Shuttle leak repairs good, launch on for Wednesday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) — After a two-day delay, NASA's countdown clocks began ticking Sunday toward the final launch of space shuttle Discovery.

A pair of gas leaks resulted in back-to-back launch postponements for Discovery. NASA test director Steve Payne said repairs took care of the problem and enabled the launch team to aim for a Wednesday liftoff.

Forecasters put the odds of good weather at 70 percent for the 3:52 p.m. (1952 GMT) liftoff.

Discovery is making its last trip to orbit. Its destination is the International Space Station. Aboard the shuttle is a pressurized compartment full of supplies — even a futuristic robot — that will remain permanently at the …

Canadian circus tycoon heads to space station

From street performer to circus tycoon and now space tourist, Guy Laliberte has led a life of intrigue. As the billionaire founder of the Cirque du Soleil, Laliberte has made high risk business choices and enjoyed indulgent parties.

This year, he's celebrating his 50th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the founding of Cirque du Soleil by blasting off on a 12-day trip to the International Space Station.

A Soyuz TMA-16 craft took off early Wednesday from Kazakhstan and is scheduled to arrive Friday at the International Space Station. Laliberte, who is worth an estimated $2.5 billion, paid $35 million to become Canada's first space tourist.

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Tipsville . . .

Dateline: The Firing Line - In the wake of last month'sresignations by the Lyons mayor and police chief, word is newlyappointed Mayor Kenneth Getty is planning more fireworks at the bigtown meeting tonight. Stay tuned.P.S.: Getty has been suspended by the Cook County Sheriff's PoliceDepartment since 1994 for flunking a drug test. Getty, who isfighting the decision, denies the charge.Tipsville II . . .

The Road to Morocco:At first Mayor Daley balked at spending Easter in Casablanca, butwife Maggie really wanted to go. Now he's excited and, of course,will spend Easter with his family (daughter, Elizabeth, is alsogoing). The mayor will leave Thursday. …

Tour de Pologne Results

KATOWICE, Poland (AP) — Results Tuesday after the third stage at the Tour de Pologne, a 135.7-kilometer (84.3-mile) ride from Bedzin to Katowice:

1. Marcel Kittel, Germany, Skil-Shimano, 3 hours, 9 minutes, 29 seconds; bonus -10 seconds.

2. Romain Feillu, France, Vacansoleil-DCM, same time; bonus -6 seconds.

3. Jonas Aaen Joergensen, Denmark, Saxo Bank SunGard, same time; bonus -4 seconds.

4. Giacomo Nizzolo, Italy, Leopard-Trek, same time.

5. Adam Blyth, Britain, Omega Pharma-Lotto, same time.

6. Alexander Kristoff, Norway, BMC, same time.

7. Tom Boonen, Belgium, Quick Step Cycling, same time.

8. Marco Marcato, Italy, Vacansoleil-DCM, same …

Danish oil ship briefly seized off Nigeria

A Danish shipping group says one of its vessels has been released after being hijacked for nearly 30 hours in Nigeria's southern oil region.

Thor Shipping executive Thomas Mikkelsen says the crew aboard the Thor Galaxy was not harmed.

He says the ship was headed to Warri in southern Nigeria with oil exploration …

'One of those magical days' for Woods: 'Redshirt' Donald learns just how far he has to go

The red shirt was no coincidence. It was meant as a statement.Tiger Woods had his trademark red Sunday, of course, for the finalround of the PGA Championship. It's his attack color. But then LukeDonald showed up on the first tee in red, too.

And it looked kind of funny to see such an in-your-face thing. Thegreatest golfer of all time -- yes, you can call him that now --against a skinny Northwestern grad who had never been here before. Itwas a giant being challenged by something he could just swat away.And Woods did swat Donald away, winning another major easily. It wasover after six holes.

Donald becomes another color and shape in the blur of faces beatenby …

Vietnam: Opening Offices in EU

The Ministry of Trade has announced plans to open offices in the EU including Germany, France and Holland for promoting direct trade.

Last year, the Ministry said that activities to promote …