State media says 129 killed in violence in western China's Xinjiang region.

State media says 129 killed in violence in western China's Xinjiang region.

Romo,

Tony Romo threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score — all in the first half — and the visiting Dallas Cowboys ended a two-game losing streak with a 31-15 victory Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The result gave the Cowboys (8-6) a half-game lead over the New York Giants, who host the Washington Redskins on Sunday, in the battle for first place in the NFC East. The Buccaneers (4-10), meanwhile, lost their eighth consecutive game.

Romo threw touchdown passes of eight yards to Miles Austin and eight yards to Dez Bryant in the first quarter, then tossed a nine-yard scoring pass to Laurent Robinson and scored on a one-yard run in the second.

The Cowboys led 28-0 at the half and coasted the rest of the way, with the Bucca-neers managing only 190 yards of offense.

Big Ben still questionable

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (high sprain of left ankle) practiced for the second consecutive day, but he remains questionable for the team's game Monday against the San Francisco 49ers. A teammate said Roethlisberger didn't move around much during practice but had no problem throwing the ball.

Bills sign former Bears DL

The Buffalo Bills signed former Bears defensive lineman Jarron Gilbert to an unspecified contract. Gilbert was the Bears' third-round pick in the 2009 draft and played in four games for them that season before being released before the 2010 season.

Sun-Times wires

Summer fireworks are unacceptable

I Was heading for bed the other night when I heard what soundedlike fireworks - but surely not.

I looked outside and in the distance there they were, banging andflashing. What on earth was going on?

It's bad enough having to tolerate fireworks from late Octoberuntil the end of December, but in August!

Every year I have to get my eldest dog sedated at the vets as hegets extremely stressed by fireworks.

I'm prepared for bonfire night, but this is ridiculous. How manyother pets were terrified and owners taken by surprise?

Keep fireworks to November 5.

Liz GrantDanestoneAberdeen

Daggett seeks another miracle - Olympic spot

LOS ANGELES Maybe Tim Daggett has no right to push himselfthrough the painful training it takes to be a world class gymnastjust to relive the Olympic glory he found in 1984.

And maybe Daggett, 26, the 1986 national gymnastics champion,has even less of a right to ask for another miracle, for that is howsome will describe it should he again make the U.S. Olympic team.

After all, Daggett already has had three miracles in his life.

The first came when the Connecticut native shared in the teamgold medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. The second came inFebruary of 1987 when he escaped with his life after rupturing a neckdisc during a practice.

…

Gold, silver rise on global inflation concerns

NEW YORK (AP) — Gold and silver prices rose Tuesday after China increased interest rates to curb inflation and slow economic growth.

Silver for March delivery settled up 92.8 cents, or 3.2 percent, to $30.271 an ounce. April gold added $15.90 to settle at $1,364.10 an ounce.

This is the third time China has raised interest rates since October. Its inflation rate hit a 28-month high of 5.1 percent in November before moderating in December. Government leaders fear a sharp rise in prices for things like food and fuel could trigger unrest.

The decision is prompting more investors to buy gold and silver because of concerns about inflation, said Dave Meger, vice president of …

Autocallable notes gaining new fans; Despite upside limits and counterparty risk, guaranteed returns appeal to pension clients.(Investing)

Byline: John D'Antona Jr.

As equity markets trade lower amid inflation fears and rising commodities prices, some pension funds are turning to autocallable notes - structured investments that offer a high fixed rate of return and downside equity market protection.

However, experts say the notes offer limited upside potential and expose buyers to counterparty risk of financial companies whose stocks have been battered lately.

"Pension funds are facing a real challenge to meet their high rate of return targets, so we are working with them to meet their benchmarks,'' said Michael Heraty, managing director in equity derivatives at Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., New York, and co-architect of the firm's enhanced liquidity note. "Derivatives, including this one, …

Autocallable notes gaining new fans; Despite upside limits and counterparty risk, guaranteed returns appeal to pension clients.(Investing)

Byline: John D'Antona Jr.

As equity markets trade lower amid inflation fears and rising commodities prices, some pension funds are turning to autocallable notes - structured investments that offer a high fixed rate of return and downside equity market protection.

However, experts say the notes offer limited upside potential and expose buyers to counterparty risk of financial companies whose stocks have been battered lately.

"Pension funds are facing a real challenge to meet their high rate of return targets, so we are working with them to meet their benchmarks,'' said Michael Heraty, managing director in equity derivatives at Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., New York, and co-architect of the firm's enhanced liquidity note. "Derivatives, including this one, …

Autocallable notes gaining new fans; Despite upside limits and counterparty risk, guaranteed returns appeal to pension clients.(Investing)

Byline: John D'Antona Jr.

As equity markets trade lower amid inflation fears and rising commodities prices, some pension funds are turning to autocallable notes - structured investments that offer a high fixed rate of return and downside equity market protection.

However, experts say the notes offer limited upside potential and expose buyers to counterparty risk of financial companies whose stocks have been battered lately.

"Pension funds are facing a real challenge to meet their high rate of return targets, so we are working with them to meet their benchmarks,'' said Michael Heraty, managing director in equity derivatives at Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., New York, and co-architect of the firm's enhanced liquidity note. "Derivatives, including this one, …

Autocallable notes gaining new fans; Despite upside limits and counterparty risk, guaranteed returns appeal to pension clients.(Investing)

Byline: John D'Antona Jr.

As equity markets trade lower amid inflation fears and rising commodities prices, some pension funds are turning to autocallable notes - structured investments that offer a high fixed rate of return and downside equity market protection.

However, experts say the notes offer limited upside potential and expose buyers to counterparty risk of financial companies whose stocks have been battered lately.

"Pension funds are facing a real challenge to meet their high rate of return targets, so we are working with them to meet their benchmarks,'' said Michael Heraty, managing director in equity derivatives at Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., New York, and co-architect of the firm's enhanced liquidity note. "Derivatives, including this one, …

CITY'S RECYCLING PROGRAM CONTINUES TO IMPROVE

Lexington, Kentucky

When Lexington, Kentucky's recycling program began in the early 1980s, it was a labor-intensive process that required lots of time and energy. Residents had to sort recyclable material by type, and garbage trucks were equipped to keep recyclables segregated. Today, the process is …