| Oil prices close at more than $100 for the first time
Gasoline and heating oil prices appeared to lead yesterday's wide advance in energy prices due to the explosion Monday at Alon USA's Big Spring, Texas, refinery, which could be shuttered for two months. "The refinery fire in Texas is making people a little concerned," said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research Inc. in Amherst, Mass. March gasoline jumped 10.93 cents to settle at a record $2.6031 a gallon, and March heating oil rose 11.45 cents to settle at $2.7614 a gallon, also a record. A threat by a rebel group in Nigeria to escalate attacks on the nation's crude oil infrastructure helped boost oil prices. The rebels were acting in response to rumors that the government had killed a captured leader, whom authorities later said was safe and well.
TheStar.com | Sports | Shaquille O'Neal traded to Suns in blockbuster ...
O'Neal's move west adds fuel to the already intense rivalry between the Suns, the Lakers and his old teammate Kobe Bryant. The trade required a significant financial commitment from the budget-conscious owner Robert Sarver because O'Neal is scheduled to make $20 million (all figures U.S.) this season and $20 million more each of the next two. Marion makes $16.4 million this year and could opt out of the $17 million final year of his contract after this season. Banks has been in and out of the Suns' rotation the past two seasons. The Heat also waived Luke Jackson. O'Neal entered this season talking about how he wanted to win at least one more title, saying his "legacy" wouldn't be complete unless he left the game with at least five rings.
Austin theives breaking down doors to get in
Police say residential burglaries jumped about 3.5 percent through October, compared to the same time last year. So far this year, Austin has had 3,936 home burglaries, up from the 3,805 burglaries at this time last year. Many of those times thieves find a way in right through the front door. Sometimes all that separates you from a thief is an inch or so of wood. "We weren't here, and somebody decided our house was going to get broken into that day," said Lee Nichols. Burglars broke into Nichols' Crestview home right through the front door. "As near as I can tell, they kicked right square in the center," he said. The burglars took what they wanted and left, just minutes later. "They weren't even subtle about it.
10% of UK drivers 'bump-and-run'
Almost one in 10 British drivers admits to having crashed into a parked car and driving away, according to a survey. Some 70% of drivers have had cars damaged in this way, while 20% of those who admitted the offence felt no guilt. Tony Chilcott, of insurers Direct Line, which commissioned the research, said it is "worth remembering that it is a crime" to hit a car and drive away. A total of 1,526 UK motorists aged over 18, were questioned by YouGov online between 12 and 15 November. Mr Chilcott said "bumping another car can happen so easily", pointing out that "it may be tempting to drive off". This feeling seems to be echoed by the survey's respondents. .
Wild Card -- Tuesday PM
President Bush answers a question during a news conference at the White House today. Bush is keeping his second-term pledge to hold at least one major news conference each month. He was squeezing one in on Tuesday, the last day of May. W. Mark Felt, who retired from the FBI after rising to its second most senior position, has identified himself as the "Deep Throat" source quoted by The Washington Post to break the Watergate scandal that led to President Nixon's resignation, Vanity Fair magazine said Tuesday/MSNBC here. 1. Political 'Toon Fix: Paul Nowak (Amnesty International's claim), Gary Varvel (Embryonic stem cell research), and Mike Lester ("Star Wars" fans). 2. Humor Fix: PERRspectives (via politicalhumor.com) provides a "separated at birth" featuring George Bush and Darth Vader here.
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