A man in a wheelchair laden with explosives persuaded security guards to push him into an Iraqi operations center, where he blew himself up in an attack that killed the center's deputy commander. The infiltration, along with a U.S. report that insurgents used an adolescent to carry out a suicide attack against a mosque last week, was the latest indication that al-Qaida in Iraq is expanding its tactics to avoid detection before a bombing. The Iraqi military indefinitely banned all motorcycles, bicycles and hand-pushed and horse-drawn carts from Baghdad's streets on Sunday, two days after a bomb hidden under a horse-drawn cart killed three civilians. U.S. Embassy spokesman Philip Reeker said that while al-Qaida in Iraq has been "severely damaged," it remains a "dangerous threat." .

The detection of carbon nanotubes and workplace safety

More and more carbon nanotube (CNT) applications are moving from the research lab into commercial products. For example, CNTs can be found already in tennis rackets and bicycles, displays and TV screens, and numerous resins used by aerospace, defense, health care, and electronics companies.

The President's 'First Mechanic'

Although President George W. Bush calls him “the Pinkster" in letters, Santiago Gonzalez goes by “Pinkey" to the Georgetown residents who visit his store on M Street. Gonzalez, who immigrated to the US from Spain, is a bicycle mechanic and co-owner of Revolution Cycles, a four-store chain of bicycle shops in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. About 10 years ago, Pinkey started Revolution Cycles, now reputed as the chain that supplies Bush with his bicycles and bicycle maintenance. They also provide similar services to the Secret Service, John Kerry and locals. This week, THE HOYA sits down with the man who Bicycling Magazine dubbed “The First Mechanic."

How did you get involved in this business? Way back when … I was a young kid, a real good friend of mine open[ed] up a bike shop, [and] I used to go hang out after school [and] do my homework and stuff.

Tamara Bradford Pleads Guilty

The Rapid City woman accused of hitting four young boys while driving drunk last September pleaded guilty today to two counts of vehicular battery. She caused cuts, bruises and broken bones when she drove into a group of boys on their bicycles. Today the family of those victims were relieved when she walked into the Pennington county courthouse and pleaded guilty. "We're kind of excited because now we don't have to go to a jury trial," says Keri Ihle, mother of one of the victims. The plea is part of an agreement. The victim's families were willing to drop two charges of vehicular battery, one for driving with a revoked license and a D-U-I third charge. Police say she had a blood alcohol limit of .27 the day of the accident... three times the legal limit. "I still can't believe it happened and that she got this far into the system before something was done," says Ihle.

Airport defibrillator saves heart attack victim

The Ohio man was the 19th person resuscitated at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport since the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in December 2000. He was reported today to be in stable condition.

Police log: Home electronics, camera gear taken in break

METHUEN — Thieves broke into a Vincent Avenue home and ransacked it before leaving with assorted home electronics, camera gear and two bicycles, police said.

Foot doctor accused of stealing spendy bikes

LONGVIEW, Wash. - Seattle police say a Longview foot doctor is responsible for an unusual crime spree stretching across three Western states.Following his arrest, police say the suspect tried unsuccessfully to kill himself.Seattle police arrested Dr. Jacob Bos over the past weekend and accused him of stealing expensive bicycles in Oregon, Washington and Utah.Police say Bos would go to a bike shop, ask to test ride an expensive model, and then never return.They say they think Bos stole about $55,000 total worth of bikes, many of which were high-end models costing thousands of dollars each.When he was arrested in Longview, police say they found a stolen bike at his office. Five more stolen bikes were reportedly found at his home, along with other stolen items.Bill Larson of Cyclepath, located in northeast Portland, said Bos "had this way about him that was really warm and you just really believed what he had to say."Larson said Bos was cordial and knew his way around a bicycle.

BTAC Issues Grants to Communities

NEWMARKET, Ontario (BRAIN)The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) has announced the six recipients of the $25,000 in grants. Awarded twice a year and available to cycling focused community groups, BTACs Grant Program will support projects that put more people on bikes. This spring the funding goes to organizations that are conducting projects which fall into the following categories: education, advocacy and facility enhancement. An important selection criterion is whether the project will make measurable improvements to the overall cycling landscape in Canada. Education: Vancouvers After School Bikes program receives $5000. Developed by PEDAL Energy Development Alternatives (PEDAL) and partially funded by Translink, the three-year program will seek to improve access to bicycles and cycling in Vancouver elementary schools.