Mark

Alessandro Andrei of Italy set a world record in the shotput with a throw of 75 feet 2 inches Wednesday at an international track and field meet. Andrei, who was the Olympic gold medalist in the shotput in 1984, broke the previous mark of 74-3 1/2, set by Udo Beyer of East Germany in East Berlin on Aug. 20, 1986. Andrei first broke Beyer's mark with a throw of 74-6 1/2, then followed with another record-breaking throw of 74-11 before cracking the 75-foot barrier on his final throw.

I was going through life As free as a lark, In the world of acting I was making my mark. In Second City, And then on T.V., Not thinking once About the big "C". I saved up my money, An apartment I bought. My wealth was my own, Or so I thought. I can't even tell you How often you cry. When the dreaded "C" Starts draining you dry. Friends try to console, And tell you they care. But deep down you feel That this is unfair.

Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced Friday that he and his wife, Mila, are expecting their fourth child early in September. Their other children are Caroline, 10; Benedict, 8, and Mark, 5.

Your perfectly and poignantly wrought "Their Pet Cause" (Sept. 13) reflects the L.A. Times at its affirmative best. Does this mark a possible return of the recently retired Sunday Profile? DAVID LEWIS Piedmont

FANS were given the power to decide whether Mark or Roger will join Ali and Kelly in the race for the title of "The Biggest Loser" and a $250,000 prize. The finale airs tonight on NBC. Here's what readers had to say online: -- I find that permitting the "audience," at this late stage of the game, to decide whether it will be Mark or Roger is definitely male chauvinistic. -- Phyllis I hope you leave Roger on. . . . I like Mark. . . . but I think [he] came to the show with an attitude.

The Thai government on Friday released all 33 people held in jail for an abortive 1985 coup. The pardons were made as a mark of national unity for King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th birthday celebrations on Dec. 5, Gen. Prachuab Suntharankun, the interior minister, said.

Darrell Waltrip of Franklin, Tenn., has become the first stock car racer to amass $7 million in career winnings, NASCAR officials said. Waltrip reached that mark when he won the Busch 500 Saturday night in Bristol, Tenn.