SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A $50 million high-tech rehabilitation center designed to serve the growing number of soldiers who return from war as amputees or with severe burns will open here Monday. The 60,000-square-foot Center for the Intrepid will allow the Army to move its rehabilitation program out of the Brooke Army Medical Center and into a separate facility that includes a rock-climbing wall, wave pool and a 360-degree virtual reality sphere to help amputees and other severely wounded soldiers recover their balance and other basic skills.

NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - An American military helicopter crashed on Sunday during fighting near the Shiite holy city of Najaf, and the U.S. military said two crew members were killed. Iraqi military authorities said about 250 militants died in the battle. Iraqi authorities said the helicopter crashed while providing air support to Iraqi troops battling militants who planned attacks against Shiite pilgrims and clerics during the upcoming Ashoura commemorations. A U.S. statement said the remains of the crew members were recovered.

WASHINGTON (AP) - In an action branded a backdoor draft by some critics, the military over the past several years has held tens of thousand of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines on the job and in war zones beyond their retirement dates or enlistment length. It is a widely disliked practice that the Pentagon, under new Defense Secretary Robert Gates, is trying to figure out how to cut back on.

Just off Highway 36 near Flat, in front of an historic dogtrot cabin, is an equally historic tree. In its day, it was known as 'The Great Me s quite.' The former arbor celebrity isn't much to look at now. Blizzards, ice storms, freezes and general but pervasive ravages of time have broken many of its primary branches, though it remains rooted to the Coryell County soil, as it has for hundreds of years.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Roger Federer held back the tears this time. He didn

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Tiger Woods is more interested in a fifth green jacket at the Masters than 11 straight victories on the PGA Tour. At this rate, he might have a chance to get both.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Michael Finley was often the No. 1 option in his 8

BIG SANDY (AP) - Damontray Darty is bouncing on a trampoline outside his trailer home, parked amid the run-down houses in this one-stoplight town. The 9-year-old is wearing a blue football jersey, clutching a big white teddy bear, and even bigger dreams.