East bloc changes upset NATO missile strategy

WASHINGTON The fall of communism in Eastern Europe and thecontinuing changes in the Soviet Union have blown away one of thedoctrines that has underpinned NATO's Cold War strategy for decades.

That doctrine was the necessity of keeping ground-launchednuclear missiles in Europe to spread the war risk among all theallies, to provide a believable deterrent to aggression by superiorSoviet conventional forces and to place an "umbrella" over otherwisevulnerable U.S. troops.

Last week, U.S. officials privately conceded that the NorthAtlantic Treaty Organization's plan to retain short-range nuclearmissiles in Europe was dead. The Germans don't want them, andCongress …

Against tough odds, Sarkozy is seeking second term

PARIS (AP) — Nicolas Sarkozy has thrown himself into what may be the toughest fight of his political career: Unpopular for years and running a feeble economy, the divisive French president announced he's running for a second term.

The man who improved French relations with the United States, rallied European leaders to ward off financial meltdown and kicked off international airstrikes in Libya is widely disliked back at home. Polls suggest his Socialist challenger will be the one attending world summits come May.

But Sarkozy is not one to give up easily. He pledged Wednesday to get the jobless back in the workforce and new reforms to ensure a "strong France" and that the …

South Africa decides against using referral system

The future of cricket's umpiring referral system became even less clear Tuesday when South Africa decided against using the technology for its four-test series against England.

The television replay system was meant to be implemented from Oct. 1 after the International Cricket Council approved it, but major cricket nations apparently don't want it and no one wants to pay for it.

South Africa has now followed the precedent set by India when it began its series against Sri Lanka on Monday …

MORNINGLINE

Results Should Highland Park use lethal methods to control its deerpopulation?Yes: 22%No: 78% Question Should …

Energetic and structural considerations for the mechanism of protein sliding along DNA in the nonspecific BamHI-DNA complex

ABSTRACT The molecular mechanism by which DNA-binding proteins find their specific binding sites is still unclear. To gain insights into structural and energetic elements of this mechanism, we used the crystal structure of the nonspecific BamHI-DNA complex as a template to study the dominant electrostatic interaction in the nonspecific association of protein with DNA, and the possible sliding pathways that could be sustained by such an interaction. Based on calculations using the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann method and Brownian dynamics, a model is proposed for the initial nonspecific binding of BamHI to B-form DNA that differs from that seen in the crystal structure of the nonspecific …

Construction work on London 2012 Olympic stadium halted after asbestos found on site

Construction work on part of the foundations of the London 2012 Olympic stadium has been temporarily halted after asbestos was found on the site.

Work on one section was stopped as a precautionary measure to protect workers from exposure to the material, which can cause tumors and other serious illnesses, the Olympic Delivery Authority said Wednesday.

Illness from inhaling asbestos only usually occurs from repeated exposure over a period of time.

Activity on the rest of the Olympic site is continuing as …

The real cost of Delhis BRT ; Despite the failure of the Pune administration to successfully implement a bus corridor , the Delhi government is implementing a 5.8 km stretch of BRT with segregated corridors for buses, cars, cycles and pedestrians.

Despite the failure of the Pune administration to successfullyimplement a bus corridor , the Delhi government is implementing a5.8 km stretch of BRT with segregated corridors for buses, cars,cycles and pedestrians. It appears to have made a complete hash ofit. And the costs have been escalating, too.

Cost of chaos

Capital cost: Rs 100 crore

Quick-fix solution: Convert existing Chirag Dilli flyover intoclover leaf at a capital cost of Rs 200 crore

Average time taken to complete 5.8 km during rush-hour in apassenger vehicle

Before construction: 20 minutes

After construction: 35-45 minutes

Average fuel wastage per day: 10,000 …