Argentina knocks out Russia in Davis Cup quarters

David Nalbandian beat Mikhail Youzhny 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-3 on Sunday to give Argentina a 3-2 victory over Russia and a place in the Davis Cup semifinals.

Russia's Nikolay Davydenko had earlier rallied to beat Eduardo Schwank 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 in the first reverse singles to make it 2-2 in the five-match series. Argentina had been leading 2-1 thanks to a win in the doubles on Saturday, after the two teams had shared Friday's opening singles.

But Nalbandian was in convincing form throughout the decisive fifth match of the quarterfinal contest on hard court and was never broken by Youzhny.

Argentina's win in Moscow ended Russia's 17-tie winning streak …

Man wrongly convicted in Connecticut rape cleared after serving 18 years

HARTFORD, Conn. - A man who spent 18 years in prison on a rape charge walked out of court Tuesday a free man, exonerated by DNA evidence.

James Calvin Tillman, 44, had been imprisoned since his arrest in 1988. He was sentenced a year later to 45 years in prison.

Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas Miano granted Tillman's request last month for a new trial and released him on his own recognizance. On Tuesday, Miano dropped all charges and wished him "health and happiness into the future."

With his mother and brother by his side, a smiling Tillman talked to reporters outside the courthouse. He said he is not angry or bitter.

Neither Tillman nor his attorneys …

Search for Ga. Hiker to Be Scaled Back

The search for a 24-year-old hiker who disappeared from the northern Georgia woods on New Year's Day will be scaled back, authorities said Sunday.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokesman John Bankhead said the search for Meredith Emerson will not stop, but that only trained search and rescue individuals and law enforcement will be involved on Monday. Authorities believe Emerson is no longer alive.

"We're not going to be using volunteers starting tomorrow," Bankhead said. "Given the scenario and the fact that it's a recovery effort, the mission has changed."

Also on Monday, the man accused of abudcting Emerson is scheduled to …

Campus points

To celebrate the release of the fantasy adventure The GoldenCompass, the Little Theatre Cinema is offering students in Bath theopportunity to win a wealth of prizes hidden around their campus,making it a truly Golden Campus.

Golden tickets will be hidden around the University of Bathcampus and can be exchanged for prizes at the Little Theatre cinemaincluding free wine or beer, free popcorn, free tickets, freemembership and the super golden prize - an annual pass to see a filmevery week for a year.

Jennifer Jennings-Wright, marketing officer, said: "We have agreat …

A fine romance survives despite age differences

Dear Zazz: A woman wrote to you saying she was hesitant aboutdating a man 13 years younger than herself because her friends andfamily disapproved.

Well, I'm 13 years old and can speak from experience. My mothergot divorced when I was 1. We lived alone until she met the man whois now my stepfather. They started dating when she was 30 and he was17.

My mother is now 41, my stepdad just 28. They've been marriedeight years and have given me a long-hoped-for younger brother.

My advice to this woman is to follow her heart. Friends andrelatives scoffed when my parents' relationship started. But we'renow a very happy family.

EXPERIENCED TEEN

Dear …

Discontent With GOP Finds Way Into Texas

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas - The economy is strong and Rickye Lennon's excavation business is thriving. Yet his son may soon go to war, government scandals are in the news, and Lennon, a Republican deep in the heart of Bush country, doesn't think his party should remain in charge of Congress.

"I think we need a wake-up call," said Lennon, 50, of Dripping Springs. "They need to be paying attention to the issues the people are concerned about and I think we need to become more moderate in our views."

Three weeks to the midterm elections, GOP discontent is seeping into the home state of President Bush, where every statewide elected official is a Republican.

The state's …

Obama: Africa's future …

Obama: Africa's future …