News In Brief

OH, YOU KNOW WHO I MEAN

There are memorable introductions, and then there's the one Javier Solana was treated to at this week's NATO conference in Hungary. His official title is high representative for common, foreign, and security policy for the European Union. Yes, that's a mouthful, especially for NATO Secretary-General George Robertson. Addressing the delegates, Robert- son began, "I am delighted that Javier Solana, the EU's high representative on foreign, securi ... on foreign, common, and security ...on common, foreign common ... on foreign and security policy ..." Finally, Robertson took the easy way out: "The high representative is with us today."

HE GETS MY VOTE

On matters of public policy, their differences can be stark. But when Britain's three main political party leaders were asked separately in a survey which TV character is their favorite, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Conservative chief William Hague, and Charles Kennedy of the Liberal Democrats all chose hotelier Basil Fawlty of the long-running "Fawlty Towers" comedy series.

Ranking SUVs on the risk of rolling over in accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded three stars or fewer to most sport utility vehicles in its latest test of their likelihood to flip over in a crash. Ratings are based on a formula using the vehicle's center of gravity and width. SUVs and pickup trucks are more top-heavy and thus more likely to get lower marks. A two-star rating means a vehicle has a rollover risk of 30 percent to 40 percent. Three-stars put the risk between 20 percent and 30 percent. SUVs that got two- and three-star ratings:

Two-star ratings

Chevrolet Tahoe Ford Expedition

GMC Yukon Lincoln Navigator

Three-star ratings

Chevy Suburban GMC Yukon XL

Honda Passport Infiniti QX4

Isuzu Rodeo Lexus RX300

Lexus RX300 Nissan Pathfinder

Pontiac Aztek

- Associated Press

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