China, India, South Africa vital for climate deal

The emergence of China, India, South Africa and Brazil as a grouping was the most significant outcome of the climate talks in Copenhagen, the chairman of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said Wednesday.

The Copenhagen Accord _ which urges major polluters to make deeper emissions cuts but does not require it _ emerged principally from President Barack Obama's meeting with the leaders of the four countries, a group referred to as BASIC.

"This is a very significant political development," said Rajendra Pachauri, whose scientific panel shared the Nobel Peace Prize with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore in 2007.

Developed …

Medicare plust Choice - Is the new equation right for you? // Sorting through seniors' latest health plan option

Seniors get ready: You're going to start hearing a lot aboutMedicare Part C - or, as it's going to be commonly known: M+C,Medicare + Choice.

This is an alternative to the traditional Medicare plan that hasbeen in effect since the mid-1960s. It's designed to give you choiceof both medical coverage and costs.

It will save big money for some seniors, but it will requiredoing some homework to see if it offers the right option for you.

Q. What is M+C?

A. An alternative to traditional Medicare Part A and Part B.That is, instead of having deductions taken from your Social Securitycheck to pay for Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient hospitalcare, …

U.S. automakers go it alone in India

Ford hiked its stake in Mahindra Ford India, originally set up as a 50/50 joint venture, to 78% prior to changing the company's name to Ford India Ltd. This share will eventually be lifted to 92.18%, under a proposal already approved by Delhi. Anand Mahindra retains a place on the Ford India board. From now on, however, the new Managing Director Philip Spender and Chairman Terry de Jonckheere will call the shots. …

American League Leaders

BATTING_Kinsler, Texas, .333; Morneau, Minnesota, .323; Mauer, Minnesota, .320; Damon, New York, .319; ARodriguez, New York, .318; Pedroia, Boston, .316; Bradley, Texas, .316.

RUNS_Kinsler, Texas, 84; Pedroia, Boston, 67; Quentin, Chicago, 64; ISuzuki, Seattle, 64; BRoberts, Baltimore, 63; MiYoung, Texas, 63; JDrew, Boston, 63.

RBI_Hamilton, Texas, 95; Quentin, Chicago, 71; Morneau, Minnesota, 68; Youkilis, Boston, 65; JGuillen, Kansas City, 65; Huff, Baltimore, 61; MRamirez, Boston, 61.

HITS_Kinsler, Texas, 134; Pedroia, Boston, 126; ISuzuki, Seattle, 121; Morneau, Minnesota, 119; MiYoung, Texas, 119; Hamilton, Texas, 117; JoLopez, Seattle, …

15-year-old rescued from explosion site

WILHELMSBURG, Austria - Bouyed by the rescue of a 15-year-oldgirl, workers searched today for six missing people believed to beunder the ruins of a three-story apartment building that collapsedin an explosion. Three bodies have already been recovered.

The explosion Thursday in Wilhelmsburg, 30 miles west of Vienna,may have been caused by natural gas, authorities said.

During the night, about 200 firefighters, soldiers, police anddogs searched through the mound of rubble. One woman was brought outalive after medics amputated both her legs to …

Vigorous CISMA 2005 Booth Reservation

As soon as exhibitor invitation started, the China International Sewing Machinery & Accessories Show 2005 (CISMA 2005) met with strong enthusiasm from both domestic and overseas firms in the apparel machinery and accessories fields. Nearly 500 firms from nine countries and territories including Germany, France, the U.S., Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong have forwarded applications for booths. The display area of CISMA 2005 has already reached 30,000 sq. meters.

Among the applicants are many renowned …

Several hoops coaches to go barefoot for charity

Last year, IUPUI's Ron Hunter was the sole coach to go barefoot on the sideline to raise shoes for needy children around the world.

This year, hundreds of foot soldiers have joined the cause.

Samaritan's Feet, the Charlotte, N.C.-based nonprofit organization that distributes the shoes, said more than 300 youth, high school and college coaches have pledged to coach one game barefoot near the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to raise shoes and awareness.

Butler's Brad Stevens, South Dakota State's Scott Nagy, UMKC's Matt Brown, Indiana State's Kevin McKenna and Detroit Mercy's Ray McCallum are among the Division I coaches who will go shoeless, the …