Large US banks must show how they would wind down

WASHINGTON (AP) — The largest U.S. banks will be required to show regulators how they would break up and sell off their assets if they are in danger of failing.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. voted 3-0 Tuesday to approve the rules, which were mandated under the financial overhaul passed by Congress last year. They are designed to reduce the chances of another government bailout of Wall Street banks in the event of another financial crisis.

The rules require banks with $50 billion or more in assets to submit so-called living wills to the FDIC, the Federal Reserve and the Financial Stability Oversight Council and send revised plans annually.

Among the banks affected …

AIChE Ambassadors Build Connections Between Student Members and the Institute

Over the past year, more than four dozen AIChE members - ranging from Institute leaders to members-at-large - participated in mentoring visits to AIChE student chapters at 40 chemical engineering schools. This fall, AIChE hopes to expand this Student Chapter Ambassador program to include even more schools and volunteer member representatives.

AIChE started the Student Chapter Ambassador program in 2006, in an effort to better connect student members with the national organization and with professional engineers on the local level. AIChE has focused renewed effort on recruiting and retaining new graduates and younger members.

The Student Chapter Ambassador program pairs up …

Kevin Federline spent big in Las Vegas while billing ex-wife Britney Spears

Kevin Federline might play the part of the pauper to his pop princess ex-wife Britney Spears, but in Las Vegas he is king.

Federline spent more than $43,000 (euro27,700) on Las Vegas hotels, dining and shopping between May 2007 and January of this year, according to documents filed by Federline's attorney in his custody battle with Spears. The documents were released by the Superior Court on Thursday.

The tabs included $1,445 (euro930) for clothing at Gianni Versace, $3,863 (euro2,488) at TAO nightclub, and $3,008 (euro1,937) at the Hard Rock Beach Club.

He appears determined not to be branded a cheap tipper. At Scores strip club, he dropped a …

Budget billing, weatherizing can help

It may be hard to think about heating costs when the mercury'spushing 90 degrees. But gas companies like Peoples Gas and Nicor Gassay it's never too early to get ready for next winter.

Here are some tips on how to shave costs off your natural gasbills:

* Check into your company's budget billing plan, which averagesout heating costs year-round, to avoid wintertime sticker shock.

* The gas companies offer plans if you fall behind on your bills.For example, if a Nicor customer …

Palmeiro trade revisited: A good deal of success?

Rafael Palmeiro rides into town today with the Texas Rangers, oneof the baddest posses in baseball.

Used to be, Palmeiro did his damage in Wrigley Field as one ofthe good guys. Now the former Cub does his damage to American Leagueteams such as the White Sox, whom the Rangers will face tonight inthe first of a four-game series.

And what damage he's capable of.

Since leaving the Cubs, Palmeiro has become one of baseball'stop guns. Last season, he hit .322 with 26 homers, 88 RBI, aleague-leading 49 doubles and 115 runs scored.

Think of the numbers had he stayed at Waveland Avenue, battingbefore, after and between Ryne Sandberg and Andre …

Survey shows US manufacturing grew in September for 14th straight month, but at slower rate

NEW YORK (AP) — Survey shows US manufacturing grew in …

Islamic games canceled over Persian Gulf name

The Islamic Solidarity Games have been canceled after a dispute between Arab countries and Iran over the name of the waterway dividing them.

The Saudi-based Islamic Solidarity Games Federation says they cancelled the sporting event, which were meant to be held in Tehran in the spring, after Iran put "Persian …

It's down to wire in battle for Italian league crown

In Italy, it looks like a duel to the finish between Juventus andInternazionale as well as Alessandro Del Piero and Ronaldo.

Juventus (63 points) beat Piacenza 2-0 Saturday on goals byZinedine Zidane and Del Piero. Inter (62 points), with Ronaldoscoring both goals, stayed close with a 2-1 road victory againstRoma. There are five games left in the season.

As far as who is the better finisher, Ronaldo is tied withOliver Bierhoff for the league lead with 21 goals, and Del Piero isright behind with 20.The popular Del Piero recently refused to pose nude for amagazine, saying all he could do was laugh when the layout wasproposed. But even with all this idolatry, team …

Obama birth certificate bill tabled

HONOLULU (AP) — A proposal to sell copies of President Barack Obama's birth records to anyone for $100 is going nowhere in the Hawaii Legislature.

The bill died when it didn't get a hearing before a Friday deadline for bills to advance to their final committees.

House Health Committee Chairman Ryan Yamane said Thursday he won't consider the legislation because he doesn't think …

Weekend total solar eclipse visible to lucky few

A total eclipse of the sun occurs Sunday, but don't be so quick to take out your special viewing glasses.

Unlike recent solar eclipses, this year's complete blotting out of the sun will be visible only in a narrow slice of the Southern Hemisphere.

The spectacle begins at sunrise some 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) northeast of New Zealand. The moon's shadow will sweep across the South Pacific, darkening skies over the Cook Islands, Easter Island, southern Chile and Argentina.

The time of greatest eclipse will occur over open water, lasting 5 minutes and 20 seconds.

Williams College astronomer Jay Pasachoff recently traveled to the …

Program leads grocers to rethink nutrition

A New England grocery chain's decision to rate the nutritional value of the items it sells has provoked grocers operating in the midstate to question how far they should go to promote healthy eating. Maine-based Hannaford Bros. Co. has attracted national attention with its new Guiding Stars program. The company has rated about 27,000 of its items based on a star system. The more stars an item gets, the higher its nutritional value.

Hannaford's program could be a sign of things to come for the grocery industry, said Jane Andrews, corporate nutrition manager with Wegmans Food Markets Inc., a Rochester, N.Y.-based chain that plans to open a store in Cumberland County. Wegmans does not …

Apple expected to unveil new iPhone Tuesday

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple fans are amped. The computer and gadget maker is expected to announce a new, more powerful version of its wildly popular smartphone this week — more than a year after it unveiled the iPhone 4.

Last week, Apple Inc. e-mailed invitations to a media event at its headquarters in Cupertino on Tuesday morning. The invite says "let's talk iPhone," implying the normally secretive company intends to show off the latest version of the device. In the past, Apple has typically introduced a new iPhone during the summer, but this year it was expected to hold off until the fall.

It has been 15 months since Apple began selling the iPhone 4 last June. The first …

World Athletics Championships Results

DAEGU, South Korea (AP) — Results Thursday from the World Athletics Championships at Daegu Stadium:

Men
1,500
Semifinals

Heat 1 — 1, Q-Matthew Centrowitz, United States, 3 minutes, 46.66 seconds. 2, Q-Mekonnen Gebremedhin, Ethiopia, 3:46.71. 3, Q-Silas Kiplagat, Kenya, 3:46.75. 4, Q-Mehdi Baala, France, 3:46.87. 5, Q-Abdalaati Iguider, Morocco, 3:46.89. 6, Yusuf Saad Kamel, Bahrain, 3:47.18. 7, Amine Laalou, Morocco, 3:47.65. 8, Ryan Gregson, Australia, 3:47.89. 9, Geoffrey Martinson, Canada, 3:48.83. 10, Diego Ruiz, Spain, 3:49.26. 11, Taoufik Makhloufi, Algeria, 3:50.86. 12, Zebene Alemayehu, Ethiopia, 3:51.19.

Heat 2 — 1, Q-Asbel Kiprop, Kenya, 3:36.75. 2, Q-Tarek Boukensa, Algeria, 3:36.84. 3, Q-Mohamed Moustaoui, Morocco, 3:36.87. 4, Q-Manuel Olmedo, Spain, 3:36.91. 5, Q-Eduar Villanueva, Venezuela, 3:36.96. 6, q-Ciaran O'Lionaird, Ireland, 3:36.96. 7, q-Nicholas Willis, New Zealand, 3:37.39. 8, Yoann Kowal, France, 3:37.44. 9, Daniel Kipchirchir Komen, Kenya, 3:37.58. 10, Juan Carlos Higuero, Spain, 3:37.92. 11, Deresse Mekonnen, Ethiopia, 3:44.65. 12, Leonel Manzano, United States, 3:47.98.

5,000
First Round

Heat 1 — 1, Q-Bernard Lagat, United States, 13:33.90. 2, Q-Thomas Pkemei Longosiwa, Kenya, 13:34.46. 3, Q-Dejen Gebremeskel, Ethiopia, 13:34.48. 4, Q-Isiah Kiplangat Koech, Kenya, 13:34.54. 5, Q-Galen Rupp, United States, 13:34.91. 6, q- Hussain Jamaan Alhamdah, Saudi Arabia, 13:35.47. 7, q-Bilisuma Shugi, Bahrain, 13:35.86. 8, q-Daniele Meucci, Italy, 13:39.90. 9, Javier Carriqueo, Argentina, 13:47.51. 10, Collis Birmingham, Australia, 13:47.88. 11, Mumin Gala, Dijbouti, 13:48.19. 12, Rui Silva, Portugal, 13:50.16. 13, Craig Mottram, Australia, 13:56.60. 14, Moses Kibet, Uganda, 14:05.15. 15, Goitom Kifle, Eritrea, 14:06.42. 16, Abdishakur Nageye Abdulle, Somalia, 15:13.64. Mounir Miout, Algeria, DNF. Francisco Javier Alves, Spain, DNF. Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia, DNS. Adrian Blincoe, New Zealand, DNS.

Heat 2 — 1, Q-Imane Merga, Ethiopia, 13:37.96. 2, Q-Mo Farah, Britain, 13:38.03. 3, Q-Abera Kuma, Ethiopia, 13:38.41. 4, Q-Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya, 13:39.02. 5, Q-Alistair Ian Cragg, Ireland, 13:39.36. 6, q-Amanuel Mesel, Eritrea, 13:39.97. 7, q-Jesus Espana, Spain, 13:40.38. 8, Abraham Kiplimo, Uganda, 13:44.09. 9, Andrew Bumbalough, United States, 13:44.38. 10, Elroy Gelant, South Africa, 13:48.33. 11, Ben St. Lawrence, Australia, 13:51.64. 12, Jake Robertson, New Zealand, 13:53.57. 13, Geofrey Kusuro, Uganda, 13:54.58. 14, Dejene Regassa, Bahrain, 13:56.83. 15, Sylvain Rukundo, Rwanda, 13:58.92. 16, Rabah Aboud, Algeria, 14:00.34. 17, Gerard Gahungu, Burundi, 14:09.15. 18, Kazuya Watanabe, Japan, 14:20.62. 19, Baek Seung-ho, South Korea, 15:01.37. 20, Christian Ngningba, Gabon, 18:44.06. Abdullah Abdulaziz Aljoud, Saudi Arabia, DNF.

4x400 Relay
First Round

Heat 1 — 1, Q-United States (Greg Nixon; Jamaal Torrance; Michael Berry; LaShawn Merritt), 2:58.82. 2 Q-Jamaica (Allodin Fothergill; Riker Hylton; Lansford Spence; Leford Green), 2:59.13. 3, Q-South Africa (Oscar Pistorius; Ofentse Mogawane; Willem de Beer; Shane Victor), 2:59.21. 4, q-Britain (Richard Strachan; Nigel Levine; Christopher Clarke; Martyn Rooney), 3:00.38. 5, q-Germany (Jonas Plass; Kamghe Gaba; Eric Kruger; Thomas Schneider), 3:00.68. 6, Trinidad and Tobago (Zwede Hewitt; Jarrin Solomon; Deon Lendore; Renny Quow), 3:02.47. 7, Japan, (Kei Takase; Yuzo Kanemaru; Yusuke Ishitsuka; Hideyuki Hirose), 3:02.64. 8, South Korea (Park Bong-go; Lim Chan-ho; Lee Jun; Seong Hyeok-je), 3:04.05.

Heat 2 — 1, Q-Belgium (Antoine Gillet; Jonathan Borlee; Nils Duerinck; Kevin Borlee), 3:00.71. 2, Q-Russia (Maksim Dyldin; Konstantin Svechkar; Pavel Trenikhin; Denis Alekseyev), 3:00.81. 3, Q-Kenya (Vincent Kiplangat Kosgei; Anderson Mureta Mutegi; Vincent Mumo Kiilu; Mark Kiprotich Mutai), 3:00.97. 4, Bahamas (Ramon Miller; Avard Moncur; Andrae Williams; LaToy Williams), Bahamas, 3:01.54. 5, Australia (Ben Offereins; Tristan Thomas; Steven Solomon; Sean Wroe), 3:01.56. 6, Poland (Kacper Kozlowski; Piotr Wiaderek; Jakub Krzewina; Marcin Marciniszyn), 3:01.84. 7, France (Nicolas Fillon; Teddy Venel; Mamoudou Hanne; Yoann Decimus), 3:03.68. 8, Saudi Arabia (Ismail M.H. Alsabani; Yousef Ahmed Masrahi; Hamed Hamdan AlBishi; Mohammed al-Salhi), 3:05.65.

400 Hurdles
Final

1, David Greene, Britain, 48.26. 2, Javier Culson, Puerto Rico, 48.44. 3, L.J. van Zyl, South Africa, 48.80. 4, Felix Sanchez, Dominican Republic, 48.87. 5, Cornel Fredericks, South Africa, 49.12. 6, Bershawn Jackson, United States, 49.24. 7, Angelo Taylor, United States, 49.31. 8, Aleksandr Derevyagin, Russia, 49.32.

Steeplechase
Final

1, Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenya, 8:14.85. 2, Brimin Kipruto, Kenya, 8:16.05. 3, Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad, France, 8:16.09. 4, Bouabdellah Tahri, France, 8:17.56. 5, Roba Gari, Ethiopia, 8:18.37. 6, Jacob Araptany, Uganda, 8:18.67. 7, Richard Mateelong, Kenya, 8:19.31. 8, Ion Luchianov, Moldova, 8:19.69. 9, Hamid Ezzine, Morocco, 8:21.97. 10, Benjamin Kiplagat, Uganda, 8:22.21. 11, Nahom Mesfin, Ethiopia, 8:25.39. 12, Vincent Zouaoui-Dandrieux, France, 8:30.39. 13, Ruben Ramolefi, South Africa, 8:30.47. 14, Abraham Kipkirong Chirchir, Kenya, 8:33.56. 15, Alberto Paulo, Portugal, 8:33.84.

High Jump
Final

1, Jesse Williams, United States, 2.35 meters. 2, Aleksey Dmitrik, Russia, 2.35. 3, Trevor Barry, Bahamas, 2.32. 4, Jaroslav Baba, Czech Republic, 2.32. 5, Ivan Ukhov, Russia, 2.32. (tie) Dimitrios Chondrokoukis, Greece, 2.32. 7, Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar, 2.32. 8, Aleksandr Shustov, Russia, 2.29. 9, Raul Spank, Germany, 2.29. 10, Zhang Guowei, China, 2.25. 11, Donald Thomas, Bahamas, 2.20. 12, Darvin Edwards, Saint Lucia, 2.20. 13, Dmytro Demyanyuk, Ukraine, 2.20.

Long Jump
Qualification

Group A — 1, Q-Dwight Phillips, United States, 8.32. 2, Q-Mitchell Watt, Australia, 8.15. 3, q-Christian Reif, Germany, 8.13. 4, q-Aleksandr Menkov, Russia, 8.07. 5, q-Yahya Berrabah, Morocco, 8.05. 6, q-Kim Deok-hyeon, South Korea, 8.02. 7, q-Christopher Tomlinson, Britain, 8.02. 8, Marquise Goodwin, United States, 8.02. 9, Godfrey Khotso Mokoena, South Africa, 8.00. 10, Ignisious Gaisah, Ghana, 7.92. 11, Damar Forbes, Jamaica, 7.91. 12, Luis Felipe Meliz, Spain, 7.82. 13, Robert Crowther, Australia, 7.74. 14, Jorge McFarlane, Peru, 7.66. 15, Michel Torneus, Sweden, 7.65. 16, Salim Sdiri, France, 7.58. Mohamed Fathalla Difallah, Egypt, NM. Povilas Mykolaitis, Lithuania, NM.

Group B — 1, q-Ngonidzashe Makusha, Zimbabwe, 8.11. 2, q-Sebastian Bayer, Germany, 8.11. 3, q-Marcos Chuva, Portugal, 8.10. 4, q-Will Claye, United States, 8.09. 5, q-Luvo Manyonga, South Africa, 8.04. 6, Louis Tsatoumas, Greece, 8.01. 7, Greg Rutherford, Britain, 8.00. 8, Eusebio Caceres, Spain, 7.91. 9, Tyrone Smith, Bermuda, 7.91. 10, Fabrice Lapierre, Australia, 7.89. 11, Irving Saladino, Panama, 7.84. 12, Raymond Higgs, Bahamas, 7.72. 13. Lin Ching-hsuan, Taiwan, 7.30. 14, Kristinn Torfason, Iceland, 7.17. 15, Trevell Quinley, United States, 7.09. 16, Su Xiongfeng, China, 7.03. Henry Dagmil, Philippines, NM. Stanley Gbagbeke, Nigeria, DNS.

Shot Put
Qualification

Group A — 1, Q-David Storl, Germany, 21.50. 2, Q-Andrei Mikhnevich, Belarus, 20.79. 3, Q-Ryan Whiting, United States, 20.77. 4, Q-Tomasz Majewski, Poland, 20.73. 5, q-Ralf Bartels, Germany, 20.45. 6, q-Adam Nelson, United States, 20.23. 7, q-Asmir Kolasinac, Serbia, 20.14. 8, Kim Christensen, Denmark, 19.74. 9, Jan Marcell, Czech Republic, 19.51. 10, German Lauro, Argentina, 19.50. 11, Andriy Semenov, Ukraine, 19.45. 12, Om Prakash Singh, India, 19.29. 13, Borja Vivas, Spain, 18.37. 14, Hwang In-sung, South Korea, 17.75.

Group B — 1, Q-Dylan Armstrong, Canada, 21.05. 2, Q-Reese Hoffa, United States, 20.96. 3, Q-Christian Cantwell, United States, 20.73. 4, q-Marco Fortes, Portugal, 20.32. 5, q-Carlos Veliz, Cuba, 20.24. 6, Marco Schmidt, Germany, 20.06. 7, Lajos Kurthy, Hungary, 20.02, 8, Maksim Sidorov, Russia, 19.95. 9, Pavel Lyzhyn, Belarus, 19.91. 10, Hamza Alic, Bosnia-Herzegonvia, 19.70. 11, Chang Ming-huang, Taiwan, 19.60. 12, Amin Nikfar, Iran, 19.18. 13, Milan Jotanovic, Serbia, 18.39.

Javelin
Qualification

Group A — 1, Q-Guillermo Martinez, Cuba, 83.77. 2, Q-Dmitri Tarabin, Russia, 82.92. 3, q-Matthias de Zordo, Germany, 82.05. 4, q-Andreas Thorkildsen, Norway, 81.83. 5, q-Vitezslav Vesely, Czech Republic, 81.64. 6, q-Jarrod Bannister, Australia, 81.35. 7, Yukifumi Murakami, Japan, 80.19. 8, Jakub Vadlejch, Czech Republic, 80.08. 9, Tero Pitkamaki, Finland, 79.46. 10, Scott Russell, Canada, 77.49. 11, Eriks Rags, Latvia, 77.34. 12, Yervasios Filippidis, Greece, 76.66. 13, Mihkel Kukk, Estonia, 76.42. 14, Oleksandr Pyatnytsya, Ukraine, 73.56. 14, Oleksandr Pyatnytsya, Ukraine, 73.56. 15, Matija Kranjc, Slovenia, 73.17. 16, John Robert Oosthuizen, South Africa, 73.14. 17, Ihab Abdelrahman El Sayed, Egypt, 71.99. 18, Rinat Tarzumanov, Uzbekistan, 70.32. Mike Hazle, United States, DNS.

Group B — 1, q-Stuart Farquhar, New Zealand, 82.10. 2, q-Fatih Avan, Turkey, 81.94. 3, q-Mark Frank, Germany, 81.93. 4, Roman Avramenko, Ukraine, 81.46. 5, q-Sergey Makarov, Russia, 81.42. 6, q-Antti Ruuskanen, Finland, 81.03. 7, Igor Janik, Poland, 80.88. 8, Ari Mannio, Finland, 80.27. 9, Chen Qi, China, 78.42. 10, Leslie Copeland, Fiji, 76.57. 11, Petr Frydrych, Czech Republic, 76.18. 12, Vadims Vasilevskis, Latvia, 75.23. 13, Gabriel Wallin, Sweden, 74.44. 14, Arley Ibarguen, Colombia, 74.02. 15, Aleksandr Ivanov, Russia, 73.81. 16, Spiridon Lebesis, Greece, 73.35. 17, Zigismunds Sirmais, Latvia, 73.16. 18, Jung Sang-jin, South Korea, 72.03.

___

Women
200
First Round

Heat 1 — 1, Q-Myriam Soumare, France, 22.71. 2, Q-Kerron Stewart, Jamaica, 22.83. 3, Q-Yulia Gushchina, Russia, 22.88. 4, Q-Nivea Smith, Bahamas, 23.09. 5, q-Chisato Fukushima, Japan, 23.25. 6, Jeneba Tarmoh, United States, 23.60. 7, Seyha Chan, Cambodia, 26.34. Ramona van der Vloot, Suriname, DNS.

Heat 2 — 1, Q-Carmelita Jeter, United States, 22.68. 2, Q-Sherone Simpson, Jamaica, 22.94. 3, Q-Elizabeta Savlinis, Russia, 23.09. 4, Q-Elyzaveta Bryzgina, Ukraine, 23.70. 5, Vanda Gomes, Brazil, 23.70. 6, Viktoriya Zyabkina, Kazakhstan, 24.09. 7, Mary Jane Vincent, Mauritius, 25.20. Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria, DNS.

Heat 3 — 1, Q-Dafne Schippers, Netherlands, 22.69. 2, Q-Allyson Felix, United States, 22.71. 3, Q-Ana Claudia Silva, Brazil, 22.96. 4, Q-Janelle Redhead, Grenada, 23.11. 5, q-Allison Peter, U.S. Virgin Islands, 23.17. 6, Endurance Abinuwa, Nigeria, 23.53. 7, Phumlile Ndzinisa, Swaziland, 24.15. 8, Afa Ismail, Maldives, 26.48.

Heat 4 — 1, Q-Shalonda Solomon, United States, 22.69. 2, Q-Mariya Ryemyen, Ukraine, 22.77. 3, Q-Kai Selvon, Trinidad and Tobago, 22.89. 4, Q-Anthonique Strachan, Bahamas, 23.20. 5, q-Nelkis Casabona, Cuba, 23.21. 6, Anna Kielbasinska, Poland, 23.34. 7, Kimberly Hyacinthe, Canada, 23.83. 8, Hinikissia Albertine Ndikert, Chad, 24.81.

Heat 5 — 1, Q-Veronica Campbell-Brown, Jamaica, 22.46. 2, Q-Ivet Lalova, Bulgaria, 22.62. 3, Q-Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Bahamas, 22.86. 4, Q-Hrystyna Stuy, Ukraine, 22.92. 5, q-Anyika Onuora, Britain, 22.93. 6, Moa Hjelmer, Sweden, 23.31. 7, Maryam Toosi, Iran, 24.17. 8, Fanny Shonobi, Gambia, 25.55.

Semifinals

Heat 1 — 1, Q-Carmelita Jeter, United States, 22.47. 2, Q-Sherone Simpson, Jamaica, 22.88. 3, Mariya Ryemyen, Ukraine, 22.94. 4, Ana Claudia Silva, Brazil, 22.97. 5, Myriam Soumare, France, 23.02. 6, Nivea Smith, Bahamas, 23.06. 7, Nelkis Casabona, Cuba, 23.32. Chisato Fukushima, Japan, 23.52.

Heat 2 — Q-Shalonda Solomon, United States, 22.46. 2, Q-Kerron Stewart, Jamaica, 22.77. 3, q-Hrystyna Stuy, Ukraine, 22.79. 4, q-Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Bahamas, 22.85. 5, Dafne Schippers, Netherlands, 22.92. 6, Elizabeta Savlinis, Russia, 23.04. 7, Anyika Onuora, Britain, 23.08. 8, Allison Peter, U.S. Virgin Islands, 23.56.

Heat 3 — 1, Q-Veronica Campbell-Brown, Jamaica, 22.53. 2, Q-Allyson Felix, United States, 22.67. 3, Ivet Lalova, Bulgaria, 23.03. 4, Kai Selvon, Trinidad and Tobago, 23.11. 5, Yulia Gushchina, Russia, 23.26. 6, Janelle Redhead, Grenada, 23.57. 7, Anthonique Strachan, Bahamas, 23.85. Elyzaveta Bryzgina, Ukraine, DNF.

800
First Round

Heat 1 — 1, Q-Jennifer Meadows, Britain, 2:01.11. 2, Q-Maggie Vessey, United States, 2:01.32. 3, Q-Rosibel Garcia, Colombia, 2:01.33. 4, Q-Eunice Jepkoech Sum, Kenya, 2:01.37. 5, q-Yuliya Rusanova, Russia, 2:01.38. 6, Egle Balciunaite, Lithuania, 2:02.88. 7, Yvonne Hak, Netherlands, 2:03.05.

Heat 2 — 1, Q-Kenia Sinclair, Jamaica, 2:01.66. 2, Q-Halima Hachlaf, Morocco, 2:01.80. 3, Q-Yuliya Krevsun, Ukraine, 2:01.88. 4, Q-Maryna Arzamasava, Belarus, 2:01.97. 5, q-Fantu Magiso, Ethiopia, 2:02.58. 6, Merve Aydin, Turkey, 2:04.88. 7, Hug Yeon-jung, South Korea, 2:08.05. 8, Zourah Ali, Djibouti, 2:36.36.

Heat 3 — 1, Q-Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei, Kenya, 1:59.36. 2, Q-Ekaterina Kostetskaya, Russia, 1:59.61. 3, Q-Alysia Johnson Montano, United States, 1:59.62. 4, Q-Marilyn Okoro, Britain, 1:59.74. 5, Luiza Gega, Albania, 2:03.21. 6, Margarita Matsko, Kazakhstan, 2:04.24. Tetiana Petlyuk, Ukraine, DNF.

Heat 4 — 1, Q-Mariya Savinova, Russia, 2:01.01. 2, Q-Caster Semenya, South Africa, 2:01.01. 3, Q-Cherono Koech, Kenya, 2:01.03. 4, Q-Alice Schmidt, United States, 2:01.11. 5, q-Emma Jackson, Britain, 2:01.17. 6, q-Tintu Luka, India, 2:01.89. 7, Truong Thanh Hang, Vietnam, 2:03.52.

Heat 5 — 1, Q-Annet Negesa, Uganda, 2:02.75. 2, Q-Zahra Bouras, Algeria, 2:02.77. 3, Q-Lucia Klocova, Slovakia, 2:02.81. 4, Q-Liliya Lobanova, Ukraine, 2:02.84. 5, Nikki Hamblin, New Zealand, 2:02.87. 6, Lemlem Bereket, Canada, 2:03.62. 7, Sviatlana Usovich, Belarus, 2:05.62.

1,500
Final

1, Jennifer Barringer Simpson, United States, 4:05.40. 2, Hannah England, Britain, 4:05.68. 3, Natalia Rodriguez, Spain, 4:05.87. 4, Btissam Lakhouad, Morocco, 4:06.18. 5, Kalkidan Gezahegne, Ethiopia, 4:06.42. 6, Ingvill Makestad Bovim, Norway, 4:06.85. 7, Mimi Belete, Bahrain, 4:07.60. 8, Tugba Karakaya, Turkey, 4:08.14. 9, Nataliya Tobias, Ukraine, 4:08.68. 10, Morgan Uceny, United States, 4:19.71. 11, Hellen Onsando Obiri, Kenya, 4:20.23. 12, Maryam Yusuf Jamal, Bahrain, 4:22.67.

400 Hurdles
Final

1, Lashinda Demus, United States, 52.47. 2, Melaine Walker, Jamaica, 52.73. 3, Natalya Antyukh, Russia, 53.85. 4, Kaliese Spencer, Jamaica, 54.01. 5, Anastasiya Rabchenyuk, Ukraine, 54.18. 6, Vania Stambolova, Bulgaria, 54.23. 7, Zuzana Hejnova, Czech Republic, 54.23. 8, Elena Churakova, Russia, 55.17.

High Jump
Qualification

Group A — 1, Q-Anna Chicherova, Russia, 1.95. (tie) Q-Svetlana Shkolina, Russia, 1.95. 3, Q-Emma Green Tregaro, Sweden, 1.95. 4, Q-Deirdre Ryan, Ireland, 1.95. 5, Q-Anna Iljustsenko, Estonia, 1.95. 6, Q-Levern Spencer, Saint Lucia, 1.92. 7, Melanie Melfort, France, 1.92. 8, Ruth Beitia, Spain, 1.92. 9, Vita Styopina, Ukraine, 1.92. 10, Venelina Veneva-Mateeva, Bulgaria, 1.89. 11, Tonje Angelsen, Norway, 1.85. 12, Raffaella Lamera, Italy, 1.85. 13, Marielys Rojas, Venezuela, 1.85. 14, Inika McPherson, United States, 1.80. 15, Han Da-rye, South Korea, 1.75.

Group B — 1, Q-Blanka Vlasic, Croatia, 1.95. (tie) Q-Antonietta Di Martino, Italy, 1.95. (tie) Q-Brigetta Barrett, United States, 1.95. 4, Q-Doreen Amata, Nigeria, 1.95. 5, Q- Zheng Xingjuan, China, 1.95. (tie) Q-Elena Slesarenko, Russia, 1.95. (tie) Q-Svetlana Radzivil, Uzbekistan, 1.95. 8, Esthera Petre, Romania, 1.92. 9, Ebba Jungmark, Sweden, 1.92. 10, Marina Aitova, Kazakhstan, 1.89. (tie) Oksana Okuneva, Ukraine, 1.89. 12, Wanida Boonwan, Thailand, 1.85. 13, Danielle Frenkel, Israel, 1.85. 14, Marija Vukovic, Montenegro, 1.80.

Triple Jump
Final

1, Olha Saladuha, Ukraine, 14.94. 2, Olga Rypakova, Kazakhstan, 14.89. 3, Caterine Ibarguen, Colombia, 14.84. 4, Mabel Gay, Cuba, 14.67. 5, Yamile Aldama, Britain, 14.50. 6, Yargeris Savigne, Cuba, 14.43. 7, Anna Kuropatkina, Russia, 14.23. 8, Baya Rahouli, Algeria, 14.12. 9, Natalia Iastrebova, Ukraine, 14.12. 10, Biljana Topic, Serbia, 14.03. 11, Dana Veldakova, Slovakia, 13.96. 12, Keila Costa, Brazil, 13.72.

Javelin
Qualification

Group A — 1, Q-Christina Obergfoll, Germany, 68.76. 2, Q-Kathrina Molitor, Germany, 63.52. 3, Q-Maria Abakumova, Russia, 62.49. 4, Q-Goldie Sayers, Britain, 62.19. 5, Q-Yuki Ebihara, Japan, 59.88. 6, Madara Palameika, Latvia, 59.78. 7, Jarmila Klimesova, Czech Republic, 59.65. 8, Asdis Hjalmsdottir, Iceland, 59.15. 9, Rachel Yurkovich, United States, 58.84. 10, Justine Robbeson, South Africa, 58.08. 11, Indre Jakubaityte, Lithuania, 56.92. 12, Yanet Cruz, Cuba, 56.73. 13, Elisabeth Eberl, Austria, 56.48. 14, Kim Kyung-ae, South Korea, 54.96.

Group B — 1, Q-Sunette Viljoen, South Africa, 65.34. 2, Q-Barbora Spotakova, Czech Republic, 63.40. 3, Q-Martina Ratej, Slovenia, 61.58. 4, q-Kimberley Mickle, Australia, 60.50. 5, q-Linda Stahl, Germany, 60.21. 6, Zahra Bani, Italy, 58.92. 7, Vira Rebryk, Ukraine, 58.50. 8, Mercedes Chilla, Spain, 58.34. 9, Sinta Ozolina-Kovala, Latvia, 58.15. 10, Liu Chunhua, China, 57.52. 11, Kara Patterson, United States, 57.14. 12, Tatjana Jelaca, Serbia, 56.68. 13, Risa Miyashita, Japan, 55.62. 14, Maria Murillo, Colombia, 52.83.

A brief history of Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines Corp., which filed for bankruptcy Wednesday, was the country's first airline and the largest carrier in Asia. The following is a brief history of the company, also known as JAL:

_1951: JAL is founded in Tokyo while Japan is still under U.S. occupation. The company begins service with a DC 3 borrowed from Philippine Airlines. It offers domestic service with Northwest Airlines (now part of Delta) overseeing flight operations.

_1953: JAL is nationalized.

_1954: JAL begins first international route, to San Francisco.

_1987: JAL is privatized after growing to become one of the world's largest international carriers.

_2001: The state-run Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) loans 154 billion yen to JAL and 85 billion yen to ANA to help them overcome falling sales after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. JAL merges with smaller carrier Japan Air System.

_2003: The DBJ loans 70 billion yen to JAL as passenger numbers fall due to the SARS outbreak and the Iraq war.

_2005: JAL struggles with a series of minor but embarassing safety lapses, including the front tires of a plane coming off during landing and a pilot attempting to take off without approval from air traffic controllers. Company chairman Isao Kaneko resigns.

_2009: JAL receives a 100 billion yen loan deal from the DBJ and three commercial banks as it continues to struggle, losing 131.2 billion yen in the six months through September. The airline asks for more public funds, but a new government refuses, and the state-run Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation is brought in to oversee the company's revival.

_2010: JAL's shares plunge to 5 yen from 101 yen in a month on fears the issue will be removed from the stock exchange. JAL files for a government-led bankruptcy with 2.32 trillion ($25.6 billion) yen in debt.

Anger over Casey Anthony verdict pours out online

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — For nearly two months, the murder trial of Casey Anthony was a living entity. It breathed daily across national television airwaves, then was reinforced nightly on cable TV programs that dissected every word uttered in the courtroom and fueled speculation on her fate.

When Anthony was acquitted of murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, hundreds of thousands of people captivated by the case — and certain of her guilt — poured their rage into postings on Facebook and the micro-blogging site Twitter. Those and other social media sites provided a platform and a large audience for a decibel level of vitriol seldom seen before.

The threats, both veiled and blatant, were disturbing enough to make the judge hold off on releasing jurors' names, and to make it all the more likely that Anthony will be secretly whisked away upon her release next week.

Postings continued to fill one "I hate Casey Anthony" Facebook page on Saturday morning, with nearly 39,000 people having "liked" the page. In reaction to Anthony's July 17 announced release date, one person wrote, "... maybe she won't even make it out of jail alive." Someone else added a picture of Anthony manipulated to give her horns and included a backdrop of flames.

Dr. Phyllis Chesler, a psychologist who authored "Mothers on Trial," said the case connected with people by the millions because it taps primitive instincts rejecting the thought of a mother ever doing anything to harm her child.

"Once a mother is merely accused, she stands convicted, because the instinct is to blame the mother," she said. "She's an outlaw even though she was found innocent."

Richard Laermer, a public relations consultant who has written a book on short-lived celebrity notoriety, said the case filled a void for some viewers.

"People in down times spend their waking hours looking for bright, bushy-tailed distractions," he said. "Casey and her poor daughter's sick and sad saga will fit the bill for now."

Even those who weren't as enraged said they found a sort of electronic catharsis in boiling down their emotions to 140 characters and posting them in anonymity on Twitter.

Wendy Thompson squealed when she got a text message that the verdict was in, but later was in disbelief as she heard the words "not guilty."

Thompson, who lives just outside Detroit, read one tweet asking, "Soo is it like too early to ask (hash)CaseyAnthony out on a date? Maybe?" and replied that the young man should bring condoms.

"I would never say that to someone's face, but I can say that behind my screen," she said.

Anthony was sentenced to four years for lying to police but is close to completing that term because of time served and good behavior.

"Sucks for her," Jillian Barrieu wrote on Facebook in response. "If I was her id (sic) rather stay safely in jail..."

Barrieu, of East Hartford, Connecticut, said she felt comfortable sharing her outrage with others online.

"It was a convenient place to vent where I knew people would mostly feel the same way as I do," she told The Associated Press Friday in an interview conducted through Facebook messaging.

There are occasional voices of those that offer the view that prosecutors didn't prove their case. "She's not guilty it's already been proven get over it...stop wishing someone to be dead" one man wrote on one of the anti-Anthony pages. But those items are few and almost immediately met with ridicule.

On Yahoo!, Casey Anthony was a top search the week of her acquittal. The case was also fueling the popularity of those closely associated with it. Searches were up 1,000 percent for cable TV host Nancy Grace, who made almost nightly pronouncements insisting that "Tot Mom," her derogatory nickname for Anthony, was guilty.

By Friday morning, nearly 2.6 million people indicated on Facebook that they would keep their porch lights on in honor of Caylee. "Caylee, I know you see this, I know you are hearing the prayers. This is for remembering you," the organizers wrote on the page.

Also by Friday, more than 700,000 people had signed an online petition at Change.org calling for a federal "Caylee's Law" making it a felony to not report a missing child in a timely manner.

The strong reaction has left its mark on the courtroom.

During a hearing Thursday, several media groups including The Associated Press asked the judge to release the names of jurors in the Anthony trial. Judge Belvin Perry said he normally doesn't have an issue with releasing names, but he was mulling a delay to allow the anger — some of it pointed at the jury — to dissipate.

"You realize there are folks out there who want to do crazy things, like fillet people open, pour salt on them, and feed their legs to the piranhas," Perry said.

He said he doesn't want public reaction to translate into harm for people who "don't have a choice about serving on a jury."

Sandy Lisella of Hartland, Connecticut, said in a Facebook messaging conversation that while many posts she's seen have simply been rants, others "are more substantial and thought-provoking, trying to make sense of how our legal system could conclude these results."

"The way the story unfolded was unfathomable to the masses. It was like watching a sick movie!" Lisella said. "Social media, in a roundabout way, allows everyone to get involved in the causes that strike a chord in us."

___

Associated Press writers Jeannie Nuss in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Pat Eaton-Robb in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.

Rockets/Missiles

FIELD ARTILLERY AND MORTAR SYSTEMS

The Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS) provides counterfire, suppression of enemy air defenses and destruction of light and personnel targets. The MLRS delivers large volumes of firepower in a short time against critical, time-sensitive targets. The basic rocket warhead carries dual-purpose, improved conventional munition (DPICM) submunitions. The MLRS, however, is capable of supporting and delivering all of the MLRS family of munitions (MFOM), including the Army tactical missile system (ATACMS) variants. Growth programs are under way to extend the range and accuracy of rockets and missiles and to upgrade the launcher fire-control and mechanical systems.

The U.S. initial operational capability for the MLRS was achieved in 1983. Starting in FY 1989, the MLRS has been coproduced by the United States, Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. As of June 8, 2004, the United States had procured 880 M270-family and 52 high-mobility artillery system (HIMARS) launchers.

Two parallel enhancement programs have been directed toward the M270 tracked MLRS launcher: the M270 improved position determining system (IPDS) and the M270A1 upgrade.

The M270 IPDS program was an interim upgrade applied to a select number of launchers to provide the ability to fire the longer-range GPS-aided ATACMS Block IA, quick reaction unitary and Block II missiles until sufficient M270A1 launchers are fielded. The modification kit features the IPDS line replaceable unit (LRU) with an embedded GPS receiver. The new LRU replaces the improved stabilization reference package/positioning determining system (ISRP/PDS) LRU found in the current M270 launchers. Other components of the IPDS modification include a 4-mega-byte electronics unit (twice the M270's capacity); GPS antenna, data transfer device and associated cables; expanded hoist bumpers for ATACMS Block IA missile pod hang angles; and additional training and maintenance equipment.

Lockheed Martin is under contract and has incorporated two new upgrades to the current MLRS system. The new M270A1 launcher appears identical to existing M270s while incorporating an improved fire-control system (IFCS) and an improved launcher mechanical system (ILMS).

The IFCS allows for more sophisticated munitions and reduces operating costs. The IFCS upgrade includes a new fire-control panel with video, a full keyboard, a gigabyte of program storage and GPS navigation. With distributed multiprocessor technology, the IFCS is able to process large blocks of data from new smart munitions within tactical time lines. Operating and maintenance costs are reduced by 38 percent because of the greater reliability and ease of repair on IFCS parts. The new system meets requirements for the first digitized corps and allows for future growth, being capable of firing future munitions and having a greater capacity to expand situational awareness.

The ILMS dramatically reduces the time needed to aim and reload the launcher. In a typical fire mission, the ILMS-equipped launcher is six times faster than the current M270 launcher, with reload time decreased by more than 38 percent.

Crew and launcher survivability are greatly enhanced by decreasing total exposure time on the battlefield. The new system reduces operations and support (O&S) costs by 38 percent while incorporating state-of-the-art electronics and embedded global positioning and inertial navigation systems.

Procurement of the M270A1 began in 1999. A confidence demonstration was successfully completed in 2000. Systems integration testing and extended systems integration testing of software were successfully completed in 2001, with all exit criteria being met or exceeded.

In 2000, the Army accepted delivery of the first M270A1 low-rate initial production (LRIP) launcher. To date, five MLRS battalions have been equipped with M270A1 launchers. The entire MLRS family of munitions, including the MLRS M26 rocket, extended-range rocket, reduced-range practice rocket, guided MLRS rockets, ATACMS Block I, ATACMS Block IA, ATACMS Block II and ATACMS quick-reaction unitary have been successfully fired from the M270A1. The system was highly effective and reliable during combat operations associated with Operation Iraqi Freeedom (OIF).

The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is the newest launcher variant of the multiple-launch rocket system family. HIMARS is a highly mobile artillery rocket system offering MLRS fire-power on a wheeled chassis.

HIMARS carries a single six-pack of MLRS rockets, or one Army tactical missile system (ATACMS) missile, on the Army's new family of medium tactical vehicles (FMTV) 5-ton truck. HIMARS is designed to launch the entire MLRS family of munitions. HIMARS was part of the rapid force projection initiative, an advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) program. Four prototypes were built by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control-Dallas, with three vehicles delivered to the XVIII Airborne Corps for a two-year evaluation. The retention period was later extended by Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) until that corps is equipped with the first production design launchers.

In May 1998, HIMARS successfully fired the first MLRS rockets from a prototype launcher at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. This was the first in a firing program that included both rockets and Army TACMS Blocks I and IA missiles. A platoon of HIMARS ACTD prototypes were successfully used during OIF, exclusively firing ATACMS missiles in support of ground forces.

In December 1999, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control-Dallas was awarded a 36-month engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract. The first unit is scheduled to be equipped in FY 2005.

In 2000, the U.S. Marine Corps joined the HIMARS program. The Marine Corps is conducting a technology demonstration to evaluate the system, with the objective of fully incorporating HIMARS into the Corps. The Marine Corps is planning to equip two battalions with HIMARS.

The M270 MLRS launcher is capable of firing ATACMS Block I missiles to engage targets at ranges out to 165 kilometers. The Block I was used in combat action in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom and effectively destroyed high-priority targets. The contractor completed deliveries of the Block I missile in 1997.

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Blocks I and IA provide long-range, surface-to-surface fire support for Army corps and division operations. Both ATACMS Blocks I and IA are surface-to-surface guided missile systems with an antipersonnel/antimateriel (APAM) war-head. The ATACMS with an APAM warhead attacks soft area targets at ranges well beyond the capability of existing cannons and rockets. Targets include surface-to-surface missile and multiple rocket launcher units; air defense systems; logistics elements; and command, control and communications complexes.

The ATACMS Block IA, with enhanced accuracy enabled by GPS augmentation to its inertial guidance capability, has a 300-kilometer reach. Block IA began fielding in FY 1998, and retrofit of selected launchers to Block IA capability occurred simultaneously with missile fielding. Fired from M270A1 and HIMARS prototype launchers, its employment was highly effective in OIF.

The ATACMS Unitary Missile is a U.S. Army requirement developed as a result of lessons learned in Kosovo. It was clear that battlefield commanders needed a weapon with precise guidance and lower lethal radii to minimize collateral damage. Future military operations will require the need for precision attacks on critical point targets, including those in urban environments or restrictive terrain, under all weather conditions while minimizing collateral damage.

The Army TACMS Quick-Reaction Unitary (QRU) Missile is a responsive all-weather, long-range missile with a high-explosive, single-burst warhead fired from the multiple-launch rocket system family of launchers. The ATACMS QRU is converted to the unitary configuration by replacing the antipersonnel/antimateriel (APAM) submunitions in Block IA missiles and integrating a proven government-furnished unitary warhead (470-pound SLAM/ HARPOON) and fuse into the warhead section. The missile has a range of 270 kilometers and provides the Army the interim capability to attack high-payoff, time-sensitive targets without placing combat or support aircraft and crews at risk. Its precision accuracy, the absence of potential submunition duds and reduced lethal radii overcome collateral damage concerns.

First delivery of an Army TACMS QRU was completed within four months of contract award, and the flight test was successfully conducted in April 2001 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.. The Army TACMS unitary missile was launched from an MLRS IPDS launcher and flew 139 kilometers to the target impact site. The target array was constructed to obtain a qualitative measurement of the warhead effects via indicators placed in the impact area. The results of the flight test indicate that the warhead effects were fairly concentrated, dissipating within 100 meters of the impact area with no duds or unexploded ordnance.

The Army TACMS quick-reaction unitary (QRU) was used in OIF and was highly effective in destroying high-payoff targets at the outset of the operation. Additional missiles are being procured.

The ATACMS Block II Missile provides long-range, surface-to-surface fire support. The ATACMS Block II is a modification of the currently fielded and combat-proven ATACMS Block I missile family. The Block II delivers 13 BAT (brilliant antitank) submunitions at supersonic velocity out to 145 kilometers, where they will autonomously attack and destroy numerous high-payoff targets. BAT warheads enable the engagement of moving armored formations at long range.

In November 1993, the ATACMS Block II became the carrier for the BAT submunition. Approval of the Block II continued development program occurred in May 1995. The first flight test of an ATACMS Block II missile occurred in the fourth quarter of FY 1997. Fielding commenced in the first quarter of FY 2002.

The ATACMS Penetrator Program is an advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) that uses the ATACMS Block IA motor and guidance and control, and incorporates a U.S. Navy separating penetrator warhead. Testing will be followed by fielding of program residuals to a major command.

The Extended-Range Multiple-Launch Rocket System (ER-MLRS) provides longer-range rocket capability. The ERMLRS was the next logical step in the evolution of the MLRS rocket design. The program emerged from lessons learned during Operation Desert Storm, in which senior-level commanders, while applauding the effectiveness of the basic rocket, stated a requirement for greater range. The ERMLRS is a free-flight, area-fire, artillery rocket designed to enhance the capabilities of the MLRS.

The ER-MLRS extends the 31.8-kilometer range of the basic rocket to approximately 45 kilometers. The extended-range variant has the same diameter and length as the basic rocket, but it has been modified to include a lengthened motor and a shorter warhead section with fewer dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) grenades. The launch pod for the ER-MLRS incorporates a new no-load detent (soft launch) system and is similar in appearance to the existing M26 LPC.

Funding constraints, coupled with the decision to incorporate guidance packages on extended-range rockets, resulted in a limited production, low-rate procurement strategy until the guided MLRS (GMLRS) rocket procurement starts.

Only about 4,000 ER-MLRS were procured. This provides the field with an interim capability until the more effective GMLRS is fielded.

The Guided Multiple-Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) supports Army Transformation with increased overmatch capabilities and a reduced logistics footprint over current free-flight rockets. GMLRS will be used with the M270A1 and the HIMARS launchers. The rockets will incorporate GPS-aided inertial navigation systems. GMLRS is a multinational development program with the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany that upgrades the extended-range multiple-launch rocket system (ER-MLRS). Using various components from the ERMLRS (grenades and rocket pods), it will transform the MLRS free-flight rocket into a precision-guided rocket by incorporating a guidance and control package and a new rocket motor to achieve greater range and accuracy.

Guidance will be performed by a low-cost tactical-grade inertial measurement unit (IMU), which will be aided by a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. GPS is not mission essential, but provides a further increase in accuracy when used in conjunction with the IMU. GMLRS provides the necessary components (guidance, controls and motor) for further precision and smart submunition variants.

GMLRS will have a maximum range of more than 70 kilometers with accuracy measured in meters. It will carry a warhead payload of 404 dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) bomblets having considerably lower dud rates than found in the current MLRS free-flight rockets. The modular design will facilitate future growth.

GMLRS began an advanced technology demonstration (ATD) in 1994 with five ATD flight tests completed in 1999. An international memorandum of understanding with France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom was signed in 1998. The program made the transition into engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) in 1999 and is managed by the U.S. Army MLRS project manager as an international cooperative development program.

The EMD preliminary design review was successfully completed in 1999. In 2000, the program demonstrated an acceptable DPICM dispense threshold and rocket motor preflight readiness tests. In December 2000, GMLRS successfully completed its first ballistic flight test. GMLRS is currently undergoing production qualification flight testing and operational testing with a projected initial operational capability of FY 2006.

A second GMLRS variant is the GMLRS Unitary Rocket. GMLRS unitary integrates a 200-pound class unitary warhead into the GMLRS. Like its predecessor, its range exceeds 70 kilometers. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control-Dallas was awarded the system development and demonstration contract in September 2003. Flight testing to date has demonstrated pinpoint accuracy. This munition will be used when terrain conditions and/or rules of engagement would otherwise preclude employment of the DPICM variant. Its multimode warhead fuze (impact, delay and airburst) will greatly enhance its employment options against many types of targets in various combat environments.

The Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) is an unmanned, vertically launched, missile system that is organic to the unit of action. It is transportable by C-130 or larger fixed-wing as well as rotary aircraft. NLOS-LS is made up of two missile types along with their container launch unit (CLU). The contract for system design and demonstration was awarded to Lockheed Martin and Raytheon on March 19, 2004.

The Precision Attack Missile (PAM) will have a range of 40 kilometers and is primarily intended to attack armored combat vehicles. The missile will use GPSaided inertial guidance to navigate to the target area. Its final attack sequence will be enabled by using either its uncooled infrared seeker or semiactive laser seeker. PAM technology was successfully demonstrated in November 2003 when it scored a direct hit on a stationary tank marked by a ground-based laser designator. The PAM was launched more than 9 kilometers distant from the target.

The Loitering Attack Missile (LAM) also uses GPS-aided inertial guidance and will be capable of attacking targets up to 70 kilometers after searching in the specified target area for up to 30 minutes. It is intended to autonomously find and attack priority targets using its laser radar (LADAR) seeker. LAM is designed to attack fleeting targets such as SCUD launchers. Both RAM and LAM are capable of receiving in-flight retaskings.

Both missiles are launched from a CLU composed of 15 missile tubes. The computer and communications system (CCS) is located in a sixteenth tube in the CLU. The CCS receives fire missions from the tactical network and then programs and launches the missiles. The CLU incorporates a self-contained locating system and can be either positioned on the ground or onboard cargo vehicles.

Gender `Advantage'? Not Much

It's a common refrain from white males: "If only I had been borna woman or a minority, I could have special privileges, too."

Generally, such comments draw a scoff from feminists. Afterall, haven't white males historically have had all the privileges?

"Sometimes I feel sorry for those white males who are not asfortunate as we were to be born a minority. It can be adisadvantage," said Rita Alborez-Pozniak, president of GoldenExpress.

Just kidding, she said.

"In reality, it's a very big hurdle to get over."

Gender and ethnicity might help them get some business becausecompanies or government entities want to achieve some undefined"goals" for contracting with female and minority business owners.

But the entrepreneurs still had to break into male-dominatedfields and they still have to perform to keep the business, the womensaid during a Wednesday meeting of the National Society of HispanicMBAs.

Their minority status helped them break into the business. Butthat doesn't mean it has been easy or that they made it by relyingsolely on their gender or ethnicity.

Getting financing was the first big hurdle for Alborez-Pozniak.Her former bosses at corporate behemoth McDonald's called the banksand asked them to talk with her. Even with that entree, she had tofight for the $1 million loan she and her husband, Wayne Pozniak,needed to buy Golden Express - something she doesn't think a whiteman would have had to do.

"McDonald's gave me business references and made calls to banks.Some of them really intended to talk to us, but some just wentthrough the motions," she said.

Not one to allow an injustice to pass, Alborez-Pozniak made surethose who "just went through the motions" won't do it again. Shereported them to their superiors.

"I really did a number on them. I was feeling badly about allthe Hispanics who came before me and who will come after me."

Once she bought the company, she had to win over the customersas well.

Take the sales appointment made by her husband. He didn'tmention that his wife, the company president, would be doing thetalking. The company officials were clearly surprised to see her inthe lobby.

"They thought, `What did he bring his wife for? Is she going tosit out in the lobby and knit?' " After a few minutes in themeeting, "they knew my husband was just nice enough to drive methere."

She recommends developing networks of business contacts and notbacking down from a challenge.

"You have to be in their face. You have to be convincing,"Alborez-Pozniak said.

That's because you can't count on your minority status to getthe business, especially in this recessionary economy, said ElizabethScully, coordinator of the Women's Business Initiative for theWomen's Business Development Center.

Her office helps women and minority business owners through thecertification process that pronounces them officially women-owned orminority-owned enterprises. But certification is not enough - especially in a tight economy whena skittish purchasing agent fears for his job if he doesn't hire thebest possible supplier.

"We stress developing relationships. We ask women to go out andfocus on the corporation or government agency they want to dobusiness with and tell them what they can do for the corporation -`I'm the fastest'; `I'll provide better service'; `I'll followthrough.' Then they can add the piece about certification. That'sthe gravy," Scully said.

That's how Margarita Perez, president of Fortaleza AssetManagement, does it.

"The important thing is, I'm a good money manager. It just sohappens that I'm a minority woman."

But, she said, she got started in the business because of hergender and race. Companies are looking for minority-owned firms tomanage their pension funds, she said. Demand is so high thatcompetition is getting tough as more and more minorities move intothe business.

Maria Prado, a partner in the Chicago accounting firm Crozier,Prado & Renteria, said her minority status helped the firm wingovernment contracts but "I believe that is only the starting step.Once we're through the first step, we have to prove the work we cando to maintain the relationship."

Leticia Herrera, president of Extra Clean, an industrial andcommercial janitorial service, said being a minority "is only adisadvantage if you see it as such."

Cindy Richards' Working Women column appears every Friday.

Plants' indoor, winter-long hibernation almost at end

Agaves and aloes from the deserts and bananas from rain-forestcountry are all easy to keep over winter in the house if they aregiven almost no water.

Although some plants would promptly die under this regimen, asurprising number will thrive (or at least survive) almost bone dryfrom November until April.

The agaves live in 12-inch pots throughout the year. They are apain to carry in and out, in April and November, and they get biggerevery year. They all started with an agave somebody threw out onefall. Of course this was retrieved, and since then it has pupped,and now I cannot say which is the original and which are theoffspring.

Anyway, each pot gets about a cup of water once every six weeks.Our house is colder than most and stays in the 50s most of the day.This suits the agaves, aloes, barrel cactus, several palms,monsteras, fiddle leaf fig and rubber tree quite well.

The poor fiddle leaf fig is almost exhausted by spring, butrevives in our warm, wet spring and summer.

A dracaena came to us in 1970 in a 4-inch pot. It graduated tolarger things, but for the past 10 years has lived in a 10-inch pot.It is about 6 feet high, with four stems, and has not grown foryears. That is because I do not give it a larger pot. The soil inthe pot is unchanged for at least 10 years. In the house it gets acup of water once a month, or whenever its leaves start lookingunhappy.

The schefflera is equally starved, but equally green, and hasshown displeasure by producing quite small leaves. It suits me finethat way.

The sago palm or cycad (Cycas revoluta) is much at home in theCarolina low country and thrives with endless floods of water throughthe summer, but it does quite well in the house in dim light andalmost dust-dry soil through the winter. When it goes out in Aprilyou almost can see it revving itself up for a great burst of newgrowth after its months of enforced drought.

I think of all these creatures as so many green bears, abidingquietly in their cave until the stronger light of February wakensthem. The bananas are the first to revive, sending out tentativepale leaves in January (if you weaken and give them a cup of water),and you soon learn to give them just enough to keep the leaves fromdying but not enough to encourage them into full growth. Once theyfruit, the main stem dies, but there are two or three young plantsgrowing at the base.

One of the most difficult things to do is nurse along youngrosebushes in the house. In general, it is best to plant the roseoutside, despite the hazards of winter.

Unfortunately the bud was plump, and I was sure it would sproutduring the mild weather before Christmas and then be wrenched looseby the gales of winter. So I have it in the house.

The bud has sprouted, and I cut the top off the stock into whichit was set. (None of this need concern gardeners who get their rosesthe usual way, as 2-year-old field-grown plants. With them, the workhas all been tended to long before they are sold, and all you do isplant them outdoors in November-December or February-March.)

The hazard, in the house, is insufficient light. I keep the newmusk rose under a lamp at night, hoping to pull it through untilspring. This rose is notable for its scent, but the flowers aresmallish and fairly shapeless, white, and they have a bad habit ofturning brown when they fade and (in wet weather) just hanging on thebush.

It is a different plant from the huge climber commonly sold asthe musk rose. The one I refer to as the true musk is supposed tohave come from the border of France and Spain.

It starts blooming at the end of July in England and continuesuntil cold weather. Its chief claim to glory is that it is supposedto be the rose from which the noisettes were bred, and through themits genes may well be in many modern roses.

You notice I say "supposed to be" a good bit. Roses are easilygrown from seed and easily pollinated by other roses. Over thecenturies, without clear records, the best an honest scholar (letalone an amateur like me) can do is make an informed guess.

US set for talks on boosting SKorean missile range

The United States is open to talks on the possibility of South Korea developing ballistic missiles capable of striking all of North Korea, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said Tuesday.

A senior general at the U.S. command in Seoul told aides to South Korean lawmakers last week the allies can discuss the revision of a 2001 accord barring the South from developing missiles with a range of more than 186 miles (300 kilometers), the ministry official said.

He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing department policy, and refused to identify the U.S. general.

But Kim Yong-kyu, a U.S. military spokesman, said Maj. Gen. Frank Panter of the Seoul command told the deputies on Thursday the issue could be discussed at annual defense ministerial talks, or through other channels if South Korea proposes it.

Panter was responding to a question from one of the aides, Kim said.

Defense Ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said South Korea has not yet formally requested the U.S. to discuss the revision.

South Korean politicians and military experts have called for the improvement of their country's missile capability, citing North Korea's increasing missile and nuclear threats.

North Korea carried out its second nuclear test in May. On Saturday it test-fired a barrage of ballistic missiles into waters off its east coast, its biggest display of missile firepower in three years.

The North deploys hundreds of missiles that have all of South Korea and Japan within their striking range. In April, the North test-launched a long-range rocket believed capable of reaching Alaska.

The restriction on the South's missile capability was imposed because of concerns over a regional arms race. Under a 1979 accord with the U.S., South Korea had been barred from developing a missile with a range longer than 110 miles (180 kilometers) until 2001 when it was allowed to extend the range to 186 miles (300 kilometers).

In April, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo told the National Assembly it was time "to review" the restriction and discuss the matter with the U.S., days after the North test-fired a long-range rocket that flew over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean.

The missile accord still allows South Korea to develop a cruise missile without range restriction as long as its payload is under 1,100 pounds (500 kilograms). Cruise missiles can be intercepted more easily than ballistic missiles because of their slower speed, experts say.

Media reports say South Korea has been developing a cruise missile with a range of 930 miles (1,500 kilometers).

South Korea does not publicize the location of its missile facilities so it is difficult to know how much of North Korea is currently within range.

The distance from Seoul to the northernmost part of North Korea is about 400 miles (640 kilometers). The North Korean capital of Pyongyang is about 120 miles (200 kilometers) from Seoul.

The Security Council passed Resolution 1874 last month to punish North Korea after its May 25 nuclear test. The country, already banned from conducting ballistic missile tests under previous resolutions, is also forbidden from selling arms and weapons-related material.

The resolution allows other countries to request boarding and inspection of North Korean ships suspected of transporting illicit cargo, though the vessels do not have to give permission. North Korea is believed to earn money from selling missile technology and weapons.

The first North Korean ship to be subject to possible searches under the resolution has likely arrived back home after leaving port last month, the South Korean Defense Ministry official said.

The Kang Nam 1 is believed to have entered the port of Nampo on North Korea's western coast late Monday, the official said. He said South Korea was trying to obtain confirmation of the vessel's return.

The U.S. Navy had tracked the cargo vessel. The ship, which was believed destined for Myanmar, suddenly turned back on June 28.

___

Associated Press writers Kelly Olsen in Seoul and Ron DePasquale at United Nations headquarters in New York contributed to this report.

Students work on project for the homeless

Media students at the City of Bath College have been given thechance to design promotional leaflets for a local homelessnesscharity.

The group of 30 young people from the National Diploma courseworked on a real project brief for the Genesis Trust and some havenow seen their ideas published.

They produced posters and leaflets publicising the charity'sCanal Challenge event and Harvest Appeal, and redesigned a 12-pageinformation brochure.

Genesis has now chosen its favourite designs to be published,with 10,000 copies of the new brochure being distributed throughoutBath and the surrounding area.

The winning students were Scott Salter, for the Canal Challengeposter and leaflet, Simon Burdall, for the Harvest Appeal design,and Kayleigh Williams, who worked on the company brochure.

Media course leader James Purslow said the project had given thestudents an insight into the workplace pressures of communicatingwith clients and working to deadlines. He said: "This project gaveour students a taste of working in the real world and the stressesand pressures this can bring.

"They had to produce designs of an extremely high standard totight deadlines and make sure all their designs were in line withthe brief they were given by Genesis.

"The students were fantastic and coped with the pressures verywell.

"Not only will some of them get to see their designs published,but they have all learnt a lot of important skills that they will beable to take into the workplace."

Lynne Hardy, fundraiser at the charity, said she had beenimpressed by the standard of work from the students.

She said: "At the beginning neither side was sure how or if itwould work out, but I'm pleased to say it's been a real success.

"It was interesting to see the students progress from briefingstage through to completion of the designs.

"I think it was a new challenge for many of the students, both intechnical requirements and in interacting with a real customer.

"In all they handled it well - some a little shy, one or two abit cheeky - but all was finished to a very high standard."

Group: We're not driving out N.F. String

DAUPHIN COUNTY

Harrisburg's Community Action Commission didn't stop a manufacturer from expanding on 4 acres in the city's South Allison Hill neighborhood in 2006, said Allen Westbrook, commission chairman.

N.F. String & Son Inc. Vice President Gregory F. String, who runs the company, claims otherwise. He said the commission kept him from developing an 80,000-square-foot building on the former brownfleld across the street from his business at 1380 Howard St.

Last week, String said he must pack up shop, along with 52 employees, and find a suitable spot on the West Shore.

We s t b r o o k wasn't chairman of the commission at the time String originally wanted the property, but he was a commission board member. To refresh his memo- ry, he scanned files, letters and e-mails from 2006 to find out what happened. A key piece of correspondence is a letter the commission sent to Dauphin County and copied to N.R String and Mayor Stephen R. Reed, he said.

"The letter says (the commission) would be glad to work with the N.R String people or anyone interested in developing the approximate 4 acres. But (the commission) requests a business plan, a site plan and an employment plan," Westbrook said. "To my knowledge, those things were never submitted to the Community Action Commission. I don't know why."

The Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority owns the vacant property, according to a deed filed in the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office. Last week, both String and Reed said CAC owned the property. But in 2004, the authority contractually agreed to let the commission develop it or bring in a developer to build on the land, Westbrook said. The commission is an Allison Hill nonprofit that helps individuals and families become self sufficient.

Reed also said String only had conversations with him about the project.

"Neither then nor since has (N.R String) ever actually presented a formal plan for the site," Reed said. "They advised us that they would want to expand in the future. It was a verbal conceptual discussion."

The manufacturer of coin wrappers and change-counting machines submitted plans to the city but not the commission, said Debi Buta, N.R String operations manager. N.R String tried to call the commission several times but did not hear back, she said.

"We gave (the city) all kinds of stuff. Oh, yes we did," Buta said. "The mayor is not telling the truth either."

Neither the city northecommission has tried to contact String to try to stop the company from leaving, Buta said.

Dave Black, president and chief executive officer of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capital Region Economic Development Corp. (CREDC), said CREDC would try to keep String in the city and expand if anything can be done.

"Greg is a very bright guy with incredible talent when it comes to visualizing and designing his machinery," Black wrote in an e-mail. "N.R String is one of Harrisburg's best- kept secrets."

String said he wanted to spend $10 million to create a campus for his business. He had plans to move into another building next to the tract and put up another smaller building behind his existing location, he said. Hamilton Health Care has since made plans to move into the 64,500-square-foot building beside the 4 acres.

When String was interested in the property in 2006, the commission thought a vocational school, playground and/or park should go on the property, and that is what kept the company from growing into the space, Buta said.

Reed said he supported N.R String's plan and still does. But a neighborhood action plan for South Allison Hill, which takes resident and business owners' opinions into account, called for the recreation facility and vocational school on the site, he said.

The community action plan is updated every five years. Based on the plan, the commission wanted to attract a recreational developer to the site, Westbrook said. There isn't much room for playgrounds or parks in the neighborhood, and when the 4 acres became available, the idea of putting in a park or playground was attractive, Westbrook said.

Former commission executive director Linda Figueroa sent a letter to Reed in 2006 reminding him that the South Allison Hill neighborhood is a dense census tract, and that 40 percent of the people in the neighborhood are 18 years old and younger, Westbrook said.

But the commission also knows it might not be able to get a recreational developer to invest in the property, and that's why it's open to other plans, including N.R String's, Westbrook said.

The land in question is surrounded by Mayflower, South 14th, Chestnut and South 17th streets. The tract was formerly home to the South Allison Hill Automotive Company. In recent years, dilapidated, empty buildings sat on the parcel until the city demolished those in 2008. The state Department of Environmental Protection gave Harrisburg a $500,000 grant to clean oil and other pollutants from the brownfleld when the buildings were cleared.

The commission entertained a proposal to put a major sports complex on the site in 2007, Reed wrote in an email. The project started taking shape as a feasibility study was done, and a construction manger, planner and contractor got involved, he said. But the project never took off because the emerging recession put achokehold on the project's financing, Reed said.

The commission is talking with other developers interested in the site, Westbrook said. He would not disclose any plans, but said that the Hamilton Health Center is interested in using a piece of the empty property for parking and incoming and outgoing traffic for the building it occupies next door.

String employs 52 workers, many of whom are from Allison Hill, which is a depressed section of town and is filled with vacant tracts, litter and crime. The expansion project would have added 100 jobs in two years, String said. The company would have paid more taxes to the cash-strapped city, too. String paid about $18,600 in taxes to Harrisburg last year.

Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick III said he told the Community Action Commission at the time that he thought economic development and the addition of quality jobs in Allison Hill should have took precedence over recreation at the site. The commission considered putting in an outdoor movie theater at the site, Hartwick said, and jobs were more important.

String said Hartwick met with him once several years ago, but he never heard from him again.

Hartwick said he did more, and that he contacted the commission, CREDC, met with the city, DEP, and other governmental agencies to try to make the project work, he said.

Now that Hamilton Health Care is interested in the property, Hartwick said he thinks String is threatening to leave and take jobs with him to gain leverage in getting the land.

Choosing between a movie theater and job expansion on Allison Hill was easy, but Hartwick said now he would have a tough time picking between Hamilton Health Care's plans and N.R String because Hamilton Health Care provides an important service to the unemployed and those without health care in the community.

Hartwick said it's important to keep lines of communication open, but wasn't sure it was his responsibility to make the commission and String agree.

"My role was to bring effective parties together and not be polarized," Hartwick said. "I made my intentions clear, that I supported good quali tyjobs for Allison Hill."

If the manufacturer leaves, it will be a blow to the South Allison Hill neighborhood, said Bob Jackson, chief executive officer of the African American Chamber of commerce of Central Pennsylvania, which is just up the street from N.R String.

Not only will String take jobs from the neighborhood, it will add another empty building to Howard Street, Jackson said. The area surrounding Howard Street already is filled with empty buildings, and there are little to no jobs in the neighborhood, he said.

June Roberts, president of the South Allison Hill Business Association, would not comment on the effect the business leaving would have on the neighborhood.

The commission is still interested in getting a plan from String for the property, Westbrook said.

And Reed said he wants String to move forward with the project.

"As the sports complex project is no longer an active consideration, it has been and remains this office's position that the site is fully available for N.R String," Reed said. "We would welcome a submitted proposal from them to acquire and develop the site, and the company should proceed to do so. There is nothing that prevents them from doing so, and I want them to do so."

String said that his mind is made up, and that he is moving the company out of Harrisburg no matter what.

[Sidebar]

'Neither then nor since has (N. F. String) ever actually presented a formal plan for the site. They advised us that they would want to expand in the future. It was a verbal conceptual discussion."

Stephen R. Reed, Harrlsburg mayor

[Sidebar]

Land in question

N.R String & Son Inc. wanted to expand from 1380 Howard St. (black dot) in Harrisburg's South Allison Hill neighborhood to the unoccupied 4-acre former brownfield surrounded by Mayflower, South 14th, Chestnut and South 17th streets. The tract was formerly home to the South Allison Hill Automotive Company.

N.R String & Son Inc. controller Randy Lehman and operations manager Debl Buta survey the vacant lot across from the Harrlsburg-based manufacturer's facility, In background, In the city's South Allison Hill section. The company had hoped to expand Its operations to the tract of land.

FILE PHOTO/ AMY SPANGLER

[Sidebar]

"My role was to bring effective parties together and not be polarized. I made my intentions clear, that I supported good quality jobs for Allison Hill."

George P. Hartwick III, Dauphin County commissioner

[Author Affiliation]

BY ERIC VERONIKIS

ericv@journalpub.com

Sting Ordered to Pay $51,000 to Ex-Chef

LONDON - An employment tribunal ordered Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, on Tuesday to pay a former chef $51,000 in compensation after she won a sexual-discrimination claim against them.

Jane Martin, 41, won her claim in May. She said she was fired after she became pregnant.

At a hearing earlier this year, Martin said she had worked for the 55-year-old pop star and his wife for eight years, cooking meals for them and guests including Madonna and Elton John.

She said Styler grew unhappy with her after she became pregnant in 2005, making her work long hours and growing angry when she took time off work because of illness.

Martin, who accused Styler of having a "grandiose ego," left her job under disputed circumstances in April 2006.

The panel at an employment tribunal in Southampton, southern England, said in its May ruling that Martin had been unlawfully dismissed by Lake House Estate, Sting and Styler's management company, and was a victim of sexual discrimination.

Sting and Styler said they had already launched an appeal.

Vietnam: 80% of Quotas Allotted to Leading Garment Makers

The Ministry of Commerce announced the garment quotas of the U.S. and EU for 2005 in August. According to a governmental official, 80% of 38 categories of the U.S. quota were allotted to leading garment manufacturers, and the remainder were given to manufacturers who use local-make materials (3%), exporters to non-quota areas (3%), manufacturers whose factories are located in regions more than 500 km distance from Saigon and Haiphon (1%), joint ventures of dyeing and production (4%) or investors in these businesses, garment manufacturers who contract with leading US importers (7%), or manufacturers who reserve contracts with them.

Regarding the EU quotas, manufacturers who have exported a lot of garments to the EU market, are granted rights to export 70% of value achieved in 2004; however, this system is valid only for eight categories. The remainder of 21 categories are allotted automatically to garment manufacturers. The EU quotas will be announced after the end of negotiations for 2005.

According to Luong Van Tu, Deputy Minister of Trade, the U.S. ranks Vietnam as the fourth country following Pakistan, India and China in terms of international competitiveness. "The U.S. believes China is superior to other countries in exclusive competitive power for the manufacture of textiles and apparel with inexpensive labor costs in addition to low-priced machinery and materials," said Tu.

Academy saves lives, enriches young minds Des Plaines school turns at-risk students into uplifting success stories

The press has been full of stories on miracle rescues--the coalminers in Pennsylvania, the kidnapped teens in California. But thereare miracles right here in Chicago--the rescued lives of two youngmen that, were they described in a novel, would be hard to believe.

Antoine Rogers, 26, was born to a 16-year-old prostitute and herpimp. By the time he was 2, his mother was dead and his father wasin prison. He became a ward of the state, shuffled through 10 or 14foster homes (he lost track of the exact number, and who could blamehim? In one, he was kept locked in a basement along with barkingdogs, where the only water to drink was from the toilet).

Today he's working on his Ph.D. at Loyola University, is avisiting academic in Havana, Cuba, and Birmingham, England, andteaches classes in social justice at Kendall, Dominican and Loyolauniversities.

Then there's the other miracle of a rescued life. MarcelloRobinson, 20, was born to a 14-year-old mother--the first of 11children. He was living in Cabrini-Green, watching gangs swap drugsand bullets and missing school almost daily, taking care of hissiblings while his mother fed her drug habit. At 13 he asked thecourt to make him a ward of the state; he was afraid of what wouldhappen to him if he stayed where he was. The judge agreed.

Today, Robinson is a junior at UCLA. He has his own productioncompany and he's executive-producing a new series with MagicJohnson's production company.

What made the difference? A place called Maryville Academy in DesPlaines and its executive director, Father John Smyth, a former probasketball player who has dedicated his life to saving the lives ofchildren. And Father David Ryan, Maryville's energetic and caringchief operating officer.

Rogers arrived there at age 8, Robinson at 13. Both say it was thefirst place they felt safe, where they weren't abused, and where theywere encouraged to study. By their senior years in high school, Robinson and Rogers both were accepted at colleges.

Robinson, whose tuition at UCLA is paid for by Maryville, says hedoesn't know where he'd be if it weren't for Father Smyth. He says hemight be selling drugs, or in a gang. He calls the priest "the mostcaring individual I've ever met in my life."

Rogers agrees. He says Smyth and Ryan gave him the first place helearned to trust, that they listened to him with empathy and praise,that they gave him structure, and a will to learn and to study. Theypaid for his tuition and housing and advice--and still do. AndRogers, too, says he doesn't know where he'd be if it weren't forMaryville; a "scared, afraid little boy, definitely on the road to .. . I don't know. God, I just thank them for existing."

Both young men--a Ph.D. candidate and a college junior with aproduction company--say all that Smyth ever asked them for in returnwas to continue to do well.

Smyth, a humble man who stands very, very tall, puts it this way:"I tell them they have God-given talents and to use them."

We could all use Smyth's advice--and his compassion. Some yearsback, Cardinal John Cody decided Maryville was too expensive to run.He decided the campus should be closed. Smyth wouldn't have it.Without help from the diocese, he raised the money to keep it open.And he still raises it--for so many other Robinsons and Rogerses.

Both Rogers and Robinson say they plan on giving back toMaryville. Rogers wants to get his Ph.D. and work as an academic,advising service agencies how best to run group homes and how best tohelp helpless children.

Robinson says he's told Smyth that when he makes his fortune inthe business--and he says he knows he will--the first thing he'sgoing to do is give back to Maryville: for the schools, the tuition,the room and board, the counseling, and the belief in self hereceived and is still receiving.

As for Smyth--he lives on the campus of Maryville, in a cell of aroom, but has a fuller, richer life than many people who live inmansions. He saves lives.

He runs a place called Maryville, City of Youth. As has been saidof the city, there are thousands of stories to tell, and atMaryville, thousands more miracle stories to come.

China, Iran, Qatar win in WCup qualifying

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — China recovered from an early two-goal deficit to beat lowly-ranked Laos 7-2 on Saturday in the first leg of their World Cup qualifying match while Iran and Qatar got their campaigns off to strong starts with easy victories over Maldives and Vietnam.

In other Asian zone matches, Thailand had a 1-0 home win over Palestine to leave that matchup in the balance, and Singapore had an entertaining 5-3 home win over neighbor Malaysia. Four goals from Hasan Abdel Fattah helped Jordan thrash Nepal 9-0 while Lebanon routed Bangladesh 4-0 and Uzbekistan tamed its Central Asian neighbor Kyrgyzstan also by a score of 4-0.

Indonesia, meanwhile, survived a tough test in Turkmenistan, coming away with a 1-1 draw and Iraq got past Yemen 2-0 at home. The United Arab Emirates beat nine-man India 3-0 and Syria got past Tajikistan 2-1. Kuwait beat the Philippines 3-0, Oman overcame Myanmar 2-0 and four-time World Cup qualifiers Saudi Arabia defeated Hong Kong 3-0, helped by two late, first half goals.

A humbling home defeat loomed for China when Laos went 2-0 up in the 32nd minute through goals from Soukaphone Vongchiengkham and Visay Phapouvanin.

But the immediate introduction of Yang Xu as a substitute turned the game around as the big striker scored a hat trick and China stormed to a convincing victory.

Another substitute, midfielder Chen Tao, scored two goals, as did former Schalke midfielder Hao Junmin.

China's state news agency Xinhua said the Chinese Football Association announced that coach Gao Hongbo would be replaced as coach after Thursday's return leg, and a new man put in charge for the round-robin group-stage third round.

The five-goal buffer should be more than enough for China in the second leg, although in the first round of Asian qualifying, Laos scored six goals in the second leg to overturn a first-leg deficit against Cambodia.

In Tehran, a brace from striker Karim Ansarifard helped three-time Asian Cup champion Iran easily dispatch the Maldives.

Ansarifard opened the scoring in the fourth minute and doubled the host's advantage in the 62nd before captain Ali Karimi headed home a corner kick from Mohammad Reza Khalatbari five minutes later. Substitute Saeed Daghighi scored the final goal in the 86th from close range.

Iran, which routed the Indian Ocean island nation 17-0 in 1997 to set a World Cup qualifying record, will travel to Maldives for the return leg on Thursday.

With former Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac at the helm, Qatar dominated Vietnam in its match at the air conditioned Al Sadd Stadium in Doha.

Defender Mohammed Kasola opened the scoring for the host, knocking in a close range shot from a header by Bilal Mohammed in the sixth minute. Meshal Mubarak doubled the 2022 World Cup host's lead in the 50th minute, slotting home a shot from just outside the area. Substitute Yusef Ahmed then put the match out of reach in the 67th after he redirected a volley from Ibrahim Majed into the net.

Vietnam's only real chance came in the first half when L.C. Vinh's drive was saved by diving Qatari keeper Qasem Burhan in the 21st minute.

The return leg will be in Vietnam on Thursday.

Thailand was playing its first game under new coach Winfried Schaefer and in unfamiliar surroundings of a new stadium in Buriram in the northeast of the country rather than Bangkok.

The sole goal came in the 18th minute when Palestine's defense headed away a cross only as far as Jakkraphan Kaewprom, and the Buriram club player saw his shot deflect off an opponent and into the net.

Thailand pressed strongly for a second goal to provide a cushion ahead of the second leg, but Palestine held firm to keep the deficit to one goal.

The two teams met in an Olympic qualifier earlier this year which ended with Thailand winning a penalty shootout but later being disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.

In Singapore, the home team's victory over a familiar foe put the city-state in a good position to progress to the third round.

Malaysia went ahead in the first minute as striker Safee Sali took advantage of confusion in Singapore's defense to poke in one of his two goals, but by halftime they were 4-1 down.

Veteran striker Aleksander Duric equalized in the eighth minute and Qiu Li put Singapore ahead in the 21st before quickfire goals just before the break from Mustafic Fahrudin and Shi Jiayi.

Malaysia hit back with two goals in a minute midway through the second half, to Abdul Hadi Yahya and a second for Safee, before 40-year-old Duric scored a potentially crucial fifth for Singapore in the 82nd minute.

In Al Ain, the UAE scored two penalties on their way to beating a undermanned Indian side.

India went a man down when defender Debabrata Roy was sent off in the 19th minute. Things only got worse for India two minutes later, when Hamdan al-Kamali scored a penalty that resulted in goalkeeper Subrata Pal getting a red card.

The UAE doubled its advantage just before the half-hour mark with another penalty. This time, it was Mohamed al-Shehhi who successfully converted the spot kick.

But even with the two-man advantage, the UAE was made to work by the Indian squad. It only managed to score a third goal eight minutes from time when Ismail al-Hammadi made it 3-0.

There were 15 first-leg games being played across Asia on Saturday, with the return legs to be played on Thursday.

The 15 winners will join Japan, Australia, South Korea, North Korea and Bahrain in the draw for the group-stage third round.

___

Follow Michael Casey on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mcasey1