Ga. Tech romps past Michigan

Ewing #39;s last 3-pointer came in the final minute, when he swished one with the shot clock winding down to give Duke a 78-73 lead.


Wheldon targets IRL title

Dan Wheldon is confident he can win the Indy Racing League title next season after coming close this year. The Englishman was a serious challenger all year but finished runner-up to his Andretti Green team-mate Tony Kanaan.


Ask The Post

Jill Dutt, assistant managing editor for Financial news, takes your questions on The Washington Post's coverage of business and finance.


Suu Kyi to be held for another year

Myanmar #39;s military rulers will keep opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi isolated under house arrest until at least November 27 next year, her opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) has said.


US lawyers file complaint over abuses in Abu Ghraib

BERLIN -- A group of American civil rights attorneys filed a criminal complaint in German court yesterday against top US authorities, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, for acts of torture committed at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.


Greece to be warned on euro data

The European Commission is to warn Greece about publishing false information about its public finances.


Six Americans killed in Afghanistan plane crash

KABUL (AFP) - Three US military personnel and three American civilian crew members were killed when their plane crashed at the weekend in central Afghanistan, the US military said.


Mozambique Votes to Elect Successor to Chissano

Mozambique used canoes and helicopters to ferry ballot papers to remote rural districts for Wednesday #39;s election to pick a successor to President Joaquim Chissano who spent 18 years in office.


Row over Airbus boss intensifies

French and German executives are in a bitter dispute over the leadership of aerospace firm EADS.


Nokia to make handsets in India

Nokia, the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturer, is to start making handsets in India.


The Rediff Special/rediff.com Newsdesk

Twenty years after the world #39;s worst industrial disaster killed 7,000 people, maimed thousands for life, and eventually claimed at least 15,000 more lives, the survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy still await justice.


Southwestern adventure in a ski town

Finding a ski bum working in a ski town restaurant is easy. But Peter Willis took it a step further.


Past meets present here

quot;You are entering the past, quot; the sign says.  quot;No cellphones. quot; Inside, the wooden floor creaks in spots and the aisles are crammed with everything from souvenir coffee mugs to toothpaste. There's even homemade fudge.


New software blows the whistle on viruses #39; activities

Engineers at Hewlett-Packard are working on  quot;virus throttling quot; software that could slow the spread of viruses and worms, possibly limiting the destruction hackers inflict on millions of computers each year.


New eco-friendly mobile phone case turns into flower

Feeling guilty that you #39;ve just thrown away your umpteenth mobile phone to get the latest handset? Soon you may be able to plant your old one and watch it grow into a flower.


Microsoft sues firms for software violations

The world #39;s largest computer software manufacturer filed suit Tuesday in US District Court against a local software retailer it claims is selling and distributing counterfeit software labels.


Researchers reconstruct parts of the genome of a common mammalian <b>...</b>

A group of researchers has re-created with remarkable accuracy part of the genome of the common ancestor of all placental mammals, a small shrew-like creature that prowled the forests of what is now Asia more than 80 million years ago.


HP kit to get Virus Throttler next year

Hewlett-Packard is planning to build Virus Throttler technology into ProLiant servers and ProCurve switches starting in early 2005.


Sony Adds MP3 Support To NW-HD3

Someone at Sony has wisened up and decided to add MP3 support to their new NW-HD3 player slated for release in December.  quot;Sony is broadening support for the MP3 file format in its portable music player range.


Stocks to Open Higher Despite Weak Dollar

US stock futures were headed higher Wednesday as traders dive into a new month looking for an upbeat December market despite lingering questions about oil prices and a weaker dollar.


HP plans to slow Net worms

Hewlett-Packard is working on software that it says could slow the spread of Internet-borne worms and viruses, AP reports. Researchers at the company say the new virus-throttling software would not destroy


CONSUMERS GROWING WARY

Good news about US economic growth was offset by signs that the nation #39;s consumers were feeling less giddy than they had for more than eight months.


Adecco, Manpower, Vedior Probed for Collusion #39; (Update1)

Regulators in France, the world #39;s third-biggest temporary employment market, are investigating Adecco SA, Manpower Inc. and Vedior NV, the top providers of such workers, for alleged violations of competition laws.


ShopKo November Sales Down 4.8 Percent

ShopKo Stores Inc. said Wednesday that sales at stores open at least one year, or same-store sales, fell 4.8 percent during the month of November.


Genome of the mammalian common ancestor reconstructed

Using computer programs,scientists have suceeded in reconstructing the DNA of a creature that lived at the time of the dinosaurs more than 75 million years ago, a small, furry nocturnal animal that was the common ancestor of all placental mammals


Update 6: Anthem, WellPoint Complete Merger

Just hours after winning approval from Georgia, Anthem Inc. and WellPoint Health Networks Inc. announced the completion of a \$16.5 billion merger creating the nation #39;s largest health insurance company.


China opens cities early to foreign lenders

BEIJING China on Wednesday opened its ancient capital of Xi #39;an and an industrial city in the northeast to overseas banks, a year earlier than planned, as it eases restrictions on their expansion.


IBM Details PC Unit's Financial Woes

The business racked up nearly \$1 billion in losses since 2001.


Knicks slip past Hawks

He took a number of ridiculous shots last night, but one fell at precisely the right moment and gave the Knicks a dramatic 110-109 overtime victory against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.


Cuba Releases Five Dissidents

In a bid to thaw icy relations with Europe after last year #39;s crackdown on dissent, Cuban authorities released well-known writer Raul Rivero and four other dissidents as the EU reviews


Mozambique Prepares for Elections to Replace Chissano

Mozambique holds elections on Wednesday and Thursday to choose a successor to President Joaquim Chissano, who ruled for 18 years and led the southern African country to peace after a long civil war that claimed up to a million lives.


Flowering phone is environmental wake-up call

A rose is a rose is a phone? British scientists seeking to protect the environment have designed a biodegradable mobile phone cover that breaks down in soil when discarded and sprouts


OECD sees China GDP growth slowing to 8 in 2005

LONDON (CBS.MW)-- The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development expects Chinese economic growth to slow to 8 percent in 2005, reflecting high oil prices and new government measures, AFX news reported from Paris.


DATA VIEW: Australian Economy Puts Brakes On In 3Q -2-

SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Australian economic growth slowed sharply in the third quarter, hurt by a sluggish export sector with some offset coming from still buoyant domestic demand.


US Stocks Dip

Stocks were down on Wall Street today as consumer confidence dropped despite the latest report on the US gross domestic product, which grew at a faster pace than expected.


UAL pension trustee seeks \$994 million

United Airlines must pay \$994 million in skipped contributions to employee pension plans and in benefits accrued by the plans, said the company appointed to protect worker interests in the retirement funds.


Philippine survivors flee new typhoon, 600 dead or missing

REAL, Philippines (AFP) - Terrified survivors were fleeing the northeastern Philippines as a new storm bore down on the area where floods and landslides have killed more than 400 people and left nearly 200 missing.


UK may need to raise taxes to cut deficits - OECD

British public borrowing is set to rise and the government will need to raise taxes or reduce spending to decisively cut the deficit, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said yesterday.


Stocks Seen Higher as Oil Slips Below \$49

US stock futures pointed to a higher market open on Wednesday, with oil dipping below \$49 a barrel and a batch of economic data on tap.


EU to Pursue Legal Action Against Greece

The European Union #39;s executive commission said Wednesday it would open legal proceedings against Greece for its sloppy bookkeeping and underreporting its budget deficit by billions of euros between 1997 and 2003.


ESPN to Offer Phone Service Through Sprint (AP)

AP - Sports cable channel ESPN will launch its own branded wireless phone service next year, the first in a series of branded cell phone services planned by The Walt Disney Co., which owns ESPN.


ShopKo Reports November Retail Sales

GREEN BAY, Wis., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ShopKo Stores, Inc. (NYSE:SKO), today reported consolidated sales for the four weeks ended November 27, 2004 decreased 4.9 percent to \$272.8 million from \$286.8 million during the same period last year.


Vehicle complexity leads to record number of recalls

Automakers have recalled more vehicles in the USA this year than ever before, likely more a result of the increasing complexity of cars and trucks and greater vigilance than a lapse in quality.


Hamas Says to Boycott Palestinian Presidential Vote (Reuters)

Reuters - The Palestinian Islamic militant faction\Hamas will boycott a Jan. 9 presidential election for a\successor to Yasser Arafat, a senior Hamas leader said on\Wednesday.


Myanmar to Detain Suu Kyi Another Year -- Party (Reuters)

Reuters - Myanmar's military rulers will keep\opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi isolated under house arrest\until at least Nov. 27 next year, her National League for\Democracy (NLD) said on Wednesday.


Egypt and Israel Discuss Gaza Withdrawal (AP)

AP - Egypt's foreign minister and Israel's prime minister on Wednesday discussed the terms of a planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, including the deployment of hundreds of Egyptian troops to ensure calm along the volatile Egypt-Gaza border.


ESPN to Launch Mobile Phone Service in Sprint Deal (Reuters)

Reuters - Walt Disney Co.'s  ESPN\sports television network is launching its own brand of mobile\phone service in a deal with Sprint Corp.  intended to\lure new users with sports news sent over a next-generation\network, the companies said on Wednesday.


Sybase Server Available On IBM Linux Hardware (TechWeb)

TechWeb - Sybase Inc. on Tuesday said it plans to ship next year a version of its Linux-based database on IBM's eServer systems.


Video System Provides Bench Strength (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - World Champion Boston Red Sox employ video cataloguing of every pitch in every game using specialized software.


New Program Turns Consumers Into Spam Vigilantes

Lycos Europe debuted a new weapon in the war against unwanted e-mail Tuesday, by launching a screensaver designed to overload the Web sites featured in spam messages.


Kennedy Knicknacks to Go on the Block Next Year

Lovers of Kennedy lore will get a rare chance at owning some common possessions of late President John F. Kennedy and his family in an auction of art, furniture and other effects from their homes.


Turning Phone Into Broadcaster (Ziff Davis)

Ziff Davis - Enterprise communications systems are no longer used simply as tools of convenience and sound business practice but increasingly as crisis-management programs as well.


UCI says Tyler Hamilton dumped by Phonak

GENEVA (Ticker) - Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton has been dumped by his pro cycling team after he failed blood doping tests, the sport #39;s world governing body announced on Tuesday.


Notre Dame fires Willingham

After three up-and-down seasons that briefly brought the Notre Dame football program back to elite status, then quickly returned it to mediocrity, it was announced Tuesday


Davis Cup final to break spectator records

This weekend #39;s Davis Cup final between Spain and the United States is to set a new record for the number of spectators at an official tennis match.


Federer Eases to Victory in Qatar Open

DOHA (Reuters) - World number one and top seed Roger  Federer posted a fluent 6-1, 6-1 victory over Spaniard David  Ferrer in the first round of the ATP \$1 million Qatar Open on  Monday.


Performance, not passion, must be Lerner #39;s strength

Visual clues for Browns #39; fans are in short supply. Lerner is camera shy, speaking on the day of Butch Davis #39; departure only after public relations people asked the live cameras to go dark.


Bush to Thank Canadians for Post-9/11 Aid (AP)

AP - When the United States closed its airspace after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, more than 200 airliners were diverted to airports across Canada, where stranded travelers were welcomed into homes.


Brazil Garbage Dump Could Be Climate Trailblazer (Reuters)

Reuters - A Brazilian garbage dump could be a\trailblazer for thousands of projects in developing nations\under a U.N. plan to battle global warming, a Norwegian company\said Wednesday.


More than 400 Filipinos dead as new storm nears

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The death toll from landslides and flash floods in the eastern Philippines reached 412 Wednesday, as emergency officials warned of a new storm system approaching.


Canadians protest against Bush visit

THOUSANDS of Canadians have taken to the streets in protest as US President George Bush began his first official visit to the country.


President attacked in central Belgrade

BELGRADE -- Wednesday - Unknown assailants tried to force a car carrying Serbian President Boris Tadic off the road last night in what appeared to be a planned attack, according to Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti.


Boycott of Palestinian Elections Sought

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Dec 1, 2004 - A Hamas leader announced Wednesday that the Islamic militant group will not field a candidate in Jan. 9 presidential elections and said he expected Hamas supporters not to participate in the vote.


Palestinian master bombmaker sentenced

JERUSALEM -- An Israeli military court on Tuesday sentenced a Kuwaiti-born bombmaker to 67 consecutive life terms in jail for killing dozens of Israelis and at least five Americans.


Parades Mark AIDS Day, Africans Told 'Abstain'

BEIJING (Reuters) - The world's two most populous nations  promised on Wednesday to eradicate ignorance about AIDS, a  disease that was at first dismissed by many as a Western evil  confined to drug users, homosexuals and prostitutes.


Future Uncertain for Rare Hawaiian Bird (AP)

AP - One of Earth's rarest birds might have gone into extinction following the death of one of the last known po'ouli.


China Toll 166 in Grim Saga of Mine Deaths

BEIJING (Reuters) - All the coal miners trapped after a gas  explosion in a shaft in northern China are dead, bringing the  toll to 166 in one of the worst disasters to hit the world's  most dangerous mining industry, state media said on Wednesday.


Hamas Says to Boycott Palestinian Presidential Vote

GAZA (Reuters) - The Palestinian Islamic militant faction  Hamas will boycott a Jan. 9 presidential election for a  successor to Yasser Arafat, a senior Hamas leader said on  Wednesday.


Mozambique Votes to Elect Successor to Chissano

MAPUTO (Reuters) - Mozambique used canoes and helicopters  to ferry ballot papers to remote rural districts for  Wednesday's election to pick a successor to President Joaquim  Chissano who spent 18 years in office.


Hamas urges PA election boycott

Militant group Hamas urges its supporters to boycott the election of a new Palestinian Authority president.


Rumsfeld in Iraq abuse complaint

US lawyers file a criminal complaint against Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over  abuses at Abu Ghraib jail in Iraq.


Mugabe moves against party rivals

Deep splits emerge in Zimbabwe's ruling party amidst jockeying for position to succeed President Mugabe.


Cannabis raises risk of psychosis

\Frequent cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood raises the risk of psychotic symptoms later in life, research suggests.


Crow fan not guilty of stalking

A fan who pursued singer Sheryl Crow for 15 months is found not guilty of burglary and stalking charges.


PCCW cautious in UK broadband wireless rollout

Will launch a fixed wireless service in a 'major city' next year


Fakes seized in anti-piracy raids

Illegal CDs, DVDs, computer software and games worth 10m are seized in central Scotland.


Dollar Falls, Hits Record Low Vs. Euro

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar tumbled to a record low  against the euro and a 12-year trough versus sterling on  Wednesday as it ran into a fresh wave of selling after  consolidating earlier this week.


ESPN to Launch Mobile Phone Service in Sprint Deal

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co.'s DIS.N ESPN  sports television network is launching its own brand of mobile  phone service in a deal with Sprint Corp. FON.N intended to  lure new users with sports news sent over a next-generation  network, the companies said on Wednesday.


Talking About Linux

Technology journalist Robin "Roblimo" Miller will be online to discuss his new book, "Point and Click Linux: Your Guide to Hassle-Free Computing."


Microsoft to Open Research Center in India

Microsoft Corp. is further expanding its presence in India with plans to open a research center in Bangalore.


HP Touts Software to Slow Computer Worms

Engineers at Hewlett-Packard Co. are working on "virus-throttling" software that they say could slow the spread of Internet-borne viruses and worms.


\

 LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co.'s <DIS.N> ESPN\sports television network is launching its own brand of mobile\phone service in a deal with Sprint Corp. <FON.N> intended to\lure new users with sports news sent over a next-generation\network, the companies said on Wednesday.


Mass. Gets Electronic Gun Fingerprinting

With a quick electronic scan of a fingerprint, gun shop owners in Massachusetts will know immediately if a customer is eligible to buy a weapon, using a system that officials say is the first of its kind in the nation.


Stakes high for EU science plans

Europe must deliver on plans to set up an independent funding body for science or face an unprecedented brain drain, a leading scientist warns.


BSE cattle ban to be phased out

Plans to phase out the ban on cattle over 30 months old being sold as meat are announced.


Holiday spirits are highest for stores that banked on weekend <b>...</b>

If sales from the first weekend of the 2004 holiday shopping season taught retailers anything, it #39;s that there is no such thing as too much promotion.


Harmony loses latest round in hostile takeover bid

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - South African mining group Harmony has lost the latest round in a hostile takeover of rival Gold Fields when a court rejected an urgent attempt to appeal against a ruling frustrating its bid to create the world #39;s largest gold producer


Goodyear sharpens focus as it sells plantation unit

Goodyear Tire  amp; Rubber, the biggest North American tiremaker, has agreed to sell its 95 percent stake in an Indonesian rubber-plantation unit to Bridgestone to end production of natural rubber and focus on tires.


Microsoft to open research lab in India

BANGALORE, INDIA - Microsoft Corp. is setting up a research lab in Bangalore, India, that will focus on areas including computing technologies for emerging markets, according to a company executive.


Harbhajan has South Africa in spin

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh ran through the South African top order to give India a whiff of victory on the fourth day of the second test in Calcutta on Wednesday.


US Davis Cuppers plan to use patience

SEVILLE - Andy Roddick is known for his power. He #39;ll need patience, too, in the Davis Cup final against Spain. Playing on red clay in front of an expected record crowd, Roddick might need to tone down his


Washington proposes to cap ballpark cost at \$630 million

Financing for a ballpark for the Washington-bound Expos would be capped at \$630 million under an amendment approved Tuesday by the District of Columbia Council.


Hex draw announced

On February 9 the US will open the final round of World Cup qualifying in Trinidad  amp; Tobago after the draw was announced Tuesday morning by FIFA.


Microsoft Investigates Windows Server Flaw

Vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain complete control of a system.


Tech.gov: Barriers to Free Wi-Fi

Federal and state governments usually promote competition for telecom services, but some states are blocking free Wi-Fi access.


Gretzky Says Lockout Could Last 2 Years (AP)

AP - Wayne Gretzky fears the NHL could be shut down for as long as two years if a labor deal is not reached soon.


Shopping Search Update 2004, Part 2

Here's a look at new and interesting developments at the major shopping search and comparision sites during 2004. Today: NexTag, PriceGrabber, Shopping.com/Dealtime and Yahoo Shopping.


Schu #39;s  #39;no better #39; - JB

Michael Schumacher is no better than Kimi or Juan or Fernando -- or a notable 25-year-old Englishman. That #39;s the opinion of BAR #39;s Jenson Button, who fits the latter driver-description like a glove.


Merrill Lynch looks to 'killer' Apple home media server

The Mac maker a likely winner in the digital living room


More Robot Grunts Ready for Duty

At an Army tech conference, companies show off new machines that do the work of flesh-and-blood soldiers. One sports machine guns to hunt down enemies. Another is an unmanned ambulance to take the wounded off the battlefield. Noah Shachtman reports from Orlando, Florida.


Costly Cloning Isn't a Cure-All

Therapeutic cloning is both vilified and hailed as the only hope for stem-cell cures. But it may be prohibitively expensive and unnecessary, at least for developing stem-cell therapies. By Kristen Philipkoski.


Snake Eater a Slithering Success

Despite all the Bond touches, the latest in the Metal Gear Solid series keeps its belly on the ground and does pretty much everything right. Game review by Chris Kohler.


Laserpod: Groovy Goes Modern

Scratch that underwear off your wish list. The Laserpod ambient lighting system is one gift you won't regret getting this holiday season. By Amit Asaravala.


Mutating Bots May Save Lives

Several research teams are developing robots made of smart building blocks that can morph into different forms to perform a broad variety of tasks. The bots are to be used in space missions and in search-and-rescue efforts. By Lakshmi Sandhana.


Rocket Fuel in Milk, Lettuce

The Food and Drug Administration says a rocket fuel component contaminates nearly 94 percent of the milk and lettuce samples surveyed. The compound is suspected of having nasty effects in humans. By Amit Asaravala.


New Security Pain: Radioactivity

You can empty your pockets of change, take off your belt and shoes and stick your keys in the little tray. But if you've had radiation therapy recently, you still might set off Homeland Security alarms.


Humana Sees Earns at Top End of Forecast

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Health insurer Humana Inc. HUM.N on  Wednesday said earnings for 2004 should be at the top end of  its previous forecast and said 2005 earnings should increase by  15 percent from its 2004 estimate.


Fairchild Sales Not as Bad as Had Thought

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fairchild Semiconductor International  Inc. on Wednesday said it now expects fourth-quarter sales to  be down about 5 percent from the third quarter, compared with  its previous forecast for a drop of 5 percent to 10 percent.


Train maker wields axe on UK jobs

Train maker Bombardier cuts over 700  jobs in the UK, with the axe falling on workers in Derby and Ilford.


LOS ANGELES -- Walt Disney Co. #39;s ESPN sports television network is launching its own brand of mobile phone service in a deal with Sprint Corp.


Major progress achieved in banking reform: regulator

China #39;s top banking regulator said here Wednesday that the country has made  quot;tremendous quot; progress in the reform of the banking industry characterized by a drastic dropin both the amount and ratio of non-performing loans.


Burress' Home Burglarized (Reuters)

Reuters - The town house of Pittsburgh\Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress was invaded by three\men, who are accused of taking  #36;63,000 in jewelry, cash and\other items before Sunday's game against Buffalo.


Bollywood superstar Bachchan joins Mandela's anti-AIDS campaign (AFP)

AFP - Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has been appointed a key player in an anti-AIDS campaign headed by South African former president Nelson Mandela, according to a statement here.


Google news site hit by access problems in China

An effort by Beijing authorities to bar access to the Chinese Google News website would be a considerable setback for the US internet search company, which is seeking to expand its


College Basketball: Georgia Tech, UConn Win

ATLANTA (Sports Network) - BJ Elder poured in a game-high 27 points to lead fourth-ranked Georgia Tech to a convincing 99-68 win over Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.


Batteast too much for gritty Valparaiso

Notre Dames All-American senior forward scored her teams first five baskets, and the No. 3 Irish never trailed after that on their way to a 69-59 victory over


Cingular plans to upgrade high-speed data network

Cingular Wireless, the largest US cellphone service provider, has announced plans to upgrade its high-speed data network, allowing faster downloads than are now available on many home broadband connections.


Telstra chief to leave before contract ends

SINGAPORE Even after he jettisoned a disastrous expansion strategy and offered them 4.5 billion Australian dollars with a promise to stick to his knitting, it turns out that shareholders never really forgave Zygmunt Switkowski.


Nokia to Invest in New Plant in India

Nokia Corp. increased its global market share of mobile phone handsets for a second successive quarter, reaching 30.9 percent with sales of 51.7 million units, market researcher Gartner Inc.


US plan casts off protection for large areas of fish habitat

The Bush administration on Tuesday proposed a steep reduction in the miles of rivers and streams to come under federal protection for Pacific salmon, and offered exemptions for property owners and broad areas of the Northwest and California.


HP creating software to limit virus damage

SAN FRANCISCO Engineers at Hewlett-Packard are working on what they call virus-throttling software that could slow the spread of viruses and worms, possibly limiting the destruction that hackers inflict on millions of computers each year.


Singingfish Unveils Multimedia Search Tool

Singingfish will reach out to consumers for the first time this week when it launches a revamped multimedia search engine on its Web site.


Mourinho wants Carling Cup glory

Jose Mourinho has admitted that he wants to win the Carling Cup and does not see the competition as a hindrance. The Chelsea boss saw a strong line-up battle for a 2-1 victory against west London neighbours


Perhaps only heaven can help return Notre Dame to glory days

Experts everywhere say Utahs Urban Meyer is the front-runner to replace Notre Dame football coach Tyrone Willingham, who was fired Tuesday.


Hamas will not field candidate for Palestinian election

Gaza City: Hamas will not field a candidate for next month #39;s election to succeed Yasser Arafat as president of the Palestinian Authority, a spokesman for the radical Islamist movement said on Wednesday.


Consumer Spending, Incomes Up in October

Consumers  --  who play an important role in shaping economic activity  --  spent briskly in October, an encouraging sign that the final quarter of 2004 is getting off to a decent start. Incomes rose sharply.


Consumer Spending Stronger Than Expected (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. consumer spending rose a\sharper-than-expected 0.7 percent in October, but rising food\and energy prices ate up much of that gain, a government report\showed on Wednesday.


Act now on the budget, Brown told

Chancellor Gordon Brown has been given a lecture ahead of tomorrow #39;s pre-Budget Report - he faces raising taxes or cutting spending.


Stocks Seen Higher as Oil Slips Below \$50

US stock futures pointed to a higher market open on Wednesday, with oil dipping below \$50 a barrel and a batch of economic data on tap.


Bombardier Transportation to cut 2,200 more jobs in restructuring

MONTREAL (CP) - Bombardier Inc. is cutting 2,200 more jobs in its rail transportation division, bringing the total reductions to 7,600 by April 2006 - or 21 per cent of the division #39;s workforce.


Verizon Will Sell Its 20.5 Stake in Canada #39;s Telus (Update3)

Verizon Communications Inc., the biggest US telephone company, will sell its 20.5 percent stake in Telus Corp. to raise cash to invest in its wireless and high- speed Internet services.


Update 1: ShopKo November Sales Down 4.8 Percent

Discount retailer ShopKo Stores Inc. said Wednesday that sales at stores open at least one year, or same-store sales, fell 4.8 percent during the month of November.


MS sues resellers for counterfeit certificates

Microsoft is taking action against US resellers who are using dodgy Certificates of Authenticity (COA) to pass off counterfeit software as the real deal.


MILAN, Italy--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2004--

Les socits vont concentrer leurs efforts communs en matire de dveloppement, de commercialisation et de marketing en vue de saisir des opportunits d #39;affaires sur les marchs des rseaux de nouvelle gnration et des services de voix aux


British rowing approaches new era

British rowing is entering an exciting new era following the retirement of Matthew Pinsent, according to several of the sport #39;s leading figures.


S. Africa urges to verify Rwandan soldiers #39;s presence in Congo

South Africa Wednesday demanded verification of the presence of invading Rwandan soldiersin the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).


Serbian president survives apparent attempt on his life

BELGRADE (AFP) - Pro-West Serbian President Boris Tadic vowed to press ahead with his reform programme after surviving what his office described as a possible assassination attempt on one of Belgrade #39;s busiest streets.


Press reveals Iran #39;s nuclear fears

The IAEA decision to accept Iran #39;s suspension of uranium enrichment and not take the matter to the United Nations Security Council wins both hostile and welcome reactions in Iranian newspapers.


Kashmir separatists plan hunger strike over abuse (Reuters)

Reuters - Leaders of Kashmir's main political separatist alliance on Wednesday threatened to go on hunger strike to protest against alleged human right abuses by Indian soldiers posted in the disputed region.


Blair Ally Proclaims Innocence in Nanny Visa Row

LONDON (Reuters) - A senior British minister accused of  abusing his position to help a lover fought back on Wednesday  as letters were published fueling suspicions of wrongdoing.


Israeli Coalition on Verge of Collapse Over Budget

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's  coalition faced possible collapse on Wednesday as a budget vote  was likely to force him to remake his government or call  elections that would imperil his Gaza withdrawal plan.


Under Ridge, Color Alerts and Mixed Security Reviews

Tom Ridge leaves with a record of progress, but his successor faces daunting challenges that critics say were largely ignored.


King Tut Treasures Will Return to U.S., but Won't Stop at the Met

Treasures of King Tut, including his gold coffin, will bypass the Met because of a dispute over the admission charge.


Florida shrimpers win victory on tariffs against imported shrimp

The Bush administration Tuesday upheld a decision to impose penalty tariffs on shrimp imported from China and Vietnam, handing a victory to beleaguered US shrimp producers from Florida and other states.


Chip gear sales now expected to shrink

Global sales of chip equipment are expected to fall 5.2 percent next year, an industry group said Wednesday in a sharp reversal of its midyear forecast of 24 percent growth.


Ganguly faces disciplinary hearing over dissent

Indian captain Saurav Ganguly was summoned by the match referee for a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday for showing dissent during the second test against South Africa on Wednesday.


Tough task reveals character

The Blue Devils 81-74 victory over Michigan State perfectly depicted the cast of characters on the Duke squad. Specifically, the role each upperclassman performed in this early-season test


Tariff raises financial hopes for area shrimpers

Carolinas fishermen and those in the shrimp industry hope tariffs on imported shrimp, passed Tuesday by the Commerce Department, will boost the prices local shrimpers get for their catch.


US October Personal Spending Rises 0.7; Incomes Up 0.6

US consumer spending rose in October as a surge in hiring led to the biggest rise in incomes in five months, a government report showed.


Blockbuster: Open to Raise Hollywood Bid (Reuters)

Reuters - Blockbuster Inc. , the top U.S.\movie rental chain, said on Wednesday it is willing to raise\its bid for Hollywood Entertainment Corp. , a rival\that has two other suitors looking to buy it.


Why 2004 was the year of the blog

The term  quot;blog quot; has been chosen as the top word of 2004 by a US dictionary publisher. Merriam-Webster said  quot;blog quot; headed the list of most looked-up terms on its site during the last twelve months.


OECD 2005 forecasts bleak as oil rises and US deficit widens

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) predicts global economic growth to be at 3.6 in 2004. The OECD lowered its forecast in the wake of a rise in oil prices and drop in consumer confidence.


UPDATE 4-Blockbuster offers to raise bid for Hollywood

Blockbuster Inc. (BBI.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday offered to raise its unsolicited bid for Hollywood Entertainment Corp.


Update 1: Giuliani Creates Investment-Banking Firm

Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who aggressively targeted insider trading during his days as a federal prosecutor, is cozying up to Wall Street - launching his own investment-banking firm.


IBM Inks \$1 Billion Outsourcing Deals

International Business Machines Corp. said Wednesday it signed a pair of outsourcing contracts worth more than US\$1 billion (euro752 million) with two Danish companies, continuing the computer giant #39;s push into northern Europe.


Bombardier to Cut 2,200 Jobs

Bombardier Inc. (BBDb.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) plans to cut 2,200 more jobs at its train-making unit and further trim the production rate for its 50-seat regional


Dollar General Profit Down, Trims Outlook

Discount retailer Dollar General Corp. (DG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday posted an unexpected profit fall with customers hurt by high oil prices and unemployment, and expressed caution for the key holiday season.


Sharp and Sony Ericsson work together on 3G handsets

Sharp and the Japanese division of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications will jointly develop mobile phone handsets based on the Symbian operating system (for NTT DoCoMo #39;s third-generation (3G) Foma service in Japan and software for Foma phones.


Accusations Fly as Kazaa Piracy Trial Opens

Kazaa is  quot;an engine of copyright piracy to a degree of magnitude never before seen, quot; charge solicitors in Australia. The goal of the record company lawyers is to have Sharman Networks -- Kazaa #39;s owners -- declared


Lycos Antispam Screensaver Draws Fire

A screensaver developed by Lycos Europe that gives spammers a dose of their own medicine is attracting plenty of attention, but not all of it good.


Fiorina: HP Readies Software To Choke Computer Worms

Who says Carly Fiorina doesn #39;t have a firm hand on the business? Hewlett-Packard (nyse: HPQ - news - people ) is working on software to choke the spread of Internet viruses and worms.


Microsoft Sues Alleged Software Pirates

As part of its fight against software piracy, Microsoft has filed lawsuits against eight resellers for allegedly buying and selling fake and used Certificate of Authenticity labels, the company says.


Boffins develop flowering mobile phone

Researchers at Warwick University have developed a biodegradable mobile phone case containing a seed that flowers when planted. The case is made of a new type of polymer that when buried will start to break down within two weeks.


Netscape supporting IE is good, but it #39;s not enough

For AOL to quite literally breathe new life into the Netscape browser, it needs to do more than embrace and work with IE: Netscape needs to surpass IE in terms of ease-of-use and functionality.


Half-Life 2 Deathmatch Released

December 01, 2004 - In a sly, swift update Tuesday evening, Valve released Half-Life 2: Deathmatch, the multiplayer component of Half-Life 2 which everyone had so gleefully hoped would appear.


IBM to support Sybase for Linux

IBM is extending its support for the products of one of its software competitors, Sybase, to present a Linux server-software package.


Half a Mil and Climbing

December 01, 2004 - Only a week on the market, and Nintendo #39;s dual-screen handheld is a huge success...at least according to the company and its sales numbers.


Beijing Official Seeks To Calm Microsoft Controversy

Beijing has been debating a policy proposal that will force the city to spend at least half of its IT budget on offerings from local companies.


Chinese Blocking Google News, Says Watchdog Group

Reporters Without Borders, an international media watchdog organization, is accusing Google of being complicit in China #39;s censorship of Google News sites.


Russia Unveils Model of New Clipper Space Shuttle

Russias spacecraft building corporation Energia has unveiled a life-size model of the new Russian space shuttle, the Itar-Tass news agency reports.


Consider Spain a Davis Cup certainty

Spain can be backed at 1-3 (Skybet and Sporting Odds) to make home advantage count and claim their second Davis Cup title by beating the United States at the Olympic Stadium in Seville, starting on Friday.


Hill-Wood moves to calm tensions

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has moved to calm tensions ahead of tonight #39;s Carling Cup quarter-final clash at Old Trafford by insisting there is no long-term vendetta between the clubs.


Ice on jet #39;s wings may have been cause on Ebersol crash

Ice on wings may have caused Ebersol crash: Investigators said yesterday they were looking into whether ice on the wings or a mechanical problem contributed to the fiery crash of an executive jet that killed the 14-year-old son of NBC Sports chairman Dick


Bolton seek cheap Diouf deal

The Liverpool striker is on a season-long loan deal at the Reebok Stadium from Liverpool, yet is currently at the centre of a spitting controversy involving Arjen De Zeeuw.


Power player should win - Els

Sun City - Look out for golfers who drive well and hit high lofted irons on to the greens. Those, says South African Ernie Els, are the criteria needed to win this year #39;s Nedbank Golf Challenge which will


Pistons ban 2 fans following brawl

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Two spectators accused of taking part in last month #39;s NBA brawl are now banned from attending Detroit Pistons games and other events.


Weber #39;s orange sport coat tailor-made for huge game

The throwback uniforms Illinois planned to unveil Wednesday against Wake Forest were sent back to the tailor. It appears the Flyin #39; Illini replicas were too big and baggy in the shorts.


Decision over Liverpool Groundshare Due

Liverpool and Everton will decide by the end of this month whether the two clubs can share a ground - but the obstacles to such an arrangement continue to look insurmountable.


BYU set to fire Crowton

Provo, UT (Sports Network) - Brigham Young University has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday afternoon at which time head football coach Gary Crowton will be fired.


Indian selectors pick two rookie fast bowlers for Bangladesh tour

Indian selectors have picked two rookie pace bowlers in the squad for the two-Test series in Bangladesh. Gagandeep Singh of the northern state of Punjab and Shib Shankar Paul from the


Raptors continue Florida road swing

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Toronto Raptors shoot for a second-straight road victory when they visit the Orlando Magic Wednesday night.


Robiskie Picks Up  #39;Interim #39; Tag Once Again

Terry Robiskie is growing accustomed to inheriting someone else #39;s team and someone else #39;s problems late in a wildly disappointing season, with little or no hope of turning things around and virtually


UN Panel Unveils Sweeping Reform Proposal

A high-level UN panel has issued a sweeping series of recommendations on how to reform the world body to meet the challenges of the 21st century.


Israel  #39;determined to complete Gaza plan #39;

Israel is determined to go ahead with its unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip - regardless of the death of Yasser Arafat and even if settlers resist - a top Israeli general who helped design the plan says.


Britain: Kidnapped Aid Worker Likely Dead

Dental records have shown that a mutilated body found in Iraq is not that of kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan, but British officials say they still believe the British-Irish citizen is dead.


Cubans suggest dissident should leave

One of five Cuban dissidents who have been released from prison this week has been told he should consider leaving the country. The Miami Herald reported Wednesday that writer Raul


Tuesday -  #39;D-Day for Northern Ireland Peace Deal #39;

The success of a deal to revive power sharing in Northern Ireland lies in the hands of Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, they were told tonight.


Americans Missing In Afghanistan

US military planes and troops are scouring Afghanistan #39;s daunting Hindu Kush mountains for six Americans who were aboard an aircraft that disappeared over the weekend.


Denmark backs call for Turkish recognition of Cyprus

Danish Prime Minister Anders FoghRasmussen said Turkey #39;s admission talks with the European Union (EU) rely implicitly on the country #39;s recognition of the Greek-Cypriot state, the Ritzau news bureau reported on Wednesday.


Hamas to Boycott January Palestinian Election

The radical Palestinian group Hamas says it will boycott next month #39;s election for a successor to the late Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.


Indiana Fires Coach

Indiana University fires head football coach Gerry DiNardo on Wednesday after three season. DiNardo leaves with two years left on his contract and an 8-27 career record.


US CEOs Less Bullish About Economy-Survey (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. chief executives have become\slightly less optimistic about the economy in the past quarter,\but half plan to increase capital spending in the next six\months, according to a survey released on Wednesday.


Manufacturing Speeds Up as Consumers Spend Away

The outlook for US manufacturing improved in November as factories hired more workers in response to a jump in new orders, a national survey published on Wednesday showed.


Cingular To Roll Out 3G Network

Cingular Wireless will leverage the additional spectrum it gained through the acquisition of AT amp;T Wireless to deploy a third-generation wireless data network based on the global UMTS standard.


IBM scores \$1B in Danish contracts

IBM (Profile, Products, Articles) said Wednesday that it has sewn up outsourcing deals with two Danish companies valued at more than \$1 billion over 10 years, reinforcing its strength in Europe.


Stocks rise as oil prices fall

NEW YORK A large build in the nation #39;s energy inventories has oil prices plunging. That, combined with increased consumer spending and good news on manufacturing, has stocks in rally mode.


Bombardier #39;s 3rd-Qtr Net Drops on Fewer Deliveries (Update4)

Bombardier Inc., the world #39;s biggest maker of railway equipment, said third-quarter profit plunged 93 percent because of higher costs in the train business and fewer aircraft deliveries.


Ford Cuts Production as Sales Fall Again (Reuters)

Reuters - Ford Motor Co.  on Wednesday said\it was setting first-quarter North American production below\the 2004 quarter's levels as U.S. sales fell again in November.


Factory Growth Picks Up Speed in November (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. manufacturers ratcheted up the\pace of output in November as new orders jumped and factories\took on more workers, a report said on Wednesday.


Eurozone economy hit with flood of bad news (AFP)

AFP - The eurozone economy got slapped with a wave of bad news that highlighted a third-quarter slowdown, a decline in industrial activity and a stagnant job market.


HP Looking to Ward off Viruses

HP announced today that they are working on software to throttle viruses which could ultimately slow the spread of viruses and worms.


Firefox and IE in the latest Netscape browser

If you #39;re a Netscape fan, you #39;ve probably run into websites that require you to fire up Internet Explorer in order to see the site properly.


Dolphins LB Thomas Out for Sunday #39;s Game

DAVIE, Fla. (Sports Network) - Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas will miss Sunday #39;s game against the Buffalo Bills with a hamstring injury.


Nedbank Challenge #39;s status to be enhanced

It is known to many as Africa #39;s major. However, the Nedbank Challenge is in line to get enhanced status. There are possible plans to include the Sun City event in the World Golf Championship calendar.


Gunshots fired as Powell visits Haiti palace

Gunshots were heard outside Haiti #39;s presidential palace while US Secretary of State Colin Powell visited there Wednesday, a source familiar with the incident said.


Car  #39;tried to ram #39; Serb president #39;s convoy

A man in a car tried several times to ram the limousine carrying Serbia #39;s pro-Western President Boris Tadic through the streets of Belgrade late on Tuesday, the presidential press office said.


Consumer Spending Stronger Than Expected

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. consumer spending rose a  sharper-than-expected 0.7 percent in October, showing the  economy off to a solid fourth-quarter start despite a step-up  in inflation, a government report showed on Wednesday.


US CEOs Less Bullish About Economy-Survey

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. chief executives have become  slightly less optimistic about the economy in the past quarter,  but half plan to increase capital spending in the next six  months, according to a survey released on Wednesday.


Ford Cuts Production as Sales Fall Again

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. F.N on Wednesday said  it was setting first-quarter North American production below  the 2004 quarter's levels as U.S. sales fell again in November.


Soy Fungus Spreads to Tennessee

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Soybean rust was confirmed in a  Tennessee, the ninth state infected by the highly contagious  disease that has rapidly swept across the U.S. South and is  taking aim at big Midwest farming states, officials said on  Wednesday.


Fairchild Semi Raises Outlook, Stock Up

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fairchild Semiconductor International  Inc. FCS.N, a maker of chips used to manage power in  electronics, on Wednesday said quarterly sales would reach the  higher end of its previous targets, sending its shares up as  much as 8 percent.


ECB Trims Growth Forecasts for 2004, 2005

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank will cut  its euro zone economic growth forecasts for the next two years  when official projections are released on Thursday, a monetary  source told Reuters.


Notre Dame just doesn #39;t get it

The school doesn #39;t get the top recruits, doesn #39;t get the major bowl games it believes is its birthright, and doesn #39;t get the fact that the football program is just not a major power anymore.


Mobile phone sales still booming

Worldwide mobile phone sales rise 26 in the July to September quarter, driven by demand for new handsets.


Brazil to break Aids drug patents

Brazil says it intends to copy patented anti-Aids drugs without permission from next year.


Giuliani Creates Investment Banking Firm

Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced Wednesday he is creating an investment banking firm to advise companies on financial transactions.


Investing in Dogs

Putting some of your hard-earned cash into dogs, or even water buffalo, can be very rewarding.


Chico's The Man

The leading specialty women's clothier trounces expectations and sees more opportunity in the future.


A Dollar for 85 Cents

Closed-end mutual funds offer more bang for your investing buck as long as they are trading at a discount.


Stocks Soar on Energy Inventory Buildup

Stocks soared Wednesday, with the Dow Jones industrials rising more than 120 points, as a large buildup in the nation #39;s energy inventories and increased consumer spending sent buyers back to the market.


Barghouthi to Run for Palestinian President (Reuters)

Reuters - Jailed popular leader Marwan Barghouthi\decided on Wednesday to run in a Palestinian presidential\election and Hamas militants vowed to boycott it, throwing the\campaign into turmoil after Yasser Arafat's death.


Electronic Eye May Help Blind Cross Street (AP)

AP - Equipped with a tiny camera, a high-tech device that recognizes the white stripes of a pedestrian crosswalk and reads traffic lights could tell a blind person when it's safe to cross the street, researchers say.


Ericsson to Distribute Warner Music Tones (AP)

AP - Looking to expand its offerings to European consumers, Warner Music International and Telefon AB Ericsson said Wednesday they plan to start distributing some of the label's artists music via mobile phone in Europe.


Dolphins LB Thomas Out for Sunday's Game (Reuters)

Reuters - Miami Dolphins linebacker\Zach Thomas will miss Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills\with a hamstring injury.


Telecoms Winning the WiFi War (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - The signal is clear: In the tug of war betweeen Big Telecom and little governments, the powerful telecommunications lobby is winning, which could have major implications for how wireless Internet and other high-speed Internet service is doled out countrywide.


The sticky problem of software authenticity

Microsofts anti-piracy campaign is getting down to the nitty gritty of sticky labels that affix to PCs and software packaging. The company revealed today its cracking down on the illegal use of certificates


Mexico Investigates Cancun Slayings (AP)

AP - Mexican federal law enforcement officials were investigating their own Cancun office Wednesday, saying they may be tied to last week's slayings of nine people, including three federal agents.


Samsung Pips Motorola in Cellphone Ranking (Reuters)

Reuters - South Korea's Samsung\Electronics overtook Motorola as the world's second-biggest\mobile phone maker in the third quarter as the market continued\to boom, a survey showed on Wednesday.


Washington, D.C. Council Moves on Baseball Funding (Reuters)

Reuters - Washington, D.C.'s City Council on\Tuesday approved a debt and tax-backed financing plan to build\a new stadium for Major League Baseball, moving a step closer\to bringing baseball back to the U.S. capital.


Siemens wins UMTS contract with US mobile phone giant Cingular (AFP)

AFP - German electronics group Siemens said it had won a large contract with Cingular, the leading US mobile phone operator, to supply a UMTS network over the next several years.


India eyeing Test series win

Kolkata: India put themselves on course for their first home series win in two years, as their famed spinners exploited a wearing track to push South Africa on the mat in the decisive second cricket Test here today.


Injured Fin: Miami LB Thomas out for Sunday #39;s game

Davie, FL (Sports Network) - Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas will miss Sunday #39;s game against the Buffalo Bills with a hamstring injury.


EU Suspends Review of Microsoft Deal (AP)

AP - The European Union suspended its antitrust review of Microsoft Corp.'s deal with Time Warner Inc. to develop anti-piracy software now that technology company Thomson SA has joined the proposed venture, officials said Wednesday.


IBM Inks Outsourcing Deals Worth  #36;1B (AP)

AP - International Business Machines Corp. said Wednesday it signed a pair of outsourcing contracts worth more than  #36;1 billion with two Danish companies, continuing the computer giant's push into northern Europe.


South Asia Stares at Looming Water Crisis (Reuters)

Reuters - It's been 10 years since farmer\Bhairu Singh saw water in the well on his rocky patch of land\in western India.


Chicago Mayor's Son Enlists in Army at 29 (AP)

AP - Mayor Richard Daley's son, whose name and MBA from one of the nation's most prestigious universities would have opened doors to a lucrative career, has instead joined the Army and could be sent off to the battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan.


Senator Calls on Annan to Quit Over Iraq Program (Reuters)

Reuters - A U.S. senator investigating\corruption in the U.N. oil-for-food program for Iraq said on\Wednesday U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan should resign\because the fraud took place on his watch.


N.D. Consortium Wins NASA Research Job (AP)

AP - NASA has awarded control of its DC-8 research aircraft to the Upper Midwest Space Consortium at the University of North Dakota, a move officials say will create new jobs at the university and give it added national prestige.


Barghouthi to Run for Palestinian President

GAZA (Reuters) - Jailed popular leader Marwan Barghouthi  decided on Wednesday to run in a Palestinian presidential  election and Hamas militants vowed to boycott it, throwing the  campaign into turmoil after Yasser Arafat's death.


Lunar Robotic Village, Moon Base Gains International Support (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - As Moon exploration \looms larger among nbsp;the growing community of scientists and engineers from Europe, India, China, \Japan, and nbsp;the United States, a robotic lunar village is gaining support, leading to \a permanent human presence on the Moon by 2024.


Sampras Says Federer Can Match His Long-Term Dominance

PARIS (Reuters) - Seven-times Wimbledon champion Pete  Sampras believes Roger Federer could match his long stint as  the world's dominant tennis player.


Camels May Overrun Australia Outback (AP)

AP - Parts of Australia's Outback could soon be overrun by wild camels if drastic measures are not taken to cull them, a wildlife scientist said Wednesday.


UN Says May Have Spotted Rwandan Troops in Congo

KINSHASA (Reuters) - The U.N. mission in Congo said on  Wednesday it had spotted 100 soldiers, thought to be Rwandan,  in the east of the vast Central African country but Kigali  declined to say whether its troops had crossed the border.


Israeli Coalition on Verge of Collapse Over Budget

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's  coalition reeled toward collapse on Wednesday over a budget  vote likely to force him to remake his government or call  elections that would imperil his Gaza withdrawal plan.


Ukraine rivals bid to end crisis

Presidential rivals Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych meet in a fresh bid to resolve the poll crisis.


New Somali cabinet named in exile

A new government is named for Somalia but it remains too dangerous for them to be based in the capital.


Moratinos defends coup comments

Spain's foreign minister defends his claim that the former government supported the 2002 Venezuela coup.


Cricket: England outclass Zim

England race to a 2-0 series lead with a comfortable 161-run win over Zimbabwe.


Tsunami Prompts Online Outpouring

In the aftermath of last week's tsunami disaster, the Internet is a tool for good and bad ... but mostly good. -washingtonpost.com


Do They Know It's Simplistic?

Band Aid's intentions are good, but Africa needs more than just a Christmas jingle


Battle rages between Lycos and spammers

Lycos #39; European anti-spam website was taken down only hours after it went live. The outage appears to be the result of a DDoS attack, most likely initiated by spammers in response to the search engine #39;s  quot;Make


Arrese sure of Spanish Davis Cup win

Spain begin their third final in five seasons at the Olympic stadium hoping to secure their second title since their first in Barcelona against Australia in 2000.


Chair suspect won #39;t talk

The man suspected of throwing a chair during the Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers brawl refused to be interviewed by police on Tuesday.


ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Edition

Review Just as ATI's X800 XT PE ships, along comes the next board


Gunfire erupted near US Secretary of State Colin Powell during <b>...</b>

Some 20 minutes of heavy gunfire erupted near US Secretary of State Colin Powell Wednesday as he visited the National Palace here to show US support for the violence-racked country #39;s interim government.


All 166 trapped Chinese miners dead

BEIJING: All the coal miners trapped after a gas explosion in a shaft in norther China are dead, bringing the toll to 166 in one of the worst disasters to hit the world #39;s most dangerous mining industry, state media said yesterday.


Villages tune in to digital trial

Two villages in Carmarthenshire are the first in Wales to be converted to digital television.


Samsung Pips Motorola in Cellphone Ranking

AMSTERDAM/SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung  Electronics overtook Motorola as the world's second-biggest  mobile phone maker in the third quarter as the market continued  to boom, a survey showed on Wednesday.


Barghouthi to Run for Palestinian President-Official

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Jailed Palestinian leader Marwan  Barghouthi decided on Wednesday to run for Palestinian  president, reversing his earlier decision to stay out of the  race, a Palestinian official said.


Christmas Cracker

In its first reaction to rebel warnings to return to their  quot;freedom struggle quot; unless the 19-month impasse in peace talks was ended by Colombo, the government said the rebel position was unacceptable.


Telecoms Winning the WiFi War

The signal is clear: In the tug of war between Big Telecom and little governments, the powerful lobby is winning, which could have major implications for how wireless Internet service is doled out countrywide. -washingtonpost.com


iTunes music store nowhere in sight

VANCOUVER - When it comes to the world #39;s most popular legal music downloading service, Canadians were still waiting last night for the other song to drop.


Egypt, Israel agree on border security

Israel and Egypt Wednesday reached agreement on beefing up security along the border between Egypt and Gaza and for training of Palestinian police.


Bombardier to cut 2,200 more jobs, reports poor 3Q earnings

LONDON, December 1 (newratings.com) - Bombardier Inc (BBD.B.TOR) announced today plans to cut 2,200 more jobs at its train manufacturing unit, while reducing the production of its 50-seater regional jets, after having reported lower-than-expected third


Siemens to supply 3G Cingular network

Boca Raton-based Siemens Communications said Cingular Wireless has chosen it to help with the mobile phone company #39;s nationwide deployment of a true third generation (3G) high-speed universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) network.


Three U.S. Presidents Urge U.S. Relief Aid (Reuters)

Reuters - President Bush brought together\former presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton on Monday to\launch an appeal for Americans to make a donation to help\victims of the South Asia quake and tsunamis.


First Heisman ballot is in hand, but actually picking a winner a <b>...</b>

I don #39;t get to the office all that often these days -- the beauty of this job is you can do it in your bathrobe while eating oatmeal and keeping one eye on The Price is Right -- so when I do, there #39;s usually a stack of mail awaiting.


Two men banned from Pistons #39; games

Two men have been banned from events at The Palace for what the Detroit Pistons say is their involvement in last month #39;s NBA brawl.


London Denies Mutilated Woman Corpse is of Margaret Hassan

The mutilated body of a woman of about sixty years, which was discovered in Iraq in the middle of November, is not that of kidnapped British aid worker Margaret Hassan, the UK Foreign Affairs Ministry announced.


13 die in another Chinese mine accident

13 Chinese miners were killed and three others were missing after a gas blast at a township-run coal mine in Liupanshui city, southwest Guizhou province, today.


Redskins' Taylor Pleads Not Guilty (AP)

AP - Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a drunken driving charge, and his trial was rescheduled for Jan. 5.


iTunes not ready to sing  #39;O Canada #39;

Apple Computer has apparently missed its self-imposed deadline for launching a Canadian version of its online music store. The company had promised a November launch of iTunes in the country.


Customers Win in Database Vendors #39; Race to Linux

Two splashy Linux announcements coming from major database vendors underscore the fact that Linux is profoundly shaking up the database market.


WINS Flaw Found in Microsoft Server Software

Microsoft (Quote, Chart) plans to issue a patch for a security flaw in Windows Server software that may allow attackers to gain control over systems running the program, the company said.


Valve unleashes Half-Life 2: D

Confirming suspicions, Valve releases a new multiplayer mode alongside the game #39;s SDK; Steam instantly swamped. When Half-Life 2 was released, many were disappointed that its only official multiplayer mode


Indiana Fires DiNardo As Football Coach

Gerry DiNardo was fired as Indiana #39;s football coach after a 3-8 season that ended with a 63-24 loss to Purdue, the Hoosiers #39; seventh defeat in eight years to their state rival.


Redskins Rookie Taylor Pleads Not Guilty to DUI Charge

FAIRFAX, Va. (Sports Network) - Washington Redskins rookie safety Sean Taylor Wednesday pleaded not guilty to a drunken driving charge.


Gaza plan could revive road map-Israeli strategist

Israel #39;s plan to quit the Gaza Strip could kick-start a stalled drive towards Palestinian statehood, one of its architects said on Wednesday.


Sri Lanka rebuffs rebels #39; demands

Sri Lanka #39;s government has rejected demands from Tamil Tiger rebels to unconditionally resume peace talks. The rebels threatened at the weekend to return to military action unless discussions based on their blueprint for self-rule began again.


Gartner: Half of U.S. IT operations jobs to vanish

In an eyebrow-raising forecast, Gartner researchers said they believe that as many as 50 percent of the IT operational jobs in the U.S. could disappear over the next two decades because of improvements in data center technologies.


IBM scores \$1B in Danish contracts

IBM said Wednesday that it has sewn up outsourcing deals with two Danish companies valued at more than \$1 billion over 10 years, reinforcing its strength in Europe.


EU stops clock on ContentGuard investigation

BRUSSELS -- The European Commission has "stopped the clock" on its antitrust investigation into digital rights management software maker ContentGuard, a joint venture between Microsoft and Time Warner, pending further information on the deal, it announced on Wednesday.


Lycos' anti-spam screensaver draws fire

A screensaver developed by Lycos Europe that gives spammers a dose of their own medicine is attracting plenty of attention, but not all of it good.


Nokia earmarks millions to build new plant in India

Nokia, the world's largest handset maker, is investing up to \$150 million over the next four years to establish a manufacturing facility in India, it announced Wednesday.
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Lycos Antispam Screensaver Draws Fire

Screensaver offers to "spam the spammers," but not everyone is pleased with its message.


Singingfish Unveils Multimedia Search Tool

Consumers will be able to hunt for music, movies, news, and more.


Microsoft Sues Alleged Software Pirates

Resellers are accused of selling products with fake Certificate of Authenticity labels.


Mutual Funds Can Have Tax Trap in December (AP)

AP - The end of the year can be a great time to rebalance your portfolio and unload poor performers, but wise investors know to do a bit of research before buying and selling mutual funds in December.


Els seeks fourth title in South African event

Ernie Els hasn #39;t won a major this year. But he has a chance for a fourth career title in what #39;s billed as  quot;South Africa #39;s major quot; _ the USS\$4.06-million Nedbank Challenge.


News: Cabir added to payload of Symbian mobile Trojan

Virus writers have packaged the Skulls mobile Trojan with Cabir to create a more potent threat against Symbian Series 60 smart phones.


Ford Sales Fall, Chrysler Posts Gain (Reuters)

Reuters - Ford Motor Co.  on Wednesday\reported its sixth straight month of weaker vehicle sales,\prompting the second-largest U.S. automaker to further cut\production of cars and trucks, while Chrysler posted another\sales gain.


New Game in Town: ESPN Phone

ESPN teams with Sprint to create the first fully branded phone.  Also:  Researchers develop a smart camera to let blind people get around safely   hellip;.  Europe's Lycos takes a swing back at spammers   hellip;. and more.


Cingular to upgrade high-speed data network

Cingular Wireless, the largest cellphone service provider in the United States, will upgrade its high-speed data network, allowing faster downloads than are now available


Moody #39;s raises Freeport-McMoran Copper  amp; Gold

Moody #39;s Investors Service said on Wednesday it raised Freeport-McMoRan Copper  amp; Gold Inc. #39;s (FCX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) ratings, citing the return of its PT Freeport Indonesia unit to normal mining operations.


TiVo Upgrade Shifts TV Shows to Computer Laptop

NEW YORK (Reuters) - TiVo Inc., maker of television  recording technology, on Monday said it has started shipping  "TiVoToGo," a service upgrade that allows some subscribers to  view recorded programs on a computer or laptop.


Kazaa Back In Court

Beware music downloaders and users of the popular peer-to-peer network known as Kazaa. The Australian recording industry has begun civil proceedings against Sharman Networks Limited, who own the popular file sharing medium.


Adventurer to launch solo flight from Kansas

the first person to circumnavigate the globe solo in a balloon -- will begin his attempt at the first solo, nonstop flight around the world without refueling from an airport in Salina.


Ferguson ready for Arsenal youngsters

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson expects to face Arsene Wenger #39;s young Gunners when the fierce rivals meet again at Old Trafford on Wednesday.


Bookies fear Chelsea clean sweep

Jose Mourinho hailed Frank Lampard as he led Chelsea last night into the Carling Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Fulham. Frank Lampard came off the bench at Fulham to score a late winner before next week


Bolton back Diouf

BOLTON striker El-Hadji Diouf can count on his club to provide all the help he needs after admitting a charge of improper conduct and expressing his regret for spitting.


Follow along as ESPN The Magazine #39;s Buster Olney breaks down the <b>...</b>

The Move: The Giants sign closer Armando Benitez to a three-year, \$21.5 million, plugging a hole that probably cost them the NL West title last season.


Two Fans Banned After  #39;Basketbrawl #39; Incident

Two fans involved in the brawl at last month #39;s Pacers-Pistons game at the Palace in Auburn Hills have been banned from all events at the arena according to a spokesman for the Detroit Pistons.


Car Attack on President Inflames Serb Suspicions

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbian President Boris Tadic called  for a rapid investigation on Wednesday after a man in a car  tried several times to ram his limousine as it sped through the  streets of Belgrade in a night-time convoy.


Israeli PM loses key budget vote

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government could fall after his budget is vetoed by parliament.


Emissions double heatwave risk

Greenhouse gas emissions have doubled the risk of European heatwaves similar to last year's, a UK study says.


Powell Meets With Haitian Leaders

Secretary of State Colin Powell met on Wednesday with Haitian political leaders and other opponents of ousted President Jean Bertrand Aristide in what is likely his last visit to the destitute island nation as the United States' top diplomat.


UPDATE 1-GMP says no further plans to pursue bid for Stelco

GMP Capital Corp. (GMP.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it has no plans to make further bids to restructure Stelco Inc.


Report: Delta pullout to cost North Texas

North Texas and DFW International Airport will lose \$782 million annually when Delta Air Lines pulls out of the airport next year, economists say.


Microsoft Files Suits Over Certificates of Authenticity

Microsoft has filed its first lawsuits over allegedly counterfeit and illicit certificates of authenticity, the labels attached to software packages and computers to verify the legitimacy of the programs inside.


Sony, Toshiba to Launch Digital Appliances With Super Chips in <b>...</b>

Nov. 30--NEW YORK -- Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp. said Monday they will launch digital consumer appliances with highly advanced semiconductors in 2006.


GlobalFlyer Aims To Go Voyager One Better

LucidBeast writes  quot;We all remember Voyager, the first plane to fly around the world in 1986 on one tank of gas. Now Voyager pilot Steve Fossett plans to do it solo with a jet powered GlobalFlyer.


Felony charge deferred based on behavior

WASHINGTON, DC -- Denver Nuggets forward Rodney White has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor firearm charges in Washington DC after being arrested in September.


Three more arrested in English race-fixing scheme

English trainer Alan Berry, jockey Paul Bradley, and farrier Steve OSullivan were arrested Tuesday morning as a part of an ongoing race-fixing investigation being conducted by London police.


Terrified Filipinos flee new typhoon

Terrified survivors were yesterday fleeing the northeast Philippines as a new typhoon bore down on the stricken area where flooding and landslides have left over 400 people dead and 150 missing.


Hamas to boycott elections

A leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas announced Wednesday that its members will boycott presidential elections scheduled for January 9, reports the Associated Press.


Manufacturing Speeds Up as Consumers Spend Away

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The outlook for U.S. manufacturing  improved in November as factories hired more workers in  response to a jump in new orders, a national survey published  on Wednesday showed.


SkillSoft Learns the Hard Way

A buyout of the online learning company looks like the best option for shareholders.


Gazprom expands its oil business preparing to buy Yuganskneftegaz

Russian state-controlled gas giant Gazprom has announced its intention to be one of the bidders in the auction of the 76.8 stake in Yuganskneftegaz to be held on Dec.19.


success story

Born in Cuba only a few years before Fidel Castro and his Communist regime came to power, Carlos Gutierrez has reached a destiny that is the stuff of which impossible dreams are made.


Update 1: Blockbuster May Raise Offer for Rival

Blockbuster Inc., locked in a bidding war for Hollywood Entertainment Corp., announced Wednesday that it may sweeten its offer for the rival video renter.


Western Digital Outlook Spurs Sector

Disk drive makers were on a roll Wednesday morning after industry giant Western Digital Corp. upped its outlook for the current quarter.


Stocks Surge on Energy Inventory Buildup

Stocks soared Wednesday, with the Dow Jones industrials rising more than 120 points, as a large buildup in the nation #39;s energy inventories and increased consumer spending sent stock buyers back to the market.


NTT DoCoMo, mm02 Bring I-Mode to Europe

DoCoMo has been offering its Internet capable i-mode mobile service in Japan since 1998. Now, under a new agreement, mm02 will provide DoCoMo #39;s i-mode technology to its 22 million customers in Britain, Germany and Ireland.


Man Mostly to Blame for 2003 Heatwave

Human activity has increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and more than doubled the risk of record-breaking hot European summers, like that of 2003, according to a new study by Peter Stott from the Met Offices Hadley Centre, and Daithi Stone and


Canadian iTunes Music Store postponed

Apple Computer Inc. confirmed for MacCentral on Wednesday that the Canadian iTunes Music Store has been delayed. Company representatives declined to comment on a specific timeframe for the store, but said in a statement that it would be very soon.


Technology ; Sybase Partners with IBM to Sell Database Software

Sybase will have an opportunity to increase database software sales by teaming up with Big Blue, which has made a big push into Linux in recent years.


Cisco adds video to conferencing suite

com December 1, 2004, 10:19 AM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories for several months, but for many IT managers, ERP (enterprise resource planning


Salina chosen as launch site for around-the-world solo flight

SALINA - An unprecedented attempt at a solo, around-the-world, nonstop, unrefueled flight will have a distinct Kansas flavor. The around-the-world flight of the GlobalFlyer will begin and, if things go right, finish at the Salina Municipal Airport.


Tick #39;s Blick 1 Dec. 2004

quot;You can go this far and no further quot; or  quot;When I say no, I mean no quot; or maybe,  quot;Don #39;t you dare to question my decisions!


Fergie dismisses Arsenal challenge

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has raised the stakes ahead of Wednesday night #39;s Carling Cup clash with Arsenal by claiming that Chelsea are now the team to beat.


After 12-2 opening, three straight losing seasons

Brigham Young was expected to announce the firing of Gary Crowton as football coach Wednesday, according to a Salt Lake Tribune report.


Manufacturing Activity Expands in December (AP)

AP - Manufacturing activity expanded for the 19th consecutive month in December, a research group reported Monday, suggesting that the industrial sector entered the new year with solid strength behind it.


Sinn Fein rejects  quot;humiliation quot; deal

The leader of Sinn Fein, the political ally of the IRA guerrillas, says agreement to seal a peace settlement in Northern Ireland was possible but could not be based on  quot;humiliation quot;.


Sharon Coalition in Jeopardy After Loss in Budget Vote (Reuters)

Reuters - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon\crashed to defeat in a parliamentary budget vote on Wednesday\likely to shatter his coalition and endanger his plan to\withdraw from occupied Gaza.


Ukraine's opposition agrees to lift siege of government buildings in Kyiv (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Ukraine's opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko signed a compromise agreement Wednesday that obliged his supporters to lift their siege of government buildings, but he said they would stay in the streets until a deal is reached on a new vote.


Bush Courts Canadians, but Without Budging on Iraq

The president sought to mend fences while unambiguously re-embracing a course that most Canadians have condemned.


Ford November Sales Fall 4.3 Percent

Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday that US sales fell 4.3 percent in November as car sales continued to decline and truck sales edged lower despite the continued popularity of its F-Series truck.


Global Warming Has Doubled Risk of Fatal Heat Waves, Study Says

Global warming caused by human activity has more than doubled the risk of summers as hot as in 2003, when thousands of people in Europe died of heat-related causes, according to a UK study published in the journal Nature.


Lycos Offers Revenge for the Spammed

Lycos #39;  quot;Make Love, Not Spam quot; screensaver targets sites on secure international blacklists.  quot;We cannot use this software to bring the spammers #39; sites down entirely, as that would be illegal, quot; says Malte Pollman of Lycos Europe.


HD-DVD format gains major backing

Let the format wars begin ... again. As if Beta versus VHS wasn #39;t bad enough, and if you just couldn #39;t get enough of DVD versus Circuit City #39;s DivX format, you #39;re sure to love HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray.


Crowton out as Brigham Young coach

Embattled BYU coach Gary Crowton will be relieved of his coaching duties Wednesday, the Salt Lake Tribune is reporting. BYU administrators have called a noon news conference to  quot;address the state of the football


These matchups don #39;t happen often

If this matchup was left up to Illinois and Wake Forest, it might not have happened. Certainly not on the first day of December. Sure, big-time Top 25 games can be booked as home-and-home series.


Dolphins LB Thomas Out for Sunday's Game

DAVIE, Fla. (Sports Network) - Miami Dolphins linebacker  Zach Thomas will miss Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills  with a hamstring injury.


Crude oil prices fall as US government reports growing supplies

Oil prices fell below \$48 US a barrel Wednesday after the US government reported increases in the US supply of crude oil and distillate fuel, which includes heating oil.


Oil Sheds \$3 Heating Oil Supplies Rise

LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices fell nearly \$3 a barrel  on Wednesday, shedding 6 percent, as a larger-than-expected  build in U.S. heating stocks soothed worries about a winter  fuel deficit.


Dollar General's 3Q Profit Drops 9 Percent (AP)

AP - Dollar General Corp. said Wednesday that its third-quarter profits dropped nearly 9 percent amid high gas prices and reduced spending by its core, low-income customers. The discount retailer also lowered its forecast for the rest of the year.


Fed Beige Book: Economic Growth Continued

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy continued its  expansion over the past month, with labor market conditions  improving and business lending on the rise, the Federal Reserve  said on Wednesday.


Oil Falls \$3, Winter Fuel Inventories Up

LONDON (Reuters) - World oil prices slid \$3 a barrel on  Wednesday, shedding nearly 7 percent, as a larger-than-expected  build in U.S. heating stocks soothed worries about a winter  fuel deficit.


Stocks Shoot Higher as Oil Slumps

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks shot higher on Wednesday  as oil prices tumbled by more than \$3 a barrel, easing worries  about the impact high energy costs have on corporate profits  and consumer spending.


IOC Still Concerned About Turin Housing (AP)

AP - The IOC expressed renewed concern Wednesday about housing at the 2006 Winter Olympics but expects Italian organizers to be ready when the games begin in 14 months.


Handhelds a Hit For Thanksgiving

With the unveiling of the new Nintendo DS handheld system, consumers were greeted with what has been touted as the most innovative gaming technology we #39;ve seen this generation.


AOL revamps multimedia search engine

com December 1, 2004, 10:30 AM PT. This priority retains its ranking at number five as more and more companies deploy Web services to share business logic, data and processes with each other and with clients.


ATI Announces New X850 and X800 Cards

December 01, 2004 - ATI Technologies today officially unveiled its new lineup in its RADEON X800 family of add-in graphics boards, including both a new flagship board as well as new, more wallet-friendly incarnations of its current crop.


Google in China: Politically Correct?

One of the best things I like about the Internet is the boundary-less nature of this amazing network. I can check out user views of people (from here in India) around the world on the India issues.


Phonak Rips Apart

Before Thanksgiving, I wrote about the potentially far-reaching effects of Tyler Hamilton #39;s drug case. As of yesterday morning, some of the potential became actual, as the


Jailed Palestinian leader  #39;will now run in elections #39;

The jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti has changed his mind again and pledged to run in the January presidential election, officials said.


Cingular Tips Hand On Wireless Broadband, 3G Plans

Cingular will not only roll out a 3G UMTS cellular data network next year, but it also will use even faster wireless technology that will compete, at least in part, with wireless broadband technologies like WiMAX.


Costello Says Telstra Corp. Made Unwise Investments in Asia

Australian Treasurer Peter Costello said Telstra Corp., the nation #39;s biggest phone company, made unwise #39; #39; investments in Asia.


Analysts Say Kremlin Seeks Control Of Oil Sector Through Yukos <b>...</b>

Russia #39;s state-owned Gazprom monopoly has announced it will bid for Yukos #39;s main oil production unit, which is being auctioned off by the government.


Starbucks Sales Up 13 Pct, Shares Rise

Starbucks Corp. (SBUX.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said sales at stores open at least 13 months rose 13 percent in November, helped by the coffee shop chain #39;s early launch


Synopsys Loses \$28.4M on 4Q Sales Drop

Synopsys Inc., which makes software used in the design of microchips, on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter sales slumped 27 percent, triggering a loss for the period.


Samsung Beats Motorola In Market Share

CHICAGO - Catching Nokia has been an obsession at Motorola. But is the Schaumburg, Ill.-based handset maker catching the Asian flu?


Bush plan on dams rekindles salmon debate

Bush administration proposes development-friendly policies that it says will protect fish. Environmentalists are outraged. By Brad Knickerbocker  Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor.


Cingular Raises Profit Outlook

Cingular Wireless, the largest US wireless phone company, said Wednesday it expects to report a profit and positive cash flow in 2005, one year earlier than planned, following its \$41 billion purchase of AT amp;T Wireless Services Inc.


GMP Securities pulls out of Stelco effort to restructure and <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - A Bay Street investment dealer has dropped out of the battle to refinance Stelco Inc., saying it can #39;t compete in a sales process that favours the Hamilton steelmaker being taken over by an industry player.


Lycos Europe denies attack on zombie army

Internet portal Lycos Europe has denied that its  quot;Make love not spam quot; Web site was hacked into and defaced last night. The company said that an e-mail that contained an apparent mirror image of the Web site being hacked was a hoax generated by spammers.


Microsoft releases patch to fix severe Internet Explorer flaw

SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp. released a critical security patch Wednesday to fix a flaw in its Internet Explorer Web browser that could allow an attacker to run malicious software on another person #39;s computer.


DVD battle a fight to the death

THE fight over what #39;s going to replace your DVDs has heated up as three major movie studios announce support for one of two competing next-generation formats.


ATI launches X850, X800-XL graphics processors

ATI today added the X850 series of graphics processors as a new high-end version for its desktop product line. The X800-XL takes the X800 family to an entry level price point.


Human Activity Tied to Deadly Heat Waves

While human activity probably isn #39;t directly responsible for the 2003 heat wave that caused thousands of deaths in Europe, British researchers say human influence on the


Nintendo Sells 500,000 DS Handhelds in First Week

Nintendo Co. Ltd.(7974.OS: Quote, Profile, Research) sold 500,000 Nintendo DS video game devices during the first week of sales in US stores for the new handheld featuring two screens


Kirkland company sued by Microsoft

KIRKLAND -- A local company is one of several across the country targeted by Microsoft Corp. in a spate of copyright and trademark infringement lawsuits filed Monday.


DoCoMo to come to UK

No sooner than weve all got used to the idea of 3G services in the UK, mm02 has teamed up with NTT DoCoMo to allow 02 to launch the I-mode internet service in Britain, Germany and Ireland.


IBM Supports Sybase for Linux

IBM has decided to extend its support for Sybase, a competing database product to its DB2 database package, to present a Linux server-software package.


Canceled Contract Clouds China #39;s IT Procurement Policies

On 28 November 2004, Beijing #39;s municipal government announced the cancellation of a \$3.6 million contract, awarded without tender on 18 November, that would have allowed it to use Microsoft software for a period of 3 years.


Fish agency lets dams off hook

Columbia River Basin dam operations don #39;t jeopardize imperiled salmon and steelhead, according to a new biological opinion released Tuesday by the National Marine Fisheries Service.


Google #39;s China Filtering Draws Fire

quot;China is censoring Google News to force Internet users to use the Chinese version of the site which has been purged of the most critical news reports, quot; said a statement from Reporters Without Borders.


Fired Willingham blames only himself

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - One day after being dismissed as Notre Dame football coach, Tyrone Willingham admitted that he failed to live up to his own expectations.


Mississippi fires Cutcliffe after 4-7 season

Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe was fired Wednesday after his first losing season in six years with the Rebels. Ole Miss officials informed Cutcliffe of the decision early Wednesday and Cutcliffe met with the team before an afternoon news conference.


WRAPUP 1-Feyenoord, Steaua reach last 32 in UEFA Cup

Feyenoord won the battle of the former winners to reach the last 32 of the UEFA Cup on Wednesday after a 2-1 victory over Schalke 04.


Jags sign Freeman, Allen as injury replacements

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed defensive end Eddie Freeman on Wednesday and re-signed running back David Allen. The team also placed defensive end Rob Meier on injured reserve and released linebacker Jimmy McClain.


Gators accept Peach Bowl invite

Florida has officially found its bowl. Now, it just needs to find its coach. The Gators accepted an invitation to play either Virginia Tech or Miami in Atlanta #39;s Peach Bowl on Dec. 31.


Gugliotta returns to Celtics lineup

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Boston Celtics added a healthy Tom Gugliotta and deleted injured Delonte West. Gugliotta, 34, was activated Wednesday from the injured list after missing seven games because of lower back pain.


Business Community Applauds Baseball Plan

Business leaders are applauding the DC Council #39;s revised plan to build a stadium for the soon-to-be Washington Nationals. They say Council Chairman Linda Cropp #39;s amendments Tuesday will help


CA picks SAP for ERP rollout

Computer Associates International (CA) has selected SAPas its vendor for a new ERP (enterprise resource planning) system to replace a collection of homegrown accounting systems. Services firm Accenturewill assist with the implementation, CA said Wednesday.


Martin: Partnership  #39;even more important #39;

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin recounted Wednesday the hospitality Canadians displayed to stranded travelers after US airspace closed in the wake of the 2001 terror attacks.


Gunfire erupts in Haiti, Powell  amp; entourage safe

WASHINGTON - Gunfire erupted outside Haiti #39;s presidential palace in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday as US Secretary of State Colin Powell met with senior Haitian officials, CNN reported.


Turmoil in Jerusalem as Sharon breaks up coalition. . .

ARIEL SHARONS shaky government was in turmoil last night after the Israeli Prime Minister sacked the junior partner from his ruling coalition.


Global effort to curtail smoking hits milestone

On Mexican billboards, drivers can still see the Marlboro Man, Philip Morris #39;s masculine image of a smoker. Television stations in


Iraqi Premier and Sunni Leaders Meet in Jordan to Discuss Election

The interim prime minister of Iraq, Ayad Allawi, met here today with Sunni Arab leaders to try to persuade them to take part in the Iraqi elections planned for late next month.


Burma exiled government denounced over continued detention of <b>...</b>

Exiled - National Coalition of Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) on 30 November strongly denounced Burmas military junta, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for extending the house arrest of democracy leader and Nobel laureate Daw Aung


IBM scores \$1B in Danish contracts

IBM said Wednesday that it has sewn up outsourcing deals with two Danish companies valued at more than \$1 billion over 10 years, reinforcing its strength in Europe.
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Oil  Drops, Markets Climb

The Dow Jones industrials shot up more than 160 points Wednesday, enjoying one of its best days of the year as crude prices plummeted on a weekly government report on oil inventories.


Deutsche Bank to axe 1,920 jobs

Germany's biggest banks is to cut 1,920 positions over the next two years as part of an ongoing reorganisation.


UN Confirms Rwandan Troops Have Entered Congo

The UN confirmed today that Rwandan troops have crossed the border into Congo in pursuit of rebel forces and was investigating reports that villages had been set ablaze.


"King Tut" Treasure to Return to U.S. in 2005

After 26 years, treasures of Pharaoh Tutankhamun are returning to America. The boy king's artifacts anchor a new museum tour of objects from ancient Egypt's "golden age."


Melting Arctic Bogs May Hasten Warming, Study Says

In Siberia the world's largest peatlands absorb greenhouse gasses. But could global warming thaw and dry the bogs, turning them into greenhouse gas faucets?


Bush Upholds US Penalty Tariffs on Asian Shrimp Imports

The Bush administration upheld the imposition of penalty tariffs on shrimp imports from China and Vietnam yesterday, handing a victory to beleaguered US shrimp producers.


Wal-Mart Clouds November Retail

Investors flocked back into retail stocks Wednesday ahead of the monthly onslaught of sales reports, encouraged by positive consumer spending data from October.


GPS Technology Drives Global Treasure Hunt

The key to hidden treasure lies in your handheld GPS unit. GPS-based "geocaching" is a high-tech sport being played by thousands of people across the globe.


Australia Braces for Locust Plague

New South Wales, Australia, is bracing for what authorities predict will be the worst locust plague in 25 years.


Ice Age Bison Decline Not Due to Hunting, Study Says

DNA analysis of bison fossils suggests climate and environmental change, not human hunters, triggered herd declines and the extinction of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and other large mammals in Siberia and North America.


No Jeopardy for Jackson Hewitt

H R Block rival Jackson Hewitt waits for the tax season, and profits, to arrive.


2004 U.S. Hurricane Season Among Worst on Record

Insurance adjusters and meteorologists are still crunching numbers and analyzing data, but the 2004 U.S. hurricane season will likely go down as one of the most active on record.


Improve Gas Mileage for Under \$100

Two cheap and relatively simple car modifications can help you gain a couple miles to the gallon.


Triple Crown Stock: Value, Growth, Tech

Though Omnivision's future isn't fully in focus, this camera chip maker looks set to turn megapixels into megaprofits.


Carnival of the Ignorant

The NYSE faces down brokers who didn't provide basic information to thousands of IPO investors. But refunds?


Space News Headlines for December 1, 2004

According to MSNBC, Russian space officials have unveiled a full-scale high-fidelity mockup of the Kliper (for  quot;clipper ship quot;) vehicle.


Jeter has no problem with Pedro; Red Sox still want Martinez back

When Derek Jeter came across Pedro Martinez at Legends Field last month, the Yankees #39; captain wasn #39;t surprised the longtime Boston ace was meeting with New York owner George Steinbrenner.


Feyenoord Join Schalke In UEFA Cup Knockout

Feyenoord beat Schalke 04 2-1 at the De Kuip stadium on Wednesday evening to progress with their German opponents to the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup from Group A. Schalke, already qualified for the business


Bush Seeks Canada's Help in Iraq, Mideast (AP)

AP - President Bush asked Canadians on Wednesday to move beyond their deep opposition to the Iraq war and get behind his vision of democracies blooming from Baghdad to the West Bank.


Corzine Says He'll Run for N.J. Governor (AP)

AP - Sen. Jon Corzine called New Jersey's 21 Democratic county chairmen on Wednesday, telling them that he will run for governor, several party sources said.


RWANDAN TROOPS CROSS INTO DR CONGO

The Congolese say more than 6,000 Rwandans have crossed the border and are attacking and burning villages. From the eastern town of Beni, Congolese regional cooperation minister Mbusa Nyamwisi said villages were being targeted nearby.


Florida voters may have plenty time to elect next US president (AFP)

AFP - Florida elections supervisors want to give voters several days to elect candidates, a proposal offered after early voting in last month's presidential election apparently helped avoid a repeat of the 2000 election debacle.


Radeon X850 XT Platinum Edition

A little over 6 months have passed since ATI first announced their new high end Radeon X800 series. Despite apparent availability issues, ATI are forging ahead and announcing their refresh variants for the series.


NASA and Russia OK Next Space Station Crew

In a separate development, the head of the RKK Energia company, which builds the Soyuz spacecraft, said his company was planning to send a new space shuttle to the space station between 2010 and 2012, depending on funding.


Iraqi President Backs Jan. 30 Elections

Iraq #39;s president, an influential Sunni Muslim, threw his support Wednesday behind holding the Jan. 30 election on time despite insurgent threats he said have paralyzed voter


Do Not Expect Intervention from Japan

Hiroshi Watanabe, Japan #39;s vice finance minister for international affairs, said today Japan and Europe could take  quot;harmonized action quot; to stem the appreciation of their currencies.


16 Killed in Baghdad Car Bombings

Three suicide car bombs, including one that exploded near the Iraqi prime minister's party headquarters in Baghdad, and a roadside explosion killed at least 16 people Monday as insurgents pressed their deadly campaign to disrupt national elections, which Iraq's defense minister said could be postponed to give the Sunni minority time to participate.


New Yorkers in Congress Expect a Budget Fight

Members of New York's heavily Democratic delegation on Capitol Hill worry they will be shoved aside when Congress returns to confront issues that impact the city and state.


Two Friends of Ponson Detained

Two friends of detained Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson who escaped jail last week have been recaptured, and police are continuing an investigation into allegations that Ponson punched a judge on Christmas Day at an Aruba beach.


Lucent turns on HSDPA upgrade

MURRAY HILL, NJ - Lucent Technologies has released a software upgrade for its wireless equipment that will allow operators to support high-speed data packet access (HSDPA) connections in 3G networks.


Cricket: SA rock England

England are reduced to 95-4 in reply to South Africa's 441 in the third Test in Cape Town.


O2, NTT DoCoMo sign I-mode agreement

European mobile operator Mmo2 and Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo have signed a long-term agreement under which O2 is to launch the I-mode mobile internet service in the UK, Germany and Ireland.


Five New GPUs from ATI

Gamers should welcome the latest news from ATIfive new graphic processors from one of leading GPU manufacturers. The new entrants in the war for gamers #39; hearts and systems are the ATI Radeon


E-Commerce Times

Singingfish.com is fine-tuning its image with the launch today of a revamped multimedia search engine on its Web site that specializes in finding audio and video content.


ISRO plays new moony tune

MUMBAI: Here #39;s to one significant step that may translate into a giant leap for India #39;s moon mission. In a departure from the earlier plan, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has decided that its


Willingham firing a winning thing

Notre Dame was fortunate to have a man like Tyrone Willingham at the helm. He #39;s a class act and a quality person. The young men who played for him have benefited from his leadership and example.


Amid unrest at BYU, Crowton opts to resign

After a dismal season, Brigham Young coach Gary Crowton said Wednesday he was stepping aside to pursue other job opportunities. Crowton spoke at a news conference flanked by associate BYU


Mississippi Fires Football Coach Cutcliffe

OXFORD, Miss. Dec 1, 2004 - Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe was fired Wednesday after the team #39;s worst season in 10 years, a source close to the program told The Associated Press.


Liverpool kids defeat Spurs on penalties

Tottenham crashed out of the Carling Cup on penalties tonight to Liverpool, after the teams had finished deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes.


JOE HAWK: Busch learns what it takes to be a real hero

First, he had to stretch a folded firehose, extending it 100 feet and around a sharp corner. Then he had to lift a 15-foot extension ladder off the ground and place it against a wall.


NASA Rover Hit the One Year Mark on Mars (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - Sitting \on nbsp;the nbsp;hill of an alien world millions of miles from home, a hardy


Barghouti Registers to Run for Palestinian President (Update1)

Marwan Barghouti, a leader of the late Yasser Arafat #39;s Fatah faction who is serving a life sentence in an Israeli jail, is registering to run for president of the Palestinian Authority.