Encyclopaedia Britannica Sold to Swiss-Led Group

A Swiss-based investor will lead a buyout of troubledEncyclopaedia Britannica Inc., the publisher announced Monday.

Jacob E. Safra said he expects to broaden the content anddistribution of the 227-year-old publisher. Terms of the sale,expected to be completed shortly, were not announced. EncyclopaediaBritannica is owned by the William Benton Foundation, whose solebeneficiary is the University of Chicago.

Safra is the nephew of Edmond Safra, the Beirut-born head ofa $50 billion worldwide banking empire that includes Republic Bank inNew York. The elder Safra has interests in gold and currencytrading.

Britannica has been struggling with declining sales …

Police: US man lived with fiancee's body

WICHITA, Kansas (AP) — Police in Kansas say a 57-year-old man lived with the body of his dead fiancee for several days, praying she would be brought back to life.

Investigators don't suspect foul play, but an autopsy on the 54-year-old woman was planned Thursday.

Calls from neighbors concerned about the woman's welfare sent police Wednesday night to the …

Study: Cell phone-brain cancer link inconclusive

Cell phone users worried about getting brain cancer aren't off the hook yet.

A major international study into the link between cell phone use and two types of brain cancer has proved inconclusive, according to a report due to be published in a medical journal Tuesday.

A 10-year survey of almost 13,000 participants found most cell phone use didn't increase the risk of developing meningioma _ a common and frequently benign tumor _ or glioma _ a rarer but deadlier form of cancer.

There were "suggestions" that using cell phones for more than 30 minutes each day could increase the risk of glioma, according to the study by the World Health …

Forecasts

Tonight

Generally clear. Low 54 F. Winds light and variable.

Wednesday

Sunny skies. High 84 F. Winds light and …

LEASH ON LIFE

LEASH ON LIFE Darcy Cosper on Amy Hempel THE DOG OF THE MARRIAGE BY AMY HEMPEL NEW YORK: SCRIBNER. 141 PAGES. $20.

Amy Hempel makes other writers gibber. Mention her name in any company of fiction writers and those who have read her work-and inevitably they've read all her work-grow pale and weak-kneed and bright-eyed as feverish children. Her admirers range from Alice Munro to Chuck Palahniuk (who, like Hempel, studied writing with minimalism's great patron and self-proclaimed patriarch, Gordon Lish); in one worshipful essay, Palahniuk declares that the only possible response to Hempel's work is to "lie on the floor, face down, and praise it." I confess: I am among the …

Lightning lose with 52 shots; Oilers win with 19

The Tampa Bay Lightning rattled off a franchise-record worth of shots against the Florida Panthers and still couldn't skate off with a win.

The Edmonton Oilers kept their total at a minimum, but managed to find the net again and again in a most-efficient victory at the expense of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Under interim head coach Rick Tocchet, the Lightning fired 52 shots before settling for a 4-3 shootout loss to the Panthers on Tuesday night. Tampa Bay has fallen in the tiebreaker in both of Tocchet's games running the bench since he took over for the fired Barry Melrose on Friday.

The Lightning have lost five in a row overall.

…

Savvy Traveller shop sets sights on tourists

The Savvy Traveller, 50 E. Washington, is a worthwhile destinationfor anyone planning a trip.

In addition to 3,000 travel books, owner Sandye Wexler stockseverything from lightweight luggage to the latest portable travelgadgets.

Traveling families will appreciate children's games and booksfor car trips, small luggage carts with de-tach-able backpacks ($25)and stuffed animal tote bags on wheels ($22). The shop also sellsthe new ultraviolet Sun Sensor by Teledyne to prevent sunburn($18.95), plastic beach "banks" with neck cord ($9.95) and the Go Potfor making beverages, soup and coffee ($18.95). Call 263-2100.

MEXICAN DECO: Unusual Art Deco jewelry made …