NEW YORK — The publisher of former President George W. Bush's book "Decision Points" yesterday set a Nov. 9 release date, unveiled its cover design and announced new details.

Bush has said he is not writing a traditional memoir but an account of key decisions in his life. The cover features a photo of him standing alone in the White House's Rose Garden Colonnade.

According to Crown Publishers, "Decision Points" will offer "gripping, never-before-heard detail" on such events as the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the 2000 presidential election, along with Bush's decision to quit drinking, his relationship with his family and other personal details.

MATADOR GORED IN MEXICO BULLFIGHT

MEXICO CITY — Spanish matador Jose Tomas, one of the world's most famous and dramatic bullfighters, was severely gored by a half-ton bull in a Mexican arena and is in critical condition, doctors said yesterday.

Tomas is expected to survive after more than three hours of emergency surgery following his Saturday afternoon injury.

The bull, named Navegante, gored Tomas in the groin and lifted him in the air during a corrida in Aguascalientes. The 6-inch-long gash in Tomas' left thigh severed the artery.

Tomas has a relatively rare blood type, A-, and bled so profusely that bullring officials appealed over the arena loudspeakers for compatible donors for transfusions.

'DRAGON' RULES AGAIN AT BOX OFFICE

LOS ANGELES — "How to Train Your Dragon" continues to breathe fire at the box office, while newer releases are mostly blowing smoke.

The DreamWorks Animation adventure took in $15 million to reclaim the No. 1 spot in its fifth weekend of release. The tale of a Viking youth and his pet dragon raised its total to $178 million.

"How to Train Your Dragon" opened in first place in late March, then dropped back into the pack. But it has held up strongly and climbed to the top again amid a flurry of so-so new releases.

Premiering weakly at No. 2 with $12.3 million was Jennifer Lopez's romantic comedy "The Back-Up Plan." Another comedy, Steve Carell and Tina Fey's "Date Night," held up well to finish at No. 3 with $10.6 million, raising its total to $63.5 million.

'AVATAR' ALSO A BLOCKBUSTER ON DVD

LOS ANGELES — "Avatar" is maintaining its popularity from box office to home video, with 6.7 million DVDs and Blu-ray disks sold in the first four days.

The combined sales brought in $130 million.

The studio says James Cameron's sci-fi epic has become the fastest-selling Blu-ray of all time, with 2.7 million sold since Thursday.

A Fox spokesman said a 3-D DVD release can be expected, but no date has been announced.

— Advertiser News Services