Sri Lankan Human Rights Advisers Quit

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Four prominent activists have resigned from a government advisory panel on human rights, saying Monday that officials were more interested in fighting separatist rebels than protecting human rights.

The 10-member panel, formed last year, hoped to push the government to investigate and prosecute soldiers, police officers and other gunmen blamed for an ongoing wave of assassinations, illegal detentions and disappearances of civilians in the country's civil war.

"It is with deep regret that we note that this has not been the case," said a letter submitted by the four resigning panel members.

"The best efforts of the committee to contribute to …

Commodities weigh on world stocks as dollar rises

Mining and oil stocks pushed world markets lower Monday as the strength of the dollar following weekend comments from Russia's finance minister depressed commodity prices.

In Europe, stock indexes fell quite sharply following earlier losses in Asia, with the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares down 70.58 points, or 1.6 percent, at 4,371.37 and Germany's DAX 106.40 points, or 2.1 percent, lower at 4,962.84. The CAC-40 in France was down 54.28 points, or 1.6 percent, at 3,271.86.

The selling pressure is set to continue when Wall Street opens later. Dow futures were 88 points, or 1 percent, lower at 8,650 while the broader Standard & Poor's 500 …

This Bluebird Happily Nests In a Beautiful Floral Display

This beautiful bluebird will truly bring happiness tocross-stitchers everywhere! Snugly perched in its nest on a floralwreath, the bluebird is the focal point of an intricately shadedcounted cross-stitch picture worked from a chart.

Cotton floss is used on 14-count Aida cloth. When completed,this appealing picture measures 17 by 16 inches. The size makes thedesign suitable for a pillow top as well.

To obtain directions for making the Bluebird Floral Picture,send your request for Leaflet No. Z-082993 with $2 and a long,stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Pat Trexler …

Leading indicators post 1st drop since June 2010

NEW YORK (AP) — A private research group's forecasting gauge suggests some bumps in the U.S. economic recovery this summer.

The Conference Board says its index of leading economic indicators dropped 0.3 percent in April, the first decline since June 2010.

The index has moved steeply higher in four of the past five months as the job market improved and the …

Rays beat Orioles to inch closer to AL East crown

Jason Bartlett doubled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays took another step toward their first AL East title by beating the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 Monday night.

The victory reduced the Rays' magic number for winning the division crown to four after the Red Sox lost to the Indians, 4-3. Any combination of Tampa Bay wins and Red Sox losses totaling four would make the Rays champions of the AL East.

The Rays lead the Red Sox by 2 1/2 games.

Tampa Bay has already clinched a playoff spot for the first time in franchise history. The victory left the Rays (93-62) one win shy of tying the 1991 Atlanta Braves for most …

Restaurants playing chicken with prices Wholesale costs have taken wing in the last year

Monday was a very good day at Yak-Zies on Clark Street.

The Wrigleyville bar was packed for Cubs opening day and thebuffalo wings were selling like, well, hotcakes.

"Two tons yesterday alone," owner Joe Spagnoli said Tuesday.

But chicken-lovers may have a harder time swallowing this:

Wholesale chicken prices have risen sharply in the past year, upby nearly a third, according to industry estimates -- and expertsdon't see that changing anytime soon.

"It's ridiculous," said D.J. Johnson, 52, a South Sidetelecommunications employee shopping Tuesday at the Jewel-Osco inRiver North, where boneless, skinless chicken breasts were sellingfor between $4.99 …

Benefits and Impacts of Using Tactical Sensor Payloads

The U.S. Army is accelerating its effort to develop and field unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the brigade, division and corps levels. This effort will enhance the Army's capability to find, identify, attack and destroy enemy troop concentrations and simultaneously reduce U.S. force vulnerability. The synthetic aperture radar/moving target indicator (SAR/MTI) sensor payload is being developed to perform UAV reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) missions.

Product Manager Robotic and Unmanned Sensors (PM RUS), part of Project Manager Night Vision/Reconnaissance Surveillance and Target Acquisition (PM NV/RSTA) under Program Executive Officer (PEO) Intelligence, …