Mirren, Murphy Honored at SAG Awards

LOS ANGELES - Helen Mirren won the Screen Actors Guild Award on Sunday for the title role in the TV miniseries "Elizabeth I," a possible warmup for her potential film award later in the evening as Elizabeth II in "The Queen."

Eddie Murphy was honored as outstanding male actor in a supporting role for "Dreamgirls."

"I'm so proud. I love this award more than any other award," said Mirren, who was chosen as best actress in a TV movie or miniseries. "I think especially being a Brit, American film acting has always inspired us and influenced us and pressed us, or me, anyway. I've always looked to American film actors to teach me how to do it, basically."

Her …

Ill. police: Pastor killed, others shot at church

A gunman walked down the aisle of a church during a Sunday service and killed the pastor, then stabbed himself and two others as parishioners wrestled him to the ground, authorities said.

The man walked into the sprawling brick First Baptist Church in Maryville shortly after 8 a.m. and briefly spoke with Pastor Fred Winters before pulling out a .45-caliber handgun and shooting Winters once, said Illinois State Trooper Master Trooper Ralph Timmins.

The gun jammed before the man could fire again, Timmins said. The attacker then pulled out a knife and injured himself before churchgoers subdued him. Two parishioners involved in the struggle also suffered knife …

Kids grown, they want to save

For the first time in 18 years, Tim and Eileen Burke will not bepaying tuition. With their children grown, they now want to focus onsaving for retirement with an eye toward some travel.

"We want to be able to pick up and go," Eileen, 50, said.

The Burkes both work, and despite putting three children throughcollege they've managed to pile up $50,000 worth of certificates ofdeposit, $25,000 in their IRAs and work-related profit sharing of$45,000. They also have a house on the Southwest Side that's fullypaid for and is worth about $110,000.

Not only have they paid off their mortgage, they've also managedto stay debt-free. They don't have car loans or …

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TOKYO (AP) — Japan releases Chinese fishing boat …

Japan stocks edge lower, ending winning streak

Tokyo stocks edged lower Friday after a four-day winning streak as investors sold recent gainers such as precision equipment and electronics makers.

The Nikkei fell 0.2 percent to 14,219.48, after rising more than 4 percent in the previous four sessions. The Topix index of all the Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section issues rose 0.2 percent to 1,395.87.

"Although investors are expected to chase the market higher in the near future," the market is still not on a firm upward trend, said Seiichiro Iwasawa, chief strategist at Nomura Securities. "It is not rising yet."

The Nikkei will likely ascend gradually, however, helped by a …

Fundraising festive fair to help pets

A Pet rehoming charity in Aberdeen is holding a fundraisingfestive fair this weekend.

Dawgs will have a wide range of goods on sale at their Christmasevent in Airyhall Community Centre.

The charity, based on the city's …

Lean & Green Awards 2011: Wirebelt Company of America Manufacturing a Greener Future

David Greer is as passionate about sustainability as he is about keeping manufacturing jobs in NH, and it's been a winning combination for the maker of wire mesh conveyor belts. Using large and small environmental measures including low-flow faucets, lights with motion sensors, extra wall insulation, high-efficiency HVAC units and a 100-kilowatt solar array on the roof - Wirebelt Company of America has saved more than $1.5 million and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by millions of pounds since focusing on green practices.

The first two-time Lean and Green Award winner, Wirebelt takes an approach to sustainability that is practical and holistic. "Conventional wisdom is that the …