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Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels has agreed to a new contract with the Houston Texans. Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels has agreed to a new contract with the Houston Texans . A person familiar with the negotiations confirmed the move Thursday, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Daniels had not yet signed the deal. Daniels and Texans general manager Rick Smith did not immediately return messages left seeking comment. KRIV- TV and the Houston Chronicle, who first reported the deal, said it was for four years and the newspaper said it was worth about $ 22 million.

Daniels agreed to the deal just hours before the league' s collective bargaining agreement was due to expire. The 28- year- old Daniels made the Pro Bowl after the 2008 season, when he caught 70 passes for 862 yards and two touchdowns. He played in 11 games last year and started 10 after coming back from reconstructive surgery on his right knee. He caught 38 passes for 471 yards and two touchdowns in 2010, then became a restricted free agent after the season.

Houston took Daniels in the fourth. . .

With already gone and 41- year- old inching ever so slowly toward the door, General Manager Ken Holland knows he has two very important contract negotiations he' ll have to tackle during the next several months. Top- four defensemen and Brad Stuart each come into the 2011- 12 season in the final year of their respective contracts.

Can you imagine the Detroit blue line without those players in the fall of 2012?

Neither can Holland. & quot; We' ll probably start conversations with their agents in training camp, & quot; Holland said. & quot; It will probably take some time from there. & quot; Fortunately, this is far from Holland' s first rodeo when it comes to signing key players. & quot; If you look at our recent history, we signed Pav ( ) late in the season back in ' 07 and we got Z ( ) and ( done in the second half of the ' 08- 09 season, & quot; Holland said. & quot; It' s a process. & quot; It might take time, but Holland simply has to keep those two - - particularly Kronwall - - in the fold if the Wings are going to continue to their long run as a championship- caliber team. As Holland and his top- notch management group understand, you can' t be a real Cup contender with a sub- par group on defense. And there' s one other thing.

Let' s face it - - if Lidstrom has any desire to play past this season, he isn' t going to do it unless the team has a chance to win a Cup. So that presents a worst- case scenario in Detroit where Lidstrom, Kronwall and Stuart all could be gone next fall. That is a nightmare no Wings fan even wants to entertain.

The Swedish- born Kronwall, 30, is the more important of the two defenders to re- sign. He has spent his entire career with the Wings, who grabbed him with the No. 29 pick in the 2000 Entry Draft. Thought to be a shade too small by some scouts during his draft year, the 5- foot- 11 Kronwall has developed into a terrific two- way defender who possesses solid puck skills and has the ability to light up an opposing forward with a devastating open- ice hit. ( Keep your head up, brother! ) This season, Kronwall likely will figure more prominently into offensive situations for coach , who will be looking for ways to offset Rafalski' s departure.

That should mean extra minutes for a player who finished second on the team to Lidstrom last season with an average ice time of 22: 52 per game in the regular season. In the playoffs, Kronwall upped the ante, averaging a team- high 23: 04 per game.

Stuart, meanwhile, has found a home in Detroit after bouncing from San Jose to Boston to Calgary to Los Angeles in the three seasons after the lockout. Selected No. 3 by the Sharks in 1998, Stuart was acquired by the Red Wings from the Kings at the trade deadline in 2008. He proved to be among the final pieces to the Wings' Cup- winning puzzle that June.

Since then, Stuart has carved a spot as a physical defender who can handle big minutes and work against an opponent' s top players.

Stuart ranked third on the team in ice time, averaging 21: 31 per game during the regular season. And like Kronwall, Stuart can deliver a punishing blow. The Wings might be able to replace Stuart if he departed, but there' s no guarantee they could do that.

Keeping him is the preferable option. After watching some of the free- agent deals signed by quality defensemen earlier in the month, I have to figure Kronwall could get a significant raise off his current $ 3 million cap hit - - he' ll make $ 3.

75 million in real dollars this year - - if he were to test the market.

Stuart, who carries a cap number of $ 3.

75 million, also could be in a position to get a boost in pay on an open market where credible top- four defenders with winning experience are very hard to find. Between September and next summer, Holland is going to do what he can to keep both defensemen in red and white. He should have the cap space and real dollars to make it happen unless one or both decides he wants a change of scenery. To this point, there have been no such rumblings.

Holland certainly realizes that while Kronwall and Stuart aren' t the sexiest names to wear a Wings sweater during his tenure, they' re extremely important to club' s immediate future and eventual transition into the - - dare I say it - - post- Lidstrom era. Kronwall and Stuart no doubt will be expected to help mentor talented prospects like AHL standout Brendan Smith, as well as still- learning young pro .

Because of Holland' s terrific track record, I have to believe he will get his D- men.

If for some reason that pursuit goes off the rails, the Wings' long- term future will take a major hit. The clock already is ticking. Related Links

The waterfront location here ( directly across from the ) is a big plus. Rooms are motel- basic, each with two double beds, a small refrigerator, and free HBO.

A Continental Plan is available from May to October.

Great location for seeing waterfront and . . . Although the modest rooms here are clean and adequate, it' s the friendly summer camp- like feel that makes this attractive compound great for families. There are old- fashioned lawn swings, a swimming pool, umbrella- topped picnic tables, and barbecue grills; . . .

What' s good for General Motors and Chrysler could be good for President . With the two Detroit automakers rebounding after near- fatal bankruptcies, Democrats have started hammering Republican presidential hopefuls and for opposing the U.

S. auto industry bailouts, and Obama, himself, is highlighting the turnarounds as an example of a tough & mdash; and unpopular & mdash; call he made that paid off.

The president and his Democrats sought political advantage from the Tuesday announcement that Chrysler had repaid most of the $ 10. 5 billion in taxpayer money that saved the company from financial disaster just two years ago.

GM previously announced that it had repaid a little more than half of the $ 50 billion it received in federal aid. And both have emerged from quick bankruptcies. " Supporting the American auto industry required making some tough decisions, but I was not willing to walk away from the workers at Chrysler and the communities that rely on this iconic American company, " Obama said in a written statement as he traveled in Great Britain. " I said if Chrysler and all its stakeholders were willing to take the difficult steps necessary to become more competitive, America would stand by them, and we did. " Back home, his top campaign surrogates underscored that message in a conference call that the organized to coincide with the Chrysler announcement. " People are working today who would be unemployed if the president hadn' t taken decisive action, " said former Ohio Gov. , a key Obama backer in an important battleground state. On the call and in press releases, party officials highlighted the GOP' s opposition to the bailouts, which occurred in Obama' s first year as president. In November 2008, Pawlenty, a former Minnesota governor whose home state includes a Ford Motor Co. truck plant slated for closure, opposed nationalizing the companies, arguing that it would create a " slippery slope" that would prompt other industries to seek bailouts. That same month, Romney, a former Massachusetts governor whose father, former Michigan Gov.

George Romney, led American Motors from 1954- 1962, said that the auto companies needed to restructure themselves and shouldn' t receive a blank check. He said that if they received a federal bailout, " you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye. " Noting such statements, former Michigan Gov. said: " People really need to ask if that' s the judgment we want in the Oval Office. " " If Mitt Romney and these other Republicans had their way, Michigan families and Midwestern families would have been left out in the cold and would have lost their jobs and their way of life, " she added. " These voters aren' t going to forget who stood with them when they needed it. " It' s a preview of a difficult- decisions- paying- dividends strategy Democrats are likely to employ in the 2012 presidential campaign on other issues as well as they seek to put a positive spin on presidential policies that haven' t sat well with the electorate & mdash; like the health care overhaul or the package & mdash; while drawing bright lines between Obama' s actions in office and the statements of Republicans competing for the chance to challenge him. Obama' s steering of Chrysler and GM through bankruptcy, for one, is certain to become a common refrain when he promotes his economic record in Michigan, Ohio and other hard- hit Midwest states with large pockets of auto workers and large numbers of electoral votes he' ll need to win re- election. It' s unclear whether taxpayers will receive all their money back but proponents say Obama' s efforts saved about 1 million auto- related jobs. The two companies were on the verge of collapse in the final days of the after Congress failed to approve an emergency loan package.

Bush' s administration gave the companies $ 17.

4 billion in loans and required them to develop a restructuring plan by mid- February 2009.

Obama' s administration pumped billions more into the car makers later that spring but won concessions from industry stakeholders, allowing them to push GM and Chrysler through bankruptcy court in the summer of 2009. Many Republicans opposed the bailout & mdash; assailed as " Government Motors" & mdash; arguing that government should not have intervened in private industry. Many car dealers protested the efforts to shutter dealerships and some conservatives saw the bailout as a sellout to the United Auto Workers union. Bondholders and shareholders also complained that the bankruptcies wiped out most of their investments.

On Tuesday, Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said the Obama administration eventually followed the restructuring path her boss had recommended but that it should have acted more swiftly. " If they had done it sooner, as Mitt Romney suggested, the taxpayers would have saved a lot of money, " Saul said. Similarly defending his boss, Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant said there was a need " to be honest about the fact that the federal government is out of control, and that we shouldn' t be bailing out big businesses. President Obama is kidding himself if he thinks his policies have strengthened America' s economy. " Ken Thomas can be reached at http: / / . com/ AP_ Ken_ Thomas

Richard Seymour is leading 33 of his Oakland teammates in workouts in suburban Atlanta & mdash; nearly 2, 500 miles from the Raiders' headquarters in Alameda, Calif. Richard Seymour is leading 33 of his Oakland teammates in workouts in suburban Atlanta & mdash; nearly 2, 500 miles from the Raiders' headquarters in Alameda, Calif.

The six- time Pro Bowl selection doesn' t want to change his team' s name to the Georgia Raiders. Seymour lives in the metropolitan area, is paying some of the training costs and likes the easy access to Hartsfield- Jackson International Airport.

Quarterback Jason Campbell , running back Darren Mc.

Fadden and receiver Darrius Heyward- Bey were on hand Tuesday, but free agents like Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha aren' t expected to attend the four- day session. Seymour, who signed a new two- year contract in February for $ 22. 5 million guaranteed, says he felt responsible to gather players during the NFL lockout.

Russell Westbrook had 32 points and 11 assists, James Harden matched his career high with 26 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame an off night by NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant to beat the Phoenix Suns 122- 118 in overtime on Sunday night. Vince Carter led Phoenix with 29 points but missed two of three free throws with the chance to put the Suns ahead with 17. 4 seconds left.

Steve Nash missed a potential tying 3- pointer after that, and the Thunder were able to close it out from the foul line. Durant made a season- low three baskets on 14 attempts and scored 18 points, 11 of them on free throws. Reserves Marcin Gortat and Mickael Pietrus each added 20 points for Phoenix. Nash had 11 points and 14 assists, moving past Isiah Thomas for sixth place on the NBA' s career assists list. He now has 9, 066 and trails only John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson, Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson.

The Thunder trailed most of regulation, then allowed Phoenix to rally back from a seven- point deficit in the final 3 minutes to tie it at 109. Oklahoma City then scored the first five points of overtime before giving up back- to- back 3- pointers by Jared Dudley and Carter to fall behind again. Harden answered with a three- point play off a fast- break dunk to put Oklahoma City ahead 116- 115 with 34 seconds left in overtime and the Thunder were able to protect that lead when Carter came up empty at the foul line.

Phoenix lost for just the second time in its last eight road games and finished its longest road trip of the season 4- 2. The Suns also lost Channing Frye & mdash; who had hit two game- winning shots on the trip & mdash; to a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter after he had scored 11 points and pulled down a career- high 15 rebounds. Serge Ibaka added 15 points, seven rebounds and four blocks for Oklahoma City, which has followed a three- game losing streak with three wins in a row.

The Thunder trailed most of the way before ripping off a 10- 0 run early in the fourth quarter to go up 102- 95 after Nick Collison' s two- handed jam with 6: 44 to play. Daequan Cook started the spurt with a 3- pointer from the right side and Harden added a two- handed slam off an alley- oop from Westbrook. Frye then headed off slumped over with 6: 28 remaining, and a Thunder team doctor attended to him in a hallway near the court. Phoenix still mounted a rally while Oklahoma City missed a series of 3- pointers.

Nash got inside for a layup and Gortat made a hook shot and a layup to get the Suns within 107- 106 with 1: 41 left. Westbrook made a pair of free throws to make it a three- point lead with 11. 6 seconds left after Nash turned the ball over in a trap by Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, but the Suns made tying it up look easy. Carter caught a crosscourt inbounds pass from Grant Hill on the right wing and drilled a 3- pointer with 9.

2 seconds left to tie it at 109. Durant missed a fallaway jumper from just inside the 3- point line on the right wing as the game went to overtime. Durant missed his first five shots and his last six. Notes: Nash moved ahead of Thomas with a crosscourt pass to Carter for a 3- pointer in the final 2 minutes of the second quarter, his seventh of eight first- half assists. . . .

Eight of the Suns' players and coach Alvin Gentry joined Grant Hill in supporting former Duke teammate Jeff Capel at Oklahoma' s rivalry game against Oklahoma State on Saturday. " I' ve been there a lot. I' ve been torched by Wayman ( Tisdale) , " Gentry said. " I was an assistant in the Big Eight.

To me, it' s still the Big Eight. It' ll always be the Big Eight.

I will never call it the Big 12, I don' t care what. " Gentry was an assistant at Kansas and then at Colorado. " I' ve got nightmares about Lloyd Noble ( Center) , " he said. " I was at Colorado also, when we weren' t very good and we had to go in there and play, and Billy Tubbs wasn' t exactly a guy that tried to hold the score down either. "

The new clock, precise to a millionth of a second, is 100 times smaller than its predecessor If you have a spare $ 1500 burning a hole in your pocket, perhaps you' d like to spend it on an ultra- precise, ultra- small , now available for purchase from Symmetricom Inc. Draper Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.

The Chip Scale Atomic Clock ( CSAC) , originally developed for DARPA, is 100 times smaller than its predecessors and uses 100 times less power as well. It requires only 100 milliwatts of power, measures about 1. 5 inches per side and is less than half an inch deep. The clock measures the passage of time in millionths of a second by counting the frequency of electromagnetic waves. These waves are emitted by cesium atoms are stored in a tiny container, no bigger than a grain of rice, when they are shot by a vertical- cavity surface- emitting laser ( VCSEL) .

Replacing the previously used rubidium- based atomic vapor lamp with the VCSEL is what reduced the clock' s power consumption.

A CSAC clock continues to function when GPS signals are blocked, making it incredibly useful deep underground or underwater. It could also prove handy when experts are blocking telephone signals from detonating explosive devices with electromagnetic interference, as the CSAC would continue to function.

After 10 years of development, CSAC went on the market in January.

DARPA projects rarely become commercialized, so this product page, to peruse on the web ( and purchase for their deep- sea explorations) , is a pretty big deal. [

Published July 12, 2011 Just as we expect men to be violent, we do not expect women, especially mothers, to be violent, and certainly not violent towards their own young and helpless children. That is why the Casey Anthony trial has gotten such a response from the public. Published May 08, 2011 Becoming a mother— giving birth to or raising another precious human being— changes you as nothing else can. You are pitched, head- long and feet- first into a parallel universe, a new way of life, a craft, a passion which tempers and deepens all those who engage in it.

Published April 13, 2011 The face- veil ( niqab or burqa) presents both a security and health risk to others. It is a human rights violation in my view.

Published March 08, 2011 While I believe in cultural diversity but I am not a multi- cultural relativist. That' s why, as a woman and a feminist, I have taken a strong stand against the persecution of Muslim women and dissidents.

Published January 24, 2011 Honor killings in America. Is that possible?

The grisly details from two trials taking place in Buffalo and Arizona must not be ignored. Published January 08, 2011 If he had become president, just imagine what a John Edwards' White House might have looked like. Published December 09, 2010 Some people cannot talk about Presidents Obama or Bush without getting into shouting matches and ending their friendships. Some families can only break bread together if they avoid talking about certain subjects.

The most incendiary topics of the day are Islam and Israel. Published November 02, 2010 Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’ s death, for committing the crime of " adultery" in Iran is now set for a time when Americans will be totally occupied with our own midterm elections.

Published October 15, 2010 Female candidates just can’ t seem to please the female electorate. Published October 13, 2010 Muslim cartoon superheroes offer up 99 images of Allah and they may soon be coming to a television near you.

A stretch of garden wall ringing an ancient house in Pompeii gave way Tuesday after days of torrential rain, the latest structure to collapse at the popular archaeological site.

Pompeii officials said an inspection found that a 40- foot ( 12- meter) - long section of wall forming part of the perimeter of a garden area near the House of the Moralist gave way in several points. They said the extreme sogginess of the soil brought down the wall in an area that hasn' t been excavated near the house. Italy' s is struggling to preserve its immense archaeological wealth for future generations. A few weeks ago, Italy was embarrassed when a frescoed house, the Schola Armaturarum, where gladiators prepared for combat, was reduced to a pile of stones and dust in seconds. Less than a year ago, another building, the House of the Chaste Lovers, collapsed in Pompeii.

The House of the Moralist wasn' t affected by the wall' s demise " and isn' t at risk for collapse, " Pompeii excavations director Antonio Varone said. The Schola and the House of the Moralist are only a few steps away from each other along one of Pompeii' s main streets, which are usually thronged with some of the 3 million tourists who traipse the paths each year. The House of the Moralist includes the remains of the homes of two families in the ancient city that was buried by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A. It is one of many structures in Pompeii that are off- limits to tourists, and no one was injured in the wall' s collapse, which was discovered early in the morning before opening hours.

Made of tufa rock, the garden wall was heavily damaged during the U.

S. bombing of the Naples area in World War II. It was rebuilt after the war using a mix of the ancient stones and modern material, said Daniela Leone, an official of the state Naples and Pompeii Archaeological Superintendency. Earlier this year the wall was reinforced, but the reinforcement work was " swept away by the violence" of the storms, the Pompeii archaeology office said in a statement. Coincidentally, Carabinieri police were in the ruins when the garden wall came down.

The officers were inspecting the gladiators house as part of efforts to pinpoint the cause of that collapse and decide if that structure can be reconstructed. Culture Minister Sandro Bondi instructed ministry officials to keep monitoring Pompeii but warned against " useless alarmism. " A no- confidence motion against Bondi, proposed by opposition parties after the gladiator house collapsed, had been scheduled to be voted on in Parliament on Monday, but work on legislation caused the vote to be put off until a date to be determined.

Brick walls, red- and- white checkered tablecloths, and the aroma of thin- crust pies emerging from the coal oven set the mood for some of the best pizza in Manhattan. Lombardi' s has served pizza since 1905 ( though not in the same location) , and business has not died down a bit. The mozzarella is always fresh, resulting in an almost greaseless slice, and the toppings, such as meatballs, pancetta, or imported anchovies, are also top quality. Lombardi' s is perhaps best known for its toothsome clam pizza, which features freshly shucked clams, garlic oil, pecorino- Romano cheese, and parsley. www. firstpizza. com.