Democratic support for US climate bill broadens

Several key Democrats from industrial and oil states threw their support behind a draft climate bill Monday as a House committee began work on massive legislation that would impose the first U.S. limits on greenhouse gases.

While Democratic sponsors of the 948-page bill called it essential to shift the United States away from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources and deal with global warming, Republicans argued it would send energy prices soaring and threaten economic growth.

"Our nation is at a crossroads," declared Rep. Henry Waxman, a Democrat and the committee's chairman "We can continue to look the other way and leave these problems to …

Morton scores upset of No. 4 Thornwood

Dawn Karkoska pitched a two-hitter for her fourth shutout of theseason and Kris Meshi and Toby Poulos had RBI hits as Morton upsetNo. 4 Thornwood and ace Tina Zuccolo 2-0 Thursday.

Karkoska (9-1) walked four and struck out seven to outduelZuccolo (6-3). Morton is 12-3 with four consecutive victories.Thornwood is 11-6.

Meshi's suicide squeeze made it 1-0 in the second inning. LauraAbbate tripled and scored on Poulos' single to make it 2-0 in thesixth.

"What it means is we can play in the state," Morton coach ArtKasak said. "We have an opportunity to do something with what wehave on the mound. Just like Tina has carried them, Dawn has carriedus to a point …

2 arrested in Portugal after rhino horn heist

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Two Australians have been arrested for allegedly attempting to fly out of Portugal with six rhino horns valued at euro400,000 ($565,000) in their luggage, authorities said Monday.

The arrests last week came after a spate of rhino horn thefts from European museums this year.

Police inspector Rui Almeida said the men are suspected of belonging to an international ring involved in the illegal trade of rhino horns to China.

"We have indications they were not acting alone," Almeida told The Associated Press by phone.

He declined to elaborate because foreign police forces, as well as Europol and Interpol, are continuing the investigation.

He …

Olympic Figure Skating Results

1. Pang Qing and Tong Jian, China, 141.81.

2. Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, China, 139.91.

3. Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, Germany, 134.64.

4. Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao, China, 123.06.

5. Maria Mukhortova and Maxim Trankov, Russia, 122.35.

6. Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison, Canada, 121.75.

7. Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov, Russia, 120.61.

8. Tatiana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov, Ukraine, 119.64.

9. Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay, Canada, 115.77.

10. Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig, United States, 114.06.

11. Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov, Russia, 106.96.

…

Mixing household cleaners stirs up dangerous fumes

Fumes from common household cleaners and other irritants used inoffices and homes prompt an estimated 60,000 people a year to phonepoison control centers for help, according to a new study byUniversity of Calfornia researchers.

Mixing bleach with tile cleaners or with ammonia was the mostcommon cause of the irritating fumes, reported Paul Blanc, assistantprofessor of medicine at the University of California at SanFrancisco and his colleagues in the Aug. 7 issue of the Journal ofthe American Medical Association.

"People should pay careful attention to warning labels whenusing household products," Blanc said. Nearly half of those exposedto chlorine bleach fumes …

USP reference standards

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP, Rockville, MD) has expanded its Drug Research and Testing Laboratory into two operations: the Research and Development Laboratory (RDL), which supports compendial standards for the USP committee of revision, and the Reference Standards Laboratory (RSL), which supports the reference standards needs of industry. The RDL will focus on evaluating and developing analytical methods, pharmaceutics issues such as dissolution and drug release, extemporaneous compounding, botanicals, biotechnology, and cell culture. The RSL will focus on reference standard evaluation and stability. USP's Reference Standards Operation procures candidate reference standard bulk …

Titans QB Young says concern about him overblown

Titans quarterback Vince Young insists he never wavered in his commitment to football. All that concern over his mental state? He says he was upset as he dealt with his first serious injury, and he didn't realize he had to tell his mother where he was going anymore. Then the media went overboard.

Young spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since Titans coach Jeff Fisher called police for help in locating the quarterback Monday night because of concerns over his emotional well-being. His mother, Felicia Young, also told a local newspaper that the …