News In Brief

Yours very truly ...

lance Cpl. Ryan Henderson, on peacekeeping duty in Kosovo, wanted to write home to assure his father that he was well. As a US serviceman, he had free mailing privileges but one slight problem: no paper. So he tore up a cardboard field rations box, wrote his message, and sent it on its way - a gesture whose ingenuity was especially appreciated by dad, Postmaster General William Henderson.

BUT WHAT IF THEY'RE CAPABLE?

A new form of gender discrimination has been imposed on women in the workplace. In Kelantan, where the interpretation of Islam is strictest among the 13 states of Malaysia, government officers have been told they may interview female applicants for civil-service jobs only if they're not pretty. The policy does represent a bit of a retreat, however. Earlier this year, the state had planned to ban women from being employed outside the home at all.

Active stars eligible for the All-Century baseball team

Baseball's All-Century team is to be announced before Game 1 of this year's World Series. Of 100 players on the ballot, 85 are already in the Hall of Fame. Of the remaining 15, four - Dennis Eckersley, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, and Ozzie Smith - are recent retirees, and eight are still active. The only others being considered for All-Century are Carlton Fisk, who fell 43 votes short of joining the Hall this year; Shoeless Joe Jackson, who was bypassed for the Hall before the prohibition against banned players took effect in 1991; and Pete Rose, who is ineligible for the Hall because of a lifetime ban he agreed to in 1989. The eight active players eligible for the All-Century balloting, which continues through Sept. 10 at ball parks, on the Internet, and elsewhere:

Barry Bonds Roger Clemens Ken Griffey Jr. Tony Gwynn Rickey Henderson Greg Maddux Mark McGwire Cal Ripken Jr.

- Associated Press

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