Kramer to apologize for shove

Dutch speedskater Sven Kramer will apologize and give a small gift to an Olympic volunteer he pushed aside after he was disqualified from the 10,000-race he had been favored to win.

His coach Gerard Kemkers says the …

Dynamic duo has inspired Stevenson // 3-year starters key volleyball team

Leanne Ulmer knew Mike Maksymec and Gerrit Polidoro were specialeven when she coached them as freshmen on the junior varsityvolleyball team at Stevenson.

"I could tell then that they were talented," said Ulmer, now inher second year as varsity coach.

Both cracked the varsity starting lineup as sophomores. Nowseniors, they've been there ever since."I had some competition at my spot (outside hitter), but when Imade the team, I knew I was going to play, because they usually don'tbring up sophomores to sit on the bench," said the 5-11 Maksymec."I got to start (at middle hitter), I guess, because of myaggressiveness," said the 6-3 Polidoro. "Everyone thrives off …

Egypt crisis puts pressure on US allies in Mideast

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Jordan's king fired his Cabinet on Tuesday and the Palestinian president promised to hold long-delayed elections as America's Mideast allies came under pressure for democratic reforms because of the popular uprising sweeping Egypt.

But the Western push for reform in this tumultuous region has backfired in the past, strengthening Islamists at the expense of pro-U.S. moderates.

The Egyptian revolt against President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule has raised two urgent questions: Will it spread and perhaps destabilize other countries, and will it bring more democracy to the Arab world?

The democracy question is particularly pressing for U.S. allies …

Big Mexican drug ring hit by Atlanta-area busts

JONESBORO, Georgia (AP) — Federal and local law enforcement agents have arrested 45 people and seized cash, guns and more than two tons of drugs as part of an investigation into the Atlanta-area U.S. distribution hub of a major Mexican drug cartel, authorities said Thursday.

Operation Choke Hold began in May 2009 and targeted the Atlanta-area operations of La Familia Michoacana, authorities said at a news conference at a suburban Atlanta courthouse. Known as La Familia, it is one of Mexico's largest and most brutal cartels.

"It has been widely reported that the Atlanta metropolitan area has become a major distribution center for drug cartels based in Mexico," said Jack …

Puzzle Quest is addictive

"PUZZLE QUEST: CHALLENGE OF THE WARLORDS," PSP, D3, rated E10+for Everyone ages 10 and up (reviewer's rating: 9 out of 10)

Sure, puzzle games are fun, but most are like chewing gum: Theylose their flavor fast. But who would have thought to combine apuzzle game with a role-playing game? The folks at D3 did, and withaddictive results.

The game itself you might find familiar if you've played otherpuzzle games, such as "Bejeweled." Starting out with a grid of multi-colored gems, players swap two gems to line up three, four or fiveof the same color to get points, but that's just the beginning.

That simple game then becomes the battleground against opponentsin a tale …

Russian Suspect Says He's Just a Witness

LONDON - The man reported by British media to be the prime suspect in the radioactive poisoning death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko said in a television interview Monday that police had told him he was just a witness.

Andrei Lugovoi told Sky News in Russia that he had fully cooperated with British authorities investigating the death of Litvinenko and that they had not named him as a suspect.

"I want to stress that officially I am a just a witness and not even a suspect," Lugovoi said. "I was told that by Scotland Yard when they were in Moscow."

Speculation that the British police had identified their prime suspect mounted last week, with several media …

Clijsters to announce plans amid comeback rumors

Former top-ranked Kim Clijsters will hold a news conference Thursday amid reports she is planning a return to the WTA Tour.

The 25-year-old Belgian, who retired two years ago, will "unveil her plans for 2009" at the tennis center where she has been recently training.

"At this time, Kim has not contacted the Tour regarding entry into Tour events," WTA spokesman Andrew Walker wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

The Het Belang van Limburg regional newspaper said she was set to enter top-level tournaments. The VTM television network said she may target the U.S. Open, where she won her only Grand Slam title in 2005, as the …