The St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs usually play the Governor' s Cup game at the end of the preseason. The St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs usually play the Governor' s Cup game at the end of the preseason. This time, both teams are in playoff mode and there are some big stakes.

The Rams ( 6- 7) are tied with the Seahawks for the NFC West lead, and the Chiefs ( 8- 5) lead the AFC West, making Sunday' s game at the sold- out Edward Jones Dome more exciting than most expected before the season.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon attended Rams practice Friday. A win would help both teams in their quest to return to the playoffs. " I think everyone gets it, " running back Steven Jackson said. " Basically, if you win, you put yourself in a great position of being in the postseason. Our goal is to be the NFC West champs.

All season long we' ve been talking about these things. To have three games remaining and have that as a possibility, I think guys realize that it' s crunch time and we have to play extra hard and we have to play good football. " Nixon gets it. " It' s so neat to have both teams in your state playing. . . .

It’ s no surprise some in Congress have hailed Senate Republican Leader ’ s new debt ceiling proposal as politically savvy. What’ s surprising is that a large portion of Mc. Connell’ s establishment Republicans and even some “ conservatives” have joined the chorus. But the shocking measure would betray the trust of the American voters who sent a wave of Republicans to Congress in 2010 to put the nation’ s fiscal house in order. Mc.

Connell’ s plan would allow to raise the debt ceiling by $ 2. 5 trillion in three separate installments over the next year unless two- thirds of both houses of Congress disagree with the increase. Everyone knows Republicans lack a super- majority. The president would have to propose spending cuts equal to the amount of each hike, but Congress could ( and probably would) ignore the suggestions.

This proposal is purely political in its motivation, intended to shift the responsibility for unpopular debt ceiling hikes entirely onto the president. Establishment Republicans like Mc.

Connell are gambling that by putting the blame for debt hikes on Obama, they will help the Republican challenger in 2012 and get control of spending in 2013. This is wishful thinking.

Electing a more fiscally conservative president and Congress is essential, of course, but Mc. Connell’ s proposal to grant more borrowing power to the biggest- spending president in American history is not the way to do it.

It’ s a mistake to think that giving Democrats impunity to borrow and spend today will somehow ensure a victory for fiscal restraint tomorrow. Aside from the fact that delegating completely unlimited borrowing power to the president is constitutionally questionable at best, it’ s just a bad idea. Doing so is not in the public interest and would only put us that much closer to a Greek- style debt crisis in the next few years. Washington is already borrowing 43 cents of every dollar it spends.

The national debt has doubled in the past five years, including a 43- percent increase in just two years. This year’ s budget deficit of $ 1. 6 trillion indicates we have a serious spending problem, and we simply cannot afford to increase the government’ s borrowing power without enacting substantial budget reforms. Polls show that the American people want to see three things: real cuts, spending caps with teeth, and a Balanced Budget Amendment. & # 160; The fiscal responsibility mandate of the 2010 elections means Congress should not approve another penny of debt without first enacting “ Cut, Cap, and Balance. ” & # 160; Mc.

Connell’ s plan raises serious questions about whether Republicans are committed to pursuing the change Americans are demanding.

His eagerness to cover Republicans politically without putting up much of a fight for real reform suggests business- as- usual is Mc. Connell’ s strategy of choice. But there are senators committed to restoring fiscal sanity.

A bill proposed by Sens. , ( Ky. 0, , ( Penn. ) , and ( Utah) , ( S. 1340) would raise the debt limit, but only if accompanied by substantial spending cuts, an enforceable statutory spending cap, and the submission to the states of a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

Unlike the misguided Mc. Connell proposal, this bill would satisfy the public' s demand for permanent reform and end the reckless borrowing and overspending.

Mc. Connell’ s retreat, however politically clever, is still a retreat. And it’ s premature.

The debt ceiling will have to be raised, but August 2 is not Armageddon. If an increase isn’ t passed before then, the will not default on its debt, nor will the president have to delay , or military pay. Some spending will have to be delayed, yes, but there is still time to pursue real spending cuts and permanent reforms along with an increase in the debt ceiling without catastrophic results. Mc.

Connell is not up for reelection again until 2014, but two Republicans are retiring and eight face reelection in 2012. It’ s difficult to foresee voters rewarding Mc. Connell’ s retreat by capturing Democratic seats or reelecting Senate Republicans who supported his proposal.

Since the Senate Majority Leader has already lost sight of the voters’ mandate, Speaker would be wise to bring the Paul/ Toomey/ Lee bill up for a vote in the House as soon as possible. He may be our last hope for restoring fiscal responsibility. Former Texas Republican Rep.

Dick Armey, served as the House Majority Leader from 1995- 2003. He is currentlly the chairman of Freedom. Works and co- author of the book “ Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto. "

CENTRAL ISLIP, N. Y. & # 8211; & nbsp; A woman whose husband is accused of gunning down four people in a pharmacy store holdup for painkillers pleaded not guilty Friday to charges she drove the getaway car, while funeral services were held for the youngest and oldest victims of the Father' s Day massacre. The morning after she was to have graduated from Bellport High School on Long Island, 17- year- old Jennifer Mejia' s classmates wore caps and gowns in tribute at her funeral Mass. Mejia was working as a clerk at Haven Drugs in Medford, Long Island, on Sunday when David Laffer walked in shortly after 10 a. m. , authorities said.

Without announcing a robbery, he opened fire, killing her, the pharmacist working behind the counter and two customers who unwittingly walked in on the carnage, authorities said.

He fled with a backpack full of oxycodone and other painkillers with his wife, Melinda Brady at the wheel, prosecutors said. They were arrested three days later at their home, a mile and a half from the pharmacy. At Brady' s arraignment on robbery and obstruction charges, assistant district attorney James Chalifoux called the killings " the most cold- blooded robbery- homicide in Suffolk County history. " Brady, 29, was ordered held on $ 750, 000 cash bail or $ 1. 5 million bond, amounts her Legal Aid attorney said she would be unable to post.

The attorney, Jeremy Mis, said Brady intended to testify at a grand jury proceeding set to begin next week. The grand jury will consider expanding or upgrading charges against Brady and Laffer, prosecutors said.

Brady faces an obstruction charge for grabbing onto a police officer' s leg while he was placing handcuffs on Laffer, authorities said. According to a police department complaint, Brady admitted planning the robbery with her husband on June 18 but said she believed Laffer " would only threaten the pharmacist to steal drugs. " She provided Laffer with a phony prescription written to her that he could use in the holdup, the complaint said. Laffer, 33, was arraigned Thursday on first- degree murder and resisting arrest charges, and a court- appointed attorney entered a plea of not guilty for him. He was being held in the county jail on a suicide watch. Police said he has refused to cooperate with their investigation and grabbed for an officer' s weapon while being arrested.

He was treated at a hospital for two black eyes and a bloody face.

Brady' s arraignment was delayed until Friday while she spent a night in a hospital for an undisclosed medical condition. She implicated her husband after her arrest Wednesday. " He was doing it because he lost his job and I was sick, " she told reporters as she was escorted from police headquarters to a precinct holding cell. " He did it. He did all of this. " According to posts she made on the website Long Island Weddings before her 2009 marriage to Laffer, Brady told fellow brides- to- be on the site that she was in severe pain and taking different types of painkillers. " I have been on pills after pills for this infection and it won' t go away, " she wrote. " I am not a depressed person or anything before this all happened.

I was happy. " Laffer served in the Army from 1994 until 2002 and attained the rank of private first class, said Mark Edwards, a spokesman for the U. Army Human Resources Command in Fort Knox.

While in the service, he worked as an intelligence analyst. Neighbors of the couple, who lived with Laffer' s mother in a sprawling ranch home with a built- in swimming pool in Medford, about 60 miles east of New York City, said they were shocked to learn he was suspected in the bloodbath. At the funeral Mass for Mejia on Friday, several classmates walked in with a large water bottle filled with cash. Taylor Riley told reporters the students had collected the money at Thursday night' s graduation ceremony to donate to the Mejia family. After the service, which was held in both English and Spanish, classmates in their caps and gowns - - red for the girls, blue for boys and white for honor graduates - - converged around her white casket, trimmed in gold. " She' s an angel in disguise now, " Kristen Vasquez said.

A woman who didn' t know the Mejia family said she came to the service in solidarity with her neighbors. " It' s just a tragedy, just a tragedy, " said Julie Deliso of East Patchogue. " No one should have to go through this at their age, " she said of the teenagers grieving for their friend. Also Friday, a private service was held for Bryon Sheffield, 71, who was picking up a prescription for his ailing wife, Sheila, when he was killed. The couple was to have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July, relatives said. The retired businessman was described as the family prankster who loved playing video games, Newsday reported. A funeral Mass for Jaime Taccetta, a 33- year- old mother of two who was planning to be married later this year, will be held Saturday in Lake Ronkonkoma.

Raymond Ferguson, a 45- year- old pharmacist who was working so a colleague could have Father' s Day off, also will be remembered Saturday at a Mass in Forest Hills, Queens.

The night breeze blew foul wafts from a nearby canal black with garbage and pollution. The streets jammed with trucks and motorized rickshaws were so shattered that they hardly seemed paved at all. It was to Cairo' s slum of Munib on a recent evening that the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt' s biggest Islamic group, brought its election campaign message: The country must turn to Islam to rebuild. " Muslims around the world expect great things from you, " Essam el- Erian, deputy head of the Brotherhood' s new political party, told supporters crowded into a tent, with men across the aisle from women in headscarves or black veils. " We have to build a nation of freedom and equality, a nation of the true Islam. " The scene, like many in Egypt now, was inconceivable before president Hosni Mubarak' s Feb.

11 ouster. Under Mubarak' s autocratic regime, the Brotherhood was banned. Tens of thousands of its members were arrested, many tortured, and its gatherings were held largely behind closed doors. Now, with Mubarak gone, the Brotherhood is storming into the open, appealing to religious voters and trying to win over Egypt' s poor.

It is likely to be part of Egypt' s next government, with a hand not only in ruling but also in writing a new constitution. And its strength has fueled fears among many Egyptians that it will turn what began as a pro- democracy uprising in the Arab world' s most populous nation into Islamic rule. But the Brotherhood' s own identity is on the line, and there is pressure from inside and out for it not to go down a sharp- right Islamic road. Internally, Brotherhood moderates & mdash; many from a younger generation & mdash; are resisting control from hard- line leaders, in a struggle that could fragment the group. And from the outside, a budding democracy is pushing the Brotherhood, at least in public, to present a more liberal face.

How the Brotherhood deals with its new status will be a major test of whether Islamists and democracy can be compatible in the wake of the Middle East' s wave of revolutions. With the Brotherhood involved in protests in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Jordan, the answer here could be a model across the region. " We' re not ready for power, we don' t have the flexibility, " said Mohammed Osman, a 29- year- old pharmacist who counts himself among the Brotherhood' s new generation. " To go from prison to power, that could be extremely dangerous. " In one of Cairo' s most prominent mosques, the Brotherhood' s top leader, Mohammed Badie, paused in the combination sermon- campaign speech he was delivering from an ornate niche marking the direction of Islam' s holy city of Mecca.

A child next to him, with a green Brotherhood sash across his chest, took the cue to break in with a chant. " God is great! " the boy piped up. The crowd of more than 1, 000 men, seated on the carpets of the Amr ibn al- As Mosque, echoed back, " God is great, God is great! " " Egypt' s revolution was produced by none other than God Almighty, " Badie resumed. " The days of ' no religion in politics and no politics in religion' ended long ago. " The image recalls the nightmares Mubarak' s regime often evoked. Without Mubarak' s iron grip, his officials warned, the Brotherhood would seize power through the mosque. Women would be forced to wear the headscarf, clerics would hand out punishments like amputations for thieves and whippings for adulterers, and Egypt' s large Christian minority would be consigned to second- class status.

It' s an image the Brotherhood is trying to shed as it adapts to the demands of a democratic system. As Egypt races toward its first free and open parliament elections, planned for September, the Brotherhood' s power in the new Egypt comes down to a raw count: How many seats it wins.

In this country of 80 million, Egyptians are expected to vote in unprecedented numbers. Their preferences have never been measured before. The 90- year- old Brotherhood, with its hundreds of thousands of activists, has a leg up on more secular activists scrambling to form parties from scratch.

For the first time, it has formed a political party, holding rallies nationwide, from rural towns to urban slums. It has revved up social services that long helped build its following. In the city of Alexandria, young Brothers clean streets and fill potholes. In Kafr Mit Fatek, a tiny Nile Delta farming village, a traveling clinic of Brotherhood doctors gives families free dental work, checkups and gynecological exams. In a sign of confidence, the group has opened a prominent new Cairo headquarters in a luxury office building proudly emblazoned with its emblem, crossed swords under a Quran with the word " Prepare. " Brotherhood leaders say the new Freedom and Justice Party will run for only half of parliament' s seats so it cannot gain a majority & mdash; they predict 30- 40 percent.

Nor will it field a candidate in November' s presidential election. It is also trying to form coalitions with other parties, including liberals. El- Erian, the party' s deputy head, says parties must work together for several years to entrench a democratic system. " Maybe after that, everyone can compete without any problems, " he told The Associated Press. Many Brothers style their party in the mold of Turkey' s Islamic- based Justice and Development Party, which has held power for nearly a decade by improving the economy without aggressively pushing a religious agenda.

The vision they have for Egypt: a " civil state with an Islamic basis. " It' s a vague formula, and the Brotherhood is under pressure to make clear what it means. Decades of oppression provided the group an odd luxury: Barred from state- dominated media, it rarely had to sell positions to the public.

It could tout broad slogans, like " Islam is the solution, " and draw support from resentment of Mubarak.

Now Brotherhood officials on TV talk shows are questioned whether they will ban alcohol or implement Islamic punishments. Their answer: It is not the time.

The time may never come, they say, and if it does it will only be with voters' consent. In a draft, the party' s vision for a new constitution mirrors that of most liberals, a parliamentary system with limited powers for the president and guarantees of personal freedoms & mdash; a radical change to ensure that no irremovable " pharaoh" like Mubarak can rule. Absent are past Brotherhood ideas, such as a panel of clerics to advise the government. " We are for freedom of expression for all, even if it' s a communist, a leftist or a secularist, " says Aly Khafagy, a 29- year- old party organizer. " Ultimately, the street is the one that rules. If the street is the one that can put us in, it can also put us out. " And " the Islamic basis" ? Khafagy depicts it as a democracy that " respects Islamic values, " in the vein of U.

S. conservatives who talk of America' s " Judeo- Christian heritage. " But from others it sounds far stronger. " The Brotherhood won' t stop and won' t be silent and won' t accept anything but the complete implementation of Islamic Shariah law, " Sobhi Saleh, a former parliament member and now one of the Brotherhood' s most active campaigners, told a crowd at a rally in Cairo' s Matariya district. At another rally weeks later, he proclaimed that the Brotherhood " doesn' t recognize liberal Muslims or secular Muslims" and vowed that the next government, " God willing, will be Islamist. " The comments raised an uproar. Even some Brotherhood leaders distanced themselves. Opponents warned this was the true Brotherhood & mdash; intolerant, convinced it alone represents Islam and determined to rule. For Mohammad Osman, the pharmacist, Tahrir Square during the days of the anti- Mubarak uprising was a " Utopia. " He and other young Brothers were in the square alongside liberal and secular protesters, in what he calls the spirit of openness of the new Brotherhood generation.

It' s in contrast to the older Brotherhood leadership, bred on secrecy and tight control. Their attitude is typified in the group' s central tenet, " Listen and obey" : Once leaders make a decision, members have a near- religious duty to follow. The rifts within the Brotherhood point to troubles in keeping together a movement that covers a range of Islamist ideologies, from the moderate to the deeply conservative. The tighter the leadership tries to control, the more moderates filter away. That could make the movement more hard- line, hurting its broader public support.

Under Mubarak, unity was considered necessary for a movement under constant threat. As a result, the Brotherhood has been like a tribe. " These are your colleagues, you study with them, you work with them, you get arrested with them. You marry from among them, " says Osman, a Brother since high school. But it can' t work that way in politics. Osman worries election victory could bring out the worst in the Brotherhood & mdash; a domineering side, willing to go it alone.

Already, he says, the group' s leadership is trying to overly control its own party. " It' s as if they are pushing us to leave the Brotherhood, " Osman says. " But I can' t do that. I want to remain a voice of conscience within the movement. " Despite pledges of independence, the Brotherhood has appointed the three top officers of its Freedom and Justice Party from within its own echelons. The group also prohibits Brothers from taking part in any other political party.

For Osman and some in the new generation, it felt too much like the old ways. They have decided not to actively participate in the party. A few have broken to join competing parties, or are trying to influence the party from within.

In a Nile- side social club, party members from Cairo' s sister city Giza gathered to elect their local chair. The candidates making their way to the microphone reflected the movement' s professional roots & mdash; engineers, a surgeon, a urologist, a factory owner, a woman lawyer. Several candidates were in their late 30s. As they spoke of their goals, few mentioned Islam.

Instead, they spoke of " bringing the youth into the leadership, " ' ' building a modern Egypt" and " working with other parties on national goals. " Osman' s ultimate concern is that the Brotherhood' s old mindset could wreck chances for a broad- based government Egypt needs. Some Brotherhood leaders have spoken of an alliance with Egypt' s most ultraconservative movement, the Salafis, who reject anything they feel contradicts Islamic law. The worry was palpable at the first gathering of four new secular- leaning parties. Among the crowd of over 2, 000 at a luxury hotel ballroom, the top question was whether the parties can compete with the Brotherhood. " The time frame is frightening, " admitted Naguib Sawiris, a Christian businessman and chief founder of the Free Egyptians Party. " How do we start up a party in 90 days?

I don' t sleep at night. " The only guide to the Brotherhood' s polling strength is from 2005, when it won 20 percent of parliament despite ruling party rigging. The assumption is it would do better in a fair race. But after the revolution, that is far from certain, argues columnist Wael Abdel- Fattah. The Brotherhood has lost " the glamor of oppression and the protest vote, " he says.

More Egyptians are politically engaged, including Christians, large parts of the middle class and business interests who worry about economic damage from a Brotherhood win.

It will likely come down to Egypt' s silent majority. " The vast majority of the population, say 70 percent, have nothing to do with Islamists and nothing to do with secularists, " Osman says. " Whoever wins them will be the ones who rule Egypt. "

The owner of this quirky club and restaurant named after soul singer Marvin Gaye is Eric Hilton, a D.

C. local who became a national celebrity as half of the DJ supergroup Thievery Corporation.

Inspired by Gaye' s sojourn to Belgium in the 1980s, the menu combines soul food with traditional French classics— think chicken and waffles and steak frtes.

The food is so good it' ll bust your belt. After dinner, sample a Belgian beer and shake your booty on the upstairs dance floor. Sunday brunch brings a stellar eggs Benedict and a lighter ahi tuna salad to the menu. www. marvindc. com. Reservations essential. No lunch.

The dramatically designed terra- cotta building rises above a deep- blue pool that flows under bridges and beside palm oases; a seven- story palapa ( which provides natural air- conditioning) covers the elegant lobby— paved in patterned tile and stone— and a . . . The hotel and its fabulous spa perch above a lovely beach at the northern extreme of Baha de Banderas, about 45 minutes from the PV airport and an hour north of downtown Puerto Vallarta.

Spacious rooms occupy Mexican- style casitas of one, two, and three . . . Juan Carlos Name, a disciple of modern- minimalist Mexican architect Luis Barragn, designed this looming high- rise near the Hotel Zone' s south end and within walking distance of downtown. It' s reliable, anonymous, and geared toward conventioneers and other . . .

Researchers, patient advocates and policy makers are pushing for earlier testing of Alzheimer' s, in part because it will help the search for a cure.

That means more people could find out if they will succumb to the disease As a boy, Gary Reiswig would take his grandfather by the hand and guide him on walks around the family farm in western Oklahoma.

At 5, Gary knew to avoid the prairie dog town, fearful that his grandfather might stumble over one of the holes that the rodents burrowed into the grassy plain. Occasionally, his grandfather would stop. His eyes took on an eerie stare that spoke of an empty place - - one that once was filled with memories, laughter and toil. In 1945, nobody knew that Gary' s grandfather had a rare form of Alzheimer' s disease that would strike 10 of Gary' s 14 aunts and uncles, his father and his only brother and sister in the prime of their lives. Gary' s family has dominantly inherited Alzheimer' s disease.

It is rare, and it afflicts the young. In his family, symptoms can appear in the early 40s.

This inherited form of Alzheimer' s is caused by mutations in one of three genes: amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1 or presenilin 2. It is the only form of Alzheimer' s for which there i. . .

A beachfront setting and homey conveniences that include full kitchens and washer- dryer units are what attract families to these two- and three- bedroom suites on Cowpet Bay next to the St. Thomas Yacht Club. The complex has two lighted tennis courts, a . . . You get beachfront ambience at this reasonably priced miniresort tucked beneath the palm trees, but the tradeoff is that it' s directly across from a noisy airport runway. You' ll definitely want to spend time on the white- sand beach, which can be seen from . . .

All rooms at this family- run resort along a 1, 000- foot- long palm- lined beach have balconies with ocean views; down the beach are 12 studio and two- bedroom condos with full kitchens. This place is more homey than fancy, but the friendliness of the longtime . . . Set majestically on a promontory overlooking the east side of Charlotte Amalie' s harbor, Frenchman' s Reef is the high- rise full- service superhotel, while Morning Star is the even more upscale boutique property nestled along the fine white- sand beach. . . . Hilltop suites give you an eagle' s- eye view of the East End and beyond, while those in a building adjacent to the reception area offer incredible sea views. Sea- level junior suites, where the sounds of lapping waves will lull you to sleep, are smaller. . . .

Everything sparkles at the island' s most luxurious resort, especially after a $ 40 million renovation in 2007 that upgraded everything from in- room furnishings to tiling for the walkways. Spacious guest rooms, with high- speed Internet access, private . . . A beautiful half- mile- long white- sand beach is the real ace here. After a long succession of owners, Antilles Resorts took control of the property and began much- needed refurbishments to the rooms.

Changes include new curtains and bedspreads. There' s still . . . These high- rise towers feel more like apartment buildings than luxury resorts, so if you' re looking for a home away from home, this might be the place.

There are full kitchens, so you can avoid pricey restaurant meals. The view from your balcony is the . . . There' s not a bad view from these low- rise studio, one- , and two- bedroom condos, which are either beachfront or perched on a hill overlooking an inviting cove.

All units, which have white- tile floors and tropical- print wood and wicker furnishings, are . . . Though this terra- cotta high- rise is surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery, rooms and the walkways between them have a bit of a generic feel.

However, the sixth and seventh levels of building D have spectacular ocean views.

A complete renovation added . . .

Jewish groups expressed shock Monday after a 97- year- old Hungarian man was cleared of war crimes charges for his role in raids by Hungarian forces that killed hundreds of civilians in Serbia dur. . .

Jewish groups expressed shock Monday after a 97- year- old Hungarian man was cleared of war crimes charges for his role in raids by Hungarian forces that killed hundreds of civilians in Serbia during World War II. Many had considered the case of Sandor Kepiro one of the last major trials of alleged Holocaust- era war criminal suspects. " It' s an absolutely outrageous decision, " Efraim Zuroff, the chief Nazi hunter with the Wiesenthal Center' s Jerusalem office, told The Associated Press. " ( It) flies in the face of all the evidence, everything we know about this dark event and the mass murder that took place in Novi Sad, " said Zuroff, who brought Kepiro' s case back to light in 2006.

Kepiro had been charged by prosecutors with alleged involvement in the killing of 36 people & mdash; mostly Jews and Serbs & mdash; during the anti- partisan raid in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, then under Hungarian control, on Jan. 23, 1942. He returned to Hungary in 1996 after decades in Argentina. In Serbia, deputy war crimes p. . .

Seven more worlds records knock off Beijing, Seven more worlds records knock off Beijing.

Thursday, July 30, 2009 By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP National Writer. Print. ROME& nbsp; & # 151; & nbsp; When in Rome, throw out the record book. No need for one at the fastest show on water. Even with Michael Phelps sitting in the stands, seven more world records fell Thursday.

For those who' ve lost count, that' s 29 over five days at the Foro Italico _ and there' s still three days to go at the world championships. At last summer' s Beijing Olympics, swimmers broke 25 records at the Water Cube, and the world thought that would be tough to beat. Records fell so fast in Thursday' s nine events that the crowd barely had time to cheer one swimmer before another mark dropped. So, is this a good thing? Or does it cheapen the coin of the realm, so to speak? " It' s hard to say, " said Australia' s Jess Schipper, who got in on the fun by taking down the old standard in the 200- meter butterfly. " It' s been a very exciting meet.

It' s been very fast.

But we all knew it was going to be fast coming in. . .

Children whose malnourished mothers took vitamin A during pregnancy had stronger lungs throughout childhood, with the benefits measurable well past the age of 9, researchers reported on Wednesday. Lung capacity was about 3 percent higher in children whose mothers took vitamin A compared to those whose mothers received a placebo, the study of 1, 371 children in Nepal showed. " Early interventions involving vitamin A supplementation in communities where undernutrition is highly prevalent may have long- lasting consequences for lung health, " Dr. William Checkley of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and colleagues wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine. When mothers were given beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, their children did not score higher on the lung capacity test.

The benefits are believed to have come from treatment during pregnancy because all the children received regular vitamin A supplements after birth.

The researchers said an estimated 190 million preschool- age children and 19 million pregnant women have vitamin A deficiency worldwide.

The shortfall can cause health problems during pregnancy and early development, including lung problems. The study piggybacked off a test done in the 1990s in which 44, 646 women in 30 village developments in Nepal were given weekly supplements before, during and after pregnancy. The older test included 2, 055 newborns, and researchers from Johns Hopkins decided to track those children down to test their lung capacity. " The magnitude of the effect observed in this study is slightly greater than that associated with preventing exposure to parental smoking in school- aged children, " the researchers wrote. The original study found that supplementation with either vitamin A or beta carotene reduced by 44 percent the risk of a woman dying because of complications of pregnancy, compared to women who got placebo capsules. The supplements, however, had no effect on infant mortality.

PAMPLONA, Spain & # 8211; & nbsp; Tens of thousands of people packed Pamplona' s main square Wednesday for the launch of the " chupinazo" rocket - - the start of Spain' s most famous bull- running festival. Mayor Enrique Maya heralded the first of nine days of uninterrupted festivities in the northern town as he lit the fuse from a balcony overlooking a frenzied crowd. " Men and women of Pamplona, Long Live San Fermin! " Maya screamed, as revelers sprayed a fountain of wine, sangria, water and cava into the air.

Many used toy water pistols, or leather wineskins to squirt alcohol into the mouths of those who asked. Onlookers on balconies followed suit. " It' s way more than we expected, especially just the energy.

And this is only, what, the opening? " said 37- year- old Brooklyn native Malika Oyo, who was partaking with her brother Yaka. " We need sangria, we need sangria right now, " she said. The day before the bulls steam through Pamplona' s streets, its the turn of locals and foreigners - - nearly all dressed in white; red handkerchiefs tied around necks once the chupinazo has been fired. " Everything happened so quickly. . . I screamed with all of my might, but the truth is from here ( in the crowds) you can' t hear a thing, " Maya said. As the sea of people sang along to " Ole, Ole, Ole, " giant beach balls were punched to and fro. " Seven Nation Army" by suddenly became another crowd favorite, many humming along, interspersed by the occasional fevered chant of " San Fermin" or " alcohol. " The said it attended to 15 people with five taken to hospital for treatment to injuries. " The ambiance is incredible, there' s so much excitement in the air, there' s a rush here you don' t feel anywhere else, " said 28- year- old Pamplona local Edurne Berastegi.

Immortalized in Ernest Hemingway' s 1926 novel " The Sun Also Rises, " the San Fermin festival is known around the world for the daily running of the bulls and all- night partying. The first of eight dashes comes Thursday when thousands look to outrun six fearsome bulls along a narrow 875 yards ( 800 meters) course through the city' s cobblestone streets, with both beast and human often falling over - - stomping on each other as they go. " I' m planning on staying up . . . partying until about 4 and then running tomorrow. I' m thinking about running this stretch here out of the square into ' dead man' s' corner, " said 28- year- old Australian tourist Dylan Mc. Laren. Mc.

Laren' s white shirt had turned completely purple after being soaked in wine and other liquids.

As was his girlfriend - - who didn' t seem to be particularly enamored by the occasion: " She' s not very happy about that, not happy at all, " he added.

The 8 a. m. runs take place daily until July 14 with each charge broadcast on state television. And then, on the afternoon of each day, the same bulls face matadors in the ring. " We do it because it' s craziness, it' s total insanity. You purposely put yourself at risk - - it' s a huge adrenaline rush, " said 55- year- old Florida native Hal Ringeisen who was in Pamplona with his wife Linda and neighbor John Parris, 52.

Parris claims to have run the event over 70 times since 1989. " On a drunken night he talked my husband into doing it and it' s been downhill ever since, " Linda revealed. Since record- keeping began in 1924, 15 people have been killed in the running of the bulls - - the last victim 27- year- old Spanish runner Daniel Jimeno Romero in 2009. Yaka Oyo said he was planning on running the second and third day while his sister Malika remained unsure. " I keep asking if women run and people keep saying ' no' so I want to run, " she said. " It' s not the bull that worries me, " she added " I' m more worried about the men knocking me down, and then the bull. "

JACKSONVILLE, Florida ( Reuters) - The Tennessee Titans easily beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 30- 3 on Monday despite losing starting quarterback Vince Young to a knee injury in the first quarter. Kerry Collins, who lost the starting job with the Titans to Young almost a year ago, entered the game with Tennessee up 7- 0 after a 23- yard touchdown from Kenny Britt and looked comfortable from the outset.

Collins, who led Tennessee to five straight scoring drives, threw a two- yard touchdown pass to Bo Scaife midway through the second quarter before a 27- yard field goal field gave the Titans a 17- point lead at halftime. Each team played the second half with back- up quarterbacks after Jaguars starter David Garrard went off with a concussion in the second quarter. Trent Edwards, who was recently cut by the Buffalo Bills, replaced Garrard and threw for 140 yards and two interceptions while getting little protection from his offensive line. Edwards briefly restored the spirits of the home crowd with some positive play but with a much needed score in sight, Marcedes Lewis fumbled the ball at the Tennessee 10- yard line just before half- time.

The teams exchanged 33- yard field goals during the third quarter and the Titans added a 36- yard effort early in the fourth when Rob Bironas nailed his third of the game. Chris Johnson scored on a 35- yard touchdown run in front of an almost empty stadium with under two minutes remaining to seal the win and move the Titans ( 4- 2) into a three- way tie for first place in the hotly contested AFC South. The Jaguars ( 3- 3) dropped to the bottom of the division. Fisher also had no hesitation in turning to Collins, a quarterback with 15 years of NFL experience, including Pro Bowl selections in 1996 and 2008, who was his starter for the first six games of last season. " We are very, very fortunate to have two very talented quarterbacks, one goes down then the other steps up and goes in, " said Fisher.

That faith in Collins was rewarded with a performance that was far from rusty from the 37- year- old. " You just never know, that is the life of a back- up in the NFL. You have to be ready at any time. You have to study the game plan and you maybe have to put in a little bit more time because you don' t get the reps in practice, " said Collins.

It was a miserable night for the Jaguars though, coming after successive wins over Indianapolis and Buffalo.

27. 09. 04 / - Unterfhring ( dan) - The Mustac brothers seemed to have big plans for the match against FC Unterfhring. Darko and Marijo were regularly on hand at TSV Ottobrunn, if it was dangerous in the penalty area Unterfoehringer.

But the best chance of the match referee Sabine Greth frustrated when they have a goal in the third Otto Brunner Minutes for offside was not. An early warning shot for the FCU, who won after quite sleepy early phase at the end sure 2- 0 ( 2- 0) . On rain- soaked course at the beginning of the specific host the events and Igor Pintar had to apply the 0: 1 but knew all about Stephen Wrights shot to clear ( 5) .

The subsequent corner Darko curled on his brother Marijo, but Pintar held.

Fifteen minutes passed, then Unterfhring was involved. Robert Lexa Heinz Sichort put into the barrel, but the shot from 12 meters over it ( 18) . A counter was reared on Darko Mustac Unterfhring sweat again shortly, but Pintar Ivics shot parried Marco ( 25) . Korbinian Strauss hammered the ball against the crossbar ( 30) and moments later Christian captain curled into the net from the left penalty box burner untenable ( 31) . One came from Marijo Mustac corner intercepted Hans Naglitsch, Lexa was Peter Gorscak in the ball scene and went on to burner.

Sichort had no problem to accommodate the precision edge ( 42. ) < P> The second round started like the first, Unterfhring was not on the court. Darko Mustac scored a direct free kick from 20 meters to the post, the ball bouncing back pounded his brother at the opposite pole ( 50) .

Unterfhring took to results management and Ottobrunn was no way the defense to crack. FCU- Coach Becker: " We have missed the first quarter of an hour altogether. Something going on in the district league and is not usually punished. " Although he was in the mid- term extra noted Unterfhring slept well the restart. " Core, the game is to tackle wide- awake. This is what we have to work, work, work " FC Unterfhring.

Pintar, stone lifter, Endres, Meier, K. Strauss, Naglitsch, Kralus, Brenner, Lexa, Gorscak ( 84th Taukovic) Sichort. Tore: 1: 0 burner ( 31) , 2- 0 Sichort ( 42. ) Referee: Sabine Greth ( SV Menning) . Spectators: 100 < / P>

24. 11. 10 / Wessling - Opponents of business aviation in the Oberpfaffenhofen airport with their protest is far from finished.

On Tuesday, they received backing from council Welinger. The so- called " protest Maypole" at Welinger lake was actually approved for only four weeks, now he has been standing for two and a half years. " Because of the topicality of this issue was the extension of time tacitly tolerated, " according to the Town Hall. Now the local council gave the tree up on all other official blessing. Next spring, but its stability is to be reevaluated.

In the long term, the citizens initiative to replace him anyway by a monument that commemorates the former human chain was known at the Council meeting. Also do not disappear from the place the " no" flags along the main road.

The councilors asked but that to replace the tattered flags with new ones.

17: 05: 11 / Ettal - A supplier from the Allgu has done to the monastery brewery Ettaler apparently significant damage: In his malt were inflated values found in nitrosamines. For Father John Bauer, Cellerar on Ettal and head of the farms with the Benedictines, it is a " huge loss - and economically from the image of her. " In the wake of an unprecedented action, the monastery brewery had the weekend total of 185 hectoliters of beer ( dark and dark Doppelbock monastery) from supermarkets and restaurants to call back in the region. Reason: Ettal victim of a supplier that has supplied contaminated malt, about six tons, how to appreciate. In a sample " in the context of quality management" on Friday placed the brewery down the increased value.

Probably because the malt was roasted too much - for whatever reason - was found in the measurements in Ettal breaching the technical benchmark of nitrosamines by twice. Explanation: nitrosamines are among the most carcinogenic ( cancer causing) substances and can cause health problems. Immediately after the appearance of the modified benchmark Father John informed the district administration about it and launched a recall campaign of the monastery darkness and Curators ( dark double bock) for markets and restaurants.

In a letter to customers it says in part: " Pursuant to its duty of care as food manufacturers on grounds of consumer protection, the monastery brewery Ettal production batch, Ettaler monastery Dark with the best before date ( 14/ 09/ 2011, 20/ 09/ 2011, 27/ 09/ 2011, 3. 10 calls . 2011) and, Curator - Dark Doppelbock with the best before date ( up to 31. 2011) withdrew from the market as a precaution. " Currently, the retrieved product is in the camp of the brewery. " The beer is locked up for examination by the Customs supervision.

Then it must be destroyed, " says Father John. Cellerar would build on in front of the excessive reactions or fears, " Nitrosamines can also enjoy grilling in meat or sausage can be formed. The crowd, which is located in said beer is so low that one would have to drink over many days and in substantial measure on before use a harmful effect could. " Still feels the monastery dedicated to protecting the consumer " . We acted immediately and informed the competent authorities" Internally, the matter is far from settled. You have two malt suppliers, said the priest.

With that, who have now supplied the contaminated malt, we work together for quite some time: " There has never been problems. " With the company youve finished the relationship immediately. Currently considering a lawyer of the monastery any claims that they would argue against the polluter.

Maybe, Father John, come also to a legal dispute. The Cellerar regrets from the heart, " that we confront our customers with such a message had to, but the blame lay not our responsibility. Here we are victims of contaminated Malzlieferungen become. " Youll do anything to win back the trust, and have already taken steps to provide consumers and customers in the future again Ettaler beer in the usual good quality. To fix the damage done n again, the Benedictine monk is sure that this will be a rocky road. "

16: 09: 10 / Jenhausen / Seeshaupt - The planned geothermal power plant in the Bernried Jenhausenern makes increasingly concerned - because of expected heavy traffic.

In a detailed letter to the municipal council, Mayor Michael Seeshaupter Bernwieser at the recent meeting on Tuesday evening read, they appealed to the Panel to intervene against the project. Most fear the Jenhausener before the heavy traffic during the three- year construction period, as was observed in the construction of the Buchheim Museum through peaceful village.

For their concerns, the Panel had some sympathy with. In the current approval process but, so Bern Weiser made it clear the community no legal recourse to object did. It would, however, consider whether a limitation of tonnage could be sought. rf

To put it straight to the point: The hunters have the right to do according to the district office. And they have no one in danger. However, this rude shock hunting methods many local residents and walkers who had their daily enjoyment of the semi- tame waterfowl. Above the green woods bridge shot from hunters on Monday many ducks, coots and at least nine swans. Dying, drove the animals to humans by the military, where the hunters collecting the lifeless poultry, in boxes and then packed into their sport utility vehicles. " It was a terrible sight to see the animals there were so in a heap and were bleeding from their beaks, " said a resident who is the host bridge daily walk along the Isar. " These animals were tame.

There never were more than three at once. We residents have enjoyed every day in their sight " Among the dead swans is also a breeding pair with his boy. " We have watched the small fluctuations during growth. Now to see him lying there so heartbreaking. "

22: 03: 11 / Munich - The Munich EHC is working on his squad for the upcoming season.

One has announced his resignation, others will remain. The goals are high. After the painful pre- playoff- off can be heard again positive news from the EHC Mnchen: Johan Martin Schymainski Ejdepalm and extend their contracts for one year, leading scorer Eric Schneider for even two years. Three other key players to win the title, because Schneider is confident: " We can win the championship next year.

We want every year to get better. " The fact that he himself may be there with, owes the EHC of BIS ( Bavarian International School) . Schneider will go there three older daughters in the future to school. " Munich is the best city in Germany, where you can play.

I would have signed the contract in November, it all just hung on school place. Since Friday, the Mdls taken, " said Schneider. Even Johan Ejdepalm is happy to be another year member of the EHC- family: " We have woken up in the citys enthusiasm for hockey. I will continue to be part of this journey.

Sometimes I miss it, that I can speak Swedish with anyone, but thats not so bad. " Moreover, Christian Winkler manager already knows remedy: " Lets see, maybe we undertake a Swedish physiotherapist.

Who else wants to undertake Winkler, retain or release is decided in the coming days. " Basically, no one is written off. In six to seven players, we have options, we can draw. We will have detailed information on each player thought and talk in- one discussions with them, " said Winkler. The only one who leaves the Munich sure after this year, is Kyle Helms, but free will. Winkler: " He told me that he is looking for a new challenge.

Too bad, we would have liked to hold " His season is very positive conclusion: " . Munich is back on the hockey map. Passion and hard work paid off.

Pat Cortina is the father of that success. " And what does the father of the first DEL season of his children?

He keeps his star striker Schneider: " Every year without a title is not a good season, " said Cortina with a wink.

Well, we can expect for next season so a lot . . . mm

18: 05: 11 / Munich - There is a later protest, its probably too late. Still came to 600 people for a rally for the preservation of the barracks on the post- war Feilitzschstrae. The protesters is about more than the preservation of " Schwabing 7" monopoly cinema and Mamas Kebab. Its a diverse crowd einfindet on Tuesday evening at the Munich freedom.

Pensioners, mothers with children, students. What unites them is the concern about the demolition of the barracks on the post- war Feilitzschstrae - and their possible consequences. " Im not even so then the typical Schwabing 7- goers, " says Pia Elgas. She brought her children.

For eight years she lived in Alt- Schwabing. Schwabing 7, monopoly cinema and Mamas Kebap Haus Pia Elgas for " a kind of liberty statue of Schwabing art scene. " Many neighbors have been identified among the protesters. She says: " Its about principle. The Schwabing want it to stay alive here! " It also desires Jrg deer.

The young man with the leather jacket is specially come for the demonstration of Haidhausen. Like most others here, he has brought any poster - only one woman waving a homemade " 7" around in the air. Jrg holds deer instead a beer in hand - as he regularly does in the " Schwabing 7. " Actually, I do not know how it is to be saved, " he says. In just a few weeks, the houses are torn down and create a luxury house with 30 flats and 500 square feet of shop space. " Id love to buy the city, " says Jrg deer. In general: the hope for the city.

It drives many to list here, who fear the consequences of luxury renovation. " The people who make up the atmosphere can no longer afford the city at some point, " the comedian Frank- Markus calls Barwasser alias Erwin Pelzig from the stage.

He, like other prominent artists joined the protest. His colleague Michael Mitter Meier joked: " They can not simply break off.

There are so many brain cells we have left lying there. This potential! This is like a computer! " The Schwabing 7 as a symbol of another Munich, a city in which not all representative and expensive. " The motto is: Munich does not always shine, " it expresses a speaker. So obviously many people think.

More actions are planned.

For Friday of next week, calls the action group " Save the Mnchner Freiheit" for a demonstration on.

Behind the stage is Barwasser, the comedian, seriously. The early 80s he was the first time was in the " Schwabing 7. " In my memory it is pretty stable, thats the fascination of this place. Outside, everything changes, not inside. " How to Go From Here? " Im not as optimistic, " he says, " its like everywhere, where someone waves his money. " That it is not just about loving " Schwasi" pub is called, also emphasized the New Kids Meier. " A long time went in Schwabing nothing, are now back many art premises come. It would be a shame if the institution Schwabinger 7 now close. " So the talks on Tuesday evening. It gehum space for culture to affordable rents and the fear that the downtown district could be pretty heartless.

But they all end up at the legendary Schwabing Bars institution. As Werner Schossau. The old man knows the " Schwasi" as his pocket. " I am clean as a student in 1968, the first time - . And since then regular" What makes him the flair? " This is the only pub with normal prices and nice people, who at night. " Willy Michl, Konstantin Wecker, Michael Mitter Meier, Frank Markus Barwasser: There are big names, the cabaret- organizer Tim Hofmann few days has brought on stage. A bit of it is probably just as Schwabing once was.

Right at the start of a couple dancing in the streets, people standing around, listening to the artists, discuss, clap, whistle. Till Hofmann himself the entire evening behind the stage, looking at the colorful and smiles just satisfied. " Schwabing lives, " he seems to think - still.

Felix Mller