Obama heads to his Maryland mountain retreat

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will be taking a break from Washington's sweltering heat wave.

The president, first lady Michelle and their daughters are heading to Camp David on Friday …

U.S. considering Russian silica gel technology to stabilize Department of Energy radioactive wastes

Remember that little packet of granules in the shoe box when you bought new shoes? You probably automatically threw it out without giving it a thought. But, silica gel, the same stuff that's packed in new shoes to keep them dry, might also help stabilize radioactive materials.

"Presently," Connie Cicero of Westinghouse Savannah River Company, said, speaking at the Spring National Meeting, "the technology is being considered for directly stabilizing liquid radioactive wastes and surplus material solutions, but other applications are also being considered, such as a final or interim wasteform for pre-treated solid wastes."

Silica gel treatment technology to stabilize …

Bin Laden: Pope Helps Anti-Islam Crusade

Osama bin Laden accused Pope Benedict XVI of helping in a "new Crusade" against Islam and warned of a "severe" reaction to European publications of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad that insulted many Muslims.

Bin Laden's audiotape message Wednesday raised concerns al-Qaida was plotting new attacks in Europe. Some experts said bin Laden, believed to be in hiding in the Afghan-Pakistan border area, may be unable to organize an attack himself and instead is trying to fan anger and inspire his supporters to violence.

On Thursday, Al-Jazeera television aired an audiotape it attributed to bin Laden criticizing Palestinian negotiations with Israel …

Villarrial to sit out exhibition Injured veteran steps aside for Gandy, Metcalf to play

BOURBONNAIS, Ill.--Opportunity can be fleeting in the NFL.

Here one day and gone the next are chances to move up the depthchart. Right guard Chris Villarrial knows about that after getting anunexpected phone call on a Friday night in 1996, his rookie season.Less than 48 hours before the fifth game of the season against theOakland Raiders, offensive line coach Tony Wise called and told himhe would be starting in place of injured Todd Burger. Villarrialexpected some more seasoned linemen ahead of him to get the call.After all, he had been working at center.

He said, Hey, you're starting this game,"' Villarrial said. Ittook off from there. I haven't looked back.

I …

World AIDS Day Dec. 1 to mark 30th anniversary of epidemic

Monday, Nov. 28

Saginaw County Red Ribbon. A giant lighted red ribbon will light up the Saginaw County Governmental Center. Volunteers will construct the eight-foot ribbon as a symbol of a "call to action" against the disease, said Rev. Charles H. Coleman Sr., president of the Saginaw HIV Task Force and pastor at New Faith Temple Church. Ribbon will stand from Nov. 28-Dec. 2. Saginaw HIV Task Force, 111 S. Michigan, Saginaw. 1-800-872-2437. saginawcounty.com

Women Living with HIV, 1 1 a.m. A presentation from women living HIV+. Physicians for Human Rights at L)M, 1241 E. Catherine St1 Ann Arbor.

Tuesday, Nov. 29

SexUs Hold Em, 5 p.m. This is poker with a …

Sri Lanka vs Australia Scores

GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka reached 187-5 chasing 379 at lunch on the fourth day of the first cricket test against Australia.

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Australia 273 and 210: …

Reports: Fowler in dispute in Australia

Former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler is involved in a dispute with his North Queensland Fury club after being told he would start on the bench in an A-League match Saturday.

Fowler refused to play in a changed formation for Saturday's home match against Brisbane in Townsville and was subsequently left off the team sheet. Brisbane and North Queensland played to a 1-1 draw.

Fury coach Ian Ferguson later denied that Fowler had made his final outing for the club.

"No, not at all," Ferguson told Fox Sports news. "There's a couple of issues we have to sort out. Robbie's a great player, he's an experienced player, he's a …