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caught the exchange, which we've clipped below. Alexander, being photographed at bottom center, is speaking with FBI deputy director Sean Joyce, to his left.

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Throughout the hearing the two worked together, with Alexander frequently setting up topics upon which Joyce expounded. When Alexander said that the government's surveillance tools had stopped over 50 terror attacks, Joyce described four of them. And so on. Over the course of three hours, the two faced little in the way of critique.

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Nonetheless, they were ready for a brew. Their more informal exchange came after Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan banged the gavel.

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Harper was speaking to reporters in London on the first leg of a European tour that will take him also to France and Ireland, which holds the European presidency, as well as to Northern Ireland, where he will attend a summit of the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations and the European Union.

Harper's spokesman, Andrew MacDougall, said on Friday that free-trade talks with the EU were down to the last few issues but that he did not expect a deal to be signed this week, and Harper signaled on Wednesday that he would not be rushed.

"We are not going to set a timeline or a fixed date on which we are going to have an agreement because it is essential that we be driven by the contents of the discussions, and we will not arrive at an accord until such time as we think we have the best accord we can get for the Canadian people," he said.

Beyond the increased market access that will result from an agreement, both sides have incentives to reach a deal quickly. Harper has placed a high priority on expanding trade to boost growth, and success would help counter a couple months of bad political news for his Conservative government. A deal would also provide a possible template for the European Union in its negotiations to reach a free trade agreement with the United States.

Canadian demands for much greater European market access for its beef access have been a major obstacle to reaching a deal.

(Reporting by Randall Palmer; Editing by Peter Galloway)

Cobb was taken off the field on a stretcher after he was hit on the right ear by a liner off the bat of Kansas City's Eric Hosmer in the fifth inning of the Rays' 5-3 win over the Royals on Saturday.

Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said all tests were normal and that Cobb suffered a mild concussion. Cobb was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where he will spent the night.

Cobb tweeted Saturday night: "Can't thank everyone enough for the prayers. Was the only way for me to make it out of there ok. Look forward to getting back out there."

He put a hand on his head after being struck. Trainers from both teams and other medical staff immediately ran onto the field. Cobb could be seen kicking his legs while being examined on the mound.

The team said Cobb remained conscious the whole time.

Players on both teams had hands on their heads as a stunned silence overtook Tropicana Field after the crowd gasped when Cobb was struck. Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield and Dr. Michael Reilly went with Cobb to the hospital.

Tampa Bay pitcher David Price visited Cobb in the hospital and tweeted: "Cobber is way more tough than me!! Laughing at jokes and the name they gave him!! Please keep him and his family in your prayers."

"He seemed pretty normal, so that was good," Price said after returning to the ballpark. "Our hearts are with him. He told me that Porterfield was making him really mad on the field because he wouldn't let him stand up, so it was good that he wanted to be able to stand up. He knew where he was. It's amazing that he is in the condition I feel like he is in right now."

Hosmer's drive bounced back toward the plate area, where catcher Jose Lobaton picked up the ball and threw him out at first.

"He hit it so hard (Cobb) couldn't even react, and it makes everybody in the stadium sick to their stomach when something like that happens," Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Hosmer said he didn't even want to run to first.

"I just wanted to see how he was doing," Hosmer said. "You hate to see that, especially Alex having a great year. It's just scary stuff, man. I'm glad he's alright. I know he's been talking and having conversations."

Hosmer, and Cobb's former teammates James Shields and Elliot Johnson planned to visit the pitcher at the hospital.

"I just want to go there and show him I care how he's doing," Hosmer said.

Cobb being hit came a month after Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ was also struck by a liner against the Rays and suffered a skull fracture. Happ was discharged from an area hospital the following day.

The sound of the ball striking Cobb which sounded like a bat hitting a ball could be heard in the press box and throughout the ballpark.

"I think everybody heard it," Rays right fielder Matt Joyce said. "The loudest and worst ball hitting somebody I've ever seen. Obviously the same happened with Happ here and that was terrifying, too. But man, that one caught him square."

Rays players, manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey gathered at the mound during the 11-minute delay. Shortstop Yunel Escobar was in squatting position looking down at the ground, while Hickey appeared at time at be nervously pacing near the mound.

"When they rolled him over, Cobber was talking and that was a good thing," Maddon said. "It's one of those really, really bad moments. It's part of the game and it stinks sometimes. Just a horrible moment to witness. It doesn't happen often, thank God, but when it does it can really give you pause. We were very lucky. Of course Alex was very lucky."

"I thought our medical staff did a great job," Maddon added. "They were beyond professional with how they dealt with the entire moment."

It has been a tough week for Cobb, who left the team after starting Monday night's game against Boston due to the death of his grandmother. He was informed of the death after the game in which the 25-year old gave up a season-high six runs over four innings in a 10-8, 14-inning loss to the Red Sox.

"So everything's looking positive and from everything I've heard, he has a laceration on his ear and a concussion," Shields said. "Hopefully it's just that."

Luke Scott, Joyce and Evan Longoria homered for the Rays, who had lost five of six. Alex Torres (2-0) replaced Cobb and struck out four over 1 2-3 scoreless innings. Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his 14th save in 19 opportunities.

"I'm still shaking," Torres said.

Joyce hit a solo homer off Jeremy Guthrie (7-4) in the fifth that put the Rays up 4-2 and ended the Royals' 13-game stretch of limiting opponents to three runs or fewer.

"Such a heart-wrenching and terrible thing to happen on a baseball field, but at the same time you have to finish the game," Joyce said. "The only thing you can do is just pray that he's OK and pray for a speedy recovery."

Guthrie gave up five runs and eight hits over seven innings.

Scott hit his first homer since May 19, a two-run drive during the third as Tampa Bay grabbed a 3-2 lead. Scott, who had make all of his 29 previous starts this season at designated hitter, started in left field with third baseman Longoria moving into the DH role.

Longoria, bothered the past two weeks by plantar fasciitis in his right foot, was the DH for the third straight game. He made it 5-2 on a sixth-inning solo homer and also had a sacrifice fly in the first.

Longoria is expected to DH again Sunday and could play in the field when the Rays start a road trip Tuesday at Boston.

The Royals took a 2-1 lead in the second when Alex Gordon walked on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded and Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly. Salvador Perez cut the deficit to 5-3 on a solo homer in the eighth.

Perez extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single in the first.

NOTES: Cobb allowed two runs and four hits in 4 1-3 innings. ... Tampa Bay LHP David Price (left triceps strain) had a 25-pitch bullpen session and could start a minor league rehab assignment Tuesday. The AL Cy Young Award winner may rejoin the Rays in late June or early July. ... Royals RHP Wade Davis (3-5) will pitch against his former team for the first time Sunday. "I'm not going to smile ... there's no smiling," Davis said. "We're trying to win games over here. We're trying to get in a good position over here." Roberto Hernandez (4-6) will start for the Rays.

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To be fair, the administration has done perhaps as much as it can to make progress on an issue that the Senate couldn't complete and the House never started. That was the real goal of Biden's speech — to point out that the president's January announcement ofhad almost completely gone into effect. (As , the venue for the speech was the same one where the list was announced.) Completed on  — developed by a task force Biden led — were some concrete measures, like publishing data on lost guns and allowing research on gun violence. Others were more aspirational: improving incentives, encouraging dealers, supporting development of gun safety technology. The two still-incomplete items: finalizing rules around insuring mental health coverage in group health plans and confirming a new director to run the ATF.

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(The administration also released guides suggesting how institutions might plan for "active shooter" situations, or other unlikely disasters like tornadoes and earthquakes. Should your , , orbe interested, click those links.)

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The impetus for the president's initial push was, of course, the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. At times lamenting the failure of Congress to do anything, Biden kept returning to the human toll from that mass shooting and thethat have occurred in the past six months. "We need to make sure that the voice of those we've lost are the loudest ones we hear in this fight," Biden said multiple times during the speech. Over 5,000 people have been shot and killed since December 14, a total that, as Biden noted, exceeds the loss of life of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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The culmination of his speech focused on politics — as it had to. There aren't many more places for the administration to go, after all, without Congress actually doing something. For weeks, there have been rumors that the White House and Senate Democrats plan to reintroduce the gun package that faded following a vote rejecting a key compromise. In the aftermath of that failure, Biden says, he remains optimistic that something can be done. "I've gotten those phone calls from members of Congress — many of whom voted no — asking: Can you find a way?" Can you find a way, that is, to make a deal happen on expanded background checks and new limitations on gun trafficking?that Biden staffers wouldn't identify the senators with whom the vice president had been working.

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Nonetheless, Biden suggested that it wasn't only the politicians whose attitudes had changed. Pointing to polling in the wake of the failed vote, Biden promised that opponents would pay a political price. He insisted that voters would make politicians pay for their opposition, that they now say, "This will be a defining issue for me." That may be, but in some conservative states with Democratic senators, .

If the speech was meant to be a spark to a new push for legislation, to inspire that sixth-place runner to get across the finish line, it's not clear how much effect it will have. Beyond , passion on the subject has waned if not dissipated since April. Biden may be optimistic, but the administration needs a stronger hand than it had then.

Maybe it has one. But if it does, it's being held in Washington, D.C. On Friday, the six-month anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings, advocates for reform including the national pro-Obama group Organizing For Action held a rally in San Bernadino. OFA, as its known, wasfor its tepid engagement in the background check fight. On Friday, the rally hadin attendance.

Photo: Biden, at an event in May. (Reuters)

LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - A group of free-trading northern European nations urged the EU's trade chief on Friday to contain a growing dispute with China or risk a negative spiral that could choke exports.

Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands said EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht needed to find a diplomatic solution with Beijing to avoid a tit-for-tat trade war, after Brussels imposed tariffs on Chinese solar panels and Beijing retaliated with an investigation into European wine.

"It is not the right way to go. When the one side begins to close up, the other continues. And then we have a negative spiral that doesn't stimulate trade," Swedish Trade Minister Ewa Bjorling told reporters at the start of a meeting with De Gucht and fellow EU ministers in Luxembourg.

Britain and Ireland will also press De Gucht on Friday on the issue, their diplomats said.

De Gucht, who handles trade issues for the European Union's 27 countries, went ahead with sanctions against Chinese solar panels on June 6, despite opposition from 18 of the bloc's governments, who fear retaliation from Beijing.

The European Commission, the EU executive, accuses Beijing of dumping billions of euros of solar panels at below the cost of production, unfairly winning 80 percent of the EU market.

However, De Gucht softened his earlier plan to levy punitive tariffs averaging 47 percent immediately, and went ahead with tariffs at 11.8 percent for two months, leaving a window for Brussels and Beijing to reach a negotiated solution.

SUBSIDIES AND THREATS

Still, China responded with a decision to investigate accusations of dumping of EU wine, an apparent attempt to target France and Italy, the two countries most in favor of European tariffs on Chinese solar panels.

"There is still time to resolve this if the Commission and the Chinese move forward on the (solar) issue," Dutch Trade Minister Lilianne Ploumen told Reuters.

EU ministers will discuss the issue over lunch in Luxembourg, and Denmark said it would make it clear it doubted if there was evidence of illegal Chinese trade subsidies.

"We're very much against using trade defense mechanisms unless we can really show there is evidence that they are using subsidies, and we cannot do that," said Danish Trade Minister Pia Olsen Dyhr.

De Gucht has said that China subsidizes "nearly everything" and wants to force Beijing to respect rules set by the World Trade Organization in Geneva. The Commission has also warned China that it is ready to launch an investigation on Chinese telecom equipment manufacturers Huaweiand ZTEif they do not negotiate.

China has threatened it could retaliate with further cases against the EU if no negotiated solution is found.

(Writing by Robin Emmott; Editing by Jon Boyle)

After spending the past three years engaged in both legal battles and work on a new game, the "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare" co-creator has returned to the Electronic Entertainment Expo to debut "Titanfall," the first title from Respawn Entertainment, the studio he launched with partner Jason West after they were fired by Activision-Blizzard Inc. in 2010.

"This development for 'Titanfall' has been rough," he acknowledged Wednesday at the booth of Electronic Arts Inc. "We started a new studio. We had no technology. We had no ideas. It was a team of hugely talented developers put together in a room very strong and outspoken who all want their idea to come to forefront. It's a battle of what idea is the best."

Ultimately, that idea turned out to be a shoot-'em-up multiplayer game where players portray futuristic soldiers who can run up walls and man giant robots dubbed titans. (The name "Titanfall" refers to the moment they dramatically fall from the sky when players call them.) Unlike previous games he's worked on, "Titanfall" is an online-only experience.

Zampella closed out Microsoft's presentation Monday by debuting "Titanfall" for the first time. The game is set for release next year for Microsoft's next-generation Xbox One console, as well as the current-generation Xbox 360 and PC. He noted that Xbox One's cloud computing capabilities will make for stronger artificial intelligence in the game.

"It's not bots," said Zampella. "It doesn't replace the human element. It puts in this extra layer of believability. It brings the world to life. We do that on the cloud. There's no host advantage. It's a very balanced experience. It allows us to focus on rendering abilities on the box itself and host the game on the cloud."

___

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang .

___

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Two days?

Not a lot to go on there, either, as Tebow spent much of Wednesday's session watching Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett run drills while he tried to absorb the new system he was thrust into when he signed with New England this week.

"We're not going to get into a minute-by-minute evaluation of a player," Belichick said. "I don't think that's the way to go, especially at this time of year."

Robert Kraft wasn't as reluctant to size up Tebow's much maligned throwing motion after the second day of the three-day minicamp.

"He's a lot better than I am," the Patriots' 72-year-old owner said, his grin growing as he spoke.

And, at least in Kraft's mind, probably better than he's given credit for.

Kraft had strolled onto the field late in Tebow's first practice with the Patriots on Tuesday. The high-profile player discarded by the Denver Broncos and New York Jets had rolled out to throw short passes while on the run and dropped back to heave long passes into the end zone.

"I was just out there for a short period, but to me, he looked pretty good," Kraft said. "It's fun having him here. I think that Tom Brady throws pretty well and I also think Ryan Mallett does the same. So it's nice to have three quarterbacks who can throw very well."

After Tebow practiced for the second time, Brady wasn't as eager to judge him.

"To get to this point, you obviously have to be talented," Brady said. "So I have a lot of respect for everyone that plays and, certainly, (for) what I've seen him do in the past."

For the second straight day, Tebow mostly watched as Brady and Mallett took turns running 7-on-7 drills. Late in the session, Tebow played in 11-on-11 situations and was hit-or-miss while running plays from his new playbook. After each one, he'd consult with assistant coach Brian Daboll, who referred to paper in his hand and instructed Tebow on what to do.

Tebow threw an accurate, low pass that wide receiver Chaz Schilens, in for a tryout, caught while hitting the ground. Schilens ran back toward the huddle and slapped hands with Tebow, who at least had something familiar in his new situation. He and Schilens were roommates last summer at the Jets training camp.

But a few plays later, Tebow threw an inaccurate pass that landed at the feet of a defender, who booted it back toward the line of scrimmage.

He'll get another chance at Thursday's final day of the three-day minicamp. Training camp won't start until late July.

"I think everybody out there is pretty much in the same boat, just trying to get better day by day," Belichick said. "Some guys are starting at different points. He's obviously starting at a point different than where other players were.

"They're all moving along."

Kraft praised Tebow for his competitiveness, hard work and spirituality. He called him a "winner" with a great attitude.

That, however, may not be enough as he tries to secure a regular-season roster spot.

"Having him as part of our franchise is great, but he has to compete just like anyone else," Kraft said. "He's just one of 90 people (in camp) right now, so I wonder if we haven't talked enough about him. But if you want to keep talking about him, we can do that."

And he did.

He said he was in on the discussions to sign Tebow.

"Look," Kraft said, "life is about collecting good people around you, who you like to have with you and who want to win. I think he like many of our other players fall in that category."

Tebow worked out only at quarterback during the two practices.

Brady thought for a moment when asked how he would feel if he had to come off the field if Belichick wanted to use a play designed for Tebow, a good runner.

"I have no idea," he said. "That's a very hypothetical question. So, maybe we'll deal with it if it happens."

Replacing one of the NFL's best quarterbacks with one who couldn't take playing time away from a struggling Mark Sanchez with the Jets last year is highly unlikely.

"In my mind, we have the greatest quarterback of all time on our team," Kraft said. "Every time he has the ball in his hand, we have a chance to do something great."

Tebow, of course, has accomplished much less than Brady. But he also brings a dimension that Kraft likes.

"He's hard-working. He's very cooperative. I don't think there's any coach that wouldn't like to have a team full of people like he is, sort of like Brady," Kraft said. "They're all business and you can't get enough people like that on your team.

"So, we're honored that he's with us."

The 25-year-old will become the first Quebec-born to ever compete in cycling's premier event.

"It's now official," Veilleux wrote on his website Monday.

"My team chose me to participate in the 2013 Tour de France. I am extremely pleased by this news. I'm living a childhood dream and all my years of perseverance and discipline are being rewarded."

Veilleux excelled recently at the eight-stage Criterium du Dauphine race, where he wore the leader's yellow-and-blue jersey for three days.

He finished the competition in 60th position, 55 minutes behind winner and Tour de France favourite Christopher Froome.

Veilleux will be one of nine members of the Europcar team for the 100th edition of the Tour de France, which begins June 29. Pierre Rolland, who finished eighth in 2012, and former yellow-jersey holder and multiple-stage winner Thomas Voeckler will be the pillars of the team.

OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc invests in dozens of businesses, and a new book tries to explain it all to young readers, from A to Z.

Two Omaha residents, author Nancy Rips and illustrator Tom Kerr, have teamed up on "My First Berkshire ABC" to teach children about one of the world's best-known companies, and a little about the local billionaire behind it.

More than 1,000 copies were sold at Berkshire's annual meeting on Saturday, which draws thousands of people to Omaha, and where Buffett has a say on what gets sold.

"You need something to bring home to your kids and grandkids to explain Berkshire," Rips, who has also written three books about Jewish holidays, said in a joint interview with Kerr.

Most pages show companies that Berkshire owns or invests in.

G, for example, is for "Geico," and features the car insurer's talking gecko. And W is for "Wells Fargo", and features the bank's familiar stagecoach.

The book's theme changed at Buffett's suggestion.

"Our first effort was things like, S is for sharing. Mr. Buffett believes in sharing. K is for being kind,'" Rips said.

"I got an email back from Warren saying, it's too laudatory, they will lampoon him in the news," she continued. "And I wrote a whole new proposal: A is for Acme (Brick), B is for Borsheim's (jewelry), C is for Clayton Homes, D is for Dairy Queen. I got an email back: You're in the show.'"

Kerr has worked at many newspapers and drew McGruff, the Crime Dog for the National Crime Prevention Council.

"Part of what Warren talks about is investing in things that you know," he said. "Virtually everything in here is something that somebody can relate to and touch and understand."

Berkshire Vice Chairman Charlie Munger is shown under "Q," stamping boxes of "quality" merchandise.

Rips and Kerr have not heard from Buffett on whether he likes the book. Buffett's assistant Carrie Sova had no comment on that question.

Kerr depicted Buffett just four times, including on the cover holding his usual Cherry Coke.

"This book is not all about Warren Buffett," Kerr said. "I picked my spots. He's so synonymous with Dairy Queen that I wanted him there, and obviously on the cover with Coca-Cola."

"Cherry Coke," Rips interjected.

"Yep," Kerr said. "She had me change that."

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel; Editing by Patricia Reaney and Vicki Allen)

He told the mother of the bride that if they don't change the name, then he's "just not into the wedding anymore," implying that he won't help them pay for the event. Needless to say, this has most of the family shaking their heads and thinking the old man has finally lost it.

We understand that this was common practice for families passing through Ellis Island coming to America a century ago, but have you ever heard of this being done for a wedding? Being a therapist, I thought I'd seen and heard it all -- until now. Please give us some insight. I'm hoping his "ladyfriend" will read your reply and share it with him. -- CAN'T BELIEVE IT DOWN SOUTH

DEAR CAN'T BELIEVE IT: You have described a man who is used to being in control and is not above using his money to manipulate. A century ago when people came to this country through Ellis Island, many of them were escaping discrimination and wanted to leave their past behind them, which is why they Americanized their names.

Others had it done "for" them by government officials who couldn't understand them when they pronounced their names and wrote down what they thought they heard. (Years ago, in Sioux City, Iowa, my mother knew two brothers who walked through different lines and wound up with the names "Ginsberg" and "Landsberg." I don't know which was correct.) Still others were so eager to become "Americans" that they shortened or changed their names for that reason.

I sincerely hope no one is expecting Granddad to pay for the upcoming wedding. That he would attempt to blackmail the young couple in this way is shameful. Let's hope they are mature enough to ignore him, and that they have a long and happy life together. Opa!

DEAR ABBY: Our youngest daughter will graduate from college next month. The school is 10 hours away by car or a 2 1/2-hour plane ride. There are no direct flights.

My husband and I are excited about this special day, and so is his 82-year-old mother. (I'll call her Ethel.) She mentioned yesterday that she's excited to go.

Abby, Ethel is not a well woman. She has trouble walking, falls occasionally and hasn't been out of this town for 30 years. She is also hypercritical. She does nothing but complain about other people, her health, this country, etc. Looking after her would be a huge burden.

We'd like to attend this milestone event without the added stress of taking care of her. My husband and I have been married 25 years, and Ethel still complains about me. Because she's such a handful, we have never taken her to dinner or a movie. How do we (kindly) tell her that what she has in mind is not going to be possible? -- READY TO CELEBRATE IN SAN DIEGO

DEAR READY TO CELEBRATE: You and your husband should tell his mother that graduations in the best of circumstances are stressful events and can be difficult for someone who is unsteady on her feet. You could also mention that seating is limited, because it often is at graduations. Then offer to videotape the ceremony so she doesn't have to miss it.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby ator P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order "How to Have a Lovely Wedding." Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)