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Yemen offers cease-fire to Shiite insurgents

A Yemeni security official says the government has offered a unilateral cease-fire to Shiite rebels that is fighting in the north of the country.

The official, assigned to a security body that reports to the president, says the cease-fire takes effect late Friday. He says it is meant to allow medical and food supplies to get to displaced civilians in Saada, …

Owners' Decision to Wait Throws GMs for a Loop

Baseball's general managers were briefed Thursday aboutownership's intention to implement new rules - and its decision towait a week.

It left the general managers in limbo as the business side isput on hold, pending the outcome of more talks next week.

The general managers were as stunned as everyone else whenowners delayed implementing their new economic plan. So instead ofbidding for four-year, right-of-first-refusal free agents today, theywill have to go back to their drawing boards.

In theory, the only business they can do is to re-sign playerswho already belong to them or sign players who will be free agentsunder any system that is agreed …

Rangers 5, Angels 4

…

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Vatican abuse prosecutor warns hell for culprits

The Vatican prosecutor of clerical sex abuse warned perpetrators on Saturday that they would suffer damnation in hell that would be worse than the death penalty.

The Rev. Charles Scicluna, a Maltese priest who is a top official at the Vatican's morality office, led a special "make amends" prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica. The service grew out of a desire by some seminarians in Rome for a day of prayers for the victims of clergy abuse and for the healing of the church's wounds from the scandal over its concealment of abuse.

"It would be really better" for priests who sexually abuse minors that their crimes "cause them …

When Pierre takes charge, Cubs can live large: Leadoff man knows he must help ignite team's intensity

Mark your calendar. The Cubs hook up with the St. Louis Cardinalsagain a week from today. Between now and then -- a stretch thatfeatures road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Los AngelesDodgers -- the Cubs must somehow find their motivation elsewhere.

A Cubs team that looked so October-worthy during a three-gamesweep of the Cardinals last weekend resembled a bunch of pretenderswhile dropping two of three games against the Cincinnati Reds.

"It's frustrating," first baseman Derrek Lee said Thursday afterthe Cubs fell 8-3 to the Reds. "These guys play us tough for somereason. We have to figure out a way to play better against thembecause, to win the …

Action Jackson; Liberty Baptist pastor walks the walk

When the Rev. Darrell L. Jackson, answered God's call to preach the unadulterated gospel, little did he know what great wonders were ahead of him.

Being a third generation pastor of South King Drive's Liberty Baptist Church -- his grandfather, D.Z. Jackson led the church from 1925 to 1950, and his father, A.P. Jackson, was at the helm during the Civil Rights Movement -- Jackson only had one thing in mind.

"'Just do it,' like Nike says," remarked the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary alumnus during an interview in his office.

Jackson, 42, has led Liberty for the past decade, and in that time he has established a number of outreach programs that have extended the …

Bodies of 60 migrants wash up on Yemen's shores

The bodies of 60 African migrants washed up on the shores of southern Yemen over three days, an international aid group said Monday

Migrants from two different groups managed to survive the journey but told the group Medecins Sans Frontieres how their fellow passengers died and eventually washed up on the beach, said the aid group, also known as Doctors without Borders.

After a harrowing two-day trip from the port city of Bosasso in Somalia, smugglers forced one group into the sea as they were approaching the shore because they spotted some lights that made them suspicious.

"Several people did not know how to swim and they drowned," the …

Town double boost as defenders sign

CARMARTHEN Town have signed two defenders as boss Tomi Morganputs the finishing touches to this season's squad.

Craig Hanford returns to the club after a season with Afan Lido,while central defender Steve Berry has signed after spending lastseason in Sweden. In another boost, both Richard Hughes and NickyPalmer have signed new contracts and Town remain in talks withgoalkeeper Michael Lewis.

The highly-rated keeper has been training and playing withNewport County during the summer but it is thought to be keen on areturn to Richmond Park. Lewis was the player of the year andsupporters' player of the year last …

New FBI Guidelines Aim to Curb Abuse

WASHINGTON - The FBI is warning its agents to carefully review all personal data collected from Americans in terror investigations to protect their privacy rights and not to expect the evidence to remain secret.

The warning came in draft FBI guidelines made public Wednesday to be issued to correct abuses of so-called national security letters that were revealed in a Justice Department audit three months ago. The letters allow investigators to subpoena records, without court approval, in terrorism and spy cases.

Under the 24-page guidelines, which are effective immediately, investigators must request specific information - and justify its need - before the demand for data …

Ex-political fundraiser goes on trial in US

Former top Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu used his associations with famous political families like the Clintons and the Kennedys to polish his image and attract investors to his financial frauds, a prosecutor told a jury at the opening of a trial Tuesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rua Kelly showed the jury in Manhattan photographs of the Hong Kong-born Hsu with famous politicians. He also said jurors would hear his former investors describe being pressured by Hsu to make political donations in their names that they would be reimbursed for.

The prosecutor said Hsu used that method to dodge campaign donation laws restricting how much a candidate can receive …

Jordan's Golden Age Is No Time for Blues

Let's say you were one of the lucky ones to whom high school wasespecially kind. You had a wonderful four-year run with all sorts oftriumphs and glories, and just about everybody loved and admired you.

Great. But that was years ago and you've moved on to the restof your life.

Only one problem - nobody wants to let you forget high school.Every day, every hour, somebody tells you how great you were way backwhen. Nobody really cares what you're doing now; you're defined bywhat you used to be.

That's pretty much what life is like for an ex-athlete (unlessyou're somebody like Jack Kemp or Sen. Bill Bradley). You live thehigh life for a relatively short time - …

AP Source: LB Burnett reaches deal with Dolphins

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says veteran linebacker Kevin Burnett has agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins as a replacement for Channing Crowder.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the Dolphins hadn't announced the agreement.

Crowder, a six-year starter for Miami, was …

New York City police seize $4.5M worth of counterfeit merchandise from Queens warehouse

Police say they have confiscated 50,000 pairs of knockoff Nike sneakers and as many as 40,000 counterfeit handbags from a warehouse in Queens.

They say the phony goods are likely from China and have a street value of $4.5 million (euro2.9 million).

There have been no arrests in connection with the Thursday raid.

Along with the sneakers and bags, authorities say they found 5,000 pieces of clothing bearing fake labels for popular brands.

The New York Police Department says it will take eight tractor trailers to haul away the shoes and clothing. The NYPD calls the raid one of the biggest in the city's recent history.

WVU FOOTBALL: ; Allen, Dervik get shot to shine

MORGANTOWN - There was a time when Boogie Allen and Guesly Dervilwere the future of West Virginia's secondary. There also was a time -and a much longer one, in fact - when it seemed that future maynever materialize.

"Sometimes," Dervil said, "things happen. You're put in certainsituations and you have to do something to show everyone who youreally are. It's about working hard and having faith."

As WVU's cornerbacks developed a peculiar habit of chasing afterreceivers in 2006, Allen and Dervil were working on the side waitingtheir chances.

Freshmen from Jacksonville, Fla., who only got to know oneanother as roommates that year, they avoided redshirts and figuredinto the team's plans in the defensive backfield. Both saw the fieldright away on special teams and got to play a little corner as theylearned the college game.

They were on the field together and playing prominent rolesagainst Cincinnati in the ninth game of the season. Dervil started,Allen played. Each had an interception. Dervil started the next gameagainst Pitt and Allen again was used frequently.

Perhaps it was premature to be overly excited, but there were twofreshmen who would one day be sophomores, then juniors andeventually seniors for the WVU pass defense. In college football,that can't be underestimated.

There was excitement, particularly for Dervil, who was a lateaddition to the team after an academic falling-out with Illinois,where he was part of a very good recruiting class.

"It was fun," Dervil said. "These two Florida boys, these twofreshmen, were out there making plays."

Neither started at corner after that. Heck, of the combined 48games the two played the past two seasons, Allen has the only start... and that was in the season opener against Villanova last year -as a safety.

Neither can provide much in the line of an explanation.

"We were young guys and we had a lot of seniors back then," Allensaid. "We had to wait our turn at first. They squeezed us into somethird-down packages and we got to play a good bit and we did allright, but sometimes things happen to you."

Sometimes those things make you think.

"We had to get better," Allen said.

They have, though it's taken time and patience.

"I decided I'd do whatever the team needed," Dervil said. "Iwanted to be a part of a winning team. I told myself that's why Iplay."

As the 2009 season approaches, they are again two very importantplayers as it pertains to WVU's success, though in roles the pastcould not have predicted.

Coaches say Dervil was perhaps most improved offensive ordefensive player from the start of spring practice to the end offall camp. He remains an unheralded special teams standout onkickoff and punt coverage and is a backup cornerback behind KeithTandy, who has one career start.

And when WVU goes to its third-down SWAT package in Saturday'sseason opener against Liberty, Dervil will probably play a safetyposition.

"It's not like when I first got here," Dervil said. "But I'm ateam person. It's not an individual thing with me. I love the game,no matter where I'm playing."

Allen is still a safety and now one of the most versatile playerson defense. He's played all three safety spots and after startinglast season at spur safety could start Saturday at bandit.

Life is different, but they've found something in common.

"The combination of all the things I've been through," Allensaid, "I feel like I'm a more complete player now because of it."

Falcons sign 2 draft picks

The Atlanta Falcons have signed two more draft picks, including third-round pick Christopher Owens, a cornerback.

The Falcons also signed offensive tackle Garrett Reynolds, a fifth-round pick from North Carolina.

Owens had 13 career interceptions as a three-year starter for San Jose State.

Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

On Friday, the team signed another fifth-round pick, cornerback William Middleton, and defensive tackle Vance Walker, their seventh-round selection.

The Falcons also released offensive lineman Renardo Foster and kicker-punter Robbie Dehaze on Tuesday.

New Law Changes Charitable Contributions

NEW YORK - Americans are going to have to keep better records of their charitable contributions if they want to claim them as tax deductions in coming years. Older Americans, meanwhile, will get a break on taxes when they make donations from their Individual Retirement Accounts.

These are among the charitable tax reforms tucked into the huge Pension Protection Act of 2006 that was approved by Congress this summer. Although much of the legislation focuses on keeping workers' pensions safe and fully funded, there are a number of provisions aimed at encouraging charitable giving while, at the same time, tightening reporting requirements.

Diana Aviv, president and chief executive of Independent Sector, a Washington, D.C.-based lobby group for foundations and charitable organizations, said it was too early to assess the impact of the tax changes on charitable giving.

Aviv said there likely would be "a big, overall increase" in donations from IRA accounts by elderly taxpayers. On the other hand, the stricter reporting requirements for contributions of cash and noncash items, such as used clothing, could discourage some other donors, she said.

"It's going to take time to educate people ... and charities about the various alternatives," she said.

One of the most significant changes has to do with tax-free distributions from IRAs for charitable purposes, said Michael S. Lee, a certified financial planner and wealth adviser with William Blair & Company in Chicago.

"When it comes to charitable giving, the biggest buzz is the ability for people over 70 1/2 to make a direct contribution from their IRAs straight to a charity," Lee said. "That shields some of the income tax effects."

In the past, the owner of a traditional IRA would have had to take a distribution from the account and include it in his or her taxable income before making the donation.

IRA owners will be able to make maximum annual contributions of $100,000, although they also could smaller amounts, Lee said.

The limitations are that the donor must be 70 1/2 when making the gift and must contribute the money to a public charity such as the United Way and not to a nonpublic entity such as a donor-advised fund or private foundation, he said.

The IRA provision will be good for only two years, 2006 and 2007, and then will disappear if not extended by Congress, he said.

Aviv of the Independent Sector said charitable groups believe the IRA provision "could generate hundreds of millions of dollars for charities" if the nonprofit groups can get the word out quickly to eligible donors about the tax law change.

The revisions governing cash and noncash contributions will affect the millions of taxpayers who itemize deductions for charitable donations.

Congress said there was rising concern about abusive deductions, especially involving clothing and household goods. It cited Internal Revenue Service statistics indicating that individuals reported noncash donations totaling almost $37 billion in 2003, the most recent year available, with nearly half representing clothing.

Starting immediately, donated items will have to be in "good used condition or better," according to the new law. It remains unclear how this is going to be enforced, since it's unlikely the government can have a monitor at every Salvation Army or Goodwill intake center checking the quality of donations, the tax experts said.

Still, this provision will give the IRS the ability to deny deductions for contributions with minimal monetary value, such as used socks, in audits and other reviews of returns.

Also, in the past, an appraisal was required for any item valued at $5,000 or more; under the new law, an appraisal will be needed for any item valued at $500 or more.

"There may be some donors who don't want to go through the trouble of sorting and assessing," Aviv said. "For those who felt the deduction was the motivation, it could constrain giving."

When it comes to cash contributions, no deduction will be allowed starting in 2007 unless the donor can show a bank record or a written communication from the charity. The document must include the name of the charity, the date of the contribution and the amount.

In the past, consumers needed written acknowledgment from qualified charities only for contributions of $250 or more.

Aviv said that people who in the past gave cash, for example to a weekly church collection, may want to shift to checks, or for larger donations, credit cards, starting next year. That's because the canceled check or bank statement could serve as proof of the donation.

She added that there was concern about the possible burden on charities.

"If you're dealing with a major contribution, writing a receipt is one thing," Aviv said. "But if you're getting thousands of tiny gifts, then it creates a whole burden of expense for the charity."

The nonprofit sector is watching to see what "innovative solutions" there might be for this, such as computer-generated receipt systems, she said.

The IRS currently is reviewing all its tax forms, publications and Internet sites to identify the changes needed for the upcoming tax season, according to spokesman Bruce Friedland.

---

On the Net:

http://www.independentsector.org

http://www.williamblair.com

http://www.irs.gov

Parts regulation is proposed to Delaware

DOVER, Del.-The first state to sign the U.S. Constitution is again striving to be among the country's pathfinders. Delaware joins 20 other states that have proposed bills this year to regulate the use of aftermarket replacement parts.

Introduced by Sen. David P. Sokola, Senate Bill 310 would prohibit insurers from requiring repairers and vehicle owners to install non-original-equipment-manufacturer (non-OEM) parts on vehicles still covered by factory and extended warranties. The proposal would also forbid insurers from directing policyholders and claimants to specific glass repair and replacement facilities. "It's one more state moving in the right direction," says Bob Redding, Washington representative for the Automotive Service Association (ASA).

If the bill is passed in its current form, vehicle owners could authorize the use of non-OEM parts, but they would have to give written permission before the work began. Aftermarket parts used would have to equal their OEM counterparts in fit, quality, performance and warranty. "It's one more added to a very small number of states that requires informed written consent by the insured, and that's what's critical," Redding says. "I didn't know until I looked that I had to use replacement crash parts if the insurer wanted me to. You just don't realize what you're signing up for. You're looking at that premium cost."

Although the bill originally encompassed collision and mechanical replacement parts, Sokola introduced an amendment to strike mechanical parts from the legislation. That segment of the industry doesn't support regulation efforts on its behalf because problems with mechanical replacement parts are not as commonplace as they are in the collision industry, Redding says.

Benefits from a regulatory law would extend beyond claims negotiations and repair jobs. Aftermarket governing would force shop owners to become educators who must inform consumers of their repair rights and options, thereby enhancing the image of the collision repair industry. "For the first time, shop owners [would] be put in the position of supplying information and education to the consumer about the repair," Redding says. "It's an increased educator role and puts us more in the position of informing the consumer and teaching the consumer, and I think it will heighten our image." For consumers, the knowledge they take from one educational repair experience will assist them the next time they are involved in an accident, when they change insurance companies or when a move takes them to another state or region.

Sokola introduced the legislation at the request of a constituent, basing the piece on a model bill and adapting it to Delaware. "We want it to be a consumer information and consumer choice issue," he says. "I think a consumer ought to know the difference ... The parts by federal law still do have to be honored as far as warranty, but the warranty is one thing and inconvenience is another. If you have a part under warranty but have to keep going back because of fit or finish problems, you're inconvenienced."

As of press time, the bill was in the Senate Judiciary committee. The senator is hoping to set a date soon for a committee hearing. He explains that the proposal has been buried beneath a host of educational issues stirring in the state, which dominated most of the legislators' time. When the issue finally reaches hearing status, Sokola expects organized opposition from the state's insurance industry.

Protests from Insurers

The Alliance of American Insurers (AAI) could be among those protesting. AAI dislikes parts regulation legislation, says Kirk Hansen, director of claims for the Schaumburg, III.-based group. Instead of supporting the use of factory parts, the association promotes the use of parts approved by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA).

"Factory parts are three times more expensive than CAPA parts, and when a CAPA part comes out, all of a sudden the manufacturer reduces the [factory part] price," Hansen says. For example, a 1997 Ford that sold for about $18,985 last year would cost more than $72,250 if built from OEM parts, the association says.

"It's kind of like supply and demand," he adds. "When there's competition, it brings down the price of even the factory parts. That benefits everybody. Even if you don't use aftermarket parts, to prohibit their use is to drive up the cost for everybody." -By Angi Semler

There's no urban decay on 'Sesame Street': PBS children's mainstay beginning 35th season

NEW YORK - Here's a kids show that still boasts plenty of streetcred.

Now beginning its 35th season, "Sesame Street" remains a dailydestination for millions of preschoolers, an evergreen cityscape asmuch a part of their world as any other play space.

It's been that way for generations of kids, as any of the show'sestimated 74 million "grads" will recall from "Sesame StreetPresents: The Street We Live On." This retrospective airs on WVPBS at8 p.m. Sunday, then serves as the season opener at 11 a.m. Monday.

Even if you haven't caught "Sesame Street" since around the timeit premiered Nov. 10, 1969, you will be struck by how things seemmuch like you left them. The Muppets; the diverse community ofhumans; the letters and numbers that "sponsor" each hour.

Even parts of the 'hood are the same, notably the set for thebrownstone apartment building at 123 Sesame St. (as it exists onStage G at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens). Now nearly 35 yearsold, it should qualify for landmark status.

Clearly "Sesame Street" was designed for the ages by the "urbanplanners" at the upstart Children's Television Workshop (now renamedSesame Workshop). But the era that gave rise to "Sesame Street"remains part of its culture.

A telling trace lives on in the theme song: "Sunny day,everything's A-OK." Popularized by pioneers of the U.S. spaceprogram, the term A-OK is as identified with the 1960s as grannyglasses and tie-dye jeans.

Today, after 4,057 episodes, more than 8 million viewers tune inat least once a week. The show remains a top 10 weekday program amongchildren aged 2 to 5, with its preschool audience up 9 percent in2002-03 from the season before.

Michael Jackson latest to get the Cirque treatment

DETROIT (AP) — Michael Jackson long has been intertwined with the Beatles and Elvis Presley.

In addition to his standing as a fellow all-time, chart-topping music legend, the late King of Pop also owned a substantial share of the publishing rights to the Beatles' back catalog, and he married Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie.

Now, Jackson is being mentioned with the Fab Four and The King for yet another reason: his life and music are being celebrated as theirs were with a Cirque du Soleil show.

"Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" made its U.S. debut Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, only a handful of miles away from the old Motown Records headquarters where Jackson got his start as a member of The Jackson 5.

And like "The Beatles Love" and "Viva Elvis" shows, the two-hour Jackson-themed performance is designed to give audience members the flair and showmanship of Cirque coupled with the flair and showmanship of a Michael Jackson concert.

"Michael was a performer that was not just music. He was dance. He was cinema. He had a humanitarian side," said Kevin Antunes, the "Immortal" show's musical designer. "So, you can take all of that and put it all into the show. That's where I think the difference is."

The eye-popping, high-wire acrobatics and elaborate costuming that are a hallmark of any Cirque show are of course present, but there are a multitude of Jackson-specific touches.

Oversized versions of his signature accessories — glove and penny loafers — come to life during a rocking version of "Beat It," and airborne performers wearing LED suits light up the darkened arena to the strains of "Human Nature."

Jackson's best-known and loved dance moves are all there, too.

The Cirque performers do the patented "Smooth Criminal" lean-forward during a noir-ish, gangster-themed segment, and the first half of the show concludes with a rousing performance of "Thriller," which features the famous zombie boogie from the video in a Cirqued-up graveyard.

And of course, the moonwalk is represented, not only on stage, but on the massive video screens behind it, where footage of the man himself is displayed throughout the show.

In Detroit, Jackson's likeness drew a hearty ovation the first time it appeared. One woman loudly squealed: "We love you, Michael!"

The show's writer/director, Jamie King, knows a thing or two about Jackson, having started his music career as a backup dancer on the 1990s "Dangerous" tour. King says he "really wanted to create something that Michael would be proud of."

"It's not a biography-type show. It's really an artistic interpretation of Michael's life — Michael the man, Michael the artist," King said. "With Cirque on board, we already know it's going to be magical. With Michael's songs and what Michael stood for, it's already going to be huge."

That's where Antunes comes in.

Antunes, a longtime musical director and digital audio programmer who has worked in various capacities for artists ranging from Madonna and Justin Timberlake to Aerosmith and Jackson's sister, Janet, was given unique access to the pop legend's original multi-track master recordings and charged by King to create the musical backdrop for the show.

He spent a year re-designing and re-imagining dozens of Jackson's greatest original recordings. The result is Jackson's remixed vocals set to the music of a live band.

Epic Records on Nov. 21 will release "Immortal," which comes as both a double CD version or as a single disc. The double-disc offering features 37 tracks in all, condensing more than 40 of Jackson's greatest original recordings into a compilation that allows listeners to experience his music in a new way.

The album's music consists of remixed/remastered studio recordings, not live, and contains newly discovered outtakes such as alternate take on the Jackson 5's "ABC" and a vocals from a choir that Jackson recorded for "They Don't Really Care About Us."

And just as the Beatles and Elvis shows found a home in Vegas, so will "Immortal," which is to stop for several weeks in December at the Mandalay Bay Arena as part of the tour schedule. It will be accompanied by a special "Fan Fest" experience. Eventually, a new and different Michael Jackson-themed show will be created by Cirque du Soleil and take up permanent residence at the Mandalay Bay Theatre in Las Vegas. That show is being created now and is to open in 2013.

The tour will be in London, Ontario, and Toronto later this week. The next U.S. date is in Seattle next month. The show has performances scheduled through July 2012 with additional dates to be added. Following the North American leg, the tour will move to Europe.

Antunes said Jackson fans won't be disappointed.

"There's majestic, joyous moments, and then there's moments that make you remember when Michael was a kid and he was singing with his brothers and it brings tears to your eyes," he said. "You're filled with so much wonder and enjoyment with the theatrics that Cirque brings to the table.

"It's really incredible."

___

Online:

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/michael-jackson-tour/default.aspx

___

AP Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody in New York contributed to this report. Follow Mike Householder at http://twitter.com/mikehouseholder

Rabin Believes Attack on Lebanon Saved Peace Process

JERUSALEM His critics call him an apostle of overkill, but Israel'sundaunted Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin apparently believes that hisforces' remorseless bombing and shelling of southern Lebanon actuallysaved the Middle East peace process.

Despite the heavy Lebanese death toll, the massive damageincurred by dozens of towns and villages suspected of harboringmilitant Shiite Hezbollah guerrillas and the panic exodus of 350,000of their inhabitants, the political consequences are being toutedhere as constructive and beneficial. The most promising of these issaid to be the new channel of communication opened up with thediligent help of Secretary of State Warren Christopher amongJerusalem, Damascus and Beirut.

This not only led to the unwritten military understandings thatmade a cease-fire possible, but also proved that the three respectivegovernments share mutual interests and concerns that take precedenceover the Islamic fundamentalists' ideologically motivated actions.

Like its mentor, Iran, Hezbollah opposes the peace talks withIsrael and seeks to undermine them by fomenting military clashesdesigned to draw Israeli fire and turn the potential peacemakers intobelligerents again.

For Christopher, the timing was perfect. It enabled him toconduct his current Middle East shuttle as the indispensiblearchitect of the fragile, but effective, cease-fire who enjoys theconfidence and respect of all the major players - Rabin, LebanesePrime Minister Rafik Hariri and Syrian President Hafez Assad. At thesame time, the subtle behind-the-scenes diplomacy in which Iran wasan officially unnamed (but operationally essential) participantdemonstrated that the Tehran regime cannot be overlooked or ignoredin the contemporary Middle Eastern context.

Some observers contend that Iran's consent to restrain itsHezbollah proxies was prompted by a furtive desire to improve itsstanding in future negotiations with thme United States. But if Iranretreated from the brink mainly because Syria preferred tosynchronize its policies with Washington rather than Tehran andthereby bolster its chances of eventually retrieving the occupiedGolan Heights from Israel, then the big winner of this complicatedmaneuver is President Assad.

The Syrian leader now is in a better position to lodge histerritorial claim than before the Israeli showdown with the Hezbollahmilitia. And by the same token, Rabin, who demonstrated hisreadiness to unleash the full fury of Israel's air power andartillery can argue that his proven commitment to Israel's securitygives him a mandate to make territorial concessions in the GolanHeights.

That is Israel's rationale for regarding its "OperationReckoning" as a boon to the peace process. The demurral expressedby "a senior official traveling with the secretary of state"(presumably a euphemism for Christopher himself) to the effect thatit was detrimental if not lethal may merely have been motivated moreby the "even-handedness" professed by U.S. diplomacy.

Jay Bushinsky writes on the Middle East.

Form Fluidly Follows Function

In the fast-changing pharmaceutical industry, adaptable planning provides a competitive edge.

Last year's catastrophic flu vaccine shortage and escalating congressional debate over drug safety continue to shine the spotlight on biotech product manufacturing. A constant balance must be achieved between cost-conscious drug development, pressure to meet quality, FDA-approved biotech products, and development of new treatments to meet patient needs, according to Jill Wechsler's "Regulatory Beat" column found in the June 2005 issue of BioPharm International.

To ensure patient access to consistently high-quality biotech therapies, the Center for Biological Evaluation and Research (CBER) sponsored a workshop on opportunities for collaboration with industry and other stakeholders in October of 2004 under the FDA's "Critical Path" initiative. Through this collaborative approach, CBER officials emphasize and encourage the value of discussing critical manufacturing issues with sponsors early in the clinical-development process, especially for companies considering novel methods for scale-up, product sampling, manufacturing-process control, or compliance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs).

To remain a contender in the highly competitive field of biopharm development, CBER's message is clear: plan early and often. On the design side, form must follow function to remain profitable. Form must be consistently fluid in laboratory biotech development as function evolves throughout product development and production.

Because some products rapidly become blockbusters and others fizzle and are abruptly pulled from the market, pharmaceutical laboratories - whether for research, development, pilot or manufacturing - should be built with flexibility to fluctuate with the current product. Planning for 10 or even five years ahead can leave a laboratory sluggish in its ability to adapt to current market demands.

Design should be driven by the present operation, equipment, and infrastructure. At the same time, the laboratory owner must try to identify trends and design to accommodate processes for the future. The following are some best practices that planners at HDR, Inc. have found to help keep labs in the game.

RESEARCH LABS

The nature of the research will typically dictate the lab functions, whether chemistry, biology, or both. Providing a modular design is the most cost-effective design practice at this stage to allow future lab conversions and/or expansions.

Adding to the design complexity, lines often become blurred between research, development, pilot and manufacturing labs. While processes at each stage may be similar, the protocols involved are different, and typically are less stringent in the early stages.

Experts recommend beginning with research-quality design, and to incorporate protocols as early in the process as possible. As research advances and moves into the development stage, the facility is prepared to incorporate all required equipment and support systems.

DEVELOPMENT LABS

At this stage, it is recommended to tailor the design of the space to a particular project to gain efficiency. A development laboratory's objectives are defined more closely, and it may perform small-scale manufacturing; therefore, it must meet higher regulatory criteria than a research lab. However, this stage continues to be highly volatile. If a potential product is considered ineffective or not feasible in development, the lab's next project can be extremely different from the current one, and the lab must be rapidly adaptable for the next project.

It is best to build in sufficient flexibility to permit a change-out of equipment and space for infrastructure that supports the new systems. Designs should include:

* Modular casework, movable benches, or benches on wheels

* Demountable walls to adjust total area required for projects

* Appropriately sized space and adaptive infrastructure. Design for a basic utility load, but anticipate increased electrical loads, process gases, and plumbing. Interstitial space is ideal, but may be economically prohibitive. At the minimum, include higher floor-to-floor space to accommodate adjustments.

MANUFACTURING LAB

A manufacturing lab may perform the same or similar duties as a development lab. However, it typically:

* Is larger in size to accommodate distribution

* Must support more intensive use, i.e., 24/7 operations

* Requires increased redundancy in utility infrastructure

* Adjacencies are particularly important in manufacturing because efficiency is critical. Yet, for economic reasons, manufacturing facilities tend to be stand alone operations. Development staff, however, often perform troubleshooting during initial manufacturing. Thus, situating a manufacturing facility near development laboratories has the potential to provide crucial time-saving efficiencies.

OVERALL BEST PRACTICES

Several overreaching best practices hold throughout the life cycle of a lab:

* Best Practice: Design plug-and-play technology. From research to manufacturing, the gradual, constant evolution toward automation is a driver for flexible design. Designing plug-and-play systems is optimal for providing the ability to replace equipment and add or relocate utilities.

* Best Practice: Identify lab protocols early for eventual cGMP-readiness. The sooner a research lab assimilates protocols and procedures that will be required at future phases, the fewer missteps, the shorter the learning curve for clinicians and the faster the product gets to market. Use of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) is highly recommended in standardizing work patterns and regulating processes. LIMS often are credited with streamlining the process for achieving cGMP status.

* Best Practice: Segregate mechanical/electical/plumbing systems. Follow strict segregation of aircirculation systems between research and other facilities. Otherwise, the space may not be cGMP-compliant when converting to manufacturing, and validation may be time-consuming and costly to attain.

THE HUMAN ELEMENT

* Best Practice: Plan activities and spaces to bring people together. Scientists tend to have isolated work habits. Introduce a central informal gathering space, a "fellow's room," or a theme lunch to create a vehicle for social interaction among researchers and scientists. A room with shared workstations may increase exchanges of information among and across disciplines.

* Best Practice: Create stress-free spaces. In some labs, protocols can be so strict that the physical environment can be sterile and stressful for staff who must occupy them for long periods of time. Include comforting areas and amenities such as natural lighting, nature views, comfortable furnishings, coffee bar, vending machines/magazines/newspapers, bulletin board, an audio/music sound system, decorative artwork, and a video/entertainment system. Also, if part of a larger facility, it may be a good idea to incorporate cafeteria food service. In other words, a place to socialize and daydream that allows researchers to break away from their work can help to renew creativity.

CONCLUSION

Over- and under-designed laboratories lead to inefficiencies and increased costs. It is important to design for current processes but to also anticipate future needs - and to build in flexibility to adapt quickly to unanticipated circumstances. On the surface, processes may be similar, but protocols actually may be different. Through collaboration, as CBER recommends, and through identifying the protocols early in the process, pharmaceutical laboratories can deliver consistently high-quality products and maintain their competitive edge. Most importantly, form must fluidly follow function in the fast-changing, fiercely competitive biopharmaceutical world.

[Author Affiliation]

Mr. Farach is a laboratory/facility planner for HDK, Inc., 8404 Indian Hills Drive, Omaha, NE 68114, Tel: 916.817.4700, Fax: 916.817.4747, martin.farach@hdrinc.com, Clarence Lind, MBA, AIA, is a project manager for HDR, Inc., 402.399.1345, Clarence.Lind@hdrinc.com.

Hawkins named chief of Meteorological Services Division for National Weather Service

The director of NOAA' s National Weather Service has named long-time NOAA employee Jamison S. Hawkins as director of the Services Division in the NWS Office of Meteorology. He is replacing Richard Przywarty, who has moved on to become the weather service's Alaska regional director.

"Jamie's years with NOAA give him the experience and judgment to effectively fill this important position," said John J. Kelly, director of the National Weather Service. "Now that we have reached the pinnacle in our modernization of the weather service, improving operations and services will be of increasing importance. I am confident that Jamie will be a strong leader in the agency's drive to improve products and services in the new century."

Hawkins began his 21 -year career with NOAA as a satellite meteorologist. Recently, he has been serving in NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, involved with meteorological, oceanographic, and solar environment requirements analyses for future satellite systems. He was the codeveloper of the real-time satellite image distribution service of the NOAA Coast Watch Program in 1989. He also received the 1993 NOAA Administrator's Award for leading the development of an innovative computer system to process satellite images for the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), a high-tech interactive weather computer and communications system that allows NWS forecasters the ability to access and integrate information from other tools such as satellite imagery, Doppler radar data, automated weather observations, and computer-generated numerical forecasts, to produce more timely and better forecasts.

"I feel as though I am returning to my first loveweather," said Hawkins, adding, "The Office of Meteorology brings together the people, the science, and the technology resources that will enable us to make the best weather service in the world even more responsive to our customers. I'm inspired by that goal."

The Office of Meteorology's Services Division manages the primary short-term weather forecast and warning products and services provided to the public and the media, and to the aviation, marine, and fire weather customer communities. The office oversees all the critical warning and forecast programs of the NWS regional offices and works to advance and promote the short-term critical warnings and forecast information needed to protect the safety of life and property and to enhance the national economy.

Coastal protesters to link hands against spills

In a grass-roots movement inspired by the 1980s Hands Across America human chain effort, beachgoers in 30 states and nearly a dozen countries plan to join hands this month to form symbolic barriers to protect the shoreline from oil spills.

The Hands Across The Sand movement started in February in Florida, before the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster off Louisiana created America's worst oil spill.

On June 26, people will stand up and hold hands for 15 minutes to form human chains.

They will also pledge to take steps to conserve energy in their lives and let elected officials know they oppose offshore oil drilling.

"Our collective message is `no' to offshore oil and `yes' to clean energy," said Dave Rauschkolb, a restaurateur and surfer on the Florida gulf coast who organized the first such protest in February. "People in California will be metaphorically holding hands with people in Florida and Virginia and New Jersey."

Events include nearly 70 in Florida and 30 in California, and one at a Colorado reservoir.

Last fall, Rauschkolb started thinking of ways to oppose offshore oil drilling when the Florida legislature was considering a measure to allow oil drilling near the coast.

"I had previously said we have to draw a line in the sand, and then it hit me. I said, 'I know what we have to do!'"

The first event, before the Gulf oil disaster, drew about 10,000 Floridians.

"My wife will tell you I always like to be right, but this is one thing I wish I was wrong about," he said.

The campaign is set up to let local groups and individuals organize their own events, and hundreds have done so already. As of Wednesday, nearly 200 events are scheduled on beaches from coast to coast and inland.

Other events are planned in Norway, England, France, Portugal, the Bahamas and Canada.

"We are all frustrated and angry with what is happening in the gulf and may feel powerless, but together we will stand up for the environment and join hands to show our unity against offshore drilling, and create a barrier to say that our beaches and our oceans should be protected," said Jeff Tittel, director of the Sierra Club of New Jersey, where nine events are scheduled.

Cindy Zipf, executive director of the New Jersey-based Clean Ocean Action group, said participants will promise to make changes in their daily lives to save energy and reduce the country's dependence on oil.

"As we watch in rapt horror at the suffering living-dead marine life coated in molasses-like toxic oil, we must be moved to act now," she said. "To start, we can stand together, join hands in solidarity to support our community in the Gulf of Mexico. Then, vow to wage a personal 'war against oil,' oppose offshore drilling, and put conservation and efficiency first."

The campaign drew its inspiration from the May 1986 Hands Across America event in which an estimated 5.5 million people linked hands and pledged money to fight hunger and homelessness.

Protests are planned in Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

___

Online:

http://handsacrossthesand.org

Dallas has no interest in McNown

The Bears continued efforts to trade quarterback Cade McNown onTuesday, phoning Dallas owner Jerry Jones shortly after the Cowboysreleased Tony Banks, according to league sources. But Jones rejecteda proposal and is content to stick with rookie Quincy Carter.

The sources said Jones, who also serves as the Cowboys' generalmanger, is so convinced that Carter will pan out that he doesn't wanta "name'' player like McNown to be a rallying point for fans shouldthe rookie struggle. Banks, who signed a one-year, $500,000 deal inthe offseason, was regarded as a transitional starter after 11 yearsof Troy Aikman and was not in the team's long-term plan.

McNown, who comes with a cap-friendly base salary of $389,000,would be a cheaper option, but he is now regarded as a developmentalplayer.

The Washington Post reported that the Redskins rejected a proposedtrade Monday. A league source said Bears general manager Jerry Angelois reluctant to trade McNown to an NFC Central team and rebuffedinterest from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. That wouldleave Kansas City and Miami in the mix, but the Dolphins are withouttwo picks in next year's draft, their second- and sixth-roundselections. They likely would offer the Bears a conditional seventh-round pick that would be no more than a fifth-rounder.

Israel decides against trying terror suspect

Israel dropped its request for the extradition of an Islamic leaderit accuses of terrorism, saying Thursday that prosecuting him wouldonly worsen Israeli-Palestinian relations. Mousa Abu Marzook,political chief of the militant group Hamas, has been in U.S. custodyin New York since July, 1995.Albanian cops take gunsPolice seized submachine guns and ammunition from homes around theU.S. Embassy in Tirana, Albania, on Thursday to halt gunfire that hitseveral cars in the compound overnight. A U.S. diplomat said Marinestraced the origin of some of the gunfire and helped Albanian police.Chunnel safety plansHoping to resume full service by June, Channel Tunnel operatorspromised tougher truck inspections and new safety measures Thursdayto prevent a repeat of November's truck fire. The blaze closed the31-mile undersea link between England and France for more than twoweeks.

Youth opera cash [Edition 4]

LLANDOVERY Town Council has donated Pounds 100 to CarmarthenYouth Opera.

The group attracts budding actors from across the county,including Llandovery. The youth opera's latest production is aperformance of the musical The Sound Of Music, which is set to takeplace in Carmarthen this month.

Medvedev says Russia must avoid stagnation

MOSCOW (AP) — President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday rejected claims that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's imminent return to the presidency would further strengthen authoritarian trends in Russia and take the country back to its Soviet past.

Putin's decision to run in March's presidential election has drawn widespread warnings of a repetition of the late Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev's 18-year rule, known for the political and economic stagnation that set the stage for the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

"The analogies are lame, they make no sense," Medvedev said during a meeting with supporters. "We are living in another country, we aren't the same and we have another social and economic order."

Medvedev said, however, that Russia must remember its past and warned that "any stagnation is unacceptable." Russia needs to "gradually but steadfastly move forward," he said.

He promised a gathering of officials, businessmen, journalists and cultural figures that many of them could get government jobs if he and Putin swap places after the presidential vote as they have agreed.

Medvedev said he wants to form a Cabinet that would encourage stronger feedback from society and engage in broader dialogue with civil activists.

Putin's 2000-2008 presidency saw a rollback in post-Soviet freedoms and an increase of the state's influence on the economy. He has remained Russia's most powerful politician after moving into the nominally No. 2 job of premier due to term limits.

Medvedev's decision to step aside to let his mentor reclaim the presidency has disappointed many Russian liberals who had been heartened by his pledges to strengthen the rule of law, combat graft and make the political system more democratic. Wednesday's meeting, like a similar event over the weekend, was clearly aimed at assuaging the middle class's nervousness about Putin's comeback.

Medvedev admitted that Russia's democratic institutions still need strengthening, and said he would champion further reforms if he becomes prime minister. He also said Russia would keep friendly ties with other countries, adding that it would need their help to boost its economy.

"We won't be able to conduct modernization without help and support from other nations," Medvedev said. "The Iron Curtain never helped anyone, and concepts of autonomous development led into a deadlock."

Medvedev wrapped up the three-hour meeting by urging his supporters to keep up their efforts to change Russia.

"There is no one else who can do this," he said. "The number of political forces in our country is limited, and those who are really capable of governing can be counted."

Under Putin and Medvedev's leadership, political decision-making has been concentrated in their hands, and independent and opposition politicians have been sidelined.

Melvin Departs O's For Rangers' GM Job; Baltimore Set to Resume Search for Manager

Doug Melvin, an assistant general manager with the BaltimoreOrioles for the past seven years, yesterday was named generalmanager of the Texas Rangers.

Meanwhile, Orioles officials said the club's four-membermanagerial search committee likely will meet today and work towardcompiling a list of two or three finalists to submit to majorityowner Peter Angelos. Cleveland Indians pitching coach Phil Reganprobably will be one of those finalists, but Regan apparently couldbecome a candidate for the Rangers' managerial job if Texasdismisses Kevin Kennedy.

Also, team sources said that Melvin's hiring could delay theOrioles' planned front-office reshuffling. In part to alleviate thelogjam between assistant general managers Melvin and Frank Robinson,the Orioles had planned to elevate General Manager Roland Hemond tovice chairman for baseball operations and promote Robinson togeneral manager soon after they hire a manager.

But, sources said, that may not happen now. Hemond has a yearremaining on his contract, and the front-office configuration may bekept intact until after the 1995 season.

Melvin, 42, long has been considered one of baseball'sgeneral-managers-in-waiting, but he fell out of favor with Angeloslast winter. In December, with Hemond and Robinson away and Melvinrunning the front office, the Orioles had to make a decision aboutwhether to offer reliever Gregg Olson a contract. Melvin said theyshould. Angelos - acting upon the recommendations of doctors, whoindicated the pitcher's ailing right elbow wouldn't hold up -decided they shouldn't. Angelos proved to be correct, for Olson hada disastrous 1994 season with the Atlanta Braves.

But Melvin was right more often than not during his tenure withthe Orioles. He rebuilt the organization's minor league system afterbeing named director of player personnel in 1987, nearly two yearsafter joining the team as a special assistant to former owner EdwardBennett Williams. He'd spent the previous six years in the New YorkYankees' front office.

"I'm excited," Melvin said last night from his new office atThe Ballpark in Arlington. "There were many times I thought thiswould never happen for me. I used to think the situation inBaltimore would be ideal for me, behind Roland. I thought thetransition would be smooth. Then, at the end, it didn't look likethat would happen."

Melvin picked his words carefully when asked about the finalstages of his Orioles tenure, saying: "It was a little bit tough. Iwished it would have been better. I wish we'd have been able tocomplete the job there."

Melvin, who spent six seasons as a pitcher in the PittsburghPirates' and Yankees' minor league systems, was given a three-yearcontract.

"Doug's dedicated, and he knows the game," Hemond said. "He'sready to do an outstanding job for Texas."

As recently as last fall, Melvin seemed to be in line to becomethe Orioles' general manager. Angelos even hinted publicly that heplanned to make Hemond a vice chairman and give the generalmanager's job to Melvin. But Angelos delayed the decision, andMelvin fell into disfavor. By this fall, it was clear Melvin was onhis way out of the organization, one way or another. He was excludedfrom the search for a new manager, and he interviewed for the St.Louis Cardinals' general manager's job.

Melvin inherits a Rangers team that has not won a championshipof any kind, but was in first place in the American League West -despite a record of 52-62 - when the players' strike ended the 1994season. Longtime general manager Tom Grieve lost his job, andKennedy could be next. If so, the candidates for a replacement couldinclude Regan, former Orioles manager Johnny Oates and OaklandAthletics Manager Tony La Russa - if he rejects a contract extensionwith the Athletics when he returns this week from a vacation.

As for the Orioles' managerial quest, the team's searchcommittee - Hemond, Robinson, vice chairman of business and financeJoe Foss and Russ Smouse, an attorney in Angelos's firm - completedits first round of interviews Friday, then spent about 45 minutesdeliberating. Those talks probably will continue today, Foss andHemond said. The favorites appear to be Regan, Cincinnati RedsManager Davey Johnson, and Los Angeles Dodgers minor league managerRick Dempsey.

The second round of interviews probably will begin this week andif La Russa remains with the A's rather than making himself, ineffect, a managerial free agent - the Orioles likely will name a newmanager next week.

Melvin Departs O's For Rangers' GM Job; Baltimore Set to Resume Search for Manager

Doug Melvin, an assistant general manager with the BaltimoreOrioles for the past seven years, yesterday was named generalmanager of the Texas Rangers.

Meanwhile, Orioles officials said the club's four-membermanagerial search committee likely will meet today and work towardcompiling a list of two or three finalists to submit to majorityowner Peter Angelos. Cleveland Indians pitching coach Phil Reganprobably will be one of those finalists, but Regan apparently couldbecome a candidate for the Rangers' managerial job if Texasdismisses Kevin Kennedy.

Also, team sources said that Melvin's hiring could delay theOrioles' planned front-office reshuffling. In part to alleviate thelogjam between assistant general managers Melvin and Frank Robinson,the Orioles had planned to elevate General Manager Roland Hemond tovice chairman for baseball operations and promote Robinson togeneral manager soon after they hire a manager.

But, sources said, that may not happen now. Hemond has a yearremaining on his contract, and the front-office configuration may bekept intact until after the 1995 season.

Melvin, 42, long has been considered one of baseball'sgeneral-managers-in-waiting, but he fell out of favor with Angeloslast winter. In December, with Hemond and Robinson away and Melvinrunning the front office, the Orioles had to make a decision aboutwhether to offer reliever Gregg Olson a contract. Melvin said theyshould. Angelos - acting upon the recommendations of doctors, whoindicated the pitcher's ailing right elbow wouldn't hold up -decided they shouldn't. Angelos proved to be correct, for Olson hada disastrous 1994 season with the Atlanta Braves.

But Melvin was right more often than not during his tenure withthe Orioles. He rebuilt the organization's minor league system afterbeing named director of player personnel in 1987, nearly two yearsafter joining the team as a special assistant to former owner EdwardBennett Williams. He'd spent the previous six years in the New YorkYankees' front office.

"I'm excited," Melvin said last night from his new office atThe Ballpark in Arlington. "There were many times I thought thiswould never happen for me. I used to think the situation inBaltimore would be ideal for me, behind Roland. I thought thetransition would be smooth. Then, at the end, it didn't look likethat would happen."

Melvin picked his words carefully when asked about the finalstages of his Orioles tenure, saying: "It was a little bit tough. Iwished it would have been better. I wish we'd have been able tocomplete the job there."

Melvin, who spent six seasons as a pitcher in the PittsburghPirates' and Yankees' minor league systems, was given a three-yearcontract.

"Doug's dedicated, and he knows the game," Hemond said. "He'sready to do an outstanding job for Texas."

As recently as last fall, Melvin seemed to be in line to becomethe Orioles' general manager. Angelos even hinted publicly that heplanned to make Hemond a vice chairman and give the generalmanager's job to Melvin. But Angelos delayed the decision, andMelvin fell into disfavor. By this fall, it was clear Melvin was onhis way out of the organization, one way or another. He was excludedfrom the search for a new manager, and he interviewed for the St.Louis Cardinals' general manager's job.

Melvin inherits a Rangers team that has not won a championshipof any kind, but was in first place in the American League West -despite a record of 52-62 - when the players' strike ended the 1994season. Longtime general manager Tom Grieve lost his job, andKennedy could be next. If so, the candidates for a replacement couldinclude Regan, former Orioles manager Johnny Oates and OaklandAthletics Manager Tony La Russa - if he rejects a contract extensionwith the Athletics when he returns this week from a vacation.

As for the Orioles' managerial quest, the team's searchcommittee - Hemond, Robinson, vice chairman of business and financeJoe Foss and Russ Smouse, an attorney in Angelos's firm - completedits first round of interviews Friday, then spent about 45 minutesdeliberating. Those talks probably will continue today, Foss andHemond said. The favorites appear to be Regan, Cincinnati RedsManager Davey Johnson, and Los Angeles Dodgers minor league managerRick Dempsey.

The second round of interviews probably will begin this week andif La Russa remains with the A's rather than making himself, ineffect, a managerial free agent - the Orioles likely will name a newmanager next week.

Melvin Departs O's For Rangers' GM Job; Baltimore Set to Resume Search for Manager

Doug Melvin, an assistant general manager with the BaltimoreOrioles for the past seven years, yesterday was named generalmanager of the Texas Rangers.

Meanwhile, Orioles officials said the club's four-membermanagerial search committee likely will meet today and work towardcompiling a list of two or three finalists to submit to majorityowner Peter Angelos. Cleveland Indians pitching coach Phil Reganprobably will be one of those finalists, but Regan apparently couldbecome a candidate for the Rangers' managerial job if Texasdismisses Kevin Kennedy.

Also, team sources said that Melvin's hiring could delay theOrioles' planned front-office reshuffling. In part to alleviate thelogjam between assistant general managers Melvin and Frank Robinson,the Orioles had planned to elevate General Manager Roland Hemond tovice chairman for baseball operations and promote Robinson togeneral manager soon after they hire a manager.

But, sources said, that may not happen now. Hemond has a yearremaining on his contract, and the front-office configuration may bekept intact until after the 1995 season.

Melvin, 42, long has been considered one of baseball'sgeneral-managers-in-waiting, but he fell out of favor with Angeloslast winter. In December, with Hemond and Robinson away and Melvinrunning the front office, the Orioles had to make a decision aboutwhether to offer reliever Gregg Olson a contract. Melvin said theyshould. Angelos - acting upon the recommendations of doctors, whoindicated the pitcher's ailing right elbow wouldn't hold up -decided they shouldn't. Angelos proved to be correct, for Olson hada disastrous 1994 season with the Atlanta Braves.

But Melvin was right more often than not during his tenure withthe Orioles. He rebuilt the organization's minor league system afterbeing named director of player personnel in 1987, nearly two yearsafter joining the team as a special assistant to former owner EdwardBennett Williams. He'd spent the previous six years in the New YorkYankees' front office.

"I'm excited," Melvin said last night from his new office atThe Ballpark in Arlington. "There were many times I thought thiswould never happen for me. I used to think the situation inBaltimore would be ideal for me, behind Roland. I thought thetransition would be smooth. Then, at the end, it didn't look likethat would happen."

Melvin picked his words carefully when asked about the finalstages of his Orioles tenure, saying: "It was a little bit tough. Iwished it would have been better. I wish we'd have been able tocomplete the job there."

Melvin, who spent six seasons as a pitcher in the PittsburghPirates' and Yankees' minor league systems, was given a three-yearcontract.

"Doug's dedicated, and he knows the game," Hemond said. "He'sready to do an outstanding job for Texas."

As recently as last fall, Melvin seemed to be in line to becomethe Orioles' general manager. Angelos even hinted publicly that heplanned to make Hemond a vice chairman and give the generalmanager's job to Melvin. But Angelos delayed the decision, andMelvin fell into disfavor. By this fall, it was clear Melvin was onhis way out of the organization, one way or another. He was excludedfrom the search for a new manager, and he interviewed for the St.Louis Cardinals' general manager's job.

Melvin inherits a Rangers team that has not won a championshipof any kind, but was in first place in the American League West -despite a record of 52-62 - when the players' strike ended the 1994season. Longtime general manager Tom Grieve lost his job, andKennedy could be next. If so, the candidates for a replacement couldinclude Regan, former Orioles manager Johnny Oates and OaklandAthletics Manager Tony La Russa - if he rejects a contract extensionwith the Athletics when he returns this week from a vacation.

As for the Orioles' managerial quest, the team's searchcommittee - Hemond, Robinson, vice chairman of business and financeJoe Foss and Russ Smouse, an attorney in Angelos's firm - completedits first round of interviews Friday, then spent about 45 minutesdeliberating. Those talks probably will continue today, Foss andHemond said. The favorites appear to be Regan, Cincinnati RedsManager Davey Johnson, and Los Angeles Dodgers minor league managerRick Dempsey.

The second round of interviews probably will begin this week andif La Russa remains with the A's rather than making himself, ineffect, a managerial free agent - the Orioles likely will name a newmanager next week.

Many flee Turks and Caicos as Ike approaches

Hurricane Ike barreled toward the Turks and Caicos with 110 mph (175 kph) winds Saturday, prompting an exodus of tourists and residents from the normally idyllic Atlantic island chain.

Turks and Caicos and the southern Bahamas appeared to be first in line to take a hit from Ike, and many people decided they would be better off elsewhere. For some, the decision to flee came too late.

Authorities planned to close the airport at noon, and even with extra flights scheduled, some had trouble finding seats.

"The flights look impossible at the moment," a dejected Patrick Munroe said outside the terminal in Providenciales. He had hoped to return to …

Lester picks up first win for Red Sox

After a shaky debut, Jon Lester showed why he's considered one ofthe Boston Red Sox' most touted young players.

Of course, it didn't hurt that the 22-year-old lefty was facingthe free-falling Atlanta Braves.

Lester earned his first major-league win with six good innings,and Jason Varitek hit a three-run double as the Red Sox beat the hostAtlanta Braves 4-1 on Friday night.

Lester (1-0) allowed one run and five hits with three walks andstruck out five in his second major-league start.

That was a big improvement over his debut last weekend, when helasted 4 innings against the Texas Rangers, giving up three runs andfive hits with four walks. …

Lester picks up first win for Red Sox

After a shaky debut, Jon Lester showed why he's considered one ofthe Boston Red Sox' most touted young players.

Of course, it didn't hurt that the 22-year-old lefty was facingthe free-falling Atlanta Braves.

Lester earned his first major-league win with six good innings,and Jason Varitek hit a three-run double as the Red Sox beat the hostAtlanta Braves 4-1 on Friday night.

Lester (1-0) allowed one run and five hits with three walks andstruck out five in his second major-league start.

That was a big improvement over his debut last weekend, when helasted 4 innings against the Texas Rangers, giving up three runs andfive hits with four walks. …

BASEBALL STADIUM HITS HOME RUN FOR RECYCLING AND COMPOSTING

DIVERSION CHAMPS

Last year, the program run by the San Francisco Giants recovered over 1,760 tons of materials and saved more than $100,000 on garbage disposal.

SBC PARK - home of the San Francisco Giants major league baseball team - seats 42,000 fans. Last season, more than 3 million persons attended games. One feature that sets SBC Park apart from most stadiums is its commitment to comprehensive recycling, water and energy conservation, and growing use of biodegradable, recycled content and lower toxicity products. In terms of recycling and composting, the Giants' staff, vendors and contractors actively recover materials like paper, cardboard, grass clippings and food …

RISK MANAGERS SEEKING ART SERVICES: STUDY.

More risk managers at major companies want brokers and consultants to offer them comprehensive risk management services, including alternative risk transfer options, according to a survey soon to be published.

The survey, Attitudes Towards Risk, Market Integration and Alternative Risk Transfer, showed, however, that more than half of the respondents claimed they had never been offered ART services.

Global Risk Finance, a London-based unit of Marsh Inc., conducted the survey of 1,400 companies worldwide. Five percent of those companies responded to the survey.

The list of companies came from the Times 1000 and Euro 500, a compilation by The Times newspaper in London of the 1,000 biggest companies in the world and the 500 biggest in Europe.

The 1999 survey was heavily weighted to companies in the global oil, gas and petrochemical industries, though to a …

Building the perfect project team.(PROJECT MANAGEMENT: PROJECT TEAM)

Considering the amount of money, time, and resources poured into new construction and renovation projects, the management of these ventures is one of the most important tasks assigned to a building owner.

But, even more essential than the mortar and bricks that make up these buildings is the team that makes it all happen. Starting from your initial vision and lasting through occupancy, the professionals who are by your side throughout this endeavor can make the project a proud accomplishment--or a complete nightmare. A first-rate project team starts and ends with the building owner--it's your responsibility to hire and maintain the best players.

Team Functions Defined

There are key players who are part of almost any project team. In most cases, the team should consist of you, the building owner; an architect; an engineer; an interior designer; and a contractor. Depending on the size and scope of the project, other professionals may be called in as needed (cost estimators, landscape architects, construction managers, etc.).

As the building owner, your role is to provide project definition and scope, financing/budget/scheduling information, and decision-making power. The architect brings a specific expertise to the table that unites structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical goals. "An architect's responsibility is to somehow, in a document, 'memorialize' and define the vision of the owner," says Daniel Sinnott, director of business development, Turner Construction Co., Detroit. The engineer is responsible for handling the facility's mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as any structural analysis and design. Smart engineers will also confirm that selected systems integrate with long-term goals and standards, and verify that these systems are installed to code. The interior designer sets up plans for non-load-bearing interior construction (finishes, space planning, furnishings, fixtures, etc.). The contractor brings all of these pieces to life, with responsibility for the actual construction of the project.

What Are You Waiting For?

There are various modes of thought that encircle the project team and how early it should be assembled. Depending on who you ask, there are a few different possibilities. Most professionals agree that involving everyone from the start--and keeping them on through project completion--is the best way to go. Paul Himes, president, Himes Associates Ltd., Fairfax, VA, points out that assembling the team as early as possible provides members the opportunity to play off of other members' strong points. It also increases the efficiency of the design/construction process and mitigates the possible need for design changes and/or redesign due to schedule or budget constraints, says …

DRIVERS DUCK ROCKS FROM ALBANY OVERPASS.(Local)

Byline: Joe Mahoney Staff writer

For the second time in a week, a vehicle traveling along the Northern Boulevard ramp was damaged by a rock tossed from the Manning Boulevard overpass, police reported Thursday.

No arrests have been made in the two cases, and the identity of the person or persons who dropped the rocks remains a mystery, police said. At 1:55 a.m. Thursday, Richard M. Salisbury, 30, was driving his 1989 Jeep on the ramp when a rock struck the passenger's side windshield, shattering it, according to police reports.

Damage to the Jeep was put at more than $500. Salisbury, who was not injured, then …

Weather appears good for shuttle's landing

The weather looked favorable for space shuttle Discovery to return to Earth Saturday after a two-week mission in which it delivered a new Japanese lab to the international space station.

"Mission's coming to an end but it's gonna be good to get home today," said shuttle commander Mark Kelly.

Discovery has two opportunities to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"The weather is looking very good. We have a decent shot," said flight director Richard Jones.

The first landing opportunity will be best one on Saturday as the weather begins to deteriorate somewhat during the second with a chance of clouds and showers …

Medinah Shriners' Vidalia Sale Is Saturday

There's another grouping of spring onions. They are the bulb, orsweet, onions of late spring and early summer, also known as designeronions: the Vidalias, Walla Wallas and Mauis that, because of soilcontent and climate, contain low amounts of sulfur. Sulfur normallygives fall and winter onions their zing and tear-jerking force.

For five years, the Shriners of Chicago's Medinah Temple havesold …

Impact of Cre and peroxidase genes of selected new wheat lines on cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae woll) resistance.(Report)

Introduction

The Cereal Cyst Nematodes (CCN: Heterodera avenae Woll) have a global distribution and cause significant economic yield losses in many countries of the world (Nicol et al., 2003). Developing high yielding cultivars with tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses is one of the main challenges, and in light of the new information on CCN in Saudi Arabia, it is also necessary in some regions to identify, confirm and incorporate nematode resistance into new high yielding cultivars. Resistance is considered one of most appropriate control methods as it is cost-effective, environmentally friendly and achievable with collaboration of research groups around the world. The use of the former conventional method of screening for resistance involved in a biological assay, which was time-consuming, prone to inconsistencies and relatively expensive (Ogbonnaya et al., 2001) is greatly reduced. Eight genes for resistance to CCN have been identified in hexaploid wheat and its relatives: Cre1 (Cereal root eelworm--locus 1) (Triticum aestivum 2B) (Williams et al. 1994), Cre2 (transferred to wheat from Aegilops ventricosa) (Delibes et al. 1993), Cre3 (2D, transferred from A. tauschii) (Eastwood et al. 1994), Cre4 (A. tauschii) (Eastwood et al. 1991), Cre5 (2A, VPM1 segment from A. ventricosa) (Jahier et al. 2001), Cre6 (A. ventricosa 5NV) (Ogbonnaya et al., 2001), Cre7 (A. truincialis) (Romero et al., 1998) and Cre8 (T. aestivum 6B) (Williams et al. 2003). CCN resistance genes have also been mapped in rye (6R, Taylor et al., 1998) and barley (2H, Kretschmer et al., 1997). A linkage disequilibrium study (Paull et al. 1998) found an RFLP locus, Xcdo347, that was associated with the Festiguay-derived CCN resistance of the wheat cultivars Molineux, Frame and Barunga. Williams et al. (2003) used this RFLP as a starting point to genetically locate, with RFLP markers, the gene Cre8 which provides CCN resistance (tolerance) in the cultivar Molineux. Cre1 confers resistance to several European H. avenae pathotypes as well as the Australian pathotype, albeit with varying levels of nematode reproduction in different genetic backgrounds of the host. Comparison of Cre1 with the nematode resistance gene Cre3, derived from the diploid D genome progenitor of wheat, Aegilops tauschii, showed that both provide resistance to the Australian pathotype, but differ in their specificity to European and Middle Eastern pathotypes (Ogbonnaya et al., 2001). Cre1 and Cre3 are located on the long arms of chromosomes 2B and 2D, respectively (Eastwood et al. 1994; Williams et al. 1994).

Resistant plants react to nematode infection by activating a number of inducible responses that are thought to be disease resistance related. Incompatible interaction between H-93-8 or TR-3531 lines and the CCN induces hypersensitive response (HR) with previous formation of syncitial cells and active oxygen species (AOS). Plants possess both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defense systems to counteract AOS generated under stress conditions (Delibes et al., 2008). The antioxidant enzymes include peroxidase (PER, EC 1.11.1.7), esterase (EST, EC 3.1.1.2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1). Isoelectrofocusing (IEF) isoenzyme analysis, four and seven days after infection, revealed that PER, EST and SOD activities increased with time in roots of lines H-93-8 and TR-3531, carrying Cre2, Cre5 and Cre7 genes, respectively, in comparison with the susceptible control (Andres et al., 2001; Montes et al., 2004). Recently, twenty wheat peroxidase genes were shown to fall into seven groups (TaPrx108 to TaPrx114) (Simonetti et al., 2009). The objectives of the present investigation were to: (1) study the genetic variation in yield, yield components, and resistance to CCN in a field infected with CCN, (2) screen wheat lines for resistance genes using SSR and RAPD markers developed for known resistance genes (Cre genes), and (3) investigate the presence of the peroxidase genes in wheat lines by PCR analysis.

Materials and methods

Field experiment

Field experiment was conducted in a CCN infected wheat field at NADC Hail project, Saudi Arabia, during the growing seasons 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. Eight selected bread wheat lines and adapted susceptible cultivar were sown on 20th December 2007 and 24th December 2008 with a seeding rate of 140 kg/ha. These included cultivar Yecora Rojo as well as 8 advanced lines (F10) selected from the wheat breeding program at the Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University (Table 1). The plot size was 4 rows, 3 m long with row to row spacing of 20 cm. The recommended fertilizer …