Brian Greenspun presents Rabbi Hier?s remarks on Holocaust Memorial Day. Almost two years ago in this space, I shared with our readers some reflections from Rabbi Marvin Hier on the issue of intolerance. Rabbi Hier is the dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Intolerance.

My guess is you have forgotten about SAGE ? and it?s not a word you have heard used too often during the first two-thirds of Session ?09.

I?m not a conspiracy theorist by nature, but sometimes

Ensign says Obama?s meeting with Venezuela?s president sent the wrong message. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., has bashed President Barack Obama for his meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during the recent Summit of the Americas.

Proposed commission needed to explore reasons behind economic meltdown. After the 9/11 attacks, Congress established a bipartisan commission that pinpointed weaknesses in national security. Although many of the 9/11 Commission recommendations have yet to be fulfilled, they offered a valuable road map that can help the nation avoid repeating many of the mistakes that were made leading up to the attacks.

More local accountability is needed when spending stimulus funds. With an unemployment rate that reached an alarming 10.4 percent in March, its highest point since the 1980s, the Las Vegas Valley can ill afford to squander money that is intended to create jobs and train people in new skills.

Commissioners pick local company for northern beltway paving project. The Clark County Commission made an unusual move during last week?s meeting ? and the result is a lawsuit and a lot of questions.

CARSON CITY ? A meeting of legislative leaders of both parties and a few members of the business elite last week seemed to confirm, at least in part, the wisdom of the Democrats? strategy for selling a plan a to fix the budget mess.

Nevadan emerges as a national figure at a time when GOP needs a leader. WASHINGTON ? Anyone who says there are no second acts in politics clearly hasn?t been paying attention to the rise this year of Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign.

Phil Ruffin sold a series of other businesses to get the cash to buy big. Phil Ruffin prefers numbers to grand statements.

DIRE WARNING ON ECONOMY RECALLED. WASHINGTON ? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid encouraged Barack Obama to run for president in early 2007, telling the then-freshman senator if wanted the White House, he could win it, according to an epilogue to Reid?s autobiography to be released next month.

As the clock winds down on this year?s legislative session, some billswill emerge as law, and a few, just as worthy, will be lost. A look at both.. Carson City

A month ago, when labor leader Andy Stern was drumming up excitement over a nationwide campaign to organize hotel and casino workers, he said his union wouldn?t set up shop on the Strip.

CARSON CITY ? The members of Nevada?s citizen Legislature often wear two hats.

Sri Lanka is refusing humanitarian access to its war zone where some 50,000 people are believed trapped, a top UN diplomat said on Monday, while welcoming a government move to slow down its military offensive.

Sri Lanka is refusing humanitarian access to its war zone where some 50,000 people are believed trapped, a top UN diplomat said on Monday, while welcoming a government move to slow down its military offensive.

New cases suspected in New York, Kansas. Two new cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the U.S., as a Kansas couple has been diagnosed with the virus that has swept Mexico and threatened an international health crisis. The Centers for Disease Control had already confirmed two cases in Texas and six in Mexico.

Illnesses reported in six states. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today recommended that consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts, including sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts, until further notice because the product has been linked to Salmonella serotype Saintpaul contamination.

FDIC closes banks in California, Michigan, Georgia, Idaho. Four more regional banks closed their doors Friday, bringing the total number of bank failures to 29 so far in 2009. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said the total cost to taxpayers of closing the banks was $700 million.

Sri Lanka announced on Monday that it was halting the use of heavy weapons and air strikes to spare civilian lives in its battle against the Tamil Tigers, but asserted it was not calling a truce.

Sri Lanka announced on Monday that it was halting the use of heavy weapons and air strikes to spare civilian lives in its battle against the Tamil Tigers.

The United States declared a swine flu outbreak a public health emergency as officials confirmed 20 cases in five US states and warned that they expected more in the coming days.

Sri Lankan troops stepped up their offensive against the Tamil Tigers holed up on the island's northeast coast, after dismissing a rebel ceasefire and international calls to stop fighting.

A batch of agreements signed by China and rival Taiwan to deepen economic and transport ties mark a milestone that signals even broader future cooperation, state media said.

Sri Lankan government troops launched a fierce pre-dawn attack against Tamil Tiger rebels holed up on the island's northeast coast, the pro-rebel Tamilnet website said.

The Cleveland Cavaliers swept into the second round of the National Basketball Association playoffs while reigning champions Boston remained locked in a dogfight with the Chicago Bulls.

Rafael Nadal had no time for extended celebrations after winning a fifth straight Barcelona Open title 6-2, 7-5 over David Ferrer with the Rome Masters next on his all-conquering agenda.

Dinara Safina celebrates her 23rd birthday on Monday determined to prove she deserves to be world number one despite never having won a Grand Slam title.

World health officials Sunday stepped up the battle against a new swine flu blamed for dozens of deaths in Mexico, as the US declared a public emergency amid signs the disease was spreading.

US veteran Jerry Kelly has won his first title in seven years, fighting back after squandering the lead to win the 6.2 million-dollar PGA Zurich Classic by one stroke.

Lorena Ochoa fired a five-under par 68 on to hold off Norway's Suzanne Pettersen and win her second straight Corona Championship LPGA title.

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki visited Venezuela Sunday as part of a move to open a diplomatic mission in Caracas, the Venezuelan foreign ministry said.

Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa claimed victory in the country's presidential vote on Sunday, moments after exit polls showed voters had handed him a second term in office.

Naturalist David Attenborough, actor Kenneth Branagh and comedy duo French and Saunders were honoured Sunday with gongs at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) awards.

Naturalist David Attenborough, actor Kenneth Branagh and comedy duo French and Saunders were honoured Sunday with gongs at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) awards.

The global economic crisis is turning into "a human and development calamity," with poorer countries being hit increasingly hard, the IMF and World Bank said Sunday.

Lorena Ochoa fired a five-under par 68 on Sunday to hold off Norway's Suzanne Pettersen and win her second straight Corona Championship LPGA title.

New Zealand's Scott Dixon, the defending series champion who had struggled to start this season, won his 17th career IndyCar race here on Sunday at the IndyCar 300.

Canadian health officials on Sunday confirmed six cases of the potentially deadly swine flu, with authorities warning more severe cases could develop.

Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa on Sunday claimed victory in the country's presidential vote, moments after exit polls showed voters had handed him a second term in office.

Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa has won re-election for a term ending in 2013, according to exit polls released as voting ended Sunday.

Jacob Zuma led his African National Congress to victory with sweeping promises to help the country's poor, but will enter office under pressure to deliver in a faltering economy.

Manchester United great Ryan Giggs was named here on Sunday as the English Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year for the first time despite starting just 12 league games this season.

Pakistan on Sunday launched a new offensive against Taliban militants in its northwest after coming under heavy US pressure to halt advancing extremists, jolting a shaky peace deal.

-

An American journalist with the New Yorker magazine was briefly arrested at a polling station in the Russian city of Sochi on Sunday, Ria-Novosti news agency reported.

US veteran Jerry Kelly won his first title in seven years, fighting back after squandering the lead to win the 6.2 million-dollar PGA Zurich Classic by one stroke.

The Cleveland Cavaliers swept into the second round of the National Basketball Association playoffs on Sunday while reigning champions Boston remained locked in a dogfight with the Chicago Bulls.

Swedish yacht Ericsson 4 on Sunday won the sixth stage of the Volvo round-the-world race from Rio de Janeiro to consolidate its overall lead.

Former Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya, trying to take full advantage of his first US stock car pole, was undone by a late-race wreck and settled for 20th at Sunday's Aaron's 499.