The NBA champion Dallas Mavericks will open the season & mdash; if it begins on time & mdash; at home on Nov. 1 against MVP Derrick Rose and Chicago, then host Miami in a finals rematch Christmas Day. The NBA champion Dallas Mavericks will open the season & mdash; if it begins on time & mdash; at home on Nov. 1 against MVP Derrick Rose and Chicago, then host Miami in a finals rematch Christmas Day.

The NBA released its complete 2011- 12 schedule Tuesday despite being in a lockout that could last months and cause it to be scrapped. Owners and players are still well apart in negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement to replace the one that expired June 30, and there is a fear that regular- season games could be lost to a work stoppage for the second time in league history.

If not, Utah will host Houston in the Rockets' first game under Kevin Mc. Hale and without Yao Ming , and Oklahoma City will visit new coach Mike Brown and the Lakers to conclude the opening- night schedule. Most teams begin Nov. 2, with Le. Bron James , Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh starting their second season together on the Heat and facing a Knicks team led by Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire .

Also, Golden State hosts the Laker. . .

A scientific branch of the Vatican is touting a climate- change report that fears for the fate of the world' s glaciers, appearing to support an erroneous conclusion from the ' climate panel that skeptics have loudly debunked. But the Vatican' s authors are some of the same people responsible for the U. N. error, even including Rajendra Pachauri, the chairman of the U. N. ' s climate group and the man behind the 2007 report that feared " the likelihood of [ the Himalayan glaciers] disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner. " The facts behind that assertion quickly melted away, with that " poorly substantiated estimates" had made it into print.

But like his 2007 U. N. study, , titled " Fate of Mountain Glaciers in the Anthropocene, " again frets over the fate of the glaciers - - and it cites his U. N. report as evidence.

The new report, commissioned by the Vatican' s Pontifical Academy of Sciences, notes that " thousands of small glaciers in the Hindukush- Himalayan- Tibetan region continue to disintegrate, " and states that " robust scenario calculations clearly indicate that many mountain ranges worldwide could lose major parts of their glaciers within the coming decades. " Noted climate skeptic Don Easterbrook, an emeritus professor of geology at Western Washington University, is one vocal critic of these and other conclusions on the fate of the world' s glaciers. " The [ U. N. ] - predicted warming of 1 degree between 2000 and the present has not happened - - instead it' s gotten cooler! " he told Fox. News. com. " As a result, some glaciers in the Himalayas have begun advancing, and glaciers in Alaska, , and South America have also begun to re- advance. " " Pachauri is very intolerant of any point on climate change that isn' t his, " Patrick J.

Michaels, a contributing author on the U. N. report and a senior fellow with the conservative CATO Institute, told Fox. News. com. " He makes statements that are just wrong, because he' s not a climate scientist, " he said.

Pachauri did not respond to Fox. News. com requests for more information, sent through his U. N. climate group. Neither did the climate group itself nor the Vatican' s return Fox. News. com requests.

But a Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi, did tell the Associated Press that the document was " important, " although it was not a piece of the church' s key teachings. Other climate scientists agreed with the new report.

Graham Cogley, geography professor with Trent University, agreed that the 2007 prediction that Himalayan glaciers might disappear by 2035 was flat wrong - - but not the current claims. " It is a dire prediction to say that mountain glaciers are ' lethally vulnerable' to climatic change, but it is literally and unquestionably correct, " he told Fox. News. com. Michaels was more skeptical. " Why resources collected from parishioners were used for this is beyond me, " Michaels told Fox. News. com. " There has been an increasing tendency over the years for churches to insert themselves into the global warming thing, " he added.

Well- known climate scientist Michael Mann thought the report may indicate shifting beliefs within the church.

I actually attended a meeting of the Pontifical Academy ( World Federation of Scientists) in Erice, Sicily, back in late August 2003, " Mann told Fox.

News. com. " At the time, the president of the organization, , was a climate- change skeptic. " " Zichichi has the ear of the Vatican on all matters of science and science policy. So I interpret this as, perhaps, a change of heart on his part, " Mann told Fox. News. com. " In any case, this is indeed a significant ( and in my view auspicious) development. " The Pontifical Academy of Sciences, a Vatican advisory panel, was founded under a different name in Rome in 1603, and claims to be the first exclusively scientific academy in the world. The Pontifical Academicians are eighty women and men from various countries nominated by the Supreme Pontiff. ( The exact relation between the World Federation of Scientists and the Pontifical Academy was unclear. ) The Academy hosted the conference last month on the causes and consequences of retreating mountain glaciers.

Its final report, dated May 5 and signed by a group of climate scientists, hydrologists, chemists, lawyers and mountaineers, was posted on the Vatican website Tuesday. The group also noted that another major risk to glaciers is the threat of nuclear war, and advocated a reduction in nuclear arsenals.

Chef Scott Conant left L' Impero and Alto to open Scarpetta, a critical darling since day one, adjacent to the glitz of the Meatpacking District.

Walk past the bar into the polished dining room, where orange belts loop around mirrors and a retractable roof ushers in natural light. For a rousing start, try the creamy, rich polenta and mushrooms before enjoying one of the house- made pastas, like the al dente tagliatelle laced with strands of tender lamb ragout or his signature capretto ( baby goat) . Save room for dessert: the Amadei chcocolate cake with burnt- caramel gelato brings la mode to a whole new level. www. scarpettanyc. com. No lunch.

COLUMBUS, Ohio & # 8211; & nbsp; Ohio State opens the 2013 season against Vanderbilt and skips each of the next four years under the Big Ten' s new divisional setup, according to schedules released on Wednesday by the office. The non- conference game with Vanderbilt had not previously been announced by Ohio State.

Neither had the 2014 Big Ten schedule. The Buckeyes still have openings for two non- conference games in 2013, to go with the Aug. 31 game against Vanderbilt at Ohio Stadium and Sept.

14 at California. The Buckeyes do not play Iowa, Northwestern and Minnesota in 2011- 12, then do not play Minnesota in addition to Nebraska and Michigan State in 2013- 14. The rivalry game with Michigan is last on the schedule each year, the week preceding the new Big Ten championship game. On the web: http: / / www. bigten. org/ sports/ m- footbl/ spec- rel/ 040611aaa. html

Nervous?

Not at all. Bryce Harper said he was perfectly comfortable during his much- anticipated debut with the Washington Nationals & mdash; maybe even too comfortable.

Nervous? Not at all. Bryce Harper said he was perfectly comfortable during his much- anticipated debut with the Washington Nationals & mdash; maybe even too comfortable.

The 18- year- old phenom struck out twice and didn' t see any action in the field Monday as the Nationals beat the New York Mets 9- 3 in their spring training opener. But the top pick in last year' s amateur draft cleared a hurdle with his first two at- bats against big league competition. " I felt really comfortable out there, " Harper said. " I might have felt a little too comfortable, so I' m going to go out there tomorrow and the next day and try to get a few base hits and see what happens. " It' s like I feel way too strong, " he added. " I feel way too quick. I feel like I can turn over a 150 mph fastball. I felt really good.

I just need to stay back on my back side a little more and try to hit it over the third baseman' s head. " Harper entered as a pinch runner for designated hitter Matt Stairs in the fifth inning and finally got a plate . . .

Sometime during your visit to New Orleans, find a wrought- iron balcony, an oak- shaded courtyard, or a columned front porch and sit quietly, favorite beverage in hand, at 6 am.

At this hour, when the moist air sits heavy on the streets, New Orleans is a city of mesmerizing tranquility. Treasure those rare minutes of calm in a city where there is so much to see, hear, eat, drink, and do. The spiritual and cultural heart of New Orleans is the French Quarter, where the city was settled by the French in 1718.

You can easily spend several days visiting museums, shops, and eateries in this area.

Yet the rest of the city' s neighborhoods, radiating out from this focal point, also make for rewarding rambling. The mansion- lined streets of the Garden District and Uptown, the aboveground cemeteries that dot the city, and the open air along Lake Pontchartrain provide a nice balance to the commercialization of the Quarter.

Despite its sprawling size, New Orleans has a small- town vibe, perhaps due to locals' shared cultural habits and history. Families have lived in the same neighborhoods for generations; red beans and rice appears on almost every table on Monday; people visit cemeteries and whitewash the tombs of their departed on All Saints' Day; and from the smartest office to the most down- home local bar, New Orleanians are ready to celebrate anything at the drop of a hat.

To experience this fun- filled city, you can begin with the usual tourist attractions, but you must go beyond them to linger in a corner grocery store, sip a cold drink in a local joint, or chat with a stoop- sitter. New Orleanians, for all their gripes and grumbling, love their city.

They treasure custom and tradition, take in stride the heat and humidity of a semitropical climate, and face life with a laid- back attitude and an undying sense of hope and faith that sometimes seems fatalistic to outsiders.

The Addison Art Gallery, in four rooms of a brick- red Cape house, represents more than two dozen regional artists. Peruse the collection of contemporary works, many of which were inspired by life on Cape Cod. The sculpture garden in the side yard is a . . .

Baseball Shop sells licensed products relating to baseball and other sports— new and collectible cards ( and nonsports cards) as well as hats, clothing, and videos. Bird Watcher' s General Store stocks nearly everything avian but the birds themselves: feeders, paintings, houses, books, binoculars, calls, bird- theme apparel, and more.

Gallery 31 is a partnership of nearly one dozen local artists, representing a wide range of mediums and styles. Karol Richardson sells fine contemporary clothing, plus silk wraps and scarves, hats, shoes, handbags, and handcrafted jewelry. You' ll usually pay more for the quality goods here, but bargains can be found at the shop' s off- season warehouse sales.

Kemp Pottery displays functional and decorative stoneware and porcelain, fountains, garden sculpture, sinks, and stained glass. Left Bank Gallery carries an eclectic mix of handcrafted jewelry, fine art by both local and national artists, hand- painted furniture, pottery, and handmade clothing. On Tuesday and Sunday in July and August, Nauset Painters presents outdoor juried art shows.

Other location: Sandwich Cooperative Bank, 51 Main St. , Orleans, MA. Oceana has a beautiful selection of nautical- theme home accents, gifts, and jewelry, as well as colorful hooked rugs made by Cape artist Claire Murray. The Orleans Art Association holds outdoor art shows from 10 to 5 each Thursday and Friday in July and August on the grounds of the American Legion Hall. The Orleans Farmers' Market is the place to go for local delicacies such as fresh produce, flowers, and homemade goodies.

It' s open 8 am to noon Saturday mornings throughout the summer. Be forewarned— early birds get the best selection, and things tend to . . . At various times in June, July, and August, the Orleans Professional Arts and Crafts Association sponsors a giant outdoor show on the grounds of the Nauset Middle School featuring the works of more than 100 artists and craftspeople.

For specific dates and . . . Tree' s Place, one of the Cape' s best and most original shops, has a collection of handcrafted kaleidoscopes, as well as art glass, hand- painted porcelain and pottery, handblown stemware, jewelry, imported ceramic tiles, and fine art. Tree' s displays the . . . Village Farm Market sells local produce, fresh sandwiches and roll- ups, salads ( salad bar or prepared varieties) , homemade soup, ice cream, fresh- baked breads, and other supplies for a great picnic.

A wide assortment of flowers, both dried and fresh, are . . .

Things could start getting sorted out in the NFC Least, uh, East, this Sunday as all four teams in the league' s most disappointing group play nondivisional games.

Sure, it' s only four weeks into the schedule, but it' s stunning that this usually powerful division has been so mediocre. The Cowboys are the biggest flop so far at 1- 2, a half- game behind the Redskins, Giants and Eagles. Washington has the early edge thanks to wins over Philadelphia and Dallas.

The Giants haven' t even played a divisional game, and they won' t until Oct. 25. Outside the NFC East, New York has a win over weak Carolina and a 10- sack demolition of Chicago, but looked awful in losses to Indianapolis and Tennessee.

Those same Bears romped at Dallas, and the Packers handled the Eagles in Philly.

The Redskins blew a big lead against Houston and also fell to St. Louis & mdash; which might not be so embarrassing now that the Rams are tied atop the NFC West, which also is a train wreck. Dallas hosts Tennessee on Sunday, while Washington is home for Green Bay, Philadelphia is at San Francisco, and the Giants are at Houston. " It' s a little bit of a fresh start, " tight end Jason Witten said of coming off a Week 4 bye. " That doesn' t neglect what we' ve done in the past. I think we have to look at that with a critical eye, and we did. I think this team is moving forward. " The Cowboys don' t have to move too far forward to grab the division lead. " Ultimately, it' s what we do from now on, " coach Wade Phillips said. " We' ve won one in a row.

We' re going for two, that' s where we' re going. " Elsewhere Sunday, it' s Kansas City at Indianapolis, New Orleans at Arizona, St. Louis at Detroit, San Diego at Oakland, Chicago at Carolina, Denver at Baltimore, Atlanta at Cleveland, Tampa Bay at Cincinnati, and Jacksonville at Buffalo. Monday night has a compelling matchup, with Minnesota at the New York Jets.

The story line is further heightened by an NFL investigation involving Brett Favre. The star quarterback is alleged to have sent racy messages and photos to a former game hostess while he was the Jets in 2008. Off this week are Miami ( 2- 2) , New England ( 3- 1) , Seattle ( 2- 2) and Pittsburgh ( 3- 1) . While the Cowboys look to build off their first strong effort in a victory over the Texans two weeks ago, the Titans need to find running room for Chris Johnson.

His pursuit of an unprecedented second 2, 000- yard rushing season is off to a slow start with an average of less than 100 yards a game and a 3. 8- yard average per carry. " Us 11 guys, we' re not going to let this guy get out of the gate and off to the races, to beat us on one play, " Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking said.

The high- pitched emotions of Donovan Mc. Nabb' s return to Philadelphia are behind the Redskins, who played well enough to win that game even though Mc. Nabb' s performance was middling.

Washington must rely on untested RB Ryan Morain with Clinton Portis gone for at least a month with a groin injury, so Mc.

Nabb needs to upgrade his play. But the Green Bay rushing defense ranks only 24th, and the Packers also have issues running the ball.

That means more reliance on Aaron Rodgers' arm. Angry about their showings against the Colts and Titans, the Giants took it out with 10 sacks versus the Bears.

They' re likely to need such a fierce pass rush against a Houston offense that has 108 points, more than any other in the NFC and fourth in the league. The Texans have found a nice balance with Arian Foster running the ball, and he could see extra duty if star receiver Andre Johnson is slowed by a sprained right ankle. Houston gets back last year' s top defensive rookie, linebacker Brian Cushing, who was suspended for the first four weeks for violating the performance enhancing drug policy. Kevin Kolb didn' t look all that prepared when he had to replace injured Michael Vick ( ribs, chest) against the Redskins. Considering the ample weapons the Eagles have on offense & mdash; De.

Sean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek, Le. Sean Mc. Coy, who also has rib problems & mdash; Kolb needs to get up to speed against a San Francisco team in disarray. The 49ers were a fashionable pick in the NFC West. When you commit as many mistakes as Mike Singletary' s team is making, emphasized by Nate Clements' fumble on an interception return against Atlanta that should have clinched a victory, the prospect of any win fades.

It' s barely surprising there' s an undefeated team in this matchup. It' s shocking that the Chiefs are spotless, the league' s only club without a loss.

Kansas City' s doing it with a strong running game led by Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, and a vastly improved run defense. Beating the Colts would stamp the Chiefs as legitimate, even if Indy is battered on both sides of the ball, particularly in the secondary. Peyton Manning is off to one of the best starts of his illustrious career with 11 TD passes and one interception, and leads the league in passer rating.

But the Colts are a . 500 team even though they have the top three receivers in the conference. " But we' re going to need all the tips we can get to conquer this one, " Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson said. " Peyton' s the best quarterback in the league. " Two underachieving teams that, nonetheless, lead their divisions. The Super Bowl champion Saints have outscored opponents only 79- 72 and have yet to have any breakout games offensively like the ones that carried them to their first NFL title.

They' re a hobbled squad, especially in both backfields after long- term injuries to RB Reggie Bush and CB Tracy Porter. Still, the Saints look like world- beaters compared to the Cardinals, who somehow are 2- 2 despite being outscored by 60 points. How badly does Arizona miss the retired Kurt Warner?

The Cardinals will go with undrafted rookie Max Hall on Sunday, their third No. 1 quarterback this year if you count the preseason. Missouri football has peaked, with the aforementioned Chiefs at 3- 0, the Rams having won two straight to double their win total from last year, and even the University of Missouri Tigers unbeaten and ranked 24th in the nation. St.

Louis is getting excellent work from top overall draft pick Sam Bradford, despite a pedestri group of receivers.

The Lions struggle in all defensive categories, but they also throw the ball pretty well, whether it' s Matt Stafford or Shaun Hill at quarterback. The Chargers could tie the longest active winning string against one team with a 14th consecutive victory over the Raiders. San Diego won its two home games handily, lost two close ones on the road. The Chargers often begin the season on a roller coaster, then surge. Other than the 2- 2 record, the numbers look great: top- ranked overall on offense and defense.

But that' s measured in yards, which can be misleading. Other than a blowout loss in their opener at Tennessee, the Raiders have done well, a Sebastian Janikowski missed field goal short of being a . 500 team.

If Darrelle Revis is over his hamstring injury, he can return for yet another matchup with Randy Moss.

The Vikings acquired the big- play receiver from New England, where Moss was unhappy and didn' t catch a pass last week against Miami. Favre plays a former employer, although it' s hardly as riveting as when he plays the Packers. The Jets swept three games against division rivals and can truly back up their boastful ways by beating Minnesota. They also could get back LB Calvin Pace and definitely will have WR Santonio Holmes for the first time; he was suspended four games for violating the league' s substance abuse policy. Chicago' s QBs should be very glad that Julius Peppers now is on his side.

As the Bears head to Peppers' former home, they must shore up their blocking unit, which allowed those 10 sacks against the Giants and left Jay Cutler with a concussion that will sideline him Sunday.

Journeyman Todd Collins will start. Peppers has been dynamic since joining Chicago, even though he has just two sacks. He' s created opportunities for other Bears, particularly the linebackers. They all should get lots of chances against woeful Carolina, which has yielded 12 sacks, has rookie Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, and can' t get its once productive running game on track.

The Broncos made an impressive comeback at Tennessee and now get an even tougher road test. Kyle Orton has been brilliant at times as the league' s busiest passer, and he' ll need to keep his arm warm against the Ravens, the NFL' s stingiest team against the pass. Don' t expect much from Denver' s running game, statistically the worst of the 32 teams. A last- minute rally at Pittsburgh lifted the Ravens into a tie with the Steelers atop the AFC North. This is their first of three home games in the next four matches.

The Falcons were fortunate to escape against San Francisco, and the Browns finally won a game after leading in the fourth quarter every week. Cleveland now embarks on as rugged a stretch as anyone will see this season, facing Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, New England and the Jets. Atlanta' s two- pronged rushing attack of Michael Turner and Jason Snelling has impressed. So has Roddy White, who leads the NFC with 32 receptions and made that great strip of Clements to save the Falcons a week ago. Terrell Owens had his first big game for the Bengals and they still lost last week to the Browns.

Cincinnati must be careful against a young and improved Tampa Bay squad whose pass defense is its best unit. Hard to believe the Bills could be favored against anyone, particularly a team that comes off a stirring upset of Indianapolis on Josh Scobee' s 59- yard field goal. But Buffalo opened as a 1- point choice despite having as many problems as any NFL team.

Just days after ex- husband announced his engagement to Vanessa Minnillo, pop singer, actress and fashion designer herself got engaged to her boyfriend of a few months, Eric Johnson, People magazine confirmed Sunday. " Yes, we are excited to confirm that they are engaged! " a rep for the couple said. The former NFL player Johnson proposed November 11 and on Saturday Simpson was seen sporting a massive diamond ring at an event in Kansas City, sources told the celebrity magazine. The couple began dating in May and in July they were photographed getting affectionate in Italy to celebrate the “ The Dukes of Hazzard” actress’ s 30th birthday. When the two realized their relationship was more than just a summer fling, the ex- San Francisco 49ers player reportedly decided not to pursue an M. A. at the University of Pennsylvania’ s prestigious Wharton business school in order to stay close to Simpson in L.

It will be the second marriage for both. Johnson, 31, is recently divorced having officially ended his first marriage to his wife of five years in October - - six months after he began dating Simpson. In five seasons with the and , Johnson, a tight end out of Yale, had 240 receptions for 2, 178 yards and nine touchdowns.

Simpson went through a public divorce from her first husband - - the former 98 Degrees singer. At the age of 22, the Texas native married Lachey in October 2002 and their relationship was profiled on the reality show " Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, " which ran for three seasons. The pair filed for divorce in December 2005. On November 4, Lachey, 37, confirmed he had proposed to his girlfriend of four years.

The now- engaged couple met in 2006 when Minnillo, 29, starred in Lachey' s music video for his single " What' s Left Of Me" - - the song that told the story of his recovery from his split from Simpson. The next Mrs. Lachey has been a correspondent on " Entertainment Tonight" and also hosted the MTV show " Total Request Live" from 2003 to 2007.

nominated a long- awaited director Monday for his new consumer protection bureau, teeing up a fight between his administration and Republicans who want that agency fundamentally changed. & # 160; " We' re not going to go back to a time when our whole economy was vulnerable to a massive financial crisis, " Obama said Monday, as he announced his choice. " That' s why this bureau matters. " The president tapped former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In doing so, he passed over Treasury adviser , a favorite of the left.

But Warren and Obama made clear Monday that Cordray has their full support and called on Republicans to drop their opposition to the new group. & # 160; Obama pledged to " fight any effort to repeal or undermine" the bureau. & # 160; " This agency still has enemies in Washington, D.

C. , " Warren wrote on the blog. " I remain hopeful that those who want to cripple this consumer bureau will think again and remember that the financial crisis . . . began one lousy mortgage at a time. " & # 160; She called Cordray a " strong leader" for the agency and noted that the bureau will start Thursday putting " cops on the beat" by reaching out to 111 big financial institutions to start monitoring them. & # 160; But Republicans were not appeased by Obama' s decision to pass over Warren for the top spot. & # 160; " Until President Obama addresses our concerns by supporting a few reasonable structural changes, we will not confirm anyone to lead it.

No accountability, no confirmation, " Sen. , R- Ala. , ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, said in a statement. & # 160; Republicans fought fiercely against the creation of the bureau last year and have been trying to place restrictions on the agency.

In May, all Senate Republicans joined in a letter to Obama threatening to withhold their support for any nominee to the position if the White House didn' t seek significant changes to the agency. & # 160; Among the changes would be to replace a single director with a board and to make the bureau' s finances subject to congressional approval. & # 160; " The White House has not yet addressed the need to bring accountability and transparency to the bureau, " Don Stewart, a spokesman for Senate Republican leader , said Sunday. & # 160; Though Democrats control the Senate, Republicans could block the appointment through a filibuster. Warren warned about this possibility in her blog Monday. & # 160; In pushing for changes in financial regulations last year, Obama focused on the popular appeal of a consumer bureau, which he had proposed as an independent agency. It was during that debate that Obama referred to bankers as " fat cats, " a characterization he has since abandoned. & # 160; The regulatory overhaul was a response to the financial crisis of 2008 that helped plunge the country into a recession. & # 160; In a compromise, the consumer agency was placed within the Federal Reserve, but will act autonomously from the central bank. & # 160; In his statement, Obama thanked Warren " for her many years of impassioned leadership, and her fierce defense of a simple idea: ordinary people deserve to be treated fairly and honestly in their financial dealings. " & # 160; Obama also said: " This agency was Elizabeth' s idea, and through sheer force of will, intelligence, and a bottomless well of energy, she has made, and will continue to make, a profound and positive difference for our country. " & # 160; Meanwhile, Warren may be courted to run for Senate in Massachusetts against freshman GOP Sen. . Majority Leader Harry Reid, D- Nev. , has reportedly been courting Warren to make a go of it. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Taliban in Afghanistan insisted Wednesday that their leader Mullah Mohammed Omar was alive, saying a text message and Internet posting announcing his death were fake.

The Taliban in Afghanistan insisted Wednesday that their leader Mullah Mohammed Omar was alive, saying a text message and Internet posting announcing his death were fake. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press that the early morning announcement about Mullah Omar was the result of a hack. " He is overseeing operations in the country, " Mujahid told The Associated Press. " Outsiders must have hacked into Taliban phones and the website. " Mujahid blamed U.

S. intelligence agencies, saying they were trying " to demoralize the Taliban. " Mullah Omar has led the decade- long insurgency against the U. S. - led military coalition and the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai. He ruled most of Afghanistan as leader of its Taliban government before the United States and its allies invaded on Oct. 7, 2001, in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Violence has spiked recently as Afghan security forces start to take charge of security in seven areas - - a process that is to continue until. . .

In what' s being called the first research of its kind, a study found that HIV- infected women in Africa are more likely to spread the AIDS virus if they use hormone- based birth control. . . . In what' s being called the first research of its kind, a study found that HIV- infected women in Africa are more likely to spread the AIDS virus if they use hormone- based birth control. The women studied were about twice as likely to transmit HIV if they were on the pill or taking a hormone shot like Depo- Provera, compared to those not on the such birth control. The research is the first to look at this question, according to Renee Heffron of the University of Washington, one of the researchers.

Their research also found that uninfected women were about twice as likely to catch AIDS virus from their infected partners if they were on hormonal contraception, compared to those who were not. That finding echoed a phenomenon seen in earlier studies.

The researchers checked to make sure there were no significant differences in condom use, sexual behavior or other factors that would account for the differences.

The research was presented Wednesday at a meeting in Rome of the International AIDS Soc. . .

Gabriel pulls out of Oscars over 65- second limit, Gabriel pulls out of Oscars over 65- second limit.

Friday, February 13, 2009Print. LOS ANGELES& nbsp; & # 151; & nbsp; Peter Gabriel' s minute in the Oscars spotlight will lack one important element: Peter Gabriel. The Academy Award- nominated singer won' t perform at the Feb.

22 ceremony to protest an apparently revamped presentation of best original song contenders. Gabriel says in a video on his Web site that he objects to the songs being shortened to 65 seconds apiece and made part of a medley. " It' s a bit unfortunate because the songwriters, even though they' re a small part of the whole filmmaking process, we still work bloody hard and deserve a place in the ceremony as well, " the 59- year- old singer said.

Gabriel is nominated alongside Thomas Newman for " Down To Earth" from " WALL- E. " The British musician says he' ll still attend the Oscars, but is hoping a gospel choir will stand in for him onstage. Organizers have warned that this year' s ceremony will be full of new twists, including the way categories are present. . .

You could easily spend a day trying out all the places to relax here. There' s a parlor with comfortable chairs and a large fireplace, an orchard set with picnic tables, and a lush conservatory with a weeping cherry tree in its center.

Rooms in both the main building and the adjacent Carriage House have stenciled walls, quilts, and unusual antique pieces, as well as hand- painted furniture, stained glass, and prints done by one of the owners.

The beach is mi away ( they' ll set you up with beach chairs and towels) , and the attractions of town are close— but not too close. Those rooms with a shared bath all cost $ 95 or less.

Authentic historic lodging in peaceful setting, ideal for relaxing and getting away from distractions, can walk to excellent ocean beach. Many rooms must share a bath ( though discounted) , some rooms accessed via steep stairways. www. nausethouseinn. com. 14 rooms, 8 with bath.

In- room: no a/ c, no TV, Wi- Fi ( some) .

In- hotel: some age restrictions. Closed Nov. - mid- Apr. Breakfast.

A group of Hindus can sue a New Jersey restaurant that served them meat even though they are vegetarians. EDISON, N. J. - - A group of Hindus can sue a New Jersey restaurant that served them meat even though they are vegetarians. An appeals court reinstated their lawsuit, saying they can seek money from Moghul Express to travel to India to perform a purification ritual in the Ganges River.

A lower court had dismissed the suit. The restaurant admitted it accidentally served the group a meat dish during an India Day celebration in 2009.

The appeals court says the group can pursue a breach of express warranty suit. Pradip Kothari of the Indo- American Cultural Society in Edison told The Star- Ledger of Newark the suit should be dismissed because the group can go to a local temple to seek forgiveness for unknowingly doing something.

Brandon Phillips thought about re- enacting a celebration from the movie " Major League" and rounding the bases with bat in hand. Brandon Phillips thought about re- enacting a celebration from the movie " Major League" and rounding the bases with bat in hand. No need. He' d provided enough drama already.

Phillips hit a two- out, two- run homer off Fernando Salas in the ninth inning Friday night, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 6- 5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in another wild finish to the NL Central' s nastiest rivalry. Phillips connected on the second pitch from Salas ( 5- 3) for his second career game- ending homer, stopping to wave his arms in joy before reaching first base.

Phillips injected some ill will into the rivalry last season when he called the Cardinals whiners, sparking a brawl. Given the circumstances, the second baseman ranked it as his most memorable homer. " Biggest? Let me go ahead and say yes, " Phillips said. " That' s the biggest one. We' re playing the Cardinals. That' s a great situation for me getting that home run. " The Reds were on the verge of falling five games behind the Cardinals before Philli. . .

Our top moments of the week: 13. No " I" in " Team" Award: On Ice Loves Coco , Coco is pumped to show her hubby her new Licious clothing line at the factory. . . until Ice- T points out something her whole crew had apparently missed: All the shirts are printed with the ( non) - word " licous" & mdash; or, phonetically, " lick- us. " Don' t get too upset, Coco. Beyonce can' t spell it either.

Our top moments of the week: 13. No " I" in " Team" Award: On Ice Loves Coco , Coco is pumped to show her hubby her new Licious clothing line at the factory. . . until Ice- T points out something her whole crew had apparently missed: All the shirts are printed with the ( non) - word " licous" & mdash; or, phonetically, " lick- us. " Don' t get too upset, Coco. Beyonce can' t spell it either . 12. Best Accidental Foreshadowing: Don' t get us wrong, we love Jesse Tyler Ferguson on Modern Family , but maybe in his next lifetime he should come back as a fortune teller!

Less than 12 hours after praising So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley on- air and declaring that she deserves an Emmy nomination, the Brit receives one & mdash; her first! & mdash; for Best Reality Show Host. & nbsp; & nbsp; 11. Best Entrance into the History Books: Derek Jeter ' s arrival at 3, 000 hits was a little delayed, thanks to a pesky calf injury, but when the New York Yankees shortstop reached the big number on Saturday, he did it in a very big way. Not only wa. . .

Looking for a quick Italian dish perfect for the whole family? Well look no further! i. Mag went to acclaimed Chef Cesare Casella of in New York City for his tasty recipe!

This simple pasta is sometimes referred to as “ White Amatriciana” because of the absence of tomatoes.

This version consists of rendered guanciale or pancetta, chives, parsley, olive oil and cheese. If you cannot find either of those meats in your deli, bacon works just as well. 3 oz.

Dry spaghetti 2 oz. Guanciale, pancetta, or bacon, cut 1/ 4" thick ( ask your deli person to slice it like this for you) 2T Extra virgin olive oil, divided 1T Chives, chopped 1T Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped 1- 2T Parmigiano- Reggiano, grated Directions: 1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, large enough for the pasta to swim freely.

Salt water to taste. Add pasta, stirring two minutes after adding so it doesn' t stick together. Cook until al dente, about eight to twelve minutes. While the pasta cooks, slice pancetta into thin sticks and add to a small saut pan with one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.

Cook over low heat until pancetta becomes translucent.

Do not brown the meat. Turn off heat and wait until pasta is ready. When pasta is ready, drain and reserve cooking water.

Off of the heat, add pasta to pancetta. Return to heat and add two tablespoons of pasta water and herbs. Stir and cook the pasta in the sauce to desired consistency.

Add more water and reduce as needed. When pasta is of desired consistency, remove from heat and stir in remaining olive oil, grated cheese and black pepper. Serve immediately. For more great recipes check out . ( 283 Amsterdam Avenue, 212.

877. 4800) , an Italian gourmet market/ restaurant located on the UWS, fills its 25- seat restaurant for lunch and dinner with diners looking for authentic Italian cuisine at wallet- friendly prices in a chic atmosphere.

The lively neighborhood joint hits a home run with dcor designed by Oscar- winning movie set- designer Dante Ferretti and executive chef/ partner Cesare Casella’ s menu of Italian classics.

Guests can eat well and escape the day’ s challenges for as little as $ 25 at Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto or take dinner home with take- out dishes prepared by Casella available at the walk- up counter.

They say when you marry someone, you also marry their family … and on Monday night' s " Bachelorette, " Ashley decided which family she did NOT want to marry. First, Ashley heads to Cumming, , to meet Constantine' s family. Constantine is turning out to be a bit of a dark horse in the race for Ashley' s heart — we knew almost nothing about him until last week' s episode, and now he' s in the final four. Nevertheless, Ashley calls meeting Constantine' s traditionally Greek family " the best hometown date, " and she genuinely seems to fit in with his family.

The lovebirds get " a little cheesy" at Constantine' s Italian restaurant, Giorgio' s, and while he expressed hesitation about Ashley a few weeks ago, he now says that " something has clicked. " But even though Constantine' s " Big Fat Greek" family is a lot of fun — they eat, dance and even throw wads of cash in the air — we don' t think Constantine has enough sex appeal to top her more powerful connection to Ben F. and especially J. Ames, on the other hand, is another story. Ashley is " intrigued" by Ames and seems very fond of him — they way you' re fond of your little brother. In fact, over in Ames' beautiful hometown of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, Ames' actual sister is pretty protective of him.

She picks up right away on the fact that Ashley doesn' t seem to have the " spark" for her super- sweet brother, who' s bumbling around like a fool in love, romancing Ashley under a magnolia tree and speaking Italian.

Maybe he' s just a little too nice for her? Then it' s off to Sonoma, California, to meet Ben F. ' s family and to check out his winery. Ben lets his guard down even more than usual during the hometown visit, and Ashley' s really lucky she passed muster with his close- knit mother and sister, who are still wounded from the death of Ben F. ' s father. Ashley definitely has the hots for Ben F. , but is that enough? Finally, Ashley heads to Roslyn, N.

Y. , to meet J.

P. ' s family.

Much like Constantine' s folks, they' re very warm and welcoming, especially his lasagna- serving mom — and Ashley seems to fit in extremely well. The roller skating date is very J. P. , and Ashley admits she is " smitten, " even if he is " a little older. " So who' s going home? You guessed it.

No rose for poor Ames, who seriously did not seem to see it coming. " It' s been totally beautiful, full of the unexpected, poetic, " he says upon being rejected, in classy Ames fashion. Alone in the limo, he wonders how he fell in love with someone who didn' t fall in love with him . . . and seems sad to go back to " a life of adventures with myself. " Don' t worry, Ames. You won' t be single for long! - - Jennifer D' Angelo Friedman,

Krauthammer writes a syndicated column for The Washington Post.

He is also a contributing editor to The Weekly Standard and The New Republic, and a weekly panelist on Inside Washington. Jonah Goldberg is editor- at- large of National Review Online, LA Times columnist and contributor to USA Today. Mara Liasson is the national political correspondent for NPR.

Liasson provides extensive coverage of politics and policy from Washington, DC focusing on the White House and Congress and also reports on political trends beyond the Beltway.