A NEW ERA FOR NASCAR.(SPORTS)

Byline: AL LEVINE Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The first Daytona 500 in 24 years without Dale Earnhardt opens Winston Cup's 2002 season today.

But the Intimidator, who lost his life on the last lap of last year's race, remains very much a presence here.

From his life-size statue outside Daytona International Speedway, where fans have been leaving lucky pennies near Earnhardt's bronzed shoes, to the 43 drivers who will compete today under rules more focused on safety concerns than in NASCAR's recent history. Even the whining that most of stock car racing has been engaged in the past two weeks as NASCAR snipped quarter-inch …

NEWS DOESN'T DASH WORKERS' HOPE.(Main)

Byline: Tim Beidel Staff writer

More than a dozen Delaware & Hudson Railway employees paced back and forth on the worn carpet at the company's headquarters Tuesday evening, waiting for the fax or the phone call that would make their future clear.

When the grim news came through that Canadian Pacific Ltd. had withdrawn its offer to buy the bankrupt railroad, employees were left hoping that officials would be able to find some new way to make the struggling railroad viable.

"It's just a 30-day extension of uncertainty, that's all it is," said an employee who would not give his name.

John Parola, executive vice president of D&H, said the …

Hundreds mark 5th year of Israel barrier protests

Hundreds of Palestinians, Israelis and foreign activists _ engulfed by clouds of tear gas fired by Israeli troops _ demonstrated Friday to mark the fifth anniversary of weekly protests against Israel's West Bank separation barrier.

Friday's demonstrations in the West Bank village of Bilin were also a victory celebration of sorts for the protesters, coming days after Israel's military began to reroute a barrier segment to restore some of the land taken from the village.

In five years of weekly protests, Bilin has become a symbol of the Palestinians' struggle against the encroachment of the barrier on land they claim for their state, and the demonstrations …

College Builds on Concrete Degree Growth

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Chris Turnbow Jr. started college as a computer science major, before switching to something more solid.

Like hundreds of other students at Middle Tennessee State University, Turnbow is now studying for a bachelor's degree in concrete management. The industry-funded program has become the fastest-growing major on campus.

"They teach you everything you need to know. It's the best major on campus," said Turnbow, whose class schedule includes literature, psychology, U.S. history and Fundamentals of Concrete.

Middle Tennessee, located about 30 miles southeast of Nashville, started the first-ever concrete industry management major in 1996 with …

AVS renews its relations with Rowe.

American Vending Sales Inc., the Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based equipment distributor, has re-established its distribution arrangement with Rowe …

SOCAR DELEGATION INVESTIGATES USA OIL MUSEUMS.

Baku, 13 February (AzerTAc) - The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) has sent a delegation to the USA to study experience of oil museums throughout the world. The delegation, headed by SOCAR Vice-President on personnel, regime and information technologies Khalik Mammadov also includes scientists and museum specialists. Within the framework of the visit, the delegation will investigate US oil and gas museums and get acquainted with progressive …

CATHOLIC BISHOPS SEEK MOVIEGOERS' OPINIONS.(ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT)

Byline: Religion News Service

Have an opinion on which film should win this year's Academy Award for best picture? The nation's Roman Catholic bishops want to hear from you.

From now until Friday, film enthusiasts are invited to call the U.S. Bishops' Catholic Communications Campaign's toll-free movie review line to vote for their best picture choice. And callers are not limited to the academy's five nominees.

``We're curious to know what people who use our line think about the types of films Hollywood is releasing these days,'' said Patricia Ryan Garcia, who supervises the line. ``We're giving them a chance to voice their …