Problems rare but more likely in teen blood donors

Complications from donating blood are rare but happen more often in teens than in older donors, including dizziness, fainting and falls, a study found.

The findings come as blood agencies increasingly rely on young people to maintain an adequate supply. Blood donation has declined in recent years, particularly among some older age groups, and the American Red Cross, which conducted the study, has supported efforts to allow more high school students to donate.

Lead author Dr. Anne Eder, an executive medical officer at Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C., emphasized that while teens are more susceptible to problems, their risks for having a bad reaction …

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"Fear Factor" (7 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5) This is billed as an "all-model" edition. But if you agree to go on "Fear Factor," you're amodel of what exactly?

"7th Heaven" (7 p.m., WGN-Channel 9) Bring back the Volstead Act!This old-fashioned family drama has one character refusing to drinkand another looking to remove all liquor from his home.

"The Bernie Mac Show" (7 p.m., WFLD-Channel 32) Bernie andcompany, pre-empted last week yet again so Fox could milk more from"American Idol" and the Ono-esque William Hung, are visited by "Idol"judges Paula Addul and Randy Jackson. "Mac" was renewed for nextseason last week.

"Casper Meets Wendy" (7 p.m., Disney Channel) …

Rep. Davis commits to Leaders for Positive Health Initiative program

When it comes to exercise and proper diet, Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-7th) says his biggest problems are finding the time and making sure he has the appropriate things to eat.

That's about to change.

Davis joined a group of physicians and clergy last week at a press conference to announce his commitment to the Leaders for Positive Health Initiative, a program aimed at preserving the lives of African American adults, particularly Black leadership, through diet and exercise.

"People have a tendency to live what you learn," said Davis, adding that he suffers from diabetes. "If you learn something different, a different style of living, learn the importance of exercise, then …

50 percent more US children went hungry in 2007

Some 691,000 children went hungry in the U.S. sometime in 2007, while close to one in eight Americans struggled to feed themselves adequately even before this year's sharp economic downturn, the Agriculture Department reported Monday.

The department's annual report on food security showed that during 2007 the number of children who suffered a substantial disruption in the amount of food they typically eat was more than 50 percent above the 430,000 in 2006 and the largest figure since 716,000 in 1998.

Overall, the 36.2 million adults and children who struggled with hunger during the year was up slightly from 35.5 million in 2006. That was 12.2 percent of …

Markets sink on oil, spending worries

NEW YORK -- Economic worries plagued Wall Street today, sendingstocks substantially lower as investors grew concerned about theimpact of oil prices on consumer spending.

Many of the nation's retailers reported only modest sales gains ashot weather stifled demand for fall fashions and as many consumersspent their money at auto dealers instead of malls. But investorsnonetheless were wondering whether retailers' results were a signthat consumers might finally be feeling the pinch from high gasolineand energy prices.

Those concerns were exacerbated by another rise in crude oilfutures, which once again neared all-time highs. A barrel of lightcrude was quoted at …

Alaskans should decide their land's fate

If you want to raise the temperature anywhere in Alaska, justmention the debate over drilling in the Arctic National WildlifeRefuge, as I found out this past week when I visited the state. Iwasn't surprised that most everyone I talked to was in favor ofdrilling, since I was there to give a speech to members of a ruralelectric cooperative. What surprised me was how angry people werethat their fellow Americans knew so little about Alaska itself. Asone man put it: "Folks in the lower 48 don't know diddly about ourstate, but they think they can tell us natives how best to protectit."

At issue is whether the federal government should allow drillingin the coastal plain on the …

Iraq and Kuwait seek to improve relations

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq and Kuwait pledged Wednesday to work toward resolving border disputes and debt issues as the two former enemies seek to repair relations damaged by Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of the oil-rich emirate.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and the Kuwaiti ambassador made the remarks at a flag-raising ceremony at the new Kuwaiti Embassy in Baghdad — the latest in a series of gestures between the former enemies as they struggle to repair relations after decades of bad blood.

"A strong political will is needed to solve these issues," Zebari told reporters as Kuwaiti security guards hoisted the black, white, green and red Kuwaiti flag up a pole outside the …