Drug addict refuses get out of jail card

OGDEN, Utah: A Utah man has chosen to fight heroin addiction by spending more time in jail. Damon Conrow was sentenced Wednesday on a charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance after asking to "plead up" to a first-degree felony. The charge had been a second-degree felony, but Conrow wanted a longer sentence. Conrow said he'll soon be happier than he is now because he'll get off heroin. He said within about eight weeks of going to jail, he expects withdrawal symptoms to ease so he can start having normal sleeping patterns. The 25-year-old pleaded guilty in December. 2nd District Judge Pamela Heffernan gave Conrow one last chance to change his mind and withdraw his guilty plea. Conrow declined.

Lights go out on Real in Albania

TIRANA: Real Madrid were left in the dark when they traveled to Albania to play a hastily-assembled team in a friendly on Wednesday. The Tirana stadium was plunged into darkness by a power cut at the start of the second half of the match and the Real players, including Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, had to wait for an hour and 20 minutes for the electricity to be restored. Real had been invited to Albania to play newly-promoted first division side Gramozi, who had borrowed players from other teams to boost their chances. Gramozi are owned by oil businessman Rezart Taci and his company paid Real more than $2.8 million for their 10-hour trip to Tirana, in what critics said was an unwelcome addition to a busy schedule for the Spanish team. Angry fans shouted and threw lighters on to the pitch when the lights went out. Unconfirmed reports said the stadium manager had been sacked over the incident.

Single, bitter? Chinese government helps lovebirds

BEIJING: China's central government has set up a match-making website to help thousands of busy but lonely government workers find love at work. "Are you still single and bitter?" asks the pink-themed website (www.ywqq.gov.cn). Look no further. The official government website for the "Central Government Unions Magpie Bridge" — featuring a young man and woman peering at each other around the corner of a log cabin — calls itself "the most trustworthy matchmaking platform." "Members have high caliber, are well-educated and have stable jobs," it says. "All information has been confirmed by the labor union at their respective employer, and registered with the Ministry of Public Security, to assure accuracy and reliability." Magpie Bridge is named after the bridge of birds that once a year connects mythical Chinese lovers Niu Lang and Zhi Nu.

- Compiled from agencies