New World Toilet Association Launches

The World Toilet Association kicked off its inaugural conference Thursday, hoping to spark a sanitation revolution that will save lives through better hygiene and break taboos about what happens behind closed bathroom doors.

To the celebratory rhythms of a percussionist beating on toilets, dozens of government delegates and U.N. representatives began two days of discussions on improving bathroom facilities for the 2.6 billion people worldwide who lack access to proper restrooms.

Dr. Shigeru Omi, western Pacific director of the World Health Organization, said 1.8 million people die annually due to diseases related to inadequate sanitation, 90 percent of them …

'Idol' sends home Andrew, Katie

You can take your leave with dignity -- or you can be dismissed in the opening moments of the show, crooning goodbye while wearing a green plaid shirt with a matching bow tie.

Such are the cruel vagaries of "American Idol," which hyped Andrew Garcia, 23, as an acoustic genius before systematically breaking him down. He was the first of two wannabes voted off last night.

The show took its toll on Katie Stevens, too, who was the second contestant ejected from the competition. The judges criticized Stevens, 17, for sometimes trying to sing beyond her years. But during …

Single-use Technology: Balancing the Risks and Rewards

Developing a quality agreement template for single-use systems.

Single-use systems are being used more and more in manufacturing. The time savings, reduced incidence of cross-contamination, reduced need for cleaning, and increased overall efficiency, to name a few advantages, make these technologies a very attractive proposition for manufacturers. There are, however, several obstacles to implementing the single-use systems; a key obstacle being manufacturers' unwillingness to replace fully installed and validated technologies, while the lack of clarity in understanding the regulatory requirements for single-use technology presents another barrier.

Notwithstanding the …

Saudi clerics criticize Shiites for destabilizing

Hardline Sunni clerics accused Shiites Sunday of destabilizing Muslim countries and humiliating Sunnis, just days before a Muslim interfaith conference called by Saudi Arabia's king.

The attacks on Iran, Iraq and Hezbollah _ though contrary to official policy _ highlight the sharp, growing distrust between Islam's two arms, and its potential to cause more unrest.

In a strongly worded statement, the 22 clerics savaged Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants, saying the Lebanese Shiite group has tricked other Muslims into believing it is against Jews and Americans.

The statement appeared on several Web sites Sunday, including

Japan's royal couple head to Canada, Hawaii

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hope to reach out to Americans and Canadians of Japanese ancestry during a two-week tour that began Friday, but they won't be going to Pearl Harbor.

"Both Canada and the state of Hawaii are home to many people of Japanese ancestry," Akihito said in a statement ahead of the trip. "We are looking forward to meeting these people in various places during our trip and further deepen our understanding of the paths they have taken to this day."

There had been speculation in the Japanese media that they might go to Pearl Harbor, which would have been the first visit by an emperor to the scene of Japan's …

Sears Sells Mall Developer

Sears, Roebuck and Co. will collect $2.3 billion from two buyersfor the sale of its shopping mall and office development arm, HomartDevelopment Co.

The proceeds were more than most analysts had expected at thetime the company announced the talks in mid-June.

Chicago-based Sears said it reached a final agreement to sellHomart's retail shopping center and community center businesses toGeneral Growth Properties Inc. of Des Moines.

Sears had previously announced it was working on a transactionwith General Growth.

Sears also said it completed the closing of the sale ofHomart's commercial office building portfolio to an operatingpartnership including …

AP Exclusive: Caesars plans hotel in Hainan, China

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Casino operator Caesars Entertainment Corp. is announcing plans to build a $470 million luxury resort on the Chinese island of Hainan.

CEO Gary Loveman tells The Associated Press that the debut resort in Asia for the world's largest casino company will be called Caesars Palace Longmu Bay.

Ground is being broken Friday for the 1,000-room hotel designed by …