Play it cool on the road // Products make heat bearable

The world's hot spots will feel cooler thanks to a number of newproducts that take the heat off or make warm-weather activities morecomfortable or convenient. The following items may be available inarea stores. Prices do not include shipping and handling. COOLER KIDS: Keeping junior cool is a breeze with this child-safe,battery-operated fan that clips onto a stroller, crib, playpen orhigh chair. The Clip N' Cool fan's blades are made of a flexibleplastic that won't hurt inquisitive fingers. And since it's batteryoperated (runs on two AA batteries, not included), there's nodangling cord. Parents may want to filch occasionally. Kel-Gar Clip N' Cool Fan is about $12. For a nearby …

UN accuses Syria forces of crimes against humanity

BEIRUT (AP) — A U.N. investigation released Monday accused Syrian forces of killing and torturing children and other crimes against humanity over the past eight months as President Bashar Assad's regime tried to crush an unprecedented uprising.

The investigation added to mounting international pressure on Assad. On Sunday, the Arab League approved sweeping sanctions to push his embattled regime to end the violence against mostly unarmed protesters.

The report by a U.N. Human Rights Council panel, released in Geneva, found that at least 256 children were killed by government forces between mid-March and early November, with some of them tortured to death.

"Torture was …

Reutimann cruises to win at NASCAR Chicagoland

David Reutimann blew by Jeff Gordon and cruised to the victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday.

Carl Edwards made a charge in the closing laps, cutting Reutimann's lead to less than a second, but he couldn't get close enough and finished second. Gordon was third, followed by Clint Bowyer and Jamie McMurray.

It was the second career victory for Reutimann, who also won a rain-shortened race at Charlotte in May 2009. This one was much more satisfying.

"No rain tonight," Reutimann said. "We earned this one. Nobody gave it to us and that feels really good."

And it was a relief for a …

SAVING GRACE

Pat Grenier, a financial planner with BRP Grenier based in Springfield, has been practicing for 22 years and said she's seen a notable shift in how people approach money, and the saving thereof, in that time.

"Twenty years ago, if a young couple came to see me which was rare - their outlook was much different," she said. "They were looking at specific investment ideas, because the wide variety of options that we have today wasn't available.

"Now," she continued, "people are looking not for a product, but a plan, to create the financial future that they envision."

Several factors contribute to this shift in financial planning trends among younger clients, said Grenier, …

Wall Street Has Worst Day in 4 Months

NEW YORK - Wall Street had its worst day in more than four months Monday as the dollar weakened and concerns about the strength of the retail industry arose following a rare sales decline at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The Dow Jones industrials fell 158 points.

Investors were uneasy after the dollar fell for the fifth straight day and after Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, reported a 0.1 percent drop in same-store sales, those from stores open at least a year. Same-store sales are the industry standard for assessing a retailer's strength, and while overall retail sales appeared strong last weekend, Wal-Mart's first deficit in a decade raised concerns about the strength of consumer …

State lawmakers bet gambling can help with budgets

A tell-tale sign America's chips are down: States are increasingly turning to gambling to plug budget holes.

Proposals to allow or expand slots or casinos are percolating in at least 14 states, tempting legislators and governors at a time when many must decide between cutting services and raising taxes.

Gambling has hard-core detractors in every state, but when the budget-balancing alternatives lawmakers must consider include reducing education funding or lifting sales taxes, resistance is easier to overcome, political analysts said.

"Who wouldn't be interested if you're a politician who needs to fund programs?" said Bo Bernhard, director …

What'll daughter think of their open marriage?

Dear Zazz: I've been married for four years and have a3-year-old daughter.

My husband and I enjoy the company of others, so we have an openmarriage. This arrangement works quite well for us, and we're happyabout it. The problem is that my daughter is noticing that other menor women sometimes spend the night.

Is it wise to continue the open marriage? I love my husband andenjoy this sexual freedom. But I also love my child and wonder if itwill be healthy for her, especially as she gets older, to observewhat's going on. SECOND THOUGHTS

Dear S.T.: You're right: Your open marriage surely will confuseyour daughter. Eventually, she may even be outraged by …