Recession forms backdrop of Olympic conference

As the Olympic world gathers in Denver this week amid the global economic crisis, few are feeling the squeeze more than the organizers of the next Summer Olympics in London in 2012.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London organizing committee, headed to the United States on Monday vowing to reassure international Olympic leaders that the 2012 project remains safely on track despite the financial pressures.

"I don't need to tell anyone in that room that these are extraordinary times," Coe told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday. "Not since the 1970s has a winter or summer games been delivered under such a sudden change in …

Tuition plans - prelude to calamity?

The higher education systems in a number of states could beheaded for financial calamity because of new college-tuition programsthat have been adopted in recent years, according to educationexperts who think many more states could soon put themselves in asimiliar predicament.

A handful of states already have adopted so-called guaranteedtuition plans, which, although popular, are not necessarily a soundfiscal approach for combating the nation's higher education costproblem, the experts say.

Under plans such as one already in use in Michigan, a parent ofa newborn infant could deposit $6,756 in that state's Education Trustright now to pre-pay four years of college …

Like chocolate? Like wine? You're in luck

Candy is dandy, but chocolate wine really seems to get taste buds in an uproar.

"The reaction has been amazing," says Don Opici, whose family-run company, Opici Wines, recently introduced Cocoa di Vine.

Never heard of chocolate wine? Chances are you will. More vintners are amping up the decadence decibels with blends of wine infused with chocolate flavorings.

Sold as dessert wines and particularly popular around choco-centric holidays such as Valentine's Day and Easter, the wines fit into a larger trend that has seen Americans embracing their penchant for wines that are fruity and sweet, such as moscato, the sweet and zesty white wine that took off last summer.

"It …

NBA fines Bucks guard Brandon Jennings for tweet

Rookie Brandon Jennings was fined $7,500 by the NBA for posting a message on his Twitter account after the Milwaukee Bucks' double-overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers last weekend.

Jennings was fined for the timing of his post, not the content, when he tweeted: "Back to 500. Yess!!! "500" means where doing good. Way to Play Hard Guys."

Asked about Friday's fine, Jennings admitted he made a rookie mistake.

"It was a lessson learned and I'll move on from it," he said. "Don't Tweet when you're in the arena. I won't do that anymore. That's a lot of money, especially around Christmas time. You do a lot of …

We Can'T Afford To Slip Up At Saracens

Bristol Shoguns latest England recruit Michael Lipman has declaredtonight's relegation battle against Saracens is a mustwin match.

Lipman was part of the 70-man England squad which trained atEngland's Surrey headquarters yesterday after receiving a late call-up last week, but the 23-year-old will be concentrating on therelegation dogfight tonight (7.45pm).

Lipman, Julian White, Phil Christophers and Andrew Sheridan wereall due to be released from training at midday to meet up with theShoguns as England coach Clive Woodward looks to prepare for thissummer's tours to Australasia and North America.

Bristol have just three chances left to stay in the …

Nothing to sneeze at!

Tried and true strategies to beat colds and flu naturally

an you avoid getting a cold or the flu this winter? Yes, you can.

To the disbelief of many, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting a cold or flu "bug" this winter, or, at the very least, reduce its severity and duration. Read on, for tried and true strategies to beat these nasty bugs naturally. Zinc

When it comes to recent research in the fight against colds, zinc (in particular, zinc lozenges) tops the list. This is not surprising since this trace mineral is so important to a strong immune system.

What is probably the most well-publicized of this research appeared in a 1996 …

Outdoors in Chicago? Watch out for the blackbirds

Experts are telling Chicago residents to beware of the birds.

The fiercely territorial behavior of red-winged blackbirds is being blamed on several recent dive-bomb attacks. The birds peck at unsuspecting bicyclists and pedestrians and swipe their hair.

Just ask Holly …