is making sure there's a reliable panel-maker for purchasing the panels," he said.

The selection as Toshiba's supplier is a victory for Sharp, Miura said.

Toshiba had earlier been a member of a Matsushita-Hitachi LCD partnership. Nishida said Toshiba will likely abandon that, although a decision has not yet been made.

Recent media reports have said that Hitachi will sell its stake in that joint venture with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which makes Panasonic brand products.

The Nikkei, Japan's top business daily, reported earlier this week that Japanese camera-maker Canon will join the Matsushita-Hitachi LCD partnership.

The report said they will also work together in another panel technology OLED, a new light-emitting display based on electroluminescent organic materials to deliver clear image quality.

The technology is generally still considered too expensive for a commercial product, and opinion is divided in the industry on what panel technology, if any, will become the standard for thin TVs. Sony is the only electronics maker that has a small TV with an OLED screen.

On Friday, Nishida said Toshiba will abandon any plans to make OLED TVs and will rely on Sharp's LCD technology for next-generation TVs.

Like Samsung, Sharp is among the world's biggest manufacturers of LCD panels, including large-size panels measuring 60 inches for TVs.

Shoji Tobisawa, an analyst with IDC in Japan, said companies need to work together to bring down costs. Prices have also been plunging at a pace faster than analysts had expected.

"Market growth is slowing," he told Dow Jones Newswires. "These companies have to work together."

Toshiba had also been planning to make TVs with a new kind of flat-panel technology developed with Canon called surface-conduction electron-emitter display, or SED, but those plans have been held up by technological and legal issues.

In January, Canon took full control over SED Inc., the joint venture it set up with Toshiba in 2004 to develop SED technology.

Sharp shares rose 2.9 percent to 1,956 yen (US$17.30; euro12.1) in Tokyo, while Toshiba shares gained 2.5 percent to 837 yen (US$7.40l euro5.2). News of the alliance broke before the session ended. The formal announcement came after trading ended.

Spurs' Streak Hits 17

The San Antonio Spurs completed an unbeaten month of March withtheir 17th consecutive victory Sunday, a 97-83 decision against thevisiting Phoenix Suns. The triumph enabled the Spurs to become onlythe second team in NBA history to go 16-0 in a month.

The Spurs, whose winning streak began Feb. 29, matched the 16-0record set by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972. Nine other teams havehad undefeated months of 12 to 15 victories.

David Robinson scored 22 points and Sean Elliott added 17points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Spurs. Kevin Johnsonscored 19 points to lead the Suns, who had their three-game winningstreak snapped.Magic 98, Knicks 79: Host Orlando claimed its second AtlanticDivision title in a row by drubbing New York behind a 32-pointperformance by Shaquille O'Neal.The Magic tied the NBA record for fewest turnovers in a gamewith three and improved to 34-1 at the Orlando Arena, where it hadwon 40 consecutive regular-season games before losing last week.Hawks 93, Celtics 92: Mookie Blaylock made two three-pointers inthe last 26.6 seconds, including the game-winner from the top of thekey at the buzzer, to boost visiting Atlanta past Boston.Pacers 118, Nets 100: Antonio Davis made the most of his firststart since Feb. 29 by scoring all 21 of his points in the first halfto help host Indiana coast past New Jersey.Lakers 111, Raptors 106: Anthony Peeler scored 10 points duringa late 16-4 burst and Vlade Divac grabbed 19 rebounds as visiting LosAngeles held off a late rally to edge Toronto.Kings 105, Cavaliers 100: Brian Grant scored a career-high 32points on 9-for-10 shooting from the field and Mitch Richmond added30 to fuel host Sacramento to an overtime victory against Cleveland.Hornets 121, Grizzlies 88: Matt Geiger scored 20 points andsnared 10 rebounds to pace Charlotte past host Vancouver, which lostits 22nd game in a row.Trail Blazers 115, Mavericks 100: Arvydas Sabonis scored 21points and Clifford Robinson added 17 to spark visiting Portland pastDallas for its 10th victory in its last 11 games.Clippers 110, Timberwolves 107: Rodney Rogers scored aseason-high 25 points to help Los Angeles nip Minnesota and end afive-game road losing streak.

Helping you live happily at home ; Advertisement feature

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Delicious meals to your door It's been all go in the kitchens atWiltshire Farm Foods with exciting new ranges and meals to temptyour taste buds.

The company is also delighted to announce that they have frozentheir prices and guarantee that they will stay frozen until at leastSeptember 2010. This means you can be assured of superb value aswell as quality and award-winning customer service.

This year Wiltshire Farm Foods have already added some excitingnew meals, made recipe improvements to others and kept all the oldfavourites just the way that customers like them.

"We've got some great new options to enjoy this season, but thebiggest news is our new Hearty range for bigger appetites," saidhead chef Phil Rimmer. "Pork, cider and apple casserole is just oneof the eight new recipes we've developed especially for thosecustomers who like their meals just that little bit bigger.

"We've also added tasty new options to our standard menu likechicken a la king and steak and mushroom casserole, as well as twodeliciously fruity new desserts for the warmer months - strawberrygateau and lemon meringue pie.

"And it's not just new meal ideas that have been keeping us busy.

"We've made improvements to a number of recipes, includingchicken and vegetable casserole and spaghetti Bolognaise. Sowhatever gets your mouth watering, and however big or small yourappetite, we've got something to tempt you in our spring and summermenu."

Meals are delivered free of charge and direct to your door by thecaring, CRB police checked, reliable drivers and, if you wish, thedrivers will even pop the meals in the freezer for you. Wheneveryou're ready, simply heat your meal from frozen in an oven ormicrowave and enjoy.

Order as often or as little as you like, every week or as aspecial treat - the choice is yours. Wiltshire Farm Foods offer achoice of delivery days and they also have a tea time deliveryservice for those who would like to receive their delivery later inthe day.

6 arrested in Sweden for Libyan Embassy break-in

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Police in Stockholm say they arrested six people after demonstrators broke in to the Libyan Embassy in protest against the installation of a new ambassador loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.

Police station chief Katarina Bakcstom said Friday all six have been released pending an investigation into the Thursday night incident.

Angry protesters also painted the front door of the building in the colors of the rebel flag after a group of around 20 demonstrators called on Sweden to close the embassy.

Gadhafi's opponents in Sweden were jubilant when they were permitted in February to hoist the old flag of the monarchy that ruled Libya before the 1969 coup. That flag was removed in recent days after the appointment of a new ambassador.

NBA PLAYOFFS: Memphis point guard takes out frustrations on NBA reporter's pen

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis guard Jason Williams took out his angerover how he was quoted in a newspaper column by grabbing a pen out ofthe writer's hand Sunday night after the Grizzlies' playoff loss tothe Phoenix Suns.

The Suns had just swept the Grizzlies out of the opening round bywinning 123-115 in Game 4.

Reporters were in the Memphis locker room when Williams twice tookthe pen out of the hand of Geoff Calkins, a columnist for TheCommercial Appeal.

Williams screamed in his ear as the reporter tried talking toother Grizzlies.

"You can talk to TNT, but don't answer this (reporter's)questions," Williams said. "I'm not letting him write anything. Ididn't do anything. I just took his pen."

Eventually, Williams had to be pulled away by Grizzlies guard MikeMiller.

But after getting in Calkins' face again, another Memphis officialtook Williams out of the locker room.

The column that appeared in Sunday's newspaper was critical of theGrizzlies' lackadaisical play and included a quote from Williams,"I'm happy. I go home and see my kids and my wife and I'm OK.

"All of this (stuff) is secondary to me."

Williams set a playoff-high with 21 points in Game 2 and had 20points and eight assists in Game 4.

In other NBA news:

Dallas 103, Houston 100-Now that Dallas has won three straightgames to go ahead in its playoff series, Michael Finley hopes theMavericks remember the feeling they had a week ago - after losing thefirst two at home.

"It was a solemn attitude," Finley said.

"It brought out some of our best ball. Hopefully, we can have thatsame mind set we had last time leaving here to go to Houston."

Game 6 is Thursday night in Houston.

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, who earlier Monday was fined$100,000 for accusing officials of targeting Yao Ming and refusing totell the league which official was his source.

Commissioner David Stern, who attended the game, called thelargest fine ever levied against an NBA coach only "an intermediarystep" and said an investigation will continue when the Rockets finishtheir playoff run. Stern even implied that Van Gundy could face alifetime ban.

Spurs 126, Nuggets 115, OT - Tim Duncan had his best game of theseries, Manu Ginobili provided another spark off the bench, and TonyParker scored 11 of his 29 points in overtime to help San Antoniotake a 3-1 lead.

Wizards 106, Bulls 99 - Juan Dixon recovered from a horribleperformance to score a career-high 35 points and lead the WashingtonWizards to a victory that evened their playoff series with theChicago Bulls at two games apiece.

Dixon made just one of 10 shots in Game 3, but was 11-for-15 -including 3-for-4 on 3-pointers - and made all 10 of his free throwsfor the Wizards in Game 4 of the opening-round Eastern Conferenceseries.

Game 5 in the best-of-seven matchup is Wednesday night in Chicago.That would seem to favor the Bulls with the home team 4-0 in theseries.

Jannero Pargo scored 16 of his 18 points in the final quarter,when the Bulls cut an early deficit of 28 points to six with 24seconds remaining. Kirk Hinrich also had 18 points for Chicago.

Gilbert Arenas added 23 points and Antawn Jamison 18 forWashington.

^Mavericks 103, Rockets 100=

DALLAS (AP) - Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points, and Dallas withstooda late charge by Houston to take a 3-2 lead in a series the Mavericksbegan with two losses.

Dallas has two chances to join the 1969 Lakers and 1994 Rockets asthe only teams to win a seven-game series after dropping the firsttwo at home. Game 6 in their Western Conference matchup is Thursdaynight in Houston.

After overcoming fourth-quarter deficits of eight and six pointsto win the last two games, the Mavs led by 11 just seconds into thefinal period this time. But Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming rallied theRockets - combining for Houston's last 13 points - within two with7.4 seconds left.

Jason Terry made one of two foul shots to restore the three-pointcushion, and Dallas immediately fouled McGrady on the ensuinginbounds pass. He missed both free throws, got his own rebound butmissed a 3-pointer from the left corner.

Yao finished with 30 points and McGrady 25.

Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse added 17 points apiece for theMavericks.

^Spurs 126, Nuggets 115, OT=

DENVER (AP) - Tim Duncan had his best game of the series, ManuGinobili provided another spark off the bench, and Tony Parker scored11 of his 29 points in overtime to help San Antonio take a 3-1 lead.

Duncan had 39 points and 14 rebounds, and Ginobili finished with24 points and six assists for the Spurs, who can close out the seriesWednesday night in San Antonio.

Earl Boykins scored 32 points for Denver, and Carmelo Anthony had28.

AP-ES-05-03-05 0222EDT

"I didn't see anything wrong with what I said," Van Gundy saidafter the game. "But certainly, obviously, for a statement like thatto come out, he obviously differs. ... That's all right."

Yao offered to pay half the fine.

Yao scored 15 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, making 6 of7 shots and just 3 of 8 free throws. McGrady struggled shooting,going 7-of-22 for 25 points, 6.5 below his series average.

The Rockets never led after halftime, and their biggest lead inthe game was just one point.

Dirk Nowitzki, stuck in a series-long shooting funk, was 9-of-22but led Dallas with 23 points, including a dunk off a miss by Terrywith 20 seconds left that provided the decisive points. He also had13 rebounds and four steals.

Wizards 106, Bulls 99-In Washington, Juan Dixon recovered from ahorrible performance to score a career-high 35 points to lead theWizards.

Dixon made just 1 of 10 shots in Game 3, but was 11-for-15 -including 3-for-4 on 3-pointers - and made all 10 of his free throwsfor the Wizards in Game 4 of the opening-round Eastern Conferenceseries.

Game 5 in the best-of-seven matchup is Wednesday night in Chicago.That would seem to favor the Bulls, with the home team 4-0 in theseries.

Jannero Pargo scored 16 of his 18 points in the final quarter,when the Bulls cut an early deficit of 28 points to six with 24seconds remaining. Kirk Hinrich also had 18 points for Chicago.

Gilbert Arenas added 23 points and Antawn Jamison 18 forWashington.

Spurs 126, Nuggets 115, OT-At Denver, Tim Duncan had his best gameof the series, Manu Ginobili provided another spark off the bench andTony Parker scored 11 of his 29 points in overtime to help SanAntonio take a 3-1 lead.

Duncan had 39 points and 14 rebounds, and Ginobili finished with24 points and six assists for the Spurs, who can close out the seriesWednesday night in San Antonio.

Earl Boykins scored 32 points for Denver, and Carmelo Anthony had28.

Dancer Bill T. Jones presents `The Breathing Show' at the Shubert

Dancer Bill T. Jones presents `The Breathing Show' at the Shubert

Considered one of the most riveting performers of his time, dancer Bill T. Jones has always shared the stage with his troupe of dancers, until now.

On Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22, Jones will perform "The Breathing Show," an evening-length solo work that he describes as an opportunity to discover the source of his own inspiration, "to locate the 19-year-old boy who wanted to fly."

Performing in only 10 U.S. cities, Jones is making a special appearance in Chicago to be part of Performing Arts Chicago's (PAC) 40th anniversary season.

"The Breathing Show" will be performed at the Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe, April 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.

"The Breathing Show" comprises predominantly new works choreographed by Jones. The program is divided into three sections and includes a short original film entitled "Bill's Garden" by Abraham Ravett and a projection of "Ghostcatching: A Virtual Dance Installation," which Jones created in collaboration with Paul Kaiser and Shelley Eshkar of Riverbed Productions.

The first section of the evening, "Some Schubert Songs," will feature a series of new dances choreographed to Schubert Lieder.

The second section, "TV Arranged," will include a reworking of some of the earlier solos such as "21" and "Floating the Tongue" that established Jones's iconoclastic reputation.

The title of the third section, "Our Garden," suggests the artist's exploration of the symbolic meaning of "gardening" at the end of the century. The section will combine music and text with dance.

Receiving its world premiere at Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa, the Cedar Rapids Gazette wrote "An entire evening of solo dancing is a huge undertaking for one person. Wait. This is Bill T. Jones. Jones is a creative man and you can expect more than just ordinary dancing when he's around."

Performing Arts Chicago is one of the city's leading presenters of new directions in theater, music and dance.

In celebrating 40 years of presenting, PAC is recognized around the world for presenting artists at the forefront of their disciplines who question our notions of the stage, including the Maly Theatre of St. Petersburg (Russia), Theatre de Complicite (England), Robert Lepage (Canada), the Handspring Puppet Company (South Africa) and Cirque Invisible (France).

Article Copyright Sengstacke Enterprises, Inc.

Photo (Bill T. Jones)

Erin Adds to Rain Threat for Weekend

Tropical moisture remains stuck over the Chicago area thisweekend, giving us the threat of showers and a few thundershowers.Some leftover moisture from former Hurricane Erin will add to the"soup" already in place, giving the area at least a 50; 50 chance ofrain today.

If you are traveling downstate in Illinois or Indiana, some ofthe rainfall could produce lowland flooding today. Areas south ofKankakee and Gary, Ind., have had several inches of rain in the lastthree days, and any additional rainfall will likely cause someproblems.

Slightly drier air will try to move in on Sunday. There stillis a chance of showers on Sunday, but it looks as if some sunshinewill try to break through. Plan on taking an umbrella to the Air andWater Show both today and Sunday, and keep the sunglasses andsunscreen handy especially for Sunday.

With all the tropical humidity in the atmosphere, visibilitywill be somewhat reduced along the lakefront, possibly posing aproblem for pilots and spectators.

Winds Sunday will be from the east at speeds of 10 to 18 m.p.h.,with the water temperature a balmy 73 degrees. Temperatures overthe next few days will gradually increase, with 80s this weekendblending into the low 90s by Monday and Tuesday. Weather Quiz Q. Hurricanes often produce which of the following? A) Brief tornadoes B) Record low temperatures C) Frequent lightning D) Large hail A. The intense spin associated with hurricanes can produce isolatedbrief tornadoes. Large hail and lightning are often sparse in ahurricane. Weather Fact

Next on the list of tropical storms for 1995 is Felix, followedby Gabrielle.

Tom Bobula is filling in for Paul Douglas. ; ;

IRS may seek licenses for tax preparers

The IRS wants to start regulating paid tax preparers used by more than half the nation's taxpayers in an effort to reduce fraud and errors.

New rules could require education and training as well as licensing for people who get paid to prepare returns, IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said Thursday.

"In most states, anyone can charge to prepare tax returns regardless of training, education, experience, skill, licensing or registration," Shulman told reporters. "Virtually anyone can set up a tax return business."

Shulman said most tax preparers provide quality work, but some are poorly trained or unscrupulous. The IRS, however, can't say how many fall into either group because the agency doesn't track the number of complaints filed against tax preparers or their outcomes, according to a report issued in February by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

The IRS doesn't even know how many individuals or companies prepare returns for taxpayers, Shulman acknowledged.

From 2006 through 2008, the IRS initiated more than 600 investigations of fraud among tax preparers. During that time, 356 tax preparers were convicted, with more than 80 percent of them sentenced to prison, home confinement or electronic monitoring.

But when the IRS detects a fraudulent return, it's the taxpayer _ not the tax preparer _ who must pay the additional taxes, interest and any penalties, according to the IRS.

Shulman said he will seek suggestions for new rules from the industry and consumer groups before making his proposals to President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner by the end of the year. The proposals could include new regulations or laws.

"I want to enter this with an open mind," Shulman said. "For me, everything's on the table."

Shulman said new rules would give him better leverage to make sure tax preparers act ethically, not only to improve enforcement, but to ensure taxpayers get quality help in preparing their returns.

"When people pay good money, they should not get bad advice," he said.

About 60 percent of taxpayers pay someone to prepare their returns, Shulman said. An additional 20 percent or so buy computer software. However, tax preparers don't have to be licensed, unless they represent clients in proceedings before the Internal Revenue Service.

Industry giant H&R Block welcomed Shulman's initiative, as did several members of Congress.

"We believe that all tax assistance providers should be trained and licensed as necessary," said Richard C. Breeden, Chairman of H&R Block. "We also strongly support requirements that anyone providing tax preparation services should have the systems in place to ensure full legal compliance and consistently high ethical practices."

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., said low-income taxpayers are often taken advantage of by "fly-by-night" tax preparers who set up shop in storefronts, only to go out of business after tax season.

"If they have problems, they cannot be located," said Lewis, chairman of a House subcommittee that oversees the IRS. "We're going to find a way to deal with it."

Registering tax preparers would enable the IRS to track the ones with problems, said Paul Cinquemani, director of government relations for the National Association of Tax Professionals.

"As complex as the tax law is, believe me it doesn't hurt to raise the bar," Cinquemani said. "I don't understand how anyone operates without getting education to stay on top of tax law. It's very complex."

Cinquemani said two kinds of preparers cause problems for taxpayers and the IRS.

"There are the incompetent and there are the unscrupulous," he said. "Some are both."

___

Associated Press reporter Devlin Barrett contributed to this report.

Disley, Diz (actually, William Charles)

Disley, Diz (actually, William Charles), noted Canadian-born, British jazz guitarist (bjo., singer);b. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, May 27, 1931. His parents were British, and the family moved back to Wales when Diz was four, then on to Yorkshire five years later. He played banjo in local jazz-flavored bands including the Rotherham. Jazz Hounds and the Vernon Street Ramblers, while studying at the Leeds Coll. of Art. He joined the Yorkshire Jazz Band in 1949, but left to enlist in the Army a year later. After two years of service, he moved to London, worked with Jeremy French (late 1953), and began specializing on guitar. He worked with a number of trad-jazz ensembles through the 1950s; towards the end of the decade, he also became involved with the skiffle/folk-revival movement, and accompanied popular folk-styled singers like Nancy Whiskey. From 1958–60, he appeared regularly with own Soho String Quintet, modeled after the famous "Hot Club" ensemble led by Django Reinhardt in the 1930s. He played folk and jazz gigs throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, and led his own quintet and band. He began a long working association with Stephane Grappelli in 1973 (interrupted by Diz breaking his wrist in 1979), continuing through late 1982. He reformed his Soho String Quintet in 1983. Disley lived in Spain for part of the 1970s and 1980s, and opened jazz club (with clarinetist Bernie Holden) in Almeria in 1988. He returned to Britain in the early 1990s, and has led his own String Quintet and regularly guested with Dick Laurie's Elastic Band (including bookings in Hong Kong). Disley freelanced in Europe and in the U.S.A. during the mid- 1990s.

Discography

Zing Went the Strings (1986); At the White Bear (1995); With Stephane Grappelli: I Got Rhythm (1973); Violinspiration (1976); With Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick: Rags, Reels, and Airs (1967).

—John Chilton, Who's Who of British Jazz/Lewis Porter

Rugby fever ; Founded Saturday, March 3, 1810

AS the Six Nations tournament draws ever closer, Carmarthenshirewill be hit by rugby fever once more.

However we will be missing one important and much-loved player,Shane Williams -- it will seem strange …

Cambodia's Khmer Rouge tribunal in crisis

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — It was supposed to be a model for international justice and national reconciliation: a U.N.-backed tribunal to hold trials on one of the 20th century's grimmest chapters — the Khmer Rouge's murderous 1970s regime in Cambodia.

Eight years after its creation, however, the multinational panel is riven by suspicion, infighting and angry resignations over whether to try more Khmer Rouge defendants on war crimes charges, in addition to the jailer already convicted and four top officials scheduled for trial June 27.

Critics fear the panel is caving to pressure from Cambodia's strongman prime minister — himself a former Khmer Rouge cadre — to quash any …

Life Expectancy for Japanese Rises

00-00-0000
TOKYO (AP) _ Life expectancies in Japan, already the world's longest for both sexes, reached new records in 2001 for the second straight year, a government report said Wednesday.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said women could expect to live 84.93 years and men 78.07 years in 2001. That was longer than in 2000, when the life expectancy for Japanese women was 84.62 years and men 77.64 years.

Japanese have had the longest life expectancy for years, though suicides linked to the country's economic stagnation caused the figures to decline in the late 1990s.

By comparison, women in Hong Kong could expect to live 83.9 years in 2000. The figures for …

Life Expectancy for Japanese Rises00-00-0000
TOKYO (AP) _ Life expectancies in Japan, already the world's longest for both sexes, reached new records in 2001 for the second straight year, a government report said Wednesday.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said women could expect to live 84.93 years and men 78.07 years in 2001. That was longer than in 2000, when the life expectancy for Japanese women was 84.62 years and men 77.64 years.

Japanese have had the longest life expectancy for years, though suicides linked to the country's economic stagnation caused the figures to decline in the late 1990s.

By comparison, women in Hong Kong could expect to live 83.9 years in 2000. The figures for …

Life Expectancy for Japanese Rises00-00-0000
TOKYO (AP) _ Life expectancies in Japan, already the world's longest for both sexes, reached new records in 2001 for the second straight year, a government report said Wednesday.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said women could expect to live 84.93 years and men 78.07 years in 2001. That was longer than in 2000, when the life expectancy for Japanese women was 84.62 years and men 77.64 years.

Japanese have had the longest life expectancy for years, though suicides linked to the country's economic stagnation caused the figures to decline in the late 1990s.

By comparison, women in Hong Kong could expect to live 83.9 years in 2000. The figures for …

Project Pointers; Creating a comprehensive mobile security strategy can be difficult and expensive. Consider these tips before plotting a strategy to protect and manage mobile devices.

PLAN

Assess your needs. Understand the risks and vulnerabilities of your enterprises, says Gregg Davis, CIO for Webcor Builders, a San Mateo, Calif., commercial builder. Not all businesses need to operate with the same level of security. If your industry must comply with regulations for protection of data, you may need a greater level of security than a company handling less sensitive corporate and customer data. If data loss wouldn't be critical to your company, operating-system-level encryption could suffice.

EVALUATE

Weigh options. Encryption is an effective method of protecting data, says Forrester analyst Paul Stamp. Some courts will excuse a company from …

Effect of alternate irrigation on root-divided foxtail millet (Setaria italica).(Clinical report)

Introduction

Forage crops have important role in protein production and food security. Foxtail millet is one of these crops. This plant is a [C.sub.4] plant and well-adapted to arid and semiarid areas of Iran. Millet has high WUE (Hatfield et al., 2001) and produces high quantity and quality of grains (Heidari Zooleh et al., 2006). Irrigation is an increasingly important practice for sustainable agriculture in semi-arid environment of Iran. Karaj region in Iran is particularly relies on the dwindling ground water resources, so traditional irrigation methods in this region have experienced significant improvements with introduction of new technologies over the years. A new method of irrigation proposed by Kang et al. (1998) is the alternate irrigation system, by which, water is supplied to alternate sides of the plants root system. This method induces some root signals, such as production of Abscisic Acid (ABA) in the xylem to trigger drought responses, reduced stomatal conductence that reduces transpiration rate and photosynthesis to a lesser extent (Sepaskhah and Ahmadi, 2010). Kang et al. (2002) investigated alternate watering in soil vertical profile with pot-grown maize plants and found water consumption fell by between 20% (moderate soil drying) and 40% (severe soil drying) depends on the length of the watering intervals. The response also differed whether the application was based on alternate watering (AW) or drying, on either part of soil column which largely keeps its biomass production under moderate soil drying.

Alternate watering results in higher water use efficiency (WUE), root to shoot ratio, photosynthesis rate, total nutrient uptake (N, K) and crop quality (Kang et al., 1998; Kang et al., 2000; Tang and Zhang, 2005). Water-stressed plants usually have higher water use efficiencies than well-watered plant. The increase in efficiency is due to a larger decrease in plant transpiration, because of decreased green leaf area which probably reduces evaporation from soil (Karam et al., 2003). There is a negatively partial correlation between water stress and plant pigments such as chlorophyll (Abdalla and El-khoshiban, 2007; Zaidi et al., 2008). The water stress can decrease relative water content (RWC) of plant (Siddique et al., 2000; Moussa and Abdel-Aziz, 2008). Webber et al. (2006) found that common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is not well suited to water scarce conditions and alternate furrow irrigation as green gram (Mung bean). So, it should be necessary to test every plant for water stress and alternate irrigation method in different conditions. There are only a few studies about agronomic traits of foxtail millet and its response to partial root zone drying. The main objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate morphological and physiological traits of foxtail millet under partial root zone drying and deficit irrigation (ii) determine the WUE and forage yield of foxtail millet under partial root zone drying and deficit irrigation.

Materials and methods

Plant materials and root division method

The pot experiment was conducted in 2009 at Research Greenhouse, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Engineering, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. Foxtail millet seeds (Setaria italica, cv. KFM9) were planted in 27 pots (20 cm in diameter, 20 cm in depth) on May 7th, 2009. The pots were filled with light loam soil. Seeds were densely sown 1 cm deep but after emergence seedling were thinned to 12 plants per pot. The inside of the pots was divided into two vertical halves separated with a sandy soil layer (3 cm in diameter) covered by thin layer (2-3 mm in diameter) of wax, such that water exchange between the two halves of root system was prevented. This layer can break the capillarity movement of water between two layers of the soil. Seeds were planted at the sandy soil layer. In order to supply nutrients for the seedling at the sandy soil layer, it was nourished with Hogland solution. Plants were initially well-watered and irrigation treatments were only imposed 44 days after sowing.

Experimental design and treatments

The study was involved a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were different irrigation methods and intervals. There were three irrigation intervals: I1: Control, irrigated every 2 days. I2: Mild water stress, Irrigated every 3 days. I3: Sever water stress, irrigated every 4 days. There were three methods of water application, viz: Conventional irrigation (M1): the whole root system was relatively evenly dried. Fixed irrigation (M2): fixed irrigation group, by which, water was always applied to one part of root system during the whole experimental period. Alternate irrigation (M3): watering was alternated between two halves of root system of the same pot. The watered and dried halves of root system were alternately replaced each irrigation interval. Irrigation intervals were determined according to factors such as greenhouse temperature and humidity. At each irrigation event, enough water was allowed to be absorbed by the soil in each pot, and any excess water was allowed to drain. The pots were weighed before and after each irrigation event to determine the water consumption by the plant in each pot (Sivapalan, 2006).

Plant sampling and measurements

Relative water content (RWC) of leaf was estimated according to the method proposed by Turner and Kramer (1980): RWC (%) = (fresh weight - dry weight) / (turgid weight - dry weight). Chlorophyll content was measured using chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502, Minolta, Japan) (Bail et al., 2005). The upmost leaf per plant was selected for measuring RWC and chlorophyll content. Leaf relative water content was measured at 55, 67 and 87 days after sowing. Chlorophyll content was measured at 57, 63 and 86 days after sowing. Water use efficiency was computed as following equation (Viets, 1962):

WUE=forage yield (kg) / water used to produce the yield (lit). Root volume was measured by water volume changes in a graduated cylinder. To estimate root length (R), the roots were spread out on a flat surface (of area A), on which, there were sample lines (total length H), and the number of intersections (N) between roots and lines were counted. Then root length was estimated as following formula (Newman, 1966):

R = [pi]NA/2H, Root surface area was estimated as (Darra and Raghuvanshi, 1999): Root surface area ([cm.sup.2]) = 2[{[root volume, cc] x [pi] x [root length, [cm]}.sup.0.5], Leaf Area (LA) was measured using leaf area meter. LA and Leaf Dry Weight (LDW) were used to calculate Specific Leaf …

Like Iraq, U.S. can use a leader.(Main)

Byline: GEORGE WILL

While leading the hunt for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in the summer of 2003, David Kay received a phone call from Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Dick Cheney's chief of staff, who wanted a particular place searched: "The vice president wants to know if you've looked at this area. We have indications - and here are the geocoordinates - that something's buried there." Kay and his experts located the area on the map. It was in the middle of Lebanon.

This story from Bob Woodward's "State of Denial" would be hilarious were it not about war. The vignette is dismaying because it seems symptomatic of a blinkering monomania that may have prevented …

EDITORIAL: Up at the Downs: The Soap Box Derby enjoys the ride.(Editorial)

Jul. 21--Wayne Alley, longtime fixture at the All-American Soap Box Derby, should happily be eating his 1987 prediction: Soap box racing "won't ever come back as big as it once was." Indeed, for an event absolutely tied to the power of gravity, the All-American Soap Box Derby is rising. The past several years, the race has been attracting more participants. At 518, this year's roster nearly doubles the previous record, set in 1971, of 272. The positive energy exuded at Derby Downs has several sources. Goodyear deserves a great deal of credit for stepping in as the major sponsor in 1998. With that high level of continuing corporate support, other sponsors have come on …

Stubbs leads Reds' romp over Astros

CINCINNATI (AP) — Drew Stubbs homered and drove in four runs to help the Cincinnati Reds stay alive in the race for home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a 9-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday night.

Brandon Phillips and Jonny Gomes homered for the Reds and Bronson Arroyo pitched seven solid innings in his playoff tuneup to keep the Central Division champions two games behind San Francisco in the race to finish with the league's second-best record behind Philadelphia. The Reds and Giants both have three games to play.

Phillips smacked a two-run homer, his 18th, and Gomes added a solo shot in the sixth inning to knock Brett Myers (14-8) out of …

Rubloff unit acquires prime river site

Rubloff Financial Services has gained control of a prime site on thewest bank of the Chicago River between Randolph and Washingtonstreets, and expects to develop it as a corporate headquartersbuilding.

The property is directly across from Morton Thiokol on the eastbank, where Morton has put its building and land up for sale. Asreported in this column last fall, Rubloff Financial was negotiatingfor the west bank site, and the deal recently closed.

The land probably could support at least as large a building asRubloff's 123 N. Wacker, a 28-story, 500,000-square-foot tower twoblocks to the east.

Rubloff Financial, a subsidiary of Rubloff Inc. also is …

Green on the go: instantly get the benefits of a green roof (and have the option of relocating it along with you) by implementing a modular vegetated roof.

As building owners and cities realize the positive impacts of vegetated roofs - both on individual buildings and areas as a whole - the number of green roofing projects is growing.

From Chicago's well-known Millennium Park, a 24.5-acre intensive green roof that was completed in 2004 and designed to conceal a parking structure and transportation infrastructure while providing public green space - including an outdoor music facility and a free culture venue - to more recent and much smaller (less than 200 square feet), extensive green roofing projects on individual university buildings - including examples at Kansas State University, Iowa State University, and Cornell University - green roofs are sprouting up everywhere.

As the projects become more popular and widespread, the methods used to create them become more varied. Traditionally, all components of a green roofing system were individually transported to the rooftop where the system was built in place, which is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Now there are two main options - traditional built in place systems and modular systems.

With modular systems, all key components of the green roofing system are integrated into relatively easily moved and installed trays. They include many of the same benefits as traditional vegetated roofing systems, along with a few additional benefits not provided by these built in place systems.

GIS Giant Goes Green

ESRI Canada, the Canadian component of ESRI, a company focused on …