Cement and Concrete

Mary Gani

Wolters Kluwer, Norwell, MA, 224 pp., $47.95

Unlike other textbooks on this subject, which cover either the design of concrete mixes, quality assurance and testing, or the chemistry of cement and concrete, Dr. Gani, who has taught at Monash University, Layton, Victoria, Australia, since 1981, concentrates on the morphologies of cement and concrete and their material properties. Although skewed toward Australian conditions and standards, ASTM specifications are also prominently featured.

Each of the 15 chapters is followed by questions that could be used for a classroom test, and by a list of references although, unfortunately, many of the books are cited …

Mexico seizes 9,000 sea turtle eggs; 7 arrests

Police in southern Mexico say they have seized 9,000 protected sea turtle eggs and arrested seven men suspected of intending to sell them.

Police in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero said in a statement Tuesday that the eggs were discovered at a highway checkpoint in a truck driven by the suspects.

Sea turtles are a protected species in …

Collision insurance on old car a poor buy

Q. I know you have talked about this before, but to be perfectlyhonest I didn't pay a whole lot of attention. My wife says you saythat if a car is on the older side, you are wasting money buyinginsurance on it. Can you explain yourself?

C.T.

via e-mail

A. First of all, let's be very clear. I have never said, norwould I say, that it is not necessary to carry liability insuranceon an older car.

What I have said is that collision and comprehensive insurance onolder automobiles is a very poor buy.

Let's assume that your car is worth $21,000 brand-new, but nowthat it has aged it's only worth $3,000.

You can bet your bottom dollar that you are …

Microsoft Releases Vista to Businesses

NEW YORK - Microsoft Corp. launched its first computer operating system in five years Thursday, contending that the software and other new products will help people deal with information overload and become more productive.

Acknowledging Windows Vista's delays, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer kicked off a demonstration of the software by saying "it's an exciting thing to finally be here" and adding: "This is the biggest launch in our company's history, that's for sure."

Businesses that buy Windows licenses in bulk have first crack at the new operating system. Consumers won't be able to get Vista on home PCs until Jan. 30.

Microsoft and computer vendors contend that …

Madagascar PM says mutiny ends without bloodshed

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — An attempted coup on this troubled Indian Ocean island has been defused without bloodshed, the Madagascar regime's prime minister said.

Camille Vital told reporters late Saturday that 16 officers surrendered, ending an impasse that began Wednesday when a faction of officers declared they were taking over from Andry Rajoelina. Rajoelina, a former mayor and disc jockey, himself had the military's support when he toppled an elected president last year after months of violent protest.

Earlier Saturday, reporters had seen hundreds of soldiers loyal to Rajoelina converge on a base near the capital's airport where the mutineers were holed up. Officials …

New raid by Kyrgyz forces against Uzbeks reported

Human Rights Watch says Kyrgyz government forces have raided an ethnic Uzbek neighborhood in Osh city, beating several dozen men and women and detaining 12.

Tuesday's operation in Kyrgyzstan came a day after Kyrgyz troops and police swept into an ethnic Uzbek village on Osh's outskirts, leaving at least 2 people dead and more than 20 wounded.

The brutal raids have …

Brazil may break patent on Merck AIDS drug

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Brazil moved closer to breaking a patenton a U.S.-manufactured anti-AIDS drug after negotiations with Merck &Co. broke down.

The government last week declared Merck's efavirenz anti-retroviral drug a "public interest" medicine - a move thateffectively gave Merck, based in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey,seven days to negotiate lower prices with the government or haveBrazil strip the patent by issuing a compulsory license.

Negotiations began in November with Brazil demanding the sameprice for efavirenz paid by the Thai government - 65 cents per 600milligram pill. Brazil at the time said it was paying US$1.59 perpill.

The United States …