The home and auto industries are two of the hardest hit sectors in the U. S. Rising foreclosures mark the housing sector, while closing car manufacturing plants are common in the auto plant. Given the parallel routes these two industries pass through, it is not surprising to hear American couples throwing in a used car as a freebie, just to unload on the market a debt-ridden home.

A 19-year-old freshman from the University of Oklahoma became this city's youngest mayor after winning the mayoral election on Tuesday. John Tyler Hammons, who is majoring in political science and public administration, beat three-time former mayor Hershel McBride, 70, by garnering 3,703 votes over his rival's 1,616 votes based on unofficial results.

To curb the wave of crimes in the national capital, Washington Police Chief Cathy Lanier made a book on social epidemics a required reading for police officers. The book is "Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. Its about New York City's efforts to stop its transit system from further decay by cleaning up its graffiti.

A local substitute teacher was terminated from his post here after being accused of performing "wizardry. "According to Jim Piculas, a substitute teacher at the Rushe Middle School in Pasco County, he was removed from his post last January, with officials bearing their accusations on a disappearing-toothpick act that he performed for his students a week before.

Several states are planning to kill two bird with one stone by releasing inmates ahead of schedule to cut costs and decongest jails. Leading the pack is California, which wants to set free 22,000 prisoners by 20 months ahead in an effort to reduce by $1. 1 billion over the next two years the state's penitentiary system budget and to ease the overcrowding in the U. S. most populated jail. The early liberty would apply only to inmates who are in for nonviolent and nonsexual crimes.