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Nanomaterials Have Novel Physical and Chemical Properties

These cerium-based oxide nanomaterials, termed HSA nanoproducts, are expected to have applications in ultrafine polishing, catalysis, and potentially fuel cells. They may be combined with dopants, such as rare earths (e.g., lanthanum, samarium and/or praseodymium) or other elements (e.g., zirconium), to form single crystal, multi-element nanomaterials. The patented NanoArc technology …

SunTrust Banks to receive $3.5B from Treasury

SunTrust Banks Inc. said Monday it has received preliminary approval from the Treasury Department for a $3.5 billion investment under the government's capital purchase program.

The bank said it plans to use the capital to expand lending and other business capabilities, and may also explore potential acquisitions.

"Our participation in the Capital Purchase Program enhances SunTrust's already solid capital position and will permit us to further expand our business and take advantage of growth opportunities," James M. Wells III, chairman, president and chief executive, said in a statement.

The investment will be made in the form of a sale …

Reservoir work worry

Fluffy the goat is livid about it. And it's not the news thatpotential buyers of new goat sheds off Wedmore Road would want tohear.

She's been on about getting on the affordable housing ladder forages and thought she'd secured a new pad to place her cloven hoovesin.

Then she discovers Bristol Water may build a huge reservoiroverlooking her back garden.

She would never have contemplated buying the place if she'd know.It was all those lush pastures she had her eye on for summer grazing- and now they could soon be under water.

The construction of the reservoir would mean a giant buildingsite on her doorstep for years to come - plus noise and …

Bush Previews European Trip Initiatives

WASHINGTON - Europeans may bristle over President Bush's Iraq policy, yet he spent the week rolling out initiatives they can more easily embrace - ones that address global warming, AIDS and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

"In all these endeavors, the American people can be proud of our global leadership and generosity," Bush said Saturday in his weekly radio address. "Our nation is delivering aid and comfort to those in need."

Bush leaves Monday for Europe, where he will visit six countries and attend a three-day meeting in Germany of the leaders of the world's industrialized nations. Unlike earlier summits chilled by discussion of Iraq, the Group of Eight agenda this …

Big ideas for cutting deficit, but they'd hurt

WASHINGTON (AP) — Voters who demanded Washington rein in the nation's spiraling debt are getting a message from President Barack Obama and leaders of his deficit commission: It'll hurt.

A proposal released Wednesday by the bipartisan leaders of the commission suggested cuts to Social Security benefits, deep reductions in federal spending and higher taxes for millions of Americans to stem the flood of red ink that they say threatens the nation's very future. The popular child tax credit and mortgage interest deduction would be eliminated.

Interest groups on the right and the left squealed, predictably, about the plan, which would cut total deficits by as much as $4 trillion …

Canada opposition leader Jack Layton dies

TORONTO (AP) — Jack Layton, a folksy and charismatic political leader who guided his party to become the dominant opposition group in Canada's Parliament while battling severe health problems, died Monday of cancer. He was 61.

Layton hobbled through the campaign earlier this year as he recovered from a broken hip and prostate cancer. Under his upbeat leadership the leftist New Democrats outpolled the Liberals and became the official opposition party for the first time in their 50-year history.

The New Democrat party issued a statement saying Layton died peacefully Monday morning at his Toronto home, surrounded by family and loved ones. Only weeks ago, a gaunt Layton held a …