BIOSOLIDS COMPOSTING IN POLAND

In early October, representatives from seven European countries went to Koszalin and Slupsk, Poland to exchange knowledge on biosolids composting and visit some of the 50 operational sites. At the Koszalin facility, biosolids are …

Bush calls stricken Mukasey at hospital to chat

The White House says President Bush has called stricken Attorney General Michael Mukasey to see how he was feeling after his collapse during a speech Thursday night.

White House press secretary Dana Perino sent word to reporters Friday morning that Bush telephoned Mukasey just before 7 a.m. EST. She said Bush reported that the attorney general "sounded well and is getting excellent care."

Mukasey, 67, was rushed to George Washington University Hospital late Thursday after he collapsed while giving a speech at a black-tie dinner at a Washington hotel.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier …

Cheated by a lawyer, she finds aid at Bar

Maria A. Perez never had any reason to dislike the legalprofession until she was convinced her Chicago lawyer cheated her outof $2,269 two years ago.

"For some people it would be peanuts, but for me it was a lot ofmoney," said the $15,500-a-year credit representative for Xerox Corp.

The Mundelein resident said the loss proved to be a "horrendousheadache," hurting her credit and creating a financial hardship forher and her 7-year-old daughter.

"I was counting on that money, so my financial problemssnowballed when my lawyer's check bounced on me," said the30-year-old Perez.

Perez's attorney, Edward Willens, was accused of pocketing thewoman's …

Nuke Dump Structures Moved After Study

LAS VEGAS - Engineers moved some planned structures at the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump after rock samples indicated a fault line unexpectedly ran beneath their original location, an Energy Department official said Monday.

Allen Benson, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Energy in Las Vegas, said adjustments to the project were made in June.

"That's why we do studies, to come up with information to make the repositories safer," Benson said.

The department responded to a published report that cited a May 21 letter in which U.S. Geological Survey maps showed the Bow Ridge fault "may be farther east than projected." The Las Vegas Review-Journal said it …

American Express Profit Falls in 4Q

American Express Co. said Monday its profit slumped nearly 10 percent in the fourth quarter as it set aside more money to prepare for cardholder defaults.

American Express' customers tend to spend more and have stronger credit histories than the average cardholder, so the company looks better shielded against a tough 2008 than many other lenders. Still, investors appeared concerned that AmEx is girding for deteriorating credit conditions and slower U.S. spending.

American Express shares fell 2.7 percent in after-market trading, having risen $1.96, or 4.3 percent, to close at $47.40 Monday. Last week, its shares hit a four-year low.

The …

Ballack's agent threatened with ban by Leverkusen

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller is threatening to ban Michael Ballack's agent from the Bundesliga club's stadium as relations between the two sides reached a new low.

Agent Michael Becker said his client is being made "a scapegoat" to mask problems within the club "because it's clearly not possible to fire (coach) Robin Dutt at this time."

Voeller, a former Germany player and coach, responded furiously to those claims on Thursday.

"He says he knows it all," Voeller said. "He can't attack the club that way. He's got a dark yellow card. Or he was in this stadium for the last time!"

The director suggests Ballack, a former …

NEWS BRIEFS

Suicide bombers will target Paul McCartney unless he cancels his concert in Tel Aviv, a Muslim cleric said. Omar Bakri said the ex-Beatles' decision to perform in Israel "is creating more enemies than friends," London's Sunday Express reported. "If he values his life Mr. McCartney must not come to Israel. He will not be safe there," Bakri said. "The sacrifice operatives will be waiting for him." Bakri made the comments on his weekly Internet broadcast from his home-in-exile in Lebanon after being banned from returning to Britain, according to the Express. McCartney is scheduled to perform for thousands of Israelis in HaYarkon Park on Sept. 25 as part of a world tour (JEWISH STAR, Aug. …