The president of Guinea's National Assembly has announced the death of the country's long-time dictator Lansana Conte.
Aboubacar Sompare appeared on television around 2 a.m. Tuesday to announce Conte's death. He said Conte died …
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Cubs' loss a fickled affair
Which is more fickle: the Cubs' middle relief staff or the fanswho cheer it one day and boo it the next?
Tim Raines and yesterday's Wrigley Field crowd of 33,553 arelikely to vote for the middle relief staff.
Friday, Cubs middle reliever George Frazier held the MontrealExpos scoreless for two innings.
Yesterday, Frazier allowed two runs in two innings to earn theloss and the boos in a 4-2 Expos victory.
Frazier (0-1) started the decisive Montreal rally by walkingRaines in the eighth. Raines stole second and scored on Mitch Webster'ssingle to center.
Yet Frazier votes for the fans.
"Friday they were roaring their butts off," …
3-Goal Surge Lifts Leafs Over Rangers
NEW YORK - Pavel Kubina's first of the season woke up the Maple Leafs in the second period and started a three-goal binge against the stingy Rangers that carried Toronto to a 4-1 victory over New York on Saturday night.
The defenseman lifted the Leafs into a 1-1 tie at 8:35, just 2:51 after Jaromir Jagr gave the Rangers the lead. Until then, New York held the advantage on the scoreboard and shot clock with a 20-7 edge.
The Rangers entered as the lowest-scoring NHL team (15 goals), but on the strength of goalie Henrik Lundqvist, had allowed a league-low 17.
Kubina's shot from the right point struck something and changed direction on Lundqvist 29 seconds after the …
German deficit above 3 percent until 2013
Germany will take until 2013 to comply with a European Union-mandated budget deficit limit as it runs up public debt totaling euro509 billion in the aftermath of the economic crisis, a projection showed Wednesday.
The figures, drawn up by experts from federal, regional and municipal governments, were broadly in line with officials' previous predictions on the deficit.
Germany, which for years sought to keep down borrowing, is running up high debt to finance spending aimed at steering its economy through the crisis.
Wednesday's figures, released by the Finance Ministry, showed that public debt will total euro112.5 billion …
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Man facing trial over stolen goods charges
A 27-year-old man has been ordered to stand trial after beingaccused of receiving stolen goods at Walton.
Craig Andrew Lemaitre, of Sylvan Road, Bristol, was broughtbefore South Somerset Magistrates in custody this week charged withthe offence which is alleged to have taken place on December 3.
He pleaded not guilty to dishonestly receiving a satellitenavigation device, two chargers and a case containing CDs.
He also denied a charge of being in possession of criminalproperty at …
Carrol Dunham
NEW YORK
Carroll Dunham
NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Carroll Dunham's canvases of the past several years make a neat mess of the still-fruitful territory between abstraction and figuration. Blobs of paint morphed into puffy creatures, and more recently into phallic-nosed alpha males impotently shooting at one another. This fall we'll get caught in the cross fire at a two-decade survey of Dunham's work, …
Monitors urged for all with high blood pressure
Everyone with high blood pressure _ some 72 million Americans _ should own a home monitor and do regular pressure checks, the American Heart Association and other groups urged Thursday in an unprecedented endorsement of a medical device for consumers.
High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and death. Having it checked a few times a year in a doctor's office or at the drugstore is not enough to keep tabs on it, and regular home monitoring is more accurate, the new advice says.
Closer checks would let doctors fine-tune the many medicines used to control high blood pressure, just as diabetics adjust their insulin levels by regularly …
Police arrest man, 50 after body found in car
A 50-year-old man has been arrested and charged after the body ofa woman was found in a car.
Police launched a murder inquiry after the 45-year-old was foundin a silver Renault Megane on a busy Aberdeen street.
Officers swooped on Riverside Drive, on the banks of the RiverDee, shortly after 11am yesterday.
The woman was believed to be from the Cove area of Aberdeen.
Today it emerged police were linking the discovery of the body toan earlier alleged incident on the A90.
Detective Inspector Andy Imray, who was leading the inquiry,said: "This vehicle was involved in an incident on the insidesouthbound carriageway of the A90 Aberdeen to Stonehaven road …
New reading effort targets pre-school, primary grades
To get a head start preparing young children to read, and ultimately be successful in school, CPS is expanding its reading initiative to include pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and 1st-grade.
The move stems from an analysis of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills that showed younger students were coming to school with limited literacy skills. "In the primary grades, we found that word knowledge is a deficiency, so we want to make literacy a larger part of our younger children's time," says Albert Bertani, chief officer of professional development.
The district's efforts to improve early childhood literacy skills will focus on teacher professional development, cross-training of …
Hensick leads Avalanche over Stars, 4-2
T.J. Hensick scored a tiebreaking power-play goal early in the third period to send the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-2 preseason victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.
Matt Hendricks' empty-netter with 13 seconds left clinched the win for the Avalanche (1-1). Ryan Smyth and Brian Willsie also scored for Colorado.
Mike Ribeiro and Brenden Morrow were the goal scorers for the Stars (0-2).
With the score tied at 2, Hensick converted Smyth's pass at 5:56 of the final period, beating Dallas rookie goaltender Matt Climie.
Climie opened the third period after No. 1 goaltender Marty Turco stopped 11 of 13 shots in the …
Two missing after sewage plant spill
GATLINBURG, Tenn. - Two workers were missing Tuesday after awastewater treatment plant in a Smoky Mountains tourist town failedand spilled millions of gallons of sewage.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said a holding tank atthe Gatlinburg plant gave way Tuesday morning, sending possiblymillions of gallons of sewage into the Little Pigeon River.
Between 1.5 and 3.2 million gallons of sewage spilled, TEMAspokesman Jeremy Heidt said.
Some of the spill entered the small river that flows fromGatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Both cities are top destinations fortourists visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Eric Brakins, assistant …
China, U.S. and N.Korea Nuke Envoys Meet
BEIJING - Nuclear negotiators for China, the United States and North Korea met Tuesday to discuss details of restarting the North Korean disarmament talks, China's Foreign Ministry said.
Retarting the six-nation talks took on new urgency after the North conducted its first nuclear test last month.
Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei met with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill and North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said.
She did not elaborate but …
Showtime's `Fisherman' will hook young viewers
Greed and lust for power: What subjects could be more timeless -or timely - than these?
Few tales cut to the black heart of the matter swifter or betterthan "The Fisherman and His Wife." The unsettling fairy tale will bebrought to life from 6:35 to 7 tonight when Showtime's superb"Storybook Classics" series presents its latest installment ofeternal tales narrated by celebrities.
The "Fisherman" yarn is spun by Jodie Foster, last year's Oscarwinner as best actress. Foster does a solid but uninspired job ofimpersonating the fisherman and his shrewish, never-satisfied wife.
The story goes like this: A humble fisherman catches anenchanted flounder that can grant any wish. To his greedy wife'sconsternation, the fisherman throws the flounder back. So the wickedwife forces her husband to go back to the sea time and again,petitioning the magic fish for ever-larger homes and kingdoms. Theyare bestowed - until the supremely henpecked fisherman conveys hiswife's wish to "be like the Lord God." With that, the two are thrustback to the meager hovel where they began.
Such is the reward for her avarice and his cowardice.
Kids will enjoy the simplicity of the allegory; parents willidentify with the message, all too pertinent to life in thesoon-to-be '90s.
One trademark of "Storybook Classics" is the use of fine,original illustrations rather than typical animation. This episodeis illustrated by Diana Bryan, whose artwork is almost too effective:Young children may be put off by its stark, angular quality andsinister feel.
Tonight's presentation is part of Showtime's new "Familytime"programming, which runs from 5 to 7 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 11a.m. Sundays. The cable channel recently added "T.G.I.Familytime"("Thank Goodness, It's Familytime,") which offers wholesome showspresented with no interruptions, specifically aimed at those who liketo tape for later viewing.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Divac in run to lead Serbia's Olympic committee
Former NBA star Vlade Divac plans to run for president of Serbia's Olympic committee.
The former Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings center says he wants to help "create conditions for (good) results of our sportsmen."
Divac already works as an adviser for the Serbian government. His candidacy for the Olympic Committee was put forward on Friday by Serbia's Basketball Association.
After retiring from basketball, Divac moved to his native Serbia where he has a business and runs a humanitarian organization.
Conjunto Primavera remain s grateful for its recent success
Conjunto Primavera
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Aragon, 1106 W. Lawrence
Tickets: $33 (in advance)
Phone: (312) 559-1212
When: 1 p.m. Monday
Where: Plaza Garibaldi, 2600 S. California
Tickets: $24 (in advance)
Phone: (312) 559-1212
When the members of Conjunto Primavera went to dinner last weekwith Latin pop superstar Juan Gabriel, they had the tables turned onthem, so to speak.
"He actually thanked us," recalled Tony Melendez, lead singer ofConjunto Primavera, his voice still full of disbelief. "Juan Gabrielinvited us to dinner, and that alone was a big honor. As soon as wecame in, he said, 'Congratulations for the song.' We replied,'What?'"
Gabriel was referring to "Una Vez Mas," which he wrote in 1982 butwhich Conjunto Primavera turned into a massive radio hit earlier thisyear. It set a record by remaining at No. 1 on Billboard magazine'sregional Mexican airplay chart for 16 weeks, and served as just thelatest in a string of successes for the norteno-pop group (whichperforms Sunday at the Aragon and Monday at Plaza Garibaldi).
"To be thanked by Juan Gabriel is the ultimate honor, because he'sa such legend," Melendez said. "When he saw how surprised we were, hesaid, 'I wrote it, but I didn't make a big hit on the radio like youdid.' To hear those words from his voice, it was like a dream."
Many dreams have come true for Conjunto Primavera, whichcelebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Hailing from the state ofChihuahua, the group struggled for decades, but broke through afterchanging labels and switching to a more pop-cumbia based sound. In1998, it finally climbed into the top tier of norteno acts with thesmash single "Necesito Decirte."
Since then, the band has racked up one hit after another, and evenachieved three consecutive No. 1 singles off its last album,"Perdoname Mi Amor" (2002). That disc received two Latin Grammynominations, best norteno disc and best regional Mexican song, forthe title track.
Not stopping to savor its success, Conjunto Primavera justreleased a new album, "Decide Tu" (Fonovisa), on Aug. 19, and thefirst single, "Ave Cautiva," is already climbing the charts.
The group's recent popularity and honors serve as validation for25 years of struggle by Melendez and his fellow Conjunto Primaveramembers accordionist-keyboardist Felix Contreras, music director-saxophonist Juan Dominguez, bajo sexto player Manuel Rolando Perez,bassist Oscar Ochoa and drummer Daniel Martinez.
"We're at the most important point of all in our career," Melendezsaid. "It's been hard to get to the place where we are now. We lovethis kind of [recognition], it's one of the things that have kept usgoing for so long. But we are not that big yet," he added, laughing."We still have more work to do."
Along with Conjunto Primavera, dozens of bands are jockeying forposition in the field of norteno, which dominates U.S. Latin musicsales and airplay. Among the contenders are Intocable, Ramon Ayala,Los Temararios, Palomo, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, and the godfather ofthem all, the legendary Los Tigres del Norte.
Though Los Tigres has been around only a decade longer thanConjunto Primavera, it towers over Melendez's group and the restof the field. Still, Conjunto Primavera regards Los Tigres with aweand admiration.
"We are good friends with them, but yes, almost everything they dois a hit," he said. "They have more promotion and popularity, but wehave the right people in our band, we can still keep going and try tobeat them. We don't feel any jealousy. They have their own style, wehave ours. We can compete, one band against another. It's good forus, and it's good for our people [Mexicans and Mexican Americans]."
The importance of uplifting the status of "nuestra gente"--ourpeople--recurs often in his conversation. Melendez and his bandmatesbelieve in promoting a positive image, in contrast to the so-callednarcocorrido groups, which chronicle and, some say, glorify the drugtrade between Mexico and the United States.
"A lot of people like that kind of music, everyone [is entitledto] his particular point of view," he said. "But we don't need torecord that kind of music to be on the charts, on the radio andcapture the people's interest. We have a lot of problems in ourcommunity, so that's why we have [positive] songs. It's important forkids to hear songs with a good messages."
When Melendez speaks of "problems in the community," he also couldbe referring to the Latin music industry itself. Conjunto Primaverarecords for Fonovisa, which led a protest against the Latin Grammys afew years back over charges that it discriminates against Mexicanbands. As influential producer-composer Rudy Perez once noted,regional Mexican artists have been unfairly regarded as "peasants"because they wear "sombreros and boots."
Though they have two nominations, the Conjunto Primavera membershave not decided yet whether to attend this year's Latin Grammys,scheduled for Sept. 3 in Miami. "It depends on whether they decide toannounce the regional Mexican awards on the air," Melendez said,referring to the practice of focusing on the Latin pop categories."There is a lot of discrimination against Mexican music, even thoughit's the most popular. Why do they treat us like ... something likereal bad.
"It's unfair, there are a lot of Mexican people in the UnitedStates, we have to make a better impression. But music is universal,and we hope we can change that point of view."
Nerves fray as Blago addresses 'golden' quote
CHICAGO (AP) — Calling it "that phrase heard around the world," former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich attempted Wednesday to address the most infamous of his comments on FBI wiretap recordings in his corruption trial — but fumbled his way through the explanation.
On a day of frayed nerves in the courtroom, Blagojevich's attorneys played the 2008 recording in which he speaks excitedly about his power to name someone to President Barack Obama's soon-to-be vacated Senate seat, saying, "I've got this thing and it's f------ golden" and "I'm just not giving it up for ... nothing."
Prosecutors had used that excerpt to try to show Blagojevich sought to sell or trade an appointment to Obama's old seat in exchange for a top job or campaign cash. The recording has been widely parodied.
But asked by his attorney to explain the statement, Blagojevich said "I'm afraid to answer this, but I'm not quite sure how to answer it."
"I was saying this opportunity is f-ing golden — that's what I was saying," Blagojevich began. After a pause, he continued, "I knew it was a unique opportunity."
It was a rare instance in which Blagojevich seemed unsure of himself. He had said more confidently earlier in the day that the opportunity was more to benefit Illinois residents — possibly by helping woo more federal money to the state — than a benefit for himself.
Patience seemed to be running thin on all sides Wednesday, Blagojevich's fourth day on the stand.
Judge James Zagel angrily chastised the ousted governor for "smuggling" testimony into the trial that had previously been ruled inadmissible.
Zagel said Blagojevich has kept bringing up issues or opinions that he has ruled shouldn't be mentioned in front of the jury. He warned Blagojevich sharply not to do it again.
"This is not fair, this is a repeated example of a defendant who wants to say something by smuggling (it) in," Zagel said.
Zagel, who sent the jury out of the room before admonishing Blagojevich, implied that the former governor's motives were less than pure.
"I make a ruling, and then the ruling is disregarded, and then I have to say, 'Don't do it,'" Zagel said. "And when you do that more than once or twice, it is inevitable that I'm going to believe that there is some purpose other than the pursuit of truth."
Blagojevich appeared taken aback by Zagel's comments. Looking sheepish, he tried to raise his hand in an effort to say something, but the judge ignored him.
Zagel also accused defense attorneys of stalling for time by asking the same questions repeatedly, and he raised the possibility of allowing prosecutors to begin their cross-examination before the direct questioning is done. Zagel didn't say why he thought they might be playing for time.
Blagojevich also began to display frustration as prosecutors continued objecting.
"I'd like to answer this. I haven't even answered," he said before the judge stopped him.
Without jurors present, Blagojevich had earlier told Zagel that he wanted to testify that he believed he wasn't crossing any lines by asking Obama to appoint him to an ambassadorship or Cabinet post in exchange for appointing the president-elect's choice for the seat.
"That I land in a legal place was always on my mind," Blagojevich said. "If someone said it was illegal, we dropped the idea and moved on."
Zagel looked skeptical as he listened. In the end, he said Blagojevich couldn't make any such argument.
"The fact that he thinks it is legal is not relevant here," Zagel said.
Prosecutors had fought to keep Blagojevich from talking about the legal issue, and it's unclear how radically it will affect Blagojevich's testimony going forward or his defense strategy.
What set Zagel off was Blagojevich referring obliquely to FBI tapes that had been edited, and hinting that federal agents may have omitted parts that would have cleared him.
"I said something there," Blagojevich said, looking at a transcript of one recording. "It's not there now."
Later, Zagel also sustained prosecutors' repeated objections when Blagojevich several times told jurors about how he often spoke with his governor's office attorney about the Senate seat — implying that he was meticulous about not breaking the law.
Blagojevich started the day seemingly happy to be on the stand, but he seemed to tire as the day wore on. Asked by his own attorneys what he meant by a comment on a recording, he seemed at a loss, and one juror chuckled as a befuddled Blagojevich got lost in the transcripts.
"I don't know what I'm saying here. Who am I talking about?" he said once. "Can you help me?"
Blagojevich, 54, denies all wrongdoing. He faces 20 criminal counts, including attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud. In his first trial last year, a hung jury agreed on just one count — convicting Blagojevich of lying to the FBI.
Bayern hosts Hannover in Bundesliga
While trying to save itself from relegation, Hannover also has a major role in the Bundesliga title race.
The struggling team surprisingly beat Schalke 4-2 last week at home to deal Felix Magath's team perhaps a crucial blow to its hopes of a first championship in 52 years.
Now, Hannover travels to Bayern Munich, which needs a win to cement or extend its two-point lead atop the standings.
There are four rounds left in the season, and with Bayer Leverkusen six points behind Bayern, it's a two-team race for the title.
Bayern is on course for a treble, having reached final of the German Cup and the semifinals of the Champions League.
But club officials have stressed that the Bundesliga title remains the primary objective.
"I believe that the Bundesliga title is the key to possible further success," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.
After beating Schalke and drawing with Leverkusen in successive weeks, Bayern is well placed to finish its first season under coach Louis van Gaal with at least one piece of silverware.
Van Gaal has baffled the German media by stating that he would leave Bayern if he managed to win all three titles _ "there would be nothing to improve then," he said.
Although the statement in a German television interview appeared to be at least partly in jest, the other media have not been sure what to make of van Gaal's statement.
Hannover may have been encouraged by its win over Schalke, but it has only one victory in 20 trips to Munich.
The club has recovered slowly from the suicide of captain and goalkeeper Robert Enke and is in 16th place, one point from safety. The 16th place means a relegation/promotion playoff against the third-place team from the second division.
Schalke's losses against Bayern and Hannover have severely damaged its title hopes and Magath has said a place in the Champions League remains his team's goal.
But Bayern's general manager Christian Nerlinger doesn't think Magath's team has surrendered.
"It is all in our own hands. But I don't believe that Schalke will continue losing," Nerlinger said.
Schalke's captain Marcelo Bordon says his team has not given up all hope.
"We want the maximum. Nothing is over yet. We will fight for everything possible," said the bulky veteran who defender who is back after a suspension.
Schalke plays Borussia Moenchengladbach, which is safe in the middle of the table.
Leverkusen, winless in its last four games, visits Stuttgart knowing that its third place is under threat from Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen, who are two and three points behind, respectively.
Stuttgart is hoping to close the gap to a place in the Europa League.
Bremen travels to last season's champion Wolfsburg, while Dortmund hosts slumping Hoffenheim on Sunday.
Hamburger SV hopes to remain sixth when it hosts Mainz.
Cologne kicks off the 31st round Friday at home against Bochum. In the relegation battle, Freiburg plays Nuremberg on Saturday, while Eintracht Frankfurt hosts bottom-place Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
Bonds' Personal Trainer Back in Prison
DUBLIN, Calif. - Barry Bonds' personal trainer returned to prison Monday afternoon for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury investigating Bonds' steroid use.
Greg Anderson has twice been freed on technicalities. He was ordered to report after an appeals court last week upheld the entirety of his contempt-of-court citation - meaning Anderson could serve a year or more unless he testifies against Bonds, his boyhood friend.
In 2003, Bonds testified before a federal grand jury probing steroid use that Anderson had provided him flaxseed oil and arthritis balm, not steroids. Authorities suspect Bonds is lying, and have subpoenaed Anderson to testify.
Anderson also has served three months stemming from that steroids investigation, pleading guilty to distribution and money laundering charges.
The Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative scandal has netted five convictions, including Anderson's, and one pending indictment.
Stormy visit for TV weatherman
A BBC weatherman had more than he bargained for when his tourguide was savaged by hyenas while on honeymoon in southern Africa.
Richard Angwin and his wife Renu were enjoying a safari in theNamibian desert, one week into their three-week honeymoon, when theirtrip turned into a medical rescue.
The couple had got up before dawn in the hope to watch the sunrise on one of the largest sand dunes in the world, when their SouthAfrican tour guide failed to turn up.
Mr Angwin, the weatherman on BBC Points West for the past threeyears, said: "We met our guide's assistant outside our tents.
"He was visibly shaken and told us that our guide had been savagedby a hyena and his ear had been nearly bitten off.
"My wife, who is a doctor, had a look at him and tried to clean uphis ear but we didn't have the right anaesthetics and medical stuff.
"So we decided to drive him to the nearest hospital which is a six-hour drive away across the desert." They made their tour guidecomfortable on the back seat of their car and drove to the nearesthospital, in the town of Swakopmund.
Mrs Angwin, a consultant in Manchester, played down her role.
She said: "All I did was to clean up the wound and give him somepainkillers. But our guide was in a lot of pain and nearly passed outwhen I cleaned up his ear.
"It was nearly hanging off and looked fairly nasty. He was luckythe hyena had not ripped it off but had only damaged the skin aroundthe ear.
"It could have been much worse. He was lucky and very brave."
Mr Angwin, aged 44, and a father-of-two, said: "It was a six-hourjourney across the desert. We only stopped in small desert towns torefuel and phone ahead so they could get ready for our arrival.
"Nothing happens in the desert, so this was big news there. By thetime we reached the hospital, the story had gone out of allproportions and it was a story of a guide who had his head torn offby hyenas.
"It wasn't really what we had hoped for in our second week of ourhoneymoon, but that's what happens when you marry a doctor." MrsAngwin said that despite the medical rescue mission they stillenjoyed their holiday.
She said: "It was a great trip and we were really pleased to seeour guide again."
England beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in T20
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — England beat Pakistan by five wickets on Sunday in the first of two Twenty20 internationals at Sophia Gardens:
___
Scores:
England 129-5 (Eoin Morgan 38 not out, Michael Yardy 35 not out; Shoaib Akhtar 2-23, Shahid Afridi 2-27) def. Pakistan 126-4 (Umar Akmal 35 not out, Mohammad Yousuf 26; Graeme Swann 2-14).
Sonics Hire P.J. Carlesimo as Head Coach
SEATTLE - During his first couple of years away from the bench, P.J. Carlesimo questioned if he'd get the opportunity to be a head coach again. With the inquiries he received the last few years, Carlesimo knew it would just be a case of finding what he believed was the right situation. When the Seattle SuperSonics made their offer earlier this week - with the chance to coach Kevin Durant looming - Carlesimo didn't hesitate.
"It changed so dramatically in years three, four and five that it seemed to me that it was probably going to happen again," Carlesimo said. "I wasn't obsessed with it that I had to be a head coach again. I was perfectly happy in San Antonio ... it was enjoyable, but I thought it might happen at some point."
Carlesimo was hired Thursday as the SuperSonics' new coach, after spending the last five seasons as an assistant with San Antonio. It's his first head coaching job since the 1999 season, when he was fired by Golden State after the Warriors started 6-21.
Carlesimo replaces Bob Hill, who was fired on April 24 after Seattle went 31-51 in his only full season as coach.
"One of the reasons P.J. is the guy is his ability to teach. And I think we have a number of players on this team who want to get better, and want to be coached and have come from programs where they have been coached," general manager Sam Presti said. "Ultimately, at the end of the day, it's about improving your ball club."
Carlesimo takes over a team still in the midst of a roster overhaul, being orchestrated by the 30-year-old Presti. In the past week, the Sonics traded seven-time All-Star Ray Allen to Boston on draft night, and free agent Rashard Lewis agreed to sign with the Orlando Magic, erasing Seattle's top two scorers from its lineup.
Carlesimo's directive will be overseeing the growth and development of Durant and Jeff Green, two of the first five picks from last week's draft, while also developing a current roster that has no player older than 30. Seattle selected Durant with the No. 2 pick, then got the rights to Green, the No. 5 selection, in the trade of Allen.
Carlesimo is also charged with instilling defensive principles on a team that has barely played any since Nate McMillan left for Portland after the 2004-05 season.
Presti settled on Carlesimo as his top choice for the position, determining that Seattle needed a teacher who fell in line with the rest of the organization's principles.
"To me, as a coach, one of the highest compliments you can pay a coach is to say he is a good teacher," Carlesimo said.
Seattle becomes the third stop in Carlesimo's NBA coaching tenure, the previous two marked by tensions between players and the coach, and of course, one infamous run-in with Latrell Sprewell almost 10 years ago.
Carlesimo took the Trail Blazers to the playoffs three times in the 1990s, but never advanced out of the first round. It was at Golden State where Carlesimo garnered headlines for his intense, in-your-face approach that almost immediately became an issue when tensions developed with Sprewell, his star player.
The emotions boiled over at a practice Dec. 1, 1997, when Sprewell responded to Carlesimo's terse command of "put a little mustard" on a pass by choking his coach. It took several players and team officials to break up the attack, which an angry Sprewell renewed 15 minutes later.
Carlesimo lasted two more years with the Warriors before his firing.
Presti and Bennett narrowed the field to Carlesimo and former Minnesota coach and Seattle assistant Dwane Casey. On Tuesday, Casey was informed the Sonics were "going in a different direction."
Bennett, the Oklahoma City-based owner of the Sonics, repeatedly has said he wants to model his franchise after San Antonio's. He has plucked two key pieces from the Spurs: Presti, who was San Antonio's assistant GM, and now Carlesimo.
"I feel really, really good with the kind of basketball mind we're bringing into the program with P.J.," Presti said.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Telecom: 3GFinally.4GNotTooFar ; It has been talked about for months. Now the 3G network is on the verge of arrival in India. But it could also be the 4G straightaway.
On December 11, 2008, a rather momentous event took place whenthe Union Telecommunications Minister A. Raja placed a video call toPrime Minister Manmohan Singh over a third-generation (3G) mobilenetwork. Don't celebrate just yet, because, while this call was madeon a Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) network, the serviceis still a good two-three months away from a fullfledged commercialdeployment.
However, despite the controversy that he has courted over theseemingly arbitrary allocation of additional second-generation (2G)spectrum, Raja has ploughed ahead with his plans for an auction of3G spectrum for private players early in 2009. The UPA Government,which is facing mounting bills over their social programmes, is alsokeen on the auction to go through, as they expect to raise betweenRs 20,000-40,000 crore.
The problem now is not one of Raja's making, but mired inhistory. 3G might be here, but there is barely any spectrum for it.The 2100 megahertz band, which will be used for 3G, is crowded byIndia's defence forces. Despite pleas to do so, the armed forceshave held on to spectrum in India's most lucrative mobile market NewDelhi. So, even if the auctions go through, the capital will havevery few 3G service providers. But then again, the services have tocome in the first place.
So, what really is 3G? In the hoopla surrounding the term, thequestion no one answers is: 'what is the big deal about 3G?' Theshort answer is that 3G will allow operators to offer voicefacilities far more efficiently than today's networks. Thanks to theHigh Speed Packet Access (HSPA) standard that is most likely to beused to deliver 3G services, it might be possible to allow ratherhigh speeds over-the-air broadband.
3G, of course, is not the only story unfolding as we move into2009. The government is planning to auction spectrum in the 2300 and2500 megahertz band for Intel's Wi-Max as well. However, the longand painful gestation period for Wi-Max might see it upstaged bysomething called Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fourth-generation (4G)mobile networks. This new standard has one inherent advantagecoupled with new types of radio modules on handsets, it can operateover a range of frequencies.
The good news is that unlike other countries where terrestrial TV(signals you pick up with an aerial) has crammed the 700-megahertzspectrum with channels, India has a lot of free spectrum there. Inthe US, which is switching over to an all-digital TV broadcastregime, the 700-megahertz spectrum was auctioned for several billiondollars. LTE, which will provide lightning fast broadband and voicechannels, can operate in this frequency. Better still, LTE is on theverge of its first commercial deployments globally.
India's delay in going mobile allowed the country to skip thetrouble of legacy mobile systems, which plagued some other nations.The inordinate delay in launching 3G networks might just mean thatIndian telecom can do anotherskipand enter the field of 4G.
To the uninitiated, 4G (also known as Beyond 3G), is a term usedto describe the next complete evolution in wireless communications.A 4G system is able to provide a comprehensive IP solution, wherevoice, data and streamed multimedia can be given to users onananytime, anywherebasis, and at higher data rates than previousgenerations.The good news is that having delayed 3G implementationfor so long, service providers in India could decide to skip theHSPA and Wi-Max standards and deploy LTE or 4G, which is moreefficient than HSPA and better at data than Wi-Max. Don't besurprised if India signs up to the LTE bandwagon early on.
Can I use 3G networks next year? Sooner than you think, as Delhiand Mumbai users will be able to dial on MTNL'sJadoo3G service fromFebruary-March. BSNL should also start 3G services soon.
Will I be able to use my expensive iPhone 3G? No. That is lockedto the Airtel or Vodafone networks. You could use an unlocked iPhone3G, but that isn't quite legal.
If I have a fancy 3G device, will I be able to transfer my numberto MTNL or BSNL? Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is on the cards,but the decks are yet to be cleared by the government.
When will the private operators offer 3G? The government isplanning auctions by January and private operators should havelimited 3G networks by late 2009.
What is 4G all about? 4G will be a fully IP-based integratedsystem, providing between 100 Mbit/s and 1 Gbit/s speeds indoors andoutdoors, with premium quality and high security.Number portability
Will it create more problems than it solves? Many in the telecomindustry expect that if 3G is launched, Mobile Number Portability(MNP) will become a reality, simply because the telecom companiesthemselves will demand it. If large incumbents get 3G licences, theywill be able to move their high-end customers over to 3G networkswhile retaining new numbers.
U.S. commander, envoy in Iraq defend buildup
BAGHDAD -- The top U.S. general and diplomat in Iraq warnedThursday against cutting short the American troop buildup andsuggested they would urge Congress in September to give PresidentBush's strategy more time.
Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus, in separateinterviews at their offices in the U.S. Embassy on the banks of theTigris, were careful not to define a time frame for continuing thecounterinsurgency strategy and the higher U.S. troop levels, whichbegan six months ago.
Still, Petraeus' comments signaled that he would like to see asubstantial U.S. combat force remain on its current course well into2008 and perhaps beyond. He said a drawdown from today's level of160,000 U.S. troops is coming but he would not say when.
Petraeus said he and his top deputy, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, areworking on how to carry out a reduction in the extra troops Bushordered to Baghdad and to Anbar province. He said the drawdown wouldbe done "over time, without undermining what we've fought toachieve."
"There is a lot more that we certainly will try to do," Petraeussaid.
With the American public's patience wearing thin, many inCongress are pressing for a troop reduction soon. Bush has resisted,saying he is waiting to receive the advice of Petraeus and Crockerin September.
Pressed repeatedly on when he thought troop levels could bereduced and other U.S. involvement scaled back, Crocker said: "It'sgoing to take longer than September."
He said he saw his mission as ensuring "we're all looking atreality. I don't think any service is done either in Iraq or theU.S. by saying, again, 'It's going to be OK by November.' This ishard. There is tremendous damage that's been done physically,politically, socially, and it's going to take time to repair."
U.S. military officers have said in recent interviews that whiletroop levels should be determined as conditions evolve, they seelittle reason to remove the full 30,000 U.S. troop buildup beforenext summer.
Petraeus said he would make his case in September, when he andCrocker are due to report to Congress on military and politicalprogress and on their recommendations for the future.
He said the troop buildup has clearly established "tacticalmomentum," meaning its more aggressive efforts to secure volatileneighborhoods in Baghdad and areas around the capital aresucceeding.
"The surge enables us to turn the tide just a bit in key places,"the four-star general said.
Asked what more the U.S. military needs to accomplish to put Iraqon a steadier track, Petraeus ticked of a list that includedfurthering the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces.
, which are intended to gradually take over for U.S. forces,beginning in areas where security and political conditions allow.
"We want to make much more progress against al-Qaida. We wouldlike to build on the early momentum from local groups rejecting al-Qaida and militias," Petraeus said. We want to certainly not justsit on the violence in Baghdad neighborhoods and stabilize it but tocreate a way ahead that can be sustained by the Iraqis over time. Wewant to, where possible, frankly, to continue the process of handingoff to Iraqis."
Crocker spoke more directly of his conviction that the currentstrategy should be maintained -- and about his concern that if theUnited States were to withdraw now Iraq would be plunged into ahumanitarian disaster.
"It is not as though we can simply decide that we do not want tobe involved anymore and the movie comes to an end," he said. "Themovie will keep on rolling in Iraq and in the region whether we'rehere or not.
"I, for one, as someone who has spent decades in the Middle East,am deeply concerned about what could happen if we decide based onreasons other than conditions on the ground in Iraq that we simplydon't want to be involved anymore."
He said the consequence could be inroads by the al-Qaidaterrorist network, a consolidation of Iranian influence in Iraq,intervention by Turkey and other neighboring states, and a "massivehuman catastrophe."
Sprinkled throughout his remarks were references to a need forpatience in seeing Iraq through its current crisis.
"There are no easy, quick, magic answers at this stage," he said.
Petraeus, who was installed as the top U.S. commander here inFebruary as the troop buildup got under way, underscored his beliefthat the extra troops have produced the intended benefit of reducingsectarian murders, encouraging more Iraqis to help U.S. forces andsqueezing extremist groups.
"Once you get the locals recognizing that you are going to bethere a while, they then tell you" where insurgent forces arehiding, where they have placed roadside bombs and where they storeweapons, he said.
The problem, at this stage, is that these developments have notled the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to push throughkey legislative measures and to move toward political reconciliationbetween the majority Shiites, the Kurds and the Sunnis who lostpower when Saddam Hussein was toppled.
Petraeus said he believed the Sunnis are beginning to see theirfuture in a different, more positive light.
They have "gotten a little bit past the point where they were thelast few years, which was one of feeling disrespected, dispossessed,disappointed, disgusted, distressed, you name it, at their loss ofpower," he said.
------
Associated Press Writer Steven R. Hurst contributed to thisstory.
Pope condemns sorcery, urges Angolans to convert
Tens of thousands of Angola's Catholics lined the streets of the capital for a blessing from Pope Benedict XVI, who urged the country's faithful to reach out and convert people who believe in witchcraft.
"In today's Angola," he said Saturday at Mass in Luanda, "Catholics should offer the message of Christ to the many who live in the fear of spirits, of evil powers by whom they feel threatened."
He also gave a message of hope to young people, including some wounded and maimed during Angola's long civil war, when he addressed a crowd of some 30,000 people later at a sports stadium, where a drum concert was held.
"I think of the many tears you shed for the loss of relatives," he told the crowd at a soccer stadium where he watched the drum concert by young men with painted faces, and dancers in colorful costumes. The civil war started with Angola's 1975 independence from Portugal and ended in 2002.
The 81-year-old pontiff, wearing white robes, looked tired and moved slowly in the tropical heat during the youth appearance in late afternoon.
Hours before he arrived at the Coqueiros stadium, a stampede broke out as the gates were opened to people waiting outside, and two people were killed in the crush, said Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.
"The pope is very upset," Lombardi said late Saturday. Portuguese news agency LUSA cites an unidentified source at a local hospital as saying a man and a woman were killed, eight others were hospitalized with minor injuries, and 10 were given medical assistance at the site.
An AP reporter saw another stampede break out when the pope arrived, and at least 20 people were taken away in ambulances.
In the morning, Benedict attracted thousands onto the streets every time his motorcade passed and delighted the crowds by speaking in Portuguese.
Drawing on the more than 500 years of Roman Catholicism in Angola, he called Christianity a bridge between the local peoples and the Portuguese settlers. The country's history as a Portuguese colony gave the country Christian roots. Eighty percent of the 16 million people are Christian, about 65 percent Catholic.
The pope began his day addressing Catholic clergymen and nuns, telling them to be missionaries to those Angolans "living in fear of spirits, of malign and threatening powers. In their bewilderment they end up even condemning street children and the elderly as alleged sorcerers."
In Africa, some churchgoing Catholics also follow traditional animist religions and consult medicine men and diviners who are denounced by the church. People accused of sorcery or of being possessed by evil powers sometimes are killed by fearful mobs.
Local media have reported that police last year rescued 40 children who had been held by two religious sects after being accused by their own families of witchcraft.
Benedict counseled Catholics to "live peacefully" with animists and other nonbelievers and urged Angolans to be the "new missionaries" to bring people who believe in sorcery to Christ.
Benedict spoke at a Mass at the capital's blue-domed St. Paul's Church, where light streamed through stained glass windows onto veiled nuns and priests and bishops resplendent in white and lilac robes.
The pope lovingly caressed the faces of children and made the sign of the cross on their foreheads.
Security was unusually tight, with military sharpshooters atop buildings in the capital. The National Police said they have deployed 10,000 officers. Security agents blocked cell phones in the church, apparently by sending a signal.
"This is a very emotional day for me, my first time to get a Papal blessing," said Sister Iliria Olivera, from Oaxaca in Mexico, among hundreds of foreign missionaries in the church. Olivera for nine years has been working with her Sisters of the Divine Pastor, teaching children and running a maternal health clinic outside Luanda.
On Friday, Benedict lamented what he called strains on the traditional African family, condemning sexual violence against women and chiding countries that have approved abortion.
The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, who is traveling with the pope, told journalists at a briefing Saturday that Benedict in that speech was referring to abortion when used as a means of "population control."
Earlier in the weeklong trip, the pope's first to Africa, Benedict drew criticism from aid agencies and some European governments when he said condoms were not the answer to Africa's severe AIDS epidemic, suggesting that sexual behavior was the issue.
Among the young people in the stadium Saturday was Valdomero Dias, who said he understood the pope's message as leader of the church. "But abstinence is very difficult for young people," said Dias, a 27-year-old bachelor who helps run the scouting movement.
Amnesty International on Saturday called on the pope to use his influence to halt the threat of forced evictions for residents of Luanda to make rise for high-rise apartments and office buildings. Many have been given cheap houses in faraway satellite towns that have no running water or electricity.
Amnesty said that between 2003 and 2006, thousands of people were forcibly evicted from land belonging to the Catholic Church in three Luanda districts.
Asked at the press briefing about Amnesty's allegations, Lombardi referred the question to an Angolan bishop, Monsignor Jose Manuel Imbamba. The prelate denied that anyone had been evicted or houses destroyed. "We help the poor, we don't send them away," Imbamba said.
___
Associated Press Writer Michelle Faul and reporter Casimiro Siona contributed to this report.
Rangers Crush Orioles 26-7
The Texas Rangers scored 16 runs in the eighth inning - one shortof the modern major-league record - and scored the most runs by an ALteam in 41 years Friday night, routing the Baltimore Orioles 26-7.
Kevin Elster's grand slam off backup infielder Manny Alexanderhighlighted the biggest eighth inning in history.
Juan Gonzalez homered and drove in six runs, Dean Palmer homeredtwice and Will Clark also connected in the highest-scoring game by anAL team since the White Sox beat the Kansas City Athletics 29-6 onApril 23, 1955.The Rangers combined eight hits and eight walks in the eighthagainst Armando Benitez, Jesse Orosco and Alexander. Alexanderwalked four, three with the bases loaded, and gave up Elster's slam.Indians 9, Red Sox 4: Albert Belle hit his 200th career home runas Cleveland extended its dominance of Boston with a victory atJacobs Field.The Indians swept three games from Boston in the opening roundof the playoffs last October and have won all five meetings so farthis year.Boston got home runs from Mo Vaughn and Mike Stanley but lostfor the eighth time in its last nine games. The Red Sox dropped to3-13 for only the third time in franchise history.Brewers 8, Royals 2: Greg Vaughn homered into the left-fieldfountains and John Jaha followed with a home run, leading visitingMilwaukee past Kansas City for its fifth straight victory.Vaughn had three hits, including a two-run single in the ninthinning. He has driven in at least one run in six consecutive games.Twins 7, Yankees 1: Dwight Gooden's comeback took another stepback.Gooden failed to get out of the fourth inning in his worstouting of the season, and host Minnesota beat New York.Gooden (0-3), who returned to the majors this season after a 11/2-year suspension for violating his drug aftercare program, haslost all three of his starts and has an 11.48 ERA.Angels 4, Tigers 3: Don Slaught's one-out single in the ninthinning scored pinch runner Dick Schofield and gave host California awin over Detroit.Mark Langston (1-1) pitched a seven-hitter to become only thesecond Angels starter to record a victory this season.Blue Jays 10, Mariners 4: Joe Carter hit two home runs andToronto ended host Seattle's team-record-tying eight-game winningstreak.
Barcelona fullback Adriano out 7-10 days
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona says Brazil fullback Adriano will be sidelined for up to 10 days with a leg muscle injury.
Medical tests on Tuesday revealed a small tear in Adriano's left thigh.
The defender, whose full name is Adriano Correia Claro, picked up the injury while away on international duty with Brazil.
Adriano has been a regular in the European champions' lineup this season, scoring one goal from 14 appearances.
Adriano will miss Saturday's league match with Zaragoza and perhaps a Champions League game at AC Milan on Nov. 23. He could return against Getafe three days later.
American League
tigers 4, orioles 2
Baltimore Detroit
ab r h bi ab r h bi
BRorts 2b 3 0 0 0 Grndrs cf 4 0 0 0
Reimld lf 3 1 0 0 Polanc 2b 4 1 1 2
AdJons cf 4 1 2 2 Thoms lf-rf 3 0 1 0
Markks rf 4 0 1 0 MiCarr 1b 3 0 1 1
A.Huff 1b 4 0 1 0 CGuilln dh 4 0 1 0
Mora 3b 4 0 0 0 Ordonz rf 3 1 2 1
Scott dh 3 0 0 0 Raburn lf 0 0 0 0
Pie pr 0 0 0 0 Inge 3b 3 1 1 0
Zaun c 3 0 0 0 Laird c 3 0 1 0
CIzturs ss 2 0 0 0 Everett ss 3 1 1 0
Wggntn ph-ss 1 0 0 0
Totals 31 2 4 2 Totals 30 4 9 4
Baltimore 000 000 002-2
Detroit 000 010 03x-4
E-B.Roberts (9), Laird (3). DP-Baltimore 1. LOB-Baltimore 6,Detroit 4. HR-Ad.Jones (19), Ordonez (6). SB-B.Roberts (21),Ad.Jones (9).
IP H R ER BB SO
Baltimore
Guthrie L,7-11 71/3 6 3 3 2 3
Hendrickson 1/3 0 0 0 0 0
Meredith 1/3 3 1 1 0 0
Detroit
E.Jackson W,8-5 8 3 2 2 2 8
Rodney S,22-23 1 1 0 0 1 2
E.Jackson pitched to 2 batters in the 9th.
HBP-by E.Jackson (Reimold).
T-2:21. A-28,978 (41,255).
rays 6, red sox 4
Boston Tampa Bay
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Ellsury cf 5 0 1 0 Bartlett ss 4 1 1 1
Pedroia 2b 3 1 0 0 Crwfrd lf 4 1 1 2
VMrtnz 1b 4 1 2 1 Longori 3b 3 0 0 0
Youkils 3b 4 0 1 1 Zobrist 2b 4 1 1 0
Bay lf 4 1 1 1 Burrell dh 3 1 1 1
NGreen lf 0 0 0 0 C.Pena 1b 3 1 1 2
Lowell dh 4 0 0 0 BUpton cf 3 0 1 0
Baldelli rf 3 1 0 0 Kapler rf 2 0 0 0
J.Drew ph 0 0 0 0 Gross ph-rf 1 0 0 0
Varitek c 4 0 1 0 MHrnd c 3 1 1 0
Lowrie ss 4 0 1 1
Totals 35 4 7 4 Totals 30 6 7 6
Boston 010 001 110-4
Tampa Bay 022 001 10x-6
E-Zobrist (5). LOB-Boston 6, Tampa Bay 3. 2B-Ellsbury (17),V.Martinez (23), Youkilis (27), Varitek (20). HR-V.Martinez (16),Bay (21), Bartlett (9), Crawford (12), Burrell (8), C.Pena (27). SB-Longoria (3), Zobrist (13), B.Upton (34). CS-C.Pena (2).
IP H R ER BB SO
Boston
Penny L,7-6 6 6 5 5 2 5
Delcarmen 1 1 1 1 0 1
Okajima 1 0 0 0 1 1
Tampa Bay
Price W,5-4 6 6 2 2 0 5
Cormier H,2 1 0 1 0 0 0
Bennett 0 1 1 1 1 0
Wheeler H,12 1 0 0 0 0 0
Howell S,12-17 1 0 0 0 1 2
Bennett pitched to 2 batters in the 8th.
T-3:07. A-31,517 (36,973).
yankees 8, blue jays 4
New York Toronto
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Jeter ss 5 1 1 0 Scutaro ss 5 1 2 1
Damon lf 5 1 3 3 A.Hill 2b 5 0 0 0
Teixeir 1b 5 0 1 2 Lind dh 5 2 2 1
Rdrgz dh-3b 4 0 0 0 Overay 1b 3 1 2 0
Swisher rf 5 1 2 1 V.Wells cf 4 0 1 1
Cano 2b 4 2 2 0 Rios rf 4 0 2 1
MeCarr cf 4 0 0 0 Encrnc 3b 4 0 1 0
HrstnJr 3b 1 1 0 0 Barajs c 4 0 0 0
HMatsu ph 1 1 1 1 Inglett lf 3 0 1 0
Aceves p 0 0 0 0
Coke p 0 0 0 0
Hinske ph 0 0 0 1
Hughes p 0 0 0 0
DRrtsn p 0 0 0 0
JMolin c 2 1 0 0
Totals 36 8 10 8 Totals 37 4 11 4
New York 002 000 411-8
Toronto 200 010 100-4
LOB-New York 6, Toronto 8. 2B-Cano 2 (28). HR-Damon (19), Swisher(18), Scutaro (9), Lind (23). SF-Hinske.
IP H R ER BB SO
New York
Mitre 41/3 8 3 3 2 3
Aceves W,7-1 2 1 1 1 0 3
Coke H,13 2/3 0 0 0 0 1
Hughes H,11 1 1 0 0 0 2
D.Robertson 1 1 0 0 0 2
Toronto
Rzepczynski L,1-3 6 5 4 4 1 7
Roenicke 1 3 2 2 2 2
Carlson 1 1 1 1 1 0
Tallet 1 1 1 1 0 1
Rzepczynski pitched to 2 batters in the 7th.
WP-Hughes.
T-3:13. A-31,402 (49,539).
indians 2, twins 1
Minnesota Cleveland
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Span rf 4 0 1 0 Sizemr cf 5 2 3 2
OCarer ss 4 1 3 0 ACarer ss 3 1 3 2
Mauer c 3 0 1 0 Choo rf 5 1 2 2
Mornea 1b 4 0 0 1 JhPerlt 3b 5 0 0 0
Kubel lf 4 0 1 0 Gimenz 1b 3 0 0 0
Cuddyr dh 4 0 1 0 JCarrll 2b 1 1 0 1
Crede 3b 4 0 0 0 Shppch c 4 1 1 0
Gomez cf 4 0 0 0 AMarte dh 3 0 0 0
Punto 2b 3 0 0 0 Crowe lf 3 2 2 1
Totals 34 1 7 1 Totals 32 8 11 8
Minnesota 000 001 000-1
Cleveland 020 204 00x-8
E-Gomez (1), Gimenez (1). LOB-Minnesota 7, Cleveland 9. 2B-O.Cabrera (27), Sizemore (16), A.Cabrera (26), Choo (25). CS-Span(7), Gimenez (1). SF-A.Cabrera, J.Carroll.
IP H R ER BB SO
Minnesota
Liriano L,4-11 5 8 4 4 4 4
Dickey 0 2 3 3 1 0
Keppel 1 1 1 1 1 0
Mijares 1 0 0 0 0 3
Guerrier 1 0 0 0 0 3
Cleveland
Laffey W,5-3 8 6 1 0 1 5
Todd 1 1 0 0 0 1
Dickey pitched to 3 batters in the 6th.
HBP-by Guerrier (A.Cabrera). PB-Mauer 2.
T-2:54. A-17,683 (45,199).
white sox 6, angels 2
Los Angeles Chicago
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Figgins 3b 4 0 0 0 Pdsdnk cf-lf 4 0 1 0
MIzturs 2b 4 0 1 0 Bckhm 3b 4 1 1 0
BAreu rf 3 1 1 0 Dye rf 4 1 1 0
Guerrr dh 4 0 1 0 Thome dh 4 2 2 4
Willits pr 0 1 0 0 Konerk 1b 3 1 2 1
JRiver lf 4 0 1 0 Przyns c 4 1 2 0
KMorls 1b 3 0 0 1 Quentin lf 3 0 0 0
EAyar ss 4 0 0 0 Wise pr-cf 0 0 0 0
Napoli c 4 0 1 0 Getz 2b 4 0 0 0
MthwsJ cf 3 0 1 0 J.Nix ss 3 0 1 1
Totals 33 2 6 1 Totals 33 6 10 6
Los Angeles 100 000 001-2
Chicago 000 113 01x-6
E-Dye (5), Konerko (4), J.Nix (6). DP-Los Angeles 1, Chicago 3.LOB-Los Angeles 6, Chicago 5. 2B-Napoli (18), Beckham (18), Konerko(21), Pierzynski (14). 3B-Podsednik (3). HR-Thome 2 (20), Konerko(21). SB-J.Nix (7). SF-K.Morales.
IP H R ER BB SO
Los Angeles
O'Sullivan L,3-1 5 6 4 4 0 3
Oliver 0 2 1 1 0 0
Palmer 2 1 0 0 0 0
Fuentes 1 1 1 1 1 0
Chicago
G.Floyd W,9-6 8 6 2 1 1 6
Thornton 1 0 0 0 0 1
G.Floyd pitched to 2 batters in the 9th.
O'Sullivan pitched to 2 batters in the 6th.
Oliver pitched to 3 batters in the 6th.
HBP-by Oliver (Konerko). WP-G.Floyd 2.
T-2:35. A-32,167 (40,615).
mariners 11, royals 6
Seattle Kansas City
ab r h bi ab r h bi
ISuzuki rf 5 2 2 1 DeJess lf 3 0 1 0
Branyn 1b 5 1 2 3 Blmqst rf 5 1 2 1
JoLopz 2b 5 0 3 3 Butler dh 4 1 3 3
GrffyJr dh 4 0 1 0 Teahen 1b 5 0 0 0
Beltre 3b 5 1 1 0 Callasp 2b 4 0 1 0
FGtrrz cf 5 1 2 0 Olivo c 5 1 1 0
JaWlsn ss 4 2 2 1 AGordn 3b 5 2 3 2
Hannhn ss 1 0 0 0 YBtncr ss 4 0 0 0
RJhnsn c 4 2 2 0 Maier cf 3 1 1 0
MSndrs lf 4 2 1 1
Totals 42 11 16 9 Totals 38 6 12 6
Seattle 002 602 100-11
Kansas City 002 201 010- 6
E-Davies (1). DP-Seattle 1, Kansas City 1. LOB-Seattle 7, KansasCity 11. 2B-Branyan (20), Ja.Wilson (4), Ro.Johnson (15). 3B-M.Saunders (1), Olivo (3). HR-Butler (12), A.Gordon (2). SB-I.Suzuki (23).
IP H R ER BB SO
Seattle
French W,2-2 5 9 4 4 1 2
Batista 2/3 2 1 1 2 1
White H,12 11/3 0 0 0 0 1
Olson 2 1 1 1 2 2
Kansas City
Davies L,3-8 32/3 8 8 8 1 2
R.Colon 21/3 4 2 2 1 1
J.Cruz 2 3 1 1 1 1
Mahay 1 1 0 0 0 1
HBP-by Olson (DeJesus). WP-Davies. PB-Olivo.
T-3:19. A-27,805 (38,177).
Tuesday
athletics 6, rangers 0
Texas Oakland
ab r h bi ab r h bi
J.Arias 2b 4 0 0 0 RDavis cf 3 1 0 0
MYong 3b 3 0 1 0 KSuzuk c 4 1 1 1
Byrd cf 4 0 2 0 Hairstn lf 3 0 0 1
AnJons dh 4 0 0 0 EPtrsn lf 0 0 0 0
Blalock 1b 4 0 0 0 Grcprr dh 4 0 1 0
Hamltn rf 3 0 0 0 Cust rf 2 1 1 0
DvMrp lf 4 0 1 0 RSwny rf 1 0 0 0
Sltlmch c 3 0 1 0 Everdg 1b 3 2 2 0
Andrus ss 3 0 0 0 Crosby 3b 3 1 1 0
M.Ellis 2b 4 0 3 3
Pnngtn ss 4 0 1 1
Totals 32 0 5 0 Totals 31 6 10 6
Texas 000 000 000-0
Oakland 110 110 02x-6
E-Holland (4), Everidge (1). DP-Texas 2, Oakland 1. LOB-Texas 8,Oakland 7. 2B-M.Young (32), Everidge 2 (5). HR-K.Suzuki (7). SB-R.Davis 2 (17), Cust (4), M.Ellis (6). SF-Hairston.
IP H R ER BB SO
Texas
Holland L,4-7 41/3 4 4 3 4 4
Jennings 12/3 1 0 0 0 3
Guardado 1 0 0 0 1 0
D.Mathis 1 5 2 2 0 0
Oakland
G.Gonzalez W,3-2 62/3 3 0 0 3 7
Ziegler H,7 2/3 2 0 0 0 1
Wuertz H,13 2/3 0 0 0 0 2
Breslow 1 0 0 0 0 1
T-2:34. A-10,781 (35,067).
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Novelty hit helped fuel 'boogaloo dance craze'
ROBERT THARPE 1937-2010
Robert Tharpe's music is credited with fueling the "boogaloo dance craze.''
Performing with singer Jerry Murray as "Tom & Jerrio,'' the two recorded the novelty hit "Boo-Ga-Loo,'' which earned a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1965, spending eight weeks there and topping at No. 47, according to Robert Pruter, author of Chicago Soul, which chronicles the emergence of soul music in Chicago.
"It was a funky little number. A little singing, a little dancing, a little comedy,'' said Pruter. "It was a hit, and it helped fuel the boogaloo dance craze.''
Mr. Tharpe died July 20 of complications from colon cancer, according to family. He was 72.
He was born Dec. 6, 1937, and grew up on the West Side, attending what is now Crane Technical Prep High School. In the early 1960s, he and some buddies formed the Ideals.
Playing school dances and community centers, the band broke into the national scene in 1963 with their recording of "The Gorilla.'' Selling more than 90,000 copies, the song was a local hit and sat on the WLS Top 40 chart for six weeks, peaking at No. 19, according to Pruter.
Eventually known to fans and friends as "Tommy Dark,'' Mr. Tharpe became better recognized by his stage name thanks to the advice of an "American Bandstand"-era expert.
"He had a conversation with Dick Clark, and he was the one who encouraged him to use the name Tommy Dark,'' said Mr. Tharpe's son Mario.
"The majority of people who knew my dad would have no idea who you were talking about if you asked them about Robert Tharpe.''
Mr. Tharpe went to work for Prevue Pet Products, where he was an assistant manager for several years until he retired last year, according to the company. Mr. Tharpe married twice, with both unions ending in divorce.
Though his recording days ended in the 1960s, he never strayed far from the music scene. In 1967, he became a valet and driver for Gene "The Duke of Earl'' Chandler. He worked for Chandler as a road manager until the late 1990s.
"He had a sweet personality,'' said Chandler. "He did whatever he could to help other people. He took care of business, and I could trust him.''
In addition to his son, Mr. Tharpe is survived by his mother, Mildred Tharpe; a brother, Billy Travis; another son, Robert Jr.; a daughter, Joy Evett, and two grandchildren.
Services have been held.
ObituaryChicago.com
Obituary of Robert Tharpe
Photo: Robert Tharpe
Tornadoes Touch Down in Denver
Getty Images
08-29-2002
Dateline: Denver, CO, United States
Keywords
clouds,weather,tornado,thunder,storm,rain,lightning,DIGITAL IMAGE,dark,409864
� 2002 Getty Images, Inc.
Tornadoes Touch Down in Denver
Getty Images
08-29-2002
Dateline: Denver, CO, United States
Keywords
clouds,weather,tornado,thunder,storm,rain,lightning,DIGITAL IMAGE,dark,409864
� 2002 Getty Images, Inc.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Celtics win, halt Knicks' streak at 6
Robert Parish scored a season-high 34 points and Kevin McHaleadded 26 Sunday night as the Boston Celtics ended New York's six-gamewinning streak with a 117-104 victory over the visiting Knicks.
The Celtics nailed down their 14th consecutive regular-seasonvictory over the Knicks at Boston Garden since 1984 with a 13-0 runearly in the fourth period.
The Knicks, who won six games on a homestand for their longestwinning streak since 1984, got 30 points from Patrick Ewing, 23 fromJohnny Newman and 12 apiece from Gerald Wilkins and Rod Strickland.
Bullets 115, Lakers 110: Reserves Ledell Eackles and JohnWilliams sparked a fourth-quarter rally as Washington …
Bulbrokers - Stock Market Daily Review - Oct 8, 2009.
US indices traded in range ahead of Q3 reports
The US indices moved in range because most of the investors were waiting for the earnings reports to start after the end of the session. The lack of economic news left the market focused on the coming statements. Among the sectors - Industrial, material and technology stocks fell sharply, while financial shares rose. Investors have been keeping a close eye on the dollar, as the weak US currency is good for corporate profits of companies with a strong global footprint. In corporative news Alcoa rallied 0.5% to $13.96. The aluminum producer is expected to report a loss excluding some items of 9 cents a share. Exxon, fell …
IT'S HARD TO KNOW THIS ENEMY BY ROBERT RENO.(MAIN)
Having declared a ``war on terrorism'' the United States is now engaged in a tortuous exercise to narrow and define those terms.
So far President George W. Bush has learned not to call it a ``crusade,'' temporarily called it ``Infinite Justice'' and has now settled on the more insipid ``Enduring Freedom.''
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld declared there is ``no silver bullet'' that will smite the nation's enemies. Nor is there a smart bomb, a Marine brigade, even a field army. In defining the new enemy, we must rule out some of the forces that have defined the very word terrorism for a generation. These would be, I suppose, those Northern Irish …
Ford Motor shines in first quarter.(News)
Byline: Amy Wilson
Ford Motor Co.'s automotive operations turned a bigger profit than its financial business for the first time since the first quarter of 2000.
Ford's global automotive sector reported a pretax profit of $1.82 billion compared with $1.08 billion for its financial services sector in the first quarter of 2004,
"All of our automotive operations worldwide made a profit in the first quarter,'' CEO Bill Ford said. "Our plan is working, and we are gaining momentum.''
But the turnaround of Ford's automotive business is far from complete.
For instance, the Premier Automotive Group produced a pretax profit of $20 million …
Rapper Eve Pleads Not Guilty in DUI Case
LOS ANGELES - Eve has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving charges stemming from a traffic accident in Hollywood last month.
The rapper-actress (real name Jihan Jeffers) did not attend the arraignment Tuesday. Her attorney entered the plea on her behalf.
Eve was charged with driving under the influence, driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or above, and failure to provide proof of insurance, city prosecutors said.
The charges stem from an April 26 arrest in which officers stopped Eve at 2:40 a.m. after her gold Maserati struck a raised concrete center median on Hollywood …
Drew behind bars
The Peterson File ...
Leave it to accused wife murderer Drew Peterson, who has been in prison awaiting trial for nearly three years, to send a recent letter to a friend using gallows humor.
"Help. I'm being held hostage against my will!" penned Peterson.
In a copy of a letter sent to Sneed, Peterson — who is charged with the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and is a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy — lists his grievances.
Quoth Peterson, a former Bolingbrook cop:
◆ "My cell size is 17 by 19."
◆ "I sleep on a concrete bed with a lawn share [chair] mattress."
◆ "I'm cold always. I wear two thermal shirts …
Sunday, March 4, 2012
New agriculture and agribusiness study findings reported from Ain Shams University.(Report)
According to recent research from Cairo, Egypt, "In this study, we have used the essential oils Eucalyptus (E), Linalool (L) and Marjoram (M) to prepare several formulations of w/o/w double emulsion type. Span 80 and Tween 80 were the lipophilic and hydrophilic emulsifiers, respectively, with xanthan gum as thickener."
"Successful formulations showed stability at room temperature and 4 degrees C for 30 days. These formulations showed also water-dilution tolerance, and retained more than 70% of electrolyte included in the internal aqueous phase. Pesticide activity of the used oils against four fungi has been remarkably increased, based on the value of EC50, upon using in the …
SARATOGA, KLEIN NEW POWER AMONG AREA GIRLS.(Sports)
Byline: Steve Cheslow Staff writer
With the graduation of Debbie Grey and Deirdre Kosky, Niskayuna High lost the heart of a squad that won the Section II girls gymnastics championship the past two years.
Along with Grey - who won every event in the sectional tournament last year - other individual standouts such as Guilderland's Stephanie Sholtes and Shenendehowa's Jenny Day have also graduated.
The losses to graduation and the inexperience of this year's team figure to rule out a third straight championship for Niskayuna.
It appears the torch is about to be passed to Saratoga. And senior Missy Klein is expected to establish herself as the area's top gymnast.
That this might well be the case was evident last weekend when Saratoga took Division I team honors at the …
OUTLETS OPEN IN BERKSHIRES.(BUSINESS)
LEE, Mass. -- Berkshire Outlet Village, a 223,000-square-foot, upscale outlet shopping center, held its grand opening Friday.
The outlet mall includes 58 stores such as J. Crew, Ralph Lauren/Polo, Coach …
German Ministry of Education and Research.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
* The German Ministry of Education and Research nominated eight researchers for its annual BioFuture prize, which awards selected research groups an …
Report details challenges facing black women despite successes of Rice, Obama, Winfrey
This is a triumphant time for American black women: Condoleezza Rice in the global diplomatic spotlight, Michelle Obama captivating campaign crowds as a potential first lady, billionaire Oprah Winfrey playing political kingmaker.
It is also a traumatic time: Rutgers University basketball players disparaged by radio host Don Imus, a black woman kidnapped and tortured by whites in West Virginia, the home-owning dreams of black women disproportionately dashed by foreclosures.
That remarkable mix is the focus of this year's State of Black America report, issued Wednesday by the National Urban League. It features essays looking at the array of challenges faced …
METRO DIGEST
Golf could now come to Heythrop.
West Oxfordshire District Council gave planning permission yesterday(29).
The course's owners are hoping to hold the prestigious British Masters Golf tournament next year.
Firoka Ltd has submitted plans to hold the tournament in 2011, 2012, and 2013 after being approached by the …
Saturday, March 3, 2012
ETHICS PANEL CLEARS PATAKIS' VACATION.(CAPITAL REGION)
Byline: MICHAEL GORMLEY Associated Press
ALBANY -- The state Ethics Commission said Wednesday that there is no basis for an investigation into its boss, Gov. George Pataki, and his Caribbean vacations with a campaign contributor who has done business with the state.
The Ethics Commission stated: ``The governor's office has been in consultation with the Ethics Commission on this issue and there is no basis for inquiry because the governor followed the ethics guidelines for reimbursement.''
The commission initially refused to say if the consultation included any documentation or independent verification that Pataki reimbursed his friends for the …
ATLANTA TRIES KIOSKS FOR BILL PAYMENTS.(pay their water bills with credit cards, debit cards )(Brief article)
The City of Atlanta this week began exploring self-service card payments for city services, installing two kiosks in its city hall where residents can pay their water bills with credit cards, debit cards and checks. Mayor Shirley Jackson demonstrated payments using the kiosk at a televised press conference. Atlanta is studying adding such services as looking up vital records, paying traffic tickets, license renewals and applying for building permits using the kiosks. Another kiosk is on order. The NeoPay division of Portsmouth, …
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)