// --- to use this cheeky script...
// --- include the startnews() function in the header or body onload
// --- this creates a var called opennews which stores the current open pop-up, initially set to zero (all closed)
// --- this also limits the pop-ups to one open at a time.
// --- you'll need to duplicate these functions to allow separate recent work and nav column pop-ups.

function startNews() {
		var openNews;
		document.openNews=0;
}

// --- the news href for the pop-up should then be the same as you already have it...

function expandNav(id) {
	
// --- closes the item if its open...	

	if (id==document.openNews) {
		//	blocktoclose =	document.getElementById(id);
		//	blocktoclose.style.display = 'none';
			
		// --- sets opennews to zero again
		//	document.openNews=0;	
	}else{
			var previousid=document.openNews;		
			
		// --- opens the new item		
			blocktoopen =	document.getElementById(id);
			blocktoopen.style.display = 'block';
			document.openNews=id;		
			
		// --- closes the previous one
			if(previousid != 0){
				blocktoclose = document.getElementById(previousid );
				blocktoclose.style.display = 'none';  
			}
	}
}