Losses rise at British Energy after nuclear shutdowns

British Energy, the nuclear generator, said its first-half losse had tripled following the unexpected closure of two nuclear power plants.


Napster Entering Ringtone Market

Online music service Napster on Thursday said it reached a deal to enter the ringtone market with mobile content publisher Dwango Wireless (DWGN.


Space Station Crew Forced to Cut Calories

gollum123 writes  quot;CNN and others are reporting that food is running so low aboard the international space station that both the crew members have been asked to cut their calories, at least until a Russian supply ship arrives in a little over two weeks.


Oracle boosts enterprise content management

Oracle has launched new content management software, offering file management, security and event-driven workflows. As expected, Oracle unveiled Files 10g at this week #39;s OpenWorld user conference in San Francisco.


Finley set to be an Angel

The Angels have reached agreement on a two-year contract with former Dodger Steve Finley, who provides a more cost-efficient, shorter-term solution to their gap in center field than top free agent Carlos Beltran.


Bad sign? Meetings don #39;t make much sense

ANAHEIM - The Los Angeles Dodgers last season had the best double-play combination in baseball, so naturally they went out yesterday and signed an All-Star second baseman who admits his glove is merely apparel.


Sprint, Nextel in merger talks: reports (AFP)

AFP - US mobile telephone groups Sprint and Nextel are engaged in merger talks which could create the third-biggest US mobile operator worth some 30 billion dollars, according to reports.


Beijing urges rethink on protests

\China's security chief tells officials to pay more attention to people's grievances, in the wake of increasing protests.


Iranian film wins Indian honour

Iranian movie Beautiful City scoops the main prize at the International Film Festival of India.


EU probes mobile phone call costs

The amount consumers are charged for making mobile calls while abroad is to be investigated by EU regulators.


Madrassas hit by sex abuse claims

A Pakistani minister reveals hundreds of cases of alleged child sex abuse at religious seminaries, or madrassas.


US Flight Lands in Vietnam After 30 Years

Late on Friday, an United Airlines plane will arrive in Vietnam #39;s Ho Chi Minh City, marking the first time that a commercial American airliner will be landing in the country since the Vietnam War.


Wall Street stocks end higher on strong company earnings

Wall Street stocks rose Thursday as National Semiconductor Corp. #39;s strong earnings results soothed investors #39; worries over higher jobless rate and rising oil prices.


Sprint, Nextel in merger talks: reports

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US mobile telephone groups Sprint and Nextel are engaged in merger talks which could create the third-biggest US mobile operator worth some 30 billion dollars, according to reports.


Napster eyes ring tone market

Digital music provider Napster on Thursday teamed up with Dwango Wireless, hoping to corner a slice of the booming ring tone market.


Microsoft helps in bogus degrees case

Some sleuthing by software giant Microsoft Corp. helped track down two brothers who authorities say sold bogus college degrees over the Internet, including an MBA that was issued to a housecat.


Sonics soar past Mavs, improve to 17-3

This is why the Seattle SuperSonics have become the team to beat in the NBA. One night after Ray Allen helped Seattle become the first team to win in San Antonio this season, Rashard Lewis did


Viewpoints: Tackling climate change

If the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is right, our planet is heading for some big upheavals. By 2100, they predict, global sea levels will have risen by 9cm to 88cm, and average temperatures will be about 1.5 to 5.5C higher than now.


EU sure of deal on status of Cyprus

The European Union presidency yesterday expressed optimism that a deal could be struck over Turkey #39;s refusal to recognize Cyprus in the lead-up to next weekend #39;s EU summit, which will decide whether to give Ankara a date for the start of accession talks.


NBA Wrap: McGrady Leads Rockets to Stunning Win

Tracy McGrady hit a running 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left on the clock to give the Houston Rockets a dramatic 81-80 win over the San Antonio Spurs in National Basketball Association play Thursday in Houston.


Bush Administration Gives Annan Vote of Confidence

The Bush administration has expressed confidence in United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, despite calls for his resignation from several US lawmakers over a scandal involving the UN-administered oil-for-food program for Iraq.


UN Agency Accused of Putting Children #39;s  #39;Rights #39; Above Their <b>...</b>

The UN children #39;s agency has come under fire from critics who say it has prioritized children #39;s  quot;rights quot; over their survival.


PowerPoint Message Is the Medium

A competition tries to elevate the dreaded PowerPoint presentation to an artful endeavor, but many participants poke fun at the program instead of exploiting its features. By Daniel Terdiman.


Handheld Gaming Goes Wireless

After flocking to design games for the Nintendo DS, developers are eager to exploit the device's wireless capabilities. First up are local network multiplayer games; in the pipeline is wireless gameplay over the net. By Daniel Terdiman.


Keeping Love Connections Open

When choosing a mate, we often look for financial, moral, physical and emotional compatibility. Add one more characteristic to the list: connectivity. Commentary by Regina Lynn.


The End of TV as We Know It

Sit back on the sofa and get ready for packetized, on-demand, digital broadcasts. By Frank Rose from Wired magazine.


British Gas loses a million users

British Gas has lost almost one million customers this year, its parent company Centrica has revealed. The gas and electricity provider, which has put up prices twice in 2004, lost 290,000 customers in the first half of the year and 630,000 in the second.


Philips halves stake in Atos Origin

Royal Philips Electronics continued its withdrawal from non-core stakes on Friday by slashing its stake in Atos Origin by more than half.


Customer Service: The Hunt for a Human

In the Internet age, making telephone contact with a human for customer service is a daunting task. Some companies no longer disclose phone numbers. But some consumers have found ways around the blockade.


Disney backs Sony in DVD format battle

Disney announced yesterday that it would release its films on Sony #39;s Blu-ray DVD format - a week after three other Hollywood studios backed rival Toshiba #39;s HD-DVD.


Consoles in terribly short supply

THIS YULE is all about console supply and there #39;s precious little units around, it has emerged. Nintendo has announced that it is going to ship another 400,000 units of its DS console to the United States to meet the shortfall there.


Man Builds 7 foot Grandfather Clock from Lego

Grotius writes  quot;As reported in CNET, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the court that hears patent appeals) heard oral argument in an appeal from a \$565 million award against Microsoft for infringing patent rights held by the


Owners plan Silverstone facelift

The British Racing Drivers #39; Club plan to begin work towards improving Silverstone now they have the security of a five-year grand prix contract in place.


Hughes returns to lead in Melbourne

Australian Bradley Hughes leads by four shots after round two of the Australian Masters in Melbourne. Hughes, who won here in 1993 and 1998, carded rounds of 64 and 66 for 14-under 130 to lead defending champion Robert Allenby.


Wenger: No Plans to Buy New Keeper

Arsene Wenger moved to underline his faith in keepers Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia ahead of Sundays clash against Chelsea by pledging not to sign a replacement in the January transfer window.


Thursday #39;s NBA Roundup

(CP) - With their depth and determination, there is little surprise the Seattle SuperSonics are the best team in the NBA. One night after Ray Allen helped Seattle become the first team to win in San Antonio


Colombia Paramilitary Fighters to Disarm (AP)

AP - Crosses, burned vehicles and blown-up bridges mark the narrow road that runs from a provincial capital to this village near the Venezuelan border  #151; the scars of a protracted and bitter battle between a right-wing paramilitary group and Marxist rebels for control of the region's cocaine industry.


EU Invites UN #39;s Annan to Summit to Show Support

The European Union has invited Kofi Annan as a special guest to its summit next Friday, a Dutch presidency spokesman said, demonstrating support for the UN secretary-general amid a campaign in the United States to


Rumsfeld Visits India, Delhi Frets on Arms Sales

The United States will build stronger defense ties with India, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld vowed on Thursday, but New Delhi said proposed US arms sales to Pakistan could affect relations with Washington.


Philips slashes stake in Atos Origin by 50 per cent

Amsterdam (pts) - Dutch electronics company Philips http://www.philips.com has announced today, Friday, that it has cut its stake in Atos Origin by more than a half.


Amazon.com enters UK DVD market

Amazon.com made its anticipated entry into renting DVDs on the Internet on Thursday, launching a service in the United Kingdom that it says will charge as much as 30 percent less than its competitors.


For coffee drinkers, grind of rising prices

Java lovers, hold onto your nickels and dimes. Months after retail coffee-shop chains such as Starbucks raised the cost of their caffeine concoctions, the price of coffee is still on the rise.


Yahoo! to launch desktop search in the New Year

Internet portal Yahoo! says it will release a desktop search in the New Year some three months after Google. Desktop search is the latest battleground between the major search engines as they seek to gain


#39;Chatter #39; may predict quakes

Los Angeles - Deep rumblings many kilometres below the San Andreas fault in California could offer a way to predict earthquakes, US scientists said in a study released on Thursday.


MS Eolas appeal begins

Microsoft began its appeal yesterday against a \$565m judgment that it infringed on a patent held by Eolas, a University of California spin-off.


11am Market Update

European stock markets rose in early trade this morning after a late chip-inspired rally on Wall Street nudged investors towards a positive frame of mind.


IBM closes pension

Employees #39; chances of retiring with a guaranteed pension suffered another setback this week with IBM announcing it was closing its cash-balance pension plan to new employees - fueling concerns that other companies would follow suit.


Wall St. Expected to Open Slightly Lower (Reuters)

Reuters - Wall Street was expected to open\slightly lower on Friday but United Technologies Corp. may\climb after its chief executive gave an upbeat outlook.


Hollywood split as Disney backs Blu-ray

With the Blu-ray Disc Association securing non-exclusive backing from Disney, the major Hollywood studios are split down the middle over next-generation DVD.


Space Station Crew May Have to Return Home

MOSCOW - Echoing what NASA (news - web sites) officials said a day earlier, a Russian space official on Friday said the two-man crew on the international space station could be forced to return to Earth if a planned resupply flight cannot reach them with


NHL finds hope

After three months of darkness and silence, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for the NHL. In a meeting Thursday at the league #39;s Toronto offices, the players #39; union presented an in-depth proposal


Failed Road Test

After winning 13 in a row and 21 of 22 in the series, many by lopsided margins, the seventh-ranked Huskies found themselves locked in a 40-minute struggle.


McGrady saves Houston

Houston guard Tracy McGrady has scored 13 points in the final 35 second of the match against San Antonio, to hand his side an 81-80 victory.


No time to rest for 49ers #39; Quinn

Quinn, the San Francisco 49ers #39; defensive line coach,helps devise the game plan, fine-tunes the starters, teaches the never-ending stream of new linemen the scheme, sneaks in a workout of his own, keeps his pate freshly shaved, checks in with his wife


Kenyan to collect Nobel prize

Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai is to be presented with the Nobel Peace Prize for 2004 at a ceremony in Oslo. Professor Maathai, also Kenya #39;s deputy environment minister, is the first African woman


Space Station Crew May Have to Return Home (AP)

AP - Echoing what NASA officials said a day earlier, a Russian space official on Friday said the two-man crew on the international space station could be forced to return to Earth if a planned resupply flight cannot reach them with food supplies later this month.


Spam e-mails tempt net shoppers

\Computer users continue to ignore warnings about spam and are being lured into buying goods, a report suggests.


Spam e-mails tempt net shoppers

People continue to ignore warnings about spam and are being lured into buying goods, a report suggests.


IBM Product to Challenge Data Storage Leader EMC

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - IBM IBM.N on Friday will take  aim at the heart of data storage equipment leader EMC Corp.'s  EMC.N market with a product that will allow EMC buyers to  switch to IBM.


HP Rolls Out Ultra-Low Priced PC in China

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Co. HPQ.N, the  world's number-two PC maker, said on Friday it has launched a  3,999 yuan (\$483) computer in China, turning up the heat in the  intensely competitive market.


Yahoo to Begin Testing Desktop Search in January

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc. said on Thursday it  will begin testing a free desktop search service in early  January, following rivals hoping to extend the reach of wildly  profitable search-related advertising.


Atkins Gets Tech-Savvy to Reach More Dieters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. dieters will soon be able to  count their carbs on mobile phones, the company behind the  Atkins Diet said on Thursday.


Bomb Blast Kills Six in Pakistan' Quetta -- Police (Reuters)

Reuters - At least six people were\killed and nine wounded when a powerful bomb exploded near an\army truck in Pakistan's southwestern city of Quetta on Friday,\police said.


Opec 'ready to agree output cut'

Opec looks set to agree a cut in the rampant quota-busting, which its members say has caused oil prices to fall in recent months.


Six die in Pakistan bomb blast

At least six people die and a number of others are hurt in a bomb explosion in the Pakistani city of Quetta.


China #39;s Jet Fuel Supplier Gets Extension

SINGAPORE - China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corp., the company that supplies most of China #39;s jet fuel, was granted a six-week extension Friday for a restructuring plan following massive trading losses, a company lawyer said.


Home loans healthy

The share of California homeowners behind on their mortgages in the third quarter slid to the lowest level in 25 years, according to a mortgage industry report.


Space crew cuts down food, awaits resupply

Astronaut Leroy Chiao is instructed to return by the flight controllers because of a food shortage on the international space station.


Desktop search avalanche looming

Microsoft, Yahoo and Ask Jeeves are all set to jump into the desktop search space, two months after internet search leader Google offered a test version


Most browser pop-ups open to hijack

Security researchers have warned of a vulnerability in most web browsers that could let scammers launch phishing attacks from pop-up windows on trusted websites.


Edwards, Nugent earn awards

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Michigan #39;s Braylon Edwards took the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver, and Ohio State #39;s Mike Nugent won the Lou Groza Award for best kicker when college football #39;s top awards were announced last night.


Teenager Answers Charges in Turkey-Throwing Case

Striding purposefully but with his head down, Ryan Cushing, the Huntington teenager accused of throwing a turkey that severely injured a passing driver last month, was


Planet under Attack, Says Nobel Peace Winner

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai was today set to warn that the planet is under attack from a litany of threats, ranging from disease, deforestation and war, and urge a shift in human thinking to save the earth.


SF accused of giving DUP veto over nationalist ministers

The SDLP has accused Sinn Fin of giving the Democratic Unionist Party a veto over the decisions of nationalist ministers as part of the deal to restore power-sharing.


OPEC Agrees to Stamp Out Excess Supply

\

 By Edmund Blair and Barbara Lewis

 CAIRO (Reuters) - OPEC oil producers on Friday agreed to\stamp out excess supply that has lowered world prices from\record highs.


OECD Index Dips for U.S., Japan (Reuters)

Reuters - The economic outlook for the United\States and Japan weakened slightly in October, but prospects\for the Eurozone improved slightly, according to an early\warning indicator issued by OECD on Friday.


Wall St. Expected to Open Slightly Lower

LONDON (Reuters) - Wall Street was expected to open  slightly lower on Friday but United Technologies Corp. may  climb after its chief executive gave an upbeat outlook.


OPEC Agrees to Stamp Out Excess Supply

CAIRO (Reuters) - OPEC oil producers on Friday agreed to  stamp out excess supply that has lowered world prices from  record highs.


Stocks to Watch on Friday, December 10

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP. UTX.N:


OECD Index Dips for U.S., Japan

PARIS (Reuters) - The economic outlook for the United  States and Japan weakened slightly in October, but prospects  for the Eurozone improved slightly, according to an early  warning indicator issued by OECD on Friday.


Pizza chief wants slice of insurance market

The businessman, who has made his fortune through investing in pizzas and pubs, is at the head of a consortium buying four closed life insurance businesses, including Pearl Life, for 1 billion from HHG.


US wants Dodge SUV, pickup recall

Federal safety regulators have told DaimlerChrysler to recall 600,000 of the most popular vehicles on the road -- the Dodge Durango SUV and the Dodge Dakota pickup truck -- due to problems with front-end ball joints.


Philips Raises EU550 Mln Selling Atos Origin Shares (Update3)

Royal Philips Electronics NV, Europe #39;s largest maker of televisions, raised 550 million euros (\$729 million) by selling more than half of its stake in Atos Origin SA, France #39;s No.


Microsoft contests patent infringement decision

An appeals court should throw out a \$500m (260m) patent infringement judgement against Microsoft because a lower court failed to recognise that the patent was not invented by the company awarded the money, a Microsoft lawyer claimed yesterday.


Sharon moves to form new coalition after crushing opponents of <b>...</b>

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon moved swiftly to forge a national unity government after winning approval to reshape his coalition and crushing internal opposition to his Gaza pullout plan.


Torture at Guantanamo Bay Described

An Australian detainee held at the American base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has provided a detailed account of torture in a sworn statement.


First US commercial flight in 30 years lands in Vietnam

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM - The first US passenger jet to fly to Vietnam since the war ended almost 30 years ago landed in Ho Chi Minh City Friday.


Sprint, Nextel Shares Up on Merger Talk

Shares of Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. jumped again on Friday as the telephone companies continued negotiations on a merger that would combine the No.


Ford President and Vice-Chairman to retire in February

NEW YORK, December 10 (newratings.com) - Ford Motor Company (FMC1.FSE) announced yesterday the resignation of its president, Sir Nicholas V Scheele, and Vice-Chairman, Allan Gilmour, early next year.


US Consumer Sentiment Up in December

US consumer sentiment rose in early December, according to a survey released on Friday, as consumers reacted positively to lower prices at the gas pump.


Mobile Phone Users Double Since 2000

Worldwide mobile phone subscribers totalled nearly 1.5 billion by the middle of this year (about one quarter of the world #39;s population), according to the International Telecommunication Union.


No sequel to Shrek 2 until 2007

Ogre-sized fans of Shrek 3 will have to wait a bit longer as it #39;s been delayed for six months until 2007. The change of release was ordered by film bosses at the Dreamworks studio.


Winn-Dixie forces out president

In a surprise shake-up, struggling supermarket chain Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. of Jacksonville forced out president and chief executive Frank Lazaran and named Peter L. Lynch, a former Albertsons Inc.


General Motors Europe to axe 12,000 jobs

General Motors (GM) is following through with plans to axe 12,000 jobs in the loss-making European division as the car giant bids to trim operating costs by 350 million-a-year.


Southwest Air Outlines Bid

Southwest Airlines (LUV:NYSE - news - research) Friday said it will offer more than \$100 for certain assets of ATA Holdings #39; (ATAHQ:Nasdaq - news - research)ATA Airlines in a forthcoming bankruptcy court auction.


Airbus to sell A350 as rival to Boeing Dreamliner

Airbus has been given the go-ahead by its shareholders EADS and BAE Systems to market the A350, a new wide-body aircraft that will be a direct rival to Boeings 7E7 Dreamliner.


Ameritrade customer trading up 26 pct in Nov.

Online brokerage Ameritrade Holding Corp. (AMTD.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday that customer stock trading activity surged 26 percent during November, and has risen


Agency seeks recall of 600,000 Dodge trucks

WASHINGTON - Federal safety regulators want 600,000 Dodge Durangos and Dakota trucks recalled because their wheels could fall off, but the auto maker doesnt believe the defect is dangerous, a company spokesman said.


Introgen Sells Additional Shares

Introgen Therapeutics Inc. reported Friday that it raised an additional \$7.8 million from the same European institutional investors with whom it placed shares Wednesday.


Disease risk stops Falluja return

Sewage and rabid animals are hindering the return of refugees to the battered Iraqi city, the US military says.


Thomson to Back Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD

Company, one of the core backers of Blu-ray, will also support its rival format. Thomson, one of the core backers of the Blu-ray Disc format for high-definition video discs, plans to offer players supporting


Napster and Dwango Sign Deal for Mobile Ringtones

The Napster Mobile service will launch in the US and Canada in 2005 and will utilize a special Napster interface. Users will be able to download ringtones and earn credits redeemable on Napster PC-based service at the same time.


ISS Crew Counts Calories as Food Supply Runs Low

With food stores running low, the two astronauts living aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are cutting back their meal intake and awaiting a critical cargo delivery expected to arrive on Dec. 25.


Yahoo! Enters Desktop Search Realm

December 10, 2004. Making clear its intention to stay a player in the search wars, Yahoo! announced plans this morning to introduce a free, high-speed desktop search tool after the first of the year.


NASA telescopes finds dust rings around planet-bearing stars

For the first time, scientists have found rings of dust around planet-bearing stars an important confirmation of theories about how planets form, NASA has announced.


UC researchers discover deep tremors under San Andreas Fault

BERKELEY, Calif. Scientists at UC Berkeley say tremors deep under the San Andreas Fault may help them predict future earthquakes. The head of the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory says the tremors were detected


Sony Says All Systems Go for PSP Launch

Handheld gaming device debuts in Japan this weekend, but won #39;t be available in US until next year. Sony Computer Entertainment is ready for the long-awaited launch of its PSP (PlayStation Portable) device


Monkeys stock their tool-kit

MONKEYS use tools to dig up roots, crack seeds and dig insects from holes in trees, scientists have found, contradicting the traditional idea that humans are nature #39;s only tool-makers.


Cisco turns 20

When Cisco Systems unveiled its latest and greatest network router in May, it trumpeted the event as a watershed. Having grown from start-up to industry behemoth over the past two decades, the company claimed


-Posted by dan.farber  7:29 am (PDT)

Ross Mayfield has an interesting take on the Lenovo/IBM deal and bringing open source to the desktop in his blog... I believe their commoditization strategy is more than hardware.


British GP: Good news for Silverstone, bad news for Goodwood

In his infinite wisdom, Bernie Ecclestone has rescheduled the 2005 British Grand Prix in order that it does not clash with the Men #39;s Final at Wimbledon.


Els suffers home course humbling

Tournament favourite Ernie Els endured a nightmare run on the back nine on Friday to slide down the leaderboard at the Dunhill Championship.


Wenger keeps Arsenals keepers, unsure about Ljungberg on Sunday

Arsenals manager Arsene Wenger assured of his faith in both keepers Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia two days before Sunday #39;s match against Chelsea at Highbury.


Hughes still has master #39;s touch

BRADLEY HUGHES returned to Huntingdale after a six-year hiatus to remind everyone why he was once considered the next big thing of Australian golf.


Battle for supremacy

A coherent argument can usually be made in support of the view that the World Cup doesn #39;t really begin until the knock-out stages get going.


Major salary rollback offered by players union

One professional hockey player says the NHL players #39; association offer to end a lockout is a lot of money out of a guy #39;s pocket to be giving up.


Pacer-turned-spinner Kumble betters Kapil #39;s 434-wkt tally (PROFILE <b>...</b>

Sports India, Cricket: New Delhi, Dec 10 : For a person, who bowled fast before switching to leg-spin, Anil Kumble has travelled a long way to become India #39;s top wicket taker in Tests Friday taking his 435th scalp against Bangladesh.


Moyes insists nothing changed despite Everton revolution

Few would have believed that Everton would enter Saturday #39;s 200th Merseyside derby with Liverpool seeking second place in the premier league.


O #39;Rourke more then stats and hairstyles

Soccer is a sport with a field 80 yards wide by 120 yards long, and 22 players running for 90 minutes. Often times the only players that stand out are the ones that put up  #39;big #39; numbers, scoring goals and setting up others.


Taiwan poll to shape China ties

Taiwan votes on Saturday to choose a new parliament in a ballot that could shape its future relations with China.


NATO will enlarge Iraq training mission

BRUSSELS The North Atlantic Treaty Organization agreed to enlarge from 60 to 300 the number of personnel stationed in Baghdad to train Iraqi soldiers, but not before there was a contentious discussion with the foreign ministers of six countries that


Pakistan bomb kills at least 10

At least 10 people have been killed and at least 18 others wounded after a bomb exploded near an army truck in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, police and hospital sources say.


US changes course to back Annan

THE US has switched direction on the future of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, announcing yesterday it supported his tenure and was not calling for his resignation.


Darfur talks to seek political deal amid fighting

Sudanese officials and Darfur rebels arrived in Nigeria on Friday for talks on a political deal to end two years of conflict in the vast desert region which observers say is slipping deeper into chaos.


Erdogan Rebuffs EU Plea for Gesture on Cyprus

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan rebuffed a European Commission plea on Friday to make a gesture toward recognition of Cyprus before EU leaders decide next week on opening membership talks with Ankara.


Taking the peace

#39;should #39;. This year they seem to have foundered on a photograph. In 2003, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said the Provisional


Iraqi kidnappers release South Asian hostages

Kidnappers have released two truck drivers, one from Bangladesh and the other from Sri Lanka, after holding them hostage in Iraq for more than a month.


Israeli fire 'kills girl' in Gaza

A Palestinian girl is reported killed by Israeli fire, hours after mortars aimed at a Jewish enclave hurt four.


Wholesale Prices Rise in November

Wholesale prices climbed by 0.5 percent in November  --  an improvement compared with the previous month's surge, but still fresh evidence that inflation is picking up as the economy gains momentum.


Agency Seeks Recalls of Durango, Dakota

Federal safety regulators want 600,000 Dodge Durangos and Dakota trucks recalled because their wheels could fall off, but the auto maker doesn't believe the defect is dangerous, a company spokesman said.


Delphi to Cut 8,500 Jobs

Delphi Corp., the world's largest automotive supplier, said Friday it would cut 8,500 jobs next year.


BT board rejig follows Danon exit

BT finance chief Ian Livingston will replace former  retail head Paul Danon at the UK telecoms giant, the company announces.


France to launch global TV news

The French prime minister says a French-language satellite TV news channel will be launched next year.


2D Metal Slug offers retro fun

Like some drill sergeant from the past, Metal Slug 3 is a wake-up call to today's gamers molly-coddled with slick visuals and fancy trimmings.


The Three Kings of Wireless

One way or the other, the U.S. wireless phone industry is headed for further consolidation. Reports yesterday that Nextel and Sprint are in merger talks had Wall Street swooning and consumer advocates worrying. -washingtonpost.com


Illicit Cameraphone Clicks Could Mean Jail

Camera phones may make great Christmas gifts, but people better not use them for peeping-Tom photos on federal property.


Microsoft Helps in Bogus Degrees Case

Some sleuthing by software giant Microsoft Corp. helped track down two brothers who authorities say sold bogus college degrees over the Internet, including an MBA that was issued to a housecat.


Terrorists Explore Lasers as Weapons, U.S. Warns

Federal officials are concerned that terrorists could try to down aircraft by blinding pilots with laser beams during landing approaches.


Kit Automates Holiday Lights

It's a chore that can quickly chill the warmth of the holiday season: Trudging outside each winter night to unplug the lights, deflate the blowup snowman and shut off the rest of the outdoor extravaganza.


Plight of India's tribal peoples

India's drive to adopt a western economic model is threatening those who make their living from the jungle.


Hockey labour talks to continue next week

Toronto - Thursday #39;s meeting between the NHL and the NHL Players #39; Association wrapped up after nearly four hours with the two sides agreeing to meet again.


Philip Morris Hikes Cigarette Prices (Reuters)

Reuters - Philip Morris USA cut wholesale\discounts on its best-selling Marlboro cigarettes and three\other brands, a spokeswoman said on Friday, effectively raising\prices for the first time in more than two-and-a-half years.


Blast kills 10 in southwestern Pakistan

At least 10 people were killed and 21 others wounded in a powerful bomb blast Friday in Quetta, capital of Pakistan #39;s southwestern Baluchistan province, state-run Pakistan TV reported.


Legal Fight Menaces Aircraft Debt Ratings (Reuters)

Reuters - Standard   Poor's on Friday said\ratings on about  #36;30 billion of aircraft-backed debt could be\threatened if creditors lost a legal dispute with bankrupt UAL\Corp.  unit United Airlines over the right to\repossess aircraft.


Southwest to enter bidding for bankrupt ATA

DALLAS - Southwest Airlines Co. says it is bidding at least \$100 million for gates at Chicago #39;s Midway Airport and other assets of ATA Airlines Inc.


Thomson Hedges Bets, Supports HD-DVD and Blu-ray

Media giant Thomson announced today that it is supporting both next-generation DVD formats, and will manufacture both HD DVD and Blu-ray DVD disks through its Camarillo-based Technicolor business.


Three firms to bid for Yukos unit

Two little-known firms will join Russia gas monopoly Gazprom in the auction for the key unit of stricken oil giant Yukos, federal authorities say.


Sun executive reveals NAS strategy

Sun Microsystems plans to beef up its NAS (network-attached storage) product line with support for utility computing and its new zettabyte file system (ZFS), according to an executive of the company's network storage products group.


In Brief: Cisco acquires startup BCN Systems

Cisco Systems has finalized an agreement to purchase privately held BCN Systems, a provider of networking software design. Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco will pay approximately \$34 million in cash for BCN. The price could increase by as much as \$122 million if BCN meets certain development and product milestones. BCN's architecture will be incorporated across Cisco's broad routing portfolio and will support Cisco's delivery of next-generation data, voice, and video services over a converged network.


Vodafone to link with Boeing in-flight Internet

Vodafone Group will start Internet roaming trials this month with Connexion by Boeing, The Boeing Co.'s in-flight broadband Internet service, the companies said Thursday.


2005 to be the busiest season ever

The FIA have confirmed an unprecedented 19-race schedule for the 2005 Formula One season. All of the 2004 races have been retained, with Turkey joining the calendar for the first time.


Kumble delight over record feat

Anil Kumble was thrilled after becoming the leading Indian Test wicket-taker on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka.


Indiana soccer coach tries to extend Yeagley #39;s legacy

CARSON, Calif. Indiana University #39;s men #39;s soccer team goes up against third-seeded Maryland in a semifinal of the NCAA Men #39;s College Cup tonight in Carson, California.


Mainland inflation slows to 2.8pc easing rate rise fears

Mainland inflation eased in November as food prices slowed their climb. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.8 per cent from November 2003, the smallest year-on-year increase since February #39;s 2.1 per cent, the National Bureau of Statistics said.


Molson, Coors Set January Merger Vote, Hire BMO to Get Ballots

Molson Inc. and Adolph Coors Co. plan to hold shareholders votes on their merger to create the world #39;s fifth-biggest brewer on Jan. 19 and hired Bank of Montreal #39;s securities arm to persuade investors to cast ballots.


Altria hikes cigarette prices

Philip Morris USA, a division of Manhattan #39;s Altria Group and the largest US maker of cigarettes, announced Friday that it will cut discounts on its Marlboro, Virginia Slims, Basic and Parliament brands--the first time in two years the company has


To the beat of drums, African woman receives Nobel Peace Prize

The first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, environmental activist Wangari Maathai, received her award Friday to the beat of drums and


Greeks grease palms, expect drop in graft

The state health service, political parties, tax officials and the media top Greeks list of perceived corruption, according to a global survey published yesterday by the Transparency International graft watchdog.


EU chief backs Turkey #39;s bid, but warns over Cyprus

The European Commission voiced support for Turkey #39;s bid to join the EU Friday and expressed hope for a  quot;positive outcome quot; at a summit next week, but warned that recognition of Cyprus is crucial to Ankara #39;s hopes.


Violence flares in Kashmir

NEW DELHI - At least two Indian policemen have been killed and five wounded in a Muslim rebel attack on their camp in Kashmir. Two of the wounded are in critical condition, according to police.


Sony Says All Systems Go for PSP Launch

Handheld gaming device debuts in Japan this weekend, but won't be available in U.S. until next year.


Thomson to Back Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD

Company, one of the core backers of Blu-ray, will also support its rival format.


Microsoft Readies Windows Server 2003 Update

R2, an interim release, will begin beta testing later this month.


Auburn Keeps Faith

After being left out of the Orange Bowl, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville hopes a Sugar Bowl win over Virginia Tech can earn his Tigers a share of the national title.


Thomson to Support Next-Generation DVD Formats

Short for high definition-DVD, a generic term for the technology of recording high-definition video on a DVD. In general, HD-DVD is capable of storing between two and four times as much data as standard DVD.


Napster Branches Into Ringtones

Los Angeles-based Napster, the online music division of Roxio, announced that the company is making a foray into the downloadable ringtone market in a deal with Dwango Wireless, a publisher of mobile entertainment content.


Microsoft Preps Five Windows Patches

Microsoft #39;s monthly patch day for December will produce security updates for five vulnerabilities affecting Windows users, the company said Thursday.


We #39;ll never let Gerrard leave

FORGET any transfer bids for Steven Gerrard - that #39;s the cry from Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry. The midfielder fuelled speculation that a move was imminent when he stated earlier this week that the club must start winning things to keep him.


Going head to head at Williams

Two drivers - Antonio Pizzonia and Nick Heidfeld -re chasing the final seat at the BMW Williams team and as everyone knows, two into one simply does not go.


It's Crunch Time for Biotech Companies

Washington area biotech companies will face pivotal moments this year, finding out whether key products work before money dries up, fending off competition from bigger companies,  and, perhaps filing to go public.-The Washington Post


OPEC to Cut Production After Six-Week Price Decline (Update3)

OPEC, producer of more than a third of the world #39;s oil, agreed to cut output by about 4 percent to end the biggest six-week drop in prices since demand collapsed after the September 2001 attacks on the US.


Foods tycoon buys assurance funds

Food and drinks entrepreneur Hugh Osmond has bought four life assurance funds for 1bn (\$1.97bn). Mr Osmond has purchased the brands - Pearl Assurance, NPI, London Life and Provident Life - from financial services group HHG.


Napster #39;s mobile market plans

The company has formed an agreement with mobile developer and publisher Dwango Wireless to launch the service - Napster Mobile - across the US and Canada in 2005.


Free Yahoo X1 desktop search

p2pnet.net News:- Yahoo says it #39;ll enter the desktop search stakes in the New Year, joining Google, Ask Jeeves, Microsoft #39;s MSN and AOL.


Microsoft has started recruiting testers for the first beta of Windows Server 2003 R2, an update to Windows Server that the vendor plans to ship in October next year.


Think Again?

Maybe with its relative distance from Microsoft, Lenovo will feel free to do what domestic PC makers don #39;t: aggressively make and market Linux desktops and laptops.


Growth in Government Specialty Work

Federal spending on contractors is expected to grow more quickly than it has historically in 2005, with contractors that specialize in technology services growing the most according to experts.
 -The Washington Post


Iraqi abductors release Bangladeshi truck driver

Iraqi kidnappers have released a Bangladeshi truck driver after holding him hostage for more than a month, a foreign ministry official said on Friday.


Search Engine Forums Spotlight

Links to this week's topics from search engine forums across the web: SEO Thoughts on Google - Yahoo! Local Listings - New Program - User Reviews and Local Search Optimization - Data Providers: The Engine That Drives Local Search - Google Affiliates Update - Confessions of a White Hat Content Spammer: What I've Learned by Ignoring Google


Winn-Dixie Ousts CEO Frank Lazaran

Struggling grocery giant Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. forced out president and chief executive Frank Lazaran on Friday and named Peter L. Lynch, a former Albertsons Inc.


Airbus shareholders approve launch of new A350 to rival Boeing 7E7

Shareholders in Airbus SAS have approved the launch of a new A350 passenger jet to rival Boeing Co. #39;s 7E7, a spokesman for Airbus parent EADS said Friday.


Can an Aging Mercenary Ever Go Home?

My guess is that no relationship has made Bill Parcells, the quintessential North Jersey guy, as happy as the one he found next door, with the Giants.


Space station astronauts told to ration food

Two astronauts face a not-so-merry Christmas after being told to ration their food and hope a cargo ship with extra supplies docks on December 26.


Despite All the Criticism, the B.C.S. Has Produced a Classic Matchup

On Tuesday night, when No. 1 Southern California and No. 2 Oklahoma meet in the Orange Bowl, all the foibles about the B.C.S. will move to the background.


Auburn Trustee Boosts Everyone, Including the Chaplain

Why would Bobby Lowder invest so much money into Auburn University and have so many ties to the football team's chaplain?


Reality of Steelers Puts a Quick End to the Bills' Dream

Buffalo's offense, which had led the way to six straight victories, was inefficient in a defeat to Pittsburgh.


Q amp;A: Berlusconi trial

Italy is awaiting the verdict in the long-running corruption trial of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. In this guide we examine what is at stake.


Iraqi militants free Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi hostages

Iraqi militants have released a Sri Lankan truck driver and his Bangladeshi colleague after holding them hostage for 43 days, the foreign ministry said Friday.


Rams and Jets Find Playoff Berths Behind Door No. 1

The Jets are taking uncertainty - more than anything else - into the postseason. They will play the Chargers in an A.F.C. wild-card game on Saturday.


Gemstar-TV Guide Taps Fox Executive as CEO

Television listings company Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc. has named a Fox Entertainment Group vice president, Rich Battista, as chief executive, succeeding Jeff Shell, who resigned.


Ameritrade Posts November Client Trades

Ameritrade Holding Corp., a provider of brokerage services for individual investors, said Friday that daily average client trades in November reached 183,000, with 29,000 new accounts opened during the month.


Philip Morris Eases Discounts, Ups Prices

Philip Morris, a unit of Altria Group Inc. (MO.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , told wholesalers on Thursday it would reduce its  quot;off-invoice quot; discounts to \$5.50 a carton from \$6.50, a move that


Putin: Iraq Still Too Dangerous for Russian Firms (Reuters)

Reuters - Iraq is still too dangerous for Russian\companies to work there, President Vladimir Putin was quoted as\saying on Friday.


McGrady's Flurry Sends Rockets Past Spurs (AP)

AP - Tracy McGrady let fly with a running 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left, capping a one-man rally in the final minute to send the Houston Rockets past the San Antonio Spurs 81-80 Thursday night.


Palestinian Girl Killed in Gaza Strip, Medics Say (Reuters)

Reuters - Israeli troops shot dead a 7-year-old\Palestinian girl in a Gaza refugee camp on Friday, medics said,\after militants wounded four Israelis in a mortar attack on a\nearby Jewish settlement.


Bomb Kills 10, Injures 20 in Pakistani City (Reuters)

Reuters - A powerful bomb exploded near\an army truck in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on\Friday, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 20,\officials said.


Search Rushes to the Desktop

Late Wednesday night, Yahoo (Quote, Chart) unveiled plans to debut a beta version of Yahoo Desktop Search in the coming weeks. At the same time, Ask Jeeves (Quote, Chart) confirmed to internetnews.


Oracle Enterprise Content Management (ECM)

Oracle #39;s Tsunami hits the shore, but is it making waves? Today they have announced the launch of their new Enterprise Content Management (ECM) technology, Oracle(R) Files 10g.


South Korean soap opera boosting tourism from Japan, says thinktank (AFP)

AFP - A South Korean soap opera called "Winter Sonata" -- whose leading actor Bae Yong-Joon is hugely popular with middle-aged Japanese women -- is generating 1.1 billion dollars for Seoul through increased tourism business, a thinktank said Friday.


Is The Tide Shifting On The Mersey?

How bad were Everton last season? On the last day, with 39 points, they travelled to Manchester City, who had 38. Any other year this would have been a straight battle for survival, with the losers going down.


Spain coach faces investigation

Spain #39;s Anti-Violence Commission have asked the country #39;s football federation to open a disciplinary case against national team coach Luis Aragones.


Sale nearly set for NBA Cavaliers (AFP)

AFP - Cleveland Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund is involved in contract talks to sell the National Basketball Association team, which has become a top NBA contender behind second-year star LeBron James.


Mubarak Denies Israel Deal, Envoy's Return (AP)

AP - President Hosni Mubarak said reports of a deal with Israel were exaggerated and denied that the Egyptian ambassador would soon return to Tel Aviv, a leading newspaper reported Friday.


Finley to Remain in Southern Calif., with Angels (Reuters)

Reuters - The Anaheim Angels have\reportedly agreed to a contract with veteran free-agent\outfielder Steve Finley.


Egyptian police block solidarity group accompanying aid to Palestinians (AFP)

AFP - Members of an international solidarity group trying accompanying humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip abandoned their trip after a standoff with security forces, a member of the group said.


BREAKDOWN: Dolphins vs. Broncos

The Dolphins haven #39;t had a 100-yard rusher all season, but the odds of TB Travis Minor reaching that mark are improved now that impressive rookie RG Rex Hadnot has replaced Taylor Whitley in the starting lineup.


Police charge Toronto doctor with 46 counts of sexual assault (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - A Toronto doctor was been charged with 46 counts of sexual assault after some of his female patients alleged he touched them inappropriately during physical exams, police said Friday.


MSN Search Engine - Searching for ways to make Redmond rise again\\What would you do if you were tasked with designing a new search engine? You have all the resources the world can offer and the certain knowledge that your project is so important to your employer that mountains, molehills, ...


Laptop Usage Can Lead to Low Sperm Count and Infertility\\Laptops may be one of the most useful inventions in the world, even more useful than TiVo and Jiffy Pop. However, a quite frightening study was released yesterday that linked laptop usage to infertility in males. The study, released by the ...


Sentiment Strong in December

Consumer attitudes showed more signs of improvement heading into the holidays as an early reading on consumer sentiment in December beat expectations.


Kenya to repossess illegal land

Kenya says it  has started to repossess millions of hectares of land acquired illegally since independence in 1963.


IEA trims 2005 world oil demand growth forecast

PARIS (AFP) - The International Energy Agency trimmed its forecast for growth in global oil demand next year but warned that prices were likely to remain high and dismissed producer fears of a sharp fall as  quot;overstated.


Sprint, Nextel May Merge

With a combined 38.5 million customers, the new company formed by a Sprint and Nextel merger would move closer to frontrunner Cingular, which now has some 47 million customers following its


First direct flight from US to Vietnam since 1975 has landed

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam The last time a US passenger plane landed there, it was Saigon. Today, the first US commercial flight to Vietnam in nearly 30 years arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.


Wholesale Prices Rise in November

an improvement compared with the previous month #39;s surge, but still fresh evidence that inflation is picking up as the economy gains momentum.


Hooray for Blu-Ray!

If there was ever a time to feel sorry for a corporate titan like Sony (NYSE: SNE) it may have been last month when rival movie studios announced that they would be supporting Toshiba #39;s HD-DVD technology in upcoming releases over the promising Blu-ray


Astronauts Await Vital Christmas Food Package

The two astronauts aboard the International Space Station have been put on a diet because they are running out of food, it emerged today.


Cisco turns 20

com December 10, 2004, 4:00 AM PT. When Cisco Systems unveiled its latest and greatest network router in May, it trumpeted the event as a watershed.


Ericsson Gets China, South Africa Deals

Ericsson said Friday that it received contracts to build wireless communications networks in China and South Africa. China Telecom Corp.


Adware War Heading to Federal Court

Is all fair in love, war and adware? A federal court may help decide - as far as adware goes, at least - in a case involving software from one company uninstalling a rival #39;s computer code.


Turkey joins 19-race Formula One schedule

A record 19-race calendar was approved Friday for the 2005 Formula One season, with the Turkish Grand Prix joining the lineup. The British, French and San Marino races remain after facing cancellation threats.


Gustafsson Turns Up Heat on Challengers

Unknown Swedish blond Peter Gustafsson manufactured a crafty early-morning 68 to take an unexpected two-shot lead into Saturdays third round of the Dunhill Challenge at the Leopard Creek Golf Club.


Wenger ruling out goalkeeper swoop

LONDON, England -- Arsene Wenger has ruled out a January transfer swoop for Australia #39;s Mark Schwarzer or any of the other goalkeepers he has been linked with.


Rejuvenated Hughes leads Australian Masters by four strokes

Two-time winner Bradley Hughes, boosted by a new relaxed approach to his game, led the Australian Masters by four strokes after completing rounds of 64 and 66 on Friday for a 14-under-par 130.


Utah State hire Brent Guy as football coach

Guy, a former Utah State assistant coach from 1992-94, has spent the last four seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Arizona State.


Bomb Kills Soldiers, Civilians in Pakistan

An apparent terrorist bombing in southwestern Pakistan has killed at least nine people and injured a dozen others. Police say a bomb attached to an abandoned bicycled explode at a crowded


Woman, 79, Accused of Cocaine Smuggling (AP)

AP - A 79-year-old woman has been caught attempting to smuggle heroin out of Colombia on a flight to New York, police said Friday.


Court: certificates used to detain suspected terrorists are constitutional (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Security certificates used to detain suspected terrorists like Adil Charkaoui are constitutional, the Federal Court of Appeal ruled Friday.


Hunts 'to meet legally' after ban

More than 250 hunts will meet legally the day after the ban on hunting with dogs comes into force, campaigners say.


OPEC Cut Will Be 1 Million Barrels per Day

Iraq isn #39;t part of its quota system -- pump about 1.1 million barrels a day over their agreed 27 million barrels a day target, leaving them room to cut production without adjusting the target.


First US flight to Vietnam for 30 years

For the first time since the war ended nearly 30 years ago, a US passenger jet landed in Vietnam today. United Airlines Flight 869 took off from San Francisco yesterday and arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly


Automotive supplier Delphi to cut 8500 jobs in 2005

(Detroit-AP) Dec. 10, 2004 - The world #39;s largest automotive supplier says it will slash 8500 jobs next year. Delphi had set the same goal for this year and exceeded it.


Southwest to bid for ATA assets

Low-cost airline said it will bid at least \$100 million for assets of bankrupt ATA Airlines. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Southwest Airlines said Friday it will bid at least \$100 million for certain assets of bankrupt


Producer Price Gain Bigger Than Expected

US producer prices climbed an unexpectedly steep 0.5 percent last month as energy costs mounted, according to a government report on Friday that buttressed the case for interest-rate rises to keep inflation at bay.


Wireless Internet Napster Enters Ringtone Market

Music download sewvice Napster will try to claim a piece of the growing market for mobile phone ringtones through a partnership with Dwango Wireless, which specializes in wireless content.


Cisco Expands Router Offerings with BCN Buy

Cisco will pay approximately US\$34 million in cash for all outstanding equity interests of BCN. In addition, the acquisition price may be increased by as much as \$122 million depending on


Two adware firms battling in court

As millions of computer users try to deal with the scourge of adware and other nefarious online marketing programs, two purveyors of the technology are battling in a Seattle court.


Notre Dame Eyes Clements, Weis

Two NFL offensive coordinators, the Buffalo Bills #39; Tom Clements and the New England Patriots #39; Charlie Weis, have become focal points of Notre Dame #39;s head-coaching search.


Dallas Mavericks Team Report - December 10

(Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks were knocked off by the Seattle SuperSonics, 107-102, at American Airlines Center. Dirk Nowitzki tallied 27 points and seven rebounds for the Mavs, who have dropped two of three.


Sharon, Bolstered by Vote, Reaches Out to Labor Party

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon phoned the leader of the Labor Party, Shimon Peres, this morning and asked him to begin talks on forming a coalition government, Israel Radio reported.


19 Iraqis Killed in Car Bombing

Insurgents pressed their campaign against Iraqi security forces, killing 18 members of the Iraqi National Guard and a civilian.


Bring that Guy back

Logan, UT (Sports Network) - Brent Guy, a former Utah State assistant, has been named the 25th head coach of the Aggies. Guy, who coached the Utah State linebackers from 1992-94, has spent the last four seasons


Powell Bids Nostalgic Farewell to NATO

Secretary of State Colin Powell bid a nostalgic farewell on Thursday to the NATO Western security alliance he first served as platoon commander facing down the Soviet army 46 years ago.


Shia leader Sadrs movement insists on Iraq election boycott

BAGHDAD - Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadrs movement will not participate in the national Iraqi elections due on January 30, Sadrs senior assistant asserted on Friday.


Petrol price cut sparks pump war

The fall in crude oil prices has begun to reach UK consumers, with supermarket Morrisons sparking a potential price war in the run up to Christmas.


Types of Investors: Which Are You?

Learn a little about yourself, and it may improve your performance.


Yahoo Searches Desktops, Too

Catching up to Google, Yahoo unleashes a desktop search tool  Also: IBM makes move in data storage market   hellip;.  HP makes cheap computer with rural Chinese appeal   hellip;. and more.


US Jet Flight to Vietnam Makes History

United Airlines Flight 869, from San Francisco, arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, at shortly after 10:00 pm Friday (10 am EST).


Airbus owners approve A350 to compete with Boeing #39;s 7E7

The owners of Airbus approved the launch of a new A350 passenger jet Friday to rival Boeing #39;s 7E7, a spokesman for Airbus parent EADS said.


Van Der Moolen Specialists CEO Retires

Dutch investment firm Van der Moolen Holding NV on Friday said James P. Cleaver Jr. will retire as chairman and chief executive of Van der Moolen Specialists USA LLC at the end of the month.


Cisco Buys Network Design Firm For \$34 Million

BCN Systems #39; routing architecture will be used to to speed development of converged networks for data, voice, and video. By Networking Pipeline News.


Players offer to slash 24 from salaries

The NHL Players #39; Association handed the NHL a strong proposal Thursday it believes can not only salvage the season but more importantly address all of the league #39;s economic issues.


Zajec Targets Hat-Trick

Velimir Zajec aims to register a hat-trick of Barclaycard Premiership victories for Portsmouth at Newcastle tomorrow. And if it had all been within the same calendar month the man


A tale of two  #39;warriors #39;

Irfan Pathan is raw and animated; Anil Kumble is polished and low key. Pathan just picked his first five-wicket haul in the Test match at Dhaka; Kumble has 28 in the bag and an Indian record for most number of wickets.


Maathai accepts Nobel Peace Prize

The first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize accepted her award on Friday. She urged her audience  quot;to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity, beauty and wonder.


6-year-old killed in Gaza

Israeli gunfire left a 6-year-old girl dead Friday in the Kahn Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian medics said.


Gay Rights Activists Reassess Strategies (AP)

AP - The ritual was replayed from Boston to San Francisco: Exuberant gay couples sharing marriage vows and slices of wedding cake. Gays thought barriers were finally crumbling. Then came the elections.


New Airbus planes to rival Boeing

The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus today announced plans for two versions of a wide-bodied passenger jet, which will see it go head-to-head with US competitor Boeing.


ING Canada prices its shares at \$26 each in \$907M initial public <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - In one of the largest initial public stock offerings in Canada in the last few years, ING Canada Inc. is aiming to raise \$907 million in its IPO after pricing the shares at \$26 each.


Desktop search avalanche set to hit

DECEMBER 10, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Microsoft Corp., Yahoo Inc. and Ask Jeeves Inc. are all set to jump into the desktop search market, two months after Internet search leader Google Inc.


Perth home to new rugby union team

MARK COLVIN: Melbourne - Australia #39;s home of Rugby Union. Doesn #39;t sound quite right, does it? And indeed this afternoon the Australian Rugby Union decided that the AFL-mad Victorian capital was not ready to


Gustafsson Leads at Leopard Creek as Els Wilts

MALELANE, South Africa (Reuters) - Sweden's Peter  Gustafsson shot a four-under 68 to take a two-stroke lead after  the second round of the Dunhill Championship at the Leopard  Creek Country Club on Friday.


Utah State Brings That Guy Back

LOGAN, Utah (Sports Network) - Brent Guy, a former Utah  State assistant, has been named the 25th head coach of the  Aggies.


Consumers Perk Up, So Do Wholesale Prices

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. consumers cheered up in early  December, sending potentially good news to retailers during the  crucial holiday shopping season, a report showed on Friday.


OPEC Agrees Oil Supply Crackdown

CAIRO (Reuters) - OPEC oil producers on Friday agreed to  squeeze out excess supply that has lowered world prices from  record highs.


GE OKs \$15 Billion Buyback, Ups Dividend

BOSTON (Reuters) - Diversified manufacturer General  Electric Co. GE.N said on Friday it boosted its quarterly  dividend by 10 percent and earmarked up to \$15 billion for  share repurchases over the next three years.


Philip Morris Hikes Cigarette Prices

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Philip Morris USA cut wholesale  discounts on its best-selling Marlboro cigarettes and three  other brands, a spokeswoman said on Friday, effectively raising  prices for the first time in more than two-and-a-half years.


Sprint Up, Nextel Down on Merger Talks

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Shares of Sprint Corp.  FON.N  jumped on Friday as the telephone company continued merger  negotiations with Nextel Communications Inc. NXTL.O for a  deal that would combine the No. 3 and No. 5 U.S. wireless  service carriers.


Legal Fight Menaces Aircraft Debt Ratings

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Standard   Poor's on Friday said  ratings on about \$30 billion of aircraft-backed debt could be  threatened if creditors lost a legal dispute with bankrupt UAL  Corp. UALAQ.OB unit United Airlines over the right to  repossess aircraft.


SPX Board Amends Compensation Programs

CHICAGO (Reuters) - SPX Corp.'s SPW.N board amended its  management restricted stock and director compensation programs  the day after its chairman and chief executive resigned, the  company said on Friday.


Worst Oracle Ever

Maybe things would be different for Delphi if it had the forward vision of its ancient Greek namesake.


Chrysler Recalls 98,000 Cars and SUVs

DaimlerChrysler #39;s (DCX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) (DCXGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) Chrysler division is recalling more than 98,000 cars and sport utility vehicles because of problems that could cause either engine compartment


Delphi to Cut 8,500 Jobs

Auto parts supplier Delphi Corp. (DPH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday it plans to cut 8,500 jobs, or up to 5 percent of its work force, in 2005 because of vehicle


Netflix Testing Networking System (AP)

AP - Online DVD rental leader Netflix Inc. is putting social networking on its marquee of coming attractions for next year.


Kazaa can #39;t bar child pornographers, court told

Sharman Networks - the company behind peer-to-peer file sharing outfit Kazaa - has denied it is able to block users who use the service to share child pornography.


Telecom Offers Lifetime of Unlimited Calls (AP)

AP - Life expectancy is no longer a business concern merely for insurance companies and undertakers. A telecommunications company has more than a passing interest now that it offers a lifetime of unlimited calls over the Internet for  #36;999.


A 24 Per Cent Solution to the NHL Lockout?

The one-time salary rollback was part of a new proposal made by the Players #39; Association in Toronto, at the first collective bargaining session since the NHL locked out the players on September 15.


Notre Dame sets sights on Weis

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis may have a golden opportunity to head to the Golden Dome. Seeking a successor to Tyrone Willingham


Pound ends week with modest gain on dollar (AFP)

AFP - Sterling remained weak after disappointing trade data as the US Dollar held firm against major currencies.


Intel, AT T in Tie-Up for Voice, Data, Wireless (Reuters)

Reuters - Intel Corp.  and AT T\Corp.  have signed a research and product development\agreement covering Internet telephone technology, high-speed\wireless broadband and combination voice-data devices for\businesses, the companies said on Thursday.


Ohio High Court Rejects Bradley's Appeal (AP)

AP - The Ohio Supreme Court rejected former Cleveland Indians outfielder Milton Bradley's appeal of a three-day jail sentence he received after driving away from police who were trying to give the player a speeding ticket.


Strategy guides are as hot as video games (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Video games are so popular that even books about them are selling well. Hint-filled strategy guides now can sell more than 1 million copies, and long-awaited games are being given the kind of "making of" treatment typically bestowed on blockbuster movies.


Potential Sprint, Nextel merger suggests consolidating wireless industry (AFP)

AFP - Sprint and Nextel were reported to be in merger discussions for a blockbuster deal that would reduce the number of major players in the US wireless industry to four.


Berlusconi Acquitted of Corruption Charges

A Milan court today acquitted Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi of corruption charges - a major victory in the billionaire business barons decade-long battle with legal woes he blamed on left-wing prosecutors.


Kenyan environmentalist wins Nobel Peace Prize

The first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize was today presented with her award in Oslo against a backdrop of drums and dancers.


Bike Bomb Kills at Least 11 in Pakistan

Assailants set off a powerful time bomb next to an army truck parked in a teeming outdoor market in southwestern Pakistan on Friday, killing at least 11 people and injuring


USC's Bush to Start at Tailback (AP)

AP - Reggie Bush usually comes off the bench for No. 1 Southern California. He'll start at tailback for the Trojans against Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl.


JBoss set to shine with JEMS middleware stack (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - JBoss on Monday plans to flesh out details of its open source middleware stack consisting largely of existing software technologies, with the company intending to fill out the stack over time.


In Brief: Cisco acquires startup BCN Systems (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - Cisco Systems has finalized an agreement to purchase privately held BCN Systems, a provider of networking software design. Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco will pay approximately  #36;34 million in cash for BCN. The price could increase by as much as  #36;122 million if BCN meets certain development and product milestones. BCN's architecture will be incorporated across Cisco's broad routing portfolio and will support Cisco's delivery of next-generation data, voice, and video services over a converged network.


IBM's Conference Falls Short on Questions (AP)

AP - International Business Machines Corp. took the "conference" out of conference call this week when it invited investors to "a discussion" about the sale of its personal computer business to China's largest PC maker.


U.S. iTunes Music Store now accepts PayPal (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Apple Computer Inc. announced Friday that the U.S. version of its iTunes Music Store now accepts payments through PayPal, the popular electronic payment service owned by eBay. With PayPal, users can pay for their iTunes downloads using a "virtual wallet" that's linked to a credit card, bank account or stored account balance. Apple also announced that the first 500,000 customers to open a new iTunes account using PayPal as their payment method before March 31, 2005 will receive five free songs.


Company to Aid in DeLay Corruption Probe (AP)

AP - A company accused in the campaign-finance investigation that has implicated associates of U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay agreed to aid prosecutors in exchange for having charges against it dropped, court papers showed.


Space Station Astronauts Told to Ration Food (Reuters)

Reuters - Two astronauts face a not-so-merry\Christmas after being told to ration their food and hope a\cargo ship with extra supplies docks on Dec. 26.


Nobel Winner Maathai Sounds Alarm Over Planet (Reuters)

Reuters - Saying the planet is at risk from human\activity, Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai urged\democratic reforms and an end to corporate greed when she\collected the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.


EU Seeks More Talks on Kyoto Protocol (AP)

AP - The chief European Union negotiator at a United Nations conference on climate change said new talks under consideration could allow countries to expand the ways they meet reductions in greenhouse gases mandated by the Kyoto Protocol.


Ukraine candidate placates 'foes'

Ukraine's opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko says there will be no political witch-hunt if he becomes president.


Opposition in Ukraine eases siege

KIEV -- Opposition protesters began to lift their two-week siege of Ukraine's Stalin-era Cabinet headquarters yesterday, a day after parliament adopted electoral laws to ensure a fair ballot in the repeat presidential runoff.


At New Delhi talks, India cautions Rumsfeld on Pakistan arms sales

NEW DELHI -- The United States will build stronger ties with India, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld vowed yesterday, but New Delhi said proposed US arms sales to Pakistan could affect its relations with Washington.


Sharon's party votes to save Gaza pullout

JERUSALEM -- Israel's plan to pull out of Gaza next year passed a crucial test yesterday when Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, his government crippled by opposition to the withdrawal, easily won Likud Party approval to invite the dovish Labor Party into his coalition.


Death toll of 6-year conflict in Congo put at 3.8 million

DAKAR, Senegal -- Six years of continuing conflict in Congo have claimed 3.8 million lives, half of them children, with most killed by disease and famine in the still largely cutoff east, according to an International Rescue Committee study that estimates the toll.


Detainee cites abuse at Guantanamo Bay

UNITED STATES SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Prisoners at the US detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have been beaten while blindfolded and handcuffed, terrorized by attack dogs, and forced to take drugs, an Australian detainee said in an affidavit released yesterday. David Hicks, 29, was one of the first prisoners to arrive at the camp in eastern Cuba in ...


Poor Salvadorans chase 'Iraqi dream'

SAN SALVADOR -- Juan Nerio, a 44-year-old mason's assistant, was sick of living in a mud hut on the side of a volcano. When he heard that an American company was offering six times his \$200 monthly wage, he signed up. Six weeks later he found himself holding an AK-47 assault rifle and guarding a US diplomatic complex in Iraq.


BBC site founder picks up OBE

Mike Smartt, founder of the BBC News website, picked up his OBE at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.


British hospital sends X-rays by computer for analysis in Spain (AFP)

AFP - A British hospital said it had overcome a nationwide shortage of radiologists by taking the "innovative" step of sending X-ray photographs by digital link to experts at a clinic in Spain.


U.S. Video Games Sales Up 11 Pct in Nov.

\

 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sales of video games rose about 11\percent in the United States in November, analysts said on\Friday, with two key titles responsible for almost 30 percent\of all games sold in the month.


OPEC To Cut Oil Production

(CBS/AP) Juggling between its need to keep prices up without having them explode, OPEC agreed Friday to reduce its daily oil output by 1 million barrels a day - and reserved the right to cut deeper early next year if crude turns much cheaper than now.


Delphi Announces Plans to Cut 8,500 Jobs in 2005

That #39;s about one percent of the total work force for the world #39;s largest automotive supplier. The Troy, Michigan-based company had set the same goal for this year and exceeded it through attrition.


American Airlines Raises Domestic Fares

American Airlines says it is raising domestic fares by \$5 one-way and \$10 per round trip to cover the high cost of jet fuel. American said Friday that the increase took effect immediately for most domestic flights as well as those to Canada.


Intel, AT amp;T in Tie-Up for Voice, Data, Wireless

Intel Corp. (INTC.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and AT amp;T Corp. (TN: Quote, Profile, Research) have signed a research and product development agreement covering Internet telephone technology


Blu-Ray or HD DVD? Both, Says Thomson

quot;The problem is that we #39;re getting into another round of format wars and until it shakes out, consumers are not likely to buy much of anything, quot; Michael Gartenberg, research director at Jupiter Media, told TechNewsWorld.


Napster to Provide Mobile Ringtones

Napster, one of the world #39;s most well known music downloading services, has signed a lucrative deal with Dwango Wireless that could see a mobile phone capable of downloading ringtones from Napster by 2005.


Scientists Play Chicken

A group of international researchers at Michigan State University has decoded the genome of the chicken and found that the main ingredient of McDonald #39;s (NYSE: MCD) Chicken McNuggets has a genetic


Enterprise Windows IT Microsoft Contests Eolas Patent Infringement <b>...</b>

Microsoft is appealing a \$565 million judgment awarded to Eolas, a spinoff of the University of California, in a patent infringement case.


Microsoft Readies Five Security Bulletins

Outside security researchers say Windows Service Pack 2 has security vulnerabilities, but no confirmation from Microsoft. By George V. Hulme.


Boxing: Williams insists he is better than Tyson display

LAS VEGAS, United States : Danny Williams wants to be remembered for more than just his shock victory over Mike Tyson and hopes to do so by completing a remarkable reversal of fortunes if he wins the world heavyweight title on Saturday.


Commission demands Aragones probe

MADRID, Spain -- Spain #39;s anti-violence commission has demanded the Spanish Football Federation open disciplinary procedures against national coach Luis Aragones.


Local racing voices agree:  #39;3 #39; earns a 10

Iassembled three of the toughest critics imaginable last week for a private screening of the Dale Earnhardt biopic, which premiers on ESPN Saturday at 9 pm, and not one of them made a pit


Albarado wins 3,000th race

Robby Albarado got the 3,000th victory of his career Thursday when he rode Isle of Silver to win the sixth race at Fair Grounds. Albarado, 31, is the defending champion jockey at Fair Grounds


Playoff road will be tough, but Indy #39;s offense will lead team to <b>...</b>

The treacherous, treacle-tinged tune began blaring over the Qualcomm Stadium sound system with just over five minutes left in the third quarter, afflicting 65,395 fans with Sunday afternoon fever.


Sharon Invites Labour to Join Coalition

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon asked the dovish Labour Party to join his ruling coalition today, a move that greatly bolsters his chances for carrying out plans to withdraw from the Gaza Strip next year.


Taiwans DPP vows sweeping reforms with victory

Taiwan #39;s ruling Democratic Progressive party has promised to pass sweeping economic and political reforms if it gains control of the legislature for the first time in Saturday #39;s election.


Iraqi abductors release Bangladeshi truck driver:

World News: Dhaka, Dec. 10 : Iraqi kidnappers have released a Bangladeshi truck driver after holding him hostage for more than a month, a foreign ministry official said on Friday.


Three Stocks for the Scrooge in You

Fool contributor Tim Beyers finds that when it comes to stocks, it might pay to be Scrooge.


Delphi announces plans to cut 8,500 jobs; predicts \$350 million <b>...</b>

Delphi Corp. said Friday it plans to cut 8,500 jobs -- or 4.6 percent of its total work force -- worldwide next year as part of an ongoing restructuring.


GE OKs \$15 Billion Buyback, Ups Dividend

Diversified manufacturer General Electric Co. (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday it boosted its quarterly dividend by 10 percent and earmarked up to \$15 billion for share repurchases over the next three years.


US wholesale prices climb in November

US producer prices - a measure of wholesale inflation - rose by a faster than expected 0.5 in November, seasonally adjusted Labor Department figures showed this afternoon.


Suns Defeat Trail Blazers, 117-98 (AP)

AP - Amare Stoudemire scored a career-high 50 points, including nine straight during a decisive 12-2 Phoenix run early in the fourth quarter, and the Suns beat the Portland Trail Blazers 117-98 Sunday night.


Napster Going Mobile To Dial Up Ring Tone Sales

quot;Napster Mobile is a natural extension for the biggest brand in digital music and will enhance our development of wireless delivery, quot; Napster Chairman and CEO Chris Gorog said.


Study: Wild Monkeys Resort to Use of Tools

WASHINGTON - Wild South American monkeys routinely use fist-sized rocks to crack open seeds and to dig in dry Brazilian soil for grubs and edible tubers, researchers report in the journal Science.


Microsoft to patch Windows flaws

Microsoft plans to release patches for five Windows flaws next week, the software giant announced Thursday. The company posted the information on its TechNet site as part of a new program that gives the general


MTN, Ericsson sign 3G agreement

Johannesburg, 10 December 2004 - Mobile operator MTN has announced a strategic partnership with Ericsson, which will become its partner of choice for its third-generation (3G) network.


Chelsea not planning Gerrard move

Chelsea have denied rumours that they are planning to try and sign Liverpool #39;s Steven Gerrard this season. Blues boss Jose Mourinho insisted that there would be no big-money bid for the England midfield star when the transfer window opens on 1 January.


Keane injury leaves Spurs short

Robbie Keane #39;s knee injury may leave Tottenham with only one recognised striker for its trip to Manchester City. Keane has been carrying the injury in recent weeks but head coach Martin Jol is not confident


Colts' Manning Sets NFL Passing Record (AP)

AP - Peyton Manning set yet another NFL passing record Sunday, finishing the season with a rating of 121.1, more than eight points better than Steve Young's previous mark.


Nobel Winner Maathai Sounds Alarm Over Planet

Calling humanity a threat to the planet, Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai urged democratic reform and an end to corporate greed after becoming the first African woman to collect the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.


Mortar fire kills child

PALESTINIANS fired mortar rounds into a Gaza Strip settlement today, wounding at least two Israelis, one of them a child, the army said.


Japan Adopts Major Defense Changes

Japan has taken another step towards freeing itself from military restrictions in place since the end of World War II. The changes are a significant retreat from the pacifist policies that


EADS Sees 2005 Earnings Rising 9.1 on Plane Demand (Update1)

European Aeronautic, Defense  amp; Space Co., the controlling shareholder of Airbus SAS, expects 2005 earnings before interest, taxes, amortization and one-time items to rise 9.1 percent as sales of aircraft grow.


Consumer confidence improves in December, survey says

NEW YORK A new survey says consumer sentiment improved in the first half of December. The subscriber-only University of Michigan  #39;s preliminary index on consumer sentiment for December rose to 95-point-seven from 92-point-eight seen in November.


Wall Street's Designs on '05? A Merger Boom

After years of self-doubt and housecleaning in the wake of Enron, corporate America has gotten a bit of swagger back in its step.


Officials Consider Space Station Evacuation

The United States and Russia are making contingency plans for an emergency evacuation of the two-man crew aboard the International Space Station .


Red Cross Returns After Fallujah Offensive (AP)

AP - The Red Cross team entered Fallujah for the first time since a U.S.-led offensive devastated the city and met with Iraqi technicians and engineers to discuss the city's sewage and water treatment needs, a group spokesman said Friday.


Mubarak, Obasanjo discuss bilateral ties, African crises (AFP)

AFP - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met with his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo for talks that focused on enhancing bilateral ties and the various conflicts troubling the African continent.


Changes in Homeland Sec. Oversight Sought (AP)

AP - Congressional oversight of the Homeland Security Department is "dysfunctional" and must be fundamentally changed to ensure Americans are protected, according to a report issued Friday by former House Speaker Tom Foley and retired Sen. Warren Rudman.


Cricket: Kumble joy over record

Anil Kumble is thrilled after becoming India's leading wicket-taker in Tests.


Altria Smokes Up

Prices are heading up for the firm's trademark cigs. Is it party time for investors?


Forest City Keeps Building

The real estate company seems to have the right results and the right investors.


Crude Oil Falls on Skepticism OPEC Will Adhere to Output Quotas

Crude oil fell on skepticism that members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will enact promised production cuts.


The Envelopes, Please

As the awards season approaches, it's time again to hand out the prizes for executive incompetence.


PlayStation Portable #39;s tough birth

Sony #39;s PlayStation Portable may ultimately live up to company promises of a  quot;Walkman for the 21st century quot; that revolutionizes entertainment, but that #39;s not going to happen next week.


Eye on IT

Sometimes if you make believe something doesn #39;t exist it does somehow manage to go away. But that #39;s not the case with the browser security flaw discovered by Danish security research firm Secunia.


Siemens Snaps up Chantry

Siemens (Quote, Chart) will acquire wireless LAN technology player Chantry Networks to fill out its HiPath lineup, executives said Thursday.


Title fight underdog is coming on strong

He is a sizable underdog in Saturday night #39;s heavyweight title fight, and it #39;s no mystery why. Danny Williams, by all accounts, is taking a major step up in class.


Arsenal face key revival test

Can two wins reverse a slide? Arsenal have scored eight times in winning their past two games, but those goals could be as confetti on the breeze if they slip up against Chelsea at Highbury on Saturday.


Sport scene

The NHL players #39; association offered an immediate 24 percent salary rollback Thursday in Toronto as the centerpiece of a proposal handed to the league in an effort to end the season-long lockout.


Paceman Pathan sends Tigers packing at 184

A five-wicket haul by Indian paceman Irfan Pathan sent Bangladesh crashing to 184 against India in the first innings of first test when bad light forced an early close of the first day #39;s play due to insufficient light, reports BSS.


Tice: UW job could lure him from NFL

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Tice said yesterday that there are only two or three college coaching jobs that might lure him away from the NFL.


Klap: Strong backing at first

Baseball has barely started breathing again since Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi admitted to using steroids - a scandal that froze the industry for an entire week.


Putin  quot;pleased quot; if Ukraine joins EU

MOSCOW : President Vladimir Putin said he would be  quot;pleased quot; to see Ukraine admitted to the European Union because this would only benefit Russia #39;s economy due to its deep and long-standing industrial links with Ukraine.


GE raises dividend, boosts stock buyback

General Electric Co. said Friday that it is raising its quarterly dividend by 10 percent to 22 cents per share, and could buy back up to \$15 billion worth of stock over the next three years.


Siemens acquires Chantry for larger WLAN play

Siemens AG has acquired Chantry Networks, a step that will extend its enterprise offerings and Voice over Internet Protocol into the wireless local area network space.


Philip Morris Raises Prices on Marlboros, Other Smokes

Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA has initiated a long-awaited increase in cigarette prices, providing what some analysts consider the first sign of life in the U.S. cigarette market since 2002.


Florida Orange, Grapefruit Crops Reduced Further

Florida's hurricane-damaged orange and grapefruit crop will be even smaller than originally estimated, officials said Friday, raising the prospect of higher prices for orange juice at supermarkets and an even greater scarcity of grapefruit juice.


Dollar Rallies in Year-End Profit-Taking

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar gained broadly on Friday  for the third straight session, as strong U.S. economic data  gave traders additional reasons to take profits in other  currencies before the year's end.


GE OKs \$15 Bln Buybacks, Hikes Dividend

BOSTON (Reuters) - Diversified manufacturer General  Electric Co. GE.N on Friday said it boosted its quarterly  dividend by 10 percent and earmarked up to \$15 billion for  share repurchases over the next three years.


Winn-Dixie Names Rival's Ex-Executive CEO

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. WIN.N said on  Friday it ousted President and Chief Executive Frank Lazaran  after about a year in the post after he failed to revive the  grocer despite ordering 10,000 job cuts.


Supreme Court to take P2P case

update The US Supreme Court on Friday said it would hear a controversial case on whether file-sharing software companies could be held legally responsible for copyright infringement on their networks.


Microsoft helps in bogus degrees case

With help from software giant Microsoft Corp., officials tracked down two brothers who authorities say sold bogus college degrees over the Internet, including an MBA that was issued to a housecat.


NHL players propose a sizable salary cut

The NHL players #39; association stunned the league and even its members with its latest effort to save the hockey season: an offer to roll back all players #39; salaries by 24 percent.


No let down for White this year

Oklahoma was tied with Texas A amp;M in College Station, Texas, having already come back from three 14-point deficits. The Corps was screaming.


16 Killed in Venezuelan Plane Crash (AP)

AP - A Venezuelan military plane crashed in a mountainous region near Caracas on Friday, killing 16 poeple, including high-ranking officers, a top government official said.


Berlusconi Saved in Graft Trial by Time Ruling

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi escaped conviction in a major corruption trial on Friday after a court invoked a statute of limitations that meant time had run out to sentence him for bribery.


Russia #39;s new mobile N-missile by  #39;06

MOSCOW: Moscow revealed the first hints of its secretive new nuclear weapons priorities on Friday with a top Russian general saying that a new generation of strategic missiles would soon be mobile on land and that this was far from the only thing that


Hostages walk free in Iraq

TWO truck drivers from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka kidnapped in Iraq by the same militant group that claims to be holding two French journalists have been released by their captors, officials said today.


Preemptive Shot

By cutting back to its official quotas, the cartel is trying to prove it can keep control of prices -- a risky gambit in the face of lots of vagaries.


Nextel, Sprint in advanced merger talks

Nextel is reportedly in advanced merger talks with Sprint, a deal that would form the third largest US cell phone company. However, there were indications a third player, Verizon Wireless, might make a run


Daimler Chrysler Asked To Recall 600,000 Vehicles

Federal safety regulators have asked Daimler Chrysler AG to recall 600,000 vehicles, because their wheels could fall off. The vehicles in question are 2000 through 2003 Dodge Durango SUV #39;s and Dakota pick-up trucks.


Ford to recall 474 000 SUVs worldwide

Ford Motor Company said today it was recalling about 474 000 Escape and Mazda Tribute sport utility vehicles (SUVs) globally because the accelerator cable may prevent the engine from returning to the idle position, which could increase stopping distance


American raises domestic fares

FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines has increased most domestic US and US to Canada fares \$5 one way and \$10 round trip, effective Dec. 9, to help offset the continuing high cost of jet fuel, the airline explained in a news release.


Lazio given stadium ban over racist fans

Lazio will have to play their next European home game behind closed doors following racist abuse by their fans, UEFA has announced.


A vote for Bush

The Heisman Trophy comes with wings, a tail, a flight crew and jet engines. Boeing and Airbus are fighting over its manufacturing rights.


The Crash After the Sugar High

Imperial Sugar appears to be a lot sweeter than it was a year ago, but challenges remain.


Rare Day of Joy for Ciena Faithful

Disappointment is the usual sentiment for Ciena shareholders -- except for yesterday.


U.S. Posts  #36;57.88 Billion Budget Deficit (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. government posted a  #36;57.88\billion shortfall between receipts and outlays in the month of


Telecom Making a Comeback?

It seems that every time I write about the telecommunications industry, my thoughts slip back to my proud days at the Standard  amp; Poor #39;s Equity Group.


Chrysler Recall Possible

Federal safety regulators have asked the carmaker to recall Durango Sport utility vehicles and Dakota pickups in the model years 2000 to 2003.


Cinergy to sell 6.1 million shares

Cinergy Corp. of Cincinnati, Ohio, said Friday it plans to sell 6.1 million shares of common stock. The sale will be made under Cinergy #39;s effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Media Companies Get US Supreme Court Hearing on File Sharing

The motion picture and recording industries will get a US Supreme Court hearing in their bid to block the catastrophic, multibillion-dollar harm #39; #39; they say is caused by file-sharing software used to pirate movies and songs.


Space telescopes discover more of sun #39;s sisters

Astronomers are finding more of the sun #39;s sisters as they train two sharp eyes on the universe. NASA, ESA, DR Ardila, DA Golimowski, JE Krist, M. Clampin, JP


Penn State Tells 80,000 Students To Chuck IE

A public university with an enrollment of over 80,000 puts the kibosh on Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer. A public university with an enrollment of over 80,000 put the kibosh this week on Microsoft #39;s Internet


Apple #39;s iTunes now accepting PayPal

com December 10, 2004, 11:28 AM PT. Customers at Apple Computer #39;s iTunes store will now be able to pay for their songs, albums and gift certificates using PayPal, a virtual wallet technology owned by eBay.


Wenger to mull goalkeeper dilemma until last minute

Arsene Wenger said he had still not made up his mind about whether Jens Lehmann or Manuel Almunia will be in goal for Arsenal #39;s showdown with Premiership leaders Chelsea on Sunday.


NHL Lockout Glance

NEGOTIATIONS: The NHL and the players #39; association held their first negotiating session since Sept. 9 on Thursday. The sides will meet again next Tuesday in either New York or Toronto when the league is expected


Goodman warms up to pitch city to owners

While this weekend #39;s Major League Baseball meetings in Anaheim, Calif., will probably be dominated by talk of steroids and big player moves, Las Vegas #39; mayor hopes to grab some attention Saturday


Earthquake Hits Near India; No Damage Seen (AP)

AP - A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck in the seas near the remote, tsunami-ravaged Andaman and Nicobar islands, but caused no damage or casualties, officials said Monday.


Court clears Berlusconi of corruption (AFP)

AFP - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi escaped a potentially devastating jail sentence when a Milan court cleared him of corruption charges after a four-year trial, a verdict which he hailed as "better late than never".


France to allow a longer workweek

France #39;s prime minister has announced plans to let workers negotiate workweeks that exceed the current 35-hour limit. Jean-Pierre Raffarin also vowed to cut the current 9.9 percent unemployment rate by a 0.1


Doubts Persist About Election Results (AP)

AP - As the Electoral College prepares to certify President Bush's re-election on Monday, concerns persist about the integrity of the nation's voting system  #151; particularly in Ohio, where details continue to emerge of technology failures, voter confusion and overcrowded polling stations in minority and poor neighborhoods.


Airport Patdown Procedures Modified (AP)

AP - The Transportation Security Administration is slightly altering the way airport screeners conduct patdown searches by allowing passengers to put their arms down after their upper bodies are checked.


Sweden Awards Nobels But Shy Writer Stays Home

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Scientists and economists from the  United States, Israel and Norway received their Nobel prizes on  Friday at a ceremony marked by the conspicuous absence of  literature laureate Elfriede Jelinek of Austria.


Embattled Ukraine PM Slams Opponent's 'Orange Coup'

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's prime minister came out fighting  on Friday in the campaign for a re-run of a rigged presidential  election, accusing opposition challenger Viktor Yushchenko of  instigating "totalitarianism" against voters.


Sprinter Suspended Eight Years for Doping (AP)

AP - Sprinter Michelle Collins was suspended for eight years for a doping violation linked to the BALCO scandal and will forfeit results that include 2003 indoor world and U.S. titles in the 200 meters.


China Fills Top Sports Post for Olympics (AP)

AP - China appointed a party official who has never worked in sports to oversee the preparation of athletes for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.


Air Force Clears Athlete of Cheating (AP)

AP - Air Force guard Dan Nwaelele will play Saturday against No. 3 Georgia Tech after being cleared of allegations that he cheated academically.


Bradley's Appeal Rejected

The Ohio Supreme Court rejects former Indians outfielder Milton Bradley's appeal of a three-day jail sentence he received after driving away from police who were trying to give him a speeding ticket.


Summary Box: Delphi Corp. prepares for tough start to 2005

THE SITUATION: Squeezed by rising materials and health care costs and lower vehicle production, No. 1 auto supplier Delphi Corp. plans to cut 8,500 jobs worldwide next year after eliminating more than 9,000 in 2004.


Chinas inflation falls sharply in November

Chinas annual inflation rate dropped sharply in November, heartening policy makers who have been striving to cool the economy and reducing chances of a further rise in interest rates in the near term.


Local gamer: Grand Theft Auto #39; steals the show

Just how excited is Justin Field about the new  quot;Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas quot; video game.  quot;(It #39;s) the best game on the planet, in my mind, quot; said Field, the owner of the Eugene store and gaming center Big City Gamin #39;.


Honda CR-V SUV Gets Top Rating in Side Crash Test

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. #39;s 2005 model CR-V compact sport utility vehicle has earned the top safety rating in side impact crash tests, a US research group linked to the insurance industry said on Friday.


Vail Resorts #39; loss widens to US\$31.5 million, real estate revenue <b>...</b>

Vail Resorts said Friday that a drop in real estate revenue contributed to a wider loss in the first quarter, one of the company #39;s slowest times.


Nintendo Ready to Take on Sony

On Wednesday during a presentation at the Foreign Correspondents Club held in Tokyo, Nintendo Co. Ltd. President Satoru Iwata revealed some interesting bits of information regarding the company #39;s stance towards


Man City v Tottenham

Stuart Pearce has placed an early claim on the Manchester City job when Kevin Keegan steps down as manager in 18 months #39; time.


Washington job reportedly interests Tice

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice said that there are two or three college football jobs that could lure him from the NFL, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.


Line of Scrimmage: Week 14 - Peyton Will Own All QB Records

When Peyton Manning breaks the single- season NFL record for passing touchdowns, an event that will likely occur this Sunday, I won #39;t go nuts celebrating the man.


First tomatoes, now grapefruit

It #39;s been a lousy fall for grocery shoppers. First the cost of tomatoes set new records, and now those lucky enough to find grapefruits can expect to pay more than \$1 a piece.


Darfur Talks to Seek Political Pact Amid Fighting (Reuters)

Reuters - Sudanese officials and Darfur rebels\arrived in Nigeria on Friday for talks on a political deal to\end two years of conflict in the vast desert region which\observers say is slipping deeper into chaos.


Apple #39;s iTunes now accepting PayPal

Customers at Apple Computer #39;s iTunes store will now be able to pay for their songs, albums and gift certificates using PayPal, a virtual wallet technology owned by eBay.


Cisco to acquire BCN

Cisco Systems has confirmed that it is to buy routing software start-up BCN Systems for an initial \$34 million (17.6 million). In the week it turned 20, the networking giant announced it will pay around


Microsoft to Judges: Eolas Didn #39;t Invent Patented Tech

An appeals court should throw out a half-billion-dollar patent infringement judgment against Microsoft because a lower court failed to recognize that the Web browsing patent was based on a technology that was not invented by the company awarded the money


Enter your e-mail:

E-mail users looking to strike back at spammers by installing a controversial screensaver are getting more than they bargained for.


Microsoft Readies Five Windows Fixes

As part of its new advance warning policy, Microsoft on Thursday said next week #39;s regularly-scheduled patch day will feature five fixes for Windows, none of them more severe than  quot;Important.


Johnny Ortiz: Retire Maker Train Rolls On

Vitali Klitschko is referring to himself as the  quot;Retire Maker, quot; he feels he is responsible for sending Lennox Lewis into retirement after their brutal fight for Lennox #39;s heavyweight title.


COLLINS #39; EIGHT-YEAR BAN

American sprinter Michelle Collins has been hit with an eight-year suspension for using a cocktail of banned drugs EPO, testosterone and the designer steroid THG.


Preview: Manchester City v Tottenham

Boss Kevin Keegan will again be without Claudio Reyna, Ben Thatcher, Trevor Sinclair and Jihai Sun. Bradley Wright-Phillips, who opened his goal-scoring account after just three minutes on the pitch against


NHL labour meeting set for Tuesday

The NHL and NHLPA will be meeting Tuesday in Toronto at 1pm et/10am pt at which time the NHL is expected to respond to Thursday #39;s NHLPA proposal.


Air Force Clears Athlete of Cheating

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. Dec 10, 2004 - Air Force guard Dan Nwaelele will play Saturday against No. 3 Georgia Tech after being cleared of allegations that he cheated academically.


Oprah, Cruise to Co-Host Nobel Concert

Nobel Peace show host Oprah Winfrey smiles in the Oslo Town Hall where Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai of Kenya is to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Friday, Dec. 10, 2004.


Palestinian Family Says Girl, 8, Was Killed by Israeli Bullet

Israeli gunfire killed an 8-year-old Palestinian girl eating lunch in her home today during an exchange between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers in the southern Gaza Strip, the girl #39;s family said.


Corrupt ways

That Indias politicians have been rated among the most corrupt in the world in a report brought out by Berlin-based NGO Transparency International (TI) isnta matter of surprise at all.


Dinesh Rajaratnam freed

Sri Lankan truck driver Dinesh Rajaratnam taken hostage in Iraq last October has been released along with his Bangladeshi colleague Abul Kashem, the Foreign Ministry confirmed yesterday.