10 die as train derails in Italy

Rescuers work in front of a destroyed building in Viareggio, Italy, early Tuesday after a train carrying gas canisters exploded in the coastal town in northern Tuscany. (Riccardo Dalle Luche/Associated Press)

At least 10 people are dead and 50 injured after a freight train derailed and two cars filled with gas exploded Monday night just outside a station in a small Italian town, police say.

A police official says the explosion engulfed several homes in the north Tuscan town of Viareggio, collapsing one building and setting fire to a vast area.

Seven people were killed when their house collapsed. Two drivers who were on the road alongside the tracks when the train derailed were killed. The 10th victim, a young man, died in hospital.

At least 50 people were hurt вЂ" 35 of whom were admitted to hospital with severe burns вЂ" in the accident, which occurred shortly before midnight local time in the seaside resort community north of Pisa.

The 14-car train carrying the liquefied gas was travelling from the northern city of La Spezia to Pisa.

Some 300 firefighters were battling flames while digging through the rubble of collapsed or burnt homes looking for casualties, said fire Chief Antonio Gambardella. He added that there could be more victims.

Murray wins first indoor match at Wimbledon

Andy Murray of Scotland, foreground, is handed a towel by a ball boy during Monday's match under the roof at Wimbledon. (Alastair Grant/Associated Press)

The first indoor match at Wimbledon proved to be one of the most thrilling.

With a new retractable roof and lights permitting them to play later than anyone in tournament history, third-seeded Andy Murray of Britain prevailed in five sets over No. 19 Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals at the All England Club on Monday.

The Centre Court showdown concluded at 10:39 p.m. local time, surpassing the previous mark of 9:35 p.m.

"It was pretty special," Murray said, who celebrated the victory by swatting a ball so hard it hit the translucent roof.

Murray, a 22-year-old Scotsman, is bidding to become the first Brit to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936.

"I will have a pretty deep sleep after that one," he said, noting the conditions were "very, very heavy and very humid. Sweating so much, when I finished, it was like I had been in a bath."

Roger Federer of Switzerland once again defeated Robin Soderling, 6-4, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5).

Federer never lost serve and hit 23 aces to improved to 11-0 against his Swedish opponent, including a win in the French Open final three weeks ago to clinch a career Grand Slam.

"Today was hard to get through a really dangerous match," Federer said. "Not many rallies, so maybe not as much fun for the people.

"But I stayed calm. Waited for my chance."

Federer, who is pursuing a sixth Wimbledon crown and a record 15th Grand Slam title, told reporters he is playing with more confidence than earlier the year.

"No signs of panics, what I maybe had, you know, six months ago when I played," he said. "I would just feel uneasy.

"I wouldn't be exactly sure what the right plays were. Now I feel perfect."

Elsewhere in the fourth round, it was:

• Novak Djokovic (4), Serbia, over Dudi Sela, Israel, 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.
• Ivo Karlovic (22), Croatia, over Fernando Verdasco (7), Spain, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (9).
• Juan Carlos Ferrero, Spain, upsetting Gilles Simon (8), France, 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2.
• Andy Roddick (6), U.S., over Tomas Berdych (20), Czech Republic, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-3.
• Lleyton Hewitt, Australia, surprising Radek Stepanek (23), Czech Republic, 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
• Tommy Haas (24), Germany, over Igor Andreev (29), Russia, 7-6 (8), 6-4, 6-4.

Two-time defending women's champion Venus Williams of the United States reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the 10th time in her pro career, when Ana Ivanovic was forced to retire early in the second set.

Ivanovic suffered a thigh injury as she served an ace to erase a break point in the opening game of the second set.

"I didn't feel anything up until that point," Ivanovic said. "When I landed, I just felt a sharp pain on my inner thigh and I couldn't step on my leg ever since."

Ivanovic took a 10-minute break to tape her thigh and returned for two more points, but began crying and told the umpire she had to retire with Williams leading 6-1, 0-1.

"I don't even know the last time that I had these circumstances," Williams said, sympathetically. "I don't think ever in a Slam.

"I think she was in a lot of pain. You know me вЂ" I'm one of those players, I just only pay attention to what's going on my side of the net.

"But today, I felt really sad for her actually. She was really upset.

"This is Wimbledon. It's the last place you want to have an injury that you can't overcome, so I'm wishing her a lot of luck in her recovery."

Less than an hour later, Serena Williams joined her elder sibling in the quarters with a dominant 6-3, 6-1 victory over Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.

Serena, known for occasional bouts of sloppiness, was clinical against Hantuchova, committed just 12 unforced errors and converted a whopping 91 per cent of points on first serve.

She is seeking her third Wimbledon title after losing to her sister in last year's final.

Also in women's play, eighth-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus defeated 10th-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-3.

No. 11 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland ended the hopes of surprising American teen Melanie Oudin with a 6-4, 7-5 victory.

Oudin had notched the biggest upset of the tournament so far, beating former No. 1 Jelena Jankovic on Saturday.

Elena Dementieva of Russia also advanced to the quarter-finals with a straight sets win.

Dementieva, seeded fourth, downed compatriot Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-3.

Dementieva reached the semifinals last year, her best Wimbledon showing.

She will next meet Francesca Schiavone of Italy, a 6-2, 7-6 (1) winner over Virginie Razzano of France.

In a battle of teens, Sabine Lisicki of Germany continued a run that has surprised even herself, beating Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-4, 6-4.

Lisicki upended French Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova in her previous match.

Toronto's Daniel Nestor and Serbian partner Nenad Zimonjic are looking to defend their Wimbledon men's doubles title.

The second-seeded pair ousted Britain's Jonathan Marray and Jamie Delado 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 on Monday.

Nestor and Zimonjic take on Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Austrian Oliver Marach in the final eight.

With files from The Associated Press

Plane with 150 on board crashes in Indian Ocean: media reports

A plane with 150 people on board has crashed in the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros, news reports said.

The plane belonged to Yemeni state carrier Yemenia Air, media reports said.

According to Reuters, Comoros Vice-President Idi Nadhoim said, "We don't know if there are any survivors among the 150 people on the plane."

Nadhoim said the accident happened in the early hours of Tuesday, but could not provide further details.

The Airbus 310 was believed to be flying Comoros residents returning from Paris, The Associated Press said.

CNN quoted government officials from Comoros as saying it was unclear whether there were any survivors.

Comoros is located off the eastern coast of Africa between Madagascar and Mozambique.

Toronto FC too much for Red Bulls

Pablo Vitti and Dwayne De Rosario scored as Toronto FC blanked the New York Bulls 2-0 in front of 20,902 raucous fans at BMO Field on Wednesday night.

It marked Toronto's second win in less than two weeks over the Red Bulls, who remain winless on the road in 21 straight matches (0-15-6) вЂ" an MLS record.

Toronto FC prevailed 2-1 over New York on June 13.

Toronto FC was fresh off their finest offensive outing in franchise history, a 6-1 romp over the Montreal Impact that clinched the Voyageurs Cup for the Reds and the right to represent Canada in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Prior to that, Toronto FC had never scored more than four goals in a match.

Vitti, a flamboyant forward from Argentina, opened the scoring 28 minutes into Wednesday's match.

Toronto FC midfielder Nana Attakora chipped the ball neatly over a startled Red Bulls defence with the outside of his right foot to Vitti, who settled it and nodded it over keeper Danny Cepero for his first goal of the season.

Vitti narrowly missed making it 2-0 as he snuck between two defenders and slipped a rebound between Cepero's legs, only to watch the ball dribble wide of the post.

Moments later, De Rosario spun in the box and unleashed a shot that was blocked at the goal-line by defender Andrew Boyens, formerly of Toronto FC.

Toronto FC appeared to strike again in the 52nd minute when forward Chad Barrett tucked De Rosario's centring pass inside the post, but the play was ruled to be offside.

Seven minutes later, De Rosario took Barrett's looping cross off his chest and lofted it over Cepero for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Amado Guevara and Adrian Serioux started for Toronto FC, despite being hobbled by tender ankles.

Serioux received a yellow card after getting into a shoving match with Red Bulls forward Dane Richards in the 78th minute.

With files from The Canadian Press

Manitoba First Nations declare swine flu state of emergency

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has declared a state of emergency in Manitoba First Nations over the swine flu pandemic.

Grand Chief Ron Evans said Wednesday the H1N1 influenza virus, also known as swine flu, is spreading rapidly through native communities. With supplies taking nearly a month to be delivered, Evans said First Nations people are at too much risk вЂ" especially when just getting hand sanitizer is a political and bureaucratic nightmare.

"Enough is enough," he said at a news conference Wednesday.

When the World Health Organization declared H1N1 a pandemic on June 11, it should have triggered the release of government money to buy medicine, organize emergency services and step up the response, said Evans.

By declaring the state of emergency, First Nations ca

South Carolina governor admits affair was behind disappearance

Joel Sawyer, right, grabs South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford arm as he continues to answer questions after he admitted having an affair. (Mary Ann Chastain, Associated Press)

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, whose whereabouts had raised questions earlier this week, admitted Wednesday he had flown to Argentina to meet a woman with whom he had been having a year-long affair.

"I've been unfaithful to my wife," an emotional Sanford said at a news conference Wednesday. "I developed a relationship with what started as a dear, dear friend from Argentina."

Sanford, 49, said he had spent the last five days "crying in Argentina" but the affair is now over.

The governor, considered by some to be a rising star in the Republican party and a possible presidential candidate for 2012, apologized to his wife, Jenny, and his four sons.

Sanford said he revealed the affair to his wife five months ago.

He would not say whether he would resign as governor but said he will step down as head of the Republican Governors Association.

He said he had known the woman for about eight years and had been romantically involved with her for about a year, seeing her three times since the affair began.

"What I did was wrong. Period," he said

Staff gave wrong information

The governor had not been seen in public since June 18, and reporters began asking questions about his whereabouts.

His staff had said he had gone hiking on the Appalachian Trail, something Sanford acknowledged he had told his aides he might be doing. He admitted he never corrected that impression after he left for South America.

"I let them down by creating a fiction with regard to where I was going," Sanford said. "I said that was the original possibility. Again, this is my fault in ... shrouding this larger trip."

When news first broke about his mysterious disappearance, Jenny Sanford told The Associated Press she did not know where her husband had gone for the Father's Day weekend.

His family did not attend the news conference, but his wife issued a statement saying she asked the governor to leave two weeks ago and not contact the family.

The governor said he wants to reconcile with his wife, and Jenny Sanford's statement said her husband has earned a chance to resurrect their marriage.

"This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage," she said.

Sanford's announcement came a day after another prominent Republican, Senator John Ensign of Nevada, apologized to his GOP Senate colleagues after revealing last week that he had an affair with a campaign staffer and was resigning as head of the Republican Policy Committee.

With files from The Associated Press

Drogba scores for Ivory Coast in World Cup qualifier

Chelsea star Didier Drogba scored a 70th-minute goal to help Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 3-2 in a World Cup qualifier Saturday.

Aristide Bance scored for Burkina Faso eight minutes later, but the hosts couldn't equalize to overcome Mamadou Tall's 53rd-minute own goal.

The loss cost Burkina Faso its perfect record in Group E. The Stallions fell three points behind the Elephants, who have nine points in three games.

Yaya Toure scored in the 14th for Ivory Coast before Jonathan Pitroapa tied it 13 minutes later.

Drogba was recently suspended for four club matches in Europe because of his outburst toward the referee after Chelsea was eliminated in the semifinals of the Champions League.

In other African qualifiers, Ghana beat Sudan 2-0, Tunisia and Nigeria remained unbeaten with a 0-0 tie, Morocco was held to a 0-0 draw by Togo, Algeria beat Zambia 2-0, and Cameroon's match at Gabon was postponed.

On Sunday, Mali hosts Benin and Guinea hosts Malawi.

Ghana stayed perfect at Omdurman, Sudan, with nine points from three games.

Matthew Amoah of Dutch team NAC Breda scored twice for Ghana to put the Black Stars up six points up on second-place Benin in Group D. Ghana beat the United States to advance out of the group stage in 2006 before losing 3-0 to Brazil.

The top team in each of the five groups qualifies for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

In Rades, Tunisia, both teams failed to capitalize on a number of chances, leaving Tunisia with seven points, two ahead of Nigeria at the top of Group B.

Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama saved a header by Saif Ghezal in the seventh minute, and Michael Eneramo missed a chance for the visitors following a cross from Peter Osaze Odemwingie in the 81st.

In the other Group B game, Kenya got a penalty from Parma's McDonald Mariaga in the 76th minute at Nairobi for a 2-1 win over Mozambique that gave the host its first points in qualifying.

In Rabat, Morocco, Mounir El Hamdaoui missed a penalty in the 32nd minute for the hosts, leaving them third with two points, one back of second-place Togo in Group A. El Hamdaoui led the Dutch league in scoring with 24 goals for champion AZ Alkmaar.

Togo was without suspended Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Group leader Gabon's match with Cameroon was rescheduled for September due to the state funeral of dictator Omar Bongo. Gabon leads the group with six points, Cameroon has one.

Algeria beat host Zambia 2-0 in Chililabombwe on goals by Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra in the 20th minute and Rafik Saifi in the 65th. Algeria leads Group C.

10 killed in Saturday election protests: Iranian state media

Supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi set fire to a barricade as they protest in Tehran on Saturday. (Associated Press)

At least 10 people were killed Saturday in violent clashes in Tehran, while authorities arrested the daughter and four other relatives of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of the most powerful men in Iran, state media reported.

State television reported Sunday that 10 "rioters" were killed in clashes with police during protests Saturday. The report brings the death toll вЂ" by the state's official count вЂ" to 19 during a week of post-election unrest.

Iran's Press TV, which is only broadcast outside the country, reported that 13 died Saturday and labelled them as "terrorists." There was no explanation for the discrepancy in the reports.

Amnesty International cautioned that it was "perilously hard" to verify the casualty tolls. Iran has imposed strict restrictions on journalists in the country, and has expelled almost all foreign reporters.

State media also reported that rioters set fire to two gas stations and a mosque, and also attacked a military post on Saturday. They quoted the deputy police chief claiming officers did not use live ammunition to dispel the crowds.

It is not clear if those clashes accounted for the reported deaths.

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran on Saturday, despite stern orders from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the cessation of anti-government gatherings. Khamenei on Friday ordered opposition leaders to end the protests or be held responsible for any bloodshed. He said Iranians must accept the June 12 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, shown here in August 2008, has lambasted President Ahmadinejad's handling of the economy. (Vahid Salemi/Associated Press)

Official results showing Ahmadinejad won by a two-to-one margin over former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi sparked a week of massive street protests by opposition supporters who allege the presidential vote was rigged.

Powerful former president

Press TV also reported that Rafsanjani's daughter, Faezeh Hashemi, was arrested late Saturday. She has spoken out in support of Mousavi and addressed his supporters at a rally on Tuesday. The identities of the four other Rafsanjani relatives who were detained were not immediately known, nor is it clear if those arrested have since been released.

Rafsanjani, 75, has spoken out repeatedly against Ahmadinejad, who in turn has accused Rafsanjani and his supporters of corruption. Rafsanjani, who heads two powerful councils, has worked alongside Mousavi throughout the election campaign.

Rafsanjani's leadership of the Assembly of Experts is particularly significant. The council is made up of senior clerics who can elect and dismiss the supreme leader. The second is the Expediency Council, a body that arbitrates disputes between parliament and the unelected Guardian Council, which can block legislation.

"Rafsanjani believes that Khamenei has lost his capability to run the country, and they have to replace him," Ali Reza Nourizadeh, the director of the London-based Centre for Arab-Iranian studies, told CBC News.

Rafsanjani has the support of a significant number of Iranians, said Nourizadeh.

"Yesterday [protesters] were chanting 'Death to Khamenei,' and that is the first time in 10 days," he said.

Meanwhile, former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami, who is also a Mousavi supporter, said Sunday that having the Guardian Council oversee the election dispute was not a solution, according to state media.

"Referring the dispute to a body which has not been impartial regarding the vote, is not a solution," Khatami said in a statement, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

With files from The Associated Press

Mats Sundin to skip Olympics: report

A Swedish newspaper is reporting that Sweden's captain Mats Sundin will not compete for his country in the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

Veteran centre Mats Sundin will reportedly not play for defending champion Sweden in the Olympic hockey tournament next year.

'There will be no Olympics in Vancouver for me next year,' Sundin was quoted as saying Sunday on the Swedish newspaper Expressen's website. 'I will not change my mind,' Sundin told the newspaper. 'I think it's time that the next generation takes over. We have many good players.'

The 38-year-old Sundin, who played for the Vancouver Canucks last season after spending most of his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was one of Sweden's key players in the 2006 Turin Olympics. Sweden beat Finland in the final for its second gold since 1994.

'It was the perfect ending of a long career for Sweden, to lead the Swedish team against the best in the world and win Olympic gold for the first time when all teams had their stars playing. I could not have dreamed of a better scenario.'

Sundin said he is still pondering about his future in the NHL and did not rule out playing another season with Vancouver.

'Absolutely,' he was quoted as saying when asked if he might play again with the Canucks. 'I will think about my future the next couple of weeks. I will make a decision in the summer. I can't say more right now.'

The Facts You Need To Know About Adopting A Dog

The Facts You Need To Know About Adopting A Dog
 by: Niall Kennedy
Mum, dad, can we get a puppy? Its a plea that may parents will know only too well. How do you go about adopting a dog to make suure that the dog is happy and there isn't too much upheaval in your home?
If you are thinking of adding a dog to your family, consider adopting your new best friend from an animal shelter or humane society. You'll not only get a good feeling from helping a homeless pet, you'll get an outstanding companion. The staff at these organizations carefully check the animals for sound health and good temperament. In addition, some shelter animals have had the benefit of training to develop good manners while they waited for a new home.
Through no fault of their own, a lot of great dogs wind up in animal shelters hoping for a second chance at happiness. People relinquish their pets to shelters when they are no longer able to care for them. Sometimes this is because the owner was unprepared for the responsibility that comes with caring for a dog. Often, however, caring owners struggling with life-changes or trying to cope with family tragedy realize their pet would be better off with someone else. They bring them to the shelter because they know the animal will be well cared for and placed in an excellent home.
You can find just about any age, size and breed of dog at an animal shelter. So, if you have your mind set on a puppy, a shelter is a good place to look. However, if you would like a more mature dog that is likely already housebroken, you'll also find these kinds of canines at the humane society or animal center.
Upon arrival, shelter staff carefully evaluate each animal for physical and behavioral soundness. They make note of quirks, and work with specialists to eliminate negative behaviors. Most shelters have adoption counselors who interview potential adopters to understand their needs and lifestyle.
This is nothing to worry about - the counselor just wants to make sure that so they can make the perfect match for dog and owner.
This is an opportunity for you to find out about the dogs at the shelter too. There are a number of questions you should ask the counselor. Why is the dog available? Does the dog have any behavior problems? How is the dog with other animals and children? Does the dog have any health problems? Is the dog spayed or neutered already?
You will find it easy to pick your new dog with this expert advice. In fact your only problem may be not taking all the dogs home with you!
Bringing your newly adopted dog home is exciting for you, but may be a little overwhelming for her. Keep her on a leash as you take her from room to room, giving her plenty of opportunity to sniff. You may want the first stop on your tour to be the backyard or wherever you want her to relieve herself. The excitement of a car ride and coming to a new place can give her the need to empty her bowels or bladder.
Dogs are creatures of habit, so the sooner you establish a firm routine, the more comfortable your new dog will become. Always feed her in the same spot and at about the same time each morning. You'll find she grows to anticipate "what comes next." For example, if you always feed her after you bring in the newspaper, you'll notice she becomes very excited when you open the door to step outside. Dogs catch on quickly.
Remember, though, the reason why many dogs are in animal shelters in the first place. If you don't have the commitment to look after the dog properly, think again.

The Dreadful Migraine

The Dreadful Migraine
 by: David Chandler
A migraine is a throbbing or pulsating headache that is often one sided (unilateral) and associated with nausea; vomiting; sensitivity to light, sound, smells; sleep disruption, and depression. Attacks are often recurrent and tend to become less severe as the migraine sufferer ages.
Types
Migraines are classified according to the symptoms they produce. The two most common types are migraine with aura and migraine without aura. Less common types include the following: Basilar artery migraine, Carotidynia, Headache-free migraine, Ophthalmoplegic migraine, Status migraine.
Some women experience migraine headaches just prior to or during menstruation. These headaches, which are called menstrual migraines, may be related to hormonal changes and often do not occur during pregnancy. Other women develop migraines for the first time during pregnancy or after menopause.
Incidence and Prevalence
Migraines afflict about 24 million people in the United States. They may occur at any age, but usually begin between the ages of 10 and 40 and diminish after age 50. Some people experience several migraines a month, while others have only a few migraines throughout their lifetime. Approximately 75% of migraine sufferers are women.
Causes
The cause of migraine is unknown. The condition may result from a series of reactions in the central nervous system caused by changes in the body or in the environment. There is often a family history of the disorder, suggesting that migraine sufferers may inherit sensitivity to triggers that produce inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves around the brain, causing pain.
Signs and Symptoms
Migraine pain is often described as throbbing or pulsating pain that is intensified by routine physical activity, coughing, straining, or lowering the head. The headache is often so severe that it interferes with daily activity and may awaken the person. The attack is debilitating, and migraine sufferers are often left feeling tired and weak once the headache has passed.
A migraine typically begins in a specific area on one side of the head, then spreads and builds in intensity over 1 to 2 hours and then gradually subsides. It can last up to 24 hours, and in some cases, several days.

The Witches' Market

The Witches' Market
 by: Thomas Carroll
"Son para dinero y trabajo," the plump little witch raises the talismans to eye level. "Con estos tu tendras buena suerte."
Magic talismans for money and jobs? Do they work? Of course not, but I need all the luck I can get, so I purchase the talismans for five Bolivianos. Darn cheap if they'll do as claimed. Depositing the new toys in my leather shoulder bag I continue down the street, with my wife teasing me to the tune of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." She says that I have the hat, jacket and bag similar to Indiana Jones', but lack the bullwhip and gun. I left those in the States. The cobbled street of Calle Linares hosts a crowded line of unusual stores collectively known as El Mercado de las Brujas, The Witches' Market, located in downtown La Paz, and it sums up Bolivia's strangeness quite well. Bolivia is where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and revolutionary Che Guevara all met their fate. This is where the British ambassador to Bolivia was strapped naked to a donkey, paraded around the capital, and forced to eat a huge quantity of chocolate after declining the local drink 'chicha.' This is where the original Garden of Eden is located (or so the locals colorfully exclaim). This is where the Salt Palace sits, a hotel made entirely of, well -- salt. And this is where a young girl in Aymara dress, sitting amidst an array of several curiosities, offers my wife and I a dried llama foetus to protect our house against evil spirits. I nod my approvement, Veronica makes a face and shakes her head.
"Por favor entren," with a slight bow the girl opens her hands to the store's entrance. "Hay muchas mas cosas adentro."
The untidy place looks like something out of a horror movie. Mounted animal heads glare at me with unseeing eyes, feathers and potions adorn the tables, herbs spill from their dirty bags onto the wooden floor as a dog sniffs the powerful smells. I examine the items in no particular order as the girl offers them. For luck with a new business enterprise I can buy a llama foetus burnt on a plate of sweets and herbs -- too big to pack. The love amulet is to get married -- don't need that one. An amulet of a naked couple embracing to improve the sex life -- hhhmmmmm. Dried frogs for more money, armadillos to prevent thieves from entering the house, love potions, magic charms, animal skins, medicines and remedies used in Aymara traditions are all for sale -- what should I choose?
I notice a large collection of different colored candles. Intent upon making several sales the girl provides me with an explanation of their powers. They are made of animal wax and when burned release their magical properties. The blue candle is for good luck with work, yellow - health, green - money, purple - happiness, black wards off evil spirits, only to be used in a cemetary covered by night, white - protection... With reverence I pull the black candle off its shelf . "Look at this Vero! This is what we need." "Hey Indiana," she looks up from the naked couple amulet. "I don't think so."
Where did I leave my bullwhip?
If the black candle is going to cause problems a few talismans will have to do. I load up ten more in my shoulder bag, making sure that I include the toad talisman for good luck with money, and the deity talisman for buena suerte with jobs.
But do they actually work? Well, you're reading this article.

SIDEBAR
Name: El Mercado de las Brujas/Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches' Market)
Street Location: Calle Linares, between Calle Sagarnaga and Santa Cruz
City: La Paz
Country: Bolivia
The Witches' Market is only a couple of blocks from Plaza San Fransisco, behind the Iglesia San Fransisco, and near the Museo de la Coca. From the centre of La Paz, Plaza Murillo, a taxi ride to the market will cost about 8 - 10 Bolivianos for one or two people, and about four more Bolivianos for each additional person. A vast array of unique and highly unusual items are for sale at the Market, many of which are used in Aymara traditions and to honor the earth goddess Patchamama. Bargain with the vendors and shop around to purchase merchandise at a lesser price.

Italy, Brazil wary of Confederations Cup upsets

Italian coach Marcello Lippi talks to reporters on Wednesday. (Antonio Calanni/Associated Press)

It hardly comes as a surprise that Italy and Brazil are one win away from booking their places in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

The Italians meet Egypt in Johannesburg on Thursday (CBCSports.ca, 2 p.m. ET) while the Brazilians meet the United States in Pretoria (CBC Bold, CBCSports.ca, 9:55 a.m. ET) with a place in the final four at stake for the two perennial soccer powerhouses.

But neither Italy, the reigning World Cup holders, nor South American champions Brazil are taking victory for granted, not after they both looked far from impressive in their respective opening games of the tournament.

The Brazilians needed an injury-time penalty from Kaka to secure a 4-3 win over Egypt on Monday while Italy had to come from behind to earn a 3-1 victory over the United States, who played the majority of the game with only 10 men after midfielder Ricardo Clark earned a red card.

Italian coach Marcello Lippi, who said he plans to make several changes to his starting lineup against the Americans, heaped praise on Egypt and said he expects a tough outing against the African champions.

"It is going to be another really tough match, considering how they played against Brazil," Lippi told reporters. "I know their team well, and I really like the way their coach handles his team."

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is expected to return in central defence after missing the opener because of a calf injury, but Lippi was tight-lipped about Giuseppe Rossi, the New Jersey-born forward who came off the bench to score a pair of second-half goals against the Americans.

"You don't think I'm aware of what they're worth?" Lippi bristled when asked whether he has the courage to start the 22-year-old Rossi.

"You don't think I know who Giuseppe Rossi is? I called him up a year ago from the under-21 team.

"He is the only player that has creativeness and fantasy in attack, and I put him on at the right time. But that doesn't mean that now he is going to play all the time."

Egypt coach Hassan Shehata said he was pleased that his team pushed Brazil to the limit and that it gives his players confidence going into the game against Italy

"We thank God for this result, but we have to be reasonable," Shehata said. "After all, we lost the match. Even so, we will gain motivation and all players believe now that there is no impossible in football."

'This match should come as a warning'

As for Brazil, they're still bemoaning the fact that they conceded a pair of goals early in the second half to let Egypt back into the game and tie the score 3-3.

"There is no doubt that this match should come as a warning," midfielder Gilberto Silva said. "I don't remember Brazil allowing two goals in one minute, and it's been a long time since we allowed three goals in a match.

"It should be a warning for all of us so it doesn't happen again."

Like Egypt, the U.S. would be eliminated from contention with a loss against Brazil, but coach Bob Bradley isn't too worried.

"We've given examples of situations where teams won the first game and maybe started thinking too far ahead and ultimately paid the price," Bradley said. "We've seen examples of teams that lost the first game and still understood there are two more games to advance.

"The way our group is looking, a point in this game may not be enough, so you take the game as it comes. But certainly, the idea is to play and find the three points."

With files from The Associated Press

McPherson, Alouettes too much for Argonauts

Adrian McPherson passed for 110 yards and ran for a touchdown to lead the Montreal Alouettes past the Toronto Argonauts 37-24 in the first CFL exhibition game for both teams Wednesday night.

McPherson, getting the start with incumbent Anthony Calvillo not dressed, completed nine-of-12 passes to stake Montreal to a 21-7 lead in the first half.

The former Florida State star also ran seven times for 68 yards before giving way to Chris Leak in the second half in front of a sparse gathering of 18,241 with the roof closed on a rainy night at the Rogers Centre.

McPherson impressively moved Montreal's offence, effectively mixing the run with the pass.

McPherson's performance won't move him up the depth chart вЂ" Calvillo was the CFL's outstanding player last year вЂ" but provide the defending East Division champions with solid insurance should Calvillo be injured.

Rookie Ricky Santos cemented the win with a six-yard TD run and connected with Brandon Whittaker on the two-point convert with 3:21 remaining to play.

Lowber suffers neck injury

Play was halted for about 15 minutes late in the third quarter after Toronto rookie receiver Todd Lowber suffered a neck injury.

Lowber, who didn't play football at Ramapo, a college in New Jersey, required a neck brace and his head to be stabilized before being carted off the field.

However, he was able to move both his arms and legs.

Kerry Joseph's three-yard TD strike to Tyler Scott at 14:54 of the second cut Montreal's half-time lead to 21-17, a score that flattered Toronto considering the Alouettes blocked two punts in the first half.

Joseph finished nine-of-19 passing for 123 yards and two TD tosses while running six times for 60 yards.

19-year-old charged in La Ronge apartment fire deaths

A family perished as a result of an early morning apartment fire on May 26 in La Ronge, Sask. (Tom Roberts/CBC)

A 19-year-old man is facing three charges of manslaughter and one charge of arson in relation to a devastating apartment building fire three weeks ago in the northern Saskatchewan community of La Ronge.

Blake David Norman of La Ronge is scheduled to make an appearance in provincial court on Thursday morning, RCMP said Wednesday.

He was arrested outside of La Ronge, a community of 2,725 about 380 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.

The fire broke out on May 26 at a four-storey apartment complex on the 100 block of Nunn Street, killing residents Justin Charles, 20, Marsha McKenzie, 19, and their four-month-old child, Jeremy Charles. Justin and Jeremy Charles were confirmed dead at the scene; McKenzie died in hospital.

The 911 call went out at around 12:25 a.m. CT.

Shuttle carrying Canadian Payette cleared to launch

The space shuttle Endeavour will launch Saturday with Canadian astronaut Julie Payette on board. Here, it is shown blasting off in November 2008. (Marta Lavandier/Associated Press)

NASA officials have given the green light for seven astronauts including Canadian Julie Payette to take off on the space shuttle Endeavour on Saturday morning.

Pierre Jean, director of the Canadian Space Station Program, said the mission to the International Space Station marks a milestone for Canada.

"It's an expansion in our growth in and exploration of space," he said.

The mission countdown started Wednesday morning and Endeavour is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:17 a.m. ET on Saturday.

NASA officials are forecasting sunny skies on Saturday morning and say the probability that bad weather will cause the launch to be delayed is low.

Payette was the first Canadian to visit the station in 1999. In the upcoming mission, she's on track to join Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk, who is already aboard. This would be the first time two Canadians have been in space at once.

Thirsk has completed one month of a six-month stay on the space station, marking the first time a Canadian has participated in a long duration space flight.

'Sense of pride'

Payette will play an important role in the upcoming mission. As a flight engineer, she'll be operating three robotic arms on the station вЂ" the Canadarm 1, the Canadarm 2, and the new arm that is to be installed on the Kibo laboratory.

Payette's husband, Billie Flynn, told CBC News that Payette's role in the mission is a huge honour.

"She's earned her place as a flight engineer on the mission. Unique. Perhaps less than a handful of astronauts have got that before," he said.

"And there's a sense of pride that she has earned their respect and been given that position on the mission. And you can just tell she's really, really excited."

If all goes according to plan, the shuttle will take the astronauts and a piece of the station's Japanese-designed Kibo laboratory to the space station.

During the 16-day mission, the astronauts will work with the crew of six already on the station to install a robotic arm and two platforms on the Kibo laboratory and perform five space walks.

No corners cut: NASA

One platform will remain permanently attached to the station and will function like a porch for experiments that require direct exposure to space. The other will be used for experiments that are to be performed during the upcoming mission. It's designed to return to Earth with the shuttle.

Saturday's launch is scheduled just a few weeks after the shuttle Atlantis returned from its mission to repair the Hubble telescope.

Shuttle launch director Pete Nickolenko said NASA officials had to work hard to make the deadline, but he's confident no corners were cut in the rush.

One major task that had to be completed between the two missions was inspecting the shuttle Atlantis for damage or problems. Atlantis experienced a few difficulties on its mission to repair the Hubble, including the partial failure of a device related to a power loss during launch.

Inspectors have concluded the problems are not likely to occur again during Endeavour's mission to the space station.

"We feel very confident in our orbital wiring," Nickolenko said. "Nothing's really showing up that's unusual."

At least 16 killed in Ivory Coast mudslide

At least 16 people were killed in a poor neighbourhood of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Friday when a mudslide buried their rickety homes.

An Associated Press reporter at the scene has counted 16 bodies that have been removed from the rubble. Rescue teams are still searching the mud for bodies in the West African country.

Friday's mudslide followed heavy rains the night before, which caused the hillside in the neighbourhood of Atecoube, where the homes were located, to become unstable.

Located between Liberia and Ghana, Ivory Coast is home to thousands of UN and French peacekeepers sent to uphold a 2007 peace agreement between rebels and the government.

RCMP review officer's actions in Beers impaired driving case

Alexander Beers leaves a Moncton court on June 2. (CBC)

New Brunswick RCMP are reviewing the actions of a police officer who is accused of intimidating a young man into taking a breathalyzer after a 14-year-old girl was killed in July 2007.

Alexander Beers, 20, was found not guilty of impaired driving causing death on Thursday after the Crown prosecutor was unable to introduce any new evidence or witnesses to support the case.

Judge George Rideout ruled in May that the breathalyzer test Beers took after the accident was not admissible. The man's lawyer argued he was bullied by an officer into taking the test.

Codiac RCMP Supt. Wayne Gallant said the entire case is being reviewed but he would not say whether the officer involved that night would face any disciplinary action.

"It's still too early to say [whether disciplinary action will be taken] … we'll do a complete review of the case. Our criminal operations section in Fredericton will be involved in that," Gallant said.

Crown considers appeal

Beers was charged in connection with the death of 14-year-old Satara Steeves, who was killed as she walked along the Ryan Road in July 2007.

Jeff Mocker, the Crown prosecutor in the case, said the judge's decision to toss out the breathalyzer test left him without a case.

"I'm not sure that there were any other options available," he said. "We've got 30 days to consider an appeal, and if we decide not to appeal, then I would think that's the end of the road."

Members of the Steeves family left the Moncton courtroom on Thursday angry over the decision.

Annette Steeves, Satara's mother, said the ruling means there will be no closure for the family.

"No, absolutely none, absolutely none. It's unbelievable the way we've been treated," Steeves said.

"It's crazy It's sad. It's a sad system that we have."

Cottagers call 'time out' for Sylvan Lake development

In the Alberta resort town of Sylvan Lake, the debate is growing over the pace of development.

The town of Sylvan Lake has doubled in the past 10 years and now several developments are proposed for lakefront and near the lake.

The most controversial is Skyy Country Resort, an RV park with more than 400 year-round lots, plus 84 daily recreational vehicle spots. If the development passes third reading in front of Lacombe County council, work could start next summer.

Project spokesman Lance Dzaman said Alberta Environment and the counties west of Red Deer are doing a good job of monitoring the lake.

"If you look around the lake, on a huge percentage of the days, the lake is quite quiet. On those real hot odd days a year when it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is busy. It's not beyond what the capacity of the lake can handle."

Time out for Sylvan Lake?

A group of cottage owners with the website savesylvanlake.ca is lobbying to stop development until there is a sustainability plan for the whole lake.

Kent Williamson, a member of the group, has been coming to Sylvan since 1961.

Sitting on his deck on a sunny June afternoon, Williamson said the lake is unique in that the water doesn't flow in and out, but stays put for 100 years.

"We need a time out for Sylvan Lake. We need time out to develop the plan and to make sure that when we do development that it will be with the best models possible."

Williamson said his group is worried too many developments could destroy the water quality leading to blue-green algae, swimmers itch or even dead fish.

The group believes some developments are being pushed through before the province's Land Use Framework comes out.

Susan Samson, the mayor of the town, said part of the problem is each of the local governments in the area вЂ" a town, two counties and five summer villages вЂ" is making its own decisions.

She worries the quality of the water will diminish as more people move in.

"We're all watching because we have so much at stake. If it goes sideways in terms of property values, in terms of loss of a major recreation area and the loss to all Albertans. So it's a balancing act at best," she said.

Growing demand for Sylvan

Terry Engen, the reeve of the County of Lacombe, said while the county isn't hurrying development, it is not put any projects on hold either.

"We deal with requests for land changes on a regular basis and this is no different than any other request," he said of the Skyy Country Resort proposal.

Annabelle Wiseman, mayor of the summer village of Jarvis Bay, said the local governments do work together.

"We have a Sylvan Lake management plan where all eight of us sit down usually every two months or so, and we've done a study on the lake, an access study and also a water quality study. So we've got some pretty good baselines as to what the lake is and it's maintaining its quality."

Jim Jardine has been a realtor in Sylvan for 31 years. He says with the central location and the quality of the lake, many people want a piece of the action.

"It's growing and it's growing quickly, but I think we're managing it well and it will be fine. People are going to want to come here and you can't take that demand away."

Mark Rererson said more people means more business at his restaurant Pizza at the Beach.

"You can't stop growth. The town's growing a little too fast, but you take the good with the bad."

Nadal hopes sore knees will heal in time for Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal answers questions after his upset loss in Paris to Robin Soderling. (Berant Armangue/Associated Press)

Rafael Nadal will travel to London later this month, but if his knees aren't 100 per cent, the world's No. 1-ranked player says he won't be defending his Wimbledon title.

Nadal, who says he's been playing for months with pain in his knees, made the announcement on his website after two days of medical tests in Barcelona.

"I am going to give my 200 per cent to be ready for the most important tournament in the world, the tournament I always dream about," he said. "I will not go out and play, especially on the Wimbledon Centre Court, if I am not 100 per cent ready."

The Spaniard said the pain in his knees was limiting his movement and that he "simply can't go on like this."

"I have two difficult weeks ahead of me, especially because I won't be doing what I like doing most, which is to play tennis, but I will be working on my recovery through physiotherapy treatments as well as recovery work on the specific muscular area," Nadal said.

His doctor, Angel Ruiz-Cotorro, said Nadal is suffering from tendonitis in both kneecaps.

The four-time French Open champion was expected to defend his title earlier this month on the clay courts at Roland Garros, but he was upset in the fourth round by Sweden's Robin Soderling.

Nadal withdrew from a grass-court warmup event at Queen's Club this week because of his knees.

Wimbledon begins June 22.

Man seriously hurt in Toronto shelter fire

Careless smoking may have caused a fire at a rooming house in dowtown Toronto that left one man in critical condition in hospital, fire officials say.

The blaze broke out in a second-floor apartment at the Fred Victor Centre around 7 p.m. ET Monday.

Residents stood on Queen Street East near Jarvis Street, watching as smoke shot out of a window.

Nearby, medical staff worked on a man on a stretcher, before rushing him to hospital.

The man, 42, was discovered as firefighters searched the building.

A firefighter was treated for minor smoke inhalation.

The centre provides housing for nearly 200 men and women who have been homeless or living in extreme poverty. Rent is geared to their income.

Residents live in shared apartments, with four or six bedrooms.

Screen time

Two young children watch television at home. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

When I first met television writer Jason Lewis six years ago, we bonded over a shared love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. However, while I had watched that series semi-regularly on cable, Lewis had seen every single episode on DVD.

He clearly had the edge over me. He could plow through a complete season in one week if he wanted to; he didn’t have to endure a barrage of commercials; and he often had a stronger sense of a season's story arc than I’d gleaned from my fragmented viewing.

Online television is still the next big thing, but it has been held back by a combination of factors.

Back then, I didn’t even own a DVD player and I figured Lewis’s way of watching must be the wave of the future. Today, I finally have a player вЂ" just in time for the tech pundits to predict the demise of the DVD in favour of online TV. That got me wondering if my friend was once again ahead of the curve. Was he downloading shows from his computer now? Did he catch episodes of his favourite series on his laptop or iPhone?

It turns out his habits haven’t changed. “Since I spend all day every day working on my laptop, I loathe watching TV and movies on it,” Lewis tells me. “The screen is small, the sound is poor вЂ" unless I use headphones вЂ" and also it makes me feel like I’m at work to watch things this way. Call me old fashioned, but I like piling onto the sofa to watch my TV.”

He’s not alone. A survey last year by CBC’s research department discovered that Canadians still spend 97 per cent of their TV-viewing time watching the old-fashioned way. The survey, conducted among English-speaking adults across Canada, also revealed that 87 per cent of that viewing was “live” вЂ" i.e., scheduled вЂ" television programming. This, despite the fact that Canadians are world leaders when it comes to online consumption, watching more video via the internet than the French, Germans, Brits and Americans.

The CBC survey jibes with findings in the U.S., where a recent Nielsen report revealed that close to 99 per cent of television programming in the States is still viewed traditionally on a TV set.

But that’s not to say the pundits are wrong. Online television is still the next big thing, but so far it has been held back by a combination of factors. One is availability. Canadian networks are just starting to stream popular prime-time programs like Grey’s Anatomy and House on their websites. Apple only just made a bevy of hit shows available for downloading in Canada. And the treasure trove of content on the big U.S. network website Hulu.com, a joint venture of NBC Universal and Fox, still can’t be accessed in Canada due to international rights issues.

A Japanese model displays a PlayStation Portable (PSP), which comes equipped with a digital TV tuner. (Yoshikazu Isuno/AFP/Getty Images)

Then there’s the technology. For those like Lewis, who balk at watching on a laptop, there are various computer-TV hookup options. They include Apple TV, a box that gives you access to programs from iTunes, and gaming systems like the Xbox 360 that do double-duty as an online portal. But these methods require external gadgets вЂ"manufacturers have been slow to roll out television sets with built-in internet connections. Meanwhile, streaming long-form video on mobile devices is still unreliable.

“We are in the early stages of transition,” says Kaan Yigit, president of Solutions Research Group, which tracks consumer trends. His data shows that 41 per cent of Canadian internet users have sampled online TV. But most of that is just snacking вЂ" a two-minute taste of Tina Fey spoofing Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live, or a one-minute bite of Bruno mooning Eminem at the MTV Movie Awards. However, our appetites are growing. Since 2006, the number of Canadians watching short videos online has doubled.

SRG's research also reveals that, while people are still mainly watching TV on sets, how they watch it has changed. That cozy image of Mom, Dad, Sis and Junior hunkered down in front of the box is pure nostalgia, Yigit says. “Sure the TV is on, but [it’s] not always dominating the viewer attention as it used to. The bar for engagement is higher.” Today, every family member is likely to have a personal viewing device, whether a laptop or a BlackBerry or a Nintendo DS. “With multiple screens going at the same time, the battle is not for eyeballs,” Yigit says, “but the attention of the person in the room.”

It sounds like just the latest chapter in the ongoing fragmentation of TV viewership. It began in the 1980s, with the cable explosion (the so-called “500-channel universe”) and the introduction of the videocassette recorder. Today, DVDs and online fare have been added to the menu, while the VCR has been replaced by the personal video recorder, which can “time-shift,” or rearrange, on-air programming to suit the viewer’s schedule.

While Americans are the bigger PVR users вЂ" according to Neilsen, 30 per cent of U.S. households have one вЂ" Canadian use is increasing. Ownership has more than doubled since 2006, to 13 per cent. The CBC survey shows that, of the various personal TV technologies вЂ" including DVD recorders and cable video-on-demand вЂ" the PVR is the firm favourite.

Two people walk past a 2007 advertisement for Apple's Apple TV. The unit enables viewers to stream digitally downloaded video from a desktop or laptop computer to a television. (Tony Avelar/AFP/Getty Images)

“PVR penetration is still relatively low, but owners clearly integrate it into their daily TV viewing experience,” reports Mark Allen, CBC’s manager of industry analysis.

Yigit is predicting that PVR use will continue to increase, but only for the next few years. He says it’s already being supplanted by online streaming, especially with younger viewers. “When you miss a show, you can go to, say, GlobalTV.com, and watch for free.” The CBC survey backs him up. It found that Generation Y вЂ" people aged 18 to 28 вЂ" is the biggest consumer of internet TV, watching it an average of 2.2 hours a week.

SRG focus groups suggest that Gen Y viewers are migrating away from the TV set and the broadcast schedule. They favour convenience over quality. Others have noticed that, too. “They don’t seem to have a problem watching low-res video on their cellphones,” says Lewis, who is in his 30s. “I just can’t do it... sound and picture quality is certainly a concern for me.”

However, that may be more reflective of their transient lifestyles than a harbinger of a viewing sea change. When today’s 20-year-olds hit their 30s, start buying homes and having babies, they could be drawn back to the big screen. Even those in the online TV biz think the death of the traditional television is a long way off.

“You don’t really see any houses being built without a living room and a spot for the TV and sofa,” jokes Trevor Doerksen, founder and CEO of Calgary-based MoboVivo. His fast-growing company not only sells downloadable television programming, such as The Tudors and CBC’s The Hour, but also provides it on all viewing platforms. “We see the technology of today as being a backdoor to the living room,” Doerksen says, as opposed to competition with the TV.

According to a Pew internet survey, downloading television content was the fastest-growing online activity for American adults in 2008. While comparable Canadian statistics aren’t available, Doerksen says his own four-year-old business has seen sales grow by more than 170 per cent in the past year.

Where does that leave Lewis’s (and now my) beloved DVD technology? Yigit confirms our worst fears. “DVDs as a transport vehicle will decline, as did CDs with music,” he says. While it won’t happen overnight, he adds, there are “signs of stress on that business now.”

So we'll just have to suck it up and prepare to download. But we won’t be getting rid of our big screens anytime soon.

Martin Morrow writes about the arts for CBCNews.ca.

Quebec hospital uses old technology to ease shortage of medical isotopes

This cyclotron at Sherbrooke University Hospital produces radioactive fluorine used in bone scans. (Eric Turcotte)

A hospital in Quebec has found a way to ease the impact of the worldwide shortage of medical isotopes, by resurrecting an old test that uses an isotope that doesn't require a nuclear reactor to produce it.

The shortage of medical isotopes was caused by a shutdown last month of the nuclear reactor at Chalk River, Ont., which normally produces 30 per cent of the world's stock. It's expected to be out of service for months.

Sherbrooke University Hospital produces a sodium fluoride isotope that can be used for bone scans, which make up between 20 and 40 per cent of scans done in a day, according to Dr. Eric Turcotte.

Rather than using a nuclear reactor, radioactive fluorine is produced in a cyclotron and incorporated into sodium fluoride molecules. It's much cheaper, Turcotte said: It costs about $1 billion to build a reactor, but only $1 million to build a cyclotron.

A PET-CT scanner is used to trace the radioactive sodium fluoride. (Eric Turcotte)

The radioactive sodium fluoride is "not a new tracer. It was developed 40 years ago," Turcotte said. "But its use was stopped because at that moment it was very, very expensive."

Scans performed faster

Using it for bone scans has other advantages as well, he said. The images are more precise, and the test itself takes 45 minutes instead of four hours.

"The catch is you need a special machine and permission from Health Canada to use the radioactive material," he said.

After the previous Chalk River shutdown, in 2007, the hospital applied for permission to produce its own sodium fluoride isotopes.

There are 13 machines for producing the sodium fluoride isotope in Quebec, and Sherbrooke has two, Turcotte said.

"So we are helping many hospitals, like Sainte-Justine Hospital, the CHUM [University of Montreal's hospital network] in Montreal, the hospital in Rimouski."

The hospital in Trois-RiviГЁres also started using the alternative sodium fluoride isotope last week. It has already boosted the number of tests staff are able to do, despite the worldwide isotope shortage.

Remembering the 'Farmer Johns' of the Regina Rifles Regiment

This photograph from 1942-43 shows 'D' Company of the Regina Rifles before they were deployed overseas. (Photo from reginarifles.ca)They were farmers, students, northern fur trappers вЂ" ordinary young Saskatchewan men from all walks of life transformed into extraordinary warriors who helped end Nazi tyranny in Europe.

They were the men of the Regina Rifles Regiment, who were part of the invasion of Nazi-occupied France that began with the D-Day battle in Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Their Saskatchewan origins meant other Canadian soldiers got their digs by dismissing them as “just a bunch of Farmer Johns.”

The men of the regiment, though, wore the nickname as a badge of pride.

One of the Farmer Johns was Dennis Chisholm, who was a young teen when he lied about his age to enlist in the Rifles in Prince Albert during the Second World War.Regina Rifles soldiers awaiting a German attack at a wrecked farm outside Norrey-en-Bessin, one of the most advanced outposts reached by Allied soldiers the day after the D-Day landing. The soldier holding binoculars is Major Gordon Brown. The seated soldier is Rifleman Roy Pretty, and the third man is unidentified. (National Archives of Canada)

Chisholm was not yet 20 by the time he arrived in France in 1944. He then fought through Europe with his Saskatchewan comrades until they ended their war on the Dutch-German border in the spring of 1945.

Like most combat troops, Chisholm’s wartime experiences were awful, but he was untroubled by them when peace came, at least at first.

“We were so busy when we got home, building families, getting jobs. But now … every other day is Remembrance Day now.”

Chisholm jokes today that in his mid-80s, he’s “the baby of the regiment now.”

Approximately 4,000 men went through the regiment in the Second World War. Today, probably only about 100 men survive, perhaps as few as six in the regiment’s home city of Regina.

Fifteen years ago I produced a documentary for the former CBC Radio show Sunday Morning, called The Farmer Johns. I had the honour of talking to four of Dennis’s old comrades, three of whom have died since the show aired in 1994.

They told me some haunting D-Day stories:

Anti-tank gunners of the Regina Rifles Regiment knocked out a German tank at Bretteville-l'Orgeuilleuse, France, June 8, 1944. (National Archives of Canada)Peter Matwiy вЂ" “When I woke up in the landing boat at dawn on June the 6th, I could not believe what I was seeing. It was thousands of ships! And there were all different types of them. It was just one long, big roar all morning.”

Roy Pretty вЂ" “When my landing craft hit a mine, all of a sudden, there was the biggest crash you heard in your life. Bodies were flying 30 or 40 feet into the air. The back of the boat… we guys that survived scrambled up onto that. But the front of the boat was gone.”

Jerry Molson вЂ" “This sailor who was manning a gun on our boat, he got hit. This [other sailor], he just rolled him into the water, and he climbed up behind the machine gun. It didn’t seem to bother him any. He just climbed up behind that machine gun and commenced firing.”

Gordon Brown вЂ" “I found Dunc Grosch, the company commander. He had been badly wounded in the leg. I helped him up the beach a bit because the tide was coming in. The water was getting too close to him … A little further, I helped a cousin of mine who was a soldier in 'A' Company, who was badly wounded. I was terribly sorry. The sorrow was the greatest feeling at that stage.”

Peter Matwiy, Roy Pretty and Gordon Brown are gone now. Jerry Molson lives on at his home in Regina.

Like Dennis Chisholm, the four men I interviewed admitted to me that while they were proud of their service, it wasn’t easy in old age dealing with those troubling wartime memories.

They were even more worried, though, that the heroic deeds of Farmer Johns in helping free France, Belgium and Holland from Nazi oppression would be forgotten.

Thanks to their words to me, they won’t be.

(Sean Prpick is the CBC's network producer in Saskatchewan)

Judge imposes conditions to ensure daughter can visit ailing Peter Falk

Actor Peter Falk, shown in 2007 in Los Angeles, is now suffering from dementia and cannot remember his own career. (Associated Press)

A Los Angeles judge has imposed a conservatorship on former Columbo star Peter Falk in an effort to solve a long-running family dispute involving his wife and daughter.

Falk, 81, has advanced dementia, one of his doctors told the court on Monday, and cannot remember his own acting past or recognize his daughter.

His daughter Catherine Falk, 38, says she has been prevented from visiting her father by his wife, Shera.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aviva K. Bobb ordered that she be allowed a 30-minute visit with her father every other month without Shera present.

It also said Shera, who has been married to Falk for 30 years, will retain control of his personal care and affairs.

Falk has round-the-clock care in a guesthouse in his Beverly Hills home and his wife says she cooks dinner for him every night.

But wife and daughter traded accusations during acrimonious testimony in the two-day conservatorship hearing.

Catherine Falk said Shera had cut off contact between her and her father when he became ill.

She said she used to be close to her father as a child, but that they became estranged after she sued him to pay for her tuition and expenses while attending Syracuse University.

Shera Falk claimed her husband thought his daughter troublesome and brought forward his diaries in an effort to prove they were not close.

In 2005, Falk designated his wife to be his caregiver and the keeper of his estate.

Catherine Falk had attempted in the past year to gain control of his financial affairs. However, she dropped that action and said she was now concerned just with getting visiting rights.

The judge became tired of the two sides trading accusations and ordered their attorneys to broker a compromise.

As a result, Catherine Falk will have regular visitations, to take place at the home of a friend who lives near the Falks so her stepmother cannot bar access.

Falk was already showing signs of dementia in 2005, and it worsened after he had dental operations and a hip operation in 2007 and 2008.

The actor won four Emmys for playing the seemingly bumbling detective in Columbo. He also received Academy Award nominations for movies in 1959 and 1960.

With files from The Associated Press

GM agrees to sell Hummer brand

One day after filing for bankruptcy protection, General Motors Corp. said Tuesday it has found a buyer for its Hummer brand.

GM did not disclose the name of the buyer or the financial terms of the tentative deal, which still needs regulatory approvals.

The automaker said the deal is expected to preserve more than 3,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing and engineering and at Hummer dealerships around the country. The buyer is also expected to "aggressively" fund future Hummer products.

Under the deal, a GM plant in Shreveport, La., will continue to assemble the H3 and H3T under contract through at least 2010.

"I’m confident that Hummer will thrive globally under its new ownership," said Troy Clarke, the president of GM North America.

"And for GM, this sale continues to accelerate the reinvention of GM into a leaner, more focused, and more cost-competitive automaker," he said in a release.

As part of its restructuring plan, GM is eliminating the venerable Pontiac brand, and has put its Saab and Saturn brands on the auction block. Both Saturn and Saab are in bankruptcy protection.

Possible Saturn buyers

GM said it has 16 potential buyers interested in acquiring the Saturn brand.

The information was disclosed in a slide show prepared for a conference call with reporters and analysts to be hosted by GM CEO Fritz Henderson and chief financial officer Ray Young.

In the slide show, GM said it was still looking at manufacturing agreements for the possible buyer.

The company said it will focus on four core brands in the future: GMC, Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac.

GM plans to reduce its number of assembly, power train and stamping plants from 47 in 2008 to 34 by the end of 2010 and 33 by 2012. On Monday, the company announced the permanent closure of nine plants and the idling of three others. The company is also closing three parts warehouses.

Money for Opel

Also on Tuesday, GM took another step in its restructuring as its Opel unit received the first part of a government bridge loan. The German government, together with the governments of four German states, provided the first 300 million euros ($462 million Cdn) of a total loan package of of 1.5 billion euros ($2.31 billion Cdn).

"This responsiveness of the German government ensures that (Opel's) operations maintain adequate liquidity as a more independent European Opel/Vauxhall company continues normal operations," Opel and GM Europe said.

Canadian autoparts maker Magna International, together with state-controlled Russian lender Sberbank, reached a deal on May 30 to acquired majority control of Opel. Magna will get a 20 per cent stake, while Sberbank will get 35 per cent control.

GM will keep 35 per cent of the company, while Opel employees will own 10 per cent.

"We are giving Opel a chance," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "This would not have been possible without the state's financial commitment."

With files from The Associated Press

Quebec doctors may order breast cancer retests

Hundreds of Quebec women with breast cancer will likely have to be retested to see whether they're receiving the correct treatment, the province's order of physicians said.

The professional regulatory body has struck a committee to review recent breast cancer cases and prescribed treatment, said order secretary Yves Robert.

Quebec's Health Ministry asked the order to follow up on a study released last week that suggested up to 30 per cent of tests done on breast cancer patients may have produced wrong results.

The hormone receptor tests help identify the type of breast cancer, which determines what kind of treatment to prescribe.

Elise Zylinksa, a Montrealer, said she's very worried about her current treatment plan for breast cancer.

Zylinksa is taking tamoxifen after undergoing a double mastectomy last year, but wonders if she is risking her health by taking a drug she may not need.

"First of all [tamoxifen] pushes you right into menopause," she told CBC News. "The biggest complaint most women have is hot flashes. There's also a risk of having cervical cancer."

Women with breast cancer who are concerned about the validity of their test results should talk to their doctor, Robert said.

The review will take a few weeks, and women who may need a new hormone receptor test will be contacted at that point.