Asian shares open lower on concern for US recovery

Asian stock markets stumbled early Friday, falling after downbeat forecasts from retailers in the U.S. pulled shares down on Wall Street.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index led regional declines with a 1.5 percent fall to 9,784.76.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index slipped 0.3 percent to 20,667.75, and South Korea's Kospi slipped 0.5 percent to 1,731.95. Benchmarks in Australia, mainland China and Taiwan were also negative.

The broad declines followed a dour showing in New York, where lackluster news about the world's biggest economy pulled shares lower. Unemployment benefit claims failed to show hiring was increasing last week, durable good …

Fox signs Cowell to deal that continues his participation on 'American Idol'

NEW YORK - There will be at least five more "American Idol"winners - and insult-wielding Simon Cowell is booked to do his partin selecting each one.

Fox on Tuesday announced a deal for five more editions of thenation's most popular television program, with plans to help ardentfans keep in touch with the talent contest over the Internet and oncell phones.

Key to the deal was the settlement of a lawsuit against Cowell byfellow British pop impresario Simon Fuller, creator of "AmericanIdol."

As the judge alongside Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, Cowell isthe show's breakout star, unafraid to take the villain's role inoffering blunt assessments of young people …

Michigan Primary Goes to High Court

Michigan officials took another stab at getting the courts to save the Jan. 15 presidential primary.

The attorney general's office on Monday filed an appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court, asking it to overturn Friday's decision by an appeals court. In a 2-1 ruling, Judges Patrick Meter and Donald Owens objected that a law recently passed by the Legislature setting up the primary would let the state political parties keep track of voters' names and whether they took Democratic or GOP primary ballots but give no public access to that information.

State election officials want the state Supreme court to rule by Wednesday so they can get absentee ballots out …

Christmas lights safety tips

Sure you're excited about your Christmas tree and your outdoor holiday lights -- but are they safe?

"Nearly half of all Christmas tree fires involve electrical malfunctions," said Christina Hansen, product specialist at CableOrga nizer.com. "It's extremely important to check that light strands and other electrical decorations are in good condition -- no insulation cracks, fraying wires or damaged bulbs and plugs."

When shopping for lights, electric decorations and extension cords, purchase only the ones that are UL-listed.

"If you're planning to decorate outdoors, make sure that you use lights and decorations that are rated for outdoor use," said Hansen.

If …

Business Groups Gear Up to Counter Unions' Spending Clout

In the weeks leading up to last year's special election in California's 42nd District, the state's AFL-CIO spent more than $44,000 urging its members to support Democrat Joe Baca, a state senator running to succeed the late Democratic U.S. Rep. George E. Brown Jr.

The union called its members, sent them mail and visited their homes in order to turn out the labor vote. Baca won the seat, in part because of labor's efforts. The corporate business community largely backed the GOP nominee, real estate executive Elia Pirozzi. But there was no orchestrated push for his candidacy, beyond individual members of the business community writing checks to his campaign treasury.

That …

Pats Lead Bengals 24-10 at End of 3rd

CINCINNATI - Tom Brady threw touchdown passes to Mike Vrabel and Randy Moss to help the New England Patriots to a 24-10 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals at the end of the third quarter on Monday night. The pair of scores gave Brady an NFL-high 12 TD passes in four games, including six to Moss.

Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 31-yard field goal on New England's first possession, which extended the scoring streak for the league's top-ranked offense. The Patriots have scored in every quarter this season, and in the past 33 quarters, including the playoffs.

Sammy Morris added a 7-yard touchdown run for New England midway through the third quarter.

The 11-play opening …

The House sends Obama a stopgap spending bill needed to avert a government shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House sends Obama a stopgap …

Profit-Taking Costs Dow 14

NEW YORK Good news on inflation lifted blue-chip stocks torecord levels during Thursday's trading, but a bout of profit-takingwiped out the gains by the end of the day.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 14.26 points at3,569.09 after climbing to an intra-day record high of 3,594.52, justshort of the magic 3,600-level.

Volume was heavy at 278 million shares on the New York StockExchange, where declining shares led advances 1,076 to 842.

Pressure on stocks also intensified after bond prices shedtheir gains in reaction to a poor Treasury bond auction. Gold stockswere hurt by a slide in bullion prices.

Thom Brown, managing director at …

Avs sign F David Jones to 1-year contract

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward David Jones to a one-year contract.

Jones is coming off his most productive season, setting career highs in points (45), goals (27), assists (18) and games (77). He also set a franchise record with three overtime goals.

Before last season, the 26-year-old Jones had to deal with one big …

Spanish Leading Scorers

Leading scorers Sunday in the Spanish league (penalties in parentheses):

Lionel Messi, Barcelona, 16 (1)

David Villa, Valencia, 15, (1)

Gonzalo Higuain, Real Madrid, 14

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Barcelona, 12 (1)

Roberto Soldado, Getafe, 11, (3)

…

Interest in pole-vaulting reaching new heights

Girls pole vault is taking off by leaps and bounds in its firstyear as an IHSA-sanctioned event with some athletes hoping itimproves their chances of winning a track scholarship.

Thornwood senior Dashara Wells wants a better shot at college byadding the pole vault to her repertoire. She also competes in thetriple and long jumps and the 200 meters.

She became interested in the pole vault last summer at a USA Trackand Field meet. Wells admits it will take time to get used to thepole vault.

"It's weird to hold the (pole) and get over (the crossbar)," Wellssaid. "The long-jump approach will help me and so will doing pull-ups."

Wheaton-Warrenville South …

Erste Group Bank to report big loss on govt debt

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Austria-based Erste Group Bank AG says it will make a net loss of euro700 to euro800 million ($950 million to $1.1 billion) for 2011 because of the government debt crisis and troubles in Hungary.

The bank said in a statement Monday that the writeoffs will erase what would have been an euro850 million to euro900 million profit.

Hungary has passed a law letting people with …

Rapper Kanye West's Mother Dies

Donda West, mother of Kanye West and former chairwoman of Chicago State University's English department, has died, a spokesman for the rapper said. She was 58.

Donda West died Saturday night in Los Angeles, said the spokesman, who asked for anonymity because not all family members had been notified.

"The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief," the spokesman said.

A cause of death has not been released.

Donda West was known for the strong bond she shared with her son, by whose side she was often seen at parties and award shows.

Kanye West, 30, often spoke of his close relationship with his mother, who raised him alone after her husband left when Kanye was 3.

She was the inspiration for the song, "Hey Mama," on Kanye West's 2005 album "Late Registration," in which he sings: "Hey Mama, I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you ... I appreciate what you allowed for me. I just want you to be proud of me."

Donda West frequently defended her son against critics who accused him of penning misogynistic lyrics and other purported transgressions.

"I support my baby," she said in a Chicago Sun-Times interview. "He is telling how he feels and he is speaking the truth as he sees it."

In May, she published the book "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Star," in which she paid homage to her famous son.

Donda West served as chief executive of West Brands LLC, the parent company of her son's business enterprises, and as chairwoman of the Kanye West Foundation, an educational nonprofit that works to decrease dropout rates and improve literacy.

Kanye West told the Associated Press in August that he and his mother worked together to devise the foundation's first program, "Loop Dreams," which helps public school students get involved in music.

"Me and my mother were discussing ways to give back and came up with the concept," he said.

Donda West worked in higher education for 31 years, before leaving academia in 2004 to help manage her son's career, according to a biography on the Kanye West Foundation's Web site.

She began working at Chicago State University in 1980 and eventually chaired the school's English department, according to the site. She started her teaching career in the early 1970s as an instructor at Brown College in Atlanta.

Kanye West's writing partner Rhymefest lamented Donda West's death Sunday in an appearance on Chicago radio station WCGI.

"She was everyone's mom," Rhymefest said. "A spirit never dies, a spirit lasts forever."

___

Associated Press Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody in New York and AP writer Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report.

Zimmer has `shocker ideas' in mind for '91

ATLANTA On Harry Caray's pre-game show, manager Don Zimmer saidhe has "some shocker ideas" to change the Cubs next season. He'lltell them to general manager Jim Frey this week.

"Jim may have his own ideas and throw mine out on the window,"Zimmer said. "But if he likes mine, let's pursue it."

Doug Dascenzo is hitting .433 in his 13 starts since he startedgrowing a mustache and baby Zachary was born to wife Pat. "I'm surenot going to change anything now," he said. Third baseman Curtis Wilkerson made the play of the game with anover-the-shoulder catch in foul territory on Ernie Whitt's popup. Top rookie of the year candidates Mike Harkey and Dave Justice faceoff today to conclude the series. Harkey shut Justice down 0-for-3last weekend. Each is trying to ignore "rookie" talk. "I think I'vegot better numbers than any other rookie in the league," Justicesaid. "But if I thought about it, that would take away from my game." Harkey, who lost his last start 8-1 at Cincinnati after fourstraight victories, is on pace to be the first Cubs rookie to win 15games since Dick Drott went 15-11 in 1957. The Braves' retired numbers are displayed on large outfield signs:21 - Warren Spahn, 35 - Phil Niekro, 41 - Eddie Mathews, 44 - HenryAaron. A marriage proposal was made on the scoreboard. When shesaid yes, fans came over for autographs.

Lipton-brand milk tea powder recalled in Hong Kong

Anglo-Dutch company Unilever says it is recalling some of its Lipton-brand milk tea powder in Hong Kong and Macau after they were found to contain traces of an industrial chemical.

Unilever Hong Kong Ltd. says in a statement issued Tuesday that internal test results have found four batches of Lipton milk tea powder contaminated with melamine.

The company says it is recalling the products as precautionary measures. Hong Kong authorities did not find melamine in Lipton products so far.

The statement did not say whether the tainted products were manufactured in mainland China, but they are distributed in Hong Kong and Macau.

Last week, Unilever has removed Lipton Green Milk Tea from the Taiwan market because the product uses Chinese-made milk.

Victor Hanescu reaches 2nd round in Nice

NICE, France (AP) — Victor Hanescu of Romania eased into the second round of the Open de Nice with a 6-0, 6-1 win over French qualifier Benoit Paire on Monday.

Hanescu, a semifinalist in Casablanca last month, broke his opponent five times and saved the six break points he faced to close out the match in just 54 minutes. The Romanian will next meet fourth-seeded Andy Roddick of the United States.

"I'm really happy that I won so easily, I don't know what happened because he is a good player," Hanescu said. "I came here to feel the court, to feel the balls. My goal is to play well here ahead of the French Open."

The clay-court Grand Slam tournament starts on Sunday at Roland Garros.

Pere Riba advanced by beating Guillaume Ruffin of France 6-2, 6-2. The Spaniard, who dropped only five points on first serve, next plays fifth-seeded Alexandr Dogolpolov of Ukraine.

Pablo Andujar of Spain was leading 5-0 when Grigor Dimitrov retired ill and will next take on either sixth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis or Julien Benneteau. Andujar won his first ATP title in Casablanca.

Andujar was joined in the second round by Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, who beat Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-2, 7-6 (5) for his first victory on the ATP Tour since March.

Andreas Seppi of Italy rallied to beat French wild card Edouard Roger-Vasselin 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. His next opponent will be the top-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer.

Aussie Diver Survives Shark Attack

SYDNEY, Australia - A diver who was almost swallowed alive by a 10-foot-long shark said Wednesday a lead-lined vest prevented the animal from biting him in half and a chisel used for gathering shellfish allowed him to fend off the fish.

Eric Nerhus, 41, described Tuesday's terrifying attack by a shark, believed to be a great white, off the fishing town of Eden, about 250 miles south of Sydney.

Nerhus was working with his son and other divers collecting shellfish when the shark suddenly attacked him about 25 feet below the surface.

The shark grabbed Nerhus by the head, said fellow diver Dennis Luobikis, who witnessed the attack.

"Half my body was in its mouth," Nerhus told Australian television's Nine Network.

Nerhus said he fought desperately.

"I felt down to the eye socket with my two fingers and poked them into the socket," he said. "The shark reacted by opening its mouth and I just tried to wriggle out. It was still trying to bite me. It crushed my goggles into my nose and they fell into its mouth."

He said he managed to finally escape the shark's jaws after jabbing at its eye with a chisel he used to chip abalone from rocks and was still holding despite the attack.

Nerhus, who estimated he spent two minutes inside the shark's mouth, said his chest was protected from the shark's rows of teeth by a lead-lined vest used to weight him down in the water.

As he swam to the surface in a cloud of his own blood, Nerhus said he could still see the shark and feared it would attack again.

"It was just circling around my flippers, round in round in tight circles," he said. "The big round black eye, 5 inches wide, was staring straight into my face with just not one hint of fear, of any boat, or any human, or any other animal in the sea."

He was helped into his boat by his son and rushed to a hospital where he was being treated for severe cuts to his head, torso and left arm.

An expert said the shark that attacked Nerhus probably mistook him for a seal, which are common in waters off southeastern Australia and attract sharks.

Scientists say there are an average of 15 shark attacks a year in Australian waters - one of the highest rates in the world - and on average just over one per year are fatal.

Revolt confronts Simeon's Hambric

Simeon basketball coach Bob Hambric has a revolt in hisbackyard. At least five players, including returning starter MarkBradley, have indicated they plan to leave one of the state'swinningest programs because "we're not having any fun."

Bradley, a 6-5 senior who is one of two returning starters fromlast season's Public League runnerup, will transfer to Robeson.

The other defectors were members of Simeon's freshman-sophomoreteam that won the Public League championship last season - CodyButler and Mike King, who will enroll at King; Lance Fenwick, whowill transfer to Dunbar; and Antoine Johnson, who is undecided.

Butler is the brother of senior Deon Butler, the other returningstarter.

"We're tired of the discipline," said one player, criticizingHambric's philosophy. "We're not having any fun."

Hambric, who is attending a camp in Peoria, was unavailable forcomment.

ILLINI DEFECTION: Contrary to a report, former Simeonbasketball star Ervin Small appar ently has decided to enroll at Hutchinson (Kan.) Junior College thisfall rather than attend Illinois.

Small and teammate Nelison Anderson, the state's Player of theYear, committed to Illinois in April. However, they failed to meetNCAA academic requirements and would have to sit out their freshmanyears. But Anderson confirmed yesterday he will fulfill hiscommitment.

By electing to attend Hutchinson, the nation's No. 1 juniorcollege program, Small will be eligible to play immediately.Hutchinson also is close to landing two other Chicago-area playerswho failed to meet NCAA standards, King's Levertis Robinson andRomeoville's Sean Vandiver.

GATELY UPDATE: Installation of the new artificial surface atGately Stadium, 103rd and Cottage Grove, has begun. According topark supervisor Howard Hawkins, work on the $500,000 project beganlast Saturday and should be completed by the second week of September- or the second week of the football season.

"They're working on it right now, black-topping it," Hawkinssaid yesterday. "They're going to renovate the entire stadium."

Public League football supervisor Herschel Tolson said he hasre-scheduled games originally set for Gately on Sept. 5-7 for othersites, including Eckersall and Stagg.

WHITE REHIRED: Former Crane assistant basketball coach WillieWhite, who was dropped as an assistant at Northern Illinois when JimRosborough was hired to replace John McDougal, has surfaced again.

White has been hired by NIU athletic director Bob Brigham as aconsultant to evaluate the players in the current program, provide alist of his recruiting contacts for the university and evaluate theteams NIU played last season that are on the 1986-87 schedule.

For his work, White will receive $4,140 for two months. Histitle? Assistant to the athletic director.

When White was released, Brigham reportedly asked football coachJerry Pettibone if he would add White to his staff. Pettibonerejected the idea.

HEPPNER'S PICKS: Crystal Lake Central basketball star BillHeppner has narrowed his list of college choices to five - DePaul,Northwestern, Notre Dame, Michigan and Kentucky.

TV SCHEDULE: Group W Cable of Chicago plans to telecast anextensive high school football schedule this fall. Former Ch. 7 andCh. 9 sportscaster Bill Frink is involved in the production.Opening games will be Gordon Tech vs. Lane Tech Sept. 5 and St.Patrick vs. Weber Sept. 6.

TOP PROSPECTS: Juniors Michele Savage (Immaculate Heart ofMary), Nancy Kennelly (Maine West) and Kim Johnson (Marshall) arelikely to be chosen among the top 20 girls' basketball prospects inthe nation in 1987-88. Savage could rank among the top five.

As a result of her performance at the Blue Star camp in TerreHaute, Ind., in June, Savage has been contacted by more than 90colleges.

Savage, Kennelly, Robeson's Sarah Sharp and Carver's YolandaGriffith are ranked among the top 100 for 1986-87, according toStreet & Smith magazine.

Pouches Change Drinking Practices for Soldiers

Pouches that can be resealed are changing the way troops drink. Drink pouches developed by the DOD Combat Feeding Directorate at the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, MA - in partnership with packaging companies Pactech in Rochester, NY, and Kapack in Minneapolis, MN - allow warfighters to pour water into a package holding a powder mix, shake and consume the beverage from the opening. If they want to save some for later, the plastic zipper seal holds it in.

Field data showed that almost half of the Soldiers are not consuming the Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE-) beverage base mix because of the inconvenience of using and cleaning the canteen cup, said Lauren Milch, a physical scientist at Combat Feeding who managed package development. Pouring the mix into a canteen full of water is prohibited according to Army doctrine, so the packages are frequently thrown away unopened.

"The 12-ounce beverage pouch is the first project from the Individual Combat Ration Team's Improved Packaging for Combat Rations program aimed at reducing packaging and increasing consumption," explained Vicki Loveridge, a senior food technologist and project officer for improved packaging. "Including a resealable plastic bag was a partial solution, but the drink pouch takes care of everything by replacing the current dry mix package with a disposable drinking vessel," she continued.

Originally intended to replace the MRE beverage base mix, the beverage pouches could be used for any of the military ration beverages or liquid foods, such as dairy shakes. For hot cappuccino or cocoa, the pouch was designed to fit into the flameless ration heater. "A rectangular drink pouch with a plastic zipper was evaluated in 1991, but it was shelved because the cost was considered 'extravagant' at 25 cents apiece," Loveridge noted.

In the last 3 years, researchers developed prototype pouches with nonreclosable tear-off spouts, reclosable sports-type pull caps and twist-off caps that were studied along with the final package design. "We wanted something reusable, and they didn't want or need a pouch to stand up, just a way to set it down," Loveridge explained. "The extra expense of a stand-up pouch was unnecessary, and it's a harder pouch to keep from cracking."

In the first twist-off cap pouch evaluation in 2001, 91 percent of the troops consumed their beverages, but the twistoff cap was too bulky and expensive. The latest prototype has a tear-off portion just above a resealable interlocking plastic zipper on top and slight hourglass shape for easy holding. "What's very different from what you see at the grocery store is the zipper with a multilaminate foil and 3-year shelf-life requirement," Loveridge said. "It's difficult to incorporate a zipper without compromising the foil."

With four studies already showing substantial percentage increases in the number of troops using the beverage pouch, another field test is scheduled to determine how warfighter performance improves with increased hydration.

An order of 7,000 beverage pouches has been placed for two Combat Feeding developmental products - the Remote Unit Self Heated Meal and First Strike Ration. An electrolyte-based drink powder beverage pouch was approved for four varieties of the MRE menu and could be fielded as soon as September 2004. "The drink pouch is something they really need, and it's designed to add minimal cost," Milch interjected. "We hope it takes off in popularity like the miniature bottles of Tabasco sauce and flam el ess ration heater."

For more information about the Soldier Systems Center, go to http://www.natick.army.mil.

US man wins Lamborghini, crashes it hours later

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A truck driver who won a Lamborghini worth about $300,000 in a convenience store contest crashed the sports car six hours after he got it, and he now plans to sell the 640-horsepower convertible because he can't afford the insurance or taxes.

"I already had offers on it. I'm going to sell it," David Dopp said Wednesday. "I have bills more important than a Lamborghini. I've got a family to support."

Dopp, a 34-year-old truck driver for Frito-Lay, spun out of control just a few hours after taking the keys to the Murcielago Roadster that he won in a "Joe Schmo to Lambo" contest sponsored by Maverik convenience stores.

The lime green convertible was being held by his insurance company at a Utah towing yard. It will be sent to an authorized Las Vegas dealer for repairs next week.

Dopp told The Associated Press the damage "isn't super bad" — a punctured oil pan and tire, and a few dents and scratches on the front and rear ends. The father of six said he couldn't afford to pay taxes on the car or the insurance, which runs $3,500 every six months.

"That's why rich people own them," he said. "The poor people like me don't."

Dopp was taking family members and friends on joy rides the first evening. He said he took a curve at about 45 mph and "hit some black ice and spun out." The car jumped a curb and went through a fence before coming to a rest about 75 feet off the road. Neither Dopp nor his passenger was injured.

"My heart pretty much fell out," Annette Dopp told KSL-TV of Salt Lake City. "They said they were OK. Then (came), you know, that feeling when your heart drops and you're like, 'Oh, my gosh. What do we do now?'"

The Lamborghini was the envy of Santaquin, a town of 9,000 south of Salt Lake City. Police say the Lamborghini's high-performance summer tires weren't suited for icy conditions and the car is simply too powerful — and exceptionally light with carbon fiber body parts. Dopp wasn't ticketed.

Dopp was videotaped jumping up and down and hollering in speechless disbelief when contest officials announced during a Nov. 12 college football game that he won the car. He had to take out insurance before he could claim the car — "that was a good thing," he says — and took the keys to the roadster Saturday.

Dopp said he never imagined he could keep the car for long because it costs too much to own.

He also won $5,000 worth of driving lessons at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele County.

Dopp said he'll be more careful the next time he gets behind the wheel.

The giveaway contest was for customers who use a rewards card at Maverik's 220 stores. It was co-sponsored by nonprofit organization "teamgive," which raises awareness about rare neurological diseases.

Dopp said Maverik valued the Lamborghini at $358,000, but because it's a 2008 model that had 1,500 miles on the odometer, he believes the value is closer to $300,000 — and he's willing to sell it for less after the body shop fixes it.

Online car appraisal sites don't list market values for a 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster.

VW to launch new small car in December

BERLIN (AP) — Volkswagen AG says it will launch a new small car — the up! — in Europe in December.

Europe's biggest automaker said Sunday that the up! — which will come in three versions with varying specifications — will be "one of the smallest four-seat cars." It will be 11.6 feet (3.54 meters) long.

The car will be powered by a 1-liter (61-cubic-inch) gasoline engine. Volkswagen says a natural gas version will follow and there are "definite plans" for a version with electric drive in 2013.

Volkswagen didn't give prices for the new model or say when it would be launched outside Europe. It says the up! will come with an optional emergency braking function designed for city driving.

Hero pilot and crew to get keys to city

New York's mayor on Monday honored the pilot and crew who landed a jetliner in the Hudson River, saving the lives of everyone on board.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg called Capt. Chesley Sullenberger and the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 "five real American heroes."

Sullenberger and his crew last month landed the disabled plane on the river just off Manhattan, within reach of rescue boats, saving the lives of all 155 people on board. A flock of birds had disabled the plane's engines.

Bloomberg said that day "could have been one of our most tragic, but became one of our most triumphant."

The ceremony at City Hall in Manhattan, in which the mayor presented the pilot and crew with symbolic keys to the city, followed a weekend of adulation and interviews.

Earlier Monday, the pilot made the rounds of morning television news shows.

Sullenberger told CBS that he felt there was too much attention on him, and "not enough on the team." On ABC, some passengers thanked him for saving their lives. Others said there was no panic because of Sullenberger's calming voice.

In an interview broadcast Sunday night on CBS, the pilot described lying awake at nights second-guessing his performance _ even though his skillful flying saved the lives of everyone on board.

SPORTS

NBA referee sentenced in tax case One of four NBA referees convicted in an airline ticket scamreceived three years of probation for tax evasion after a judgegranted prosecutors' request for a reduced sentence. "We have here,I think, a Greek tragedy," assistant U.S. attorney Jim Metcalfe saidThursday in Norfolk, Va. Hank Armstrong, an NBA official for nineyears, was a respected community member "struck low by his ownmomentary greed," Metcalfe said. Armstrong admitted he swappedfirst-class airline tickets supplied by the NBA for cheaper ticketsand pocketed the difference. He did not report on his taxes $160,464in income from downgrading the tickets from 1989 through 1994,prosecutors said. But Armstrong took responsibility for his actions,and his cooperation with authorities helped convict at least oneother NBA referee, Mike Mathis of suburban Cincinnati, Metcalfe said.No more charges for Michigan St. playerMichigan State basketball player Mateen Cleaves will not be chargedwith additional crimes in connection with a late-night dispute at anapartment complex. Cleaves, 20, was charged Feb. 18 with being aminor in possession of alcohol, refusing to take a preliminary breathtest to check his blood-alcohol level and a seat belt violation. Thecharges stemmed from an incident early Feb. 18, when police werecalled to investigate a disturbance at an apartment complex.According to a police report released Wednesday, a woman told policethat Cleaves threw her against a wall by holding her arms and wasverbally abusive, the Lansing State Journal reported Friday. Cleavesalso was accused of kicking the woman's door. Police said the womantold them she didn't want to press charges, and the report shows thatofficers didn't consider the incident an assault.Raptors suspend Miller for 1 gameOliver Miller was suspended for one game without pay by the TorontoRaptors today for "conduct detrimental to the team." "It was a wholebunch of things," said coach Butch Carter. Sitting out Fridaynight's game against the Wizards in Washington will cost Miller about$20,000 in lost salary.Ruddock acquitted in diamond disputeHeavyweight boxer Razor Ruddock was acquitted of charges he stole a$5,000 diamond ring from his ex-girlfriend by ripping it off herfinger. Following a three-day trial, the jury took less than an hourThursday to find Ruddock not guilty of charges he robbed AlexandraWilliams at his home two years ago. Ruddock said he simply took backwhat belonged to him. "Razor felt all along that this was a boguscharge," said David Coven, the boxer's lawyer. Ruddock was in jailfor more than a day because of the charges. Williams, who used tolive with Ruddock and had a child with him, said the boxer came upbehind her, threw her down and ripped the ring off her finger. Shesaid the robbery happened when she went to his home to get clothesfor their child. Ruddock's lawyer disputed her account. "She camein his house and took the ring from his jewelry box," Coven said.

After 2 days of delays, Olympic downhill starts

Competition in the Olympic men's downhill has begun, after poor weather and snow conditions forced two days of delay.

The first skier down the course on Monday was Patrik Jaerbyn of Sweden.

The course was affected by temperatures that were consistently well above freezing, mixed with snow, rain and fog.

Germany can win Euro 2008 final with or without Ballack

Germany can win the European Championship final if it prevents Spain's passing game, midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger said on the eve of Sunday's match.

"We got to close them down, then we have a good chance," the Stuttgart player said.

Hitzlsperger, who also played for Aston Villa, has earned the nickname "the Hammer" for his powerful left-foot shot and has five goals in 37 matches for Germany.

"It's the biggest game of my career," Hitzlsperger said Saturday. "We've grown throughout the tournament and I think we can create problems for them. They have been the most consistent team in the tournament.

"It's two good teams facing each other. We've had some difficulties, but we deserve to be in the final."

Spain is the only team that won all five of its games, while Germany lost 2-1 to Croatia in the group stage.

Germany captain Michael Ballack could be out of the game with a right calf injury after missing Germany's final two training sessions on Friday and Saturday.

"He's proven over the years how important he is for the team," Hitzlsperger said. "He's scored so many important goals. He has a big presence on the field, he's a leader, he is someone the younger players look up to. If he is out, someone else will have to step up."

Spain will also be handicapped by the absence of the tournament's leading scorer, David Villa, who notched four before rupturing a right leg muscle in the semifinal against Russia.

"They're such a good side, they don't depend on one player," Hitzlsperger said. "They can compensate for the absence of Villa.

"We have to close them down, and we have to do it early. They keep the ball and make you run, and the worst thing you can do against them is to run, you get tired. If we can close them down, we can beat them."

Germany used that game plan to shut down Portugal, which went into the quarterfinals in the role of favorite but lost 3-2 to Germany, which came out very aggressively and used a crowded midfield to stifle their flowing game.

Police say Pa. labor chief too drunk to sign name

Police in Harrisburg say the acting chief of Pennsylvania's Labor and Industry Department was too drunk to sign a citation for public drunkenness.

Forty-three-year-old Sandi Vito entered a rehabilitation facility last week, shortly after news stories were published about an incident at a downtown hotel bar.

The Patriot-News published a copy of the citation in Thursday's editions. It said Vito was "extremely intoxicated" and the line for her signature contained the entry "too drunk to sign."

A Labor Department spokesman notes his boss expressed her "sincere remorse" about the incident. He says the attention being paid to the citation is ridiculous.

Vito has been acting secretary since February 2008. She awaits a Senate vote on naming her to the position permanently.

Stores see supply shopping surge

Denise Skoufin is done shopping for her children's school suppliesalmost a month before the school bell will ring.

"Believe it or not, I want to do it ahead of time," said Skoufin,a Syosset, N.Y., resident who was finishing back-to-school shoppinglast week with her children. She said she wanted to prepare forschool earlier this year to make sure supplies did not run out.

It's back-to-school season, which starts earlier and lasts longerthan in years past. Scott Krugman, spokesman for the National RetailFederation, said most spending is done in August, and finishingtouches are made in September.

"The spending power and influential power children have on theirparents' decision are huge," he said.

Back-to-school hits kids from 5 to 21. Clothes are a majorpurchase for kids since their sizes change.

According to a recent NRF survey, a new wave of shoppers arebuying school supplies with just the click of a mouse. More than 14percent of students plan to use the Internet in back-to-schoolshopping this year.

Families spend on average $455 on back-to-school clothing andsupplies in cyberspace, catalogs and stores, 12 percent more than in1998, American Express reported. Kids contribute $113 to theshopping budget, and parents $342.

Krugman said school supplies rate first on the list for gradeschool students.

"Young kids don't care so much about Tommy Hilfiger or Gap, but iftheir pencil cases don't have Disney's Tarzan on them then they mighthave problems," he said.

Looking to buy a backpack from the latest show or a Barbie lunchbox? Pokemon and pro wrestling merchandise - lunch boxes, erasers,milky pens and pencils and more - are selling well at Toys R Us thisyear.

"It's important to have the right merchandise to help our youngguests start off school on the right foot," said Randy Turner, Toys RUs regional sales marketer.

Turner said back-to-school shopping starts earlier each year.

"Back to school is not the way it used to be," said Irma Zandl,president of the Zandl Group, a Manhattan-based consulting firmspecializing in trends of young consumers.

It's become more extravagant, more expensive and more time-consuming.

The basic items are bought before school begins, but the fashionconscious wait to see what styles their peers are wearing.

Michele Jasukaitis, director of fashion publicity for Kmart, saidfamilies make several trips to complete their purchases.

She said Kmart has deals with schools requesting uniforms forkids.

Barri Faigen said a tremendous number of college students hit BathBody & Beyond to meet their shopping list. The store offers ageneric checklist for college-bound students.

Popular items from the chain's busiest time of year consist ofextra long sheets for dorm beds, crates for shortage and totes forthe bathroom.