MS buys anti-spyware GIANT

Having been plagued with e-bugs, Bill and the Boyz say theyll use intellectual property and technology assets from the acquisition to provide Microsoft Windows customers with new tools to help protect them from the threat of spyware, and other


No Regrets, Says Departing NASA Boss

NASA (news - web sites) #39;s departing boss, Sean O #39;Keefe, said Friday he does not regret canceling the last shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope


Equity analysts: Record inflows may lift stocks

SANTA ROSA, Calif. -- World stock markets may rise in January, lifted by flows into mutual funds that are poised to match the record pace set at the beginning of this year, according to Charles Biderman, president of TrimTabs Investment Research.


Update 4: Parmalat Owes Almost \$26B to Creditors

Italian dairy giant Parmalat SPA owes nearly \$26 billion to creditors including many big international banks, a judge ruled Friday in a decision that will affect who will become a shareholder in the reorganized company.


Video Search Gains Momentum

To help users find media files of all kinds, Yahoo and Blinkx this week went live with video search tools, adding to a cluster of services that includes the SingingFish streaming media offering.


White Sox claim Jenks off waivers, designate Villacis

Jenks was the Angels #39; fifth-round pick in 2000, but he has been limited by injuries the past two seasons. Jenks was 0-2 with a 10.71 ERA in four games for Triple-A Salt Lake and Class A Rancho Cucamonga before being shut down with elbow problems.


6 Palestinians killed in Gaza raid

GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP - Six Palestinians were killed when Israeli troops raided a Gaza refugee camp on Friday in retaliation for militant attacks on a Jewish settlement in the past week.


Search Engine Forums Spotlight

Links to this week's topics from search engine forums across the web: Live from SES Chicago 2004 - White Hat/black Hat SEO Panel - So Now You Can Search Videos - Google Wins Major Legal Victory vs. Geico - Google Suggest Beta - The Dark Side of Exchanging Reciprocal Links


Shopping Cart Search Engine Optimization\\I had a few interesting conversations about shopping carts last week.  (Note to Yahoo, anyone who has two interesting conversations about shopping carts in the same seven-day period needs better online entertainment options. Please step up the pace.)  Actually, shopping carts are fairly interesting, ...


Funds close out 2004 with strong showings

NEW YORK -- Wall Street's fourth-quarter rally gave stock mutual funds a solid performance for 2004, with small-cap equity funds and real estate funds scoring some of the biggest returns. Large-cap growth equities and technology-focused funds had the slimmest gains.


The Chocolate-Coffee Conundrum

If coffee chains used better chocolate, Lawrence Meyers argues, they'd sell more coffee.


Stocks End Lower as Pfizer and Oil Weigh

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed lower on Friday,  weighed down by a number of negative reports from top drug  makers, including Pfizer Inc. PFE.N, and a \$2 jump in the  price of crude oil.


UAL Corp. Seeks Bankruptcy Exit Financing

CHICAGO (Reuters) - United Airlines has begun reaching out  to potential lenders with its revamped business plan for  financing to leave bankruptcy, the company said on Friday.


Arthritis drug a heart attack risk, study finds

United States drug giant Pfizer says a trial has found a sharp rise in heart attacks for patients using its blockbuster Celebrex arthritis and pain medicine.


Survey: FDA scientists question safety

Two-thirds of Food and Drug Administration scientists surveyed two years ago lacked confidence that the FDA adequately monitors the safety of prescription drugs, a report released Thursday shows.


InterContinental to Sell 13 Hotels

InterContinental Hotels Group Plc (IHG.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday it was selling 13 hotels to Hospitality Properties Trust (HPT.


Dolphins to Interview Minority Candidate (AP)

AP - The Miami Dolphins will put their courtship of LSU coach Nick Saban on hold to comply with the NFL's hiring policy by interviewing a minority candidate, a team source told The Associated Press on Friday.


Titans' McNair to Sit Out Rest of Season (AP)

AP - Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair will miss the final three games of the season and undergo surgery to strengthen the bruised sternum that has plagued him most of the year.


Microsoft Might Not Fully Benefit from Purchase

It #39;s only natural that Microsoft would want to develop and sell software supplemented by technology from its latest acquisition, anti-spyware company Giant Company Software.


Apple #39;s iTunes Hits 200 Million Mark

News that Apple has sold 200 million songs over its iTunes online music store came amid rumors that the company would collaborate with Motorola to launch an iPod phone in the first half of next year.


Vince Carter Traded to Nets (Reuters)

Reuters - The Toronto\Raptors have traded All-Star swingman Vince Carter to the New\Jersey Nets in exchange for center Alonzo Mourning, forward\Eric Williams, center/forward Aaron Williams and two first-\round draft picks.


Titans QB to sit out final three games, undergo surgery for <b>...</b>

Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair will not play the final three games of the season and will have surgery to strengthen the bruised sternum that has plagued him most of the year.


European stock exchanges run out of steam at week's end (AFP)

AFP - European stock exchanges retreated, weighed down by end-of-the-year profit-taking and amid concern over possible interest rate hikes in the United States.


Sharon Strikes Deal With Opposition Labor Party

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon struck a deal with the opposition Labor Party tonight to join his Likud government, which is likely to insure that Mr.


Vince Carter Traded to Nets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Sports Network) - The Toronto  Raptors have traded All-Star swingman Vince Carter to the New  Jersey Nets in exchange for center Alonzo Mourning, forward  Eric Williams, center/forward Aaron Williams and two first-  round draft picks.


Senator to Revisit Judicial Travel Ethics (AP)

AP - Sen. Patrick Leahy, contending a judicial panel has weakened ethics rules for judges who accept corporate-sponsored trips, said Friday he plans to reintroduce legislation to define standards.


IRS Releases Tax Tables for New Deduction (AP)

AP - Making big splurges this holiday season? The IRS released tax tables Friday to help taxpayers calculate whether they would benefit from a new sales tax deduction.


Israeli 'Copter Fires Missile Into Gaza -Witnesses

GAZA (Reuters) - An Israeli helicopter fired a missile at  an unknown target in Gaza City on Friday, witnesses said, hours  after troops killed eight Palestinians in southern Gaza. There  were no immediate reports of casualties.


Knauss Tests Positive for Nandrolone

VIENNA (Reuters) - Hans Knauss, one of the best known and  most experienced Austrian skiers, has tested positive for the  anabolic steroid nandrolone.


Cuba responds to US Xmas lights

Cuba puts up photos of abused Iraqi prisoners in front of the US mission in a row over a US Christmas display.


N.C. State's Hodge Puts Self Among Elite (AP)

AP - Julius Hodge drove to the basket and scored, then turned to run back on defense. On the way, for a brief moment, he held the Heisman Trophy pose. It was the North Carolina State guard's not-so-subtle way of letting everyone know where he thinks he ranks among the elite players in the country  #151; even if he had the wrong sport.


Oil Jumps 5 Pct on Cold, Bin Laden Threat

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices surged 5 percent on Friday  as frigid weather lingered in the mammoth U.S. Northeast  heating oil market and militant Osama bin Laden urged renewed  attacks on Middle East oil installations.


Amex to Record Charge, Cut Jobs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Express AXP.N on Friday  said it expects to record a fourth-quarter pretax charge of up  to \$120 million and cut 2,000 jobs related primarily to a  restructuring of its business travel unit and the sale of some  overseas banking operations.


Pfizer finds heart attack risk with Celebrex, plans to continue to <b>...</b>

Celebrex, the nation #39;s leading painkiller, raises the risk of heart attack when taken at very high doses, the drug #39;s maker said Friday in the latest blow to a class of powerful and widely touted drugs.


Russia to hold Yukos auction

Russia is set to go ahead with a sale of the main production asset of Yukos, the countrys embattled oil company, despite an injunction issued late yesterday by a US court.


Oil prices surged 5 percent on Friday as frigid weather lingered in the mammoth US Northeast heating oil market and militant Osama bin Laden urged renewed attacks on Middle East oil installations.


Doubts over drug safety checks

Two-thirds of scientists working for the US medicines regulator have expressed a lack of confidence in the federal safety monitoring of prescription drugs, according to documents disclosed by two lobby groups.


UPDATE 1-Exelon in talks to buy PSE amp;G - sources

Exelon Corp. (EXE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is in talks to buy New Jersey utility Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. #39;s (PEG.


Amex to Record Charge, Cut Jobs

American Express (AXP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Friday said it expects to record a fourth-quarter pretax charge of up to \$120 million and cut 2,000 jobs related primarily to a restructuring of its business travel unit and the


UPDATE 1-US economy set for solid growth in 2005-White House

The United States will enjoy solid growth, low inflation and falling unemployment next year, the White House said on Friday in its official economic forecast that would normally not be released until February.


KLM buying two more 777-200ERs, Etihad orders five 777-300ers

SEATTLE - Abu Dhabi #39;s Etihad Airways confirmed an order for five Boeing 777-300ERs, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines ordered two 777-200ERs, Boeing Co.


EBay To Buy Rent.com in \$415 Million Deal

The recent wave of mergers spread into the e-commerce space today when auction giant eBay said it would acquire Rent.com for US\$415 million in cash and stock.


Intel takes control of Itanium from HP

Hewlett-Packard has decided to end their efforts on active development of the Itanium chip, which is in the making for a decade now.


Sony Ericsson  amp; Cingular Wireless introduce Z500a

The Sony Ericsson Z500a is available for connection to Cingular #39;s EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) network. The new mobile phone features a built-in digital camera with zoom, a built-in video camera


AstraZeneca Reports Poor Test Results (AP)

AP - Drug manufacturer AstraZeneca PLC announced Friday that trials of its new lung cancer drug found it didn't help patients live longer. Its shares dropped more than 8 percent.


Falcons, Colts to Play in Tokyo in 2005 (AP)

AP - The Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts will begin the preseason Aug. 6 in the American Bowl in Tokyo, the record 12th time an NFL game will be played in the city.


Browns Gain 9 Yards With Scoring Change (AP)

AP - The Cleveland Browns' offense was pretty awful last weekend, just not quite as awful as everyone thought.


Red Bull gives Coulthard wings

McLaren discard David Coulthard has signed a one-year deal to race with the new Red Bull Racing team in the 2005 Formula One season.


Morientes interested in Anfield switch

MADRID, Dec 17 (SW) - Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes has expressed his desire to join English Premier League side Liverpool during the winter transfer window after limited playing time with the Galacticos this season.


Dolphins plan to interview minority candidate; Saban still top <b>...</b>

The Miami Dolphins will put their courtship of LSU coach Nick Saban on hold to comply with the NFL #39;s hiring policy by interviewing a minority candidate, a team source told The Associated Press on Friday.


Former Blue Jays Manager Mattick Dies

TORONTO Dec 17, 2004 - Bobby Mattick, who managed the Toronto Blue Jays in 1980 and  #39;81 and helped develop the talent that produced five division titles and two World Series championships, died at 89.


Cuban billboards highlight US abuses

Cuba has erected several huge billboards near the US mission with pictures of abused Iraqi prisoners and American soldiers pointing a rifle at children.


Labour, Likud agree on unity government, eight Palestinians killed <b>...</b>

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s Likud party and the opposition Labour agreed to form a national unity government, while at least eight Palestinians were killed during an Israeli army incursion in southern Gaza.


Bug found at UN Geneva HQ

GENEVA, DECEMBER 17: The United Nations said on Thursday a secret listening device had been found in a posh meeting room of its European headquarters in Geneva.


Indonesia tightens nationwide security after terror warnings

JAKARTA - INDONESIAN authorities have launched a nationwide security clampdown after warnings by several countries that terrorists are preparing to strike again in the run-up to Christmas.


EBay Buying Rental Web Site for  #36;415M (AP)

AP - In a diversification move, online auctioneer eBay Inc. is buying the privately held Rent.com, which specializes in Internet listings of apartment and house rentals, for about  #36;415 million in stock and cash.


Cameras Lead Gadget Price Declines in October -NPD (Reuters)

Reuters - Digital cameras led retail price\declines in U.S. consumer electronics in October, as\manufacturers looked to clear out older models ahead of the\holiday shopping season, according to an industry study\prepared for Reuters.


Why Sprint And Nextel Got Hitched (BusinessWeek Online)

BusinessWeek Online - In the world of big-time telecom, the Baby Bells have been hogging the spotlight as they bulk up to compete against an onslaught of new technology -- and their arch-rivals, the cable companies. For competitors hovering outside the Bells' territory, that sends a stark message: Team up or get smashed. Sprint Corp.  and Nextel Communications Inc.  chose the former, announcing on Dec. 15 a  #36;35 billion deal to merge into the third-largest wireless powerhouse. With a market capitalization of  #36;70 billion, the new Reston (Va. ...


The Cash Heads Home (BusinessWeek Online)

BusinessWeek Online - It's a cash bundle that would have made Howard Hughes blush: As U.S. multinationals such as IBM  and Pfizer Inc. (PFZ) have extended their reach across the globe, they've built up a mountain of profits earned abroad -- as much as  #36;750 billion, by some estimates. That's more than the annual economic output of Hong Kong, Ireland, and Switzerland -- combined. And up till now, they've kept all that moolah overseas, much of it in tax havens such as the Bahamas, Ireland, and Singapore to avoid the stiff 35 levy they'd face if they repatriated the funds back into the U.S.


Twenty States Must Cut Air Pollution by 2008-EPA (Reuters)

Reuters - Governors of 20 U.S. states must\slash levels of tiny particles spewed by power plants, cars and\other sources by 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency\(EPA) said on Friday.


McNair to Have Surgery

Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair will miss the final three games of the season and undergo surgery to strengthen the bruised sternum that has plagued him most of the year.


Mattick Dies at 89

Bobby Mattick, who managed the Toronto Blue Jays in 1980 and '81 and helped produce two World Series championships, dies at 89.


Saban Still Top Choice

The Dolphins will put their courtship of LSU coach Nick Saban on hold to comply with the NFL's hiring policy by interviewing a minority candidate.


Cameras Lead Gadget Price Declines in October -NPD

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Digital cameras led retail price  declines in U.S. consumer electronics in October, as  manufacturers looked to clear out older models ahead of the  holiday shopping season, according to an industry study  prepared for Reuters.


Apple Sues Over Web Leak of Advance Products

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. AAPL.O is  suing anonymous people who leaked details about new products by  posting information on the Internet, court documents showed on  Friday.


Pfizer's Celebrex Lifts Heart Attack Risk in Trial

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc. on Friday said its popular  Celebrex arthritis drug more than doubled the risk of heart  attack in a large cancer-prevention trial, a setback that comes  just weeks after Merck   Co. recalled its similar Vioxx drug  due to heart safety risks.


Dollar Falters in Thin Holiday Trading

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar retreated against major  currencies on Friday in thin holiday-season volume, as traders  took profits after early-session gains.


Red Cross caught in P2P fracas

Also: Nasa's Mars rovers--'biggest breakthrough' in science in 2004. News.com Extra


Search providers seek video, find challenges

Internet search providers are reacting to users' rising interest in finding video content on the Web, while acknowledging that there are steep challenges that need to be overcome.


2004 was good and bad for IT security

Experts agree: 2004 was the best of times, and the worst of times for those concerned about IT security. It was a year with high-profile arrests of virus authors, and the explosion of online crimes, from cyberextortion to identity theft, a year in which ISPs (Internet service providers) won millions in damages from spammers, and spam messages increased by 40 percent.


Drug Study

It #39;s one more blow to patients who suffer from arthritis. Pfizer, the maker of Celebrex, says it #39;s painkiller poses an increased risk of heart attacks to patients using the drugs.


YUKOS #39; Hollow Victory

Yesterday, Russia #39;s erstwhile largest oil company, YUKOS (OTC BB: YUKOY), won a single legal skirmish in a land far from home.


United pilot leaders accept pension deal, 15 percent pay cuts

Pilots at United Airlines face a 15 percent pay cut, their second double-digit wage reduction in two years, and will not further resist the company #39;s elimination of traditional pensions under a tentative contract agreement made public Friday.


Illinois Governor Seeks Restrictions on Video Game Sales

Description: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is backing state legislation that would ban sales or rentals of video games with graphic sexual or violent content to children under 18.


Vikings' Winfield to Miss Game vs. Lions (AP)

AP - Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield will miss his second straight game with a high ankle sprain, sitting out Sunday's contest against Detroit.


LSU at limit in terms of paying Saban

BATON ROUGE, La. A top LSU official says the school will do what it can to keep football coach Nick Saban from leaving for the Miami Dolphins.


Reports: Raptors sending Carter to Nets in megadeal

The New Jersey Nets have acquired Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors in a megadeal being reported by the New York Daily News and several web and broadcast outlets.


UCLA's Dorrell Gets Contract Extension (AP)

AP - Second-year UCLA coach Karl Dorrell's contract was extended for two years Friday, putting him under contract with the school through the 2010 season.


Celebrex shows heart attack risk

I was taking Vioxx for my arthritis, and then it was pulled from the market. So I switched to Celebrex. Now, I understand that Celebrex also may cause heart problems?


ComEd parent near deal to buy NJ utility

Exelon Corp. is close to a deal to buy New Jersey-based electric utility Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), people familiar with the talks say.


SEC Considers Charges Against MetLife Unit

MetLife Inc., one of the nation #39;s largest insurers, said Friday that one of its subsidiaries has received a notice that the Securities and Exchange Commission is considering civil charges against the unit.


UAL Corp. Seeks Bankruptcy Exit Financing

United Airlines has begun reaching out to potential lenders with its revamped business plan for financing to leave bankruptcy, the company said on Friday.


Cisco open \$12m research center in Japan

Networking giant Cisco Systems Inc. have announced plans to open a new research and development center in Tokyo next year. The company will invest a cool \$12 million in the project over five years.


Sony Ericsson  amp; Cingular Wireless Introduce Z500a Mobile Phone <b>...</b>

Sony Ericsson and Cingular provide Z500a phones and service for military families to stay connected on today #39;s  quot;Dr. Phil Show quot;.


Zafi Slows, But Experts Urge Vigilance

The Zafi.d worm seems to have done its worst, security experts say, but they urged users to remain on guard through the holidays for more seasonal shenanigans.


IBM Heralds Burgeoning BladeCenter Support

Yankee Group senior analyst Zeus Kerravala said that although it may take some time, it is likely that blade servers will eventually replace all parts of the software stack because of their time-to-market, cost and scalability advantages.


Yahoo! Tests Video Search

Global Web portal Yahoo! Inc. Wednesday night made available a beta version of a new search service for videos. Called Yahoo! Video Search, the search engine crawls the Web for different types of media files


American Bowl returns to Tokyo in 2005

The Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts will begin the preseason Aug. 6 in the American Bowl in Tokyo, the record 12th time an NFL game will be played in the city.


Bulger unlikely to play Sunday

Rams quarterback Marc Bulger still has soreness in his sprained right shoulder, making it unlikely that he will play Sunday against Arizona.


Relocation Bowl

Yeah, yeah.... it #39;s been almost a decade since Art Modell sold his soul and moved Cleveland #39;s beloved (original) Browns to Baltimore.


After a banner '04, forecasters see a slower '05

WASHINGTON -- Despite soaring oil prices and a slumping dollar, the United States enjoyed a banner year in terms of economic growth in 2004, but the new year is likely to see a significant slowdown, private economists say.


This year, take control of your financial life

NEW YORK -- If you're having some regrets about how you've been handling your financial life, take heart: You can resolve to make a fresh start in the new year.


Six Are Killed in Attempted Breakout at Prison in Kabul

At least six people - four prison guards and two prisoners - when Al Qaeda prisoners attempted a break out of Kabul #39;s main Pul-i-Charki prison today, Afghan police officials and eyewitnesses said.


Stocks Knocked Lower on Drug Sector, Oil

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed lower on Friday  amid heavy trading volume, as a slew of negative reports from  top drug makers and a more than \$2 a barrel increase in oil  prices weighed on the market.


Vince Carter Traded to Nets

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Sports Network) - The Toronto Raptors  have traded All-Star swingman Vince Carter to the New Jersey  Nets in exchange for center Alonzo Mourning, forward Eric  Williams, center/forward Aaron Williams and two conditional  first-round draft picks. The trade cannot be announced until  the NBA approves it for salary-cap purposes.


Mets Claim OF Calloway Off Waivers

NEW YORK (Sports Network) - The New York Mets on Friday  claimed outfielder Ron Calloway off waivers from the Washington  Nationals.


Doctors Debate the Safety of Celebrex

Concerns that Celebrex may increase the risk of heart attack could keep what is still a relatively safe medication away from patients who suffer from arthritis and other painful ailments, some doctors say.


UPDATE 2-Exelon in talks to buy PSE amp;G - sources

Exelon Corp. (EXE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is in talks to buy New Jersey utility Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. #39;s (PEG.


Hospitality Properties to buy 13 InterContinental Hotels

Hospitality Properties Trust is purchasing 13 hotels for 450 million dollars from InterContinental Hotels Group. Newton-based Hospitality has also signed 25-year


IAM wants to save US Airways baggage jobs

The union representing US Airways baggage handlers hopes to find cost cuts without losing 4,000 jobs to outsourcing, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.


Cisco plans to open a R amp;D center in Japan

Cisco is continuing their plans to establish a dominating position in the Japanese market. They recently signed a hardware deal with local player Fujitsu to manufacture high-end routers and switches for the local market.


Apple Strikes Back at RealPlayer

(Article Central) Apple has quietly updated its iPod software to prevent songs purchased on RealNetworks #39; online music store from being played on some of its popular MP3 players.


We have no fear of Barcelona, Mourinho insists

JOS MOURINHO, the Chelsea manager, is full of bravado but when, on Thursday night, he stated that he wanted to meet Barcelona in the last 16 of the European Cup, he was not bluffing.


Media reports say Crown, Bertuzzi lawyers close to plea bargain on <b>...</b>

VANCOUVER (CP) - With his assault trial set to start in exactly a month, a report surfaced Friday that Vancouver Canucks star Todd Bertuzzi may be close to a plea bargain with BC prosecutors.


Broncos #39; Bell hopes to return Thursday

Broncos tailback Tatum Bell was shooting to return to practice by Thursday after separating his shoulder during a breakout performance against the Dolphins last week.


UCLA coach Dorrell agrees to extension

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Karl Dorrell, head football coach at UCLA, agreed to a two-year contract extension Friday that will keep him at the school through the 2010 season.


Minor league hockey attendance up in NHL #39;s troubled times

Attendance is up and some players with NHL experience welcome the playing time in the minors. Ten of the American Hockey League #39;s top 13 scorers were on NHL rosters a year ago.


Pitino, Myles Discuss U of L #39;s Upcoming Game Against Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville men #39;s basketball head coach Rick Pitino and senior forward Ellis Myles met with members of the media on Friday to preview the Cardinals #39; home game against rival Kentucky on Satursday.


The Travails of Annan

For Kofi Annan, the widely respected secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), these are no easy times. He has for some weeks now been under intense pressure from the United States Congress to resign for


Enron trials to put human faces on scandal

HOUSTON -- It was one of the more spectacular corporate bankruptcies ever: Enron Corp. , once the seventh-largest company in the country, felled by intricate and illegal accounting tricks.


Israel #39;s Labour Seals Deal to Join Sharon #39;s Coalition

Israel #39;s opposition Labour party is likely to join Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon #39;s coalition next week, a move that could promote his Gaza pullout plan and avoid


Ivory Coast Lawmakers Approve Key Peace Proposal

Lawmakers in divided Ivory Coast have approved a key reform measure, easing eligibility requirements for the presidency as part of efforts to move the stalled peace process forward.


Junta tries to vilify and isolate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi <b>...</b>

A Western diplomat based in Burmas capital Rangoon told DVB that there has been no official statement from the military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) on the expelling of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis bodyguards, and added that the


Plummer Fined \$5,000

Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer is fined \$5,000 by the NFL for making an obscene gesture during last week's game against Miami.


Virus poses as Christmas e-mail

Security firms are warning about a Windows virus disguising itself as an electronic Christmas card. The Zafi.D virus translates the Christmas greeting on its subject line into the language of the person receiving infected e-mail.


Searching for orderly market where none exists

Happy New Year, all you investors with an eye for numerology. According to a popular financial folk tale, there's no need to worry much about Federal Reserve policy or corporate earnings growth in 2005. The stock market, and stock mutual funds, will do just fine because they always prosper in years that end with a five.


Stockbroker Accused of Stealing \$4.1 Mln

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York stockbroker was indicted on  Friday on charges of stealing more than \$4.1 million from three  Wall Street firms, prosecutors said.


Constellation set: Stars on collision course

LONDON, DECEMBER 17: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho got the draw he desired when the English league leaders were paired with Ronaldinhos Barcelona in the first knockout round of the Champions League.


Makaay Hails  quot;Incredible Draw quot;

Bayern Munich players and officials were thrilled at the propsect of meeting English champions Arsenal for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions #39; League after today #39;s draw in Nyon paired the two clubs.


Austrians Sweep Podium in Val Gardena Super G

Val Gardena, Italy (Friday, December 17, 2004) - Michael Walchhofer led Austrians to fill the podium in today #39;s World Cup Super G in the Italian ski resort of Val Gardena.


Kentucky vs. Louisville

Coaches: Tubby Smith (197-53, eighth season; 321-115, 14th season overall), Kentucky; Rick Pitino (70-31, fourth season; 422-155, 19th season overall), Louisville.


Treasuries Lower Despite In-Line CPI Data

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasuries prices limped to a  second session of losses on Friday as technical selling weighed  on a thin and weary year-end market.


US, Cuba trade billboard barbs

HAVANA - Cuba on Friday put up two large billboards in front of the US mission in Havana showing photos of abused Iraqi prisoners, in retaliation for a contentious Christmas display set up by American officials.


14 detained in Saudi protest

RIYADH - Anti-regime demonstrations called for yesterday by a dissident group were thwarted as Saudi security forces, deployed en masse in Riyadh and Jeddah, detained 14 people.


Entrepreneurs get by with a little help from their counselors

Boston entrepreneur Philip Guarino once thought that running a small enterprise would be a piece of cake. ''Having an MBA, I didn't think I'd need any direction," he said.


Celebrex to stay the market, for now

The FDA says that although its decision is to not ban the drug, that possibilty is not ruled out. NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The US Food and Drug Administration decided Friday not to recall Celebrex but it has not ruled out the possibility.


World crude oil surges on fuel, terror concerns

NEW YORK (AFP) - Global crude prices boiled over on fear of tight US winter fuel supplies and because of a tape apparently by Osama bin Laden calling for attacks on Gulf oil supplies.


Health Tip: Avoid Drug Double-Dipping

If you catch a cold or get the flu this winter, be very careful if you take more than one medication to ease your symptoms. The two drugs could share ingredients that could pose a danger


Amex sees \$120M charge; axes 2,000

American Express said Friday it expects to record a fourth-quarter pre-tax restructuring charge of up to \$120 million and cut 2,000 jobs.


Exelon in talks to buy PSE amp;G

Exelon, the Chicago-based energy group, is in advanced talks to clinch a deal to buy New Jerseys PSE amp;G for about \$12bn in stock, according to people familiar with the talks.


Holiday greeting could infect your computer

If you get a holiday greeting e-mailed to you, be careful to check where it #39;s from. There #39;s a Christmas grinch making its way through cyberspace.


Court to rule on stay of EU sanctions against Microsoft

A decision on suspending the EU's sanctions against Microsoft is expected next week.


Oil jumps again as cold weather lingers

NEW YORK - Crude oil futures gained more than \$2 US a barrel Friday as slumping inventories and frigid forecasts pushed oil to its highest level of the month.


Cantwell says mad cow feed loopholes still aren #39;t closed

A year after the first US case of mad cow disease was reported, Sen. Maria Cantwell says the Food and Drug Administration still has not fulfilled its promise to tighten animal feed rules to help prevent future cases.


Revving up the state's economy with brainpower

Jack M. Wilson became president of the University of Massachusetts system in March, overseeing five campuses and 60,000 students. Among his goals: making UMass a driver of the state economy. He spoke with Globe staff reporter Robert Gavin about the school's role in economic development.


PayPal provides antifraud, antispam tool to users

Online payment service  PayPal is offering its users antifraud and antispam tools from security vendor Cloudmark.


Longhorn will let users tune Windows for different servers

Bob Muglia, senior vice president of the Windows Server division at Microsoft, said in an interview that he thinks the ability to configure Windows system images for various types of servers will be "the heart and soul" of the Longhorn upgrade due in 2007.


Google to Log Library Books

(Article Central) Search giant Google announced on Tuesday that the libraries of five of the world #39;s most reputable academic institutions will be digitized by Google.


Illinois Governor wants to Ban Violent Video games

Yesterday Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich proposed a state law that would ban the selling and rental of violent and or sexually explicit video games to Children under the age of 18.


Race Features 2005 Driver Line-Up

The driver line-up for the 2005 Formula One season is beginning to take shape with only six seats still available. Two teams, Williams and Red Bull Racing, each have one seat open, while both Jordan and Minardi


Lyon clinch first winter champions title with home draw

Leaders Olympique Lyon earned the title of Ligue 1 winter champions for the first time as a 1-1 draw at home to Olympique Marseille on Friday left them unbeaten


Sun adds Linux support to Sun Ray thin clients

Sun Microsystems previously offered the server software for its Sun Ray thin-client devices on Solaris systems only. But the company is adding support for Linux servers as part of an upgrade that also includes technology designed to make it easier to use the thin clients remotely.


Siebel to acquire eDocs for \$115 million

Siebel Systems Inc. will acquire eDocs Inc. for \$115 million to help customers reduce call center and billing costs.


Hacker in Lowe's case sentenced to nine years

Two Michigan men were sentenced to serve time in federal prison for conspiring to hack into the IT systems of Lowe's Companies Inc. and stealing customer credit card information.


IBM researchers eye 100TB tape drive

Using advanced "nanopatterning" techniques, IBM researchers plan to build 100TB tape storage devices.


Brief: eBay snaps up Rent.com for \$415M

EBay is taking a stake in the online apartment rentals market by acquiring Rent.com for \$415 million.


Microsoft tries to woo PeopleSoft customers

Microsoft solicits PeopleSoft customers with offers of cheaper and better technology just days after Oracle purchases the company.


Local Search Guide Backed By Yellow Pages Association, Kelsey Group, and SEMPO\\With local search - providing online information on businesses located in a community - as the catalyst, Internet Yellow Pages and Search Engine companies are joining forces at a rapid rate. To provide a central resource that captures these ...


Russian police stage new raid on Yukos

MOSCOW - Russian police staged a new raid at the office of Yukos and questioned a company executive, Interfax news agency quoted the general prosecutor #39;s office as saying, a day after the ailing oil giant filed for voluntary bankruptcy in a US court.


Bush team sees growth easing in  #39;05

WASHINGTON US economic growth will slow to 3.5 percent in 2005, but still generate average monthly job gains of about 175,000, the Bush administration predicted Friday in a rosy annual forecast that promised solid growth, low inflation and falling


German business confidence surges

A key index of German business confidence surged to eight-month high in December, the Munich-based Ifo economic research institute reported Friday.


Marines Face More Cunning Foe in Fallujah (AP)

AP - American troops face sporadic but cunning resistance from insurgents as they sweep the city of Fallujah more than a month after U.S. and Iraqi forces invaded the militants' stronghold, U.S. officials said Friday.


Roundup: Chelsea is drawn to face Barcelona

Chelsea, whose coach, Jos Mourinho, led Porto to the Champions League title in May, was drawn on Friday to meet Barcelona in the final 16 of the current competition.


Raptors to trade Carter to Nets

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Vince Carter will be showing off his basketball moves on a court in New Jersey soon, according to one report. The Toronto Raptors superstar is headed to the Nets in exchange for Alonzo


Anaheim had placed Jenks on waivers

Chicago White Sox: The White Sox claimed right-hander Bobby Jenks off waivers from Anaheim on Friday and designated righty Eduardo Villacis for assignment.


Forest begin new era in usual style

IN WHAT transpired to be his final programme notes, Joe Kinnear insisted that he would do everything to make this Christmas a happy one for Nottingham Forest supporters.


Friday, December 17, 2004 Elliss Out for Rest of Season

The Broncos announced Friday morning that the veteran defensive tackle would miss the rest of the 2004 season with a herniated disc in his lower back.


More for Dorrell

LOS ANGELES UCLA football coach Karl Dorrell has been given a two-year extension, putting him under contract with the Bruins through the 2010 season.


Mandela Wins Injunction Over Coin Sales (AP)

AP - Former President Nelson Mandela and his foundation won an injunction Friday prohibiting a South African company from importing or selling gold coins bearing his name and image.


Listening device found in UN #39;s Geneva offices

GENEVA The United Nations said Friday that workmen had uncovered a sophisticated listening device at its headquarters in Geneva but could not say who planted it or why.


Arms flow into Darfur, monitors say

ABUJA, Nigeria Huge quantities of arms and ammunition have poured into Sudan #39;s Darfur region in the past two weeks and the government is poised for a major military offensive, the African Union said Friday.


AHL Attendance Thrives During NHL Lockout (AP)

AP - With the NHL closed for business, minor league hockey is thriving. Attendance is up and some players with NHL experience welcome the playing time in the minors. Ten of the American Hockey League's top 13 scorers were on NHL rosters a year ago.


Stagg Bowl to Crown Division III Champion (AP)

AP - Brett Elliott wanted to play football so much, he left Utah for Division III Linfield and a chance to spend his senior season on the field.


Red Sox Sign Renteria

Edgar Renteria passes a physical and signs a four-year contract with the Boston Red Sox on Friday.


How can I address a problem of disrespect before it gets worse?

Q: I have a colleague in another department who is extremely pushy and rude toward me . Not only can she can be very short and abrasive, but I'm afraid she's not even aware that she's talking down to me. We work together -- I do not work for her. How can I address this problem of disrespect before it ...


Braves' Hudson Excited to Join Rotation (AP)

AP - Tim Hudson was a high school junior in 1991 when John Smoltz pitched the Atlanta Braves to their first division title in nine years. Now that he will join Smoltz in the Atlanta rotation, Hudson hopes to help the Braves finish atop the division for an unprecedented 14th straight season.


World Stars Defeat Sweden's HV71, 5-1 (AP)

AP - Ray Whitney scored for the second straight game and added an assist, helping the World Stars rebound from a lopsided loss and beat Swedish champion HV71 5-1 on Friday.


Nets Get Carter From Raptors in Bid to Rebuild Fractured Core

The Nets took a big step back toward viability today with the completion of a blockbuster deal for Toronto Raptors' swingman Vince Carter.


American Airlines Gets Credit Line Boost

AMR Corp., the owner of American Airlines, said Friday that it received a \$850 million, revolving credit line, replacing a \$834 million line that was set to expire next year.


Google Partners with Libraries in Massive Digitization Project

In a move likely to have major ramifications for the library world, Google announced December 14 that it would embark on an ambitious project to digitally scan books from the collections of five major research libraries and make them searchable online.


Worldstars play strong defensive game in 5-1 victory over HV 71

JONKOPING, Sweden (CP) - Ray Whitney scored and assisted on Alexandre Daigle #39;s goal as the Worldstars played a strong defensive game in a 5-1 victory over HV 71 on Friday.


France: Lyon clinch winter championship with draw

LYON, Dec 17 (SW) - Despite having won the last three Ligue 1 titles, Lyon today won their first-ever winter championship in France after playing to a 1-1 draw with Marseille at the Stade Gerland.


A primer on office politics, good and bad

One doesn't have to get past the first page of this book before corporate consultants and coaches Rick Brandon and Marty Seldman spell out one of the major problems many corporations face today: ''For most people, the words integrity and politics don't mix."


Friday #39;s Sports Transactions

CHICAGO WHITE SOX_Claimed RHP Bobby Jenks off waivers from Anaheim. Designated RHP Eduardo Villacis for assignment. Agreed to terms with OF Timo Perez on a one-year contract.


Japan, US sign missile defense cooperation memo

Japan and the United States signed an agreement Friday on the details of their joint development of a ballistic missile defense system.


Siebel to Buy Edocs for  #36;115 Million (AP)

AP - Siebel Systems Inc., the largest maker of customer-relations management software, Friday said it agreed to acquire Edocs Inc., a closely held provider of electronic-billing software, for  #36;115 million.


White House Creates Cabinet-Level Ocean Policy Panel (Reuters)

Reuters - The Bush administration created on\Friday a cabinet-level committee to address rising pollution\and overfishing in U.S. territorial ocean waters.


Ten Commandments Judge May Run for Gov. (AP)

AP - Ousted Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore said Friday he is considering running for governor in 2006.


Israel's Labour Seals Deal to Join Sharon's Coalition

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's opposition Labour party is  likely to join Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's coalition next  week, a move that could promote a Gaza pullout plan and also  avoid early elections, his spokesman said on Friday.


CIA Had Secret Detainee Area at Guantanamo (AP)

AP - The CIA once maintained a facility to hold high-value terrorism suspects at the Defense Department's prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but the location is not currently in use, according to officials with knowledge of the highly classified operations.


Wasserstein Files Lazard IPO Plan With Regulators (Update3)

Bruce Wasserstein, head of Lazard LLC, filed today to sell \$850 million of shares of the largest closely held investment banking partnership, moving toward a resolution of a feud between two powers of the financial world.


Exelon Reportedly In Talks to Buy PSE amp;G

Exelon (EXC:NYSE - news - research) is reportedly in advanced talks to buy New Jersey #39;s largest utility group, Public Service Enterprise Group (PEG:NYSE - news - research).


Red Sox Sign Renteria to 4-Year Contract (AP)

AP - Edgar Renteria's first choice was to remain in St. Louis, but the Boston Red Sox gave him an offer too good to turn down.


Worldstars play strong defensive game in 5-1 victory over HV71

JONKOPING, Sweden (CP) - The Worldstars had no intention of being blown out of the rink two games in a row in Sweden. The travelling band of locked out NHL players turned in a solid defensive game and got


Lyon heads into winter break unbeaten

Lyon, France (Sports Network) - Lyon will head into the winter break on top of the Ligue 1 table and unbeaten after a 1-1 draw against Marseille Friday at the Stade Gerland.


A lordly ruling

It is a high tribute to the legal systems of the United States and Britain that they have not blindly followed their governments in accepting the threat of terror as a reason to subvert fundamental democratic values.


Sharon deal to ease pullout from Gaza

ISRAELS opposition Labour Party last night clinched a deal with Ariel Sharons Likud Party to join his coalition, a move that could ease the planned withdrawal from Gaza.


DaimlerChrysler Sued Over Car Seat Injury

DETROIT (Reuters) - DaimlerChrysler AG DCX.N DCXGn.DE  has been hit with a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed by a  paraplegic who says the automaker's heated car seats caused him  a severe burn injury.


Gym gear that avoids exercises in futility

Overindulge this holiday season? To make up for it, many people will shop for high-tech treadmills or mail-order machines that will shrink their thighs while they make low, low monthly payments.


U.S. Seeks to Deport Accused Nazi Demjanjuk (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. government said on Friday\it had asked an immigration judge to deport John Demjanjuk, a\Ukrainian immigrant and retired auto-worker who is accused of\working as a guard at several Nazi camps.


IE #39;s Spoofing Sorrows Continue

Security experts uncovered yet another bug in Internet Explorer this week, one that could let attackers replace the content of any legit site with their own, making it possible to spoof critical pages such as e-bank account access log-in forms or credit


Search Spotlight Pans to Video

After years of taking a back seat to easier-to-crawl HTML pages, multimedia files are beginning to gain respect among search engines.


D.C. Officials to Work on Baseball Deal (AP)

AP - Two prominent politicians who will have a significant say in whether the Expos move to the nation's capital plan to meet Monday to try to save the suddenly wobbly deal.


Russia Rejects U.S. Injunction Over Yukos (AP)

AP - Russia is vowing to proceed with an auction of oil giant Yukos' key production subsidiary, saying a U.S. court ban is irrelevant. But the expected winner of Sunday's auction, the state-run Russian gas company Gazprom, may not be able to pay after a consortium of Western banks reportedly put on hold billions of dollars in credit it needs to fund its bid.


Day One: Eng take the edge

With the first day of the opening battle between South Africa done and dusted, we look at some crucial moments of the first day #39;s play in Port Elizabeth.


Mariners sign Beltre

After finishing at the bottom of the AL West and winding up last in the league in runs and homers, the Mariners reached agreement with Beltre on a \$64 million, five-year deal Thursday, The Associated Press learned.


Annan says UN is doing its job in Iraq

WASHINGTON - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Thursday that the world body is doing its job in Iraq in preparation for the Jan 30 elections.


Four killed, several injured in storm lashing western, northern <b>...</b>

A storm lashed Friday in western andnorthern France and the region of Paris, killing four people and injuring several others as well as cutting power to 385,000 homes.


Japanese Princess Postpones Engagement (AP)

AP - Princess Sayako, the only daughter of Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, on Saturday postponed the announcement of her engagement due to the death of her great-aunt, an official said.


Edmonton police find missing teen with fetal alcohol syndrome (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - EDMONTON (CP) - A 14-year-old boy with fetal alcohol syndrome who disappeared when he was allowed to go unsupervised to West Edmonton Mall was found Friday.


Miss. Aware of Past Orgeron Bad Behavior (AP)

AP - New Mississippi coach Ed Orgeron was charged with repeated domestic violence more than a decade ago when he was an assistant at Miami, according to records obtained Friday by The Associated Press.


GOP Senators Spring to Defend Rumsfeld (AP)

AP - The Senate's top two Republicans voiced support for Donald Rumsfeld on Friday as allies of the defense secretary sought to outflank increasingly vocal GOP critics in and out of Congress.


US writes off \$4.1bn in Iraq debt

The US cancels all the debt owed to it by Iraq and calls on other countries to do the same.


TV station put on US terror list

The United States bans Hezbollah's al-Manar television station, saying it incites violence in the Middle East.


Symantec shares slide on news of Veritas buy

Symantec moved a step closer to joining the ranks of the leading broad-based corporate software sellers yesterday as it announced a \$12.5bn all-stock agreement to buy storage and data back-up company Veritas.


Nice flat Mr Murdoch, yours for \$44m

The lavish apartment is, says Kirk Henckels - who finds the super-rich their homes in Manhattan -  quot;definitely the best of the best quot;.


Banks Scrutinize Their Accounting

The nation #39;s banks are heavy users of the complex financial contracts at the heart of Fannie Mae #39;s accounting woes, but bank regulators and financial experts said banks likely will avoid Fannie #39;s troubles.


Cisco to open R amp;D facility in Japan

CHICAGO: Telecommunications equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc. on Thursday said it will open a research facility in Tokyo, a move designed to strengthen its position in the growing Japanese market for high-speed Internet services.


European Craft  #39;Go #39; for Landing on Titan

After separation, Huygens will head on a non-powered trajectory that will take it to Titan on January 15, where parachutes will slow its descent onto the moon #39;s surface.


Week in review: The urge to merge

A corporate holiday shopping spree on steroids this week yielded three merger deals worth about \$60 billion--including one that ranks as the largest software merger in history.


Coulthard signs for Red Bull team

The deal, thought to be worth 2 million, could prove more lucrative if Coulthard hits performance targets. That, however, is a big  quot;if quot;, given the return of only seven points managed by Mark Webber last term.


Seattle lands big prize in Beltre; Hudson traded from Oakland to <b>...</b>

On a day of big movement in baseball, the New York Yankees are on the verge of claiming the biggest prize of all. The Yankees closed in on completing a blockbuster three-team trade that would send Randy


Mannings troubles amplified by Big Ben comparison

As if things werent going bad enough for Eli Manning, he got to hear all last week about how well fellow rookie Ben Roethlisberger was faring for the Steelers.


State vows to destroy killer shark

Authorities said they would kill the shark that tore apart a young surfer near an Australian beach as his friends tried to save him by beating the fish with oars.


Australia defends law against terrorism

JAKARTA: Australia defended a controversial maritime anti-terror plan on Friday after harsh words from neighbouring Indonesia that it breached international law and Jakartas sovereignty over its own waters.


Rights group slams Iraqi trials

Saddam Hussein #39;s defense minister, who surrendered to US forces last year, will appear alongside another notorious general - known as Chemical Ali - when investigative trials open next week, an official said Friday.


U.S., Europe at Odds on Emissions Controls

Negotiators worked into the final night of a two-week U.N. conference Friday in search of a way to bring the United States back into long-term talks on controlling global warming. Argentine organizers said they were optimistic about a compromise.


Ex-Soldiers Agree to Leave Aristide Estate

Brazilian peacekeepers forced their way into a compound seized by former soldiers who ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and said they had reached an agreement for the rebels to leave the premises unarmed.


Eye On Stocks For Monday, Dec. 20

NEW YORK - On. Dec. 17, the US Food and Drug Administration released a statement relating to Pfizer #39;s (nyse: PFE - news - people ) Celebrex.


UPDATE 2-Investment firm Lazard files for \$850 mln IPO

Private investment bank Lazard Ltd filed with US regulators on Friday to raise as much as \$850 million in an initial public offering


#39;Culture change #39; required at AstraZeneca after key drug fails

Astrazeneca Admitted yesterday to an over-optimistic culture within its drug development division as it revealed its recently launched lung cancer pill did not improve patients #39; life expectancy.


DaimlerChrysler Sued Over Car Seat Injury (Reuters)

Reuters - DaimlerChrysler AG  (DCXGn.DE)\has been hit with a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed by a\paraplegic who says the automaker's heated car seats caused him\a severe burn injury.


No regrets on Hubble repairs, departing NASA chief says

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. - NASA #39;s departing chief says he stands by his decision to cancel a shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.


Mourinho gets his wish

Chelsea said today they will not fear Barcelona after drawing the Spanish league leaders in the last 16 of the Champions League. Jose Mourinho got his wish of landing


Coulthard Gets 1 Year F1 Career Extension from Red Bull

In a highly anticipated move, Red Bull Racing announced today that it has signed David Coulthard to a one-year contract. Coulthard, by no means a spring chicken as far as F1 goes, is lucky to have gotten this


New Ole Miss coach says bad behavior in the past

New Mississippi coach Ed Orgeron was charged with repeated domestic violence more than a decade ago when he was an assistant at Miami, according to records obtained Friday by The Associated Press.


Reliever Alfonseca signs with Marlins

Free-agent reliever Antonio Alfonseca signed a one-year contract Friday to rejoin his former team, the Florida Marlins, who revised their offer when a routine physical disclosed a herniated disc in the right-hander #39;s back.


Hoosiers hire Hoeppner (tops)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. Indiana has named native son Terry Hoeppner (HEHP #39;-nur) football coach. He #39;s been at Miami of Ohio for six seasons and will coach the 8-and-4 Redhawks in the Independence Bowl against Iowa State on December 28th.


Five killed and three missing as Gaza smugglers #39; tunnel collapses

A tunnel being dug so that Palestinians could smuggle material from Egypt into Gaza collapsed yesterday leaving at least five people dead.


SIX KILLED AS STORM LASHES FRANCE

Hurricane-strength winds have lashed Paris and large areas of northern and eastern France, leaving six dead and cutting power to hundreds of thousands of homes.


Population decline? It's the economy, stupid

In the year that ended June 30, 2004, Massachusetts was the only state in the country that lost population -- 3,852 people to be exact. So here is my question: Are we Sweden or North Dakota?


Turf Toe Injury Sidelines Titans' Brown (AP)

AP - Tennessee running back Chris Brown will not play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders because of a turf toe injury.


NBA-All-Star Carter Joins Nets in Six-Player Trade (Reuters)

Reuters - The Toronto Raptors dealt four-times


BSNL, MTNL to launch high-speed Internet (Reuters)

Reuters - India's two state-run telephone companies will start high-speed Internet services from Jan. 15 at about a sixth of the prevailing prices, a government statement said on Friday.


Rupert Murdoch pays a sky-high 22m for Fifth Avenue penthouse <b>...</b>

Rupert Murdoch is moving. The owner of News Corporation was said yesterday to have offered \$44m (22m) for an elegant, three-level penthouse apartment facing Central Park on Manhattan #39;s fashionable Fifth Avenue.


Lions Sign Bubin From Jags' Practice Squad (AP)

AP - The Detroit Lions signed rookie offensive line Sean Bubin from Jacksonville's practice squad on Friday.


Cisco \$12M Tokyo research center

The Tokyo facility will open in February, 2005, representing an initial \$12 million investment over the next five years to study Internet Protocol-based networking technologies, including routers and Cisco IOS and IOS XR software, says the company.


No Regrets, Says Departing NASA Boss

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA #39;s departing boss, Sean O #39;Keefe, said Friday he does not regret canceling the last shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope - or anything else during his three years on the job.


Peter Wood

The enterprise is magnificent. If the information age could have an equivalent to building the Great Pyramid, this is it. Google plans to digitize Harvard #39;s libraries - and those of Oxford, Michigan, Stanford, and the New York Public.


Vince Carter dealt to Nets

The Toronto Raptors agreed Friday to trade Vince Carter to New Jersey Friday for three players and two draft picks. The NBA, however, must make sure the trade fits under the league #39;s salary cap before it can become final.


Recchi, mates shocked at NHL dismissal of union #39;s offer

Like his colleagues, Penguins winger Mark Recchi figured the NHL Players #39; Association made a fairly dramatic proposal last Thursday.


Hoeppner new coach at Indiana

Hoeppner has been the coach at Miami (Ohio) since 1999 and was an assistant at the school for 13 years before that.  quot;We talked to some terrific coaches throughout our search, but


Anti-terror ruling: Your reaction

Nine law lords have ruled that legislation allowing foreign nationals suspected of terrorism to be locked up indefinitely and without trial, contravenes human rights laws.


'Car bomb attack' kills 12 Iraqis

At least 12 Iraqis, 11 of them National Guardsmen, are killed in a car bomb explosion, the US military says.


Sharon strikes coalition deal with Labor

On a day Israeli forces attacked targets in Gaza, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reached agreement with the Labor Party on a national unity government -- strengthening his plan to disengage from the Palestinians.


Cuba counters US Christmas lights with anti-war banners

Just in time for the holidays, the US-Cuba propaganda war heated up Friday when Cuban authorities tacked up a huge banner outside America #39;s diplomatic post in Havana depicting the abuse of Iraqi prisoners.


Officials warn of Darfur ticking time bomb

African authorities are warning of a further disaster in Darfur as massive quantities of arms and ammunition pour into the region.


Pfizer's Celebrex Lifts Heart Attack Risk in Trial (Reuters)

Reuters - Pfizer Inc. on Friday said its popular\Celebrex arthritis drug more than doubled the risk of heart\attack in a large cancer-prevention trial, a setback that comes\just weeks after Merck   Co. recalled its similar Vioxx drug\due to heart safety risks.


CELEBREX UNDER MICROSCOPE

US drug giant Pfizer has said a trial had found a sharp rise in heart attacks for patients using its Celebrex arthritis and pain medicine but it would not immediately withdraw the treatment.


Yukos sale: Russia defies US

American courts came into direct conflict with Russia yesterday, after Russia insisted it would push on with plans to sell off the main chunk of stricken oil giant Yukos


Japan #39;s central bank downgrades its assessment of the economy

Japan #39;s central bank offered a bleaker assessment of the country #39;s economy Friday for the first time in more than a year and a half, citing weaker industrial production and slowing export growth.


Cuban Authorities Retaliate Against US Christmas Display

Cuban authorities have erected a huge poster across from the US Interests Section in Havana that depicts US soldiers abusing prisoners in Iraq.


Renewed fighting in Darfur inevitable, says African Union

quot;Astronomical quot; quantities of arms and ammunition have poured into Sudan #39;s Darfur region in the last two weeks and the government is poised for a major military offensive, African Union ceasefire monitors said yesterday.


South Korea and Japan urge Pyongyang to resume nuclear talks

Leaders of Japan and South Korea have jointly urged North Korea to return to talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons program. They agreed that imposing economic sanctions now on Pyongyang would thwart such efforts.


Bosnian Serb leader resigns

The prime minister of the Bosnian Serb-run half of Bosnia Herzegovina resigned yesterday, a day after international sanctions were imposed for the failure to arrest and hand over war-crimes suspects to the UN tribunal.


Bush Signs Intelligence Overhaul Bill (AP)

AP - President Bush on Friday signed the largest overhaul of U.S. intelligence-gathering in a half century, aiming to transform a system designed for Cold War threats so it can deal effectively with the post-Sept. 11 scourge of terrorism.


Colombia Says Rebel Leader May Avoid Extradition

BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombia said on Friday that a  top Marxist guerrilla leader may avoid extradition to the  United States if his rebel group frees 63 hostages, including  three Americans and one German.


Banks Drop Support of Bid for Russian Oil Giant #39;s Unit

Russia brushed aside an American court #39;s attempt to halt the auction of the oil giant Yukos #39; biggest production unit, but a consortium of international banks withdrew


Aviation Fight Mirrors Larger French-German Rivalry

In the global aerospace race, Europe has stolen a march on the United States, winning a flurry of contracts for Airbus planes and developing a new midsize jet to compete with Boeing.


Third AstraZeneca drug found wanting

AstraZeneca faced its third major setback in as many months yesterday after clinical trials dashed expectations that its lung cancer drug Iressa would develop into a blockbuster product that would dominate treatment around the world.


Microsoft Spyware Acquisition Hits Ownership Snag

Microsoft #39;s big move into the anti-spyware business has hit an immediate speed bump, with questions swirling around a Florida company #39;s claim that it co-owns the Giant AntiSpyware codeand all future definition updatesthat Microsoft purchased earlier


Three-team baseball trade still unresolved

If this gets done, the New York Yankees will greatly upgrade their rotation - if this gets done. The Yankees continued discussions Friday with the Dodgers


Turkish PM returns home to hero #39;s welcome

Turkey #39;s prime minister returned home Saturday to a hero #39;s welcome with some 2,000 supporters waving Turkish and European Union flags at the airport to celebrate a historic


U.S. Soldier, Afghan Killed in Gunfight (AP)

AP - A U.S. soldier was killed during fighting in western Afghanistan that also left an Afghan dead on Sunday.


Halo 2: The surprising anticlimax

Unlike the original game, Halo 2 doesn #39;t end with a bang so much as a whimper. When you get to the end of the game, as I did tonight (congrats if you beat me, but I have a life, sort of), you discover that


Palestinian Leader Contests Annexing Talk (AP)

AP - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, the leading contender to succeed Yasser Arafat, said Friday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's hope of annexing West Bank settlements and keeping all of Jerusalem in a final peace deal is a disaster that could torpedo efforts to restart peace talks.


Giants re-sign Christiansen

Giants left-handed reliever Jason Christiansen, who created a mild controversy last season when he taped a hand-lettered sign complaining he #39;d gone 15 days without


Japan puts off royal wedding announcement after family death (AFP)

AFP - Japan put on hold the long-awaited announcement that Princess Sayako would become the last of the emperor's children to marry after the oldest royal, Princess Kikuko, died at age 92.


Bush Ordering Better Ocean Oversight (AP)

AP - President Bush is creating a White House committee to oversee the nation's ocean policies, with plans to improve research, manage fisheries better and regulate pollution caused by boats.


Cisco to open Tokyo R amp;D Center

Cisco Systems plans to set up a research and development center in Tokyo, focusing on Internet software and routing technologies, a move that follows a growing number of major companies seeking R amp;D abroad.


Vince Carter traded to Nets

The New Jersey Nets have acquired five-time NBA All-Star guard/forward Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for center Alonzo Mourning, center/forward Aaron Williams, forward Eric Williams and two first round draft picks, Nets President Rod


Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. misses trial; arrest warrant issued

An arrest warrant has been issued for two-time world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., who failed to appear at a trial in which he is accused of kicking a bouncer at a bar.


Physical may stall deal for Alfonseca

Antonio Alfonseca #39;s return to the Marlins #39; bullpen has been put on hold because of a physical that found problems in the right-handed reliever #39;s back.


UN heads towards 60th year with big plans, big problems

UNITED NATIONS, (AFP) - The United Nations turns 60 in 2005 after a bruising year that has seen the organisation battered and demoralised by a string of scandals that have damaged the UN #39;s image.


Sudanese gov #39;t says ready to withdraw troops from Darfur

Bugged by pressure both from the African Union (AU) and the international community, the Sudanese government has announced its readiness to withdraw its troops fromthe troubled Darfur region.


Consumer prices in US edge higher

which jumped steeply the previous month - increased only modestly, official figures showed yesterday. Inflation


Pacers Edge Raptors, 89-86 (AP)

AP - Jamaal Tinsley scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Indiana Pacers to an 89-86 victory over the Toronto Raptors, who traded All Star Vince Carter to New Jersey earlier Friday.


Probe questions account given by British former home secretary in visa row (AFP)

AFP - An official inquiry will show that former British home secretary David Blunkett originally gave a misleading account in the case of a visa application for his former lover's nanny, a newspaper said.


Warriors' Dunleavy Misses Game vs. Rockets (AP)

AP - Golden State forward Mike Dunleavy missed the Warriors' game against the Houston Rockets on Friday night with a bruised lower left leg.


Category: SpeakersMics

iMac, eMac, iBook, PowerBook, Power Mac and iPod compatible, with easy plug and play set up and convenient touch controls, Creature takes multimedia sound to another dimension.


Van Nistelrooy set for scan

BEIJING, Dec. 16 -- Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to have a scan in a bid to try to find the root cause of his calf problem.


Calif. Launches  #36;3 Billon Stem Cell Program (Reuters)

Reuters - California officially launched\its controversial  #36;3 billion embryonic stem cell research\program on Friday, swearing in a policymaking committee and\elevating the campaign leader for the program to chairman.


Calif. Quake Data Bringing New Insights (AP)

AP - An unprecedented amount of data from a major Central California earthquake is generating new insight into how and where quakes strike, but hasn't improved scientists' ability to predict them.


U.S., Europe at Odds on Emissions Controls (AP)

AP - Negotiators worked into the final night of a two-week U.N. conference Friday in search of a way to bring the United States back into long-term talks on controlling global warming. Argentine organizers said they were optimistic about a compromise.


Baby cut from mother's womb

A baby believed to have been cut from her murdered mother's womb is found alive in the US.


The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, or EADS, is scrambling to quell an internal squabble that could increase tensions between French and German shareholders.


Vitual Flowers

\\This is cool.\\Hotornot just added a new feature to send a "virtual flower".  For \$2 (or so)\you can send a flower to a girl who you haven't yet met.\\I love it!  Awesome!\\\(16:44:01) metameta8080: dude, what a waste of money\\(16:44:15) metameta8080: virtual flowers are FREE\\(16:44:50) metameta8080: I will start an open source service for sending W3C\compliant virtual flowers, which are licenced under the creative commons.\\\


Harris Heads for Stanford on Losing Note (AP)

AP - Walt Harris definitely improved Pittsburgh football, just not enough to get the Panthers to the elite level.


FDA urged to drop fish mercury level

Researchers are urging the US Food and Drug Administration to lower the mercury level in commercial fish. In a study on canned fish published in this month #39;s Journal of Food Science


Murdoch bids \$44m for flat

THE billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch has offered to buy a three-storey penthouse in Manhattan for a record \$44 million (21.6 million).


IHG sells 13 North American hotels

InterContinental Hotels Group passed another milestone in its wide-ranging asset disposal programme yesterday when it sold 13 of its North American properties for \$425m (220m).


Microsoft Takes Another Stab at Web on TV (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - If a reputable company sold a dirt-cheap machine that provided blissfully simple and virus-free Internet access, you might expect to see crowds of customers rushing into stores, credit cards in hand.


Star footballer #39;s mother freed after kidnap ordeal

KIDNAPPERS have freed the mother of one of Brazils most exciting young footballing talents 40 days after they seized her at gunpoint, amid reports that a ransom was paid.


Dodgers would move Green, Penny to D-Backs

Randy Johnson is on the verge of being traded to the Yankees as part of a three-way deal that also would include the Dodgers. A source confirmed for ESPN that the teams are close to agreement on the principal


NFL notes: Janikowski finalizes extension with Raiders

Raiders: Sebastian Janikowski finalized a \$10.5 million, five-year contract extension with the Oakland Raiders that makes him the highest paid placekicker in the NFL.


Deadline issued over Sudan  #39;timebomb #39;

The African Union (AU) has issued a 24-hour deadline to the Sudanese Government and Darfur rebels to end fighting after a massive military build-up in the region over the past two weeks.


Japan, US agree to cooperate on new missile defense

Japan and the US yesterday agreed to boost cooperation in their missile defense programs -- an important first step in carrying out new defense guidelines that ease Tokyo #39;s strict postwar pacifism.


Bosnian Serb Premier Quits, Criticizing West

The leader of the Bosnian Serb government, Dragan Mikerevic, resigned Friday to protest what he described as unconstitutional interference in his government #39;s affairs by the country #39;s Western administrator.


US court move fuels the mixture

The US ruling to block the sale of the mainproduction asset of Yukos injected fresh intrigue into the demise of Russia #39;s largest oil company.


United pilots #39; cooperation on pensions expected to affect other <b>...</b>

CHICAGO _ The leaders of United Airlines pilots union have agreed to accept a 15 percent pay cut and not oppose the elimination of their pension plan, setting a precedent both


Sean O #39;Keefe

It looks like NASA Administrator Sean O #39;Keefe will return to his home state of Louisiana to become the next chancellor at LSU.


Intel hires HP Itanium processor design team

Intel is to hire HP #39;s 300-member Itanium processor design team based in Fort Collins, Colorado. This will end HPs processor development attempts within the company.


Randy Johnson headed to Yankees?

He #39;s part of a proposed three-team trade that also includes the Diamondbacks and Dodgers -- a deal reportedly close to being finalized.


Epstein brushes aside Pedro rips

Over the last couple of days, former Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez certainly laid the groundwork for what could have been a pretty engaging war of words with his ex-employers.


Suspects try for freedom after terror ruling by law lords

LAWYERS acting for 12 foreign terror suspects detained without trial will try to get them released on bail within the month after the ruling by the law lords that holding them is unlawful.


US, Europe at Odds on Emissions Controls

Negotiators worked through the final day of a two-week UN conference Friday in search of a way to bring the United States back into long-term talks on controlling global warming.


Cardinals, King Agree to Contract Terms (AP)

AP - The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to terms on a two-year contract with left-handed reliever Ray King on Friday.


Sox reach agreement with Clement

The Red Sox have reached agreement with free agent pitcher Matt Clement yesterday on a three-year deal that will pay him around \$25 million, his agent confirmed yesterday.


Wait a minute

MIAMI The Miami Dolphins are putting their courtship of LSU coach Nick Saban on hold. A team source tells The Associated Press that they want to comply with the NFL #39;s hiring policy by interviewing a minority candidate,.


Amid a Whirlwind of Change, Martnez Returns to His Roots

Less than 24 hours after Pedro Martnez stood inside Shea Stadium for his introduction as the Mets' newest pitcher, he was on an island in the Caribbean Sea.


Long Climb Pays Off for Jets' Linebacker

Mark Brown has gone from the practice squad to the starting lineup in a little more than a year.


Same Old Story: Yankees Sour on a Younger Pitcher

Javier Vazquez was supposed to be the impressive pitcher the Yankees would use as a linchpin in their rotation for any number of seasons.


Russia Pursues Contested Yukos Sale

Description: Russian officials make it clear they plan to proceed with an auction of oil company Yukos #39; main production unit, despite a restraining order from a US court.


AZ suspends marketing of cancer drug

AstraZeneca, the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical group, suffered another setback when it suspended marketing of Iressa, a lung cancer drug launched this year.


Undermanned Pacers trim Raptors

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - If Eric Williams and Aaron Williams are tough on the boards and have a magic potion to win on the road, they #39;ll be an instant hit with Toronto Raptors fans.


Court leaves UK terror laws in tatters

A scathing judgment from the UK #39;s highest court condemning the UK government #39;s indefinite detention of foreign terror suspects as a threat to the life of the nation, left anti-terrorist laws in the UK in tatters on Thursday.


ACC Is Leagues Ahead

From top to bottom ACC play, which will begin Sunday with two games, could be even more competitive than originally thought.


Parking Fees May Help

A plan to raise \$100 million by charging for parking near a new stadium is one of the top proposals in the city's bid to find private money to finance the ballpark.


Suns Tops in West

Using what he learned from Italy's pro league, Mike D'Antoni has installed a run-and-gun offense that has Phoenix trampling opponents.


Changes Made to RPI

The NCAA Division I men's basketball committee is changing the way it calculates the Ratings Percentage Index, giving more weight to playing and winning games on the road.


'Unit' Deal Unresolved

The Yankees, Diamondbacks and Dodgers are still working to complete a deal that would put Randy Johnson in pinstripes, send Shawn Green to Arizona and land Javy Vazquez in Los Angeles.


McNair's Season Over

Titans quarterback Steve McNair will undergo surgery to strengthen his bruised sternum and will miss the final three games of the year.


Consumer Prices Calm Down in November (AP)

AP - Consumer prices calmed down in November, helped by smaller increases in energy and food. That means the Federal Reserve probably will continue raising interest rates only gradually to keep inflation under control.


Pricey Trials Turn Up Few New Blockbusters

The \$500 billion drug industry is stumbling badly in its core business of finding new medicines, while aggressively marketing existing drugs.


UPDATE 1-US concerned about UAL/pilots deal on pension plan

The US agency that insures corporate pensions is troubled by provisions in a \$180 million concession deal between pilots and United Airlines (UALAQ.


U.S. Wireless Use Behind Rest of World (AP)

AP - On a trip on the Tokyo subway last year, almost everyone ignored the young man talking on one wireless phone, messaging with another and juggling a third.


New IE Exploit Spoofs Web Sites (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - Security researchers have uncovered a spoofing flaw in Internet Explorer that could allow a scammer to display a fake Web site with all the attributes of a genuine, secure site.


Cardinals reach deal with King

The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to terms on a two-year contract with left-handed reliever Ray King on Friday. The deal also has a club option in 2007, but no financial terms were disclosed.


Timberwolves Crush the Clippers 113-86 (AP)

AP - Wally Szczerbiak scored a season-high 29 points, including 11 in the third quarter, and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 113-86 on Friday night.


Thailand: Origami Politics Wont Do

In southern Thailand where unemployment is high, thousands of people have been spending the past couple of weeks collecting paper cranes fired at their villages and towns from the air.


NASA Retires Historic B-52 'Mothership' (AP)

AP - NASA on Friday retired the B-52B jet that served as the "mothership" for a half-century of flight research projects ranging from the X-15 rocket planes of the 1960s to the X-43A hypersonic jet that flew at nearly 10 times the speed of sound last month.


EU-Turkey Deal Hailed as a Bridge Builder

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU's historic deal with Turkey to  open entry talks with the vast Muslim country was hailed by  supporters as a bridge builder between Europe and the Islamic  world.


Taiwan Says China Setting Out Legal Basis to Attack

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan condemned China's proposed  anti-secession law on Saturday, calling it a move to establish  a legal basis to attack the island.


In Congo War, Even Peacekeepers Add to Horror

Local women in Congo have accused U.N. soldiers of sexually assaulting them, using money and treats as lures.


A Brush With China's Twilight Zone

The government struggles to adapt its old methods of social control to the challenge of maintaining authority over a society seeking greater freedoms.


Home Turf Shaky For Ukraine Premier

As Yanukovych campaigned in his own stronghold of eastern Ukraine Friday, the presence of opposition supporters and the color of the "Orange Revolution" were evidence of the changed political landscape.


Russia Plans to Proceed With Yukos Oil Auction

MOSCOW, Dec. 17 -- Russia pledged Friday to  ignore a U.S. court ban on the looming auction of oil giant Yukos' key production unit, while a consortium of Western banks reportedly put on hold billions of dollars in credit for the state-run Russian gas company that was expected to buy the unit.


U.N. Forces Ex-Soldiers From Aristide Home

U.N. peacekeepers detonated an explosive device to force their way into the former residence of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and persuaded a group of ex-soldiers to leave unarmed, ending a two-day standoff.


The Glitch  That Stole Holiday Buys

Online shoppers intent on skipping long lines and clogged parking lots at the mall are discovering a different kind of traffic problem this holiday season: overcrowded Web sites that are cracking under the pressure.  -The Washington Post


A.C.L.U.'s Search for Data on Donors Stirs Privacy Fears

The A.C.L.U. is collecting information in a fund-raising effort that has ignited a debate over its commitment to privacy rights.


Europe Bloc Says Turks Can Apply

European Union leaders said Turkey could join its ranks as soon as 10 years from now, but warned that it must overcome opposition to a Muslim country's entering the European fold.


New IE hole could perfect phishing scams

A newly reported security problem in Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) Web browser allows attackers to create a fake Web site that looks exactly like a genuine site.


Analysis: PeopleSoft users speak out about Oracle takeover

The great debate over the impact of Oracle's hostile takeover of PeopleSoft has all the big industry analyst organizations weighing in. However, in most of the analysis one group's opinion seems to have been overlooked: that of PeopleSoft users.


Duncan Leads Spurs Past Hornets 83-69 (AP)

AP - Tim Duncan had 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to their third straight victory, 83-69 over the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.


Yanks Still Working On Deal for Johnson

The New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers spent yesterday trying to put the finishing touches on the megadeal that would move all-stars Randy Johnson, Shawn Green and Javier Vazquez.


Celtics hold off charging Jazz

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Gary Payton #39;s hot start helped the Boston Celtics rebound from a tough loss. Payton scored 18 of his season-high 27 points in the first half to lead the Celtics to a 114-106 victory over the struggling Utah Jazz.


Ex-soldiers occupying Aristide #39;s abandoned estate refuse to disarm

Ex-soldiers from Haiti #39;s disbanded army occupied the plundered estate of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide for a third day yesterday, refusing to leave the compound unarmed and raising fears of a confrontation with UN


iPod User #146;s Guide

Introducing his iPod User #146;s Guide, the Wall Street Journal #146;s Walt Mossberg writes,  #147;By all accounts, millions of people will buy or receive Apple Computer #146;s iPod digital-music players this holiday season. The gadgets are beautifully designed and simple to operate, which is one reason they #146;re so popular, even after three years on the market and despite a rising number of competitors. #148; Dec 15


A Tenuous Hold on Middle Class

Even as African Americans and other minorities have made economic progress in the last 40 years, many of those reaching the middle-income rung are finding it a hollow promise.


Bush's Economic Vision

The president's plan to partially privatize Social Security probably won't adversely impact financial markets, even if the program entails hundreds of billions of dollars in debt, Treasury Secretary John W. Snow said Friday.


Pension Agency Wary of UAL Deal

United Airlines parent UAL Corp. and leaders of its pilots union have agreed on a deal under which the pilots will not oppose termination of their pension plan but will receive a \$550 million note convertible into company stock when the airline emerges from bankruptcy protection.


Celebrex Trial Halted

A clinical trial of the blockbuster arthritis drug Celebrex was shut down Friday after researchers found an increase in the risk of serious heart disease and strokes in those taking the drug.


Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Resigns (AP)

AP - The prime minister of the Bosnian Serb-run half of the country resigned Friday, a day after the U.S. government and Bosnia's top international administrator sanctioned Bosnian Serbs for failing to arrest and hand over war crimes suspects to the U.N. tribunal.


Wade Leads Heat Past the Nuggets 107-100 (AP)

AP - Dwyane Wade scored 25 points and Shaquille O'Neal 20 to help the Miami Heat win their seventh straight game, 107-100 Friday night over the Denver Nuggets  #151; who lost forward Carmelo Anthony to a sprained left ankle.


Minn. Woman, Husband Acquitted in Mexico (AP)

AP - An American woman and her Mexican husband who said they were tortured by police and forced to confess to killing a Mexican girl were acquitted Friday of the murder charges.


Annan Seeks EU Support for U.N. Reforms (AP)

AP - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan sought European support Friday for his plan to give regional heavyweights such as Brazil and Japan more clout at the United Nations.


If Nats Move, Problems Await

If MLB and the DC Council fail to reach an agreement to keep the Nationals in Washington, baseball would be faced with the difficult question of what to do with the league-owned franchise next season.


Knicks 113 76ers 107, overtime

PHILADELPHIA Allan Houston and Kurt Thomas provided the big baskets in New York #39;s 113-to-107 overtime triumph at Philadelphia.


England restrict South Africa to 273/7

Matthew Hoggard and Andrew Flintoff claimed three wickets each as England restricted South Africa to 273 for seven on day one of the First Test in Port Elizabeth on Friday.


Timberwolves Crush the Clippers 113-86

Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman, right, drives against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Mark Madsen in the second quarter, Friday, Dec. 17, 2004, in Minneapolis.


Marlins Make Move

Free-agent reliever Antonio Alfonseca signed a one-year contract Friday to rejoin his former team, the Florida Marlins.


Security, Storage To Merge

When solution providers look back on Symantec #39;s acquisition of Veritas Software, they will likely remember it as the moment security and storage officially became joined at the hip.


Japan #39;s central bank downgrades its assessment of the economy? <b>...</b>

Japan #39;s central bank downgraded its assessment of the economy for the first time in more than a year Friday, citing weakening industrial production and slowing export growth.


Pension Agency Wary of UAL Deal

United Airlines parent UAL Corp. and leaders of its pilots union have agreed on a deal under which the pilots will not oppose termination of their pension plan but will receive a \$550 million note convertible


Mourinho welcomes return to Barcelona stamping ground

Jose Mourinho welcomed Chelsea #39;s high-profile Champions League tie against Barcelona on Friday, saying the match would be spectacular and close but Chelsea could shade it.


Renteria introduced

Although he hasn #39;t spoken to any of his new Red Sox stats, schedule teammates yet, Edgar Renteria said he #39;d like to get fellow snowbird Manny Ramirez stats, news to teach him to hit #39; #39; when they speak this week in Miami.


Ancira I-10 Chrysler Jeep Kia

(Sports Network) - The suddenly struggling Los Angeles Clippers attempt to put an end to a three-game skid tonight, when they battle the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.


UK anti-terror law ruled illegal

Detaining foreign terrorist suspects without trial breaks human rights laws, the UKs highest court ruled on Thursday. In a blow to the governments anti-terror measures, the House of Lords ruled by an


Langer batting, Shoaib bowling

AUSTRALIAN openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer have made a good start on day three of the first cricket Test against Pakistan at the WACA Ground.


Young Chinese spend 1,000 times as much as their parents on weddings (AFP)

AFP - Modern Chinese couples spend 1,000 times more than their parents' generation on lavish weddings and other expenses linked to starting a family, state media reported.


Yushchenko Poisoned With Pure TCDD (AP)

AP - Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko was poisoned with TCDD, the most harmful known dioxin and one contained in Agent Orange, a scientist who analyzed his blood said Friday.


ADB grants 200 million dollars for Philippines health sector (AFP)

AFP - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it has approved two loans totalling 213 million dollars to improve the health sector in the Philippines.


Feds forecast better 2005

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration released a new economic forecast for 2005 on Friday in which it boosted growth forecasts slightly from a year ago but cut back sharply on its estimates of new jobs.


Cisco To Open R amp;D Center in Japan To Hone Broadband

Products produced to meet Japan #39;s demand for broadband services will be  quot;robust enough to handle any other market in the world, quot; said Mike Volpi of Cisco #39;s routing technology group.


Questions for NASA

THE TWO ASTRONAUTS aboard the international space station have been asked to cut calories because, with the space shuttle out of commission, food supplies are running low.


Microsoft Adds Desktop to MSN Toolbar

(Article Central) Software giant Microsoft Corp. introduced a beta version of its new MSN Toolbar Suite, with new desktop search functionality that allows users to find almost any type of document, media file


Cingular releases Sony Ericsson Z500a

Cingular Wireless is now offering the Sony Ericsson Z500a handset. The Z500a is a GSM/GPRS/EDGE clamshell phone, offering high-speed data transfers for MMS, web browsing, and either POP3 or IMAP4 e-mail access.


Apple Releases Updated OS X to Fix FireWire, Game Issues

Apple Computer Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., this week released an updater for its Mac OS X operating system, bringing it to Version 10.3.7.


Langer, Ponting make Pakistan toil

Australia led Pakistan by 312 runs with nine second-innings wickets in hand when lunch was taken on the third day of the first test at the WACA in Perth on Saturday.


Yanks move closer to landing Unit

The Big Unit is still on track to land at Yankee Stadium - eventually. Although there were stumbling blocks yesterday in the complicated multi-team trade


CZAR: Giants could have had Big Ben

A not so-funny thing will happen Saturday. Giant fans will see Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback that got away when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Meadowlands.


NCAA Game Summary - James Madison vs. Montana

Chattanooga, TN (Sports Network) - Justin Rascati and Maurice Fenner each ran for two touchdowns to lead the James Madison Dukes over the Montana Grizzlies, 31-21, in the Division I-AA championship game at Finley Stadium.


Europe Bloc Says Turks Can Apply; Long Road Seen

The European Union said Friday that Turkey could join its ranks as soon as 10 years from now, but warned that it must overcome widespread public opposition to a Muslim country #39;s entering the European fold.


Israel kills six Palestinians in Gaza raid

GAZA CITY: Prime Minister Ariel Sharons optimism for peace in 2005 was immediately dealt a blow by Israelis with the killing of six Palestinians on Friday by Israeli troops during an incursion in Gaza.


Pilots' Union at United Makes Pension Deal

The union that represents pilots at United Airlines said Friday that it had struck a deal that would allow the airline to terminate the pilots' ailing pension plan.


quot;US economy growth to slow down next year quot;

Washington, Dec. 18. (PTI):The growth rate of United States will slow down a little bit next year though the general economic conditions  quot;look very sound, quot; Bush #39;s economic advisers have warned.


Microsoft moves against spyware with Giant acquisition

Microsoft has purchased Giant Company Software, a small anti-spyware software company it hopes will shore up its security defenses.


Aussies Pile on Runs

Australia picked up from where they left off in their first innings by racking up the runs in their second innings to take a 312-run lead into lunch on day three of the first Test in Perth.


Manning ready to face Ravens #39; aggressive defense

INDIANAPOLIS Peyton Manning has a shot at breaking Dan Marino #39;s record for the most touchdown passes in a season when the Indianapolis Colts face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.


Gambhir, Dravid hit tons as India score 334 for two (Night Lead):

Sports India, Cricket: Chittagong, Dec 17 : Centuries by Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir guided India to a total of 334 for two wickets at the end of the first day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh here Friday.


Croatians vote in presidential elections; Mesic expected to win second term (AFP)

AFP - Croatians go to the polls with incumbent President Stipe Mesic expected to win his second five-year term with the prospect of leading the former Yugoslav republic into the European Union.


NBA Wrap: Heat Tame Bobcats to Extend Winning Streak

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dwyane Wade poured in 26 points and  dished out nine assists as the Miami Heat scorched the  expansion Charlotte Bobcats 113-90 in NBA action on Saturday,  to extend their franchise record win streak to 14 games.


Historic Turkey-EU deal welcomed

The European Union #39;s decision to begin entry talks with Turkey has received a widespread welcome. But Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will face tough questions at home about what he has signed up to.


US again vows to hunt bin Laden

The United States has again vowed to hunt down Osama bin Laden after intelligence analysts all but confirmed the voice on a new audio recording was that of the al-Qaeda terror chief.


Arafat #39;s death opens door for peace

Yasser Arafat #39;s death opens a window of opportunity. The Palestinian leader who loomed so large for so many years - and who had recently been rejected as a partner by Israel


Former soldiers occupuing ex-president #39;s home evicted

PORT-AU-PRINCE, (AFP) - Armed UN peacekeepers and Haitian police evicted former soldiers who were occupying ousted president Jean Bertrand Aristide #39;s luxurious mansion here.


MIND GAMES: Abduction issue

Negotiating with North Korea is rarely anything but bumpy. But in recent months, Japan once got close to getting Pyongyang #39;s commitment to rejoin the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)-but Tokyo blew it.


Pilots #39; Union at United Makes Pension Deal

The union that represents pilots at United Airlines said yesterday that it had struck a deal that would allow the airline to terminate the pilots #39; ailing pension plan and partly compensate them for the loss.


India pile on runs

Gautam Gambhir #39;s maiden Test century and a typical Rahul Dravid ton helped India defy a three-prong Bangladesh attack on the opening day of the second and the final Test here on Friday.


US painted as fascist torturers in Havana propaganda battle

A war of words flared yesterday when Cuban authorities displayed a giant swastika and pictures of abused Iraqi prisoners in front of the US mission in Havana.


Grizzlies 89, Nets 84

MEMPHIS, Tenn. Jason Williams had a season-high 27 points and six assists to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to an 89-to-84 win over the New Jersey Nets.


Free-agent signings bump some Mariners into role revisions

The signings of Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson will have a domino effect on the rest of the Mariners #39; plans, not to mention the rest of the Mariners.


Hundreds to rally for regiments

Campaign group Save The Scottish Regiments organises a march in Edinburgh against Army cuts.


Biggest Utility in New Jersey Seen as Target of Acquisition

The Exelon Corporation, the owner of utilities in northern Illinois and eastern Pennsylvania, is in talks to acquire P.S.E. G.


Lazard I.P.O. Seeks to Raise \$850 Million

Lazard, the financial advisory boutique, filed for an initial public offering that is expected to command a valuation of around \$3 billion.


Banks Drop Support of Bid for Russian Oil Giant's Unit

A consortium of international banks has withdrawn their support for a bid by the state gas monopoly Gazprom to buy one of Yukos's prized assets.


White House Predicts Slower Growth in 2005

The Bush administration predicted on Friday that economic growth would slow to 3.5 percent from about 4 percent next year but still be strong enough to reduce unemployment slightly.


High dosage of Celebrex carries heart attack, stroke risk, Pfizer <b>...</b>

Pfizer Inc. said Friday that it found an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes for patients taking high dosages of its top-selling arthritis painkiller Celebrex, the same


Exelon in talks to buy PSEG for \$12bn

Exelon, the US energy group, is in advanced talks to buy the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) for about \$12bn in stock, according to people familiar with the talks.


Be careful, that e-card may be a virus

IF you were planning to save on postage this year by sending electronic greeting cards, think again. And be careful when opening any you get.


Cingular offering the Sony Ericsson Z500a

The Sony Ericsson Z500a is packed with features such as 3D gaming, music ringtones, integrated VGA digital camera with zoom with video capabilities for short taking short clips.


Stove burns hot in Seattle

The Mariners, who as a collective organization said to anyone who would listen that they wouldn #39;t stand for another 99-loss season or anything resembling it, have put their money where their mouth is.


Different routes, same result as teams gird for title game

It no longer matters that Montana #39;s drive to the NCAA Division I-AA football championship game has featured six straight homefield victories - all


Locked-out NHLers defeat Swedish champs

Ray Whitney scored for the second straight game and added an assist, helping the World Stars rebound from a lopsided loss and beat Swedish champion HV71 5-1 on Friday.


White House welcomes EU-Turkey breakthrough

The White House on Friday warmly welcomed a hard-fought deal between the European Union and Turkey that sets the stage for Ankara to start EU entry talks next year.


Iraqi gunmen kill foreigners in car and cut head off one of their <b>...</b>

GUNMEN attacked a car in the Iraq city of Mosul yesterday, killing three foreigners and their Iraqi driver before cutting off the head of one of the victims.


Fenner, Banks give JMU ground control on way to I-AA title

In this mountainous area, James Madison #39;s Dukes seemed to play offense downhill last night. With a veteran offensive line and two physical runners, JMU overpowered Montana


The Bush administration predicted on Friday that economic growth would slow next year but still be strong enough to reduce unemployment slightly.


American Express to cut 2,000 jobs

American Express Co said it will cut 2,000 jobs, or 2.5 per cent of its work force, in a restructuring designed to save more than USD 75 million a year before taxes.


NBA Wrap: Heat Tame Bobcats to Extend Winning Streak (Reuters)

Reuters - Dwyane Wade poured in 26 points and\dished out nine assists as the Miami Heat scorched the\expansion Charlotte Bobcats 113-90 in NBA action on Saturday,\to extend their franchise record win streak to 14 games.


Reports: Red Sox reach agreement with Clement

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox apparently have moved quickly to address the loss of ace Pedro Martinez. According to multiple reports Friday, the Red Sox and veteran right-hander Matt Clement have come


Bangla bowlers send ripples; India 403 for six

CHITTAGONG: India received early blows from cricketing minnows Bangladesh on the second day of the second cricket Test here on Saturday.


Spotless Singapore cracks down after dengue outbreak (AFP)

AFP - Singapore homeowners found with mosquitoes breeding on their premises will be fined instantly after dengue fever cases hit a 10-year high in the city-state better known for its spotless streets.


Neighbors Honor Soldier Who Touched Many Lives

The funeral procession for Army Capt. Mark Stubenhofer was so long yesterday that his family had to wait a half-hour in blustery winds before the service could begin at Arlington National Cemetery.