(Continued from page 34)

• The 24-page final declaration approved by consensus early Saturday by the 45-member Commission on the Status of Women expresses deep concern that overall progress toward the U.N. goal of gender equality and empowerment of women remains "slow and uneven"
• The commission said "the feminization of poverty persists" and reaffirmed that equality for women is essential for sustained economic development.
• It called for equality, empowerment, and human rights for women to be a major plank in new U.N. development goals expected to be adopted next year.
• For more progressive countries, there was relief that there was no back-pedaling on international recognition of women's reproductive and sexual rights and access to health services in the final document.
• ___

• NEW YORK (AP) -- In a rare and unusual mix of rock legends, AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson made a surprise appearance at Billy Joel's concert at Madison Square Garden and played the metal band's classic, "You Shook Me All Night Long."
• Joel introduced Johnson about halfway through the show Friday night, saying Johnson was part of one of the best bands he'd ever seen live. The packed arena erupted when Joel and his band began playing the rock anthem with Johnson on lead vocals.
• The show was part of a series of concerts by Joel at the Garden. He's playing there monthly as an artist-in-residence.
• Friday's show included a mix of Joel standards such as "Uptown Girl" and "Big Shot" as well as less-played songs, such as "The Ballad of Billy the Kid."
• ___

• Welcome back to a mostly Mercer-packed edition of BracketRacket, the one-stop shopping place for your offbeat NCAA tournament needs. Today, we get to the bottom of Duke's dirty trick, take a whirlwind tour of Little Richard's hometown and try to placate the eggheads in our midst. Without further ado:
• ___

(Continued on page 36)