MAKING A REALITY OF BIOGAS POTENTIAL

DIVERSITY is a prime characteristic of the growing optimism for turning biomass into renewable power sources. Just one year ago, aBioCycle report focused on how the knowledge base, technology breakthroughs and supportive public policies were strengthening the infrastructure for biomass energy. During the past 12 months, investments from generators of organic residuals as well as venture capital firms are leading the way to more commercial projects. The Fourth Annual BioCycle Renewable Energy from Organics Recycling Conference in Des Moines last month confirmed the vitality as well as progress. In the closing plenary session, for example, Zhiqin Zhang of the California Energy Commission …

Italy's Berlusconi accused of conflict of interest

Premier Silvio Berlusconi faced new conflict-of-interest accusations Monday after his government doubled the value-added tax applied to satellite subscription-based television Sky Italia, owned by media rival Rupert Murdoch.

Critics charged the move was aimed at hurting the competition to the Mediaset broadcast empire founded by Berlusconi and run by his children. Mediaset and the state RAI television control 90 percent of free-to-air television channels in Italy.

"This is a move that mostly affects one of Berlusconi's main competitors," the leader of Italy's left, Walter Veltroni was quoted by Italian news agencies ANSA and Apcom as saying. …

Krause's record sound on players

Because Bulls vice president of operations Jerry Krause oftenwas knee deep in damage control, the dollars and sense of his movingand shaking got lost in the rubble of this season.

By owner Jerry Reinsdorf's job description, Krause did not havea bad year. "A general manager's job is to evaluate talent,"Reinsdorf said.

Unfortunately for Krause, he was asked to do much more. It washis failure in those other departments that kept the Bulls - off the court - a laughable commodity.

But from the standpoint of player personnel, virtually everytrade and draft pick can be defended.

It was Krause, not former Cleveland general manager HarryWeltman, who …

Admitted Killer Walks Away From Hospital

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. - An admitted killer with a history of escapes walked away from a psychiatric hospital, scaring residents of the surrounding area.

The search for William Enman, 64, extended as far as Canada on Tuesday because authorities said he might own land in Nova Scotia, said Ellen Lovejoy, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services. In the area around the hospital, police used dogs and infrared scanners to try to find him.

In the 1970s, Enman was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the beating deaths of his roommate and the man's 4-year-old son.

He confessed to the killings and has been involuntarily committed to state hospitals ever …

SKorea announces it will implement US beef import agreement despite protests

South Korea's government has announced it is carrying out a U.S. beef import agreement that has sparked street protests over fears of mad cow disease.

Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun said in a nationally televised announcement Thursday that the government is easing quarantine regulations on U.S. beef in accordance with the April 18 …

Spain arrests war crimes suspect wanted in Bosnia

Spanish police say they have arrested a Montenegrin man wanted in Bosnia for allegedly murdering, raping and torturing civilians while fighting for the Serb side in the Bosnian war.

Police say Veselin Vlahovic put up strong resistance when he was arrested Monday in the southeast Spanish town of Altea, where he lived.

A police statement issued Tuesday says Vlahovic faced three international arrest warrants, and was also wanted in Spain for robbery and assault with a firearm.

It says Vlahovic is known as "the monster of Grbavica," in reference to a Serb-held suburb of Sarajevo where he is alleged to have committed war crimes with particular brutality during the 1992-95 war in Bosnia.

Brewers, Yost get first win

Looking for their first victory of the season, the MilwaukeeBrewers got plenty of help from Pirates starter Kip Wells.

The Brewers, who hit a lot of homers in losing their first sixgames, relied on walks for most of their scoring Tuesday night andruined Pittsburgh's home opener with a 5-3 victory--the first for newmanager Ned Yost.

Glendon Rusch (1-1), previously 0-6 against Pittsburgh, waseverything Wells wasn't--effective and in control--in limiting thePirates to one hit over seven innings. He struck out seven and walkedtwo to end a personal four-game losing streak.

The Pirates' Jason Kendall hit a three-run homer in the eighth.

REDS 2, ASTROS 1: Jason LaRue hit his first home run of the yearin the 10th inning, leading visiting Cincinnati past Houston.

Ryan Dempster (1-0) allowed seven hits in nine innings for theReds, and Scott Williamson pitched a perfect 10th for his secondsave.

Astros starter Roy Oswalt, 6-0 against Cincinnati, allowed fourhits in eight innings and struck out six. Octavio Dotel (0-1)relieved to start the ninth and gave up the homer to LaRue. Houstonhit into five double plays.

PHILLIES 4, BRAVES 3: Tomas Perez's two-out RBI single in the 10thinning lifted host Philadelphia past Atlanta.

Pat Burrell opened the 10th with a single off reliever KevinGryboski (0-1) and moved to second on a sacrifice by pitcher BrettMyers, who was pinch-hitting.

After Mike Lieberthal was intentionally walked, and Marlon Byrd'sfielder's choice sent Burrell to third. Perez then singled up themiddle.

Jose Mesa (1-0) pitched 11/3 hitless innings.

METS 4, MARLINS 2: Al Leiter (2-0) pitched effectively into theseventh inning, and Ty Wigginton hit a three-run homer for visitingNew York.

The Marlins lost their third straight and are last in the NL East.

DODGERS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 3: Dave Roberts and Adrian Beltre eachwere hit by pitches and scored in the final two innings for host LosAngeles.

PADRES 9, GIANTS 4: Rondell White hit a tiebreaking homer in theseventh as visiting San Diego overcame a home run by Barry Bonds.

CARDINALS 15, ROCKIES 12: MikeMatheny hit a three-run homer to break a tie in the 13th inning forvisiting St. Louis. Jim Edmonds homered and had five RBI for theCardinals.