Polish ex-PM Kaczynski adopts new nice guy image

Call it Jaroslaw Kaczynski 2.0 _ a softer, fuzzier version of the ex- prime minister known for strident ranting against everyone from domestic foes to the European Union.

Kaczynski has traded in his mantra of rooting out suspected ex-communist agents, fostering patriotism and boosting traditional Roman Catholic values for a new message of responsible economic stewardship as Poland faces a cloudy economic future.

In an interview published Monday in the Polska daily, Kaczynski acknowledged that he's trying to adopt a fresh message and look _ efforts that include shedding kilos (pounds) from his famously pudgy physique _ on the advice of public relations …

Convictions strengthen RICO decision

NEW YORK The conviction of six Wall Street professionals onracketeering charges strengthens the government's decision to use thecontroversial tactic to fight white-collar corruption, legal expertssaid Tuesday.

But Monday's guilty verdict on 63 of 64 counts in a case linkedto separate charges against financier Michael Milken doesn't erasequestions about whether prosecutors are misapplying the racketeeringlaw, originally designed to combat the mob.

The U.S. District Court trial of five executives in the defunctinvestment firm Princeton-Newport Partners LP and a former DrexelBurnham Lambert Inc. trader was the first time the statute was usedin a securities …

Bethune-Cookman beats North Carolina Central 67-64

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — C.J. Reed scored 23 points and Kevin Dukes made a key steal as Bethune-Cookman beat North Carolina Central 67-64 on Monday night for its eighth win in nine games.

After Reed made 1 of 2 free throws to give the Wildcats (13-9) a 66-64 lead with 23 seconds remaining, Dukes stole the ball from the Eagles' C.J. Wilkerson and made 1 of 2 free throws at the 0:05 mark.

North Carolina Central (10-10) led 22-10 but was outscored …

Nigerian man charged in Christmas airliner attack

A 23-year-old Nigerian man who claimed to have ties to al-Qaida was charged Saturday with trying to destroy a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day, as authorities learned his father had warned U.S. officials of concerns about his son's religious beliefs.

The suspect claimed to have received training and instructions from al-Qaida operatives in Yemen, a law enforcement official said on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Some airline passengers traveling Saturday felt the consequences of the frightening attack. They were told that new U.S. regulations prevented them from leaving their seats beginning an hour before landing.

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Revoke pensions of Wright and Coelho

Oliver North is found guilty of violating the law and loses his$23,000-a-year pension.

Some say his motives might have been the best, but tsk! tsk! -that's the law.

Former House Speaker Jim Wright (D-Texas) breaks the law for hisprivate purposes, by resigning avoids prosecution, and will receive(in his projected lifetime) an estimated pension of $2.3 milliondollars - $83,070 per year.

Rep. Tony Coelho (D-Calif.) does much the same, retires (dignitycarefully preserved), and will receive $2.5 million dollars at$39,950 per year.

Add to each yearly sum an additional 4 percent cost of livingadjustment that our congressmen thoughtfully voted …

Beware of Asian market syndrome

Last year's economic crisis in Asia went down in history as one of the worst of the past 50 years. Though its effects were felt little here, it devastated the miracle economies of Southeast Asia - Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and, to a lesser extent, Singapore and Japan. All these countries went through a major economic shakedown which is reflected in the dramatic fall in their growth rate. The huge pressure exerted by the crisis on the financial systems of these countries required enormous credit reductions, and several had to turn to the International Monetary Fund for massive aid.

The Asian market crisis came about because investors …

No asterisk needed as Padraig Harrington wins claret jug for 2nd straight year

Padraig Harrington never tires of reading the fine print on the silver claret jug, and as he stood up from a table on Monday at Royal Birkdale, he slowly turned golf's oldest trophy to see his name on consecutive rows.

There were 126 names. It's also worth noting what wasn't on the jug.

"I don't think this champion has anything to worry about with asterisks etched next to his name," Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson said. "He proved that last year."

The bluster at the start of this British Open was whether the winner should get full credit because Tiger Woods couldn't play. That was long forgotten after Harrington …