Terps Trounce Quakers One day after losing to LSU, Maryland's women's basketball team bounces back with a 76-56 win over Penn.


St. Helens is fast growing its new top While on most late fall days the clouds obscure new growth, the meters on the mountain don #39;t lie: Mount St. Helens continues to build a new mountaintop at a rapid rate.


Robinson optimistic ahead of Six Nations LONDON (AFP) - England coach Andy Robinson was in upbeat mood despite a 21-19 Twickenham defeat against Australia that was the team #39;s first loss since the resignation of World Cup-winning supremo Sir Clive Woodward.


Source: Bears Intend to Sign QB George (AP) AP - Struggling desperately at quarterback, the Chicago Bears intend to sign veteran Jeff George, a team source said Saturday night.


Prince Harry 'in love' with teenage student (AFP) AFP - Britain's Prince Harry is besotted with a blonde 19-year-old student in South Africa whose father runs a Zimbabwe game farm, the Mail on Sunday newspaper reported.


Utah QB Smith to Turn Pro  SALT LAKE CITY (Sports Network) - Utah standout quarterback  Alex Smith has apparently decided to take his skills to the  next level, opting to skip his senior season and enter April's  NFL Draft.


Russia Plans Laws Against Polluting Industry in 05 (Reuters) Reuters - Russia plans its first laws to crack\down on industrial polluters next year, and will force\offending companies to invest in clean technology rather than\pay fines, the natural resources minister said Friday.


Tsunami Adds to Belief in Animals' 'Sixth Sense' (Reuters) Reuters - Wild animals seem to have escaped\the Indian Ocean tsunami, adding weight to notions they possess\a "sixth sense" for disasters, experts said Thursday.


Gundy Named Football Coach at Oklahoma State  STILLWATER, Okla. (Sports Network) - Oklahoma State wasted  little time in finding a new football coach, promoting  offensive coordinator Mike Gundy to replace Les Miles.


No. 22 Maryland Tops Penn 76-56 (AP) AP - Shay Doron and Crystal Langhorne had 16 points each to lead No. 22 Maryland to a 76-56 victory over Penn in the consolation game of the Coors Classic Saturday night


Leinart Leads Southern California Past Notre Dame Matt Leinart made a strong pitch for the Heisman Trophy, and Southern California overcame a sluggish start to move within one win of a perfect regular season.


Mets Meet Martnez for Dinner at Home Although Omar Minaya, the Mets' general manager, has not extended a contract offer, he is competing with the most prominent teams in baseball for Pedro Martnez.


Blunkett denies visa 'fast-track' Home Secretary David Blunkett has denied abusing his position to help fast-track a visa application for a friend's nanny


In S. Florida, real Christmas trees still selling strong Despite a national decline of real Christmas trees sales, South Floridians are after that fresh pine smell in their homes this holiday season.


As hurricane season ends, Floridians wonder whats in store for <b>...</b> Thanks to hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, names that will be burned into memory, residents learned the hard way: Florida has a target on its back.


Orange sends BC away with a loss, gives Pitt a shot at BCS Syracuse wasn #39;t able to follow Boston College to the Atlantic Coast Conference or stop the Eagles from leaving the Big East. The one thing the Orange could do was deprive


Hurricanes and Hokies to battle for the ACC title Greg Olsen and Jon Beason weren #39;t in Blacksburg last year when Virginia Tech routed then-No. 2 Miami, but they both felt the disappointment of the bitter loss.


LeBron James scores 26 points as Cleveland beats the Bulls 97-74 LeBron James enjoys the Cleveland Cavaliers #39; teamwork even more than his individual accomplishments. One led to the other Saturday night as James scored 26 points to become the youngest player


Source: Bears intend to sign quarterback Jeff George Struggling desperately at quarterback, the Chicago Bears intend to sign veteran Jeff George, a team source said Saturday night. The Bears will sign George on Monday, the source said on the condition of anonymity.


Smizik: Kendall deserves chance to play for winning team How appropriate that the trade that finally sent Jason Kendall out of Pittsburgh would come on Thanksgiving eve. There can be no more thankful player in baseball than


Stem Cells Reverse Parkinson's in Monkeys (Reuters) Reuters - Stem cells taken from tiny monkey\embryos and implanted in the brain reversed some of the\Parkinson's symptoms in monkeys used to study the disease,\Japanese researchers reported on Monday.


China Coal Mine Blast Traps 187 Miners -Xinhua A gas explosion at a coal mine in northern China has trapped 187 miners, the official Xinhua news agency said on Sunday. The blast tore through the state-run Chenjiashan


Elder Bush, Clinton to lead tsunami aid effort (AFP) AFP - President George W. Bush put his father, George Bush, and his predecessor, Bill Clinton, in charge of efforts to raise private US donations for countries devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunamis.


Computer Screen Upgrade Crashes UK Government Network A computer screen upgrade has crashed 80,000 government terminals at the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK. EDS and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) were blamed.


Like a force of nature, USC keeps flattening foes Irish lore is full of a figurative parting of clouds. This sign from above was literal, tangible and wet. So did the Trojans start to crank up their awesome offense about the time the rain stopped Saturday night?


Bucs, Panthers know the ups and downs of NFL The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers both know the concept and reality of NFL parity. They #39;re prime examples of how swiftly teams can rise and how suddenly they can fall.


Megliola: BC blows golden opportunit On one side, you had Boston College playing for its first Big East championship (by default, some would say) and an invite to a big-time, big dough, BCS bowl; a team saying


Another Brick in the Firewall (washingtonpost.com) washingtonpost.com - It's a sad state of affairs when the primary selling point of a new set of online software is "we won't get hacked like everybody else." But that's the way of the Windows world today.


No. 22 Wash. Upsets No. 19 Alabama 79-76 (AP) AP - Will Conroy had 18 points and six assists to help No. 22 Washington beat No. 19 Alabama 79-76 on Saturday night in the championship game of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.


Vatican returns relics of saints to Istanbul (Vatican City-AP) Nov. 27, 2004 - Pope John Paul has handed over centuries-old relics of two Orthodox saints to the spiritual leader of the world #39;s Orthodox Christians.


Ukraine #39;s colors could help tip balance in Romania #39;s tight vote A coincidence that could tip the scales in Romania #39;s tightly fought presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday is literally the colors used by the two main political parties in their campaign.


7 firemen die in car park crash GENEVA: Rescuers have found the bodies of five Swiss firemen who died after the ceiling of an underground car park collapsed during a fire, a police spokesman said last night.


Battered and grooved: Saturn #39;s moon Tethys Having now passed closer to Tethys than the Voyager 2 spacecraft, Cassini has returned the best-ever natural color view of this icy Saturnian moon.


Washington Plays for Shootout Championship The 22nd-ranked Washington Huskies (3-0) conclude their treacherous run through the Great Alaska Shootout bracket, meeting No. 19 Alabama (4-0) in the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 27.


Sri Lanka: LTTE leader impatient with the government In Sri Lanka the leader of the LTTE guerillas, Velupillai Prabhkaran, has threatened with resumption of the civil war unless the government agrees to new peace talks.


Saudi Police Kill Suspected Militant in Jeddah Saudi officials say security forces have killed a suspected militant in the western city of Jeddah after the man tried to use a hand grenade against them.


Trojans Can Almost Smell the Oranges The result left top-ranked U.S.C. one victory from a perfect season and a berth in the B.C.S. title game.


Snapping out of it The Milwaukee Bucks broke out of their tailspin Saturday night at the Bradley Center, where they defeated the Detroit Pistons, 96-90.


UPDATE 1-Wiltord helps leaders Lyon beat Auxerre Sylvain Wiltord scored one goal and made another as he returned to lead Olympique Lyon to a 2-1 victory over AJ Auxerre in a Ligue 1 game on Saturday.


Wal-Mart misses comp-sales target November same-store sales growth was sharply below target, Wal-Mart Stores said Saturday. Free! Sign up here to receive our Before the Bell e-Newsletter!


Icahn holds 8.4 of Hollywood Entertainment Carl Icahn has emerged as a possible fourth bidder for Hollywood Entertainment, according to a regulatory filing. Free! Sign up here to receive our Midday Market Report e-Newsletter!


Tsunami 'Wave Rat' Had Best Intentions, Mother Says (Reuters) Reuters - A Canadian student was called a "wave\rat" for offering the domain name "tsunamirelief.com" for\ #36;50,000 on the online auction site eBay, but his mother said he\was only trying to raise money for relief efforts.


NBA Game Summary - Denver at Houston Rockets guard Bob Sura was activated from the injured list prior to the game and had six points and six assists in 21 minutes. Sura missed the team #39;s first 14 contests after undergoing back surgery in September


Kiwis collapse has Aussies in command of second Test (AFP) AFP - New Zealand faced the likelihood of conceding a massive first innings deficit against Australia after a clutter of wickets late on the third day of the second cricket Test at the Adelaide Oval.


Romania votes in close elections Romanians go to the polls to choose between the governing ex-communists and a strong opposition alliance.


Barrera Edges Morales Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera put on another battle for the ages Saturday night, with Barrera barely coming out on top.


Game Boy Player I #39;ve been playing with the Game Boy Player since it #39;s March release in Japan. If you have any interest in some of the awesome Game Boy Advance games and don #39;t own a Game Boy Advance system already, this is a must buy.


Barghuti Withdraws his Candidacy and Supports Abbas Palestinian leader Marwan Barghuti, 43, who is serving five life sentences in an Israeli jail, announced yesterday that he would withdraw his candidacy for the Palestinian presidency.


Texas Christian Tops No. 3 Georgia 64-63 (AP) AP - Sandora Irvin had 28 points and 15 rebounds to lead Texas Christian to a 64-63 victory over No. 3 Georgia on Saturday night in the semifinals of the Rainbow Wahine Classic.


Shoppers Hospitalized After Pepper Spray Police were reviewing video camera footage to find out who discharged pepper spray inside an elevator at Toys R Us #39; crowded flagship store, sending at least three people to the hospital, authorities said.


Full Court Mess There was, no doubt, shock and dismay in some quarters when the National Basketball Association continued playing its schedule without interruption after the brawl in Detroit nine days ago.


Lonard wins second straight Australian Open Australia #39;s Peter Lonard successfully defended his title in the centennial Australian Open on Sunday, shooting a 3-under 68 for one-stroke victory over countryman Stuart Appleby.


Orange Bowl hopes not finished yet It might be a stay of execution for Coach P, or it might just be a Christmas miracle come early. SU #39;s upset win over BC has given hope to the Orange playing in a post season Bowl game.


Barrera earns majority decision over Morales in rubber match Las Vegas, NV (Sports Network) - Marco Antonio Barrera has captured the World Boxing Council super featherweight title with a 12-round majority decision over Erik  quot;El Terrible quot; Morales at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.


Mets Reportedly to Make Pedro Martinez Contract Offer NEW YORK - Omar Minaya wants to make a splash this winter. And with trade talks about Sammy Sosa cooling off, the Mets #39; GM has turned his attention to free agent Pedro Martinez.


Rayovac Nears Deal for United Industries  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Battery maker Rayovac Corp. ROV.N is  close to a deal to acquire privately held United Industries  Corp., a maker of lawn and garden products, for about \$476  million in cash and stock in a bid to diversify its product  mix, sources close to the situation said on Monday.


EU trio hits Iran with nuclear deadline France, Britain and Germany have told Iran that if they had not reached a final agreement to freeze key parts of its atomic programme by Monday, they would not stop moves to seek sanctions against Tehran.


170 miners remain trapped in coalmine gas explosion By 1 pm on Sunday, 123 miners were rescued alive after a major gas explosion took place at the Chenjiashan Coalmine, Shaanxi Province, around 7:10 am but another 170 remained trapped underground.


ASEAN #39;s minnows agree to enhance economic cooperation VIENTIANE: Leaders of the four poorest countries within the 10-nation Southeast Asian group agreed to forge closer economic links Sunday as they strive to catch up with their wealthier partners.


Oh brother! The stakes have never been higher for Mukesh and Anil Ambani. Sunit Arora and Dev Chatterjee find out why egos threaten to come in the way of economicsand what a compromise will cost.


GLOBAL INVESTOR LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- Surging demand from emerging economies and rising commodity prices worldwide is casting daylight on coal-mining stocks.


Local residents due for tax refund About three dozen area residents could get an unexpected windfall -- they are owed refunds by the Internal Revenue Service. They are among more than 6,400 refunds owed to taxpayers in New York that have yet to be claimed.


Berlusconi gets on early election footing (AFP) AFP - Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has put his centre-right government on an election footing by announcing a cut in income tax in a bid to win back voters' confidence, with polls still 18 months away.


A Lot to Play for in Skins Game Finale Annika Sorenstam calmly sank a short birdie putt on the ninth hole, earning a hug from Tiger Woods. More importantly, it kept \$250,000 in play in the Skins Game in La Quinta, Calif.


World Bank Head to Leave in June  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - World Bank President James  Wolfensohn told the Bush administration on Monday that he will  leave his post at mid-year, triggering a hunt for a replacement  for the top job at the global lender.


LONARD KEEPS AUSSIE OPEN CROWN Defending champion Peter Lonard came with a late charge to retain the Australian Open title in Sydney. Lonard, successful when the event was held in Melbourne last year, fired a final-round three-under-par 68 following three successive 71s.


Lockheed, Northrop Face Big Cuts-Document  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp. LMT.N and  Northrop Grumman Corp. NOC.N would bear the brunt of proposed  cuts in U.S. weapons purchases totaling \$30 billion over the  next six years, according to the summary from a Pentagon budget  document made available to Reuters Monday.


Huskies win Alaska title; Cal tips BYU NO. 22 WASHINGTON 79, NO. 19 ALABAMA 76: At Anchorage, Alaska - Will Conroy scored 18 points, leading five Huskies in double-figures scoring and Washington (4-0) won the Great Alaska Shootout title game over Alabama (4-1) on Saturday night.


Wal-Mart Sales Estimate Boosts Sector  NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. WMT.N, the  world's No. 1 retailer, on Monday said December sales would be  at the top end of its prior estimate on better-than-expected  post-Christmas spending, driving its shares up 1 percent.


Terrorism ; Prabhakaran turns 50, but will he change? (COMMENTARY) Terrorism News, New Delhi, As he prepares to celebrate his 50th birthday, Velupillai Prabhakaran remains firmly committed to his dream of breaking up Sri Lanka to carve out a Tamil Eelam state.


Year extension likely for troops Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi indicated Friday that extending the Self-Defense Forces #39; mission in Iraq was almost a done deal.


Sharon and Abbas Say They Ready to Meet - Newsweek (Reuters) Reuters - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon\said in an interview published on Sunday that he was ready to\meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and try to coordinate a\Gaza pullout with a new Palestinian government.


Trojans #39; 31-point victory no fluke LOS ANGELES - The first time Southern California drilled Notre Dame by 31 points two years ago, it was a fluke. The second time was a coincidence.


Bomb Explodes Near U.S. Military Convoy (AP) AP - A car bomb exploded early Sunday near a U.S. military convoy on the road leading to Baghdad's airport, Iraqi police said, and a witness said two Humvees were destroyed.


Gasoline Pump Price Falls for 9th Week (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. retail gasoline prices declined\for the ninth week in a row and truckers are enjoying the\cheapest diesel fuel in almost four months, the Energy\Department said on Monday.


China's SARS vaccine tests to be completed by January (AFP) AFP - China's SARS vaccine trials are expected to be completed by January as clinical experiments were going smoothly, state media reported.


Get your game on It #39;s back -- the season of peace, good fellowship, and digital marvels. The Entertainment Software Association reckons that nearly one third of all Americans will give a computer game as a Christmas gift in 2004.


Catching the insurgents is a cat-and-mouse game in Iraqs north MOSUL, Iraq - They come up in their Opels, attack and leave, says a business owner in the heart of Mosul, explaining how insurgents operate in Iraqs northern capital.


In a gesture of healing, pope returns saints #39; bones Pope John Paul II returned the bones of two of the most revered saints in the Orthodox Church on Saturday, one in a series of gestures aimed at healing a millennium of distance


Presidential, parliamentary elections begin in Romania Presidential elections began early Sunday in Romania with around 18 million eligible voters expected to vote in the first round of the race.


Taj Mahal to moonlight as nocturnal rendezvous for star-crossed <b>...</b> Full moon nights, when the walls of marble shimmer in the light, are thought to be the most romantic time to see the Taj Mahal, except that - barring a few one-off occasions - such visits have been banned for 20 years.


Get your game on  It's back -- the season of peace, good fellowship, and digital marvels. The Entertainment Software Association reckons that nearly one third of all Americans will give a computer game as a Christmas gift in 2004. And this year's crop of games may be the most spectacular yet.


Beware of banks bearing 'gift' cards Gift cards are hot items this holiday season -- both at stores and in the courts.


Unrest is stirring among Chinese factory workers DONGGUAN, China -- Heralded by an unprecedented series of walkouts, the first stirrings of unrest have emerged among the millions of youthful migrant workers who supply seemingly inexhaustible cheap labor for the vast expanse of factories in China's booming Pearl River Delta.


Pepper spray spurs toy store evacuation NEW YORK -- About 3,000 shoppers were evacuated from a Toys  quot;R quot; Us store in Times Square yesterday after pepper spray was set off inside, fire officials said.


Buying hockey gear with Cam Neely ARLINGTON -- A labor dispute may sideline professional hockey for the season, but recreational players are lacing up their skates and hitting the ice -- eager to slap-shoot their way through another New England winter.


Etiquette at Work Q: I own a small business. During the holiday season every year, I invite my employees to lunch at a restaurant. In the past, I've let everyone go home early (with pay) afterward. For several years now, a few people have skipped the lunch and gone straight home. This has caused some ill will among the other employees. One option ...


The man who shaped the Federal Reserve At a time when the Federal Reserve chairman has rock star status, it's hard to imagine the world's greatest central bank as an obscure federal agency struggling for its independence.


More fiftysomethings turn to franchises Crofton Rhodes gets called a ''geek quot; a dozen times a day, but he doesn't mind.


Letters Placement of photo, headline confusing When I opened a recent business section, what I beheld above the fold was a picture of Lance Armstrong under a headline ''It is better to give when not being deceived quot; ( Nov. 21). My immediate reaction was that the Lance Armstrong Foundation was deceptive in its practices. It took a reading of your article ...


Investing in their future What, having twins isn't enough? Patricia and Kevin Uniacke want to become landlords now, too?


Higher education can bring social costs For many people, higher education is a ticket to a high-paying job. But what happens when the cost of that same ticket becomes a deterrent for a career that will pay a modest or middle-income salary?


Successful investing requires economic growth Ordinary people don't need an economics lecture to get a sense of the big global financial issues of the day.


A video game guide for the holidays Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal ( Sony ) System: Playstation 2


Study warned of offshore spills ST. JOHN #39;S, NFLD. -- An environmental assessment panel predicted seven years ago how hard it would be to clean up oil spills from a project off Newfoundland that spilled 170,000 litres into the Atlantic last week.


US Firm Plans Macau #39;s Biggest Ever Casino: Report An American casino company spearheading new growth in Macau #39;s 150-year-old gambling industry plans to open the biggest gaming hall the southern Chinese enclave has ever seen.


Web Holiday Shopping Up 25 Pct in 2004  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - U.S. online retailers posted  holiday sales of \$23.2 billion, excluding travel, up a  larger-than-expected 25 percent from the 2003 season, according  to a new survey released on Monday by Goldman, Sachs   Co.,  Harris Interactive and Nielsen/NetRatings.


Pakistan's Musharraf, Brazil's Lula to talk business (AFP) AFP - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf travels to the Brazilian capital for talks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as he seeks to strengthen his country's international ties and open new commercial markets.


Rugby: Australia win Tri-Nations A rampant Australia thrash Great Britain at Elland Road to win the Tri-Nations trophy.


Pakistan to withdraw troops PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- The Pakistan Army said yesterday it will withdraw hundreds of troops from a tense tribal region near Afghanistan where Osama bin Laden and his top deputy were believed to be hiding.


Infanticide trials reexamined in Britain LONDON -- On Nov. 9, Margaret Smith, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2002 for smothering her 4-month-old son, was acquitted at a retrial. She was one of several British mothers who lost one or more children in infancy and were convicted of murder.


Pope returns relics to Istanbul VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul II, seeking to heal rifts with other Christians, yesterday handed over the relics of two Orthodox saints that were brought to Rome from ancient Constantinople centuries ago.


Number of detainees nearly doubles ABU GHRAIB, Iraq -- More aggressive US military operations in Iraq over the past two months have generated a surge in detainees, nearly doubling the number held by US forces to about 8,300, according to the general in charge of detention operations.


Vegas-style casinos invade China Glittery Las Vegas-style gambling has arrived in seedy Macau, promising new charms for China #39;s inveterate players, and this former Portuguese colony may never be the same.


Sudan government eases restrictions on aid work The government said it had lifted all restrictions on aid workers and revoked a state of emergency in the troubled North Darfur state yesterday, after rebels


The games kids play today are too violent No wonder people love computer and video games. They #39;re realistic, fast-paced, interactive and challenging. Just about any age can play.


Ask the Biz Brain The Brain wrote last week about get ting a free credit re port. I know my credit is good, so why should I care? -- Good credit Consumer advocates are urging Americans to take advantage of the new service.


Stick with the proven year-end tax strategies Sure, things could change, but the typical year-end  quot;timing is everything quot; maneuvers won #39;t hurt. BY PAMELA YIP. DALLAS -  quot;Some who were worried about a Kerry victory and a rollback of capital gains now don #39;t


Utes leave Furman feeling small in Alaska ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Andrew Bogut scored a game-high 19 points as Utah defeated Furman 62-50 in the Great Alaska Shootout on Saturday.


Teams Battle Like There's No Tomorrow, and There Isn't The incentive of a postseason berth inspired the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers. And yet, when the game was over, each of the teams had lost.


Nearly 200 miners trapped in coalmine gas explosion in north China (AFP) AFP - A gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in north China's Shaanxi province, trapping 170 miners in what threatens to be the worst disaster to hit the world's biggest coal producer in recent years.


Global forex volatility underscores China #39;s growing economic <b>...</b> SHANGHAI : Foreign exchange markets felt the impact of China #39;s growing economic muscle this week when a report claiming the country #39;s central bank had sold US Treasuries helped push the euro to all-time highs, underscoring market sensitivity about a


Chrebet Makes an Early Exit, Perhaps Never to Return After the Jets' Wayne Chrebet suffered a mild concussion on Sunday, you had to wonder if his season might be over, if not his career.


If NASA had a hammer . . . it would smash comets You can learn something about a rock by looking at it. But what most geologists really want is to smack it with a hammer. And that #39;s just what planetary scientists will do July 4 when NASA #39;s Deep Impact mission


Talking Turkey This is the time of the year when Americans nationwide are gobbling up gobblers at grocery stores for holiday dinners. But out on Darrell French #39;s


Lonard retains Australian Open title Peter Lonard won his second straight Australian Open title on Sunday with a come-from-behind 68 to win the championship by one stroke over Stuart Appleby.


Barrera edges out Morales Marco Antonio Barrera has claimed the WBC super-featherweight title with a majority points win over old adversary Erik Morales at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.


Syracuse ends BC #39;s BCS hopes Diamond Ferri ran for 141 yards two touchdowns and scored again on an interception Saturday in Boston as Syracuse rolled to a 43-17 victory over No.


Bode #39;s well for Americans LAKE LOUISE, Alta. -- Bode Miller is your typical pushy, aggressive American. And that #39;s the reason he was able to win his first World Cup downhill race yesterday.


Two US marines killed in Iraq #39;s Fallujah Two US marines were killed on Thursday in the flashpoint city of Fallujah, where US marines are fighting pockets of insurgents, a US military spokesman said in a statement Saturday.


188 miners trapped after gas explosion in China A gas explosion tore through a central Chinese coal mine today, trapping at least 188 miners and sending smoke billowing out the mine #39;s air vents, the government said.


NASA is planning on a smash hit with a comet You can learn something about a rock by looking at it. But what most geologists really want is to smack it with a hammer. That #39;s just what planetary scientists will do July 4 when NASA #39;s


We were made for running A major study of fossils by US scientists has concluded that evolution has sculpted our bodies into finely-tuned distance-running machines.


Barrera outslugs Morales for title Somehow Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales duplicated, and perhaps even surpassed, the action and drama of their all-time great first battle, which took place four years ago at 122 pounds.


Oil tanker spills 30,000 gallons into the Delaware Times Staff and Wire reports TINICUM -- Globs of heavy crude oil were flowing down the Delaware River Saturday, covering boats docked along the river and threatening fish and waterfowl.


Don #39;t count Pacers out just yet Wow, wouldn #39;t that be something if the NBA season ended with Ron Artest holding the championship trophy? It #39;s not out of the realm of possibility.


Illinois passes this test easily After three successive blowouts, No. 5 Illinois was looking forward to its first real test Saturday against No. 24 Gonzaga. Now it looks like the Illini will have to wait until top-ranked


170 miners trapped in China Beijing: At least 170 miners were trapped underground after a gas explosion on Sunday ignited a fire in a coalmine in north-west China #39;s Shaanxi province, reports said.


Defense chief hints Japanese troops could remain in Iraq through <b>...</b> Japan #39;s defense chief on Sunday said that Japanese troops could remain in Iraq until late 2005, a year longer than their current mandate.


Japan eyes troops pullout from Iraq next December Japanese Defense Agency Director General Yoshinori Ono said Sunday that late 2005 is a possible target date for Japanese troops to withdraw from Iraq.


Born to run THE HUMAN body is a long-distance running machine that came off the evolutionary assembly line about 2 million years ago, according to researchers writing in the journal Nature last week. That may be hard to believe given the current obesity problem and the attachment Homo sapiens have for their expensive, multifunctional easy chairs. But on closer look the theory makes ...


Oil spill looks bad for Del.  quot;It does not look good. I #39;m not predicting a disaster or anything like that, but it would be really miraculous if we didn #39;t have some impacts, quot; Department of Natural Resources


ACC: Title in reach of Hokies Bryan Randall is wrapping up his career at Virginia Tech in style, and with the biggest stakes in front of him. Randall threw two second-half touchdowns and the Hokies


Fiesta, Holiday bowls now on CU #39;s list of possibilities When Iowa State beat Missouri on Saturday afternoon to propel Colorado into the Big 12 Championship game, the Buffs #39; bowl possibilities expanded.


Ankle sprain downs forward Houston - Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby were dunking. Nuggets guard Andre Miller was leading the fast break and nailing jumpers. The Houston Rockets were getting soundly beaten.


Eye biz editor for CUNY post Longtime Business Week editor-in-chief Stephen Shepard is expected to be named the first dean of the City University #39;s planned Graduate School of Journalism.


Wolfsburg lose second straight Wolfsburg, Germany (Sports Network) - Wolfsburg #39;s magical start to the season is fading fast as the club lost for the third time in four matches Saturday, 3-2 against Hertha Berlin.


Eagles miss shot at Big East crown BOSTON - Diamond Ferri ran for 141 yards with two touchdowns and scored again on an interception as Syracuse rolled to a 43-17 victory over No.


Things looking up for Cavs They #39;ve won three in a row and nine of the last 10 to improve to 9-4 overall. The Cavaliers are now 6-1 at the Gund. Only San Antonio, Seattle and Sacramento, who are undefeated at home, have better records in their home arenas.


Four rescued from mine blast FOUR workers were pulled out alive from a mine in north China today, leaving 166 colleagues trapped and feared dead after a gas explosion, local officials said.


DUP won #39;t be  #39;bounced #39; into deal As Northern Irelands talks to revive power sharing remained delicately balanced, the DUP leader told colleagues at a dinner last night in North Antrim if the deal was to work it must include the transparent destruction of IRA weapons.


Moonlit Taj Entralls hundreds after 20 years Tourists, lovebirds and locals came in hundreds to view the Taj Mahal at night on Saturday, after the Supreme Court allowed visitors to gaze at the dazzling marble monument by moonlight for the first time in two decades.


Stephen Dodd Wins China Open (AP) AP - Wales' Stephen Dodd won the China Open for his first PGA European Tour title, shooting a 4-under 68 on Sunday for a three-stroke victory over Denmark's Thomas Bjorn.


Grower Suggests Opening Your Mind to More Open Christmas Trees Before you open your holiday gifts, Eric and Gloria Sundback want you to open up your Christmas tree. Instead of buying an evenly shaped tree densely packed with


BARRERA EDGES AHEAD IN MORALES TRILOGY Marco Antonio Barrera has claimed the WBC super-featherweight title with a majority points win over old adversary Erik Morales at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.


Washington freezes out competition in Alaska When this college basketball season began, it was difficult to really know what to make of the University of Washington. Lorenzo Romar #39;s team did return five starters from last season.


James gives Bulls taste of his artistry Trying to comprehend how Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James can be so good, so young. On Saturday night at Gund Arena, James became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 2,000 points for his career.


Charity helping teachers to teach children about tsunami in southeast Asia (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - A charitable group for children is sending information kits to teachers across Canada to assist them in helping students understand the effects of tsunamis in southeast Asia that have inundated the world with haunting images of grief and destruction.


Redfern  #39;mob #39; accused over Palm Island PARTICIPANTS in the Redfern riots were among an angry mob who burned down a police station on Queensland #39;s Palm Island, police said yesterday.


Ukraine Sees Fresh Rallies After Parliament Vote (Reuters) Reuters - Opposition supporters rallied anew on the\streets of the Ukrainian capital on Sunday, boosted by a\parliamentary vote declaring invalid a disputed presidential\poll handing victory to Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich.


Digital recorders bump old VCRs off the shelf If you #39;re replacing an aging VCR, a recorder that uses digital technology now deserves first consideration. The reasons include picture quality that can exceed that of a


MacArthur sets sail on solo round-the-world challenge (AFP) AFP - British yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur set sail in an attempt to set a new solo round-the-world record.


Reliance Energy board to meet in next few days Mumbai, November 28 :The board of power utility Reliance Energy Ltd will meet in the next few days to consider the resignations of six of its directors, the company said on Sunday.


LeBron makes NBA history Cleveland Cavaliers youngster LeBron James scored 26 points in his side #39;s 96-74 victory over the Chicago Bulls to become the youngest player in NBA history to reach 2,000 points.


Barcelona #39;s Eto #39;o given racial abuse by Getafe fans Barcelona striker Samuel Eto #39;o was the target of apparent racial abuse from opposition fans during his side #39;s 2-1 victory over Getafe in Madrid on Saturday.


Close two-man race for Romania #39;s presidency BUCHAREST, ROMANIA - Observers fear that vote tampering will mar results of Sunday #39;s presidential election in Romania. The close race is between Bucharest #39;s mayor, Traian Basescu, a frank-talking, hands-on


First Look: Skip Gateway's MP3 Photo Jukebox Color display and photo support can't save oddly designed player.


It #39;s back to business as usual CLEVELAND -- Former Bulls guard Ron Harper sat courtside at Gund Arena on Saturday night, shaking his head and laughing in disbelief at what has become of the team he helped win the last three of their six championships.


Plushenko, Slutskaya earn Cup of Russia titles Evgeni Plushenko and Irina Slutskaya delighted the home crowd Saturday by winning the Cup of Russia with superb free skating programs in Moscow.


Dodd earns first win China Open Jiangsu, China (Sports Network) - Stephen Dodd closed with a four-under 68 Sunday to win the Volvo China Open by three strokes. Dodd finished the tournament at 12-under-par 276.


Huskies keep Tide at bay ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Kennedy Winston, like his University of Alabama basketball teammates, sunk back in his chair on the bench and watched as the University of Washington accepted the trophy for the Great Alaska Shootout.


Crawford #39;s 30 keeps Knicks hot at home Jamal Crawford scored 30 points, Stephon Marbury had 18 points and 15 assists and Tim Thomas scored 17 to lead the New York Knicks to a 108-102 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors on Saturday.


Beyond Fallujah The battle of Fallujah, the most significant of the Iraq war since the fall of Baghdad, is a huge military success for US forces. But it #39;s not clear now, nor will it be for some time - perhaps not until elections


Four rescued from China mine explosion Four workers have been pulled out alive from a mine in north China, leaving 166 colleagues trapped and feared dead after a gas explosion, local officials said.


Fog could mar Taj night-viewing in winter months Agra, Nov. 28 (PTI): The idea is right. But the timing is wrong. Being undertaken on an experimental basis for three months, night-viewing of the Taj Mahal may well be spoiled by an unwanted winter visitor -- the fog.


CRPF jawan goes berserk, guns down 7 colleagues Srinagar, Nov. 28 (PTI): Apparently furious over his humiliation by seniors, a CRPF constable went berserk killing seven of his colleagues, including a company commander, before being shot dead at the battalion


Fiat boss denies end of GM tie-up Fiat chairman Luca di Montezemolo brushes off media speculation that the carmaker wants to scrap its partnership with General Motors.


Artificial trees grow on Americans More and more Americans are waking up Christmas morning to find Santa #39;s presents nestled under the plastic branches of an artificial tree.


Fiat boss denies end of GM tie-up Fiat chairman Luca di Montezemolo has brushed off media reports that the company wants to scrap its partnership with US giant General Motors (GM).


Partner: The Guide to Cost Effective Business Explore powerful options available to mid-sized companies


Inconclusive start sets up potential Sunday Skins bonanza The first nine holes of the Merrill Lynch Skins Game decided, well, almost nothing Saturday. On a day that saw the fewest skins won in the 22-year history of the event


UPDATE 1-Briton Dodd wins maiden title in China Britain #39;s Stephen Dodd fired a four-under-par 68 to clinch his maiden European Tour title with a three-shot victory at the China Open on Sunday.


Win offers some relief for coach It #39;s almost certainly too little too late, although after what took place here on Saturday afternoon the rope reserved for the head coach has been put aside for the time being.


Depleted Pacers surviving, thriving After losing stars Ron Artest, Jermaine O #39;Neal and Stephen Jackson to suspensions for the melee in Motown last week, many across the NBA figured the Pacers would fall flat until at least O #39;Neal returned from his 25-game suspension; Jackson is out for 30


Iraq elections still on target despite security concerns BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq #39;s landmark January polls looked set to take place as planned, although ongoing violence did nothing to alleviate the security concerns of the proponents of a delay.


At least 166 miners trapped, feared dead in China mine blast BEIJING (AFP) - A gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in north China #39;s Shaanxi province, trapping 166 miners in what threatens to be the worst disaster to hit the world #39;s biggest coal producer in recent years.


Australia says relationship with ASEAN economic SYDNEY, Australia (AFP): Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile said on Sunday that Australia #39;s relationship with ASEAN was an economic one amid calls for Canberra to sign a non-aggression pact with the grouping.


Summit of French-Speaking Countries Condemns Ivory Coast Leaders at a summit in Burkina Faso of mostly French-speaking nations have condemned authorities in divided Ivory Coast for resuming hostilities in the rebel-held north earlier this month.


O Christmas tree In the past five years, national sales of real Christmas trees have dropped faster than needles on an unwatered pine in the living room.


No title game for Iowa State Crossett #39;s 25-yard field goal in overtime, the first of his college career, secured a 17-14 victory for beleaguered Missouri on Saturday.


Miller breaks through in downhill The way Antoine Deneriaz figures it, he was the fastest human on the course during yesterday #39;s season-opening World Cup downhill at Lake Louise, Alta.


Iraq rejects vote-delay demands BAGHDAD -- The interim Iraqi government brushed aside Sunni Muslim demands to delay the Jan. 30 election yesterday. And a spokesman for the majority Shiite Muslim community called the date  quot;non-negotiable.


Romanian Election also the subject of corruption As the voting gets underway, in what is expected to be a tight race, there are already election fears of fraud. Many are worried that the PSD (Social Democrats) might attempt to manipulate the voting in some way.


IBM's PC unit lost money from 2001 onwards IBM's personal computer division racked up \$965 million in losses between Jan. 1, 2001, and June 30, 2004, the company said in a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.


eBay to drop Support for Microsoft's Passport eBay will soon drop support for Microsoft's Passport service, which was originally intended to make the world's biggest software maker the gatekeeper of Web identities.


8 Indian soldiers killed in Kashmir Eight paramilitary troopers were killed and two injured when a irate soldier went on a shooting spree killing in the Indian-administered Kashmir Saturday night.


15 students crushed to death by speeding Indian train BHOPAL - At least 15 students were crushed to death on Sunday by a speeding train at a railway station in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, a local administrator told AFP.


Lockheed and the Future of Warfare In the post-9/11 world, Lockheed Martin has become more than just the nation's biggest military contractor. It is putting its stamp on military policies as well.


Brief: Oracle reshuffles executives at PeopleSoft Oracle Corp., now in the process of digesting its rival PeopleSoft Inc., did a top executive reshuffle in time for the new year, according to documents filed with the SEC.


High-tech truck toll system finally launched in Germany Germany's high-tech truck toll system, which relies on GPS technology and GSM wireless networks, began operation on Saturday without a glitch.


Myskina gives Russia Fed Cup lead Anastasia Myskina put Russia ahead in the Fed Cup final against France with a comprehensive win over Nathalie Dechy in the third singles rubber.


Pew study: Blogs busted out in 2004 For blogs and bloggers, 2004 was a good year, according to data released from the Pew Internet   American Life Project.


12 killed in train accident near Bhopal: India News: Bhopal, Nov 28 : Twelve people, including a woman, were ploughed to death by an express train outside the Sukhi Sevania railway station near here Sunday.


US Treasuries Fall for a Fifth Week; Foreign Demand May Wane The benchmark 10-year US Treasury note fell for a fifth week, its longest losing streak since May, on concern foreign investors #39; demand for US government bonds is waning.


FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF SAN FRANCISCO Janet Yellen has had a dream career in economics -- a doctorate at Yale, prestigious appointments at UC Berkeley, White House economic adviser during the Clinton administration and two tours of duty at the Federal Reserve.


What it's like to switch to open-source An IT director reports on problems associated with a move to Linux.


ABCs of the BCS Six conference champions and two at-large teams will make up the participants in the four BCS bowl games, guaranteeing their schools huge paydays.


UPDATE 2-India peg back South Africa despite Kallis ton Jacques Kallis hit his 17th test century but India #39;s fast bowlers took wickets at regular intervals to restrict South Africa to 227 for five on the first day of the second and final test on Sunday.


PM heads to ASEAN summit AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister John Howard flies into the Laotian capital late today as security jitters threaten to engulf the ASEAN summit.


No BC in BCS Adios, Fiesta. Sayonara, Sugar. Bye-bye, Bowl Championship Series. Gator, why don't you give a call?


Apology due for this sorry performance There may have been gloomier, more depressing, and costlier days for a Boston College athletic team in the past 40 years, but I can't think of one.


Starting a Heat wave MIAMI -- The signs are everywhere. From the absence of the dreaded balcony curtain inside American Airlines Arena to the giant poster on the outside of the building triumphantly announcing,  quot;Daddy's Home. quot; This is, indeed, one big daddy. Shaquille O'Neal always has had a larger-than-life persona, perhaps because he is, well, very, very large. His singular presence on the Miami ...


Browsing the James 'bible' Manny Ramirez, who enters the 2005 season with 390 career home runs, has a 92 percent chance of joining the 500-home run club and a 44 percent chance of hitting 600, according to career assessments published in the  quot;2005 Bill James Handbook, quot; written by the statistical analyst whose stature in the game has not suffered by the Red Sox winning ...


Taking a liking to Vikings East Boston's Jermaine Wiggins has roamed from college team to college team, NFL team to NFL team. He fills perfectly the role of nomad tight end.


New department for Bruins strength coach For months, he's been a man without a team. Bruins strength and conditioning coach John Whitesides filled up some of the time helping defenseman Hal Gill rehabilitate from a broken foot suffered during the World Cup of Hockey. Now that Gill is healthy, Whitesides is working with the Wilmington Fire Department.


Hill, Magic deep-six 76ers Grant Hill scored 29 points and Steve Francis added 26, leading the Magic to their fourth win in five games, a 105-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers last night in Orlando, Fla. Francis had 15 in the fourth quarter, with 6 in the final 48 seconds. His jumper with 48 seconds left put the Magic up, 101-97, but Allen Iverson ...


Blue Hens punch ticket to quarters Sonny Riccio ran for two touchdowns and passed for 148 yards to lead Delaware to a 28-14 win over visiting Lafayette yesterday in the first round of the Division 1-AA playoffs.


Broncos capture another WAC title RENO -- Jared Zabransky passed for 244 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 10 Boise State past Nevada, 58-21, last night and keep the unbeaten Broncos' hopes alive for a spot in the BCS with their 22d straight win.


For Davis, Tulsa, win is a wacky one TULSA, Okla. -- Ashlan Davis extended his NCAA record with his fifth kickoff return for a touchdown this season and Tulsa beat No. 24 UTEP, 37-35, yesterday for its first win against a ranked opponent in more than eight years.


Gopher trio is golden The Harvard women's hockey team faced the question every top team in the nation will try to answer this season: How to stop Minnesota's quick-shooting, sharp-skating top line.


Hard feelings likely to linger Parting with Syracuse and the Big East was such sweet sorrow for Boston College after the 17th-ranked Eagles, playing their final game as a Big East member, absorbed a ruinous 43-17 loss yesterday that prevented them from winning the conference title outright and clinching a Bowl Championship Series berth.


No keeping up with Jones LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Montrell Jones caught two touchdown passes and returned a punt for a score, and No. 7 Louisville clinched its third Conference USA championship since 2000 with a 70-7 rout of Cincinnati yesterday.


Wildcats again hits on the road STATESBORO, Ga. -- The University of New Hampshire went down to Georgia and stole a playoff game from Georgia Southern.


Where to now? Look out below If yesterday's 43-17 loss to Syracuse weren't disappointing enough for Boston College, which had hopes of its first Bowl Championship Series berth, more bad news could be coming in the next several days.


Pittsburgh in driver's seat now for top berth Syracuse's 43-17 victory over Boston College forged a four-way tie for first place in the Big East among the Orange, Eagles, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia.


Not much fight in Irish LOS ANGELES -- They were playing the role of spoilers, heavy underdogs to a Southern California team that wants to prove it is the best college football team in the country this season.


Perfect seasons on the line East Boston finishes the regular season undefeated and moves on to the playoffs to host a team with a potent running attack and a complicated offensive scheme. Sound familiar?


Tigers hoping to break through Tyngsboro is fast becoming comparable to the Buffalo Bills of the early 1990s. After three consecutive Super Bowl losses, the Tigers once again find themselves with a playoff berth and yet another Commonwealth Large title.


Newton North's Barnicle headed to nationals NEW YORK -- Second time's a charm for Newton North senior Chris Barnicle. After finishing 10th last year, he won the Foot Locker Northeast Regional cross-country race yesterday at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx with a time of 15 minutes 27.2 seconds.


Will defense or offense win out? Last Saturday against Minuteman, the North Shore offense looked unstoppable in a 63-32 win. Meanwhile, the St. Mary's defense has held opponents under 15 points in 10 of 11 games.


India peg back South Africa despite Kallis ton (Reuters) Reuters - Jacques Kallis hit his 17th test century but India's fast bowlers took wickets at regular intervals to restrict South Africa to 227 for five on the first day of the second and final test on Sunday.


Trade organization slaps sanctions on American exports Clash over <b>...</b> WASHINGTON - The World Trade Organization imposed penalties yesterday on US exports ranging from apples to textiles, escalating a trade dispute the Bush administration has struggled to defuse by unsuccessfully urging Congress to repeal legislation aimed


2004 reviews: Platforms InfoWorld reviews the year in operating systems, including the arrival of the v2.6 Linux kernel.


Pepper spray spurs toy store evacuation About 3,000 shoppers were evacuated from a Toys  quot;R quot; Us store in Times Square yesterday after pepper spray was set off inside, fire officials said.


Torvalds and others set for keynote at Linux summit Growing importance of Linux in the enterprise is focus of event.


Beware parents: Some video games not for kids It may be hailed as one of the most innovative and popular video games to date, but media watchdogs are warning parents to think twice before placing the sexually explicit and ultra violent Grand Theft Auto:  quot;San Andreas quot; adventure under the tree for


Weekend warriors in test of technique and temperament THE breeze barely tickled the flags around the first tee, the weather was warming and the air light. The greens were true and gave good grip to approaches.


Heisman watch Cedric Benson, RB, Texas: Carried 33 times for 165 yards and made three receptions for 13 yards against Texas A amp;M on Friday. Reggie Bush, RB, USC: Caught two passes for 73 yards and one touchdown, and carried seven times for 24 yards against Notre Dame.


Knicks tighten defense in time When Stephon Marbury practically scraped the sky with a fourth-quarter jumper that barely beat the shot-clock buzzer and gave the Knicks a 12-point lead with 1:59 to play Saturday afternoon, Madison Square Garden began to empty.


It #39;s Up to Players, Hubie Brown Says Thursday #39;s unexpected resignation of Memphis Grizzlies coach Hubie Brown left a lot of questions unanswered. In his unique way of putting things, the 71-year-old Brown seemed to indicate he was burned out and had some health concerns.


Tamil minister asks Tigers not to go back to war : Colombo, Nov 28 : The Sri Lankan government today asked the Tamil Tigers to work for a negotiated political settlement to the decades-old ethnic strife, a day after LTTE supremo V Prabhakaran threatened to go back to war.


4 ASEAN nations vow to further sub-regional cooperation Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV), four less-developed countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on Sunday vowed tofurther their sub-regional


Firefighters die under rubble Gretzenbach, Switzerland - Seven Swiss firefighters were killed in the collapse of a parking garage ceiling in a fire in northern Switzerland, officials said on Sunday.


Jack Sirard: Free credit report should be read by consumers Bee Columnist. Beginning Wednesday, California consumers will be eligible to receive free copies of their credit reports. If you #39;ve never had a copy of your credit report, now is a good time to initiate the action.


McDonalds names 2nd CEO in 7 months McDonalds Corp. is welcoming its second new CEO in seven months, as Charlie Bell abruptly resigned to focus on battling the colon cancer doctors detected two weeks after he became the fast-food giants chief.


Sharon says Iran making every effort to possess nuclear arms Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said in comments published on Sunday that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Europe were not doing enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear arms.


Myskina eases past Dechy to put Russia in charge French Open champion Anastasia Myskina put Russia on the brink of their first Fed Cup title on Sunday, a 6-3 6-4 victory over Nathalie Dechy giving the home team a 2-1 lead in the final against holders France.


Barca Eto #39;o encounters racism at Getafe Barcelona striker Samuel Eto #39;o encountered apparent racial abuse from opposition fans during his side #39;s 2-1 victory over Getafe in Madrid on Saturday.


Report: FBI Finds Link Between P/11, Madrid Bombs (Reuters) Reuters - The FBI has established the clearest\link yet between the March 11 Madrid train bombings and the\Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, a Spanish\newspaper reported Sunday.


Chirac Rival Sarkozy Gets French Party Boost (Reuters) Reuters - French Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy\took over the ruling conservative party Sunday at a glitzy\American-style congress that put him on course to launch a\presidential bid and possibly challenge Jacques Chirac.


Tree traditions Soon, Linda Anderson and members of her family will bundle up and make the annual trip to the Christmas tree farm in search of a tree.


PRODUCT RECALLS -- Procter  amp; Gamble Co. of Cincinnati is recalling 175,000 SweepVacs by Swiffer Vacuum Cleaner. In some cases, when the vacuum cleaner is left in the on position, the rotor can lock up and cause the unit to overheat.


Industry outlines agenda for Bush The nation #39;s home builders, real estate salespeople and mortgage bankers stood by their man in the presidential election, and now they hope he stands by his housing agenda during the next four years.


Italian automaker Fiat chief denies GM pullout Italian automaker Fiat chief Luca Cordero de Montezemolo denied on Saturday rumors that US car giant General Motors is planning to pull out of the Italian carmaker.


Mount St Helens rumbles in US A 3.1-magnitude earthquake shook the crater at Mount St Helens yesterday, the strongest quake at the volcano since mid-October. US Geological Survey scientists said they did not believe a major eruption was


Nongame studies: Whales to warblers Bowhead whales and boreal owls are among the wide range of research projects proposed for the upcoming year through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game #39;s nongame program.


Roma Form Reappears At Siena Francesco Totti scored a capping brace as crisis-stricken AS Roma got well with a 4-0 away rout of Siena. The Giallorossi built a quick 2-0 lead with Serie A top scorer Vincenzo Montella poaching a pair within 10 second half minutes.


Leinart Passes USC Past Notre Dame 41-10 No. 1 USC Pummels Notre Dame 41-10; Matt Leinart Makes Heisman Case With 400 Yards, Five TD Passes. Southern California #39;s quarterback Matt Leinart throws during their 41-10 win over Notre Dame during the first half in Los Angeles, on Saturday, Nov.


England 19-21 Australia BATTERED but unbowed, England lost the re-run of the World Cup final in one of the most sensational matches Twickenham has seen in recent years.


NBA Insider What a disgrace Ron Artest has become. And the worst part is, the Indiana Pacers guard just doesn #39;t get it. Four days after fueling one of the biggest brawls in the history of pro sports, Artest was on national


Marbury: Vince underused New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury was asked yesterday if his club had done anything special to try to keep Raptors guard Vince Carter in check.


Tech gobbles up Virginia BLACKSBURG - For the first time in the 86-game history of the Virginia-Virginia Tech football rivalry, chants of  quot;ACC, ACC quot; echoed in the Hokies #39; cheering section Saturday.


Iraqi Government Dismisses Calls to Postpone Elections A spokesman for Iraq #39;s interim government has rejected calls, mainly by Sunni and Kurdish groups, to postpone the country #39;s first national elections.


#39;Resolution of J amp;K issue will be biggest CBM #39; Islamabad: Emphasising the need for  quot;sincerity quot; and  quot;flexibility quot; to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including the Kashmir problem, Pakistan on Sunday said the recent meeting involving the Prime Ministers of both countries has helped in


Chirac Rival Sarkozy Gets French Party Boost French Finance Minister Nicolas Sarkozy took over the ruling conservative party Sunday at a glitzy American-style congress that put him on course to launch a presidential bid and possibly challenge Jacques Chirac.


Pig brother helps porkers flourish Hi-tech monitoring of livestock at pig farms could help improve the animal growth process and reduce costs.


Sharon set to end 15-month boycott of Palestinian leadership JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was set to end his 15-month boycott of the Palestinian leadership after expressing a willingness to meet new PLO chief and presidential favourite Mahmud Abbas.


Colombia Says Rebels Planned to Kill Bush A top official in Colombia says the country #39;s largest Marxist rebel group targeted President Bush for assassination when he visited Cartagena this past week.


Global forex volatility underscores China's growing economic muscle (AFP) AFP - Foreign exchange markets felt the impact of China's growing economic muscle this week when a report claiming the country's central bank had sold US Treasuries helped push the euro to all-time highs, underscoring market sensitivity about a possible yuan revaluation.


Pampling in command after second day of centenary Australian Open SYDNEY, (AFP) - Australian golfer Rod Pampling shot his second consecutive 67 around the notoriously difficult Australian Golf Club here to find himself well in charge after the second day of the centenary Australian Open.


South Africa aim at a first innings total of 400-450 : Sports India: Cricket  gt; Kolkata, Nov 28 : South African captain Graeme Smith today said the visitors, who scored 227 for five on the opening day of the second cricket Test here, were aiming at a first innings total of 400-450 to put pressure on India.


CIO Tech Poll: IT spending projections down in December CIOs surveyed last month predicted that IT spending would grow by only 6.7 during the next 12 months, down from the 8.4 growth rate they predicted in November, according to the latest CIO Magazine Tech Poll released today.


Dozens trapped in China mine blast TONGCHUAN, CHINA - A gas explosion tore through a coal mine in China #39;s Shaanxi province, trapping as many as 170 miners underground.


Bush was allegedly targeted Marxist rebels tried to organize an assassination attempt against President Bush during his visit to the port city of Cartagea last week, a top Colombian official said yesterday.


L.A. sues Web hotel bookers for pocketing room tax Internet travel sites are cheating cities on taxes by pocketing the difference between the hotel room tax they pay and the amount collected from consumers, the city of Los Angeles said in a lawsuit filed last week.


Death by a thousand cuts THE ghosts of Calcutta 2001 and aches of Australia #39;s over-worked bowlers have combined to ensure that New Zealand #39;s demise will be death by a thousand cuts, drives and pulls after Ricky Ponting failed to enforce the follow-on during the second Test


Serie A Saturday Wrap: Roma Revival In Siena Roma, enduring a torrid season, had something to smile about on Saturday night after crushing Siena 4-0 after a sustained second-half onslaught at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.


Coast Guard Tries To Contain 20-Mile Oil Slick PHILADELPHIA -- The US Coast Guard has deployed thousands of feet of protective boom to contain a 30,000-gallon oil spill in the Delaware River between Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.


St. Helens has largest earthquake since mid-October A 3.1-magnitude earthquake shook the crater at Mount St. Helens Saturday morning, the strongest quake at the volcano since its new lava dome began growing in mid-October.


Relics Taken in the Crusades Returned after 8 Centuries Pope John Paul II yesterday returned two relics taken during the Crusades, who plundered Istanbul (then Constantinople) in 1204, to Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomeos as a gesture of friendship with the Orthodox Church.


Hydrogen Production Method Could Bolster Fuel Supplies Researchers say they have found a way to produce hydrogen with far less energy than other methods, a development that would move the country closer to the goal of a "hydrogen economy."


Oil Spill Halts Shipping on River Near South Jersey A tanker ship spilled 30,000 gallons of heavy crude oil into the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey on Friday night.


After-Thanksgiving Day Sales Attract Bargain Hunters ( Friday, November 26, 2004 - WANE - Fort Wayne) -- The day after Thanksgiving is often referred to as  quot;Black Friday quot; because it #39;s suppose to be the day retailers go from being in the  quot;red quot; to being in the  quot;black quot; because of holiday sales.


Pacquiao irked by Barrera statement MANNY PACQUIAO was piqued when told about the statements made by Marco Antonio Barrera and his promoter, Oscar dela Hoya, moments after Barreras thrilling win over Erik Morales at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.


Pampling Leads Australian Open by Four Colombia #39;s Camilo Villegas hits out of a bunker on the 15th hole during round 2 of the Australian Golf Open in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Nov. 26, 2004.


Season on the brink lands CU in title game Colorado will have more to remember about this season than just scandal and turmoil -- most notably, a trip to the Big 12 title game that seemed nearly impossible just a few weeks ago.


Romanians Vote Slowly, Eyeing EU, Poverty and Graft Romanians, angered by poverty and corruption, went to the polls on Sunday in a closely contested election to decide who will lead the Balkan country through two years of hard European Union-dictated reforms.


Can Africa solve African problems? A look ahead at issues and events likely to make headlines in the coming year.


High Court Cases Show 2 Sides of Conservatism (Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles Times - WASHINGTON  #8212; The U.S. Supreme Court can ignore the usual liberal-versus-conservative divide in the next two weeks when it takes up California-centric cases on medical marijuana and the direct shipping of wine to consumers. Instead, the justices will be forced to decide between competing versions of conservatism.


Largest Quake Since Oct. Hits St. Helens MOUNT St. HELENS Nov 27, 2004 - A 3.1-magnitude earthquake shook the crater at Mount St. Helens on Saturday, the strongest quake at the volcano since mid-October.


A Video 'Curse' Snares Would-Be TV Pioneers  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It reads like a VIP list of  failures -- Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba, Intel, and Philips.


Roma return to form in style AS Roma ended a run of four defeats with a 4-0 win at Siena in Serie A on Saturday with two goals each from Vincenzo Montella and Francesco Totti.


Crime Spurs South Africa's Inventors to Action  JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Want a computer that screams when  a thief strikes? Or a personal tracking unit in case you get  kidnapped?


UW Men Tops In Alaska ANCHORAGE - The University of Washington men #39;s basketball team was without Brandon Roy Saturday night, but the 22nd-ranked Huskies still won the Great Alaska Shootout.


Iran Apparently Agrees to Stop Enrichment Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, right, talks with Iraqi Vice-President, Ibrahim al-Jafari, during their official meeting in Tehran, Iran, Saturday Nov. 27, 2004.


166 coal miners feared dead Beijing - A gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in north China #39;s Shaanxi province on Sunday, trapping 166 miners in what threatens to be the worst disaster to hit the world #39;s biggest coal producer in recent years.


Thaksin to meet Malaysian, Indonesian leaders about Muslim unrest VIENTIANE (AFP): Thailand #39;s prime minister will meet the leaders of Malaysia and Indonesia on Sunday to explain his refusal to allow a major summit here to broach Muslim unrest in his country, an official said.


Ready Cash Could Reward Wall Street Bulls Stocks have gained little headway this year but could get a lift over the next couple months from an infusion of cash poised to come into the market from corporations and individuals, Wall Street experts say.


No personal shareholding in Reliance Energy, claims Anil Caught in a row with elder brother Mukesh Ambani over the ownership of Reliance empire, Reliance Energy chairman and managing director Anil Ambani on Sunday sought to enlist support of all the 25,000 strong workforce of the company saying like them he was


Nation briefs 11/28 MOUNT ST. HELENS -- A 3.1-magnitude earthquake shook the crater at Mount St. Helens on Saturday, the strongest quake at the volcano since mid-October.


Recording industry and Kazaa face off in Australia The next chapter in the global legal battle between the recording industry and file-sharing services is due to unfold here Monday when the owners of the


eBay to Drop Support for Microsoft's Passport  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. said on Thursday  that eBay Inc. will soon drop support for its Passport service,  originally intended to make the world's biggest software maker  the gatekeeper of Web identities.


Mountain of support LAKE LOUISE -- Long before Calgary #39;s Jan Hudec or American Bode Miller provided something tangible to cheer about, the crowd at the bottom of the hill roared its approval anyway.


No word on trapped China miners A gas explosion in a state-owned mine in China has left 166 miners trapped underground with no means of contact. Nearly 300 miners were in Chenjiashan mine in Shaanxi province when the blast happened on Sunday morning, but 127 escaped, said state media.


Riot island police refuse to go back PALM Island #39;s eight police have refused to return to the riot-torn Aboriginal community off Townsville, sparking fears from the police union that it would be almost impossible to find replacements.


Two Blasts Rock Kazakh Ruling Party's Headquarters (Reuters) Reuters - Two powerful blasts rocked\the headquarters of President Nursultan Nazarbayev's ruling\Otan (Fatherland) party in Almaty's busy central district\Sunday evening, a spokeswoman for the Emergencies Agency said.


No word on trapped China miners About 166 miners remain trapped deep in a mine in central China, with all communications lost.


Do Not Rule Out Lower-Priced Apple iMac--Analyst  SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. AAPL.O  could decide to sell a lower-priced of its Macintosh computer  to attract consumers already enamored of its iPod music player  and annoyed by security problems with Windows PCs, Piper  Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said on Thursday.


French hostages fate rests on spy inquiry HOPES rose yesterday for two French journalists seized more than three months ago in Iraq after the The Sunday Times obtained a new CD-Rom showing both men apparently well and in good spirits.


Militant won #39;t run for leader from jail THE jailed firebrand Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti has decided not to run for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority, lifting the threat of a divided vote in his Fatah faction.


The grim ordeal of France #39;s hostages On Saturday, it is 100 days since Georges Malbrunot was taken hostage, and I still feel the rage I felt on the first day. The pain of Georges #39; parents and brother is impossible to measure, the suffering of his fiance unimaginable.


Sharon and Abbas Say They Are Willing to Meet (Reuters) Reuters - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon\and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in interviews\published Sunday they would be willing to meet, though such\talks were unlikely before a Jan. 9 Palestinian election.


3 Giants Create New Online Music Service LOS ANGELES Nov 25, 2004 - Three major recording companies have agreed to make their music available to be shared and sold over a new online file-swapping service that aims to lure music fans away from rival services where trading of music and movies


Mobile Phone Firms Link for New High-Speed Standard  TOKYO (Reuters) - Leading wireless carriers and telecoms  equipment makers have agreed to develop an advanced mobile  phone standard capable of sending high-resolution video in an  instant, Japan's NTT DoCoMo said on Friday.


England stutter for Zimbabwe win England beat Zimbabwe by five wickets in the opening one-day international.


PluggedIn: Beyond the iPod, Accessories Are Hot Items  SEATTLE (Reuters) - Got an iPod during the holidays?  Chances are, you're already shopping for the perfect case or  eyeing a new kit to plug your portable digital music player  into a car stereo system, while browsing the plethora of other  accessories available for Apple Computer Inc.'s AAPL.O  popular product.


James Becomes Youngest to Score 2,000 (AP) AP - LeBron James scored 26 points to become the youngest player in NBA history to reach 2,000 in a career, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 96-74 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.


Alaska resumes aerial wolf-control program Aerial hunters have claimed the first wolf kills of the season as Alaska officials renew predator-control efforts to boost moose and caribou populations.


LeBron pumps in 43 as Cavs pound Pistons Perhaps trying to show his US Olympic team coach that he should have played more in Greece, LeBron James scored a career-high 43 points Wednesday to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 92-76 win over Larry Brown #39;s Detroit Pistons.


Electronics Industry Battles for the Living Room  SAN FRANCISCO/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The living room, once  the most technologically simple part of the average home, is a  high-tech battleground today as the consumer electronics  industry seeks to digitize home entertainment and make it  available anywhere, anytime.


Australia march into dominant position against NZ Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden finished the third day #39;s play at Adelaide as they had begun the first, by rumbling along to an unbeaten 57-run stand to take Australia one step closer to a crushing victory in the second Test against New Zealand.


France Ties Russia 2-2 in Fed Cup (AP) AP - U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova lost for the second straight day, leaving Russia tied 2-2 with defending champion France in the Fed Cup final Sunday.


Retail sales surge on US holiday Sales at United States retailers, including JC Penney and Target, got a boost on the first weekend of the US holiday-shopping season as customers bought discounted retail goods.


ANALYSIS-Fiat Unlikely to Hit the GM  #39;Put #39; Button, for Now Italians are nervous Fiat will take the extreme option of hiving off its auto arm to General Motors in 2005, but analysts say it is unlikely to sell until the 105-year-old carmaker is clear of crisis.


Earthquake Hits Mount St. Helens Scientists from the US Geological Survey report that small earthquakes have registered about once a minute for the past several weeks.


3 Giants Create New Online Music Service Three major recording companies have agreed to make their music available to be shared and sold over a new online file-swapping service that aims to lure music fans away from rival


Microsoft 29m yuan order lost The Beijing municipal government has apparently given in to mounting domestic criticism and withdrawn its recent order for computer operating systems and office suite software from United States giant Microsoft.


Tens of Thousands More Deaths Expected in Sumatra  UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people have  probably died in Indonesia's western Sumatra and Aceh Province  or will perish before relief workers can reach them, a senior  U.N. official said Monday.


France Shocks Russia to 1-1 Tie at Fed Cup Prior to her opening-round match in the Fed Cup final Saturday, Svetlana Kuznetsova said her loss to Nathalie Dechy in their lone meeting last January was an anomaly, since it was before she became US OPEN WINNER SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA.


McGrath puts skids under N Zealand Paceman Glenn McGrath grabbed four wickets as Australia took firm control of the second Test in Adelaide by bowling out New Zealand for 251 -- a first innings lead of 324.


Baltimore vs. New England FOXBORO, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Ravens have the NFL #39;s top-ranked scoring defense. But the Ravens may be the ones having trouble moving the ball Sunday when they meet the New England Patriots.


Mellors Stunning Strike Sinks Arsenal Neil Mellor delivered a stunning killer blow with virtually the last kick of the game at Anfield to condemn Arsenal to another defeat and leave them five points adrift of leaders Chelsea, whom they meet in a fortnights time.


Greek Orthodox in Turkey celebrate return of relics stolen 800 <b>...</b> ISTANBUL, Nov 27 (AFP) - Hundreds of faithful of the Greek Orthodox Church in Turkey crowded into a small cathedral in Istanbul Saturday to celebrate the return by the Vatican of religious relics stolen during the crusades some 800 years ago.


Hope of medical progress carries vote A committee of renowned scientists said the result was a vote of confidence in medical research and a positive sign for Switzerland as a centre for science and research.


Columbian Marxist Group Planned Assassination on President Bush ( Columbia -- November 28, 2004) -- (AP) There #39;s new information that a rebel group in Colombia had planned to assassinatePresident Bush during his visit there last week.


Iraq: Elections Must Go Ahead As Planned Iraqi National Guard soldiers remove the bodies of four murdered men found in a cemetery as US Army troops secure the perimeter in Mosul, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004.


Song and Dance as Land Mine Meeting Opens in Kenya Kenya Sunday launched an international conference aimed at working toward the eradication of land mines by the year 2009 with traditional African dances and songs.


Jerusalem bishop: Israel will miss Arafat The Episcopal bishop of Jerusalem says Israel may soon long for the days when Yasser Arafat was alive. The Right Reverend Riah Abu el-Assal told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin during


Israeli Company Offers Free Tsunami Alert System  JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli company said on Monday it  planned to distribute free to Asian countries hit by last  week's tsunami a device it says could save lives by warning  holiday-makers directly that a tidal wave is coming.


Myskina keys all three wins over France MOSCOW -- Anastasia Myskina and Vera Zvonareva powered Russia to its first Fed Cup title by winning the decisive doubles against defending champion France on Sunday.


Jol won #39;t blame his strikers New Tottenham manager Martin Jol has refused to blame his expensive shot-shy strike force for the club #39;s recent plight. Despite the presence of Frederic Kanoute, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe in a stellar


Mine Blast in China Leaves Over 160 Missing A gas explosion blasted through a coal mine in central China today, leaving more than 160 miners missing in what may be the country #39;s worst coal-mine accident in recent years.


Mellor strike gives Liverpool victory A Neil Mellor strike in the 90th minute has condemned Arsenal to a 2-1 defeat at Anfield. The youngster struck in the second minute of injury time to pinch the three points off the champions after an absorbing contest.


Golf: Thank Dodd I #39;m getting better For starters, he moved into the final round of the European Tour #39;s China Open in the lead - a lofty position he has never occupied.


UPDATE 1-Novo sends Rangers top as Celtic are held (adds Rangers v Hearts) LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Spanish striker Nacho Novo steered Rangers to the top of the Scottish Premier League on Sunday after scoring twice in a 3-2 comeback win over Hearts.


Jobs, Retail on Stock Market Menu (Reuters) Reuters - When Wall Street gets back to work\this week after the Thanksgiving holiday, the focus will be on\jobs and retail sales.


Bush's Big Economic Pick Is Next Fed Chief (AP) AP - While President Bush is busy putting together his Cabinet for a second term, the financial world's attention is on a job vacancy 14 months away: Who will succeed Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan?


No. 1 USC Rolls Past Notre Dame 41-10 (AP) AP - For one quarter, Notre Dame was better than No. 1 Southern California. Then the Trojans got serious, and the Fighting Irish had no chance. Matt Leinart made a big pitch for the Heisman Trophy, passing for a career-high 400 yards and a school record-tying five touchdowns, and the Trojans overcame a sluggish start to beat Notre Dame 41-10 Saturday night.


Dexia formally abandon's merger plans with Italy's Sanpaolo (AFP) AFP - French-Belgian bank Dexia said  that it has decided to terminate its plans to form an alliance with Italian bank Sanpaolo IMI.


Arsenal Loses Again in Premier League (AP) AP - Arsenal dropped five points behind Chelsea in the English Premier League on Sunday after losing 2-1 to Liverpool on an injury-time goal by Neil Mellor.


Sudan 'coup plotters' lawyers say still no accesss to accused (AFP) AFP - Lawyers defending suspects in an alleged coup attempt to topple Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir's Islamist government said that they still had not been allowed to see their clients.


Spain-U.S. Match Expected to Set Record (AP) AP - This week's U.S.-Spain Davis Cup final is expected to break the attendance record for a sanctioned tennis match.


Poll: Most Support Justice Retirement Age (AP) AP - Six in 10 Americans say there should be a mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court justices, according to an Associated Press poll.


White House Nixed Early Hearing on Rice Nomination (Reuters) Reuters - At the urging of the White House, a\key Senate panel will put off consideration of the nomination\of Condoleezza Rice to be secretary of state, the chairman of\the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Sunday.


Indian passengers killed by train At least 15 people are dead after being run down by a high-speed train in Madhya Pradesh state in India.


Blunkett orders visa inquiry Home secretary asks for an independent review into claims he intervened in a visa application for his ex-lover's former nanny.


New Band Aid single goes on sale The new Band Aid single is released in record stores on Monday, with staff poised for a massive rush in sales.


Mine Blast in China Leaves Over 160 Missing A gas explosion may be the country's worst coal-mine accident in recent years.


Iran Group Canvasses for Suicide Bombers (AP) AP - The 300 men filling out forms in the offices of an Iranian aid group were offered three choices: Train for suicide attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq, for suicide attacks against Israelis or to assassinate British author Salman Rushdie.


Russia beat France to win its first Fed Cup Russia edged defending champion France 3-2 to claim its first Fed Cup title Sunday, with Anastasia Myskina and Vera Zvonareva beating Marion Bartoli and Emilie Loit 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the decisive doubles match.


Canada #39;s Klassen captures gold CBC SPORTS ONLINE - It was a memorable weekend for Canada #39;s Cindy Klassen in Heerenveen, Netherlands. The 25-year-old speed skater captured a gold medal in the women #39;s 1,500 metres in World Cup long-track action on Sunday.


Iran says nuclear deal with Europe is close Iranian officials said on Sunay night they were close to reaching consensus with Germany, Britain and France over a resolution on Tehran #39;s nuclear programme expected


Swiss Voters Back Stem-Cell Research In the first national referendum on an issue that has divided both the European Union and the United States, Swiss voters have backed proposals to allow stem-cell research.


Sales Season Starts with Modest Expectations Description: Shoppers and retailers are in the thick of the buying season. But at stores in the Washington, DC, area, retailers are keeping their expectations realistic.


UK PRESS: Rio Tinto Considering Rival Bid For WMC LONDON (Dow Jones)--Mining group Rio Tinto Ltd. (RTP) is considering trumping a GBP2.9 billion bid by rival Xstrata PLC (XTA.LN) for Australian nickel miner WMC Resources Ltd.


It #39;s last gasp Liverpool A STUNNING injury-time Neil Mellor goal gave Liverpool a deserved Premiership win at Anfield today. The defeat was only the second in 55 league games for the champions.


Eto #39;o target of racial abuse Barcelona striker Samuel Eto #39;o was the target of apparent racial abuse during his side #39;s 2-1 victory over Getafe in Madrid on Saturday.


Review Finds Fla. Counties Voted for Bush (AP) AP - A newspaper's review of ballots cast in three north Florida counties where registered Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans showed just what officials reported: The counties' voters did on Election Day as they often do, voting for a Republican for president.


Russia Beats France to Win First Fed Cup In a fitting end to a season dominated by Russian women, the country won its first Fed Cup title Sunday by edging defending champion France 3-2 when Anastasia Myskina and Vera Zvonareva beat Marion Bartoli and Emilie Loit 7-6 (5), 7-5 in the deciding doubles match.


Arsenal Loses Again in Premier League Arsenal dropped five points behind Chelsea in the English Premier League on Sunday after losing 2-1 to Liverpool on an injury-time goal by Neil Mellor.


Sated on turkey, US consumers go on billion-dollar shopping fest (AFP) AFP - Sated by the traditional Thanksgiving turkey, US consumers went on a multi-billion-dollar shopping fest snapping up post-holiday retail bargains in stores across America, the Visa credit card group said.


Investors Hope for Strong Retail Reports (AP) AP - Will Wall Street wrap up another year-end rally in time for the holidays? A key job creation report and the strength of the weekend's shopping kickoff will determine the rally's fate in the week ahead.


Wal-Mart sales stoke recovery fears Worries about the sustainability of the US economic recovery were stoked om Sunday after the stores group Wal-Mart, seen as a bellwether for the country #39;s


Reliance row: Anils camp mounts attack PTI, New Delhi, Nov 28: The battle between Ambani brothers over ownership issue of Rs 90,000 crore Reliance empire today intensified with Mr Anils camp mounting attack on elder brother and Reliance Industry CMD, Mr Mukesh accusing him of rebuffing


UPDATE 1-China premier wants stable economy for yuan reform Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao signalled the country was in no rush to reform the yuan, and questioned why more hadn #39;t been done to stop the dollar #39;s slide, the strongest


'Ringback' Tones May Be Next Big Thing (AP) AP - Ring tones are so yesterday. If wireless companies have their way, the next multibillion-dollar surprise in the cellular business will be "Ringback" tones.


Liverpool Beats Arsenal 2-1; Spurs End Losing Run (Update3) Neil Mellor #39;s goal in the closing seconds, his first in the Premiership, gave Liverpool a 2-1 win over Arsenal, leaving the Londoners five points behind leader Chelsea.


Australia take command in 2nd Test ADELAIDE, Nov. 28. - Glenn McGraths four wickets helped Australia take hold of the fourth day of the second cricket Test by restricting New Zealand to 251, giving the home side a first innings lead of 324.


Holiday-season portable games put Nintendo, Sony in shoot-'em-up round (AFP) AFP - The holiday shopping season is set to be a shoot-'em-up round in the video game industry, as its top players Nintendo and Sony go head to head by launching new and advanced hand-held machines.


CRPF jawan runs amok, kills 7 colleagues in Baramulla JAMMU, Nov. 28. - In a fit of anger after he was punished, a CRPF jawan shot dead seven of his colleagues before getting killed in retaliatory fire at the base camp of the 152 battalion of the CRPF in Baramulla, north Kashmir, late last night.


100 beached whales, dolphins die on Australian island, official says (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - HOBART, Australia (AP) - About 100 whales and dolphins died after beaching on a southern Australian island Sunday and about 50 more were still at risk, a government official said.


Summary: Basics of Climate Change, Pacts (AP) AP - A brief look at elements of climate change and the international agreements to deal with it:


Entering Kyoto' Years, Warming World Wo (AP) AP - The ice is melting and the heat is on for international delegates assembling in Buenos Aires next week to find new ways to confront global warming under the 194-nation treaty on climate change.


Ukrainian region seeks autonomy Supporters of Ukraine's PM announce a vote for autonomy, upping the stakes in the disputed election.


Iran offers nuclear 'concession' Iran backs down on its demand to exempt some of its technology from a nuclear freeze, diplomats say.


Family of US defector to North Korea eagerly awaits reunion (AFP) AFP - The family of US soldier Charles Robert Jenkins cheered his release from US military custody in Japan and said they look forward to seeing him for the first time since he defected to North Korea in 1965.


Swiss endorse stem cell research Swiss voters overwhelmingly approve government proposals to permit research using stem cells of human embryos.


Mount St. Helens Crater Shaken by Earthquake The earthquake, which struck on Saturday at the crater at Mount St. Helens, measured 3.1 on the Richter scale, making it the strongest quake at the volcano since mid-October.


Heir to Jordanian throne relieved of duties AMMAN - Jordans King Abdullah relieved his half brother Prince Hamza of his duties as crown prince, royal palace sources said on Sunday.


Archbishop #39;s Bid to Heal Rift over Homosexuality Traditionalists and gay Christians were tonight cautious over a call for unity by the Archbishop of Canterbury amid the row about homosexual clergy.


Reds carry Kewell While standing in a queue for what proved to be an undercooked cheeseburger, the script for Sunday afternoon #39;s Insider report was suggested.


Ravens - Patriots: 5 keys to the game The Baltimore Ravens (7-3) have a prime opportunity to exploit the New England Patriots #39; vulnerable secondary in today #39;s game at Gillette Stadium.


Do Not Rule Out Lower-Priced Apple iMac--Analyst (Reuters) Reuters - Apple Computer Inc. \could decide to sell a lower-priced of its Macintosh computer\to attract consumers already enamored of its iPod music player\and annoyed by security problems with Windows PCs, Piper\Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said on Thursday.


eBay to Drop Support for Microsoft's Passport (Reuters) Reuters - Microsoft Corp. said on Thursday\that eBay Inc. will soon drop support for its Passport service,\originally intended to make the world's biggest software maker\the gatekeeper of Web identities.


Fatah #39;s armed wing calls on Palestinians to support Abbas Palestinian mainstream Fatahmovement #39;s armed wing announced Sunday its commitment to the movement #39;s decision in choosing Mahmoud Abbas, chairman of thePalestine Liberation Organization


CORRECTED - Song and dance as land mine meeting opens in Kenya In Nairobi story headlined  quot;Song and dance as land mine meeting opens in Kenya quot; please read in 7th paragraph ... He said over 22,000 people were killed and maimed... instead of ...He said 2,000 people were killed and maimed...(corrects figure).


WTO Authorizes Sanctions Against US Sanctions could be aimed at a wide range of American exports, possibly including steel ball bearings, cod, shoes and apples. Most would be imposed by Japan and the EU, which have been the hardest


Fewer and fewer Christmas tree farms in Louisiana The number of Christmas tree farms in Louisiana has fallen like needles from an unwatered tree. There will be at least one less next year.


Mayor attacks WMC Resources takeover plan The proposed foreign takeover of WMC Resources has attracted more criticism, with concern the mining assets at stake could one day be an issue of national security.


Eagles Clinch Division Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook lead a 20-point second half to deliver a 27-6 win over the Giants, securing the Eagles' fifth straight trip to the playoffs.


Feeling the heat: Artic people fight against global warming REYKJAVIK: Arctic people aim to team up with tropical islanders in a campaign against global warming, arguing that polar bears and palm-fringed beaches stand to suffer the most.


NASA Plans To Slam  #39;Hammer #39; into Comet The Deep Impact spacecraft is undergoing final tests at Cape Canaveral, Florida. It will blast off atop a Boeing Delta 2 rocket on Dec. 30, and if all goes well, rendezvous with the comet Tempel 1 on Independence Day.


Apple #39;s iPod takes the lead on Sony #39;s home turf Juliana Sasaki didn #39;t bother checking out Sony Corp. #39;s digital music player in Tokyo before buying her green iPod mini.  quot;I knew Sony and other companies had MP3 players, but they can #39;t beat the mini, quot; said Sasaki, 23, a language teacher.


Philips Electronics resumes marketing PCs After an absence of a decade, Philips Electronics is making personal computers again, the company said yesterday. The Netherlands-based electronics conglomerate, which abandoned the PC business in the early


Miller denies Maier to join greats LAKE LOUISE, Alberta -- American Bode Miller held off the legendary Hermann Maeir to win his third successive World Cup race and join a select ban of skiing greats.


Arsenal #39;s slide gathering pace It is just as well that Arsenal do not lose often, for they do not deal with defeat at all well. Sunday #39;s defeat was only their second in their past 55 in the Premiership, but


Eagles clinch fourth straight division title CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Unlike every other team in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles are secure in the knowledge they are heading to the playoffs.


Rangers on top of Scottish league Spanish midfielder Nacho Novo led Glasgow Rangers to the top of the Scottish Premier League with two goals in a 3-2 beating of Hearts on Sunday as defending champion Celtic was held to a 2-2 tie with last-place Dundee.


Cards RB Smith leaves game with toe injury TEMPE, Ariz. (Nov. 28, 2004) -- Emmitt Smith was knocked out of the game against the New York Jets in the first quarter with a toe injury.


Italy: Inter Milan ties Juventus Serie A leader Juventus blew a two-goal, second-half lead and had to settle for a 2-2 tie with Inter Milan on Sunday, losing ground to defending champion AC Milan.


Bengals win shootout with Browns CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Paul Brown would have been impressed at the offensive output of his two former teams. Carson Palmer threw a career-high four touchdowns and Rudi Johnson rushed for a career-best 202


Chargers and Brees pick apart Chiefs KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Drew Brees haunted the Kansas City Chiefs all day. Linebacker Donnie Edwards waited until a crucial time to haunt his former team.


Explosion in China coal mine, 166 trapped BEIJING, NOVEMBER 28: A gas explosion tore through a coal mine in northern China on Sunday, trapping as many as 166 miners in what could be the worst disaster to hit the worlds most dangerous mining industry in years.


Sharon and Abbas Express Hope for Gaza Talks Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and Mahmoud Abbas, the favorite to become the new Palestinian leader, said in separate interviews published today that they would be


Marines die in  #39;death triangle #39; TWO US marines and at least three insurgents died south of the Iraqi capital, the first casualties of a US-led sweep of the so-called  quot;death triangle quot;, a marine spokesman said today.


Punished for spat, CRPF jawan guns down 7 colleagues BARAMULLA, NOVEMBER 28: Angered by the punishment handed down by his senior yesterday afternoon, a depressed CRPF jawan turned on his sleeping colleagues after midnight, killing two officers and five policemen before being killed in retaliatory fire.


MILITANTS GIVEN AMNESTY, AGREE TO END RESISTANCE Declaring that peace had been restored in part of Pakistan #39;s restive tribal areas, Pakistani military officials have announced that their troops will abandon


Chelsea on a rampage LONDON: Chelsea returned to form and extended their lead at the top of the English Premiership with an impressive 4-0 win at Charlton Athletic yesterday.


CONFUSION OVER IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL Its unclear whether Iran has withdrawn its demand that some of its technology be excluded from a freeze on nuclear enrichment activities.


Mobile Phone Firms Link for New High-Speed Standard (Reuters) Reuters - Leading wireless carriers and telecoms\equipment makers have agreed to develop an advanced mobile\phone standard capable of sending high-resolution video in an\instant, Japan's NTT DoCoMo said on Friday.


Dexia formally abandon #39;s merger plans with Italy #39;s Sanpaolo BRUSSELS : French-Belgian bank Dexia said that it has decided to terminate its plans to form an alliance with Italian bank Sanpaolo IMI.


Crime Spurs South Africa's Inventors to Action (Reuters) Reuters - Want a computer that screams when\a thief strikes? Or a personal tracking unit in case you get\kidnapped?


Yahoo, Google Stocks Up on Upbeat Analyst Forecast (Reuters) Reuters - Shares of Internet search companies\Google Inc.  and Yahoo Inc.  rose on Monday\after Goldman Sachs raised its fourth-quarter estimates for\both companies.


England: Terry paces Chelsea Defender John Terry scored twice in three minutes as Chelsea beat Charlton 4-0 Saturday to open up a five-point lead at the top of the English Premier League.


Seoul cautious about anti-US tariffs November 29, 2004  Seoul said yesterday it would be cautious about levying retaliatory tariffs on US products, after the World Trade Organization on Friday gave Korea and six other economies the green light to enact such tariffs in response to a US


Dexia calls off talks with Italian bank Dexia, the French-Belgian bank, on Sunday called off merger talks with Italy #39;s Sanpaolo IMI, ending the prospect of Europe #39;s biggest cross-border banking deal.


NASA will smash comet to see what #39;s inside You can learn something about a rock by looking at it. But what most geologists really want is to smack it with a hammer. And that #39;s just what planetary scientists will do July 4 when


Bad Defense Spells Doom for Chiefs' Year (AP) AP - The Kansas City Chiefs have proved once more that no matter how high any offense might soar, all is lost when the defense can't stop anything.


Fleming walks in and out of debate CRICKET has its walkers and its stayers and now New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has declared himself as the Kiwi in the middle.


Juve Lead Is Cut AC Milan closed the gap on leaders Juventus to four points after receiving a helping hand from city-rivals Inter. Having already won their game at Chievo earlier in the day thanks to on-loan Chelsea striker


Dollar Rebounds But Tone Is Wary on Jobs  NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rebounded on Monday after  last week's heavy sell-off but analysts were uncertain if the  rally would hold after fresh economic data suggested the  December U.S. jobs report due Friday might not live up to  market expectations.


Iraqi politician calls for elections delay Iraqi politician Adnan Pachachi has called for a six-month delay before elections originally scheduled for 30 January. Citing the tense security situation and the need to ensure thet greatest number of Iraqis


Scandal-shocked Israelis ask if the army has lost its way JERUSALEM: Israel #39;s once-unshakable faith in the morality of the army has been put to the test by a series of recent scandals, one of which saw a soldier empty his weapon into


Powerful quake rocks northern Japan, sparks tsunami warning TOKYO (AFP) - An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale rocked the northern Japan island of Hokkaido, said the Kyodo news agency.


Panthers 21 Buccaneers 14 CHARLOTTE, NC Jake Delhomme (del-OHM #39;) threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to rookie Keary Colbert with 20 seconds remaining to give Carolina a 21-to-14 victory over Tampa Bay.


USC Retains Top Spot in AP Football Poll (AP) AP - A week after losing some support as the No. 1 team, Southern California got it right back. Top-ranked USC received 52 first-place votes, four more than last week, and 1,610 points in The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday. In the previous poll, Southern Cal lost three first-place votes.


Bush Urges Northern Ireland Peace Efforts (AP) AP - Intervening for the second time in three days, President Bush on Sunday telephoned Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams in an effort to advance negotiations toward a power-sharing agreement between Northern Ireland's Catholics and Protestants.


Actress Julia Roberts Gives Birth to Twins-Report (Reuters) Reuters - Actress Julia Roberts gave birth to\twins, a boy and a girl, in a Los Angeles hospital on Sunday,\People magazine reported on its Web site, citing an anonymous\source.


Powerful Earthquake Hits Northern Japan (AP) AP - A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan's northern island of Hokkaido early Monday, swaying buildings, throwing objects off shelves and triggering a tiny tsunami wave that reached the shore.