News In Brief

TOO LATE FOR FLOWERS From Verona, Italy, scene of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," comes word of the end of yet another romantic relationship. It seems the fellow in question paid a florist $6,000 to deliver 1,479 roses to his ex-fiance - for all but one day of the engagement she'd broken off. He brought the 1,480th and final rose himself, on horseback, as she dined at a local restaurant, along with a dramatic appeal to take him back. The flowers were accepted. The plea was not. IT'S 2:26 AND YOU'RE HERE If you need a new wristwatch and can hold off buying until June, you could be the first on your block to own a timepiece that not only tells you the hour, minute, and second, but also pinpoints your location - in case you didn't already know. The Casio watch, using data from 27 satellites in the Global Positioning System, is expected to retail for $490. Harrison Ford ranks No. 1 in favorite-movie-star poll In a recent Harris survey, Harrison Ford was voted America's favorite movie star, ahead of John Wayne and Mel Gibson. Ford, who starred in such blockbusters as "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Witness," and "Patriot Games," was the top choice among people aged 18 to 24, as well as older adults. Last year's favorite, Clint Eastwood, tied this year with Tom Cruise for the No. 4 spot. Stars who dropped out of the top 10 in the annual survey included Kevin Costner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Richard Gere. This year's highest-ranking female was Julia Roberts, who starred in "Pretty Woman" and "My Best Friend's Wedding." She finished 15th. The top stars in this year's poll: 1. Harrison Ford 2. John Wayne 3. Mel Gibson 4. Tom Cruise (tie) Clint Eastwood 6. Jack Nicholson 7. Brad Pitt 8. Sean Connery 9. Denzel Washington 10. Wesley Snipes - Reuters