Treasuries Lower on China US Debt Report Treasury prices sank on Friday as reports the Chinese authorities might be shedding some of their US debt holdings sparked fears of broader selling from Asian central banks.


EU Court Sets Talks in Case Against Microsoft A top European court has summoned all the parties involved in the European Union #39;s antitrust case against Microsoft to a meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday after two prominent opponents of Microsoft withdrew from the proceedings, a court official has said.


Chip Sales Rise 1.5 Pct in October from September Worldwide semiconductor sales rose a scant 1.5 percent in October, to \$18.8 billion from \$18.5 billion in September, as many chip users pared bloated inventories, the Semiconductor Industry Association said on Friday.


Retailers, Steel Help Stocks End Week Up Stocks inched higher on Friday in lackluster post-Thanksgiving trading, helped by steel producers amid concerns of a steel shortage and retailers as consumers piled into


Procter  amp; Gamble Recalling SweepVac The Swiffer SweepVac, a battery-operated vacuum cleaner distributed by Procter  amp; Gamble Co., is being voluntarily recalled due to a smoke and fire risk, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said on Friday.


UPDATE 1-WR Grace says grand jury indictment likely WR Grace  amp; Co. (GRA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday it was likely to be indicted during the first quarter of 2005 by a federal grand jury investigating its former vermiculite


Target Bell-Ringer Ban Will Cost Salvation Army Millions SAN DIEGO -- The Salvation Army is preparing for what may be its leanest holiday kettle drive, because Target stores won #39;t allow the bell-ringers back this year.


Shoppers Flood the Malls, Surf Internet Americans stormed the nation #39;s shops the day after Thanksgiving, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, lured by cut-price toys and consumer electronics.


Alltel buys assets from Cingular; swaps market interests NEW YORK, November 26 (newratings.com) - Alltel Corporation (AT.NYS) has reached a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets from Cingular Wireless for \$170 million in cash, while the two companies have agreed to swap partnership interests in


Avoid These Dangerous Toys! Despite passage of the 1994 Child Safety Protection Act, hazardous toys can still be found on toy store shelves across the country, according to a nationwide toy safety survey released by the US Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG).


Report urges hazmat inspection improvement WASHINGTON -- The government needs to do a better job monitoring and inspecting hazardous materials shipped aboard airlines, according to a report released Friday by the Transportation Department #39;s inspector general.


Global Warming Continues The report confirms that the Arctic, as a whole, and particularly the Canadian Arctic, is warming, at a rate almost twice that of lower latitudes and that the warming will accelerate in the decades to come.


DoCoMo turns to mm02 for a UK i-mode data service Japanese mobile giant DoCoMo has turned to mmO2 to offer its i-mode data service, according to sources. Reuters reports a source confirming a basic agreement to launch the service following mmO2 #39;s CEO Peter


Cricket: The openers we #39;re heartily sick of seeing Justin Langer #39;s most treasured piece of memorabilia is a photograph of the Hobart scoreboard on one cloudy afternoon in 2001. The archetypal Aussie scrapper, Langer is particularly


Wenger hits back at Hiddink Arsene Wenger has responded to Gus Hiddink #39;s suggestion that he is a moaner by accusing the Dutchman of letting emotion get the better of him.


Grizzlies Coach Retires for Health Reasons Memphis Grizzlies coach Hubie Brown talks to a reporter after a workout Jan. 8, 2004, in Seattle. Brown retired as coach of the Grizzlies on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, due to health reasons.


Mourinho rules out move for Defoe LONDON, England -- Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has moved quickly to rule out a move for Tottenham striker Jermaine Defoe though he admires the talent of the young England star.


Bush intervention raises Northern Ireland hopes Hopes of a breakthrough in the Northern Ireland peace process rose on Friday as George W. Bush personally intervened to try to persuade the warring factions to strike a historic power-sharing deal.


Security Firm Tribute to Ex-Gurkhas Killed by Baghdad Rockets The London-based security firm which employed four former Gurkhas killed in a rocket attack on their compound in Baghdad tonight paid tribute to them as brave and professional individuals.


Harry flies home on kidnap rumour PRINCE Harry has flown home from Argentina amid allegations that his behaviour had sparked an extraordinary plot to kidnap him. According to reports, officials were so concerned that they called British Embassy


Wounded Mexican police appear day after 9 people found shot near <b>...</b> Two federal police agents were discovered wounded but alive on Friday near Cancun, a day after nine other people in the area were found slain in what appeared to be drug-related violence.


Australia unlikely to sign non-aggression pact with ASEAN <b>...</b> Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Friday that Australia is unlikely to sign a non-aggression treaty with the members of the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN).


US Air, GE Reach Deal on Plane Leases (Reuters) Reuters - Bankrupt US Airways Group\Inc.. said Friday it has reached a new aircraft lease\and financing deal with General Electric Co.  that could\extend the carrier's lifeline further into next year, if it\could quickly secure new cost cuts.


Wal-Mart Clarifies Policy Regarding Unions (AP) AP - Although Wal-Mart prefers to handle labor negotiations directly with individual employees, the world's largest retailer does not have a global anti-union policy, a company spokeswoman said Friday.


Holiday Shoppers Take to the Malls Holiday shoppers, intent on finding bargains, descended on the Washington region's malls this morning, joining a nationwide shopping spree that has come to be known as Black Friday.


Yukos to Devise Emergency Plan to Continue Operating The Russian oil giant Yukos said today that its management was putting together an emergency plan to continue running the company for a few months, even after the auction of its prize asset in December.


Ohio State Says It Didn't OK Paper Writing (AP) AP - Claims by more former Ohio State football players that tutors wrote papers for them and fans arranged easy jobs don't indicate NCAA violations because the university didn't sanction or arrange the help, an athletics department spokesman said Friday.


Raptors Increase Security After Threat (AP) AP - A threat made against Toronto Raptors guard Vince Carter caused the team to increase security at last Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks.


Tech's Passing Attack Meets OSU's Rushinng (AP) AP - No. 23 Oklahoma State has a plan to halt Texas Tech's prolific passing attack. "Being in position and bringing them down where they catch it, or breaking the ball out of the receiver's hands," Cowboys coach Les Miles said. "Couple that with getting a pass rush, and that is what we worked on this past week."


Wal-Mart, Toys R #39; Us Lure Shoppers With Discounts (Update6) US retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Toys R #39; #39; Us Inc. opened as early as 5 am, greeted by lines of customers waiting to buy discounted merchandise including \$17.99 DVD players as the holiday-shopping season began.


Another Pacer involved in brawl Police in Michigan said a fourth member of the Indiana Pacers was involved in the fight with fans last week. Authorities said reserve center David Harrison, punched an elderly man in the stands.


Harry hurries home after kidnap scare Prince Harry, the younger son of Britain #39;s Prince Charles, returned home yesterday from a private stay in Argentina amid reports that he had cut his stay short after shots were fired not far from his lodgings.


Aborigines Burn Police Station on Island An angry mob of Australian Aborigines burned a police station and court house Friday on a remote island that has been rocked by unrest since an indigenous man died in police custody, police said.


US treasuries dumping report sends greenback into a tailspin The US dollar hit a record low against the euro and a nearly five-year low versus the yen after a mainland business newspaper appeared at first glance to confirm the market #39;s worst fears - that China was dumping US Treasuries.


Global chip sales to remain flat this quarter NEW YORK, November 26 (newratings.com) - The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) expects global semiconductor sales to remain sequentially flat in the current quarter, while reiterating its forecasts of at least 28 y/y growth in worldwide chip


Steelmakers, Retails Buoy Stocks US stocks eked out small gains on Friday, buoyed by steel producers amid concerns about a shortage of the metal, and retailers, as consumers shopped hard on so-called  quot;Black Friday quot; -- considered the start of the traditional holiday


Russia meets defending champ France for Fed Cup title Moscow, Russia (Sports Network) - Russia and France will meet for the Fed Cup title this weekend at Krylatskoe Ice Stadium in a rematch of last year #39;s semifinals.


High schools address sportsmanship in wake of Pacers brawl INDIANAPOLIS Some high school athletic administrators are saying that sportsmanship took a beating in the Indiana Pacers #39; brawl with rowdy fans in Detroit.


Seventeen political parties demand postponement of elections Seventeen political parties on Friday demanded postponement of the Jan. 30 elections for at least six months until the government is capable of securing polling places.


Indonesian President Visits War-Torn Northern Province Indonesia #39;s recently-elected president has visited the country #39;s war-torn province of Aceh, the scene of one of Asia #39;s longest-running separatist rebellions.


Push to postpone Iraqi elections spreads BAGHDAD - Several Iraqi political parties on Friday called on the interim government to postpone the January national election for at least six months, until the safety of voters can be guaranteed.


Riots erupt after Aboriginal man dies in custody An angry mob of nearly 300 Aborigines who went on the rampage on an island off the Queensland coast today burnt down a police station and threatened to kill its officers as well as several local council officials.


Flatten insurgents in one place, and they pop up elsewhere A week after a top American general said the offensive in Fallujah had  quot;broken the back of the insurgency quot; in Iraq, guerrillas are still fighting hard, and US troops are scrambling to stamp out new waves of attacks.


Russia, France Set Final Fed Cup Meeting Saturday Russia and France swept to 5-0 wins Thursday at the Fed Cup semifinals in Moscow, setting up a meeting for the title in the Saturday-Sunday final.


EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Foreign coup plotters given long jail terms LIBREVILLE, 26 November (IRIN) - A South African mercenary was found guilty Friday of leading a failed coup against the president of oil-rich Equatorial Guinea and sentenced to 34 years in jail, police and court sources said.


Obama: Not Quite Ready for History Books (AP) AP - On the eve of taking office, the most watched new arrival in the nation's capital says it's way too early to talk about his place in history.


Byrd call: WTO approves sanctions against US over antidumping law The World Trade Organization has authorized punitive sanctions against US exports ranging from lobsters to crane trucks because Washington has failed to repeal the so-called Byrd amendment.


Dollar hits new low against euro The euro surged to a new high against the US dollar for the fourth straight day Friday, although the greenback rose off its low point.


Posco stock hits lifetime high on Nissan order SEOUL: Shares in Posco hit a lifetime high early on Friday, after Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor sought more steel shipments from the worlds fifth-largest steel maker.


Paul Martin continues to hope for survivors among 150 missing Canadians (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - It has been more than a week without word from the 150 Canadians listed as missing in Asia's tsunami disaster, but Prime Minister Paul Martin says he continues to hold out hope that some will be found alive.


Salvation Army prepared for tough fund-raising season ST. PAUL - The Salvation Army of Minnesota and North Dakota is preparing for a fight to reach its fundraising goals this holiday season after Target Stores announced this fall that it won #39;t allow bellringers outside its doors.


Chinese government in bid to buy Canadian oil giant from tycoon Li <b>...</b> TORONTO (AFP) - China #39;s government has launched a new bid to buy Canadian oil and gas giant Husky Energy Inc. from Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka Shing, a report said.


Cell phones increasingly vulnerable to hackers Early this month, several Web sites began offering software promising ringtones and screensavers for certain cell phones. But those who downloaded the software


Chelsea Deny Chasing Defoe Chelsea have followed Tottenham in pouring cold water on rumours that England striker Jermain Defoe was set for a switch across London.


UA FOOTBALL: Cat has special incentive to beat Devils Freshman receiver BJ Dennard has two relatives, best friend who are or were ASU players. University of Arizona receiver BJ Dennard has maroon and gold in his blood, but he will be wearing a blue Wildcats jersey for the game today.


Item No 17: Mukesh got authority over all directors MUMBAI: The redrawing of lines of authority in Reliance seems to have sparked off the current discord between the two Ambani brothers.


Langer plays down Hayden walking row Justin Langer has defended his Australian opening batting partner Matthew Hayden #39;s decision not to walk after hitting a catch back to New Zealand bowler Paul Wiseman on day one of the second Test in Adelaide yesterday.


Arizona St. Sun Devils TUCSON, Arizona (Ticker) -- No. 20 Arizona State tries to post its first three-game winning streak over Pac-10 Conference rival Arizona in 26 years when they meet Friday.


Arena on MU campus now just Mizzou Arena The University of Missouri Board of Curators today voted unanimously to rename the former Paige Sports Arena on the Columbia campus to Mizzou Arena.


Iraqi election date thrown into fresh doubt Iraq #39;s elections were thrown into renewed doubt only days after the interim government won international backing for its decision to hold the poll at the end of January.


Police underestimated Palm Island crisis Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson has admitted he underestimated the situation on Palm Island in north Queensland in the lead-up to yesterday #39;s riots.


Darfur: 300,000 displaced persons cut off from all aid following <b>...</b> 26 November 2004 - The United Nations emergency feeding agency said today that the security situation in western Sudans Darfur region was deteriorating rapidly with 300,000 displaced people cut off from all aid following a rebel attack earlier this


Taj by winter night, under security blanket AGRA: Strict security arrangements have been put in place for night viewing of the Taj Mahal tomorrow and Sunday following the Supreme Court #39;s decision to allow opening of the monument of love on moonlit nights.


Bush Tries to Help Break N.Irish Peace Deadlock (Reuters) Reuters - President Bush tried to help break a\deadlock in the Northern Ireland peace process on Friday,\telephoning Protestant leader Ian Paisley as negotiations\ground on in London and Belfast.


Man detained after eight teenagers killed in China school knife attack (AFP) AFP - Chinese police have detained a man who they say murdered eight teenagers and injured four others in a school dormitory overnight, state press said.


U.N. Bolstering Troops on Congo Border (Reuters) Reuters - The United Nations is sending\extra peacekeepers to Congo's North Kivu province, which will\improve security in the area after Rwanda threatened to carry\out a strike against rebels operating on Congolese soil, a U.N.\spokesman said on Wednesday.


S Korea rebuked over nuke tests Seoul is criticised by the IAEA but escapes referral to the UN Security Council over secret nuclear experiments.


US Promises to Protect Trade Interests Barry Virkler tosses an apple while sorting Cortland apples before they are put in cold storage at North Star Orchards Tuesday, Sept.


Mavericks Defeat Trail Blazers, 92-83 (AP) AP - Marquis Daniels had a block, a steal and three straight assists in a just over a two-minute span in the fourth quarter Friday, helping push the Dallas Mavericks to a 92-83 win over the Portland Trail Blazers that ended a three-game losing streak.


Off-Court Woes Burden Cavaliers' Wagner (AP) AP - Dajuan Wagner often wonders how so many things went wrong at once.


Hubie meets press; no details on health Hubie Brown appeared at a news conference Friday but did not elaborate on the health issues that led to his retirement as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.


Raptors increase security after threat made against Carter A threat made against Toronto Raptors guard Vince Carter caused the team to increase security at last Wednesday #39;s game against the New York Knicks.


Ivory Coast snubs Francophone summit after spat Ivory Coast angrily pulled out of a summit of French-speaking countries on Friday after police in the host nation Burkina Faso confiscated


Internet Explorer gets Finnish Thumbs Down Not for the first time does Internet Explorer users got a warning from a government organization. US-CERT released similar warnings in June this year, following a malware attack, which affected Internet Explorer


Police conduct investigation on Carter threat CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Toronto police are taking a threat made against Vince Carter seriously. Toronto Police Detective Sgt. Sneddon of the 52 Division told Sportsnet.


AD says university did nothing wrong Ohio State wants to interview former players who have corroborated Maurice Clarett #39;s allegations of improprieties within the football program.


Lions #39; Drummond out for season Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Detroit Lions kick returner Eddie Drummond will miss the remainder of the season after fracturing his shoulder blade during Thursday #39;s 41-9 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.


Slutskaya leads after short program Olympic silver medalist and 2002 world champion Irina Slutskaya presented an almost flawless program to take the lead after the short program at the Cup of Russia on Friday.


Bush Vows to Work on WTO Compliance, Blasts Airbus (Reuters) Reuters - President Bush pledged on\Friday to work with Congress to comply with a WTO ruling in a\row over payment of anti-dumping duties to U.S. companies, and\said he expected the trade body to hold Europe to account over\"unfair" subsidies to aircraft maker Airbus .


Holiday shopping season kicks off They lined up in Georgia, braved the cold in Connecticut, and tried to stay awake in Chicago. From coast to coast shoppers rushed to the stores -- and they were enthusiastic in Seattle.


SEC OK #39;s AGL Purchase of NUI Corp. Natural gas utility AGL Resources Inc. on Friday said the Securities and Exchange Commission approved its purchase of financially troubled NUI Corp.


76ers Slip by Wizards 116-114 in Overtime (AP) AP - Allen Iverson stole an inbound pass, drove down the court and made a layup at the buzzer, giving the Philadelphia 76ers a 116-114 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday.


Man United confident of catching up on Chelsea Manchester United is confident they can catch up nine points on Premier League leader Chelsea. First they have to win their third match in a row for the first time this season.


Mets Hire Former Yankees Hitting Coach (AP) AP - Former New York Yankees hitting coach Rick Down was hired for the same job by the Mets on Friday, reuniting him with new manager Willie Randolph.


Iraqi Political Groups Call for Delay in Vote Leading Iraqi political groups are calling on the interim government to delay national elections scheduled for January 30, because of ongoing violence in the country.


Ontario to require 5 ethanol in gas by 2007 CHATHAM, Ont. - A plan to make Ontario gas more ecologically friendly by containing at least five per cent ethanol won #39;t mean all pumps provincewide are serving up cleaner gas, Premier Dalton McGuinty admitted Friday.


Chip sales up 1.5 percent in October Organizations are replacing aging servers with newer more-powerful boxes, often Linux--based, and theyre also investing in storage.


Japanese Stocks Lower as Banks Retreat  TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average was down 0.19  percent by mid-morning on Tuesday, the first trading day of  2005, as investors grabbed profits in Mizuho Financial Group  and other major banks that had made strong gains late last  year.


More Internet Users Surfing Away From Microsoft #39;s Explorer Like millions of computer users, Bob Davis found out the hard way that Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer has security flaws.  quot;My computer was taken over with viruses and spyware and so, unfortunately, I had to reformat my entire hard drive, quot; Davis said.


MetroStars Add Some Savvy At 36, Jeff Agoos comes east to the MetroStars, a team that gave up the most goals in the M.L.S. last season.


Sorenstam to Play Woods in Skins Game (AP) AP - Annika Sorenstam is mixing it up with the men again, and this time the competition includes Tiger Woods. Sorenstam and Woods will play against each other for the first time when they tee off Saturday in the Skins Game at the Trilogy Golf Club in the middle of the desert.


Split Could Cost Iraqi Shiites Politically (AP) AP - As Iraq's Sunni Muslims ponder boycotting the Jan. 30 election and some press for a delay, the majority Shiite Muslims face another threat to their expected victory: a split in Shiite ranks that could cost them the chance to dominate the next parliament.


Mystic crocodiles draw thousands of devotees in southern Pakistan (AFP) AFP - Crocodiles with huge teeth-filled mouths lie in the sand and slap their snouts on the edge of sulfur springs, greeting worshippers who journey to the Mango Pir shrine on the outskirts of Pakistan's volatile port city Karachi.


Giving doctors more support crucial to health reform, council head says (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - Giving family doctors more support by spreading out the burden of primary care is crucial to reforming Canada's health-care system, says the head of a council evaluating nationwide efforts to improve medicare.


Upstarts Try to Make Name in Online Travel (AP) AP - Like a lot of frequent travelers, Kevin Pollard relies on the Internet to save money on airfares, hotel rooms and rental cars. The quest generally took him to the Web's most popular travel sites  #151; Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia  #151; until he discovered a new breed of specialty search engines that promise to dig up even better bargains.


Recording Industry, File-Share Face Off (AP) AP - 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 hugely popular Kazaa software go on trial on civil copyright infringement charges.


Blowing the Whistle Can Bring Big Bucks (AP) AP - Crime may not pay, but blowing the whistle on companies that swindle the government sure can. Jim Alderson got  #36;20 million in one settlement and split  #36;100 million with another whistleblower in a related case, both involving Medicare fraud by the nation's largest for-profit hospital chain and a company it acquired.


The Squeeze On BlackBerry (BusinessWeek Online) BusinessWeek Online - Mike Lazaridis and James L. Balsillie, the co-CEOs of Research in Motion Ltd. (RIM.) (RIM), have plenty of reason to feel on top of the world. After 20 years spent in the quiet university town of Waterloo, Ont., developing technology to deliver wireless e-mail, their BlackBerry gizmo is an outright phenom. What the iPod is to mobile music lovers, the BlackBerry is to workers on the go. For the fiscal year ending in February, company sales should more than double, to  #36;1. ...


Open Source Leader Takes Sun's Schwartz to Task (Ziff Davis) Ziff Davis - Open-source leader Eric Raymond spells out his objections to Sun President Jonathan Schwartz's contention that the Java Community Process is truer to open-source ideas than is Linux.


Carbon Storage Comes to Disused Texas Oil Fields (Reuters) Reuters - A short distance from Spindletop oil\field, the site of the gusher that triggered the Texas oil rush\more than a century ago, scientists have found a purpose for\the long-disused underground reservoirs -- as storage for the\pollution emitted by burning fossil fuels.


76ers 116, Wizards 114, OT Allen Iverson stole an inbound pass, drove down the court and made a layup at the buzzer, giving the Philadelphia 76ers a 116-114 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday.


Nieto hired to coach catchers NEW YORK -- The New York Mets hired former New York Yankees hitting coach Rick Down for the same job on Friday, reuniting him with new manager Willie Randolph.


Missouri puts school nickname on arena The University of Missouri renamed its new sports arena with the school nickname Friday, just days after the original namesake, a 22-year-old Wal-Mart heiress, was accused of academic cheating at another college.


Fan v Fan: Internazionale-Juventus This weekend sees one of the big games of Serie A - a Milan-Turin clash between Inter and Juventus. Both sides are doing well in the Champions League -ut Juve lead the way in Serie A. Goal.


Abbas Gets Boost in Bid for Palestinian Presidency (Update2) Mahmoud Abbas #39;s nomination for Palestinian Authority president received a boost from reports that a jailed Fatah party leader, Marwan Barghouti, wouldn #39;t challenge his bid and had endorsed his candidacy.


Iraq considering petition to postpone January #39;s elections Iraq #39;s electoral commission said it will examine Saturday a request by 15 leading political parties for the Jan. 30 elections to be postponed by six months.


Harry hurries back home after attack LONDON, Nov. 26. - Prince Harry arrived home from Argentina today amid media reports that shots were fired at the ranch where he was staying.


Maker recalls 175,000 Swiffer vacuums CINCINNATI - Swishing around the house with a battery-operated Swiffer vacuum cleaner could really fire up your housework, maker Procter  amp; Gamble Co.


NYSE suspends Gold Fields trading The South African company Gold Fields Limited announced Friday that the New York Stock Exchange has suspended trading in its stock.


Selig Rubber-Stamps Yankees' Deal for Johnson Commissioner Bud Selig returned from a vacation and promptly cleared one item off his desk, approving the Yankees' trade with the Diamondbacks for Randy Johnson.


NCAA Game Summary - Colorado at Nebraska Lincoln, NE (Sports Network) - Bobby Purify ran for 130 yards with a touchdown and Joel Klatt threw for 222 yards with a score, as Colorado kept its Big 12 title hopes alive and sent Nebraska to its first losing season in 43 years with a 26-20 victory in


PM looks east to Asean NEW DELHI, Nov. 26. - In a major thrust to Indias Look East policy, Dr Manmohan Singh will leave for Laos on Sunday to attend the 3rd India-Asean summit scheduled to be held in Vientiane on 30 November.


News: Phishers tapping botnets to automate attacks Computer criminals are making phishing more potent by automating attacks. Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) analysts reckon fraudsters are using automated tools and botnets to ramp up attacks.


Columnists: Profitware Some of the largest anti-virus companies have virtually ignored the spyware problem because there is no profit incentive for them to do otherwise. Meanwhile, spyware companies make millions.


WTO paves way for retaliatory tariffs on US goods GENEVA - The World Trade Organization on Friday approved lists of US products on which Japan, five other countries and the European Union plan to levy punitive tariffs in retaliation for a US failure to repeal an illegal antidumping measure.


Shoppers Swarm Malls in Holiday Kickoff Kelsey Reynoso, a two-year-old girl, looks at toys in a catalog, as her family lines outside the KB Toys store inside the Glendale Galeria mall Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, in Glendale, Calif.


Psychiatric Solutions to Sell Shares Psychiatric Solutions Inc., an operator of mental health hospitals, said Friday that it registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer 3 million common shares.


Steelers Keep Winning Despite Injuries (AP) AP - Their right guard went down early in training camp, and their star inside linebacker followed shortly after that. The veteran quarterback joined the injury list two games into the season, and their Pro Bowl nose tackle, top cornerback and best running back followed.


Colts Thrive in Grueling Four-Game Stretch (AP) AP - Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Montae Reagor could feel the weariness long before Thursday's game at Detroit. The constant hits, the barrage of meetings, the quick pivots from game plan to game plan had already worn down his body and mind.


Moon gas could meet earths future energy demands UDAIPUR: A potential gas source found on the moons surface could hold the key to meeting future energy demands as the earths fossil fuels dry up in the coming decades, scientists said on Friday.


Apples iPod takes a bite of hip culture Short of an actual prize, one of the most coveted handouts at this years Grammy Awards, Academy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards was the iPod music player stashed in celebrity goody bags.


quot; #39;Chang #39;e quot; flying to the moon is just round the corner: Viewpoint  quot; #39;Chang #39;e quot; #39;, is one of the most talked about names among the Chinese, this is not only because it is the name of a beautiful angel in ancient Chinese legend, who is living in the moon, but more importantly, it has become a code name of the moon- probing


St. Louis Rams Release Punter Sean Landeta (AP) AP - Shaky special teams helped cost punter Sean Landeta his job with the St. Louis Rams.


Langer lashes out On a day made in heaven for batsmen, Stephen Fleming called wrong at the toss and all Ricky Ponting had to do was unleash hell. One down in the two-Test series, New Zealand needed


More injuries, another QB option for woeful Bears Coping with another inept offensive showing, the Chicago Bears were ready to change quarterbacks again Friday, while trying to patch up an injury-depleted line.


Ollie out, McKie in for Sixers PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - The Philadelphia 76ers on Friday placed guard Kevin Ollie on the injured list with a lower back strain and activated guard Aaron McKie.


Benitez against ground-share Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, has voiced his opposition to the idea of Liverpool and Everton sharing a ground. Benitez feels that fans would lose their sense of identity with a club if they shared with their neighbours.


15 Iraqi Political Groups Call for Delaying Elections The call for a six-month postponement of elections planned for Jan. 30 gives a boost to a movement largely led by Sunni Arabs.


Myanmar releases 500 prisoners The Myanmar government released about 500 prisoners from the notorious Insein Prison Friday, witnesses said. There was no immediate word, however, on whether political detainees were among them.


Irish, Southern Cal Renew Storied Rivalry (AP) AP - Matt Leinart became a Notre Dame fan at age 8, when the movie "Rudy" was released.


Violent Video Games Not Meant For Children, But Parents Buy Them <b>...</b> Shoppers in America spend more than \$6 billion a year on video games according to a Software Association survey. Holiday sales bring an extra boost to game


US retailers cheer 'Black Friday' Sales on America's busiest shopping day of the year could exceed last year, retail experts believe.


EU, Japan Win WTO Support for Trade Sanctions on US (Update5) The European Union, Japan and Canada won permission from the World Trade Organization to levy tariffs on US goods to retaliate for a law that has given American companies \$750 million in customs imposed on foreign competitors.


Poutiainen edges Paerson in giant slalom; Canadian Forsyth is 11th ASPEN, Colorado (CP) - Finland #39;s Tanja Poutiainen charged down the hill on the final stretch of her second run and edged Sweden #39;s Anja Paerson by 0.09 seconds for her first World Cup giant slalom title on Friday.


Ferguson relishing clash with United old boy Robson Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson locks horns with his former captain Bryan Robson on Saturday as he bids to end a memorable week on winning note.


Saint Liam Spirited Winner of Clark Handicap Heavily favored Saint Liam repelled the challenges of Perfect Drift and Seek Gold in the stretch and pulled away to victory in the \$558,000 Clark Handicap (gr.


Royalty payout could await voices behind 'The Wall' (AFP) AFP - The youngsters who sang the chorus in "The Wall" may be pushing middle age today, but they stand to collect a tidy little sum for their vocal contribution to the Pink Floyd rock opera.


U.N. Said Not Protecting Sudan Refugees (AP) AP - The United Nations is failing to protect millions of people displaced by conflict in Sudan's Darfur region and violence in other hotspots around the world, a U.N. report said Friday.


Iran and Europe trying to save Iranian nuclear fuel suspension <b>...</b> VIENNA (AFP) - Iran and Europe continued efforts to see whether Tehran could unconditionally respect a commitment to freeze any nuclear fuel cycle work that could be diverted to produce atomic weapons.


Fresh violence engulfs Darfur EL-FASHIR, Sudan Just two weeks after the Sudanese authorities and their guerrilla enemies signed a pledge to restore security and broaden access to aid groups, a fresh surge of violence is engulfing Darfur.


U.S. Army Deserter Leaves Jail in Japan (AP) AP - U.S. Army deserter Charles Jenkins was released from military jail on Saturday after serving 25 days for abandoning his squadron in 1965 and defecting to North Korea, where he lived for nearly four decades.


Canadian observer labels Ukraine elections grotesquely fraudulent (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - EDMONTON (CP) - Canadians sent to observe elections in Ukraine saw campaign tents fire-bombed and heard of voters being roughed-up while trying to cast ballots, says the Edmonton lawyer who headed up a monitoring project.


U.S. Goods Face Penalties Oked by WTO (AP) AP - The World Trade Organization imposed penalties Friday on U.S. 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 at protecting American steelmakers.


Top Settlements Under False Claims Act (AP) AP - A sampling of top settlements under the False Claims Act, a law designed to stop fraud in government procurement contracts, and the whistleblowers who helped the government win the awards, and helping themselves as well.


US will conform to anti-dumping rules: Bush WASHINGTON: The United States said on Friday it will adhere to its international obligations on anti-dumping efforts, after the World Trade Organization gave seven trading powers, including the European Union, a final green light to levy multimillion


CIBC  #39;disturbed #39; at word of continued faxes of client data to US <b>...</b> TORONTO (CP) - CIBC revealed Friday that it learned last month that faxes containing sensitive customer information were allegedly still arriving at a US junkyard two years after the bank thought the problem had been fixed.


Martha Stewart Omnimedia shares soar Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. stock jumped to its highest level in nearly four years on Friday following a steady climb spurred by Kmart Holding Corp.


Benefits chaos A MASSIVE computer crash at the Department of Work and Pensions has blocked payments of vital benefits to terminally-ill claimants, Tories claimed today.


Fletcher Out to Prove his Worth Darren Fletcher is determined to show Sir Alex Ferguson that he is worthy of a Manchester United place at any stage of the season, not just the end.


Reds, Toffees to share? Liverpool and Everton have scheduled talks with the Government about the possibility of sharing a new stadium. With both clubs looking to relocate and the Reds having started planning for the construction


Sixers activate McKie from injured list Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Philadelphia 76ers guard Aaron McKie was activated from the injured list prior to Friday afternoon #39;s contest against the Washington Wizards.


Windies tour may be called off CRICKET Australia cannot rule out withdrawing the invitation for the West Indies to play in this summer #39;s one-day tournament if the players #39; contract dispute is not settled.


Alpine Skiing: Miller Quickest But Not the Happiest American Bode Miller was fastest in Friday #39;s final training for the first downhill of the Alpine World Cup season. Miller, winner of the season opening giant


Arena gets new name _ The sports arena at the University of Missouri-Columbia is no longer named after Wal-Mart heiress Elizabeth Paige Laurie. The board of curators for the four-campus University of Missouri


Man held over China school deaths A man has been arrested in connection with the deaths of eight boys stabbed as they slept in a dormitory, Chinese officials have said.


Rockets kill four Gurkha guards in Baghdad #39;s Green Zone FOUR former Gurkhas working for a British security firm have been killed in a rocket attack in Baghdad, one of the deadliest strikes so far on the capitals high-security Green Zone.


Man held over China school deaths A man is arrested in China on suspicion of stabbing to death eight pupils at a school, officials say.


Police reviewing 'Huntley' tapes Police are considering interviewing Ian Huntley about comments he is said to have made on the Soham murders.


CIBC orders companywide halt to faxes with customer info until <b>...</b> TORONTO (CP) - Scrambling to deal with a potentially serious breach of client privacy, CIBC said late Friday it is ordering all employees to stop using the bank #39;s internal fax system to send customer information between branches or offices.


Music Biz Heads to Australia for Kazaa Trial Industry eyes are turning toward Oz as more than 50 lawyers begin waging a courtroom battle over Kazaa, the peer-to-peer technology owned by Australia-based Sharman Networks


Stylish gadgets which have become cultural icons WHEN it comes to stylish electronic gadgets, few companies make them like Apple Computer Inc. The Apple Power Book G4 range of professional-standard notebook computers, instantly identifiable


Iraq Officials Seek Delay for Elections US soldiers patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, Friday Nov. 26 2004. In Fallujah, insurgents ambushed US troops as they entered a home during house-to-house searches in the former rebel bastion, killing two Marines


No more free tolls on turnpike, as strike continues HIGHSPIRE, Pa. When toll collectors went on strike on the day before Thanksgiving, drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike were allowed to go through the toll booths without paying -- at least, for one day.


Jardine chief quits as profits warning savages shares Jardine Lloyd Thompson, the country #39;s biggest insurance broker, issued a swingeing profits warning yesterday and announced its chief executive had quit.


Brown cites lost spirit, medical issues, as reasons for retirement Hubie Brown said he stepped down as the coach of the Memphis Grizzlies for two reasons: He lost his spirit, and because of medical issues he wants kept private.


No. 17 Rutgers 77 Oregon State 53 Chelsea Newton scored 16 points to lead No. 17 Rutgers to a 77-53 victory over Oregon State in the second round of the Paradise Jam tournament on Friday.


Iran nuclear row  #39;resolved #39; VIENNA: Iran and European negotiators reached a tentative compromise committing Tehran to freezing a programme that can make nuclear-weapons grade uranium, but Tehran still had to approve the agreement, diplomats said last night.


Du Toit gets 34 years #39; jail for Guinea coup plot A court in Equatorial Guinea found Nick du Toit, a South African former special forces soldier, guilty of a plot to overthrow the President of the oil-rich country and sentenced him to 34 years in prison yesterday.


Politicians in Iraq call for delay to elections Leading Iraqi political parties have called for forthcoming elections to be delayed because of mounting violence in the country. Fifteen political parties - including two Kurdish groups


BBC cameraman is questioned in Kabul over hostage release A former BBC cameraman has been questioned by secret police in Kabul about his role in negotiating the release of three kidnapped UN workers.


Philips Resumes PC Manufacturing In a quiet announcement yesterday, Philips Electronics, a Netherlands-based consumer electronics company, stated it has begun manufacturing PCs once again - after an absence of nearly 10 years.


US Airways Flight Attendants Gear Up For Strike Flight attendants at bankrupt US Airways are gearing up for a possible nationwide strike, the Association of Flight Attendants said on Friday.


Double Government Computer Failure Shows Plans to Axe all <b>...</b> The latest Government computer crash at the Department of Work and Pensions shows the folly of the Government plans to axe all existing emergency fire control rooms.


Bell puts  #39;em on track but now he is intent on getting Newcastles Premiership charge back on track. The strikers 10th European goal for the Toon on Thursday moved him joint second in the clubs all-time list.


Uranium negotiations are close to the end Pressured by European powers, Iranian negotiators at a key UN atomic agency meeting sought approval from their government Friday for a total freeze of a program that can make nuclear-weapons grade uranium.


No. 14 Vanderbilt Clocks Rhode Island (AP) AP - Cherish Stringfield led five Vanderbilt women in double figures, scoring 19 points to lead the No. 14 Commodores over Rhode Island 108-53 Friday.


Tigers Beat Razorbacks Marcus Randall runs for two touchdowns and throws two more to Joseph Addai, leading No. 14 LSU to a 43-14 victory over Arkansas on Friday afternoon.


Americans Rush to Stores as Holiday Season Starts (Reuters) Reuters - Americans stormed the nation's stores\on the day after Thanksgiving, the traditional start of the key\holiday shopping season, lured by cut-price toys, consumer\electronics and Santa.


Packed agenda waiting for two leaders when Bush, Martin meet in Ottawa (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - It's nearly impossible to find a cohesive theme that will pull together the many threads of Tuesday's packed agenda when Prime Minister Paul Martin greets George W. Bush on the U.S. president's first official visit to Ottawa.


Iran and Europe Negotiate to Try to Save Nuclear Agreement Iran and its European partners struggled to salvage their agreement committing Tehran to freeze an important part of its nuclear program.


Longhorns Keep B.C.S. Bowl Hopes Alive Cedric Benson ran for 165 yards and a touchdown Friday to lead No. 6 Texas to their fifth straight win over their fiercest in-state rival.


Yukos abandons its fight for survival Russia #39;s embattled oil giant Yukos raised the white flag and said it would seek  quot;liquidation or bankruptcy quot; after the forced government sale of its key oilfield next month, the company said yesterday.


Jardine chief quits after profit alert The chief executive of the UK #39;s largest insurance broker quit yesterday after announcing a surprise profit warning which sent its shares to a four-year low.


P  amp; G Recalls Its  quot;Sweep Vac quot; By Swiffer Procter  amp; Gamble is recalling a battery-operated vacuum cleaner it introduced in September this year. The company reports there have been a few cases in which the rotor locked up on its  quot;Sweep Vac quot; by Swiffer


BT unloads last satellite stake for 363m BT Group disposed yesterday of its last remaining stake in a satellite company when it sold its 15.8 holding in the Paris-based Eutelsat for 363m.


NASA Cassini Image: Oddball Moon Hyperion This image reveals the odd shape of Saturn #39;s moon Hyperion and an intriguing variation in brightness across its surface. The diameter of Hyperion is 266 kilometers (165 miles).


WTO Lets EU, Others Hit US with Trade Sanctions The World Trade Organization gave final approval on Friday to the European Union, Japan and others to hit the United States with an initial \$150 million in trade sanctions


Retailers lure shoppers with early openings, top deals  quot;Including the engagement ring, about \$4,000, quot; said one shopper at Roosevelt Field mall early Friday morning. Engagement ring?


Olowokandi suspended for second game following arrest in <b>...</b> Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi was suspended by the team for a second game Friday night, one day after police used a stun gun to subdue him when he refused to leave a club.


T-Wolves' Olowokandi Suspended Second Game (AP) AP - Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi was suspended by the team for a second game Friday night, one day after police used a stun gun to subdue him when he refused to leave a club.


Canada Post workers threaten to strike Dec. 8 during Christmas rush (Canadian Press) Canadian Press - MONTREAL (CP) - Three groups of Canada Post employees have threatened to strike during next month's annual Christmas rush.


Iran and Europe Negotiate to Try to Save Nuclear Agreement Iran and its European partners struggled on Friday to salvage their agreement committing Tehran to freeze an important part of its nuclear program, European and Iranian officials said.


Bush spurs on Irish deal US President George Bush has personally intervened in the Northern Ireland peace process to spur on the new power-sharing deal. Mr Bush telephoned Dr Rev Ian Paisley, the leader of the Democratic Unionist


No. 21 Oklahoma Drubs Akron 88-40 (AP) AP - Lauren Shoush and Chelsi Welch each scored 13 points to lead No. 21 Oklahoma to an 88-40 win over Akron in the first round of the Junkanoo Jam on Friday.


EU reveals increase in aid fraud The EU's anti-fraud squad reports an increase in serious abuses of its international aid project.


Cord blood offers leukaemia hope \Blood from a newborn baby's umbilical cord can be used to treat adults with leukaemia, a US-based study says.


Juventus guilty of drug abuse ITALIAN football faced one of the biggest scandals in its scarred history yesterday, after a Turin judge found the Juventus doctor, Riccardo Agricola, guilty of administering banned drugs to some of the worlds leading players during the 1990s.


Protesters Seek Resignations After Fire Thousands of Argentines angered over perceived security lapses in a nightclub fire that killed 183 people, many of them teenagers, marched through capital streets Monday to demand the resignations of key city officials.


A Black Eye for Sports A week later, the tape of the fight between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit fans sticks with me like a bad dream. I am still stunned to watch Ron Artest bound over rows of courtside chairs to attack a fan


U.S. Opposed Passport Privacy Protections (AP) AP - The Bush administration opposed security measures for new microchip-equipped passports that privacy advocates contended were needed to prevent identity theft, government snooping or a terror attack, according to State Department documents released Friday.


Skiers play games as Guay is second in final day of downhill <b>...</b> LAKE LOUISE, Alta. (CP) - Being fastest wasn #39;t necessary best as Canada #39;s Erik Guay finished second in Friday #39;s final day of training for the first World Cup downhill race of the season.


S #39;African sentenced for Guinea coup try A court in Equatorial Guinea has given sentences of up to 34 years to a group of South Africans and Armenians convicted of trying to overthrow the government.


Bush: Validity of Ukraine Vote in Doubt (AP) AP - President Bush declared Friday that charges of voter fraud have cast doubt on the Ukrainian election, and warned that any European-negotiated pact on Iran's nuclear program must ensure the world can verify Tehran's compliance.


Longhorns Hook Aggies Cedric Benson runs for 165 yards and a touchdown Friday to lead No. 6 Texas to a 26-13 win over No. 22 Texas A M that could further complicate the BCS picture.


Nice Paparazzi! \\This is a "brilliant" idea : (where brilliant is stupid)\\"By wearing a specially designed electronic badge that jams electronic cameras,\they will be able to prevent photographers from taking unwanted pictures."\\"The "privacy protection system" being developed by Hewlett-Packard will allow\the publicity-shy to transmit an infrared signal to any nearby compatible\camera. Once activated, the camera's software will automatically blur beyond\recognition the face of anybody wearing the badge..."\


Inmate Agrees, for Now, Not to Seek Palestinian Authority Presidency Marwan Barghouti, a popular politician now in an Israeli prison, called for Palestinians to support Mahmoud Abbas in elections on Jan. 9.


Liverpool reject ground sharing with Everton LIVERPOOL have denied reports yesterday that they would consider sharing their new stadium with rivals Everton. It had been reported that the two clubs would meet with government officials to discuss the controversial subject of sharing a ground.


Can The Irish Pull the Ultimate Upset? The Irish head into Saturdays game with a 6-4 record and not much to play for. The Trojans are undefeated and are chasing their second consecutive National Championship.


Briton in Afghan kidnap dispute A British hotelier and cameraman has said Afghan authorities tried to get him to confess to involvement in the kidnapping of three UN hostages.


China bank advisor retracts statement on US Treasurys A central bank adviser quoted as saying the government had cut its holdings of US Treasurys backtracked Friday after the speculation helped push the euro to a new all-time peak.


Grief, Rage in Argentine Protest Over Fatal Fire  BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) - Thousands of Argentines  mourning almost 200 young victims of a rock club fire took to  the streets of Buenos Aires on Monday in angry protest over the  government's safety standards, as the city mayor resisted  pressure to resign.


Computer meltdown baffles the experts Computer engineers were at a loss last night to explain why the Government had been hit by arguably the worst electronic meltdown in the history of Whitehall.


Another game added to Olowokandi suspension Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Timberwolves tacked on one more game to the suspension of center Michael Olowokandi, who was jailed early Thursday morning for refusing to leave an Indianapolis nightclub.


Rookie Worries Redskins The Steelers' multi-faceted offense, featuring Ben Roethlisberger and a returning Duce Staley, poses a stiff challenge to the Redskins' No. 2-ranked defense.


US Airways' Deal Requires Bankruptcy Exit by June 30 US Airways said that it must emerge from bankruptcy protection by June 30 to comply with a new \$140 million aircraft leasing and financing deal.


Byrd amendment buys US \$150 million in WTO sanctions The World Trade Organization granted authorization Friday to the European Union, Japan, Canada, Korea, Mexico, India, and Chile, to slap retaliatory sanctions if the US fails to repeal the Byrd amendment.


US Airways Flight Attendants Prepare For Possible Strike WASHINGTON -- The union representing flight attendants on Friday said it mailed out more than 5,000 strike authorization ballots to its members employed by US Airways as both sides continued talks that are expected to stretch through the weekend.


Judge Blocks Bid to Repossess United Planes United Airlines, which has been under bankruptcy protection since 2002, won a temporary order on Friday stopping a group of creditors from repossessing 14 planes.


Pensions chaos as computers fail ENGINEERS were today tackling a massive computer failure which has caused chaos at the Department for Work and Pensions. Up to 80 per cent of the ministrys systems for processing millions of pension and benefit payments collapsed on Monday.


#39;Star Wars #39; phone plans like the one used in Star Wars - could soon be installed on the high-street. Boffins in Japan claim to have developed technology for image chambers - similar


Health Issue, Lack of Fervor Made H. Brown Leave The grind of the NBA finally got to Hubie Brown, who at 71 had neither the fervor for the job nor the good health needed to remain the coach of the Grizzlies.


Vikings center Birk out for month EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (Nov. 26, 2004) -- Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk will miss at least four games after undergoing sports hernia surgery for the second time in four months.


Ex-Gurkha guards die in Baghdad mortar attack Four former Gurkhas were killed and up to 15 other security guards working for a British firm wounded when a mortar landed in Baghdad #39;s Green Zone.


Ukraine's Parliament to Debate Election Crisis (Reuters) Reuters - Ukraine's parliament meets on Saturday to\debate a disputed presidential election a day after Western\mediators trying to end the turmoil gripping major cities\managed to persuade the two rivals to start talks.


No. 1 Wake Forest Holds Off Arizona 63-60 (AP) AP - Justin Gray scored 21 points for the second straight game and No. 1 Wake Forest beat No. 18 Arizona 63-60 on Friday night in the championship game of the Preseason NIT.


Japanese experts develop 3D communication technology Three dimensional images may be commonplace at the movies nowadays, popularised in Hollywood #39;s classic sci-fi movie  quot;Star Wars quot; in which Princess Leia made an inter-galactic plea for help by sending a 3-D hologram.


Hasselbeck returns to practice, expects to start for Seahawks Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck returned to practice and is expected to play Sunday against Buffalo. Hasselbeck had acupuncture treatments for a deep bruise just above his knee.


US Chief Justice Unable to Work Next Week-Report (Reuters) Reuters - U.S. Chief Justice William H.\Rehnquist, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in October,\will not be present when the Supreme Court reconvenes next week\to hear oral arguments, the Washington Post reported.


Only Drills, but Houston Looks Ready to Return Allan Houston, the Knicks' veteran, hopes to play as soon as next Saturday in Charlotte, when the Knicks open a four-game road trip.


Despite Pact, New Violence Stymies Aid in Sudan Two weeks after Sudanese authorities and their guerrilla enemies signed a peace deal, a surge of violence is engulfing Darfur.


Foreign Interest Appears to Flag as Dollar Falls Investors and analysts are increasingly worried that the last big source of support for the American dollar - heavy buying by foreign central banks - is fading.


Soccer Headgear: Does It Do Any Good? Thousands of American players are using protective headgear, but some soccer officials question whether it reduces the risk of head injuries.


No. 1 Wake Forest 63, No. 18 Arizona 60 Justin Gray scored 21 points for the second straight game and No. 1 Wake Forest beat No. 18 Arizona 63-60 on Friday night in the championship game of the Preseason NIT.


Mets Can't Escape Dealing With Boras This Winter Agent Scott Boras represents 11 free agents this off-season, and much of his list reads like an All-Star Game lineup.


R Dutch/Shell gives itself breathing space Royal Dutch/Shell, which this year had to postpone its annual report and shareholder meetings while it grappled with its sinking reserves figures, has taken precautions to avoid similar embarrassment in 2005.


Cavaliers Rally to Beat Celtics 98-96 (AP) AP - Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 26 points, including the game-winning jumper on an assist from LeBron James with 19 seconds left, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied to beat the Boston Celtics 98-96 Friday night.


New cell phone can predict your next move A cell phone is on the way that reportedly is so smart it can predict what you are about to do. According to research in the journal New Scientist, the phone learns about the things


Wake Forest Doesn #39;t Need Star to Shine to Shine On A poor first half and an off night from its star guard were not enough to derail the No. 1 team in the country. Wake Forest proved a couple of things last night at Madison Square Garden: that


How can owners of suspended players regroup after brawl fallout? The Melee in Motown between the Pacers and Pistons didn #39;t only shake up the NBA, it laid waste to many a fantasy team #39;s chances this season.


No. 2 LSU 64, No. 22 Maryland 51 Sylvia Fowles had 18 points and 18 rebounds, and Seimone Augustus added 23 points to lead No. 2 LSU to a 64-51 victory over No. 22 Maryland in the opening game of the Coors Classic on Friday night.


No. 13 Michigan State Nudges Utah 56-54 (AP) AP - Kristin Haynie made a coast-to-coast layup with 2 seconds left to give No. 13 Michigan State a 56-54 victory over Utah in the first round of the Rainbow Wahine Classic on Friday.


Hastert Launches A Partisan Policy (washingtonpost.com) washingtonpost.com - In scuttling major intelligence legislation that he, the president and most lawmakers supported, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert last week enunciated a policy in which Congress will pass bills only if most House Republicans back them, regardless of how many Democrats favor them.


Abkhaz MPs back election 'winner' The parliament of Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region says the opposition candidate won presidential elections.


Ohio Turnpike Workers May Stike Hoping to avoid a situation like that in Pennsylvania , representatives of the Ohio Turnpike Commission and unionized workers are continuing contract negotiations.


A Union Threatens to Strike at Canada Post By Bloomberg News. Employees representing 4 percent of the work force of Canada Post, the government-owned letter carrier, have threatened to strike by Dec. 8 unless they receive improvements in health benefits and job security.


T-Wolves Spoil Debut of Grizzlies Coach (AP) AP - Lionel Hollins lost his debut as interim coach of the Grizzlies, with Kevin Garnett getting 26 points and 15 rebounds and Latrell Sprewell adding 22 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves over Memphis 115-90 Friday night.


Orlando Magic Waylays Atlanta Hawks 117-99 (AP) AP - Steve Francis scored 29 points and No. 1 draft pick Dwight Howard added a career-high 24 in his homecoming as the Orlando Magic beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-99 Friday night.


GE Gives Airline Help On Leases ARLINGTON, Va. - US Airways Group said Friday that it has reached agreement with General Electric Co. on aircraft leasing and financing terms to help the airline lower costs and reduce debt as it seeks to avoid liquidation.


Shoppers line up for  #39;Black Friday #39; sales called  quot;Black Friday quot; because retailers hope it will kick off hot seasonal sales that will put them in the black for the year -s alive and well in the Jupiter area.


US stocks end higher Stocks inched higher on Friday in lackluster post-Thanksgiving trading, helped by steel producers amid concerns of a steel shortage and retailers as consumers piled into stores at the start of the holiday-shopping season.


Poutianen Wins Aspen GS ASPEN - Finn Tanja Poutianen won the second giant slalom of the season Friday, holding off defending World Cup champ Anja Paerson of Sweden by 0.09 seconds.


No. 3 Georgia Tech 79, Arkansas-Little Rock 54 Georgia Tech was in no mood to celebrate this victory, not after a sickening injury to one of its most promising players. BJ Elder scored 23 points and the third-ranked Yellow Jackets started


Japan, ASEAN to outline antiterrorism cooperation Top leaders of Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to adopt a statement next week in Laos outlining antiterrorism cooperation among their police forces, according to Japanese Foreign Ministry.


Flash Floods Kill 11 in Central Vietnam (Reuters) Reuters - Flash floods triggered by Typhoon Muifa\have killed at least 11 people in central Vietnam, officials\said on Saturday.


Italian Government OKs Income Tax Cuts (AP) AP - The Italian government approved  #36;8.6 billion in tax cuts for 2005 Saturday, state radio reported, ending partisan debate that at one point had prompted Premier Silvio Berlusconi to threaten to resign.


North Australian Aboriginal community under heavy guard after rioting (AFP) AFP - An Aboriginal community in northern Australia is calm and under heavy guard after the death of a young indigenous man in police custody triggered riots.


Simmering Trade Disputes Will Greet Bush in Canada Chief among the trade disputes on the table will be a disagreement over the United States' 27 percent duty on Canadian softwood lumber.


Terror Case Hinges on a Wobbly Key Player By setting himself on fire outside the White House, a Yemeni man with a checkered past has damaged what may be the biggest terrorism financing case in this country.


#39;Black Friday #39; brings crowds to local stores VISTA ----  quot;The biggest shopping day of the year quot; are seven words that can send agoraphobics, those folks with fears of crowds and public places, into panic attacks.


Not Buying Into Shopping #39;s Big Day To most weary shoppers, it #39;s known as Black Friday, the semiofficial start of the holiday retail season. But to hundreds of regional residents and countless others worldwide


Stocks show mixed results in short session NEW YORK - Stocks finished mixed in post-holiday trading Friday as Wall Street meandered through a shortened session. The major indexes ended the week higher as investors looked forward to the results of the


Swiffer Sweep-Vac Recalled The company that makes a popular battery operated vacuum cleaner has announced a voluntary recall of the product. Procter and Gamble says their Sweep-Vac by Swiffer could overheat and possibly catch fire.


Russia about to face France Russia will meet defending champion France in the Fed Cup final after they both achieved 5-0 sweeps of Austria and Spain, respectively, in the semifinals on Thursday.


Ohno, Yang Take Golds in Short Track Yang, Yang, left, of China takes an outside turn against Alison Baver (47) of Reading, Penn., during the 1,500-meter finals at the World Cup Short Track Speed Skating competition in Madison, Wis.


Francis, Howard Lead Magic Past Hawks ATLANTA, Nov. 26 (Ticker) -- Steve Francis and rookie Dwight Howard made the defense of the Atlanta Hawks look like it wasn #39;t there.


No. 1 Wake Forest 63, No. 18 Arizona 60 Justin Gray scored 21 points for the second straight game and the top-ranked Demon Deacons beat No. 18 Arizona 63-60 on Friday night in the championship game of the 16-team tournament, a game that had a March feel to it in late-November.


Prince Harry denies reports of high jinks Aides say that Argentinian press reports that Prince Harry of Britain spent his time in the country nightclubbing and getting drunk are pure fiction.


Pistons Cool Off Heat 78-77 (AP) AP - Richard Hamilton caught an inbounds pass under the basket and banked in a short shot with 1.3 seconds left, giving the Detroit Pistons an 78-77 win over Miami on Friday night as the Heat lost for the first time in nine games against Eastern Conference opponents.


Suns Sting Hornets 95-86 (AP) AP - Shawn Marion had a season-high 33 points and 15 rebounds, leading the Phoenix Suns on a fourth-quarter comeback despite the absence of Steve Nash in a 95-86 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.


Burma Pledges to Stick with Democracy  #39;Road Map #39; Military-ruled Burma says it will stick with its road map to democracy despite the juntas recent purge of the prime minister who proposed it, but is ducking questions on when pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will go free.


Nine in custody after riot POLICE on Palm Island fear fresh violence today following nine arrests in the wake of yesterday #39;s riot over a death in custody.


2 Mexico City Cops Accused in Mob Killing (AP) AP - Federal investigators said Thursday that two Mexico City police and 27 other people face homicide charges in the horrific vigilante killings of two federal agents this week.


Rivals in Ukraine Agree to Negotiate Over Vote The two candidates claiming to be president-elect agreed to negotiations, the first sign of an easing of tensions that have risked leading the nation toward civil war.


17 Iraqi Parties Pressing For Delay in Elections Groups fear that a vote amid persistent violence and a boycott by Sunnis would deprive the results of legitimacy.


ECB's Chief: Dollar-Euro Moves Unwelcome

 RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) - The recent surge in theeuro currency is unwelcome and the U.S. Treasury's commitmentto a strong dollar is important, European Central BankPresident Jean-Claude Trichet said on Friday.


#39;RIL board rejected Anils contention #39; Mumbai: The board of directors of Reliance Industries Ltd had considered the letter written by Anil Ambani, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, regarding the decision taken at the July 27 board meeting on powers and authorities of the CMD.


Pistons end skid, defeat Heat, 78-77 Miami #39;s first loss to an Eastern Conference team after eight tries came at the hands of the struggling Pistons. Using a shot by Richard Hamilton with 1.3 seconds left, the Pistons ended


Balanced attack NEW YORK -- It was an exhausting, gut-wrenching victory against a nationally-ranked opponent, the type that elicits a high lasting far longer than the plane-ride home.


College Basketball: Georgia Tech Strolls to Win ATLANTA (Sports Network) - BJ Elder scored 23 points, Isma #39;il Muhammad added 13 and No. 3 Georgia Tech rolled to a 79-54 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.


DUP studies devolution proposals The Democratic Unionist Party #39;s executive has given its unanimous approval to leader Ian Paisley as he enters the final stage of talks aimed at restoring devolution to Northern Ireland.


A Fast-Track Coach Hops Off at Princeton Instead of pursuing a glamour conference, Joe Scott moved to the Ivy League, where players often are more talented in the classroom than they are on the basketball court.


Update 7: WTO Approves Sanctions on US Exports The World Trade Organization gave the go-ahead Friday for punitive sanctions on US exports from lobsters to industrial equipment because Washington has yet to comply with a two-year-old order to repeal a trade law that uses penalties collected from


South Korea's president to replace six ministers in reshuffle (AFP) AFP - South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun is to conduct a cabinet reshuffle to replace six ministers, aides said.


AUSSIES CONTINUE TO DOMINATE Justin Langer hit a double-century as Australia continued to pile on the runs on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand in Adelaide.


Buying Holiday Cheer, For Less Holiday shoppers, intent on finding bargains, descended on the region's shopping centers Friday. But, in what could be a worrisome sign for retailers, many consumers vowed to watch their wallets closely.


Microjets Catch the Eye of Wealthy Travelers A group of entrepreneurs backed by the likes of Bill Gates and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are building tiny jets that cost a small fraction of what corporate executives and celebrities pay for luxury Learjets and Gulfstreams.


Discounts Benefit Oil Producers During a year of high oil prices that have boosted energy company profits, the U.S. government continues to dole out millions of dollars in discounts to oil producers under a program created when prices were low.


FAA Must Improve Oversight of Hazardous Materials, Report Says  The Federal Aviation Administration needs to improve its oversight of air carriers and passengers who bring hazardous materials onto airplanes, according to a report released yesterday by the Department of Transportation's inspector general.


EBay Home Building From air filters and appliances to sinks and shingles, one could conceivably build an entire house using supplies and tools bought at eBay.


Fresh Look at Vaccines This season's flu-shot shortage is enticing companies to enter a market that others have largely abandoned because of poor profits.


No Black Friday blues as green flows like wine An accident has slowed Jacqueline Walker #39;s holiday shopping this year, but it couldn #39;t keep her away from the deals on Friday.


Air-cargo hazard detection criticized Eight years after an illegal shipment of oxygen generators caused the deadly crash of ValuJet Flight 592, the federal program for monitoring hazardous shipments aboard


WR Grace may soon be indicted Bankrupt specialty chemicals firm says it is likely to be indicted for violating environmental laws. NEW YORK (Reuters) - WR Grace  amp; Co.


RCMP search Montreal #39;s Imperial Tobacco MONTREAL - The RCMP searched through documents at Imperial Tobacco on Friday related to the contraband trade in cigarettes in the 1990s, Radio-Canada #39;s all-news channel reported.


Nicaragua Can't Confirm Tourists' Status (AP) AP - Nicaraguan officials said late Friday that they're still unsure what's become of an American and a Briton who disappeared 10 days ago while attempting to climb a volcano.


Langer continues charge Justin Langer scored his third career double Test century as Australia continued to pile on the runs in the second Test against New Zealand.


London tries to duck mud clinging to Slavkov Officials for London #39;s 2012 games bid are hoping that the International Olympic Committee #39;s decision to recommend the expulsion of a Bulgarian member alleged in a BBC programme to be involved in corruption will not undermine its bid.


Sports ; England cricketers finally arrives in Zimbabwe The whole tour was thrown into question earlier this week when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) told the team to remain in South Africa after Zimbabwe authorities barred 13 British journalists.


NBA Game Summary - Memphis At Minnesota Minneapolis, MN -- Kevin Garnett shot 11-of-15 for 26 points to go with 15 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves trounced the deflated Memphis Grizzlies, 115-90, at the Target Center.


Turning the Paige: It #39;s now Mizzou Arena The University of Missouri board of curators on Friday voted to rename the Columbia campus basketball arena Mizzou Arena, severing the connection between the posh sports facility and allegations of cheating at a university 1,700 miles away.


Colts thrive during grueling four-game stretch Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Montae Reagor could feel the weariness long before Thursday #39;s game at Detroit. The constant hits, the barrage of meetings, the quick pivots from game plan to game plan had already worn down his body and mind.


NCAA Game Summary - Arkansas-Little Rock at Georgia Tech Georgia Tech freshman Jeremis Smith left the game with a right knee injury near the end of the game...UALR #39;s Richard Hardman led all players with 13 rebounds...Freeman was just 1-of-9 from three-point territory...Georgia Tech improved to 4-0 all-time


Man Held Over China School Deaths (Reuters) Reuters - Chinese police have arrested a\21-year-old man suspected of stabbing eight teenagers to death\as they slept in a school dormitory, the latest in a wave of\school attacks in China, state media said on Saturday.


Man held over China school deaths Chinese police have arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of stabbing eight teenagers to death as they slept in a school dormitory, the latest in a wave of school attacks in China, state media say.


Asia ; Indonesian quake kills at least 13, many injured Asia News, JAKARTA - The death toll from a powerful earthquake that rocked the easternmost Indonesian province of Papua rose to 13, with officials fearing more bodies would be uncovered as many victims were reportedly trapped under house debris, officials


No. 13 Maryland Tops No. 25 Memphis 84-61 (AP) AP - John Gilchrist had 16 points, 10 rebounds and led a scrappy defense that helped No. 13 Maryland run past No. 25 Memphis 84-61 on Friday night.


Brown Explains Leaving Grizzlies coach Hubie Brown cites health concerns and a loss of energy Friday as the reasons for announcing his retirement.


Olowokandi Still Out Minnesota decides to suspend Michael Olowokandi for a second game after his arrest early Thursday morning for disorderly conduct.


Kicker Hall Returns After missing five games with a right groin strain, the Redskins will activate place kicker John Hall for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.


Mets Hire Down Former Yankees hitting coach Rick Down was hired for the same job by the Mets Saturday, reuniting him with new manager Willie Randolph.


Mavs Hold Off Blazers Marquis Daniels makes a series of late hustle plays to help Dallas defeat Portland, 92-83, on Friday.


American Hangs On American improves to 3-1 on the season with a hard-fought overtime win, 74-63, against Loyala at Bender Arena on Friday night.


US Airways, 2 GE Units Propose New Financing US Airways said yesterday that it agreed with units of General Electric Co. to defer lease payments on some aircraft and to cut the cost of engine maintenance as part of its restructuring under bankruptcy protection.


Wall Street Slogs Though Tepid, Short Session NEW YORK , Nov. 26 -- Stocks finished mixed Friday in a shortened session. The major indicators ended the week higher as investors looked forward to the results of the first weekend of holiday shopping and a jobs report next week.


FAA Must Improve Oversight of Hazardous Materials, Report Says The Federal Aviation Administration needs to improve its oversight of air carriers and passengers who bring hazardous materials onto airplanes, according to a report released yesterday


Gregg against new drug safety office US Sen. Judd Gregg said he #39;s not keen on the idea of creating an independent office to monitor drug safety, because it would create  quot;another layer of bureaucracy quot; at the Food and Drug Administration.


WR Grace Expects Indictment WR Grace  amp; Co. disclosed yesterday that federal prosecutors were likely to indict the chemical and building material supplier during the first quarter of 2005 on charges related to environmental


Canadian police search Imperial Tobacco offices Police have searched the Montreal headquarters of Imperial Tobacco Canada as part of an investigation into cigarette smuggling in the 1990s, the company says.


Rising Canadian dollars to test Canadian economy The record surge in the value of the Canadian dollar is going to test the Canadian economy, financial analysts here warned. The Canadian dollar, after briefly rose above 85 US


India ; Kalam shows the moon as answer to energy problems India News, MOON can be an immense source of solar energy and minerals, feels President APJ Abdul Kalam. Addressing the Sixth International Conference on Exploration and Utilisation of Moon in the Lake City


Kevin Garnett scores 26 points as the Timberwolves beat Memphis <b>...</b> The Minnesota Timberwolves finally had some fun at the expense of a team going through a coaching change. Lionel Hollins lost his debut as interim coach of the Grizzlies, with Kevin Garnett


Pacers 82, Bobcats 77 Fred Jones scored eight of his 23 points in the final 2:30 to rally the Pacers from a six-point deficit in an 82-77 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night.


No. 19 Alabama Tops Minnesota 78-72 (AP) AP - Earnest Shelton made five 3-pointers and scored 29 points to lead No. 19 Alabama over Minnesota 78-72 in the semifinals of the Great Alaska Shootout on Friday night.


10 reasons elections in Iraq will succeed from Britain, Australia, America, and countless other countries -- will be in action to make Iraq safer. In


I-AA Playoffs Open With a Virginia Flavor Today's Virginia-Virginia Tech showdown in Blacksburg won't be the only college football game in the Commonwealth with high-stakes implications. Three teams from Virginia play first-round games in the Division I-AA playoffs today, including a top-25 matchup between No. 6 William   Mary and No. 11 Hampton at Zable Stadium in Williamsburg.


New Orleans Center Breaks Finger (AP) AP - New Orleans center Jamaal Magloire broke his right ring finger in the final minute of Friday night's 95-86 loss to the Phoenix Suns.


Wirdheim off to America Sweden #39;s Bjorn Wirdheim, who was Jaguar Racing #39;s test and reserve driver will not be continuing with Red Bull Racing. Wirdheim had been due to run in the test at Barcelona and at Jerez but the team has now decided to continue with Vitantonio Liuzzi.


Slavkov Suspended By IOC The Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has unanimously recommended that Ivan Slavkov, chairman of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, be suspended.


Injured Shoulder Forces Bowe to Back Out of Bout Riddick Bowe plans to return to the ring in January or February after a shoulder injury forced him to call off a fight this weekend.


Dawgs and Jackets at it again ATLANTA - Today in Athens, Georgia and Georgia Tech resume the states most bitter rivalry for the 96th time (if you believe Georgia) and the 98th time (according to Tech).


NBA Game Summary - Miami at Detroit Auburn Hills, MI (Sports Network) - Richard Hamilton banked home a shot over the outstretched arm of Shaquille O #39;Neal with 1.3 seconds remaining, lifting Detroit to a 78-77 victory over Miami at the Palace.


Bush works for peace in Northern Ireland CRAWFORD, Texas President Bush says he #39;ll do  quot;anything quot; he can to help keep the Northern Ireland peace process moving forward.


No. 6 Notre Dame Tops USC 60-56 (AP) AP - Jacqueline Batteast scored 18 points and No. 6 Notre Dame survived a scare from unranked Southern California before rallying for a 60-56 victory Friday night.


Shoppers bolt for bargains By CHIP GUY, RICHARD SINE and TED GRIFFITH / The News Journal. Janet Selden wasn #39;t sure she could do it this year. In the early morning hours Friday, the 50-year-old Brandywine Hundred resident thought seriously


Proxy battle taking shape in bid to wrest control of board LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- The bitter battle for control of PeopleSoft Inc. has taken a new turn, with Oracle Corp. declaring its intent to stage a proxy fight that would sweep away the board members standing in the way of its \$9.2 billion hostile takeover.


United asks judge to block repossession of 10 planes United Airlines Inc., under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since 2002, called an emergency hearing today in Chicago to stop a group of creditors from repossessing 10 of its planes.


The race is on for Red Bull seats Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz still needs a bit of time to make a decision about his driver line-up for the upcoming season. The Austrian recently took over the Jaguar Formula One team.


For the sake of cricket THE IMPASSE between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and a number of its players could have serious repercussions for West Indies cricket.


Terps #39; speed overwhelms Memphis The 13th-ranked Terps ran No.25 Memphis into submission 84-61 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic at Springfield Civic Center.


NBA #39;s assists leader Nash injured against PHOENIX -- Phoenix guard Steve Nash, the NBA #39;s assist leader, sustained a concussion Friday night and sat out the second half of the Suns #39; 95-86 victory over New Orleans.


Dollar Struggles to Extend Recovery (Reuters) Reuters - The dollar struggled on Tuesday to extend\its recovery against the euro from a record low hit last week,\as the market eyed a deeper decline in the U.S. currency in the\near-term.  The unexpectedly quick rebound in the dollar\against the euro at the start of 2005 caught some traders off\guard and left the market cautious about selling the U.S.\currency.


Notre Dame 60, USC 56 Jacqueline Batteast scored 18 points and sixth-ranked Notre Dame survived a scare from unranked Southern California before rallying for a 60-56 non-conference win Friday.


Salvation Army tradition in danger By ROBIN BROWN. After three decades as a volunteer Salvation Army bell ringer, 64-year-old James  quot;Sonny quot; Rosel keeps thinking of retiring.


MARTHA BACKERS DUMP BIG STAKE The two biggest shareholders in Martha Stewart #39;s company have been quietly cashing out - raising speculation that a surprise deal could be brewing while she #39;s sitting in prison.


NBA #39;s Assists Leader Nash Injured Against PHOENIX - Phoenix guard Steve Nash, the NBA #39;s assist leader, sustained a concussion Friday night and sat out the second half of the Suns #39; 95-86 victory over New Orleans.


ASEAN officials prep for economic accord VIENTIANE - Senior officials of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations made final preparations on Thursday for ASEAN leaders to sign at their summit here next Monday an agreement on accelerating economic integration in the region.


Hamilton #39;s Late Basket Lifts Pistons Over Heat Richard Hamilton banked in the winning shot with 1.3 seconds remaining as the Detroit Pistons edged the Miami Heat 78-77 in Auburn Hills on Friday.


Holiday leftovers: plenty of QB questions Joey Harrington is still a starting quarterback. Drew Henson apparently is back to being a future starter. And Chad Hutchinson is looking like a starter by default.


COL BKB: Maryland 84, Memphis 61 Nik Caner-Medley scored 17 points Friday night to send No. 14 Maryland to an easier-than-expected, 84-61 win over 24th-ranked Memphis.


Kings Edge Lakers 109-106 (AP) AP - Peja Stojakovic scored 26 points and made four consecutive free throws in the closing seconds Friday night to lead the Sacramento Kings their seventh straight win, 109-106 over the Los Angeles Lakers.


Chinese police arrest school stabbings suspect Yan Yanming has been arrested in Ruzhou, central Henan province, when his mother turned him in to police after he attempted suicide at home.


Delay in Jan. vote sought BAGHDAD - Leading Iraqi politicians called Friday for a six-month delay in the Jan. 30 election because of the spiraling violence as US forces uncovered more bodies in the northern city of Mosul, apparent


Iraq parties urge delay of election Some of Iraq #39;s most powerful political groups, including the party led by the interim prime minister, called Friday for a six-month delay in elections scheduled for Jan. 30, citing concerns over security.


No. 10 Duke Tops Stephen F. Austin 84-29 (AP) AP - Monique Currie scored 22 points to lead No. 10 Duke to an 84-29 victory over Stephen F. Austin in the opening round of the Junkanoo Jam on Friday night.


Son's Iraq Experience Shapes Lawmaker (AP) AP - Rep. Duncan Hunter says his son, a Marine artillery officer who has served in Iraq, asked him for two favors. One was to fix his Ford Bronco. The other was to stand firm in opposing an intelligence bill that would strip authority from the Pentagon.


Buried Gems of the PS1 These games aren't the best, nor are they the prettiest.  nbsp;Instead, these are the games I played with my friends - the games let us kick the ever-loving-crap out of each other in increasingly fascinating ways.  nbsp;These are the most original head-to-head sleeper hits on the Sony Playstation. Just some fun stuff you might've missed the first time around.


Fresh Look at Vaccines This season's flu-shot shortage is enticing companies to enter a market that others have largely abandoned because of poor profits.- The Washington Post


Building a House With  EBay, Piece by Piece A growing number of people are turning to the online auction site not for knickknacks and trinkets, but for serious hardware and building materials.- The Washington Post


WTO OKs sanctions on US products In a trade dispute that could spread to one of Washington state #39;s biggest exports -- apples -- the World Trade Organization gave the go-ahead yesterday for punitive sanctions on US products.


It #39;s full speed ahead for Poutiainen ASPEN, COLO. - Figuring she had no chance of catching the leader, Finland #39;s Tanja Poutiainen charged down the hill without fear.


Sony Lags Behind Demand for Flat TV's Sony is having trouble meeting soaring demand for flat televisions as its assembly lines did not gear up quickly enough.


Global Chip Sales Rose 1.5 in October Worldwide semiconductor sales rose a scant 1.5 percent in October, to \$18.8 billion from \$18.5 billion in September, as many chip users pared inventories.


New High-Tech Passports Raise Snooping Concerns Privacy advocates say new passports that carry information in a computer chip will be vulnerable to electronic snooping.


ANOTHER VOICE To the medicine cabinet Here #39;s something to consider on your way to the medicine cabinet this morning: One of the nation #39;s leading drug reviewers with the Food and Drug Administration told a congressional hearing last week that consumers are  quot;virtually defenseless quot; against


Mitsubishi Motors, Merrill Lynch to tie up -Nikkei Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T: Quote, Profile, Research) (MMC), Japan #39;s only loss-making car maker, and US brokerage firm Merrill Lynch (MER.


Fratello reportedly taking Grizzlies job Mike Fratello will take over for the recently retired Hubie Brown, ESPN reported on Friday. Fratello, an analyst for TNT, flew to Memphis on Friday to meet with team officials.


Maryland runs circles around Memphis COM. If Maryland is the sixth-best team in the ACC, then the league has teams capable of competing in the NBA, baby! The Terps put on a clinic in beating a talented Memphis team at the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic.


Iran, EU have reached new accords: Moussavian LONDON, Nov 27 (IranMania) - Iranian delegation chief to the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Hossein Moussavian said on Friday evening that Iran and Europe have reached a new agreement.


Early shoppers catch bargains Early birds get bargains Treasure Coast shoppers get their holiday money #39;s worth on the biggest shopping day of the year. By Charlie Reed.


Fluctuating Oil Prices Force Consumers to Place Bets All around the country, people like Jennie McCann are making bets on where global oil prices might be headed this winter. But Mrs.


U.S. Marines Mull Fallujah's Future (AP) AP - At first glance, the U.S. Marines saw nothing extraordinary about a baby crib in the corner of a bombed-out house in Fallujah. But when Lance Cpl. Nick Fenezia threw back the blankets, a Kalashnikov rifle and bulletproof vest lay on the tiny mattress.


Bush phones Paisley in power sharing bid US President George W Bush has telephoned the Rev Ian Paisley in a bid to help revive power sharing in Northern Ireland. Rev Paisley, 78, said he had  quot;a long and very useful conversation quot; with Mr Bush as Protestant


Burma #39;s prisoner release complete: source Burma has completed its mass release of more than 9,000 jail inmates following a shake-up in the military-run regime. A prison source says that all 9,248 prisoners promised freedom have been released, although


WR Grace says federal indictment likely in early 2005 without <b>...</b> WASHINGTON -- WR Grace  amp; Co. said Friday it is likely to be indicted in the first quarter of 2005 by a federal grand jury in Montana if it cannot reach a settlement with prosecutors over possible violations of federal environmental laws.


Mitsubishi Motors to Sell \$2 Bln of Loans to Merrill (Update1) Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said it will sell \$2 billion of auto loans to Merrill Lynch  amp; Co. as part of a plan to help the automaker reduce debt.


Around The Nation Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia #39;s former chairman and largest outside holder, Jeffrey Ubben, sold more than half his stake in the company this month as the shares reached their highest price in more than two years.


Pampling clings to lead at Australian Open Australia #39;s Rod Pampling recovered from a shaky start to Saturday #39;s third round of the centenary Australian Open to retain the outright lead going into the final day.


Randall saves his best for last LSU quarterback Marcus Randall has never been able to nail down the quarterback job this season. But Friday against Arkansas, the fifth-year senior seized the day.


In our view: Violence in sports not acceptable Commissioner David Stern has drawn a line on unacceptable behavior by players in the National Basketball Association. Whether he can keep it from being blurred or erased by the players union or a court decision remains to be seen.


More bodies found in Mosul US forces uncovered more bodies in the northern city of Mosul on Friday, apparent victims of an intimidation campaign by insurgents against Iraq #39;s fledgling security forces.


Quakes rock Indonesia, 17 dead At least 17 people were killed, over 130 injured and more than 300 homes destroyed Friday when an earthquake hit a town in Indonesia #39;s Papua province for the second time in nine months, officials said.


Iraq ; Briton Questioned in Kabul Over Role in UN Hostage Release Iraq News, KABUL, A British freelance cameraman said yesterday he was detained by Afghan authorities for his role in the release of three UN hostages and came under pressure to sign a statement saying he was part of the kidnap gang.


Breeding success Luiz Nasser just transferred an embryo from a pedigree  quot;donor quot; into the womb of an unwitting cow.


Software sector in Mass. lags Massachusetts lost 121 software companies and 3,859 software-related jobs during the past year, according to an industry group's figures, suggesting that one of the most vibrant sectors of the 1990s has yet to join in the state's tepid economic recovery.


Ex-FleetCenter chief hits revival of Garden name Resurrecting Boston Garden as a new name for the FleetCenter would be an empty gesture in sentimentality, the former chairman of the FleetCenter said yesterday.


WTO hits US with sanctions The World Trade Organization imposed penalties yesterday on exports ranging from apples to textiles, escalating a trade dispute the Bush administration has tried to defuse by unsuccessfully urging Congress to repeal legislation aimed at protecting US steel makers.


Ex-chairman cashes in as Martha Stewart shares recover Jeffrey Ubben, former chairman and the largest outside shareholder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., sold more than half his stake in the company this month as shares reached their highest price in more than two years.


Texas downs A amp;M, pleas for BCS help AUSTIN - Texas took care of its fiercest in-state rival and ensured at least one more week of bickering about the Bowl Championship Series.


Sonics Storm Past Nets SEATTLE, Nov. 26 (Ticker) -- Despite Rashard Lewis #39; injury, Danny Fortson kept the Seattle SuperSonics on their surprising roll.


Wildcats stumble in 2nd half NEW YORK - Arizona guard Salim Stoudamire tried all he could to get Arizona the upset win against No. 1 Wake Forest. No. 18 Arizona tried to go to him one last time in the waning seconds and trailing by one


ASU turns over Territorial Cup Coughing up five turnovers, having a field goal blocked and playing without four suspended defensive players for part of the game, 18th-ranked ASU did all it could to hand back the Territorial Cup to underdog Arizona.


Iran backs down on uranium demand Facing fierce international pressure, Iran backed off yesterday from its demand to be allowed to continue operating some uranium enrichment


UK urged to review terrorism laws A UN committee asks the UK to review its policy of detaining terrorism suspects without trial.


In China, police detain man accused of killing up to 9 boys BEIJING -- Police have detained a man accused of slashing as many as nine boys to death as they slept in their high school dormitory in central China, state media reported today.


In Italy, just about everyone's a doctor  ROME -- Yell for a doctor in an Italian moviehouse and you risk a stampede. Almost everybody here, it seems, is a ''dottore. quot;


Shoppers swarm stores across US Shoppers swarmed America #39;s malls and stores yesterday, even before the sun rose, to grab early-bird deals on such hot items as flat-screen TVs and DVD players as the US holiday shopping season officially began.


FAA hit on control of hazardous materials The Federal Aviation Administration must improve oversight of air carriers and passengers who bring hazardous materials onto planes, according to a report


Former Gurkhas killed in Baghdad Four ex-Gurkhas working for a London-based security firm have been killed in an attack in Baghdad. The Foreign Office confirmed the Nepalese men were all former members of the famous Gurkhas but could give no further details of the attack.


Myanmar completes release of 9,000 prison inmates YANGON (AFP) - Myanmar has completed its mass release of more than 9,000 inmates, a prison department source said, following a shake-up in the military-run regime.


Typhoon claims 11 lives Hanoi - Vietnam #39;s death toll from flash floods triggered by Typhoon Muifa has risen to 11, officials said on Saturday. The deaths all occurred in central Vietnam, with Quang Ngai, Quang Nam and Thua Thien-Hue


Stores open doors to sales, surge Retailers opened their doors before the sun rose yesterday, the official start of the holiday shopping season, tempting early risers with specials on a variety of items including flat-screen TVs and toys.


Man Utd confident of catching Chelsea LONDON - Manchester United is confident it can catch up nine points on Premier League leaders Chelsea. First it has to win its third match in a row for the first time this season.


Six more bodies found in Mosul US forces uncovered more bodies in the northern city of Mosul on Friday, apparent victims of an intimidation campaign by insurgents against Iraq #39;s fledgling security forces.


Chirac urges resumption of Ivory Coast peace talks French President Jacques Chirac has urged all sides in Ivory Coast #39;s crisis to resume talks as he opened a summit of French-speaking countries snubbed by the Ivorian delegation.


I helped free hostages, says ex-BBC cameraman A Kabul-based British hotelier and former BBC cameraman says that he acted as a go-between when a 830,000 ransom was offered to secure the release of three UN workers kidnapped in Afghanistan.


JFK, Bush, and the Canadian media Last Monday, on the 41 st anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, a video game called JFK Reloaded was released for sale.


Finland #39;s Poutiainen is tough enough With a fresh dusting of snow and the course bumpy and rutty, Colorado #39;s top two giant slalom skiers struggled Friday in the FIS World Cup women #39;s event.


Clippers Whack Warriors 98-87 Los Angeles Clippers #39; Chris Wilcox, middle, dunks as the Golden State Warriors #39; Troy Murphy, right, and Jason Richardson look on in the first half on Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, in Oakland, Calif.


More protests as Ukraine talks end without agreement (AFP) AFP - Opposition supporters in Ukraine continue to block key government buildings, after the first meeting between two presidential rivals ended without agreement and amid opposition threats of "action" if the election dispute is not resolved within days.


Pampling Leads Australian Open (AP) AP - Australia's Rod Pampling took a one-stroke lead into the final round of the centennial Australian Open, shooting a 3-over 74 on Saturday on The Australian Golf Club course.


Santos rose from the depths at UNH The story does not begin until the quarterback hits rock bottom. There's a reason Ricky Santos, current big man on the University of New Hampshire campus, one of 16 finalists for the Walter Payton Award (given to the top offensive player in Division 1-AA), record-setting redshirt-freshman wonder, and Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year does not have his picture in ...


Kingpin Hyping LeBron James as rightful inheritor of the NBA kingdom, some call the 19-year-old phenom King James. He proved himself a benevolent ruler last night at the sold-out FleetCenter when it took all the king's men for the Cavaliers to defeat the Celtics, 98-96.


A fortunate change It was Monday Night Football the way it was meant to be played, minus Nicollette Sheridan.


Pope tries to warm Orthodox ties The Pope reaches out to Orthodox Christians as he returns bones looted during the Crusades.


Mobile gaming takes off in India \Gaming on the move is one of the fastest-growing activities amongst the tech-savvy in India, says a report.


Turnpike gate at SR 58 set to open Tuesday AMHERST TOWNSHIP -- The Ohio Turnpike Commission said yesterday that the new SR 58 interchange will open as planned at noon Tuesday, unaffected by a labor dispute with the union that represents toll collectors and maintenance workers.


Day after Thanksgiving busy for yule tree farms Danville -- Liesel and Jeff Ray, of Avon, followed tradition Friday morning when they left the house. No, they did not head to the nearest mall, hoping to be the first in line for Christmas bargains.


Investor Icahn joins Hollywood Video fray The Hollywood Entertainment Corp. story took another twist Friday when New York-based investor Carl Icahn announced the purchase of approximately 8.4 percent of the Wilsonville-based company #39;s outstanding stock.


Business news briefs: 11/27/04 A Mylan Laboratories shareholder is suing the Canonsburg generic drug maker and its directors, saying they have failed their fiduciary obligations by not considering billionaire investor Carl Icahn #39;s \$20 per share offer for the company.


EDS, Microsoft blamed for crash Electronic Data Systems Corp. and Microsoft Corp. were blamed by the United Kingdom #39;s pension and benefits agency for a computer crash that snarled payments across Britain.


They don #39;t consider that a riot in Brazil What riot?  quot;An Argentine friend of mine was a little derisive of the Pacers-Pistons eruption, quot; says reader Mike Gaynes.  quot;He snorted,  #39;Is that what Americans call a riot?


SIZING UP SHAQ STAT LINE: Shaquille O #39;Neal had 24 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots in 38 minutes Friday against the Pistons. POWER PLAY: The crowd buzzed with anticipation when fan favorite Darko Milicic caught the ball on the block with O #39;Neal on his back.


Historic USC feat would be unrivaled No USC coach ever defeated his archrivals three consecutive years, but Pete Carroll is two weeks from history. With a victory over Notre Dame tonight and UCLA next week, Carroll


Nine bodies found near Mexican city The bodies of nine people, including three federal agents, were discovered at two sites outside Cancun, Mexico, and police are blaming the killings on a drug turf war in the Mexican resort city.