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The U. S. Department of Commerce said on Friday that U. S. wholesale inventories rose 0.6 percent in February from January while sales rose 0.8 percent.

It was further reported by the department that from a year ago in February inventories fell 7.4 percent while merchant wholesale sales were up 9.8 percent.

As concerns resurfaced about government debt in Greece, Crude oil for May delivery dropped to less than $85 a barrel in New York on Friday.

Greece represents just 3 percent of the gross domestic product of the European Union, but its resistance to its latest rescue plan has raised concerns of default on its obligations.

The implications ripple through the eurozone, which has the euro as a common currency.

Officials have said that many Texans pursuing rebate credits for energy-efficient home appliances missed out when a processing Web site and phone lines were overwhelmed.

The Dallas Morning News reported on Friday that the Web site to reserve the rebates went online Wednesday and was soon choked with 2,400 hits per second and more than 38 million for the day.

As part of last year's federal economic stimulus, Texas was distributing $23 million in rebates.

Authorities have said that Canada honored the passing of its last World War I veteran with a ceremony Friday marking the official end of an era.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported that John Babcock, who died in February at 109, was paid tribute at the National End of Era ceremony on Vimy Ridge Day at Ottawa's National War Memorial.

An aide to former Secretary of State Colin Powell says that U. S. President George W. Bush and his top aides knew many Guantanamo detainees were innocent.

Film: "The Japanese Wife"; Starring: Rahul Bose, Raima Sen, Chigusa Takaku, Moushumi Chatterjee; Written & Directed by Aparna Sen; Rating: **

The final lap in this lyrical but contrived tale of unfufilled love shows two women coming together after the tragic death of the man they both loved. One, the Japanese wife of the title, the other a silent widow of meagre means.

By then it's too late. "The Japanese Wife" has lost its claims to its director's fame.