Bush Speech Comes Amid High Anxiety

The state of the union is anxious.

In the eighth and final year of George Bush's presidency, Americans have stomach-clenching worries about a recession, soaring fuel costs, huge budget deficits, the war in Iraq, fighting in Afghanistan, a showdown with Iran, global terrorism _ the list goes on and on.

It's a far different world from the one in which Bush first took the oath of office in January 2001. Then the U.S. had a budget surplus, its armed forces were not in active combat and the new president's approval rating stood above 60 percent.

Now, his approval ratings are near the lowest of his presidency, in the low 30s.

Bush is seldom …

Glow for it! ; The streets of North-east communities were lit up with Christmas magic at the weekend.

The streets of North-east communities were lit up with Christmasmagic at the weekend.

The big festive switch-on attracted crowds in Ellon, Inverurie,Banff and, for the first time ever, Aberdeen's Kincorth.

Members of Ellon Community Council staged their outdoor event onSaturday.

Christmas huts, live music and a Santa's grotto delightedchildren of all ages at Neil Ross Square.

Two bands from Ellon's Young People's Project provided music.

Singers from the Haddo Choral Operatic Society and the Ellon PipeBand also added to the special Christmas atmosphere.

Festive prince and princess this year were Katie Stein and JordanRose.

Pupils …

Reduction of Al-induced oxidative damage in wheat

Abstract

Aluminum stress inhibited root growth and caused serious oxidative damage in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings. Under Al stress, added Ca significantly improved root growth, decreased Al, H2O2 and TBARS content and increased O2- generation, Ca content, improved CAT activity, and decreased OXO and FA-POX activity. Interestingly, Ca levels did not have any significant effect on SOD activity under Al stressed condition. Histochemical data also showed that added Ca decreased the accumulation of phenolic compounds synchronously with the reduction of Al and H2O2 content in the Al-stressed roots. Both biochemical and histochemical data revealed that added Ca reduced …

Nigerian militants report more sabotaged oil pipelines

Nigeria's main militant group sabotaged two more oil pipelines Monday during its two-year campaign of attacks on the country's oil industry, a leader of the group told The Associated Press.

The overnight attack in southern Rivers State was against two pipelines believed to be owned by a unit of Royal Dutch Shell PLC, The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta leader said on condition of anonymity to avoid capture by authorities.

Shell said in a statement to The AP that its local joint venture had been informed of an "incident" on a pipeline. It said it had no more details pending an investigation.

The militants' campaign …

NHL Scoring Leaders

…

Through Feb. 28
	GP	G	A	PTS
Daniel Sedin, Van	63	32	47	79
Steven Stamkos, TB	62	41	37	78
Martin St. Louis, TB	62	24	51	75
Henrik Sedin, Van	63	15	59	74
Henrik Zetterberg, Det	63

Marcia Miller, researcher, writer, artist

Marcia E. "Marcy" Miller, 23, of Glenview, a research assistanton an African elephant study, died Monday when a small plane carryingher and two other researchers crashed in northern Botswana, killingall aboard.

Ms. Miller had been working for the Okavango Delta ElephantProject, which was led by her fiance, South African Alistair Torr,who was piloting the plane when it went down.

Torr, a doctoral student, was studying how elephants change theecosystem in the Okavango Delta and was also mapping safariconcessions for the Botswanan government.

Born in Evanston, Ms. Miller was a graduate of St. IgnatiusCollege Prep. She received a degree in museum studies …

Spain OKs extradition of ex-Guatemala minister

MADRID (AP) — A Spanish judge has agreed to extradite to Guatemala a former interior minister charged in the killing of 10 prison inmates.

The final decision on whether to extradite Carlos Vielmann lies with the Spanish government. He holds dual nationality and lives in Madrid.

Vielmann is charged with ordering the execution of 10 inmates — seven in an uprising in 2006 and …