4 Palestinians reported killed in Gaza airstrikes

Israeli aircraft launched at least three attacks on Palestinians Tuesday, killing four including a 13-year-old boy, medical officials in the Gaza Strip said. Despite the violence, Israeli defense officials said an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire could take effect within days.

Israel's military confirmed the airstrikes, saying in the first raid that aircraft fired at a group of Palestinians launching rockets in northern Gaza. Palestinian doctors said a boy, 13, was decapitated and another youth was seriously injured. A witness said he saw a mobile rocket-launching stand in the area.

In the second strike, the aircraft fired at Palestinians who were planting …

Hong Kong won't get direct vote in '07

HONG KONG -- China's most powerful legislative committee ruledMonday that Hong Kong will not have direct elections for its nextleader in 2007, crushing hopes in the Chinese territory for a quickmove toward full democracy.

Under the ruling, the territory will be allowed to make changes toits electoral methods but only gradually, said Tsang Hin-chi, a HongKong delegate to the Chinese National People's Congress StandingCommittee.

The decision ruled out what many Hong Kong residents have beendemanding: the right to democratically elect a successor to theunpopular Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa in 2007 and all lawmakers in2008.

Tung is seen as one of the biggest …

PIECES OF APRIL; Wrong again

Call me a snob, but any movie that capitalizes on Dawson's Creek alumni trips my cynical alarm. Not that James Van der Beek is a no-talent cheeseball, but James Van der Beek is a no-talent cheeseball. Joshua Jackson is a bit more palatable, but Katie Holmes has managed depth and range beyond either of her dimpled costars (I swear, I've never seen the show...). Still, when I learned she was the central character in an indy film about a broken family, I had my doubts. Blockbuster fluff--maybe, but could Holmes squeeze her pedicured feet into the snake-skin boots and torn fishnets of a pyromaniac with serious emotional and culinary issues?

Written and directed by Peter Hedges, Pieces …

Natural gas rush stirs environmental concerns

Advanced drilling techniques that blast millions of gallons (liters) of water into 400-million-year-old shale formations a mile (1.6 kilometers) underground are opening up "unconventional" gas fields touted as a key to the nation's energy future.

These deposits, where natural gas is so tightly locked in deep rocks that it's costly and complicated to extract, include the Barnett Shale in Texas, the Fayetteville Shale of Arkansas, and the Haynesville Shale of Louisiana. But the mother lode is the Marcellus shale underlying the Appalachians.

Geologists call the Marcellus a "super giant" gas field. Penn State geoscientist Terry Engelder …

Birkett likely to run for gov; attorney general bid possible

DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett said Friday he "fullyintends" to run for governor next year, but is not closing the dooron another run for attorney general.

"I'm not, but at the same time, I'm focused only on the run forgovernor," Birkett said. "At this point in time, I would say governoris more likely, but . . . there will be things that will occur overthe next month that are out of my control. I will have to weigh allthe options."

In other developments, Gov. Blagojevich signed House SpeakerMichael J. Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones on as co-chairmenof his campaign committee, all but assuring no Democrat will mount aprimary challenge and …

Els working outside of Augusta spotlight

AUGUSTA, Ga. It doesn't seem possible that a two-time U.S. Openchampion ranked third in the world could sneak up on anyone, butErnie Els quietly climbed the Masters leaderboard Saturday with a 4-under-par 68.

"It was a bit of a workmanlike 68," said Els, who is tied forfifth at 9 under after 54 holes, "but it was nice to walk off the18th knowing I got the most out of my round for a change."

The highlight was a 25-foot eagle putt on the par-5 13th hole, butthe key to Els' week was a miraculous par on the 10th hole Thursday.He had gone out in 38, and when he reached his tee shot in thefairway, there was mud on his ball.

"It shot straight left off the club face, …

Jaguars being sold to Illinois businessman

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have reached an agreement to sell the small-market franchise to Illinois businessman Shahid Khan.

Majority owner Wayne Weaver made the announcement Tuesday, hours after he fired coach Jack Del Rio and gave general manager Gene Smith a three-year contract extension. He said Khan will have 100 percent control of the team.

Weaver called Khan …