Australia in command of 2nd test vs. Sri Lanka

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Unbeaten half-centuries from debutant Shaun Marsh and veteran Mike Hussey put Australia firmly in control of the second test against Sri Lanka with the tourists extending their lead to 90 runs at stumps on day two Friday.

Australia reached 264 for three when bad light stopped play shortly after tea in reply to Sri Lanka's first-innings total of 174. More than 21 overs of play was lost when umpires called off the day's play when there was no improvement in the light.

Marsh was just 13 runs short of a century on his debut having faced 211 balls in a knock that included 11 boundaries. Hussey remained not out on 76 including eight boundaries off 152 …

Filmmaker: Movie about balloon dad could clear him

Once Richard Heene admitted in court that he wrongly sent authorities on a wild goose chase across Colorado to save the son he thought was aloft in a runaway balloon, friends and supporters seemed to take off just about as fast as that balloon.

All except for one: Steven C. Barber, a 48-year-old filmmaker who says he still believes Heene really thought his son was in the balloon as it spun wildly through the skies on Oct. 15. He plans to prove it, Barber says, when he releases the documentary "Balloon Boy: Guilty Until Proven Innocent" later this year.

Barber has known Heene for more than 10 years and says he has dozens of hours of film of the …

CHA set to lower the boom

U. S. District Judge Marvin Aspen on Thursday denied a request byformer residents of four south lakefront high-rises to stopSaturday's scheduled demolition of the buildings.

Aspen's order clears the way for the $2 million, 24-secondimplosion of the Chicago Housing Authority's Lakefront Propertieshigh-rises.

Former high-rise residents, who were promised in 1985 that thebuildings would be renovated, were seeking to stop the implosionbecause they said the CHA had not completed the replacement housingrequired under a 1995 agreement.Izora Davis, executive director of the Lakefront CommunityOrganization, said she will continue to ensure that the replacementhousing is …

Panthers-Islanders Sums

Florida	2 0 0—2
N.Y. Islanders	0 0 0—0

First Period_1, Florida, Weiss 1 (Campbell, Fleischmann), 16:37. 2, Florida, Garrison 1 (Campbell, Versteeg), 19:45 (pp). Penalties_Mottau, NYI (high-sticking), 13:03; Mottau, NYI (holding), 18:13; Upshall, Fla, major-game misconduct (fighting), 19:24; Hamonic, NYI, served by Parenteau, minor-major (roughing, fighting), 19:24.

Second Period_None. Penalties_Booth, Fla (roughing), 12:13; Mottau, NYI …

Belgium, BNP Paribas reach Fortis Bank sale deal

The Belgian government reached a fire-sale deal Saturday to sell Fortis _ the largest bank in Belgium and the Netherlands until the global financial crisis _ to France's BNP Paribas.

The deal must be approved by Fortis Holding shareholders, possibly April 8 and 9.

The immediate reaction from some shareholders was not good.

The sale of Fortis Bank to Paris-based BNP Paribas _ France's biggest bank _ was first concluded last October at a value of euro14.5 billion ($18.3 billion). But disgruntled shareholders of Fortis Holding won a court ruling voiding the deal saying the government had no right to sell the bank without consulting them.

…

Bath extend Puma deal

Bath Rugby have announced an extension to their partnership withPuma with a new three season deal starting from the 2010-11 season.

The deal will continue to see Puma supply playing and trainingkit to the team and replica products to supporters.

Puma UK marketing director Roger Harrison said: "We are delightedto be continuing our relationship with the club as their technicalkit and training wear supplier.

"Bath Rugby are one of the most prestigious clubs in world rugbyand a huge sporting brand in their own right.

"The partnership allows us to profile the brand amongst a loyalgroup of rugby supporters in the South West of England and beyondand …

Alaska to Cut Point Thomson Oil Leases

JUNEAU, Alaska - The state of Alaska plans to strip oil companies of their leases on the Point Thomson oil and gas field after finding the primary lease holder, Exxon Mobil Corp., failed to come up with a viable plan for developing the field's vast reserves.

Gov. Frank Murkowski, alongside Natural Resources Commissioner Mike Menge, announced the decision at a news conference in Anchorage on Monday, just one week shy of the end of his administration.

Murkowski said Exxon Mobil, despite being granted numerous extensions over several decades, failed to make good on its obligations as operator of the field.

Other oil companies being stripped of their leases include …

Walesa cancels visit to Venezuela

An official says former Polish President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa has canceled a planned visit to Venezuela after its government vowed to monitor him closely while there.

Walesa was to travel to Venezuela on Friday on an invitation from opponents of President Hugo Chavez.

But …

Iran-Iraq truce begins with report of slaying

BAGHDAD, Iraq A United Nations-brokered cease-fire in theeight-year Persian Gulf war began Saturday with Iraq charging that anIranian sniper killed one of its soldiers and each country testingthe truce by sending ships into previously off-limits areas.

Although UN observers patrolling the 750-mile frontier betweenIran and Iraq had no immediate reports of truce violations, state-runBagdhad Radio said an Iraqi soldier was killed along the centralsection of the war front three hours after the cease-fire began.

The radio, quoting senior Iraqi sources, said Pvt. KhalilIbrahim was killed by an Iranian sniper at Seif Saad.

Iraqi troops did not return fire, and …

Mystics Pull Away Late to Defeat Sky

CHICAGO - Nakia Sanford scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Mystics beat the Chicago Sky 83-75 on Sunday night.

Chasity Melvin added 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Mystics and Nikki Teasley had 12 points and nine assists. Washington (11-10) won for just the third time in 11 road games.

Stacey Dales scored 15 points and Jia Perkins added 12 points and four steals for Chicago (3-17). The Sky dropped their third straight game.

Trailing 61-60 with 6:51 left, the Mystics used a 15-4 run to take a commanding 75-65 lead.

…

Indian market tumbles 5.8 percent on deficit fears

Indian stocks plunged Monday on concerns of a ballooning fiscal deficit and disappointment that the finance minister did not announce major liberalization measures in his new budget.

The benchmark Sensex index tumbled 869.65 points, or 5.8 percent, to close at 14,043.40.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said increased spending in the new budget _ aimed at reviving growth and creating jobs _ would inflate the fiscal deficit to 6.8 percent of gross domestic product for the fiscal year through March 2010. That's up from 6.2 percent last fiscal year, and 2.7 percent the year before that.

India's stock market has soared since May's national elections on hopes that the ruling …

Rose gets pass in ump bumping

Pete Rose avoided any disciplinary action from the NationalLeague Thursday in his latest run-in with an umpire, but was outragedthat umpire Joe West was also spared suspension.

NL president Bill White declined to issue any suspensions over apostgame melee Tuesday night that started with West twice shovingReds second baseman Ron Oester. The incident later involved Rose.

White decided to fine Oester $100 for throwing his bat afterstriking out at the end of the game, but issued no other disciplinaryaction against any of the Reds, said Rose.

Umpires union head Richie Phillips said no disciplinary actionhad been taken against West. The league declined to …

Goalkeeper David de Gea makes United debut

CHICAGO (AP) — Goalkeeper David de Gea will make his preseason debut for Manchester United in Saturday's friendly match against the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.

De Gea, who left Atletico Madrid to join the English powerhouse in the offseason, did not play in the first two legs of United's U.S. tour. He is expected to be the long-term replacement for Edwin Van der Sar, who retired at the end of last season, but hasn't been handed the starting job yet.

De Gea recently helped Spain win the European under-21 championship.

Wayne Rooney was not in the starting lineup for United on Saturday. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is still away from the team, but may rejoin United next week.

Feds Foil JFK Plot; 4th Suspect Sought

NEW YORK - Federal authorities announced Saturday they had broken up a suspected Muslim terrorist cell planning a "chilling" attack to destroy John F. Kennedy International Airport, kill thousands of people and trigger an economic catastrophe by blowing up a jet fuel artery that runs through populous residential neighborhoods.

Three men, one of them a former member of Guyana's parliament, were arrested and one was being sought in Trinidad as part of a plot that authorities said they had been tracked for more than a year and was foiled in the planning stages.

"The devastation that would be caused had this plot succeeded is just unthinkable," U.S. Attorney Roslynn R. Mauskopf said at a news conference, calling it "one of the most chilling plots imaginable."

In an indictment charging the four men, one of them is quoted as saying the foiled plot would "cause greater destruction than in the Sept. 11 attacks," destroying the airport, killing several thousand people and destroying parts of New York's borough of Queens, where the line runs underground.

One of the suspects, Russell Defreitas, a U.S. citizen native to Guyana and former JFK air cargo employee, said the airport named for the slain president was targeted because it is a symbol that would put "the whole country in mourning."

"It's like you can kill the man twice," said Defreitas, 63, who first hatched his plan more than a decade ago when he worked as a cargo handler for a service company, according to the indictment.

Authorities said the men were motivated by hatred toward the U.S., Israel and the West. Defreitas was recorded saying he "wanted to do something to get those bastards" and he boasted that he had been taught to make bombs in Guyana.

Despite their efforts, the men never obtained any explosives, authorities said.

"Pulling off any bombing of this magnitude would not be easy in today's environment," former U.S. State Department counterterrorism expert Fred Burton said, but added it was difficult to determine without knowing all the facts of the case.

Richard Kuprewicz, a pipeline expert and president of Accufacts Inc., an energy consulting firm that focuses on pipelines and tank farms, said the force of explosion would depend on the amount of fuel under pressure, but it would not travel up and down the line.

"That doesn't mean wackos out there can't do damage and cause a fire, but those explosions and fires are going to be fairly restricted," he said.

Since Defreitas retired from his job at the airport, security has significantly tightened and his knowledge of the operation was severely outdated.

He was arraigned Saturday afternoon in federal court, but did not enter a plea. He was to be held pending a bail hearing scheduled for Wednesday, prosecutors said. A phone number for his lawyer could not be located.

Two other men, Abdul Kadir of Guyana and Kareem Ibrahim of Trinidad, were in custody in Trinidad. A fourth man, Abdel Nur of Guyana, was still being sought in Trinidad.

Authorities said Kadir and Nur were longtime associates of a Trinidadian radical Muslim group, Jamaat al Muslimeen, which launched an unsuccessful rebellion in 1990 that left 24 dead.

Kadir, a former member of Parliament in Guyana, was arrested in Trinidad for attempting to secure money for "terrorist operations," according to a Guyanese police commander who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Kadir left his position in Parliament last year. Muslims make up about 9 percent of the former Dutch and British colony's 770,000 population, mostly from the Sunni sect.

Isha Kadir, the Guyanese suspect's wife, said her husband flew from Guyana to Trinidad on Thursday. She said he was arrested Friday as he was boarding a flight from Trinidad to Venezuela, where he planned to pick up a travel visa to attend an Islamic religious conference in Iran.

"We have no interest in blowing up anything in the U.S.," she said Saturday from the couple's home in Guyana. "We have relatives in the U.S."

The U.S. Joint Terrorism Task Force recorded and surveilled the men, learning that Defreitas drove around and videotaped JFK on four occasions this past January.

When Defreitas returned from Guyana in February, U.S. customs officials searched his belongings and found Kadir's name and telephone number in Defreitas' address book.

The government moved to foil the plot as Defreitas told an informant he was suspicious authorities knew about the plan.

The pipeline, owned by Buckeye Pipeline Co., takes fuel from a facility in Linden, N.J., to the airport. Other lines service LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Buckeye spokesman Roy Haase said the company, which moves petroleum through pipelines in a number of states, had been informed of the threat from the beginning but he declined to detail the company's security measures.

"Given the nature of Buckeye business and the importance of this transportation network, we have an intense and ongoing communications relationship with the Port Authority, the New York City fire and police departments, the federal Department of Homeland Security and the FBI," he said. Buckeye is a subsidiary of Buckeye Partners, L.P. based in Macungie, Pa.

JFK and the area's other airports remained at a heightened state of alert Saturday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said.

Jeanie Mamo, a spokeswoman for the White House, said President Bush had been briefed and updated regularly as the investigation into the plot progressed.

"This case is a good example of international counterterrorism cooperation," Mamo said.

The arrests mark the latest in a series of alleged homegrown terrorism plots targeting high-profile American landmarks.

A year ago, seven men were arrested in what officials called the early stages of a plot to blow up the Sears Tower in Chicago and destroy FBI offices and other buildings.

A month later, authorities broke up a plot to bomb underwater New York City train tunnels to flood lower Manhattan.

And six people were arrested a month ago in an alleged plot to unleash a bloody rampage on Fort Dix in New Jersey.

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Associated Press Writer Tom Hays and Pat Milton contributed to this report.

20 rebels likely killed in gunbattle between Indian troops and Maoists, official says

Indian government troops scoured forests in eastern India for Maoist rebels Monday and reported killing up to 20 of them since the militants launched a coordinated wave of attacks on government targets late last week.

Three security personnel also have been killed in gunbattles with the rebles, known as the Naxalites, since Saturday evening.

The skirmishes follow the carefully coordinated rebel attacks Friday night on four police stations, a training academy and an armory in Orissa state's Nayagarh district, that killed 13 police officers, a village guard and a civilian.

"We have received reports of the elimination of 20 Maoists. The reports are being confirmed," T.K. Mishra, home secretary of the Orissa state government state told reporters Sunday night. He gave no other details. "We have also lost three security personnel," Mishra added.

The search operations and fighting continued Monday in forested areas in five districts of the state, said Gopal Chandra Nanda, the director general of the state police.

"We are hopeful of completing the operation very soon, but we'll continue the operation till we get full success," Mishra said Sunday.

About 400 militants took part in the attacks and stole roughly 1,000 weapons, Nanda had said earlier.

The area is about 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) southeast of India's capital, New Delhi.

The guerrillas, who say they are inspired by Chinese communist revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting for more than three decades in several Indian states, demanding land and jobs for agricultural laborers and the poor.

They are called Naxalites after Naxalbari, a village in West Bengal state where the movement was born in 1967.

Over the past few years about 2,000 people _ including police, militants and civilians _ have been killed in the violence.

In March last year, 55 policemen and government-backed militiamen were killed when hundreds of rebels attacked an isolated police station in eastern Chhattisgarh state in one of the bloodiest incidents of the decades-long insurgency.

A time for action

In the 2004 presidential election, black leaders urged African Americans to go to the polls in droves. There was an extreme urgency in the plea because it was clear that the next president would have the opportunity to restructure the U.S. Supreme Court.

Under the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court justices serve for life. Once appointed and voted on favorably by the U.S. Senate they never have to stand for re-election. And, unlike the law in Massachusetts for state judges, there is no required retirement age.

Four justices are presently over 70, the compulsory retirement age in Massachusetts. John Paul Stevens is 85, Chief Justice William Rehnquist will be 81 in October, Sandra Day O'Connor is 75, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 72. It is likely that President George W. Bush will have the opportunity to replace three or four justices before his term is up.

Everyone expected Rehnquist to be the first to resign because of his health problems, but O'Connor has chosen to be first. This is a far greater loss for African Americans because she has been a swing vote on the court, a moderate conservative. Rehnquist has voted consistently with the archconservatives, so little would be lost if his replacement were of similar political stripe.

Liberals will battle the president on inappropriate choices for the court. This will be a time for the poor, regardless of race, together with those who have suffered racial discrimination, to oppose openly and publicly those choices for the court which will diminish the hopes, dreams and rights of those with modest incomes.

It is very easy for this generation of African Americans to feel very removed from the Supreme Court. To many these are nine figures whose decisions rarely affect the lives of the average citizen. But that was not the case during the Civil Rights Movement.

The court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education transformed this nation. This case ended the doctrine of "separate but equal" and legally enforced school desegregation. In Roe v. Wade the court gave women the legal right to determine whether or not to terminate a pregnancy.

A radically conservative court will turn the clock back. This is no time to be passive about the selection process.

Article copyright The Bay State Banner.

Ian Thorpe heads list of Australian torchbearers for Beijing flame

Five-time Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe and runner Ron Clarke, who lit the Olympic cauldron in Melbourne 52 years ago, head the list of Australians participating in the Beijing Games torch relay.

"It is a great honor to be a small part of the torch relay," Thorpe said from Beijing, "in what will truly be an amazing event."

A total of 80 people, including past and present Olympians, will take part in the only Australian leg of the relay on April 24 in Canberra.

Thorpe won a record nine Olympic medals before his retirement in November 2006.

Other former Olympians taking part include Clarke, who carried the flame around the Melbourne Cricket Ground before lighting the cauldron at the 1956 Olympics, and marathon runner Robert De Castella, who competed at four Olympics.

Current Australian Olympians will be represented by swimmers Jodie Henry and Alice Mills and archery bronze medalist Tim Cuddihy.

Canberra will be the only Australian destination for the flame in what has become the world's longest Olympic torch relay.

Olympic organizers say 22,000 torchbearers will carry the flame on its journey from Greece to Beijing for the opening ceremony on Aug. 8.

Devils' Brodeur earns 100th regular-season shutout

Martin Brodeur earned his 100th NHL regular-season shutout with a 27-save effort, and the New Jersey Devils extended their lead in the Atlantic Division with a 3-0 victory over the second-place Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.

The shutout was the second in three games since Brodeur returned Thursday from elbow surgery, and this one moved him within three of tying Terry Sawchuk's mark of 103. It was also Brodeur's 547th career victory, moving him within four of tying Patrick Roy's league record.

Brodeur has four shutouts in 13 games this season.

Jamie Langenbrunner, Brian Gionta and Johnny Oduya scored as the Devils won for the eighth time in 10 games to open a nine-point lead in the division with 19 games left in the regular season.

The loss was the fourth in 11 games (7-3-1) for the Flyers, who welcomed back Danny Briere to the lineup after he missed 36 games following abdominal-groin surgery. Philadelphia has played two fewer games than New Jersey.

After Brodeur had two relatively easy wins over Colorado and Florida, the Flyers had several quality chances against the 36-year-old goalie. Philadelphia captain Mike Richards had the best two.

Brodeur, who missed 50 games after having surgery to repair a torn biceps in his left elbow, protected a 1-0 lead when he slid across his crease to stop Richards in close after he was set up by Simon Gagne. Richards also had a deflection early in the third period.

Briere added a good wraparound attempt during a first-period power play. Brodeur made a couple of good stops against Scottie Upshall late in the game.

Brodeur saved the shutout stopping Mike Knuble in close with 5:46 to go.

As in the other two games since Brodeur returned, the Devils scored early.

Zach Parise, who had two goals in Saturday's 7-2 win over Florida, chased down the puck in the right corner and sent a cross-ice pass to pass to Langenbrunner in the left circle. The Devils captain one-timed the first shot of the game past Martin Biron for his 20th goal of the season and the 200th of his career at 3:51.

Gionta doubled the lead 37 seconds into the second period, deflecting a point shot by Oduya for his 14th goal.

Brodeur even had a hand in the final goal that extended the Devils' home winning streak to seven. He waved his stick over the top of his head to swat away a loose puck and that set up a quick counterattack that Oduya finished with a 35-foot shot that beat Biron, one of 44 faced by the Flyers goaltender.

Notes:@ New Jersey has outscored opponents 14-2 in winning the three games since Brodeur returned. ... The Flyers loaned D Lasse Kukkonen and F Claude Giroux to the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) this weekend and recalled D Nate Guenin, who played in his first game of the season. ... New Jersey is 3-2 vs. the Flyers. ... Devils D Paul Martin was hit in the mouth by teammate John Madden's stick in the second period and later struck in the helmet by a Flyers stick in the corner. ... The Devils (41-19-3) assured themselves of a 17th straight season of .500 or better. ... New Jersey is 29-0-1 when leading after two periods.

Nutrition Counselling For Gestational Diabetes/Suivi nutritionnel et diabète gestationnel

DAWNA ROYALL, EDITOR

In this issue we include a Public Policy Statement, entitled "Recommendations for Nutrition Best Practice in the Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus" (executive summary - full report available at: http://www.dietitians.ca/news/highlights _positions.asp). These recommendations are based on a systematic literature review conducted by four collaborating organizations: the Canadian Diabetes Association, Dietitians of Canada, Diab�te Qu�bec and the Ordre professionel des di�t�tistes du Qu�bec. The group examined evidence to answer the question, "What are the most effective nutrition recommendations for the treatment of gestational diabetes?" The recommendation with the best evidence (Grade A) was for nutrition counselling by a registered dietitian (as part of the multidisciplinary team) for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to help them achieve their nutrition, diabetes and health goals. This recommendation is echoed in a recently released American Diabetes Association Position Statement, which recommends that all women with GDM receive medical nutrition therapy, provided by a dietitian, at the time of diagnosis (1).

These recommendations are largely based on the results of a recent controlled trial that randomized 1,000 women with GDM to receive dietary advice from a dietitian, blood glucose monitoring, and insulin therapy as needed, compared with routine care (2). The intervention reduced rates of perinatal complications (1% versus 4%) and improved health-related quality of life measures, demonstrating the efficacy of identifying and treating GDM. The recommendations published in this issue identify a number of areas for future research.

References

1. American Diabetes Association. Nutrition recommendations and interventions for diabetes-2006. A position statement by the American Diabetes Association. Diab Care 2006 [cited 2006 20 Sept]; 29(9):2140-57. Available from: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/reprint/29/9/2140.

2. Crowther CA, Miller JE, Moss JR, McPhee AJ, Jeffries WS, Robinson JS. Australian Carbohydrate Intolerance Study in Pregnant Women (ACHOlS) Trial Group. Effect of treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus on pregnancy outcomes. N Engl J Med 2005;352(24):2477-86.

Suivi nutritionnel et diab�te gestationnel

Dans ce num�ro, nous publions le r�sum� (l'article complet peut �tre consult� � l'adresse suivante : http://www.dietitians.ca/news/highlights_ positions.asp) d'un �nonc� de politique intitul� � Recommendations for Nutrition Best Practice in the Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus �. Ces recommandations sont bas�es sur une compilation syst�matique des travaux publi�s men�e en collaboration par quatre organismes : l'Association canadienne du diab�te, les Di�t�tistes du Canada, Diab�te Qu�bec et l'Ordre professionnel des di�t�tistes du Qu�bec. Le groupe a examin� les donn�es scientifiques permettant de r�pondre � la question suivante : � Quelles sont les recommandations nutritionnelles les plus efficaces dans le traitement du diab�te gestationnel? � La recommandation fond�e sur les preuves les plus solides (cat�gorie A) portait sur le suivi nutritionnel prodigu� par un di�t�tiste professionnel (membre d'une �quipe multidisciplinaire) pour aider les femmes enceintes diab�tiques � atteindre leurs objectifs en mati�re de nutrition, de diab�te et de sant�. Cette recommandation est reprise dans un �nonc� de position publi� r�cemment par l'American Diabetes Association : toutes les femmes enceintes souffrant de diab�te devraient b�n�ficier d'un traitement nutritionnel dispens� par un di�t�tiste aussit�t le diagnostic pos� (1).

Ces recommandations sont largement fond�es sur les r�sultats d'un essai comparatif men� r�cemment o� un �chantillon al�atoire de 1000 femmes enceintes diab�tiques ont b�n�fici� des conseils d'un di�t�tiste, d'une surveillance de leur glyc�mie et d'un traitement � l'insuline si n�cessaire, comparativement � des soins de routine (2). L'intervention a permis de r�duire les taux de complications p�rinatales (1 % contre 4 %) et d'am�liorer les mesures de la qualit� de vie li�e � la sant�, d�montrant ainsi l'efficacit� du d�pistage et du traitement du diab�te gestationnel. Les recommandations publi�es dans ce num�ro font ressortir un certain nombre de domaines de recherche potentiels.

R�f�rences

1. American Diabetes Association. Nutrition recommendations and interventions for diabetes-2006. A position statement by the American Diabetes Association. Diab Care 2006 [cited 2006 20 Sept]; 29(9):2140-57. Available from: http://care.diabetesjonrnals.Org/cgi/reprint/29/9/2140.

2. Orowther CA, Miller JE, Moss JR, McPhee AJ.Jeffries WS, Robinson JS. Australian Carbohydrate Intolerance Study in Pregnant Women (ACHOIS) Trial Group. Effect of treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus on pregnancy outcomes. N Engl J Med 2005;352(24):2477-86.

2006-2007

Editorial Board

Comit� de r�daction

Marcia Cooper, PhD, RD, Ottawa, ON

Wendy Dahl, PhD, RD, Saskatoon, SK

Judith DeWolfe, PhD, RD, Kingston, ON

Marco Di Buono, PhD, Mississauga, ON

Heather Keller, PhD, RD, Guelph, ON

Daphne Lordly, MA, PDt, Halifax, NS

Catherine Mortey, PhD, RD, Vancouver, BC

Marie-Claude Raquette, PhD, DtP, Montreal, PQ

Markets Across Asia Plunge

TOKYO - Markets in Asia and Europe fell again Monday, extending their slide into a second week as investors worried about a possible global slowdown dumped stocks that had surged in recent weeks.

Also sparking jitters was the yen's jump to a three-month high against the dollar as investors reversed so-called yen-carry trades. A decline in this trading practice, which involved borrowing money at Japan's ultra-low interest rates to invest in higher-yielding assets elsewhere, could hurt global liquidity.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index fell for a fifth day, tumbling 575.68 points, or 3.34 percent, to 16,642.25 points, dragged down by major exporters such as Canon Inc., Sony Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp., whose earnings are eroded by a stronger yen. Since reaching a nearly seven-year high last Monday, the Nikkei index has slid 8.64 percent.

Markets in Hong Kong, Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, India and South Korea all fell sharply Monday, continuing their declines from last week, when a 9 percent plunge in Chinese stocks on Tuesday triggered a sell-off on Wall Street and other global markets.

European markets also opened lower Monday, with Britain's benchmark FTSE 100 down 1.5 percent in early trading, France's CAC 40 sliding 1.8 percent and Germany's DAX sinking 2.1 percent.

"I don't know where the domino effect will stop," said Jose Vistan, research director at AB Capital Securities in Manila, Philippines, where the benchmark index sank 4.5 percent. "Emotions are the ones driving share prices right now."

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index tumbled 4 percent to its lowest since mid-December. Australia's stock market - which had hit records last month - fell for a fifth day, sinking 2.3 percent.

South Korea's benchmark index dropped 2.7 percent and Indian stocks were down nearly 4 percent.

"When there's such a big market move in such a short period of time, there's that element of surprise and confusion," said Teruhisa Ishikawa, section chief for investors information at Mizuho Investors Securities Co.

Funds and institutional investors tend to go on a selling binge to trim losses in reaction to such market moves, he said, adding that what was ahead was still unclear.

In China, the Shanghai Composite index fell a more modest 1.6 percent, but foreign-currency denominated "B shares" tumbled after officials denied rumors those stocks might be merged with the mainstream Chinese-currency "A shares."

A lack of market-boosting news as the Chinese national legislature began its annual session also appeared to sap buying enthusiasm.

Some analysts see the market sell-off as a healthy correction for markets that had risen too far, too fast. China's market had doubled in value last year, for example. In Malaysia, stocks had surged 17 percent since the start of the year. Even after losing more than 10 percent since last week, they have only fallen back to their lowest since Jan. 12.

Yutaka Miura, senior analyst at Shinko Securities in Tokyo, warned that much still depended on what happens overnight in U.S. and European markets, as well as what happens to the dollar.

Investors fretted over signs that international investors were unwinding yen-carry trades, which involve borrowing the yen in Japan, where benchmark interest rates are now 0.5 percent to buy assets with greater yields in other currencies.

With the yen's recent appreciation, the profits from those carry trades are eroded, prompting some investors to return yen loans, strengthening the Japanese currency.

"Yes, there was some unwinding of yen-carry trades among short-term players, but basically traders in Tokyo were selling the yen because foreign players wanted to buy it," said Tohru Sasaki, Chief FX Strategist with JP Morgan Chase Bank.

While the Bank of Japan raised interest rates last month, rates here are still far lower than rates in the U.S. or Europe, making the yen carry trade still an attractive strategy, analysts said.

The yen's appreciation accelerated as its gains triggered stop-loss buy orders early Monday, sending the dollar as low as 115.47 yen in morning trade, its lowest level since Dec. 8.

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Associated Press writers Carl Freire in Tokyo, Teresa Cerojano in Manila, Elaine Kurtenbach in Shanghai and Toby Anderson in London contributed to this report.

The gray grime of communism has been wiped away.

Poland needs help to remain strong

CRACOW, Poland -- Two events in one week symbolize the dramaticrevival of Poland. Last Saturday the new Bishop of Cracow,succeeding to the position held until 1978 by Karol Wotyla, betterknown today as Pope John Paul II, was elevated to the status ofcardinal. His enthronement was a magnificent ceremonial occasion inwhich the whole of Cracow in the south of Poland seemingly joined.

Wednesday begins a series of ceremonies and conferences markingthe 25th anniversary of the legalization of Solidarity, the firstindependent trade union in the Communist world, by Poland's thencommunist government. These celebrations will be held in Gdansk inthe north of Poland where a Solidarity strike in the Lenin shipyardcontinued the slow unraveling of communist power that Pope JohnPaul's 1979 visit to Poland had begun.

That unraveling reached its triumphant conclusion in 1991 whenLech Walesa, a leader of the 1980 Solidarity strike in the Leninshipyard, was elected the first non-communist president in Polandsince the second world war.

And there is a great deal to celebrate. Anyone visiting Polandafter a long absence -- in my case, more than a decade -- notices avast change in the nation. Physically, the gray grime of communismhas been wiped from the face of Poland. It is visibly a much moreprosperous country. Lines outside shops with no goods inside havebeen replaced by consumers snapping up the brand names of Paris, NewYork, Rome and London. As in America, there is a property boom.Poland is now a member of the European Union. And informationindustries are springing up over those bones of heavy industriesscattered over the centrally planned desert. Economic problems remainbut the transition to a new modern economy has been successfullyachieved.

The spiritual legacy of communism has been harder to eradicate --envy. Communists thrived on dividing Poles by arousing envy towardthose who did a little better when most people were doing very badly.That has continued under democracy with post-communist partiesbenefiting from nostalgia among older people for those times when allclasses had equal shares of nothing.

Poland elected such a post-communist government a few years ago.But the appeal of such parties rests in part on at least some claimto integrity. Yet the current Polish government has been involved infinancial and security scandals in recent years and it is sufferingseverely in the polls as a result.

Those scandals -- together with Solidarity's anniversarycelebrations -- have created the worst possible background for it tofight the forthcoming elections next month. It is almost universallyagreed that the two main center-right parties ("Civic Platform" and"Law and Justice") will form the next government. It is also likely -- but less certain -- that one of their candidates will beat theLeft's protagonist to become the next Polish president.

From Washington's point of view, this will be an improvement --but only a modest one. Poland's post-communist government (like otherleft-wing parties in the former communist bloc) has been friendlytoward the United States. It put Polish troops into Iraq andAfghanistan. The Polish president -- a former communist of theopportunist tendency -- helped to prevent Putin and his Ukrainianallies from stealing the Ukraine election. And the center-leftusually reflected the strong pro-Americanism of Polish publicopinion.

No new center-right government is likely to do a great deal betterthan that. Moreover, it will be rightly pre-occupied with the seriousdomestic problems left behind by the center-left. Unemployment isvery high, about 18 percent. The country's infrastructure, notably,its road system, is extremely poor -- though subsidies from the EUmay help improve that. And Poland's health care system needs a vastcapital infusion.

All these problems may tempt the new government to cut defensespending and ignore the unsettling problems that Poland still facesinternationally. Russia under Putin does not really want Poland tobecome fully part of the West. Putin plainly resented the role Polandplayed in settling the Ukraine crisis against Russia's wishes. Russiahopes to use its current role as an energy supplier to keep Poland inline in future crises.

There is no clear and present danger, of course, but a strongerPoland that was more independent of Russia in energy and economicterms would be in a better position to follow its own foreign policyrather than bow to Russia's.

Some candidates see these dangers even if through a glass darkly.Radek Sikorski, former deputy defense and foreign minister, isstanding for the Senate. His current job is in Washington asexecutive director of the New Atlantic Initiative at AEI. He hasmaintained his house in Poland. And his sense of Polish politics isas keen as ever. (Full disclosure: I once hired Sikorski as rovingcorrespondent of National Review and his cover story for the January1989 issue of the magazine was "The Coming Crack-Up of Communism.")

Sikorski wants Poland to be fully integrated in the West. That canonly happen if Polish forces in NATO are up to standard. He wants toensure that the United States is fully aware of the delicate balanceof forces operating between Poland, Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. Andhe wants Poland in the EU to help ensure that Europe and Americaremain strong allies. In short he wants no geopolitical surprises.

That is the natural policy of a sensible center-right Polishgovernment. It would also be to the advantage of Western Europe andthe United States. Today's Poland is prosperous and stable. But thatis not the normal condition of Poland -- and it won't persist unlessPoland, Europe and America cooperate to keep it that way.

Animal lovers fly pets to a new life

PRINCETON - Dogs don't normally wear headphones, but a puppynamed Missy learned that they're required headgear whenever dogsboard private planes that fly them to a new "leash" on life.

Missy, now going by the name of Kalie, is what's called a heeler,a cattle dog that's about 8 weeks old. Those eight weeks of heryoung life have been difficult, but the homeless puppy's fortunesturned around when a passer-by found her in a roadway, picked her upand took her to the Mercer County Animal Shelter.

"She came in and the veterinarian thought she may have beenbumped by a car, and she was blind and she was having seizures,"Lisa Nisbet, the shelter's director recalled. "I took her home tofoster her, and she got some of her eyesight back, but she was stillhandicapped. She still has some eye deficiencies, but her seizureswent away."

Nisbet kept Missy now Kalie for a month. Then the decision wasmade to send her to an organization that aids pets with specialneeds.

"We have a special needs rescue we call Faith Hope inPennsylvania, and I contacted them," Nisbet recalled. "They hadtaken a dog from me before that had a deformed leg, and they saidthey would take her. They had arrangements made with Pilots N Paws."

Members of Pilots N Paws donate their time to fly dogs and catsto new homes. Most adopted pets are taken to their new homes bytruck or van, but long trips can be especially traumatic for dogsand cats with special needs, Nisbet said. Flying them to adestination is much quicker than a drive lasting for hours.

When the appointed time came on Dec. 11, the puppy was placed ina pet carrier and taken to the Mercer County Airport where Pilots NPaws volunteers prepared her for the flight. Headphones were placedon the puppy so the engine noise wouldn't harm her sensitive ears.

"First they went to Maryland, and there another pilot picked herup and took her to Philadelphia to her foster home," Nisbet said."They're taking her to a specialist to see how her deficiency is andif it can be corrected. Once she's checked over, spayed andeverything, she'll be adopted out."

Missy was renamed Kalie. She's doing well with a foster owner whotakes her to work every day, Nisbet said.

Pilots N Paws have transported distressed pets from othershelters to new homes. Last year the McDowell County Animal Sheltersent a dog out to a rescue organization, said Sharon Sagety of theMcDowell shelter.

"It's a wonderful program. They have wonderful pilots and theyuse their own private planes," she said. "Actually with ourtransport, three pilots transported one dog for us. It had been withus since it was a puppy and it was 3 years old, and she was aBurmese mountain dog."

The dog was placed with a New Hampshire family that had recentlylost an older dog. Due to the harsh winter of 2009, the dog had towait for two months before being flown to its new home.

"We had tried to get ground transport and there was no way wecould get ground transport," Sagety said. "These people volunteeredand they paid all expenses. They are truly animal lovers."

Not all the pets waiting for new homes can be transported by air.The McDowell County shelter has 26 pets that are waiting for a ride.Sagety will sometimes take the pets to a halfway point, but moredrivers are needed.

"We need volunteers who would be willing to transport animals,people with vans who would be willing to donate their time," Sagetysaid. "We are doing most of our trips to Pennsylvania, and we don'thave a van."

OBITUARIES

Jesse W. Adkins

Jesse W. Adkins, 86, of Chesapeake died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, inSt. Francis Hospital after a short illness.

He was former owner/operator of Adkins Wrecker Service,Chesapeake, attended the Assembly of God Church, Chesapeake, and wasa lifelong resident of Kanawha CountySurviving: wife, Rosa March Adkins; sons, Jesse and Jack Adkins ofCharleston; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter.Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Cooke Funeral Home, CedarGrove, with Pastor Frank Thomas officiating. Burial will be inMarmet Cemetery.Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.George Y. Anderson IIIMORGANTOWN - George Young Anderson III, 53 of Morgantown diedFriday, Nov. 27, 1998, in Ruby Memorial Hospital after a shortillness.He was a native of Charleston and an employee of Morgantown BeautyCollege.Surviving: sisters, Sukarol Baroni and Alice Kelley of Charleston;niece, Kari Smolder of Charleston; nephews, Bill Kelley III ofVirginia Beach, Va., Guy Baroni of Fairmont.Private memorial service will be at a later date. The body wascremated. Hastings Funeral Home, Morgantown, is in charge ofarrangements.Zella E. BailesZella E. Bailes, 81, of Nitro died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, inThomas Memorial Hospital.She was a retired clerk/buyer from The Diamond and a lifelongresident of Nitro.Surviving: son, James Bailes of Nitro; daughters, Janet Sue Loweof Nitro, Patricia Ann Montgomery of York, S.C.; sisters, BlancheConway of St. Albans, Clara Cottrell of Cross Lanes; sixgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren.Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Cooke Funeral Home, Nitro,with the Rev. Rick Webber officiating. Burial will be in TylerMountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Bill D. BerryMOUNT GAY - Bill D. Berry, 59, of Mount Gay, Logan County, diedSunday, Nov. 29, 1998, in Logan.He was a retired machinist.Surviving: daughters, Pauline Lowe and Stephanie White of Dingess,Sylvia Forshey of Mount Gay; sons, Bill Berry Jr. of Clarksburg,Melvin and Steve Berry of Logan; sisters, Maudella Smith of GlenBurnie, Md., Peggy Borth of Stollings; brothers, Hershel Berry ofPecks Mill, Calvin Berry of Glen Burnie; 12 grandchildren.Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at James Funeral Home, Logan,with the Rev. John McClung officiating. Burial will be in HighlandMemory Gardens, Godby.Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.Anna M. BledsoeCABAZON, Calif. - Anna M. Bledsoe, 68, of Cabazon, formerly ofCrown Hill, W.Va., died Sunday, Nov. 27, 1998, in Vencor Hospital,Ontario, after an apparent heart attack.She was a native of Riverside, W.Va.Surviving: husband, Edgar Bledsoe; daughters, Helen McGuire andNancy Bledsoe of Cabazon; son, Charles Bledsoe of Cabazon; brothers,Charles Hudnall of South Daytona, Fla., Ronald Hudnall of Rand,W.Va., William D.P. Hudnall of Crown Hill; sisters, Bonna Wendell ofCrown Hill, Jane Graley of Cambridge, Ohio, Carrol Pauley ofMarietta, Ga., Jo Rose Samuels of Wimauma, Fla., Margaret BillanitofWeston; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.Wiefels and Son Funeral Home, Banning, Calif., is in charge ofarrangements.Donald BoggsINDORE - Donald Boggs, 62, of Indore, Clay County, died Monday,Nov. 30, 1998, in Thomas Memorial Hospital, South Charleston.He was a block layer, a Baptist and an Air Force veteran.Surviving: companion, Betty Dardy; daughters, Della Holcomb andDonna Boggs of Indore, Janelle Shaffer of Elkview; sons, Gary andDavid Boggs of Indore; sisters, Goldie McIntyre of Uler, PaulineMyers of Elkview; Frances Rose of Munday; brother, Dennis Rex Boggsof Rittman, Ohio; six grandchildren.Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Taylor-Vandale Funeral Home,Spencer, with the Rev. Danny J. Lucas officiating. Burial will be inTariff Cemetery.Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Hattie G. BoydHattie G. Boyd, 89, of St. Albans died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, inSerenity Valley Care Home, Hometown, after a long illness.She was a homemaker and a member of St. Peter's Methodist Church,St. Albans.Surviving: daughters, Betty Thompson and Barbara Boyd of St.Albans; son, William "Bill" Boyd of Mount Hope; sisters, GeorgiaMarsh of Charlottesville, Va., Violet Hinkle of Union; brother,LewisAllen of Stuarts Draft, Va.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.Service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bartlett-Chapman FuneralHome, St. Albans, with the Rev. William H. Thompson III officiating.Burial will be in Wayside Methodist Church Cemetery, Monroe County.Friends may call one hour prior to service at the funeral home andfrom 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at Wayside Methodist Church.Cornelius J. BryantLEROY - Cornelius J. Bryant, 58, of Leroy, Jackson County, diedSunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at home.He was a truck driver and a farmer.Surviving: wife, Carol Billie Bryant; sons, Jim Edward Bryant ofRipley Thomas Darrell Bryant of Leroy; daughter, Ladona Goode ofLiverpool; brothers, Bill and Mike of Georgia, Bob of Ravenswood;sisters, Beverly Goodson and Joyce Sampson of Fayetteville, JudyBryant and Nellie Hitt of North Carolina, Mona VanDyke ofWashington;eight grandchildren.Memorial service will be at a later date. The body was cremated.Parsons-Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley, is in charge ofarrangements.Hilda R. CollinsWESTON - Hilda Rosetta Collins, 54, of Weston died Monday, Nov.30, 1998, at home.She cared for children through the state Department of HumanServices and was a Methodist.Surviving: husband, Eugene Edward Collins; stepdaughters, BeverlyRowh, Ruthie Speas and Delorse Collins of Weston; stepson, Joseph L.Collins of Jane Lew; sister, Eleanor Owens of Newell; brother,Charles Streets of Chester; seven stepgrandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild.Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Morris Funeral Home, Jane Lew,with the Rev. Martin Wine officiating. Burial will be in PetersonCemetery.Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at thefuneral home.Edith B. ColophyLOS ANGELES, Calif. - Edith Barker Plumley Colophy, 92, of LosAngeles, formerly of Ashford, W.Va., died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998,after a long illness.Surviving: sons, J.W. Clyde Plumley of West Covina, Calif., OwenPlumley of San Marino, Calif.; sisters, Bertha Kinder, Mary YoungandMarie Estep of Marmet, W.Va.; brother, Dewey Barker of Charleston,W.Va.; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in Queen of HeavenCemetery, Rowlands Heights, Calif. Custer Christian Mortuary, WestCovina, is in charge of arrangements. Information provided byLeonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet.Marjorie V. ComptonHUNTINGTON - Marjorie V. Compton, 87, of Huntington died Friday,Nov. 27, 1998, after a long illness.She was a retired secretary/treasurer of Compton Office Machines,a member of Sixth Avenue Church of Christ, past president of theAltrusa Club and the state and local auxiliaries of the Gideons, aformer volunteer at Cabell Huntington Hospital and Huntington CityMission.Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary,Huntington, with Evangelist Jimmy Tingler officiating. Burial willbe in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the mortuary.C. Holmes CowleyORGAS - C. Holmes Cowley, 73, of Orgas, Boone County, died Sunday,Nov. 29, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division, after a long illness.He was a Navy veteran of World War II, a retired employee ofKessler Coal, Blue Pennant, and attended Sylvester Church of God andFirst Baptist Church, Whitesville.Surviving: wife, Ressie Williams Cowley; son, John Holmes Cowleyof Harpers Ferry; sister, Atholeston Gallimore of Whitesville, PollyAnn Meadows of Sylvester; brother, Richard Cowley of Whitesville;onegrandson; two stepgrandchildren.Service will be noon Wednesday at Armstrong Funeral Home,Whitesville, with the Rev. David Robinson and the Rev. W. HowardGwinn Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Pineview Cemetery, Orgas.Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.Lillie G. DeanMARLINTON - Lillie Gibson Rider Dean, 96, of Marlinton diedSunday, Nov. 29, 1998, in Pocahontas Memorial Hospital, Buckeye.She was a homemaker, a Methodist and a member of the Rebekah Lodgeand Eastern Star Chapter 97.Surviving: daughter, Anna Lee Dean of Marlinton.Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at VanReenen Funeral Home,Marlinton, with the Rev. Jay Hicks officiating. Burial will be inMount View Cemetery, Marlinton.Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.Helen H. FrancoRUPERT - Helen H. Hicks Franco, 82, of Rupert, Greenbrier County,died Saturday, Nov. 28, 1998, at home after a long illness.She was a retired school cook and a member of Senior Friends.Surviving: daughter, Margie Richmond of Rupert; sons, Clyde andThomas Franco of Cincinnati, Ohio, Eddie Franco of Highlands, N.J.;sisters, Hattie Morris of Clifton Forge, Va., Hilda Gingras ofNorfolk, Va.; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home,Rainelle, with the Rev. Brent Franco officiating. Entombment will bein Wallace Memorial Mausoleum, Clintonville.Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.Genevieve G. GilbertGenevieve G. Gilbert, 94, of Dunbar died Monday Nov. 30, 1998, inSunrise Dunbar Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a longillness.She was a homemaker and attended Dunbar Mountain Mission. She wasa 30-year resident of Dunbar, formerly of South Charleston.Surviving: sister and caregiver, Eva and Lonnie Adkins of Dunbar;several nieces and nephews.Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar,with the Rev. W.H. "Bill" Lanham and the Rev. Ray Belcherofficiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Frankie M. GreathouseSPENCER - Frankie Mace Greathouse, 72, of Spencer died Monday,Nov. 30, 1998, in Jackson General Hospital, Ripley, after a shortillness.She was a former employee of Kellwood Corp., Spencer, former ownerof Bible Book Store, Spencer, and was a member of First BaptistChurch, Spencer.Surviving: daughters, Judi Nichols and Cathy Nichols of Spencer;son, Rev. John Jones of Wade, N.C.; sister, Elsie Daugherty ofSpencer; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild.Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at John H. Taylor Funeral Home,Spencer, with the Rev. Lester Walker officiating. Burial will be inLooney Cemetery, Walton.Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.Maria E. HamiltonSUMMERSVILLE - Maria E. Hamilton, 57, of Summersville died Sunday,Nov. 29, 1998, in Raleigh General Hospital, Beckley, after a longillness.Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Prosperity, is in charge of arrangements.James A. HinzmanRIPLEY - James Ammon Hinzman 76, of Ripley died Sunday, Nov. 29,1998, at home.He retired from Union Carbide, Marietta, Ohio, was an Army MedicalCorps veteran of World War II, a member of VFW Post 3488,Sandyville,attended Ripley and Sandyville Senior Citizens, was instrumental inobtaining the water system from Ravenswood to Sandyville and was aresident assistant at Tanglewood Village.Surviving: sons, Wayne Lee Hinzman of Sandyville, James Hinzman ofGiven; daughter, Cathy L. Patterson of Ripley; sisters, Dela MaeHerdman of Wheelersburg, Ohio, Lena Ayers of Ravenswood; ninegrandchildren; three great-grandchildren.Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Vail Funeral Home, Ripley,with the Rev. Paul Morrison and the Rev. Jim Herdman officiating.Burial will be in Independence Cemetery, Sandyville.Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.Helen S. HuddyHelen S. Huddy, 73, of Charleston died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, inCAMC, General Division, after a short illness.She retired from the Social Security Administration, did extensivevolunteer work for the Children's Home Society for many years andwasnamed director emeritus of that organization.Surviving: daughters, Sandy Fanaris of Cross Lanes, Marcia Adkinsof South Charleston; sons, Rick Smith of Beckley, Scott Smith ofWinchester, Ky., Gary Smith of Hurricane, Philip Smith of Hampton,Va., James Smith of Columbus, Ohio, Stephen Smith of SouthCharleston, Matthew Smith of Charleston; stepdaughter, Ann Wright ofCharleston; 20 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; severalstepgrandchildren; several stepgreat-grandchildren.Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Wilson Funeral Home,Charleston. The body will be cremated. There will be no visitation.The family suggests memorial contributions to The Children's HomeSociety, 1422 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25311.Alline G. HughesHINTON - Alline Gray Bryson Hughes, 85, of Hinton died Sunday,Nov. 29, 1998, in a Princeton hospital after a long illness.She was a homemaker and a Baptist.Surviving: nieces and nephews.Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home,Prosperity, with the Rev. Earl Vannatter officiating. Burial will bein Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.Clario B. KefferPEYTONA - Clario Boyd Keffer, 81, of Peytona, Boone County, diedSunday, Nov. 29, 1998, in Boone Memorial Hospital, Madison, after along illness.He was a retired miner from Red Parrot Coal Co., a former mailcarrier and a member and former deacon of Drawdy Church of Christ.Surviving: wife, Gladyce Keffer; daughters, Reva Jean Parsons andMary Lou Halstead of Foster, Ionne Poff of Columbus, Ohio, PamelaAnnDaniel of Sylvester; sisters, Loarreda Miller and Lorene Miller ofFoster; brothers, Thearn and James H. Keffer of Foster; ninegrandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Handley Funeral Home,Danville, with Evangelist John Steele officiating. Burial will be inHarless Cemetery, Drawdy.Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.Edith M. MathesEdith Mary Mathes, 76, of Nitro died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, inThomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness.She was a homemaker, a Catholic and a lifelong resident of Nitro.Surviving: daughter, Carol Holmes of Eleanor; sons, Gary Mathes ofHurricane, Kevin and Terry Mathes of Nitro; sister, Pearl Mallone ofRhode Island; five grandchildren.Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home,St. Albans, with Father Patrick M. McDonough officiating. Burialwill be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Mary Lou MarcumMary Lou Marcum, 83, of St. Albans died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998, inCAMC, Memorial Division, after a short illness.She was a homemaker, member and former Sunday school teacher ofFirst Baptist Church, St. Albans, and a member of the Gleam SundaySchool Class. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star anda resident of St. Albans for more than 40 years. She was preceded indeath by husband, Howard Marcum.Surviving: daughters, Jamie Lou O'Malley and Mary Sue Selby ofCharleston; sons, Dr. Howard Marcum of Danville, Ill., Dr. MichaelMarcum of Dalton, Ga.; sisters, Virginia Finley of Huntington,Isabelle Hirling of Cincinnati, Ohio, Roberta Majeski of Longview,Wash.; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home,St. Albans, with the Rev. Joel Harpold officiating. Burial will bein Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.The family suggests memorial contributions to First Baptist ChurchStained Glass Fund, P.O. Box 350, St. Albans, WV 25177.Jack H. McGrew Sr.RAINELLE - Jack Henry McGrew Sr., 59, of Rainelle died Sunday,Nov. 29, 1998, in a Fairlea hospital after a long illness.He was a Baptist minister with 30 years of service ordained atCalvary Baptist Church, Nitro.Surviving: wife, Carolyn Sue Phalen McGrew; daughters, JulieMcGrew and Jennifer Sanford of High Point, N.C., Jocelyn Dotson ofEast Bend, N.C.; sons, Jack McGrew Jr. of High Point, John McGrew ofManassas, Va.; eight grandchildren.Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Lilly Valley Baptist Church,Rainelle, with the Pastor Joe Collins officiating. Burial will be inTyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Wallace-Wallace FuneralHome, Rainelle, and one hour prior to service at the church. Thefamily suggests memorial contributions to Baptist Faith Missions, c/oGlenn Archer, P.O. Box 144, Livermore, KY 42352.Joseph C. McNeelyJoseph Clifford McNeely, 77, of Charleston died Sunday, Nov. 29,1998.He retired from DuPont, Belle, and was an Army veteran of WorldWar II.Surviving: daughter, Phyllis Miller of Foster; son, StephenMcNeely of Foster; sister, Frona Cooper of Greenville, S.C.;brothers, Paul McNeely of Charleston, Claudie McNeely of Foster;fivegrandchildren; three great-grandchildren.Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Handley Funeral Home,Danville, with the Rev. John Barker officiating. Burial will be inBallard Cemetery, Foster.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Edna O. MooreEdna Olive Moore, 93, of Charleston, formerly of Vienna andChelyan, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division,after a short illness.She was a member of Grand Central Church of Christ, Vienna,attended Belle Church of Christ and was a native of Wetzel County.Surviving: daughter, Barbara Sue Shafer of Weston; sons, Edward G.Moore of Cross Lanes, Robert E. Moore of Charleston; sister, RilmaL.Poole of Belmont; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren.Graveside service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Greenlawn MemorialPark, New Martinsville, with Minister Steve Fox officiating.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Stevens-Grass FuneralHome, Malden.Marie D. MooreSALISBURY, Md. - Marie Deputy Moore, 75, of Salisbury diedSaturday, Nov. 28, 1998, in Peninsula Regional Medical Center.She was a native of Dunmore, W.Va., a secretary and a member ofCalvary Baptist Church.Surviving: daughter, Karen Coulbourne of Ocean City, Md.; son,Charles Moore of Baltimore.Service was to be 11 am. today at VanReenen Funeral Home,Marlinton, W.Va., with the Rev. Gail Cutlip officiating. Burial wasto be in Dunmore Cemetery.Donald P. NewmanSCOTT DEPOT - Donald Pierce Newman, 84, of Scott Depot diedMonday, Nov. 30, 1998, in Morris Memorial Convalescent and NursingHome, Milton, after a long illness.He was a member of Christ Church United Methodist, Charleston, aNavy veteran of World War II, a retired electrical engineer fromAppalachian Power with 40 years of service and received a bachelor'sdegree in electrical engineering from West Virginia University.Surviving: son, S. Douglas Newman of Scott Depot; daughter, MarthaWise of Apple Valley, Calif.; sisters, Edith Harper of Huntersville,Alda Diament of Bridgeton, N.J., Virginia Brandt of Fort Mill, S.C.,Sally Baer of New Creek; two grandsons.Private graveside service will be at a later date at Mountain ViewCemetery, Marlinton. There will be no visitation. Heck FuneralHome, Milton, is in charge of arrangements.Joe L. PannellNEW YORK, N.Y. - Joe Louis Pannell, 62, of New York, formerly ofCarlisle, W.Va., died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1998, in New York after ashort illness.Ritchie-Johnson Funeral Home, Beckley, W.Va., is in charge ofarrangements.E.G. PhillipsCRAIGSVILLE - E.G. Phillips, 55, of Craigsville, formerly ofHuntington, died Friday, Nov. 27, 1998, in St. Mary's Hospital,Huntington.He was a project engineer at Vecillio & Grogan Construction Co., aformer employee of S.J. Groves with 20 years of service and was anAir Force veteran.Surviving: wife, Susan Phillips; daughter, Misty Phillips at home;son, Michael Phillips at home; sister, Joyce Stollings ofChesapeake,Ohio; brothers, Clifford Phillips Jr. and Mike Phillips ofChesapeake; several nieces and nephews.Service was Monday at Beard Mortuary, Huntington. Burial was inWoodmere Memorial Park, Huntington, with military graveside rites.James H. PhillipsCLEVELAND, Ohio - James H. Phillips, 77, of Cleveland, diedSaturday, Nov. 28, 1998, in Lutheran Memorial Hospital, Cleveland,after a short illness.He was a former warehouse employee of Uncle Bills, a veteran ofWorld War II, having served with Merrill's Mauraders, lived most ofhis life in Cleveland and was a member Freewill Baptist Church,Cleveland, and Boys Town of America.Surviving: sister, Ethel Giles of Bunnell, Fla.; niece, MichelleThompson of Cleveland; several additional niece and nephews.Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Cooke Funeral Home,Cedar Grove.Nannie J. PriceNannie Jarret Price, 84, of Charleston died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998,in CAMC, General Division, after a short illness.She was a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church and theCharleston Women's Club.Surviving: son, J. Allen Price of Scott Depot; daughter, RuthPrice Cisco of Beckley; grandchildren, Brian Adams of Arlington,Va.,Amy Womack of Clemmons, N.C., Blair Price of Cape Coral, Fla., T.J.Cisco of Beckley; sister, Ella May Walker of Charleston; brother,Homer Jarret Jr. of Florida; one great-grandchild.Service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Grace Covenant PresbyterianChurch, Charleston, with the Rev. Lawton Posey officiating. Burialwill be in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.Friends may call from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wilson FuneralHome, Charleston. The family suggests memorial contributions to BeniKedem Shrine Crippled Children's Fund, P.O. Box 2589, Charleston, WV25329, or Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 805 Price St.,Charleston, WV 25302.Ralph C. RaderCOLUMBUS, Ohio - Ralph C. Rader, 73, of Columbus, formerly ofArbovale, W.Va., Clarksburg, W.Va., and Atlantic, Pa., diedSaturday,Nov. 28, 1998, at home.He retired from Rish Equipment Co. and Rader Car Co., was a memberof Minerva Park United Methodist Church, Moose Lodge, Worthington,Masonic Lodge 416, New Albany, Scottish Rite Bodies, and Valley ofColumbus. He was a Navy veteran of World War II.Surviving: wife, Betty Warner Rader; sons, Terry Rader of Troy,Mich., Jeff Rader of Westerville, Rick Rader of Lexington, Ky.;stepsons, Michael Wright of Nashville, Tenn., Edward Wright of NewBern, N.C.; mother, Goldie Rader; brothers, Howard Ronald Rader andRobert Lee Rader; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Arbovale United MethodistChurch. Burial will be in Arbovale Cemetery.Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Wallace-Wallace FuneralHome, Arbovale. The family suggests memorial contributions toHospice at Riverside and Grant, 3535 Olentangy River Road, Columbus,OH 43214-9861.Charles D. RossSPENCER - Charles Dewight Ross, 62, of Spencer died Thursday, Nov.26, 1998, in Roane General Hospital.He retired from Spencer State Hospital.Surviving: brother, John Ross of Fairport Harbor, Ohio.Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Taylor-VandaleFuneral Home, Spencer, with the Rev. Darrell Alvis officiating. Thebody was cremated. There will be no visitation.Glenna J. ScherrGlenna JoAnn Scherr, 54, of St. Albans died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998,in CAMC, General Division, after a short illness.She was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church, Ripley, andattended St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St. Albans. She was a20-year resident of St. Albans.Surviving: husband, Jim A. Scherr; sons, Todd A. and Chad A.Scherr of St. Albans; sisters, Jeannie Casto of Ripley, Evelyn Shinnof Homosassa, Fla.; brother, Lee Slaven of Ripley; fourgrandchildren.Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew United MethodistChurch, St. Albans, with the Rev. Ed Tutwiler officiating. Burialwill be in Scherr-Koontz Cemetery, Goldtown.Friends may call one hour prior to service at the church. Thefamily suggests memorial contributions to St. Andrew UnitedMethodistChurch, 815 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans, WV 25177. Bartlett-ChapmanFuneral Home, St. Albans, in charge of arrangements.Myrtle M. SelbeHUNTINGTON - Myrtle Matheny Selbe, 95, of Huntington diedSaturday, Nov. 28, 1998, in Fairhaven Nursing Home.She was a native of Charleston and a member of Seventh AvenueBaptist Church.Surviving: nieces, Vergie E. Jones, Maggie L. Hissom and MyrtleMcKeown of Charleston; several additional nieces and nephews.Service was to be 2 p.m. today at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary,Huntington, with the Rev. Robert L. Withers officiating. Burial wasto be in Ridgelawn Memorial Park.Gene E. SmithMONTGOMERY - Gene Edward Smith, 59, of Montgomery died Monday,Nov. 30, 1998, in Mongtomery General Hospital after a long illness.Anderson-Hairston Funeral Home, Montgomery, is in charge ofarrangements.Lois J. SollarsBRUNO - Lois Jean Sollars, 63, of Bruno, Logan County, diedWednesday, Nov. 25, 1998, in St. Peter's Hospital, Olympia, Wash.She was a retired nurse, a Methodist and attended GilbertPresbyterian Church.Surviving: husband, James Marion Sollars; son, Joseph S. Colemanof Shelton, Wash.; sister, Meta Ann Justice of Gilbert; twograndchildren; one great-grandchild.Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home,Man, with the Rev. David Fisher officiating. Burial will be inForest Lawn Cemetery, Pecks Mill.Friends may call two hours prior to service at the funeral home.Norma J. SparkmanCHESTERHILL, Ohio - Norma Jean Rush Sparkman, 64, of Chesterhilldied Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, in Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital,Parkersburg, W.Va.She was a homemaker and a native of London, W.Va.Surviving: husband, Burl M. Sparkman Jr.; sons, Burl Sparkman IIIand Andrew Sparkman of Chesterhill, David Sparkman of Lancaster,Ohio; daughters, Lou Garrett of Chesterhill, Martha Newton ofMcConnelsville, Ohio, Patty Nance of Ashville, Ohio; stepdaughters,Mary Sparkman and Judy Sparkman of Beckley, W.Va.; brothers, AlbertRush of Ashville, Larry Doles of Columbus, Ohio; sister, JuanitaCarter of Ashville; 15 grandchildren; one great-grandson.Service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Stone-Matheny Funeral Home,Chesterhill. Burial will be in Chesterhill Cemetery.Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at thefuneral home.Kathy F. SpearsMcCONNELL - Kathy F. Justice Spears, 52, of McConnell, LoganCounty, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, in Logan General Hospital afteralong illness.She was a homemaker and a former member of Plaza Lanes BowlingLeague, Logan.Surviving: son, Stewart Justice III of Columbus, Ohio; stepsons,Jeffrey Dale Justice of McConnell, Barry Dewayne Justice of Daytona,Fla.; mother, Mable Virginia Brunty Spears Campbell of McConnell;father, Howard Spears of Rush, Ky.; brothers, Carl E. Spears ofCrown, James M. Spears of Federal, N.C., David L. Spears of Holiday,Fla., Clifford H. Spears of Man; several nieces and nephews.Service will be noon Wednesday at Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home,Man, with the Rev. Orville Syner officiating. Burial will be inHighland Memory Gardens, Godby.Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today and one hour prior toservice Wednesday at the funeral home.Otho B. SpenceFAIRLEA - Otho B. Spence, 89, of Fairlea, Greenbrier County, diedMonday, Nov. 30, 1998, in Alleghany Regional Hospital, Low Moor,Va.,after a short illness.Wallace-Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg, is in charge ofarrangements.Paul E. TannerENTERPRISE, Ala. - Paul E. Tanner, 67, of Enterprise, formerly ofCharleston, W.Va., died Friday, Nov. 27, 1998, in Southeast AlabamaMedical Center.He retired from the Army.Surviving: wife, Inez Pettry Tanner; stepson, David Lee Myers ofAlbany, Ga.; sister, Ruby Buckalew of Cross Lanes, W.Va.; threegrandchildren.Service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Cunningham Memorial ParkLower Mausoleum, St. Albans, W.Va., with the Rev. Jerry Cantleyofficiating. Burial will be in Cunningham Memorial Park.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Wilson Funeral Home,Charleston.Henrietta P. ThompsonHenrietta P. "Muggie" Thompson, 93, of Charleston died Saturday,Nov. 28, 1998, in CAMC, Memorial Division, after a long illness.Scott Funeral Home, Charleston, is in charge of arrangements.James S. WilkinsonMETAIRIE, La. - James S. "Wilk" Wilkinson, 84, of Metairie,formerly of South Charleston, W.Va., died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1998.He was retired from Union Carbide with 41 years of service.Surviving: sons, Jim of Columbus, Ohio, Dave of Charleston, W.Va.,Ed of Greenville, S.C.Burial was Friday in Metairie.Mildred S. WilsonWESTON - Mildred S. "Midge" Wilson, 83, of Weston died Sunday,Nov. 29, 1998, in Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital after a longillness.She was a Baptist and retired from Woolen Mills, Cleveland, Ohio.Surviving: husband, Charles V. "Virgil" Wilson; stepdaughter,Lucille Brainard of Ravenna, Ohio; brother, Cecil Taylor of Weston;sister, Ilene Danley of Clarksburg.Service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Boyle Funeral Home, Weston.Burial will be in Weston Masonic Cemetery.Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at thefuneral home.- SERVICEHARKLESS, Sonny Boy - Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at CedarGrove Baptist Church with Don Toler and Lloyd Daubenspeckofficiating. Burial will be in Kanawha Valley Memorial Gardens,Glasgow, with military graveside rites by VFW Post 8366, GauleyBridge. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Cooke FuneralHome, Cedar Grove, and one hour prior to service at the church.Harkless, 77, of Cedar Grove died Sunday, Nov. 29, 1998, at home.Correction on survivor: granddaughter, Kathryn Altizer of Ona.

Smart Alec on podium after an uphill battle

Multi-terrain specialist Alec Woods was back on the podium whenthe 17th Stickler ten-mile race was staged by Dorset Doddlers nearBlandford Forum.

The Larkhall-based runner finished third in a big field of 414runners, completing a tough challenge which included more than1,500ft of vicious climbing over the peaks of Okeford Beacon, HodHill and Hambledon Hill in a time of 66mins 21secs.

Woods was also the first veteran home, the 47-year-old showingterrific form to finish just over two minutes behind winner andformer TeamBath Buccaneers hockey player Tom Fisher.

"It was okay but I think I over-did the training beforehand andblew up after the first big hill," said Woods.

"I was with Tom until three miles, then lost it downhill but heldit together for the rest of the race."

The result continues Woods' good form in off-road events, whichhas seen him finish third in the Black Mountain race in Wales andrecord some good results on the Welsh fell running circuit.

TeamBath club-mate John Kerley crept inside the top 100 in 93rdspot, while Margaret Thompson finished 232nd. David Vaudin was theleading TeamBath runner in the Calne Leisure Centre 10k road race onSunday.

Vaudin finished eighth in 38mins 07secs, while club-mate GaryHughes also made the top 20 of the 155 finishers in 41:04.

Overall victory went to Bristol & West AC junior Zak Tobias in33:45, while the top woman was Wiltshire marathon international AmyChalk, who was seventh overall in 37:15.

Andy Boyce clocked 85mins 16secs in the Bupa Great South Run ten-mile road race in Portsmouth on Sunday.

Helen Pettemerides (85:17) and Jan Rambridge (1:49.02) also tookpart.

Just three weeks after running the Amsterdam Marathon, DaveCoales lines up for the 26.2 miles challenge again - only this timein the Big Apple. The TeamBath AC chairman is running the New Yorkmarathon on Sunday for the third time in what will be his 16thmarathon in total.

"I'm running the New York Marathon to raise money for theNightingales Children's Project," said Coales.

"I'm not looking for a marathon personal best but for a time ofaround 2hrs 45mins, which would be a PB by five minutes for me inNew York."

Nightingales is a charity based in Romania to help disadvantagedchildren and anyone who wants to sponsor Coales should email him atdave_coales@hotmail.com. Loren Bleaken is included in a strongTeamBath under-20 women's squad heading to Mansfield on Saturday forthe English Cross Country Relays. TeamBath should also be wellrepresented at the second Gloucester Cross Country fixture atBlackridge, Gloucester, on the same day.

The inaugural Bath Hilly half marathon multi-terrain event willbe held on Sunday, November 27 from Bath Racecourse.

The two-lap off-road race will incorporate 1,650ft of climbingand entries have been restricted to 250.

The event is being organised by Trionium on behalf of Bath WestRotary Club and for further details see www.trioni-um.com/bathhillyhalf.

Entries for the very popular Bromham Xmas Pud 10k race on Sunday,December 4 are open. For further details, see www.bro mhampuddin-grun.co.uk.

Counterterrorism police raid hideout near Athens

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — An official says counterterrorism police have raided a hideout outside Athens and confiscated weapons and arrested several people.

Greek TV reported that four people were taken into custody, but the police spokesman who confirmed the raid would not say how many have been arrested. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in compliance with police rules.

The official says the hideout is located southeast of Athens in the suburb of Nea Smyrni.

Last month, a Greek radical anarchist group, Conspiracy Nuclei of Fire, claimed responsibility for a spate of parcel bombings in Greece.

Most of the 14 packages, all using tiny amounts of explosives, were intercepted by police and destroyed, but a delivery service employee suffered minor burns in a small blast.

Bank of China shares fall after HK tycoon's sale

Bank of China shares tumbled Thursday after Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing's foundation sold more than $500 million worth of shares in the lender, becoming the latest investor to cut its investment in China's banking sector.

Meanwhile, struggling investment firm Royal Bank of Scotland said it may also sell its own stake in the Chinese lender.

The Li Ka Shing Foundation sold 2 billion shares at 1.98 Hong Kong dollars each _ a 7.5 percent discount to Wednesday's closing price, according to a term sheet for the deal. The total amount raised in the sale, which closed Thursday, was $511 million.

Bank of China, the mainland's No. 3 lender, fell 8.4 percent to $1.96 on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Li's sale shouldn't be interpreted as skepticism about the Bank of China's prospects, said a foundation spokesman. Li still controls 3 billion shares that he plans to hold for a "very long time."

"The foundation has many investment projects and Mr. Li buys and sells once in a while, so this is just a normal funds allocation," said the spokesman, who declined to be identified per policy.

The sale comes a day after Bank of America Corp., looking to raise money to cope with economic turmoil, sold a 2.5 percent stake in China Construction Bank for about $2.8 billion.

Last month, Swiss bank UBS AG said it sold its stake in Bank of China in a deal estimated to be worth around $900 million.

On Thursday, Royal Bank of Scotland said it may follow Li and UBS, but declined to give further details.

"RBS is currently examining all of its investments as part of the strategic review launched in the final quarter of 2008. This includes our investment in Bank of China," the British bank said in a statement.

Li, who presides over Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Ltd and developer Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd, is one of the world's richest people, with a fortune that's been estimated by Forbes magazine at $26.5 billion.

PGA Tour 59 List

Players who have shot a round of 59 in a PGA Tour event:

— Al Geiberger, at Colonial Country Club, Memphis, Tennessee, in second round of 1977 Memphis Classic (13 under).

— Chip Beck, at Sunrise Golf Club, Las Vegas, in third round of 1991 Las Vegas Invitational (13 under).

— David Duval, at Arnold Palmer Course at PGA West, La Quinta, California, in final round of 1999 Bob Hope Invitational (13 under).

— Paul Goydos, at TPC Deere Run course, Silvis, Illinois, in first round of 2010 John Deere Classic (12 under).

— Stuart Appleby, at The Old White Course, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, in the final round of the 2010 Greenbrier Classic (11 under).

Butt and Akmal hit centuries in strong Pakistan total

Opening batsmen Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal smashed centuries Sunday in a big Pakistan total of 308-8 in the third one-day international against Bangladesh.

Butt, who had scored all four previous one-day international hundreds against archrival India, made a career-best 132 off 127 balls, while Akmal hammered 100 off 80 deliveries.

The batsmen had a 151-run stand off 143 deliveries to give Pakistan a platform for its total.

Bangladesh hit back briefly with four quick wickets before captain Shoaib Malik (33) and Butt put on 80 runs off 84 balls.

Butt hit 15 fours before he edged to wicketkeeper Dhiman Ghosh off paceman Mashrafe Murtaza in the next-to-last over of the innings.

Akmal was only opening because Nasir Jamshed injured his right hand during practice before the game and was ruled out.

After Malik won the toss and elected to bat first, Akmal survived a strong leg-before-wicket appeal off paceman Mashrafe Murtaza on 1, before hitting some impressive pull shots and drives.

Akmal pulled Shahadat Hussain _ playing his first match of the series _ for three successive fours, and took three more boundaries in medium-fast Farhad Reza's one over.

Akmal, playing in his 83rd one-day international, completed his fifth limited-overs century off only 80 balls, with 16 fours and a straight six over the head of spinner Sakib Al Hasan.

However, one ball after completing his century, Akmal was bowled by Mahmudullah's offspinners as he went to cut a delivery that spun back into the right-hander.

Bazid Khan, recalled to the Pakistan team after three years, was run out in a mix-up with Butt, while spinner Sakib Al Hasan removed dangermen Mohammad Yousuf (2) and Shahid Afridi (13) in successive overs.

Mortaza (2-47) and Hasan (2-50) were the main wicket-takers for Bangladesh, while Reza conceded 67 runs in his seven overs for the wicket of Malik.

Three-day planner.(Neighbor)

Today

* Fox Valley Presbyterian Women invite all to attend an event at 7 p.m. today at the church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva. Based on her novel "Eve's Daughters," author Lynn Austin will speak on the subject of the change in women's roles through the generations. There is no cost. For information, call the church office at (630) 232-7448.

Friday

* Saints Peter & Paul Church in Virgil will hold its annual Lenten Fish Fries from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays, to March 30, at the church, Route 64 and Meredith Road. Cost is $10-$13 for adults, $4-$6.50 for children ages 5 to 10 and free for children younger than 5. Carryout is available. For details or to place a carryout order, call (630) 365-6618.

* The Art Box in Geneva will hold an open house to celebrate "Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site" reaching the No. 1 slot on The New York Times Best Seller List, Children's Picture Books. Illustrator Tom Lichtenheld and author Sherri Rinker will be in attendance. The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at 514 W. State St. Original artwork from the book will be on display, and Lichtenheld will demonstrate the "dark field" technique used in the book at 6:30 p.m. Books will be available for sale and signing. Guests are asked to bring a cash donation or new children's book for Aunt Mary's Storybook Project, benefiting the children of those who are incarcerated. For information on Lichtenheld and Rinker, visit tomlichtenheld.com and sherriduskeyrinker.com.

* The Geneva Underground Playhouse will present a night of one-act plays and monologues written by area author Eric Peter Schwartz. The show, "Gods and Avocados," will run at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the playhouse, 524 W. State St. Tickets are $10 each. It is a collection of material Schwartz has written during the past few years, most of which is being presented to an audience for the first time. The plays and monologues range from the tragic to the absurd to the hilarious to the philosophical. The show features adult themes and situations, and parents should take that into account. For ticket information, purchase and reservations, visit guptheatre.org or call (630) 677-1725. Credit cards can be used online, but only cash or check is accepted for phone reservations or at the door.

* Steel Beam Theatre presents the classic Tennessee Williams play "The Glass Menagerie," directed by Terry Domschke of Elgin, through Sunday, March 11. Show times are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. There is free parking next to the theater, which is handicap accessible, and a variety of dining options nearby. Single tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for students/seniors and $22 for groups of 10 and more. For tickets, visit SteelBeamTheatre.com or call (630) 587-8521.

* Fox Valley Repertory presents a comical glimpse behind the creation of the screenplay "Gone With the Wind" with Ron Hutchinson's "Moonlight and Magnolias" at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage, 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles. The show will continue through March 11. The show is rated PG-13 due to strong language. Note for those with peanut allergies, peanuts and peanut shells are an integral part of this production and will be used onstage. Tickets are priced at $32 Fridays and $42 Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner show packages are available from $52. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at (630) 584-6342, or visit ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at foxvalleyrep.org.

Saturday

* Kinvarra Farm, 6N911 Route 25 in St. Charles, will conduct a two-day instructional riding clinic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Groups, based on experience, will receive two hours of instruction each day. The instructors for the clinic are Rachael Johnson and Janet Sassmannshausen. Kinvarra Farm is between Army Trail Road and Stearns Road on Route 25 in St. Charles. For details, call (847) 525-0591.

* Waubonsee Community College's Adult Literacy Project is seeking volunteers to tutor adult students in reading, writing and speaking English, as well as math and other basic skills. All training and materials are free. Located at the college's Aurora Campus, 18 S. River St., the AdultLiteracy Project will offer a tutor training program that meets from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 3 and 10. Prospective tutors must complete both sessions before working with adults one-on-one or in a classroom environment. Tutor applications are available online at waubonsee.edu/adultliteracy or by calling (630) 801-7900, ext. 4221.

* The Geneva Winter Market has moved to 27 N. Bennett St. in the Geneva Place complex. The farmers market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday until May.

Three-day planner.(Neighbor)

Today

* Fox Valley Presbyterian Women invite all to attend an event at 7 p.m. today at the church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva. Based on her novel "Eve's Daughters," author Lynn Austin will speak on the subject of the change in women's roles through the generations. There is no cost. For information, call the church office at (630) 232-7448.

Friday

* Saints Peter & Paul Church in Virgil will hold its annual Lenten Fish Fries from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays, to March 30, at the church, Route 64 and Meredith Road. Cost is $10-$13 for adults, $4-$6.50 for children ages 5 to 10 and free for children younger than 5. Carryout is available. For details or to place a carryout order, call (630) 365-6618.

* The Art Box in Geneva will hold an open house to celebrate "Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site" reaching the No. 1 slot on The New York Times Best Seller List, Children's Picture Books. Illustrator Tom Lichtenheld and author Sherri Rinker will be in attendance. The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at 514 W. State St. Original artwork from the book will be on display, and Lichtenheld will demonstrate the "dark field" technique used in the book at 6:30 p.m. Books will be available for sale and signing. Guests are asked to bring a cash donation or new children's book for Aunt Mary's Storybook Project, benefiting the children of those who are incarcerated. For information on Lichtenheld and Rinker, visit tomlichtenheld.com and sherriduskeyrinker.com.

* The Geneva Underground Playhouse will present a night of one-act plays and monologues written by area author Eric Peter Schwartz. The show, "Gods and Avocados," will run at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the playhouse, 524 W. State St. Tickets are $10 each. It is a collection of material Schwartz has written during the past few years, most of which is being presented to an audience for the first time. The plays and monologues range from the tragic to the absurd to the hilarious to the philosophical. The show features adult themes and situations, and parents should take that into account. For ticket information, purchase and reservations, visit guptheatre.org or call (630) 677-1725. Credit cards can be used online, but only cash or check is accepted for phone reservations or at the door.

* Steel Beam Theatre presents the classic Tennessee Williams play "The Glass Menagerie," directed by Terry Domschke of Elgin, through Sunday, March 11. Show times are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. There is free parking next to the theater, which is handicap accessible, and a variety of dining options nearby. Single tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for students/seniors and $22 for groups of 10 and more. For tickets, visit SteelBeamTheatre.com or call (630) 587-8521.

* Fox Valley Repertory presents a comical glimpse behind the creation of the screenplay "Gone With the Wind" with Ron Hutchinson's "Moonlight and Magnolias" at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage, 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles. The show will continue through March 11. The show is rated PG-13 due to strong language. Note for those with peanut allergies, peanuts and peanut shells are an integral part of this production and will be used onstage. Tickets are priced at $32 Fridays and $42 Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner show packages are available from $52. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at (630) 584-6342, or visit ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at foxvalleyrep.org.

Saturday

* Kinvarra Farm, 6N911 Route 25 in St. Charles, will conduct a two-day instructional riding clinic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Groups, based on experience, will receive two hours of instruction each day. The instructors for the clinic are Rachael Johnson and Janet Sassmannshausen. Kinvarra Farm is between Army Trail Road and Stearns Road on Route 25 in St. Charles. For details, call (847) 525-0591.

* Waubonsee Community College's Adult Literacy Project is seeking volunteers to tutor adult students in reading, writing and speaking English, as well as math and other basic skills. All training and materials are free. Located at the college's Aurora Campus, 18 S. River St., the AdultLiteracy Project will offer a tutor training program that meets from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 3 and 10. Prospective tutors must complete both sessions before working with adults one-on-one or in a classroom environment. Tutor applications are available online at waubonsee.edu/adultliteracy or by calling (630) 801-7900, ext. 4221.

* The Geneva Winter Market has moved to 27 N. Bennett St. in the Geneva Place complex. The farmers market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday until May.

Three-day planner.(Neighbor)

Today

* Fox Valley Presbyterian Women invite all to attend an event at 7 p.m. today at the church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva. Based on her novel "Eve's Daughters," author Lynn Austin will speak on the subject of the change in women's roles through the generations. There is no cost. For information, call the church office at (630) 232-7448.

Friday

* Saints Peter & Paul Church in Virgil will hold its annual Lenten Fish Fries from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays, to March 30, at the church, Route 64 and Meredith Road. Cost is $10-$13 for adults, $4-$6.50 for children ages 5 to 10 and free for children younger than 5. Carryout is available. For details or to place a carryout order, call (630) 365-6618.

* The Art Box in Geneva will hold an open house to celebrate "Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site" reaching the No. 1 slot on The New York Times Best Seller List, Children's Picture Books. Illustrator Tom Lichtenheld and author Sherri Rinker will be in attendance. The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at 514 W. State St. Original artwork from the book will be on display, and Lichtenheld will demonstrate the "dark field" technique used in the book at 6:30 p.m. Books will be available for sale and signing. Guests are asked to bring a cash donation or new children's book for Aunt Mary's Storybook Project, benefiting the children of those who are incarcerated. For information on Lichtenheld and Rinker, visit tomlichtenheld.com and sherriduskeyrinker.com.

* The Geneva Underground Playhouse will present a night of one-act plays and monologues written by area author Eric Peter Schwartz. The show, "Gods and Avocados," will run at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the playhouse, 524 W. State St. Tickets are $10 each. It is a collection of material Schwartz has written during the past few years, most of which is being presented to an audience for the first time. The plays and monologues range from the tragic to the absurd to the hilarious to the philosophical. The show features adult themes and situations, and parents should take that into account. For ticket information, purchase and reservations, visit guptheatre.org or call (630) 677-1725. Credit cards can be used online, but only cash or check is accepted for phone reservations or at the door.

* Steel Beam Theatre presents the classic Tennessee Williams play "The Glass Menagerie," directed by Terry Domschke of Elgin, through Sunday, March 11. Show times are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. There is free parking next to the theater, which is handicap accessible, and a variety of dining options nearby. Single tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for students/seniors and $22 for groups of 10 and more. For tickets, visit SteelBeamTheatre.com or call (630) 587-8521.

* Fox Valley Repertory presents a comical glimpse behind the creation of the screenplay "Gone With the Wind" with Ron Hutchinson's "Moonlight and Magnolias" at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage, 4051 E. Main St. in St. Charles. The show will continue through March 11. The show is rated PG-13 due to strong language. Note for those with peanut allergies, peanuts and peanut shells are an integral part of this production and will be used onstage. Tickets are priced at $32 Fridays and $42 Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner show packages are available from $52. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at (630) 584-6342, or visit ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at foxvalleyrep.org.

Saturday

* Kinvarra Farm, 6N911 Route 25 in St. Charles, will conduct a two-day instructional riding clinic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Groups, based on experience, will receive two hours of instruction each day. The instructors for the clinic are Rachael Johnson and Janet Sassmannshausen. Kinvarra Farm is between Army Trail Road and Stearns Road on Route 25 in St. Charles. For details, call (847) 525-0591.

* Waubonsee Community College's Adult Literacy Project is seeking volunteers to tutor adult students in reading, writing and speaking English, as well as math and other basic skills. All training and materials are free. Located at the college's Aurora Campus, 18 S. River St., the AdultLiteracy Project will offer a tutor training program that meets from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 3 and 10. Prospective tutors must complete both sessions before working with adults one-on-one or in a classroom environment. Tutor applications are available online at waubonsee.edu/adultliteracy or by calling (630) 801-7900, ext. 4221.

* The Geneva Winter Market has moved to 27 N. Bennett St. in the Geneva Place complex. The farmers market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday until May.