Events in the news this week.

In sports: The Rams travel to Massachusetts to take on the New England Patriots today at 1 p.m. The Rams, at 10-5, can make the playoffs as a wild card with a win. Even if the Rams lose, they will still qualify if the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers or the Washington Redskins lose. The Rams have won five of their last six, including road victories against New Orleans and Dallas. The Patriots are 5-10 but have won three of four games with the Rams--including the last two--in 1983 and 1986.