National League Leaders

BATTING_CJones, Atlanta, .420; Berkman, Houston, .372; Pujols, St. Louis, .347; BMolina, San Francisco, .332; Rowand, San Francisco, .330; Theriot, Chicago, .323; Holliday, Colorado, .321.

RUNS_Berkman, Houston, 60; HRamirez, Florida, 52; Utley, Philadelphia, 51; Uggla, Florida, 50; McLouth, Pittsburgh, 50; Bay, Pittsburgh, 46; Tejada, Houston, 46.

RBI_Utley, Philadelphia, 56; AdGonzalez, San Diego, 56; Berkman, Houston, 51; Howard, Philadelphia, 49; Braun, Milwaukee, 47; CaLee, Houston, 47; Ludwick, St. Louis, 46.

HITS_CJones, Atlanta, 92; Berkman, Houston, 86; CGuzman, Washington, 82; Utley, Philadelphia, 78; AdGonzalez, San Diego, 76; Pujols, …

China drives even fatter wedge into trade gap

WASHINGTON -- A surge in oil imports and a flood of Chinesetelevisions, toys and computers helped to drive the U.S. tradedeficit to an all-time high in October.

The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that the gap betweenwhat America sells overseas and what it imports rose by 4.4 percentto $68.9 billion, surpassing the record of $66 billion set inSeptember.

The United States incurred record deficits in October with most ofits major trading partners including China, the 25-nation EuropeanUnion, Canada and Mexico. This development is certain to increaseprotectionist pressures in Congress, with many lawmakers alreadyunhappy with the Bush administration's trade …

ASK AN Expert

Q How can I keep my stress level in check during the crunch of tax season?

A There are three certainties in life: death, taxes - and tax season. You know the drill: tons of work, a firm deadline and clients who are disorganized and demanding. Here are some tips to get through this ordeal.

Clear the decks. Set aside discretionary work and projects that aren't tax related.

Take time outs. Even a five- or 10-minute break will help clear your head, reduce stress and restore your energy.

Avoid long hours. 12- and 14-hour days lead to exhaustion and inefficiency. Nine or 10 hours might serve you better.

Take at least a day off on weekends for diversion, …

US teens charged with murder of immigrant

The killing of an Ecuadorean immigrant by seven high school students was part of a spree in which the teenagers tormented other immigrants while armed with knives and BB guns, prosecutors said.

The teens were indicted Thursday on more serious offenses _ including murder as a hate crime for one accused of wielding the knife _ than they initially faced when arrested in the Nov. 8 killing of Marcelo Lucero.

About 300 people gathered Thursday in Gualaceo, Ecuador, for a funeral for Lucero, who worked in a dry-cleaning store after arriving in the United States 16 years ago. His gray casket was draped with an Ecuadorean flag, and rose petals were tossed on top. …

Russian hydropower plant blast kills 2, wounds 10

An explosion Wednesday at a hydropower plant in central Russia killed two people, including a fireman, and injured 10 workers, investigators said.

A compressor exploded in the turbine room but the cause of the accident at the Lower Kama hydropower station was not immediately clear, the Investigative Committee said in a statement.

Smoke appeared in the turbine room about 10 minutes before the explosion, state news agencies reported, citing the Energy Ministry.

The turbine shop director was killed, as …

Forecasts

Tonight Clear with scattered frost possible after midnight. Lowsaround 40.

Wednesday Mostly sunny with highs around 70. Light and variablewinds.

Thursday …

Hawaii lawsuit seeks equal rights for gay couples

HONOLULU (AP) — Six gay couples in Hawaii are filing a lawsuit Thursday asking for the same rights as married couples, three weeks after Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a same-sex civil unions measure.

The lawsuit doesn't seek the titles of "marriage" or "civil unions" for gay partners. Instead, it requests that the court system extend them the benefits and responsibilities of marriage based on the Hawaii Constitution's prohibition against sex discrimination.

"We continue to be discriminated against," said plaintiff Suzanne King, who has been in a relationship with her partner for 29 years. "We're a family unit, and we live our lives just like everyone else, but we aren't treated the …