| Andretti hasn't raced Indy since league split
Watching '99 CART champ Juan Montoya score an easy triumph at Indy last year also reinforced Michael's desire. "I'm almost 40 and I've missed out on it (Indy) the last five years," said Andretti, whose 40 wins rank him third on the all-time champ car list behind his father, Mario (54) and A.J. Foyt (67). "I want to win that race." Andretti is scheduled to meet with Motorola management this week to get their blessing (and possible associate sponsorship) but it's believed he's already secured a major sponsor for his Indy effort. Andretti will be joining Team Penske and defending CART champ Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves at the Speedway, along with defending champs Target/Ganassi Racing and rookies Bruno Junquiera and Nicolas Minanssian.
GLENN LOWSON PHOTO FOR THE TORONTO STAR
At a meeting of 150 evangelical church leaders in Houston a year ago today, a Church Planting Manifesto was drafted and signed, then sent to other church planters around the world. Here is the manifesto: Whereas, we, an assembly of church leaders in Houston, on this nineteenth day of January, 2007 do acknowledge and affirm that: • We believe the command of Jesus to make disciples of all people is intended for the church today as much as it was intended for the church in the first century. • We recognize that, while it is the nature of the kingdom of God to grow, the population growth of the greater Houston area is increasing faster than the growth of the church, which means that the church is losing ground in the city daily, and this troubles us. • We believe a strategy of starting new churches is a primary way to reach those not yet Christians with the gospel and to help them become fully devoted disciples of Jesus.
First-hand stories from Kenya worry local families
The Bush administration expressed dismay over the turmoil, which erupted over allegations that the government stole the election. "It's a terrible tragedy what happened yesterday to the Kenyans who were fleeing the violence and were killed in the church fire,'' said White House press secretary Dana Perino. "It's hard-pressed to comprehend here how this could have gone so wrong in terms of Kenya being on its way to some stability and then having this election turn into such a violent situation.'' Much of Nairobi was quiet and deserted Wednesday, though clashes continued in the city's giant Mathare slum. Odinga has said he will go ahead with plans to lead a "million man" protest march in the capital Thursday even though the government has banned it. Government spokesman Alfred Mutua downplayed the violence, saying it had only affected about 3 percent of the country's 34 million people.
Daily Blabber Celebrity Gossip Blog from iVillage Entertainment
I can't vouch for this... He seemed to be very knowledgeable and he certainly was very nice. He said Britney was suffering from what he describes as mental issues which are treatable. He said that she has been to a psychiatrist and ... I assume she is starting some kind of treatment. She has been having mood swings. She has been having some kind of trouble sleeping." Sam also said that Brit is back to talking to her mom, and that Lynne Spears is in L.A. helping her daughter. So smart of Britney to have Sam call Barbara. Doesn't, like, the entire world trust what comes out of her mouth? Anyway, I hope it's true and the "psychiatrist" Britney is seeing isn't some sneaky paparazzo in disguise. .
Texas Museum Auctioning Off Prized Mastodon Skull
If the mastodon auction does not cover the judgment, Joe Taylor said local authorities will seize his 10-year-old museum and sell off its contents in February. "We've struggled so long here just to keep this thing going," Taylor said. "We're kind of losing interest. You can just tread water for so long." .
Researchers get clues for ways to attack HIV
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, depends on more than 250 human genes to grow, a finding that reveals the lethal virus' weakness and may lead to new ways to attack it, scientists said. By blocking genes in infected cells, scientists tied the virus' survival to processes of protein transport, entry to the nucleus and cellular self-destruction, Harvard University scientists said in a study released Thursday by the journal Science. With just nine genes that make 15 proteins, HIV must assume control of the protein-making machinery of infected cells to reproduce itself. Drugs that stop cells from cooperating with the lethal virus might be valuable alternatives to those that attack the ever-changing virus directly, said David Baltimore, a California Institute of Technology biologist and HIV researcher.
CRTC outsourcing investigation of telemarketing complaints
Canada's telecommunications regulator is outsourcing the investigation of telemarketing complaints to a third party, a month after turning over the administration of the do-not-call list to Bell Canada. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on Monday said it will issue a request for proposals before the end of February that will solicit bids from parties interested in investigating violations of the do-not-call list and other telemarketing complaints. The winner will work closely with Bell to ensure that complaints are dealt with consistently and in a timely manner, the CRTC said in a statement. All telemarketers, including those exempt from the do-not-call list, will pay an annual fee of $100 to cover the costs of the investigator.
Portland school workers take labor message to school board
According to union leaders, the district is now proposing cutting the wages of returning and newly hired custodians by more than a third. The union thinks those cuts are unfair, and has also asked for cost-of-living increases of 3.5 to 5 percent. They're also asking for prorated healthcare contributions for the 200 or so nutrition workers, whom they say are among the lowest paid in the state. "Aside from the unfairness of trying to extract double-digit pay cuts from people, you'd certainly want to pay at a level that would encourage people to stay," said Ed Hershey, the SEIU's communications director. District spokesman Matt Shelby said the negotiations are progressing. He said the district hired the custodians back at the rate they received when they were laid off, plus a 6-percent raise.
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