Britain PM Backs Heathrow Expansion

Prime Minister Gordon Brown backed plans Monday to expand Heathrow airport with a third runway, saying Britain's prosperity depends on improving transportation.

Environmentalists and other critics have opposed the expansion plan, saying it contradicts Britain's pledge to be a world leader in combatting climate change.

Brown said it was imperative to increase capacity at Heathrow. Europe's busiest airport was designed to serve about 45 million passengers a year, but now sees around 68 million.

"Our prosperity depends on it: Britain as a world financial center must be readily accessible from around the world," Brown told a meeting of the …

The Human Race

NOTES FROM NO MAN'S LAND

By Eula Biss

Graywolf Press, 230 pages, $15

Eula Biss is sleep deprived. But that's not unusual for a first-time mother with a newborn who hasn't yet mastered the skill of sleeping through the night.

So for the time being, Biss has had to put her other baby -- nonfiction writing -- on hold.

"I don't have much time now to think about anything else," Biss said, laughing. "I just look forward to having time to take a shower."

But Biss can breathe easy and rest on her laurels for a bit. Her thoughtful new book Notes from No Man's Land is the winner of the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize. In 13 essays, she moves back and …

Chilean Mennonites rebuilding houses and lives five months after earthquake

Nearly a half-year after the Feb. 27 earthquake that devastated their country, Mennonite churches in Chile have been involved in mutual aid among members and in witness to their communities.

One of the worst-hit congregations was Lota Mennonite Church, about 500 kilometres south of the capital Santiago on the Pacific coast. The region near the city of Concepci�n in central Chile, was also hard hit. More than 400 people died in the 8.8 magnitude quake, although no Mennonite members were among them.

According to Roberto Saez, Lota's pastor, the church is rebuilding the homes of four families of the congregation who lived on a hillside full of flimsy wooden houses. They are …

Candid film of Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, others on the set of 'The Misfits' up for auction

Candid footage of Marilyn Monroe on the set of her last completed film, along with memorabilia from other stars and movies, went up for auction Saturday in Las Vegas.

The two reels of silent 8 mm color film shot on the set of "The Misfits" was expected to draw starting bids between $10,000 and $20,000.

The auction also included the original disco ball from "Saturday Night Fever" and an original script of "The Godfather" signed by Marlon Brando. The sale was held by Julien's Auctions at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

The 47-minute film, "On the Set with 'The Misfits,'" was shot by film extra Stanley …

Business confidence in Japan at 2-year high

Major Japanese manufacturers _ riding high from a booming Asia _ haven't felt this good in two years.

A key central bank report released Thursday showed business confidence among Japan's biggest manufacturers improved for a fifth straight quarter, thanks to a global recovery that has bolstered demand for the country's exports.

The Bank of Japan's quarterly "tankan" survey of business sentiment showed the main index for large manufacturers stood at 1. Three months ago it hit minus 14.

The figure represents the percentage of companies saying business conditions are good minus those saying conditions are unfavorable. So the higher the …

Guide's Help Was Generous

Recently, while cruising along Interstate 80-90 as we werereturning from a funeral in Ohio, my wife and I felt very confident.

We had made it to Ohio no problem, and so far everything wasgreat returning. Then my wife said, "You know, this area doesn'tlook familiar." I agreed, taking note of the steel mills and thatelectric-looking train with the wire on top.

We rolled on to a toll both and noticed the Chicago skyline.The Sears Tower we see in the news. Turning to my wife, I said, "Iscrewed up. Somewhere we left I 80-90 and we're only on I-90."

We were trying to get back to Rockport near Joliet.

We pulled to the side and asked a motorist who said, …

Spanish Football Summaries

MADRID (AP) — Summaries from the 15th round of the Spanish league (home team listed first):

Saturday's Games
Getafe 1, Villarreal 0

Getafe: Juan Angel Albin (90).

Halftime: 0-0.

Attendance: 10,000.

Sevilla 1, Almeria …