Nebraska lawmakers to consider pipeline challenge

LINCOLN, Nebraska (AP) — Nebraska's governor said Monday that he'll call a special legislative session for lawmakers to consider challenging the planned route of a massive transnational oil pipeline.

Republican Gov. Dave Heineman's decision means Nebraska, where the $7 billion Keystone XL Pipeline project has faced some of its greatest resistance, doesn't want to just leave the matter to the federal government. The State Department, which has authority over the pipeline because it would cross the U.S. border, is expected to decide whether to approve a permit for the project by year's end.

Pipeline opponents, including a coalition of environmentalists, ranchers and landowners, …

Pistons' Stuckey cleared for exercise

The Detroit Pistons say three doctors have cleared Rodney Stuckey for exercise after a heart evaluation.

Stuckey collapsed on the bench during Friday's game at Cleveland and was taken away on a stretcher. He missed Sunday's game against Houston and …

Dominating Johnson fans 17, moves to 5-0

Randy Johnson struck out 17 and pitched a two-hit complete gamefor his major-league-leading fifth victory to lead the ArizonaDiamondbacks to a 7-1 triumph Sunday against the visiting ColoradoRockies.

Johnson's fastball reached 101mph, and three of his last fourpitches were clocked at 100 mph. He has struck out 10 or more battersin a game 173 times in his career and leads the majors with 51strikeouts in 39 innings this season.

"One hundred, 100, 99 and thanks for coming," Diamondbacks firstbaseman Mark Grace said of the speeds Johnson reached on his game-ending strikeout of Todd Helton. "That's just the way Randy is."

The only hits Johnson (5-0) allowed were a …

Oil prices inch down on economic news

NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices fell Thursday as fresh economic reports added to speculation about what steps the Federal Reserve may take to bolster the U.S. economy.

Benchmark crude lost 17 cents at $82.84 a barrel in midday trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Trading was volatile with the November contract set to expire Thursday.

Speculation among traders and investors is intensifying about what measures the Fed may take next month to boost the economy following two government reports that showed jobless claims rose last week for the first time in three weeks and wholesale prices edged up.

The increase in claims for unemployment benefits is a sign that employers …

Some fear flu rebound as Mexico seeks 'normalcy'

Mexico announced a return to "normalcy" on Monday, preparing to reopen businesses and schools even as the virus sickened more than 1,400 people in 20 countries.

World health officials said the global epidemic is still in its early stages, and that a pandemic could be declared in the days to come. But Mexico's president said it was waning at its epicenter, justifying Wednesday's end to a five-day nationwide shutdown he credits for reducing the spread of the new virus.

Already, streets in the capital seemed more lively, with more vehicles and fewer people wearing face masks. Some cafes even reopened ahead of time. President Felipe Calderon said …

ASAF SIRKIS The great drummer [...]

ASAF SIRKIS The great drummer Asaf Sirkis will be playing thisThursday at the Fat Fowl, Bradford on Avon.

He will be giving a workshop on the South Indian Konnokol systemof rhythm.

The workshop is open to drummers and anyone interested inlearning more.

The workshop takes place between …

Thousands Flee Battered Palestinian Camp

TRIPOLI, Lebanon - People flooded out of a besieged Palestinian refugee camp Tuesday night, waving white flags and telling of bodies lying in the streets and inside wrecked houses after three days of fighting between Lebanese troops and Islamic militants.

Earlier in the day, a relief convoy came under fire when a cease-fire abruptly shattered as U.N. workers tried to deliver food and water to residents. A U.N. official said some who approached the convoy seeking supplies were wounded or killed, but he did not have exact figures.

The nighttime lull that allowed the escape did not appear to be part of an organized truce - and there was no sign the battle was over. The …