China drops hepatitis B check for school, work

China will soon stop mandatory hepatitis B tests for people applying for jobs or admission to schools, the Health Ministry said Tuesday, after years of efforts by civic groups to fight discrimination against carriers of the liver disease.

Hepatitis B is endemic in China, with an estimated 120 million sufferers. Currently, students applying for schools and job seekers are usually required to undergo health checks that include tests for the disease. People are sometimes denied positions even though the disease cannot be transmitted by casual contact.

Ministry spokesman Mao Qun'an said a soon-to-be-released government policy will strike hepatitis B off such …

McCall agrees to pay a fine of $250,000

Oliver McCall has agreed to pay a $250,000 fine for crying andrefusing to fight during his heavyweight title bout with LennoxLewis. But the fine is on hold while the battle over the Chicagofighter's $3 million purse continues.

Nevada boxing officials on Friday delayed accepting a proposedsettlement with McCall for his bizarre actions during the Feb. 8fight, saying they would meet again in June to consider the offer.

Fight promoter Main Events Inc. asked for the delay while itasks a federal court to rule that McCall should not get his purse forthe fight because he didn't fulfill his contract.Main Events and HBO hold a letter of credit for the $3 millionpurse, and …

Davis Cup: Serbia 2, Czech Republic 2

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Results Sunday from the Davis Cup semifinal between Serbia and the Czech Republic:

Serbia 2, Czech …

Hotel fire kills 29, including foreigners, in Iraq

A fire in a five-story hotel in northern Iraq killed 29 people, including foreigners, police and hospital officials in the city of Sulaimaniyah said Friday.

Chief of police Brig. Gen. Najim-al-Din Qadir said an electrical short caused the fire that also injured another 22 people.

The head of the health services in Sulaimaniyah, Rekwt Mohammed, confirmed the death toll.

Four children and four women were among the dead in the Suma hotel from a blaze …

Police videotaping more murder confessions

Three murder suspects have confessed on videotape this month in anew effort by the Chicago Police Department and the Cook Countystate's attorney, officials said Wednesday.

"We believe we will find it very helpful in prosecuting cases,"said Assistant State's Attorney Bob Milan, adding that he believesdefense attorneys will continue to challenge confessions even whenthey are taped.

Police started videotaping confessions in response to allegationsof coerced confessions in such cases as the 1998 slaying of 11-year-old Ryan Harris, in which two boys were falsely charged with murder.

Police demonstrated video equipment and an interrogation roomWednesday at Area 2 …

ASK AN Expert

Q How can I protect myself from identity fraud?

A Although there has been much hype about electronic methods of obtaining personal information, most identity fraud is a result of lost or stolen wallets, theft of paper mail or misappropriation by family and friends. Plus, fraud committed by relatives has higher costs and takes more time to resolve than fraud committed by other criminals. While no one can be 100% safe from identity fraud, some actions can minimize the risks.

Cancel paper bills and statements. Pay bills and check statements online instead.

Don't carry unnecessary information such as PIN numbers or passwords.

Put away bank statements, cheques and …

Roll vote on treasury secretary

The 60-34 roll vote by which the Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner as treasury secretary.

On this vote, a "yes" vote was a vote to confirm and a "no" vote was a vote against confirmation.

Voting "yes" were 49 Democrats, 10 Republicans and 1 independent.

Voting "no" were 3 Democrats, 30 Republicans and 1 independent.

The Senate has two vacancies.

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Democrats Yes

Akaka, Hawaii; Baucus, Mont.; Bayh, Ind.; Begich, Alaska; Bennet, Colo.; Bingaman, N.M.; Boxer, Calif.; Burris, Ill.; Cantwell, Wash.; Cardin, Md.; Carper, Del.; Casey, Pa.; Conrad, N.D.; Dodd, Conn.; …