air native n7

equipment failed Tuesday at a regional air-traffic control center, shutting down all airline traffic within 250 miles of Memphis and causing a ripple effect across the country that grounded dozens of passenger and cargo flights. The problem started when a major telephone line to the Memphis center went out at 12:35 p.m. Memphis -- a hub for Northwest Airlines, a major carrier in Detroit -- is the world's busiest airport for cargo.

Ex-Alaska lawmaker guilty of bribery

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A former state legislator was convicted Tuesday of trading his legislative influence for bribes from a company that was seeking to profit from a proposed natural gas pipeline. Former Rep. Pete Kott, a Republican who was House speaker for part of his 14-year tenure, was found guilty of conspiracy to solicit financial benefits, extortion and bribery.

American Indians get Nike shoe

BEAVERTON, Ore . -- Nike on Tuesday unveiled what it said is the first shoe designed specifically for American Indians, an effort aiming at promoting physical fitness in a population with high obesity rates. The Beaverton-based company says the Air Native N7 is designed with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of American Indians.

4 crewmen missing from empty boat

MIAMI -- Two men who had been plucked from a life raft near Cuba were charged Tuesday after the boat they had rented was found adrift in the Bahamas, its four crew members missing. Kirby Logan Archer, 35, of Strawberry, Ark., who is wanted in a robbery case in Arkansas, was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Guillermo Zarabozo, 19, of Hialeah was charged with making a false statement to a federal agent.

In other headlines


Giuliani backer hosts fundraiser with '$9.11' theme : The International Association of Fire Fighters accused Republican Rudy Giuliani of exploiting the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks because a supporter is holding a $9.11-per-person fundraiser for the presidential candidate. A Giuliani spokeswoman said the idea was selected without the campaign's knowledge.


Nooses left for black Coast Guard officer: Nooses were left in a black Coast Guard cadet's bag and in the office of a white officer who conducted race relations training after the incident, leading a congressman to call for a thorough military investigation.


Tainted tofu recalled : California state health officials are warning people not to eat tofu products from a San Francisco company because the food may be tainted with a dangerous bacteria. Quong Hop and Co. products were distributed to supermarkets and natural-food stores on the West Coast and throughout the Midwest.


Journalists honor slain ex-Detroit News staffer : The slain editor of a Bay Area newspaper that serves the black community was named Journalist of the Year by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The group decided to honor Chauncey Bailey, editor of the weekly Oakland Post and a former Detroit News staffer, for his commitment to his work. He was murdered Aug. 2.


Conyers seeks release of Jena 6 teenager: U.S. Rep. John Conyers of Detroit, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said Tuesday he will press the government for the release of a black teenager held in the "Jena 6" case that spurred one of the biggest civil-rights demonstrations in years.


Group pays higher price for Times ad : MoveOn.org said Tuesday that it paid the New York Times $77,508 after the newspaper revealed that its advertising department had undercharged it for an ad about Gen. David W. Petraeus that ran two weeks ago and proved controversial.

Myanmar military imposes curfew

YANGON, Myanmar -- Myanmar's military leaders imposed a nighttime curfew and banned gatherings of more than five people Tuesday after 35,000 Buddhist monks and their supporters defied the junta's warnings and staged another day of anti-government protests.

In other headlines


Hezbollah blocks Lebanon election: Hezbollah and its opposition allies blocked the election of Lebanon's next president Tuesday.UNITED NATIONS (AP) Iran's president says Tehran will ignore U.N. Security Council demands for it to halt uranium enrichment. He says the requirement is imposed by "arrogant powers." Speaking before world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (ah-muh-DEE'-neh-zhahd) says Iran's nuclear efforts will be monitored through legal paths.

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) A polygamist leader in Utah, who once appeared on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list, has been convicted on sex-related charges. Warren Jeffs was found guilty of being an accomplice to rape for arranging the marriage of a 19-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl. Jeffs could get life in prison.

Washington (AP) Michigan Congressman John Conyers says he'll press the government for the release of a black teenager held in the "Jena 6" case in Louisiana. Conyers met with Bell's parents on Capitol Hill today. Mychal Bell, now 17, was one of six teens arrested after a December attack on a white student.

WASHINGTON (AP) National test results show math and reading scores are up for elementary and middle schoolers. The results were a boost to President Bush's signature No Child Left Behind education law. And it provides ammunition for those who want to see it extended with minimal changes.

BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) It's a first for American Indians. Nike has come out with a shoe designed specifically for them. Nike says the Air Native N7 shoe aims to promote physical fitness in a population with high obesity rates. All profits will be reinvested into community projects.
BEAVERTON, Ore., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nike today unveiled the Nike Air Native N7, a unique athletic performance shoe designed specifically for Native Americans. The Nike Air Native N7 is the result of nearly two years of collaborative research, development and fit testing in partnership with the Native American community. This first-of-a-kind performance shoe is built on a new and unique last created to address the specific fit and width requirements for the Native American foot. The result is a true Native fitting, performance product.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO)

The Nike Air Native N7 shoe marks another milestone in Nike's long-standing commitment to Native American communities. Profits from the sale of the Nike Air Native N7 will support "Let Me Play" programs on Native American lands that leverage sport to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.

The Nike Air Native N7 shoe also embraces Nike's Considered design ethos, where details in the development and design of the shoe are geared to deliver sustainable innovation and reduce waste, without compromising product performance. The Considered design ethos also honors the traditional Native American Seventh Generation philosophy, an approach that respects the impact of decisions made today on seven generations. The shoe's design draws inspiration directly from Native American culture.

The Nike Air Native N7 shoe and "Let Me Play" programs deepen Nike's long-term commitments to challenge and address some of the specific health and wellness issues that exist within Native American communities. A strong emphasis was placed on providing a performance product that would cater to the specific needs of Native American foot shapes and help provide motivation to Native Americans predisposed to, or suffering from, health issues that can be improved by leading physically active lifestyles.

As well as being built on a new Native specific last, the shoe is constructed from the inside out to ensure significantly improved comfort and fit. This approach results in reduced seams and layering, while the use of performance foams at key points provides additional cushioning in specific areas of the shoe. In combination these elements help to improve overall fit and help wearers to avoid foot irritations caused by ill-fitting footwear. Creating a shoe designed in this way is another step in helping to promote and sustain physical activity and address health issues prevalent within the Native American community.

"Nike is aware of the growing health issues facing Native Americans," explained Sam McCracken, Manager of Nike's Native American Business program. "Through the Nike Air Native N7 we are stepping up our commitment to use our voice on a local, regional and national level to elevate the issue of Native American health and wellness. We believe physical activity can and should be a fundamental part of the health and wellness of all Native Americans."

"The Nike Air Native N7 marks an important moment for us and is a great example of what can be achieved when we challenge ourselves to innovate for a better world," said Mark Parker, President and CEO of Nike, Inc. "This product represents innovation beyond athletic performance, helping to improve Native American communities. It also exemplifies Nike's broader commitment towards sustainable design and community involvement."

The Nike Air Native N7 project has been a true collaboration with the Native American community and key stakeholders engaged in the health and wellness issues surrounding Native American populations. Research has engaged individuals from over 70 tribes as well as consulting podiatrists and members of Indian Health Services and the National Indian Health Board.

"Nike's development of the Nike Air Native N7 comes at a critical time for the health and well-being of the Native American population," said Dr. Rodney Stapp, Chief Executive Officer for the Urban Inter-Tribal Center of Texas, one of 36 urban Indian Health Centers funded by I.H.S. and a consulting podiatrist on the Nike Air Native N7 project. "Today, more than ever, we are faced with rising rates of chronic diseases brought on in large part by overweight and inactivity and for which physical activity is a noted step in the prevention of such diseases. The fact that Nike has been a long-time advocate for physical activity on Native Lands through its Native American Business Program speaks volumes to its true understanding of the growing need to tackle Native American health issues with the positive antidote of movement and sport."

The Nike Air Native N7 is a Nike+ enabled fitness shoe designed for a range of sports and activities. The Nike Air Native N7 will only be available through Nike's Native Business Program as an additional way for Native American communities to provide Nike product incentives at preferential prices to their members through health promotion and disease prevention programs.

ABOUT NIKE, INC.

Based near Beaverton, Oregon, Nike is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; NIKE Bauer Hockey Inc., a leading designer and distributor of hockey equipment; Cole Haan, which designs, markets, and distributes fine dress and casual shoes and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Exeter Brands Group LLC, which designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel.

Let Me Play

Let Me Play -- Nike's new signature community effort -- will expand the company's commitment to sports and physical fitness for youth through the recognition that by playing sports, young people can make themselves, their communities and their world better. In addition to building surfaces for play, Let Me Play provides grants and product donations to support young people in their quest for sport; and it brings volunteers, organizations and decision-makers together to improve opportunities that help youth grow up healthy and active.

The Nike Air Native N7 is the result of nearly two years of collaborative research, development and fit testing in partnership with the American Indian community. The irst-of-a-kind performance shoe was created to address the specific fit and width requirements for the Native American foot.

The Nike Air Native N7 shoe is another part of the Washington County company's commitment to American Indian communities. Profits from the shoe's sale will support the "Let Me Play" sports programs on American Indian land.

"Nike is aware of the growing health issues facing Native Americans," said Sam McCracken, Manager of Nike's Native American Business program. "Through the Nike Air Native N7 we are stepping up our commitment to use our voice on a local, regional and national level to elevate the issue of Native American health and wellness. We believe physical activity can and should be a fundamental part of the health and wellness of all Native Americans."

The Nike Air Native N7 project has been a collaboration with the American Indian community and key stakeholders engaged in the health and wellness issues surrounding American Indian populations. The process also included more than 70 tribes and consulting podiatrists and members of Indian Health Services and the National Indian Health Board.