Cingular To Cut Jobs By 10

The CEO of Cingular acknowledged earlier this week that it expects to cut up to 10 percent of its 68,000-person workforce in the next year and a half.


Report: Time Warner Near Deal With SEC

There #39;s a report that the Securities and Exchange Commission and Time Warner are close to a settlement over accounting questions at the media giant #39;s America Online unit.


Nortel attempts to calm fears of possible stock delisting

Nortel Networks Ltd. said both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange are not considering delisting the company as yet.


Ryanair, easyJet expand flights to Italy after Volare bankruptcy

LONDON (AFP) - Ryanair and easyJet both announced plans to expand in the Italian market following the collapse of the low-cost airline Volare, which has declared insolvency and suspended flights and ticket sales.


Nets' Jefferson Helps Handicapped Girl (AP)

AP - Richard Jefferson hasn't forgotten the lessons taught by his missionary parents. A couple of hours before a brawl between Indiana and Detroit gave the NBA a black eye last week, Jefferson quietly showed the charitable side of the league's players.


Casino pays \$28,000 for Holy toast

An internet casino has purchased a grilled cheese sandwich on eBay that bears the image of the Virgin Mary. Despite being 10 years old and having one bite taken out of it, the slice of Heaven has, perhaps miraculously, stayed free of mould.


Microsoft Offers Olive Branch to XP Counterfeit Users

Microsoft Corp. is offering an olive branch to users of pirated versions of the Windows XP operating system. The software giant on Wednesday unveiled the Windows XP Counterfeit Project in the UK, offering


Pockmarked face of Saturn #39;s icy moon

The Cassini spacecraft has returned the best-ever view of the icy Tethys, one of the moons of Saturn, depicting its battered 1060km-diameter surface in this photograph released by Nasa.


IBM signs 100 software vendors to Workplace platform

NOVEMBER 24, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - IBM yesterday announced that 100 independent software vendors have signed on to use software from its Workplace initiative, a new client computing model that gives employees a single way to access, share and manage


Magnetic Beaks Help Birds Navigate, Study Says

The findings add to the debate over whether pigeons and other birds chart their flight paths by using a magnetic sense or by following scent clues in the atmosphere.


AMD #39;s Mobile Sempron Chips Away at Centrino

The AMD processor, which is designed to compete with Intel #39;s high-end Centrino chips, offers extra protection against the spread of malicious viruses when enabled by Microsoft Windows XP SP2.


Mozilla Firefox Internet Browser Market Share Gains to 7.4

The latest survey from OneStat.com shows what was expected. Firefox is gaining on Internet Explorer and pretty rapidly. As per the reports, Mozilla Foundation has taken a 7.4 market share gaining more than 5 since May.


Arctic Council shies from warming recommendations

Faced with fresh evidence of rapid warming at the top of the globe, members of the Arctic Council on Wednesday shied from making any commitments to combat the problem.


Grand Canyon torrent begins

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - Scientists flooded the Grand Canyon yesterday to restore beaches and save fish and plants that have been disappearing since sediment-free water began flowing from a dam 40 years ago.


Many underage boys have little trouble buying M-rated games

The Minneapolis-based National Institute on Media and the Family has just released its annual video game report card in Washington.


Jaguar workers to vote on strike action, stage protest (AFP)

AFP - Thousands of Jaguar car workers will begin voting next week on strike action over plans to halt production at a British plant with the loss of over 1,000 jobs, union leaders said.


New Mexico State Fires Coach Tony Samuel (AP)

AP - New Mexico State coach Tony Samuel was fired Wednesday after leading the Aggies to just two winning seasons in eight years.


New Computer Associates CEO to Get Bonus (AP)

AP - Computer Associates International Inc., a business software company embroiled in an accounting scandal, is giving its new chief executive, John Swainson, a pay package that totals more than  #36;8.6 million in salary, signing bonuses and stock.


NBA #39;s Stern is self-serving

quot;It is too difficult to think nobly when one thinks only of earning a living. quot;. In the wake of one of the more violent incidents in National Basketball Association


Champions League: Bayern beats Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-1 to advance

Bayern Munich booked a place in the second round of the Champions League by strolling past Maccabi Tel Aviv 5-1 on Tuesday. Claudio Pizarro, Hasan Salihamidzic and Torsten Frings scored in a first half dominated by Bayern.


ICC monitoring developments as England stay in SAfrica

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is continuing to monitor developments over England #39;s tour of Zimbabwe after the players were told on Wednesday to stay in South Africa overnight.


Cricket: Black Caps offered help from Greg Chappell

ADELAIDE - New Zealand cricket coach John Bracewell has not ruled out tapping the knowledge of former Australian captain Greg Chappell as the tourists plot to avoid a repeat of their first test humiliation.


Jim Tracy to Return As Dodgers Manager

LOS ANGELES - Dodgers manager Jim Tracy agreed Wednesday to a two-year contract after leading Los Angeles to its first postseason appearance in eight years.


Rangers Fans Unhappy With O #39;Neill

Rangers fans have reacted angrily to suggestions from the Celtic manager Martin ONeill that his midfielder Neil Lennon was the victim of sectarian and racial abuse during the Old Firm game at the weekend.


Air-India Plans to Buy 50 New Aircraft (AP)

AP - The board of national carrier Air-India on Wednesday approved the purchase of 50 new aircraft as part of an ambitious expansion program, an airline spokesman said Wednesday.


Musharraf formula not for India: Aziz India News

New Delhi, Nov 24 Giving a decent burial to Gen Pervez Musharraf #39;s controversial seven-region formula on Kashmir, India and Pakistan today decided to operationalise the much talked about Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service as early as possible and hold the


Blast kills two US soldiers in Afghanistan

Two US soldiers were killed and one wounded on Wednesday in a blast caused by an improvised bomb while they were on patrol in central Afghanistan, the US military said.


Paisley Sincere About Deal with Republicans - Ahern

Irish premier Bertie Ahern said tonight he was confident the Rev Ian Paisley was sincere about striking a deal with republicans. He said he could understand the rationale behind the Democratic


French action in Ivory Coast a mistake, says Kadhafi

PARIS, Nov 24 (AFP) - France #39;s military intervention in Ivory Coast was a mistake, Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi said Wednesday in an interview published ahead of President Jacques Chirac #39;s visit to Tripoli.


Laser Technique Used to Treat Bad Breath (Reuters)

Reuters - If brushing and mouthwash don't improve\bad breath, an Israeli scientist may have the solution -- laser\treatment.


Ukraine opposition calls strike

Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko calls for a general strike as he rejects the presidential poll result.


Aziz Says Pakistan Wants Peace With India (AP)

AP - Insisting it was time for peace between Pakistan and India, Pakistan's prime minister said Wednesday that the two nuclear-armed rivals had the chance to "prove the pundits of gloom and doom wrong."


Brazil Says Gets UN Go-Ahead for Uranium Enrichment

BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil said on Wednesday itgot a go-ahead from the U.N. nuclear watchdog to crank up itsuranium enrichment plant this year after months of negotiationsover access for nonproliferation inspectors.


RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil's uraniumenrichment plant in Resende will start working before the endof the year after getting a go-ahead from the United Nations'nuclear watchdog, the country's Science and Technology Ministersaid on Wednesday.


Sirius Shares Fall on Analyst Downgrade

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. slipped more than 10 percent in Wednesday trading after a JP Morgan analyst downgraded the stock and told investors to take profits following a three-month run-up.


#39;Skulls #39; Virus Disables Smartphone Apps

A malicious code dubbed  quot;Skulls quot; was launched from Web sites that offered phone users downloads of wallpaper, games and ring tones.


S.C. Assistants Asked to Stay on Staff (AP)

AP - Three of Lou Holtz's assistant coaches will remain at South Carolina under new coach Steve Spurrier, though their assignments may change.


AN INDIAN JOURNEY Kanpur: Thankfully not a metropolis

One thing you learn over the years is how Indian spectators love to get involved, even when the match is as dead as this one. It places them in a unique position and the pity is that a game that offered so much turned out the way it did.


Explosion kills 2 US soldiers in southern Afghanistan

A bomb exploded near a US patrol in southern Afghanistan Wednesday, killing two American soldiers and wounding another, the military said.


Phishing on the increase, group says

Online phishing schemes increased significantly in October as financial institutions struggled to combat attempts to steal private account information from online consumers, according to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).


SAP expands offshore to cater to growth markets

BANGALORE, INDIA - SAPplans to more than double the number of staff at its software development centers in Bangalore, India, and Shanghai by 2006, and is also considering setting up a new development center in Eastern Europe, according to a company executive.


Judge backs PeopleSoft shareholders

A PROPOSAL to settle a lawsuit brought last year by PeopleSoft shareholders has failed to clear court, after a judge found it unfairly cut off their right to sue over the company #39;s resistance to a takeover by Oracle.


Recording companies sign deal to sell songs over new file-sharing <b>...</b>

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


Sony TV, China Film Unveil Joint Venture

The television unit of Japan #39;s Sony Corp and a division of China Film Group on Wednesday unveiled a joint venture to make Chinese language TV shows under a new Chinese law that allows such co-ventures.


Boyd Gaming Buys Land Next to Stardust Las Vegas

Boyd Gaming has acquired 13 acres adjacent to the southwest side of its Stardust Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, the casino operator said in a regulatory filing.


ArvinMeritor Sells Coil Coating Unit

Auto and Truck component supplier ArvinMeritor Inc. on Wednesday said it sold its Roll Coater Inc. coil coating unit for about \$162.5 million to an affiliate of private equity firm Willis Stein  amp; Partners.


US Travelers Face Weather Delays on Holiday Journey (Update3)

Travelers faced weather delays across the US as they took to the highways and airways today to begin what industry experts say will be the biggest Thanksgiving travel weekend since 2000.


Toy Safety

More than 200,000 children were injured by last year by their own toys according to Texas Public Interest Research Group. The group says there #39;s more to toys than meets the eye.


BoC says US dollar pulled down by deficits, rates

The US fiscal and current account deficits, and low interest rates, are driving the greenback down against other currencies but it is difficult to predict how fast and far it will go, Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge said on


Judge Blocks MPAA #39;s Mass Suits

A week after members of the Motion Picture Association of America filed 11 lawsuits against hundreds of people they accused of using file-sharing networks to share copies of movies, a US District Court judge found the process improper and ordered the


Huntsman Files for \$1.6 Billion IPO

Huntsman Corp., one of the world #39;s largest chemical makers, on Wednesday said it plans to sell about \$1.6 billion of its common shares in an initial public offering, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Online casino pays 28 grand for  #39;religious icon #39; grilled cheese

Today, they forked over more than 28-thousand dollars for half a grilled cheese sandwich that #39;s more than ten years old. The seller claims it bears the image of the Virgin Mary.


JFK Reloaded Game Causes Controversy

Game invites users to play the role of JFK #39;s assassin, causing some observers to wonder whether video games have gone too far.


Response to Arctic climate report a modest victory <b>...</b>

In a move environmentalists call a modest victory, the world #39;s eight Arctic nations, including the United States, have agreed that climate change is threatening northern ecosystems and greenhouse gases must be limited.


Microsoft proposes piracy amnesty

com November 24, 2004, 2:29 PM PT. This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories for several months, but for many IT managers, ERP (enterprise resource planning) and open source initiatives are on the horizon.


Intel Helps Asian PC Partners Ship With Linux

Intel, seeing growing demand for Linux desktop systems in the Asia-Pacific region, is stepping up its outreach efforts to channel partners.


Mozilla #39;s share is rising

The latest web browser usage survey shows Mozilla #39;s share is rising at the expense of Internet Explorer. The browser has increased its market share to 7.4 percent, from 2.1 percent in May.


Video Game Report Card Helps Parents

Goal is to assist moms and dads in buying family-friendly entertainment for their kids. Video games are a popular item on the Christmas wish lists of kids, which


Apple Deepens Sony #39;s Woes as Cute #39; iPod Takes Off in Japan

Juliana Sasaki didn #39;t bother checking out Sony Corp. #39;s digital music player in Tokyo before buying her green iPod mini. I knew Sony and other companies had MP3 players, but they can


Phishing on the increase

Online phishing schemes increased significantly in October as financial institutions struggled to combat attempts to steal private account information from online consumers, according to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).


Milan, Barcelona, PSV reach last 16 while Gunners have two sent <b>...</b>

AC Milan, Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven advanced Wednesday night to the second round of the European Champions League, but Arsenal had two players ejected and played its fourth straight tie.


Smith Denies Quitting Pompey

It had been thought the clubs assistant manager had handed in his resignation earlier today when boss Harry Redknapp announced he was quitting the south coast club.


Russia, France 2-0 up

Russia and France are on track for a meeting in the Fed Cup final in Moscow after both teams took 2-0 leads following the first day of their respective semi-finals.


Redmond joins Twins

Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Twins announced Wednesday that the club has reached an agreement with free-agent catcher Mike Redmond on a two-year contract.


Dean Scores 30 Points to Lead Louisville Over Stanford

MAUI, Hawaii (Sports Network) - Taquan Dean poured in a game-high 30 points and Francisco Garcia added 16 points to lead 12th-ranked Louisville over Stanford, 82-67, in the fifth place game of the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center.


SC Assistants Asked to Stay on Staff

South Carolina #39;s new football coach Steve Spurrier gestures during a news conference Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain).


Rematch Doesn't Necessarily Mean Repeat

Like the Jets-Chargers matchup, all of the weekend's N.F.L. wild-card playoff games feature one intriguing theme: You again?


US, Iraqi forces press raids south of Baghdad

BAGHDAD - Thousands of US troops and Iraqi forces pursued a campaign of raids on suspected guerrilla bases in Sunni Muslim towns and villages south of Baghdad on Wednesday, the US military said.


Dolphins save schoolgirls

The bottlenose dolphins formed a protective shield around Niccy Howes, 15, and her friends, reports the Sun. The girls thought the dolphins were playing as they swam round them in tight circles, thrashing their tails near a New Zealand beach.


UN Mission Warns Rwanda On Its Threat to Strike Rebels in DR of <b>...</b>

The United Nations today called on Rwanda to respect international law following its threat to strike against rebels based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), warning that the UN mission #39;s mandate in the DRC includes preventing the peace


Unlocking Value at Altria

Plus, talking turkey with Hormel, a peek into toyland, and Sirius demonic possession.


Maytag Stuck in Spin Cycle

The appliance maker freezes pay and asks workers to quit, but rewards its executives with stock options.


An Entertaining Holiday Pick

Hastings, a multimedia retailer, trims losses and raises full-year guidance.


Investor, Check Your Sources

Robust research doesn't guarantee success, but Pedro Zuloaga insists it stacks your odds.


Congress Passes Stop-Gap Measure to Fund Government (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. Congress was forced to pass\a temporary measure keeping the government open on Wednesday\after one embarrassing clause allowing lawmakers to see\individual tax returns held up a crucial  #36;388 billion spending\bill.


FDA Whistleblower Earns Kudos, Criticism (AP)

AP - David Graham says he was surprised by the reception he got back at his Food and Drug Administration office after telling Congress the government had allowed unsafe drugs to remain on the market.


In pockets of Fallujah, US troops still face harsh battles

Just four insurgents tied down a Marine company for hours in a nighttime battle.


Sex charges haunt UN forces

In places like Congo and Kosovo, peacekeepers have been accused of abusing the people they're protecting.


Israeli army under fire after killing girl

A video aired on Israeli TV, with the audio portion revealing defense forces shooting a 13-year-old girl in Gaza.


UK honour for director Zeffirelli

Film-maker Franco Zeffirelli is the first Italian citizen to receive an honorary knighthood from Britain.


Football: Nine-man Arsenal draw

Lauren and Patrick Vieira are sent off as Arsenal draw against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.


Microsoft, Sun to talk about cooperation

Microsoft and Sun Microsystems on December 1 will deliver a joint update on their collaborations pursuant to an April 2004 technology-sharing agreement to boost interoperability between the two vendors products, according to a Microsoft representative on Wednesday.


A's Want Kendall

Three-time All-Star catcher Jason Kendall has waved a no-trade that could send him from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Oakland Athletics.


JFK Reloaded Game Causes Controversy

Game invites users to play the role of JFK's assassin, causing some observers to wonder whether video games have gone too far.


U.S. and 7 Countries Weigh New Findings on Arctic Climate

The nations expressed concern about climate change but did not agree on a common strategy for curbing emissions.


Pacers Holding Tough After Suspensions (AP)

AP - Immediately after Jamaal Tinsley made a layup in the third quarter that got the Indiana Pacers rolling to an improbable win over Boston, he raised his hand and extended three fingers.


No. 12 Louisville Drops Stanford 82-67 (AP)

AP - Taquan Dean scored 30 points and No. 12 Louisville beat Stanford 82-67 Wednesday in the fifth-place game of the Maui Invitational, the Cardinals' first win this season over a Division I team.


NHLPA to Begin Lockout Pay to Players (AP)

AP - The NHL players' association will begin issuing lockout pay to more than 730 players. Payments will start this month, and players will get  #36;10,000 each for November and another  #36;10,000 for December, with subsequent monthly payments varying between  #36;5,000 or  #36;10,000, The Canadian Press reported.


Pitt Looks to Upset No. 21 West Virginia (AP)

AP - Maybe Pittsburgh has finally discovered how to wear down playmaking West Virginia quarterback Rasheed Marshall: Tire him out before the game.


Fenerbahce to the UEFA cup, Manchester and Lyon to 2nd Round

The yellow Canaries rose to six points by defeating the Czech champions for the second time by the same score as they had defeated them in the first leg in Istanbul.


Federer Names Roche as Part-Time Coach

DOHA (Reuters) - World number one Roger Federer made a  surprise announcement Tuesday when he revealed that Australian  Tony Roche will be his new coach on a part-time basis.


Regulators Seek Information From 2 Firms (AP)

AP - American Funds and Edward Jones  amp; Co. are among the financial firms that regulators are requesting information from in a sweeping examination into sales and disclosure of 529 college-savings plans.


Toys R Us Wants to Prevent Piecemeal Sale (Reuters)

Reuters - Toys R Us Inc. , which is\selling its toy business, will "strongly discourage" suitors\from trying to buy only the choicest parts of the company when\they submit a second round of bids after the holidays, sources\familiar with the situation said on Wednesday.


U.S. Dollar Dips to New Low Against Euro

The U.S. dollar slid to a new low Wednesday against the euro, which rose to an all-time high of \$1.3179 in late New York trading, breaking a day-old record as jittery markets kept up pressure on the U.S. currency.


Oil Prices Slip After Weekly U.S. Energy Report

Crude oil futures rose Wednesday ahead of an extended weekend for traders, even though weekly government data showed rising domestic inventories of crude and distillate fuel, which includes heating oil.


Judge: MCI May Have Violated Court Order on Certain Fees

A federal judge in Manhattan said Wednesday that MCI Inc., formerly known as WorldCom, may have violated a court order by paying more than \$25 million in professional services fees as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.


Mixed signals from Dodge on interest rates

OTTAWA - David Dodge said he remained  quot;broadly comfortable quot; with the key economic assumptions underlying the current monetary policy of the Bank of Canada, which forecasts further interest rate cuts are likely over time.


Casino Forks Over \$28K for Cheese Sandwich

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - An online casino forked over \$28,000 Wednesday to the owner of a 10-year-old, partially eaten cheese sandwich thought to be embedded with the image of the Virgin Mary - and then sent the  quot;religious icon quot; on a world tour.


Civilization sold off to mystery buyer

Struggling publisher Infogrames nets \$22.3 million by hocking its powerhouse strategy franchise to an as-yet unidentified company.


No discipline worries at Arsenal, says Wenger

Manager Arsene Wenger denied Arsenal have a disciplinary problem after his team finished with only nine men in Wednesday #39;s 1-1 Champions League draw at PSV Eindhoven.


Fergie #39;s 1000 reasons to smile

MANCHESTER United gave manager Sir Alex Ferguson the perfect gift to mark his 1000th game with the club yesterday, a 2-1 win against Lyon that sends the Red Devils into the second round of the Champions League.


Holyfield appeals medical suspension

NEW YORK (AFP) - Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is appealing a medical suspension imposed upon him by the New York State Athletic Commission following his loss to fellow American Larry Donald.


Annan Starts Reshuffling UN Staff for Reform Push

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi  Annan on Monday chose the high-profile British head of a key  agency as his new chief of staff, the start of a reshuffle  aimed at instituting U.N. reforms and combating scandals.


Peru Lawmakers Urge Court: Don't Free Berenson (Reuters)

Reuters - The head of Peru's Congress on\Wednesday urged the region's top rights court not to order the\freedom of a New Yorker jailed for collaboration with leftist\rebels, saying it had to realize "this lady is a terrorist."


Ex-premier Bouchard still being treated for peritonitis in Montreal hospital (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - MONTREAL (CP) - Ex-premier Lucien Bouchard, recently hospitalized for peritonitis, hasn't been responding to antibiotic treatment but his life is not in danger, a hospital said Wednesday.


Iran Seeks to Loosen Some Restrictions

Tehran is now demanding the right to run some key equipment for research purposes, European and Iranian officials said.


Sony Pictures TV Forms Venture With Hua Long in China (Update1)

Sony Corp. #39;s Sony Pictures Television International unit says it formed a joint venture with China #39;s Hua Long Film Digital Production Co.


US and 7 Countries Weigh New Findings on Arctic Climate

The United States and the seven other countries with Arctic territory today expressed concern about profound changes in the Arctic climate and said they would consider new scientific findings


Pigeons Use Magnetic Particles To Navigate

Homing pigeons suddenly lost their navigational ability when magnets were attached to their beaks or if their beaks were anaesthetized, University of North Carolina researcher Cordula Mora found.


Firefox Reviewed - a browser for Microsoft haters

Written by Net 4 Nowt Anyone reading technology news articles can not have failed to have read something about a new web browser currently doing the rounds.


Parents of Wal-Mart heiress give up rights to name arena after her

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. The University of Missouri #39;s new sports arena is looking for a new name. The Paige Sports Arena opened three weeks ago, named in honor of Wal-Mart heiress Elizabeth Paige Laurie and a gift to the school from her parents.


A's, Pirates Close to Trade for Kendall (AP)

AP - Three-time All-Star catcher Jason Kendall was close to being traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Oakland Athletics for a pair of pitchers, a baseball official told The Associated Press on Wednesday.


US to Urge EU to Get Tough on Iran Nuclear Aims

The United States will press the EU to get tough with Iran at a meeting of the UN #39;s nuclear watchdog on Thursday, urging a trigger for UN Security Council action if Tehran resumes any uranium enrichment work.


UN says Sudanese rebel leaders violating ceasefire agreement

KHARTOUM - The United Nations has condemned the takeover of a town in Darfur by rebels. The UN #39;s envoy to Sudan, Jan Pronk, says the assault leading to the capture violates a ceasefire agreement signed by rebel leaders.


Briton to hunt Bosnia war criminals

A BRITISH general is taking over in Bosnia, where the worlds two most-wanted indicted war criminals have evaded capture for nearly a decade.


Ruling delayed in Peoplesoft case

A crucial legal ruling in Oracle #39;s takeover bid for Peoplesoft has been delayed after a judge said he needs to hear further evidence in the case.


Weak US dollar could hurt growth, slow rate increases by central <b>...</b>

OTTAWA (CP) - Sustained weakness in the US dollar will dampen American demand for Canadian products at the same time the global economy also appears to be slowing, Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge warned Wednesday.


United asks court to void contracts

Says it needs to save an additional \$725M and also asks for pension relief; strikes loom. NEW YORK (Reuters) - The parent of United Airlines Inc.


Study Confirms Pigeon Navigation Theory

Nov. 24, 2004 - Scientists believe they have confirmed theories that homing pigeons are able to carry out their long-range navigational feat thanks to tiny magnetic particles in their upper beaks.


Chimes up for Redknapp

Harry Redknapp quit Portsmouth after the relationship with chairman Milan Mandaric became untenable, though the manager diplomatically said he simply felt it was time for a break.


Ruthless Bayern

BAYERN Munich eased into the last 16 with a resounding 5-1 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv this morning, as Ajax #39;s 1-0 loss to Juventus means Bayern finish runners-up in the group.


ICC would back England in vote

England will avoid financial sanctions if they pull out of their tour to Zimbabwe. According to sources, the majority of Test-playing countries would back the England and Wales Cricket Board


Brewers' Deal for Damian Miller on Hold (AP)

AP - Damian Miller headed home Wednesday, still waiting for the Brewers to finalize his contract. The 35-year-old Wisconsin native was in Milwaukee, hoping to be introduced as the Brewers' new starting catcher. But the club canceled its news conference after it couldn't complete its medical evaluation, the final step needed to finalize his  #36;8.75 million, three-year deal.


Earthquake shakes northern Italy

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 is felt across large areas of north Italy.


America Online Reports Drop in Spam

America Online said that spammers were starting to give up - at least when it came to sending junk to its subscribers.


Toy Safety: Common Sense and Consumer Protection

If toys are on your holiday gift list, it #39;s always great to be the one who gives the best toy. Don #39;t forget about safety. Just because a toy is on the store shelf doesn #39;t mean it #39;s safe.


Linux Server Sales Hit a New High

Quarterly sales of servers running the Linux operating system topped \$1 billion for the first time during the third quarter of 2004, analyst company IDC reported Wednesday.


Auburn's Defense Might Be Tops, at Least (AP)

AP - Auburn's defense, at least, made a decent case for No. 1.


Chiefs Insist They've Plenty to Play For (AP)

AP - When Tony Gonzalez heard somebody on the radio say the Kansas City Chiefs had nothing left to play for, it almost made his blood boil.


Apple Sues to Halt OS X Release on Net

Apple Computer has sued three software developers, contending they distributed versions of its OS X computer operating system on the Internet.


Leading Chinese TV Exporter Has Huge Loss

China's biggest television exporter announced losses stemming in part from declining sales and a scandal involving its biggest U.S. customer.


Wenger Hits Out at Ref

Arsene Wenger accused referee Herbert Fandel of double-standards after Arsenal battled to keep their Champions League hopes alive with nine men in Eindhoven.


Larry Brown returns to coach Pistons

Pistons coach Larry Brown came back to the defending NBA champions on crutches Wednesday, returning to Detroit #39;s bench after being told by doctors it was OK to travel.


Battling Celtic bow out but Uefa Cup spot beckons

CELTIC silenced their critics last night, and a fair chunk of the Nou Camp, by producing a remarkable display of defiance to dent Barcelonas omnipotence in their own backyard.


Apologies placate chairman on racism penalty

DAVID GOLD, the Birmingham City chairman, initially felt that the punishment given yesterday to a Blackburn Rovers supporter who racially abused Dwight Yorke last Sunday was too lenient.


Sponsorship dispute depletes Windies line-up

Brian Lara and other West Indies cricket stars are unlikely to travel to Australia for a one-day international series as a result of a controversy surrounding rival sponsors.


AS Monaco 1 - 0 Liverpool

LIVERPOOL #39;S chances of reaching the next stage of the Champions League took a dent here last night when a goal from Javier Saviola just after the interval was enough to give Monaco all three points.


Holyfield bids to keep fighting

Evander Holyfield is appealing against a medical suspension imposed upon him following his defeat by Larry Donald. The former world heavyweight champion was suspended by the New York State Athletic Commission


Kaizai hails UN hostages #39; release

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (1st R) meets with three United Nations workers Philippine diplomat Angelito Nayan (1st L), Kosovan Shqipe Hebibi (2nd L) and Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland (3rd L) at the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul, Nov 24


Syria May Be Ready to Resume Peace Talks with Israel

According to United Nations envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, Syrian President Bashar Assad is now willing to restart peace negotiations with Israel  #39;without pre-conditions.


Awash in Coverage, and in the Spin Cycle

By now, bits and pieces of the Pacers-Pistons brawl have joined O. J.'s Bronco ride and the Zapruder film in the pantheon of numbingly overviewed news events.


Knicks Make a So-So Climb Into First Place

The Atlantic Division may be mediocre, but the Knicks can claim a modest achievement early in their season - they are in first place.


EU, Japan on Hold, Awaiting WTO Green Light to Hit Back at US

US questions about how Japan and the European Union would retaliate against a law that has handed more than \$750 million in customs duties to US companies stalled World Trade Organization approval of the sanctions today.


Travelers face record crowds at airports

Long lines and traffic delays greeted travelers in the Washington region who were headed out of town Wednesday for Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel times of the year.


RMI Tentative Agreement Reached

The thought of spending a second year in a lockout was one of the reasons why a tentative agreement was reached between RMI union officials and the companys management.


Blogs Provide Raw Details From Scene of the Disaster

For vivid reporting from the enormous zone of tsunami disaster, it was hard to beat the blogs.


Retail in Review: More Bah Than Sis-Boom

Analysts have offered their latest judgment of the Christmas shopping season: good, but not great, although online sales set records.


Cos. to Sell Songs on File-Share Service (AP)

AP - Three major recording companies have agreed to make their music available to be shared and sold over a new online file-swapping service that aims to lure music fans away from rival services where trading of music and movies remains unfettered.


Opposition Calls for Strike in Ukraine (AP)

AP - Opposition leaders called Wednesday for a nationwide strike to shut down factories, schools and transportation after officials declared Ukraine's pro-Kremlin prime minister the winner of a presidential runoff election that many countries denounced as rigged.


Iconic grilled cheese whips us Net frenzy

2004-11-24  Diana Duyser will soon become \$28,000 richer, courtesy her 10-year-old sandwich. It #39;s no ordinary sandwitch, though.


Microsoft Will Replace Fake Copies of XP

UK users will be able to replace pirated versions of Windows that they have purchased. Software pirates #39; increasing skill at creating counterfeit versions of Windows XP has prompted Microsoft to introduce


IBM Signs Up 100 Vendors for  #39;Workplace #39;

IBM said the strategy is to enable companies to centrally manage business applications and tools across employee devices. That should help companies cut IT support costs as well as build work


Ch. League: Milan, Barca, power through

AC Milan and Barcelona joined the other powerhouses in the second round of the Champions League on Wednesday while Arsenal had two players sent off in a fourth tie in a row and still isn #39;t there yet.


Roundup: It #39;s consolation time on Maui

Freshman guard Daniel Gibson scored 19 points and started Texas #39; run of second-half 3-pointers Wednesday, leading the Longhorns to a 95-70 victory over Tennessee in the third-place game of the Maui Invitational.


Miller acquisition put on hold

Damian Miller #39;s first chance to don a Brewers cap was put indefinitely on hold late Wednesday, when the team announced it could not complete the 35-year-old #39;s physical before the Thanksgiving holiday.


Cyber Cops Say 'Tis the Season to Be Wary (Reuters)

Reuters - As the holiday shopping season\ramps up, cyber cops warned on Wednesday that online fraudsters\are working over time.


Iran seeks to exclude uranium enrichment

Iran has been seeking to exclude some uranium enrichment experiments from a nuclear freeze it agreed with three European governments this month, western diplomats said on Wednesday.


Intel Touts Linux over Windows in Asia (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Intel has launched an effort to make it easier for the company's Chinese and Indian customers to build and buy desktop computers that run Linux rather than Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows software.


Paisley hints at movement on IRA

The hardline Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley yesterday suggested that if the IRA decommissioned its weapons and wound up its criminal activity, it could be allowed to continue as  quot;an old boys #39; association quot;.


Dolphins Shield Swimmers From Shark

A pod of dolphins saved a group of swimmers from a predatory 10-foot great white shark off the northern New Zealand coast, a newspaper reported Tuesday.


Cingular To Cut 10 Percent of Workforce (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Cingular Wireless has said it plans to cut at least 10 percent of its workforce -- some 7,000 jobs -- over the next year and a half.


Firefox Erodes IE Market Share (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) domination of the Web browser market is falling as consumers opt for open-source software from the Mozilla Foundation, according to a survey.


Report: Dell Passes Sun in Server Sales (AP)

AP - Computer giant Dell Inc.'s server sales rose in the third quarter, overtaking Sun Microsystems Inc. for the No. 3 position, according to a Gartner Inc. research report released Wednesday.


Stocks Close Higher Before Holiday (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. stocks closed higher on\Wednesday, with technology stocks Google Inc.  and\Apple Computer Inc.  leading the way in quiet trading\as Wall Street wound down for Thanksgiving.


Global Warming Fight to Get Harder from 2012 -U.N (Reuters)

Reuters - Fighting global warming will get\tougher once the Kyoto protocol ends in 2012 and the world must\try to get Washington involved in the long term, the head of\the U.N. Environment Program said on Wednesday.


Ancel Keys, Who Found Source of Heart Disease, Dies (Reuters)

Reuters - Ancel Keys, a pioneer in public health\best known for identifying the connection between a\cholesterol-rich diet and heart disease, has died.


Group Passes on Addressing Global Warming (AP)

AP - Although faced with fresh evidence of global warming, the United States and other members the Arctic Council on Wednesday failed to make any recommendations to combat a problem most scientists say is causing sea ice to melt and temperatures to rise.


Paul Martin Pushes For New World Forum

Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin, while attending the APEC Summit in Santiago, Chile, tried to garner support among world leaders for his idea of instantiating a new world forum, a so-called L-20 group of leaders, consisting of the G-8 countries and the leaders of about 12 other emerging economic powers like India, China, Brazil and South Korea.  As The Toronto Star reported, the animated Prime Minister Martin literally had to be yanked away by his own handlers after describing in urgent tones the need for United Nations reform and for a new forum of world leaders that he wants to create. He bemoaned Sudanese being slaughtered while the UN dithers, he interrupted several questions from reporters to elaborate further, and Saturday he waved off an aide who tried cutting off a press conference.


Reciprocal Links Are Not Evil

Reciprocal Links Are Not Evil\\I will repeat, reciprocal links are not evil. All this discussion in the forums about how people only want one-way links because they heard reciprocal links are bad and can get you kicked out of the search engines is taken way out of proportion. One example ...


Creative Commons Search Engine Integrated into Firefox 1.0\\Creative Commons today unveiled an updated beta version of its search engine, which scours the web for text, images, audio, and video free to re-use on certain terms a search refinement offered by no other company or organization today. Creative Commons rsquo; announcement coincides ...


ADV: BLT Roll-Out Garage Flooring

Better Life Technology has created unique garage flooring which beautifies in minutes and protects floors for years. Sizes 10 #39; wide are available. Prevents concrete stains and deterioration.


News: DIY fingerprint idea thwarts ID thieves

The Home Office is touting ID cards as a solution to ID theft in today's Queen's Speech but a Yorkshire man has taken matters into his own hands.


Waving Hello, From a Distance

Videoconferencing tools are increasingly making their way not just into the office but into the home, adding a dimension to long-distance visits with relatives and friends.


Camcorders Finally Find Hard Drives

JVC is introducing two camcorders that abandon tape and discs altogether, recording onto removable hard drives.


The Cordless Phone Tries to Catch Up to Its Cool Cousin

A cordless phone borrows a trick from its cellular cousins, shrinking toward the vanishing point.


Blow a Fuse, Computer Chip, and Heal Thyself

Semiconductor chips that can manage a good bit of their own upkeep are moving closer to reality.


Our Smiles Are in the Mail

If the holiday cards you send include a family photo, a growing number of sites can help design and produce them.


P2P Music Upstart Signs On the Big Boys

A new online music service, Peer Impact, has signed deals with three major music labels -- Sony BMG, Universal and Warner. What sets Peer Impact apart is its use of a peer-to-peer distribution


MTFG, UFJ post declines in first half

Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group Inc. announced Wednesday its group net profit fell 43.1 percent in the fiscal first half from a year earlier to 171.7 billion yen, while merger partner UFJ


Bad Weather, Tight Security Slow Heavy Holiday Travel

Travelers headed home for Thanksgiving were greeted Wednesday with snow-covered highways in the Midwest, heavy rain and tornadoes in parts of the South, and long security lines at some of the nation #39;s airports.


Mercury Tries Online Campaign to Create a Cooler Image

A prominent lineup of advertising talent is working to produce an online campaign aimed at cultivating a cooler image for the Mercury car brand.


Pathway to Glory Ships

November 24, 2004 - Nokia announced today that WWII strategy title Pathway to Glory is now shipping for the Nokia N-Gage game deck.


Celtic Get Surprise Point In Barcelona

Celtic shook off the hangover from their disastrous Old Firm encounter to earn a remarkable Champions League draw at Camp Nou against runaway Liga leaders Barcelona.


Jason Kendall (left) has made the All-Star team three times. (Pat <b>...</b>

PITTSBURGH -- According to published reports, the Pirates and A #39;s are close to completing a deal which would send catcher Jason Kendall to Oakland for left-handed pitchers Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes.


Hunt for Balkan war criminals  #39;likely to fail #39;

British defence officials conceded yesterday that military action to bring Serb and Croat war crimes suspects to trial would probably fail because of the sophisticated support network surrounding them.


Click, and the Deals Arrive at the Doorstep

Now that all the holiday presents have been opened, it is time to do some real shopping  for the home, from the home.


A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq (AP)

AP - As of Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at least 1,230 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. At least 961 died as a result of hostile action, the Defense Department said. The figures include three military civilians.


MTFG profit drops as bad loans rise

TOKYO: Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group (MTFG), Japan #39;s second biggest bank, said yesterday its first-half profit dropped by 43 as bad loans increased.


Wind turbines coming to Ontario; province inks 10 renewable energy <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - More towering wind turbines will be sprouting up across Ontario after the government signed deals for five private wind-energy projects as part of a bid to make renewable energy a reality in the province.


AIG settles charges, to pay \$126 million

NEW YORK - American International Group Inc. said Wednesday that it has agreed to pay \$126 million to settle federal allegations that the insurance giant helped two customer companies commit accounting fraud.


Nissan to Halt Output at 3 Plants for Lack of Steel (Update1)

Nissan Motor Co., Japan #39;s second- largest carmaker, said it will suspend production at three factories for five days over the next two weeks because the company has difficulty obtaining steel.


Group Passes on Addressing Global Warming

Although faced with fresh evidence of global warming, the United States and other members the Arctic Council on Wednesday failed to make any recommendations


Dolphins reactions mixed to possible Ricky return

SAN FRANCISCO - Just when the Miami Dolphins thought they were done talking about Ricky Williams, news of the wayward running backs imminent return to the NFL put him back in his former teammates thoughts Wednesday.


EU judge considers impact of Microsoft dropouts

A European Union judge has summoned all sides for a closed meeting today to consider how to handle the decision by two major opponents of Microsoft to drop out of an antitrust case against the company.


Aging population to slow down Australian economy: report

A sharp increase in the number of aged people in the coming decades will enormously slow down Australia #39;s economic growth and increase health spending, an official report released on Thursday said.


HK PRESS: Air China Shifts IPO Date To Avoid REIT Clash

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Air China, the mainland #39;s biggest carrier, will bring forward its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to avoid clashing with the listing of the Housing Authority #39;s Real Estate Investment Trust, or REIT, reports the South China


Film Studios Win  #36;24 Million Against Web Site (Reuters)

Reuters - Hollywood's major movie studios\said they won a  #36;23.8 million judgment against a California\company and its Malaysian owner for operating a Web site that\charged customers to download illegally copied movies.


Mobile Phone Makers Hoping To Get Boost From 3G Rollout (Investor's Business Daily)

Investor's Business Daily - Europe's largest wireless carrier, Vodafone Group, this month said it's expanded its 3G high-speed wireless service to more markets -- and cell phone makers cheered.


UPDATE 1-Mickelson storms to victory after shooting 59

US Masters champion Phil Mickelson tapped in a birdie on the final hole to become the fifth player in history to shoot 59 as he charged to victory in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf event in Kauai, Hawaii on Wednesday.


Real face penalty after racist chants

UEFA yesterday warned Real Madrid that they could be handed stiff punishment for the racist chanting of their supporters which marred Tuesday nights Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen at the Bernabeu.


ECB set to call off tour to Zimbabwe over media ban

England #39;s controversial cricket tour of Zimbabwe looks set to be cancelled after Michael Vaughan #39;s squad were last night instructed not to travel to Harare.


Jones turns tables with renewed attack on England tactics

The more things change, the more Eddie Jones stays the same. Two years ago, Australia #39;s super-smart coach countered accusations about the Wallabies #39; illegal dummy running by deflecting attention towards English skulduggery at the line-out.


UN to assess Iran nuclear freeze

The UN nuclear agency is set to meet in Vienna on Thursday to review Iran #39;s controversial nuclear programme. The board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will learn if Iran is abiding by an agreement


Thatcher stunned as court orders he face coup questions

SIR Mark Thatcher has lost his fight to avoid being questioned about his alleged involvement in a foiled coup to topple the president of Equatorial Guinea.


Lawmakers Argue Over Tax-Return Snooping (AP)

AP - A skeleton crew of lawmakers voted Wednesday to keep the government from shutting down as House Democrats lambasted Republicans over a provision passed last week that both parties agreed was a turkey.


US 'alienating' world's Muslims

The US is losing "the war of ideas" in the Islamic world and must alter its approach, a Pentagon panel says.


Ontario Approves 10 Power Projects Worth C\$700 Mln (Update1)

The Ontario government approved 10 electricity-generating projects that will power about 100,000 homes and generate C\$700 million (\$593 million) in new investment in the province.


AIG pledges to return \$46m in fees

AIG will return \$46m in fees it earned on three off-balance-sheet vehicles set up for PNC Financial as part of a settlement with regulators announced this week.


PGA TOUR #39;s 59 Club

Phil Mickelson #39;s 59 Wednesday at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf may not have come in an official 72-hole event, but it certainly put him in some elite company.


A New Script for Searching Texts Written by Hand

Search technology for images may lead to a way to search handwritten manuscripts.


It #39;s like a bad soap

HARRY REDKNAPP ended his two-and-a-half year roller-coaster ride on the south coast, insisting the situation was in danger of becoming a soap opera.


Live: Champions League

1738: Stand-in Porto goalkeeper Nuno makes a superb reflex save from Yuri Zhirkov to stop Moscow going ahead. 1730: The first of Wednesday #39;s eight Champions League games kicks off with CSKA hosting current


Three arraigned in \$3 million extortion scheme involving NBA star <b>...</b>

A lawyer and two ex-convicts remained in jail Wednesday after being arraigned on charges of trying to use a videotape of a fistfight to blackmail Denver Nuggets basketball star Carmelo Anthony for \$3 million.


Some tolling thoughts

You don #39;t really believe Pedro Martinez is going to pitch for the Yankees, do you? Don #39;t forget about Pedro #39;s working hours on his non-pitching days.


Aussies says Indon #39;s delay in revealing embassy bombing arrests <b>...</b>

Australia accepted that Indonesian police delayed for almost three weeks revealing they had captured four suspects in the Australian Embassy bombing in Jakarta in September because they hoped to catch more, Foreign Minister


Quake rattles northern Italy

A strong earthquake measuring about 5.2 on the Richter scale rocked northern Italy from the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic seas on early on Thursday, causing panic and some damage.


Chirac woos Libyans for oil

French President Jacques Chirac lead a delegation of business leaders on a trip to oil-rich Libya Wednesday hoping to expand trade ties.


Freed UN hostages meet Afghan leader ahead of return home

A group of three United Nations workers, freed after almost four weeks captivity in Afghanistan, have met President Hamid Karzai, in Kabul.


Argentina to Delay \$103B Debt Swap Offer

The Argentine government said late Wednesday it has postponed a global plan to restructure the bulk of US\$103 billion (euro78.35 billion) in default debt until mid-January, moving back a debt swap that was expected next week.


Safe Mode in Windows Helps Fix What Ails It

Booting up in safe mode; how to record vinyl records onto a PC; external floppy drives.


Dollar Edges Up Vs Euro, Lows in Sight (Reuters)

Reuters - The dollar inched up but stayed in sight\of record lows against the euro on Thursday, as investors took\a break from pummeling the dollar after showing little interest\in a mixed bag of U.S. economic data.


AIP FYI #150: NASA Gets Funding Increase for Space Exploration <b>...</b>

Under the omnibus bill funding the remaining FY 2005 appropriations (HR 4818), the House and Senate conferees gave NASA a substantial downpayment on the President #39;s Space Exploration Initiative.


3 Arrested for Trying to Extort NBA Player

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony looks on during his team #39;s 90-88 victory over the New Jersey Nets in Denver on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004.


Giants Autofocus for Eagles and Owens

This is the week of the season when every Giants defensive back needs to have shoulders as sturdy as snowplow blades. But safety Gibril Wilson reported Wednesday that he still had only one good shoulder.


Presidents Call on U.S. to Help Tsunami Survivors (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. presidents past and present\appealed to Americans on Monday to help victims of the Asian\tsunami as one of the biggest aid efforts in history struggled\to bring food and water to millions of desperate survivors.


U.S., U.N. Blame Rebels for Sudan Strife (AP)

AP - U.N. and U.S. officials accused rebels Wednesday of sparking the latest violence in Sudan's troubled Darfur region, actions that violated a cease-fire deal and prevented aid from reaching thousands of refugees.


Five-year football ban for Yorke racist

FOOTBALL chiefs last night welcomed the five-year ban handed to the Blackburn fan who racially abused Dwight Yorke. Jason Perryman, 22, was caught on television hurling monkey chants and gesturing towards


O #39;Neill hails heroes as Celtic earn vital point

PERHAPS the most trying few days of his Celtic career so far would deepen the satisfaction Martin ONeill took from his teams extraordinary 1-1 Champions League draw with Barcelona at the renowned Nou Camp stadium last night.


Valencia Victory Sets Up Frantic Werder Face-Off

Valencia secured an unconvincing win over Anderlecht in Brussels to set up a pressure-cooker match that will be the final nail in the CL coffin for the Champions of Spain or Germany.


U.N.: Rwanda Warns of Attacking Rebels (AP)

AP - Rwanda has warned it will launch an attack "very soon" on Rwandan Hutu rebels sheltering in eastern Congo, the U.N. mission said Wednesday, relaying a threat that raised fears of renewal of one of Africa's most devastating conflicts.


No. 20 Boston College Squashes Quinnipiac (AP)

AP - Jessalyn Deveny scored 16 of her 22 points in the opening 9 1/2 minutes Wednesday, helping 20th-ranked Boston College to a 74-43 win over Quinnipiac.


Industrial Park Hostage to U.S.-N.Korea Ties (Reuters)

Reuters - An industrial park\offering cheap labor, handy transport links and next door to\major Asian markets should be a powerful lure for manufacturers\looking for a competitive edge.


UFJ Forecasts Loss; Mitsubishi Tokyo Profit Declines (Update1)

UFJ Holdings Inc. widened its loss forecast to 750 billion yen (\$7.3 billion) as it bids to clear bad loans before merging with Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group Inc.


Crude futures slip after energy report

CRUDE oil futures fell yesterday after the American government reported a slight increase in the US inventory of crude. The supply of distillate fuel, which includes heating oil, also increased, following


Sony Pictures sets up operation in China

Sony Pictures has set up a joint venture television and film co-production unit in China, taking advantage of a loosening of restrictions on the tightly controlled industry.


Argentina to postpone debt restructure date

The decision is an about-turn for President Nestor Kirchner #39;s administration. As late as Wednesday afternoon, Mr Kirchner appeared determined to go ahead with the government #39;s


Gadhafi Claims Miniscule Reward for Giving up Pursuit of WMD

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi says the international community should have offered Tripoli a better payback for renouncing its efforts to acquire weapons of mass destruction.


UN probes reports of Rwanda attacks

United Nations officials are investigating reports that Hutu extremists have attacked Rwandan villages from bases in eastern Congo.


Biogen Idec gains MS drug approval

The US government approved a drug Tuesday to treat multiple sclerosis, an incurable disease of the central nervous system that affects 350,000 Americans.


Mainland consumers optimistic about economic outlook: survey

Consumers on the Chinese mainland are most optimistic about the economic outlook of the next 12 months, according to a survey released here Wednesday by AC Nielsen.


Microsoft Says 2 Former Foes Don #39;t Have to Retract Evidence

Microsoft will not demand the withdrawal of evidence submitted against it in a European antitrust case by two parties that have since dropped their support for the case, a spokesman said Wednesday.


Nissan suspends plants due to steel shortage

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., Japans second-biggest auto maker, said on Thursday it would suspend operations at three of its four domestic plants for five days each this month and next due to a shortage of steel.


US objections at WTO delay inevitable tariffs

A legalistic squabble yesterday delayed World Trade Organisation authorisation for sanctions against US goods, initially worth up to \$150ma year, by the European Union and six


Toy safety warnings issued for holiday shoppers

Megan Blanck-Weiss of the Washington Public Interest Research Group demonstrates in Seattle on Tuesday how the yo-yo water ball toy - a water-filled ball on an elastic-like cord


FDA Whistleblower Seeks Legal Help From Public-Interest Group

Dr. David J. Graham, the FDA drug safety reviewer who sounded warnings over five drugs he felt could become the next Vioxx has turned to a Whistleblower protection group for legal help.


Sony enters Chinese digital market

Sony Pictures has quietly set up a joint venture with state-controlled China Film Group that will make digital television programmes and feature films.


Strike call fuels Ukraine tension

Ukraine's opposition steps up its campaign to overturn the disputed presidential vote by launching a general strike.


Magnets make sure pigeons fly home

Homing pigeons carry out their long-range navigational feat thanks to tiny magnetic particles in their upper beaks, scientists confirm.


Building a better turkey through biotech

SAN FRANCISCO Selectively breeding turkeys for their white meat over so many generations has led to some health care problems for America #39;s favorite holiday meal.


Technogadgets for the Holidays

Talk about an overachiever! HP #39;s iPAQ 6315 smart phone is a sleek PocketPC and wireless phone combo that #39;s about as good as it gets.


Dell sharpens its blade offering

DELL Inc launched its new compact PowerEdge 1855 blade server, 10 of which can fit into a 7U chassis to provide 43 more performance per sq foot and up to 62 more servers than Dell 1U servers in a 42U rack.


EU-Russia set for strained talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin is to attend an EU summit despite diplomatic sniping over the  Ukraine crisis.


PSV draws with Arsenal, advances to final 16

PSV Eindhoven drew 1-1 with nine-man Arsenal, advancing to the second round of the European Champions League on Wednesday. PSV remained atop Group E with 10 points, three ahead of Arsenal in second.


BAR prevent Davidson #39;s test switch

Williams and BAR-Honda were at each others #39; throats yesterday over the services of Anthony Davidson barely two months after their row over Jenson Button was resolved in BAR #39;s favour by the FIA contracts #39; recognition board.


NBA Game Summary - Dallas at San Antonio

The Mavericks are 4-3 on the road this season...The Spurs have won 18 straight regular-season home games dating back to last year...Dallas had a season-low eight assists. San Antonio, TX (Sports Network) - Tim


LeBron, Cavs downs Pistons without a fight

Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - LeBron James poured in a career-high 43 points to lead Cleveland to an easy 92-76 win over Detroit at Gund Arena.


Report: ICC demands explanation from Zimbabwe govt

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is demanding to know from the Zimbabwe government why a number of British journalists have been refused entry to cover England #39;s one-day series.


NCAA Game Summary - Wake Forest vs. Providence

Wake improved to 6-1 in the Preseason NIT...The Demon Deacons beat George Washington on Monday in its first game as the No. 1 team...This was the first- ever meeting between the two schools. New York, NY (Sports


First to Futile in 24 Hours as Knicks Waste the Day

First place, and the warm, fuzzy feelings that came with it, felt great for about 23 hours. By the 24th hour, the Knicks looked and played more like a team destined to wander the depths of the Atlantic Division.


No. 18 Arizona 61, Michigan 60, OT

Lute Olson paced in front of his bench all night, obviously frustrated with his team. In the end, though, his Madison Square Garden streak remained intact.


UTEP headed to Houston Bowl

El Paso, TX (Sports Network) - Texas-El Paso accepted an invitation to play in the Houston Bowl at Reliant Stadium on December 29.


Pirates ready to deal Kendall to A #39;s

Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly ironed out a trade to send veteran catcher Jason Kendall to the Oakland Athletics for pitchers Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes.


Four held over Jakarta attack

Indonesian police investigating September #39;s suicide attack on the Australian embassy in Jakarta said yesterday they had arrested four suspects but that a top bombmaker might have eluded arrest


Chirac seeking to rebuild Libya ties

TRIPOLI: President Jacques Chirac, who arrived in Libya yesterday on the first visit by a French head of state, expressed the desire for a  quot;true partnership quot; with Tripoli after years of  quot;heavy turbulence quot;.


UN says N. Korea wants urgent atom talks

North Korea wants urgently to restart six-party talks on its nuclear programmes, but is still demanding certain conditions be met, a top UN official has told South Korea #39;s Yonhap news agency.


Fresh Ulster bid by Blair-Ahern

LONDON: The British and Irish prime ministers, Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern, made a new push yesterday to secure a power-sharing deal between the two largest and most hard-line parties in Northern Ireland.


Bill to get tough on drug dealers

People who sell drugs near schools or use children to aid them could get tougher  sentences under a new law.


Wake Forest and Arizona Reach Final

Providence played with sporadic consistency in a 79-67 loss to Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons will play Arizona, which beat Michigan in overtime, 61-60, in Thursday's final.


League Ponders Letting Williams Return Faster

As the N.F.L. and a lawyer for the Ricky Williams close in on an agreement to allow Williams to be reinstated, the question remains whether he is interested in returning.


Like Nets, Kittles Waits for Success to Return

Kerry Kittles hyperextended his right knee in practice Tuesday - the same knee that was operated on for the fifth time last off-season.


Thanksgiving Thank-You Notes Despite a Tumultuous Year

Try to forget the basketball brawl and this year's other disturbing moments in sports. It's time to say thanks to some of the people who have made sports a better place.


Home, Probably, for the Holidays

As millions around the country headed into a busy weekend for air travel, overcast skies and snow flurries complicated the traditional Thanksgiving airport rush.


A.I.G. Agrees to Big Payment in U.S. Cases

The company tentatively agreed to pay \$126 million and accept an independent monitor to settle investigations into the sale of insurance.


Improved Numbers Shelter CBS From the Fallout

The CBS news division still anticipates serious fallout. Still, it is hard to wipe the grins off the faces of CBS's top executives.


Judge Threatens to Punish MCI Over Fees It Has Paid

The judge who presided over the Securities and Exchange Commissions fraud suit against MCI threatened to punish the company for not receiving approval from a monitor before paying fees to lawyers, accountants and other professionals.


Judge Defers Decision in Oracle Takeover Bid

The dispute between Oracle and PeopleSoft will return to the courtroom next month, when the presiding judge will hear more testimony.


Oracle names candidates for PeopleSoft board

Oracle has opened a new front in its 17-month battle to take over PeopleSoft, announcing a slate of nominees to challenge the rival software companys existing board of directors at its annual meeting next year.


A job well done _ Hartson

JOHN HARTSON admitted Celtic had gone out to frustrate Barcelona in last night #39;s Champions League clash at the Nou Camp. The Parkhead side earned a 1-1 draw with a backs-to-the-wall performance which keeps


NBA Wrap: James Leads Cavaliers Past Pistons

LeBron James scored a career-high 43 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their seventh win in eight games, a 92-76 home victory over the stuttering Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.


English cricket players cancel flight to Harare

England #39;s cricket players have cancelled their flight to Harare after the Zimbabwean government barred several British journalists from covering the team #39;s tour.


UTEP accepts invite to Houston Bowl

EL PASO, Texas Texas-El Paso announced today it will play in the EV-One-dot-net Houston Bowl on December 29th. The Miners will face an as yet unnamed Big 12 opponent.


Judge calls proposed shareholder settlement unfair

LOS ANGELES (CBS.MW) -- A Delaware judge rejected the proposed settlement of a lawsuit brought against PeopleSoft Inc. by shareholders over the company #39;s resistance to Oracle Corp.


Crude oil futures rise ahead of long layoff

Crude oil futures rose yesterday ahead of an extended weekend for traders, even though weekly government data showed rising domestic inventories of crude and distillate fuel, which includes heating oil.


Dollar falls as central banks consider selling

LONDON: The dollar trawled record depths against the euro yesterday, hit by signs that central banks in Russia and elsewhere could step up sales of the ailing US currency to buy euros.


AIG settles fraud claims for \$126m

American International Group, the world #39;s largest insurance firm, yesterday agreed to pay \$126m (67m) to settle allegations that the company helped clients to commit accounting fraud.


Strachan early favourite for Portsmouth job

Redknapp and his No2 Jim Smith resigned from Portsmouth yesterday, leaving controversial new director Velimir Zajec in temporary control.


Miners Head To Houston

Wednesday, November 24, 2004 -- UTEP is going bowling and won #39;t even have to leave the state. The Miners will accept an invitation to play in the 1.1 million dollar EV1.


Knicks: Carter puts on a show for Raptors

If Vince Carter really wants to be traded, then he must slip a few bucks to the Toronto Raptors #39; video coordinator and ask him to burn a few copies of the DVD from last night #39;s game against the Knicks at Air Canada Centre.


Thatcher to face questions over Equatorial Guinea coup

Mark Thatcher is likely to face questions in a South African court over allegations he funded an aborted military coup in Equatorial Guinea.


What Are Good Friends for? Perhaps for Recommending DVD's

A new Netflix feature, Netflix Friends, lets you know what others are watching (and vice-versa).


Trial of alleged terror chief Bashir to continue: judge? (Updated <b>...</b>

An Indonesian court Thursday dismissed defense arguments that the trial of alleged Southeast Asian terror chief Abu Bakar Bashir was illegal, and ordered that proceedings against him should continue.


Arctic nations agree to  #39;modest #39; response to climate change

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND - Arctic nations said changes in the world #39;s polar regions are a concern but they fell short of committing to specific actions to slow down or adapt to warming.


Kevin McCarra at the Philips Stadium

The survival instinct mattered more than Arsenal #39;s intuitive flair and it has kept them alive in the Champions League. Arsne Wenger #39;s side will join PSV Eindhoven in the knockout phase so long as they beat Rosenborg at Highbury next month.


Nissan runs out of steel

Nissan said today it would halt operations at some of its car plants in Japan for five days starting late this month because of a shortage of steel sheet.


Sony TV, China Film unveil JV

The television unit of Japan #39;s Sony Corp. and a division of China Film Group on Wednesday unveiled a joint venture to make Chinese-language TV shows under a new Chinese law that allows such co-ventures.


Scanning In Your Memories? Go to the Source

Scanners can convert slides and negatives to digital files which can then be cropped, color-corrected and e-mailed to friends. Which model is right for you?


IBM wins developer support to build Workplace momentum

Hoping to add some momentum to its Workplace platform strategy IBM has launched an online developer resource center that gives software developers ready access to tools to help create products and services that will exploit the platform.


Mickelson finally makes it to Grand Slam

POIPU BEACH, Hawaii - When Phil Mickelson visited Kauai about eight months ago on a family vacation, he was determined to return. But with his 0-46 record in major championships as a pro and amateur, qualifying


BAR stops Davidson #39;s Williams test

Motorsport.com. BAR test driver Anthony Davidson was due to try out for Williams at the beginning of December but BAR has put a stop to it.


Windies players rule themselves out for Australia tournament

BRIDGETOWN (Barbados): A number of top West Indies players have ruled themselves out of consideration for Januarys one-day cricket series against Australia and Pakistan because of an ongoing contract dispute, cricket officials said on Wednesday.


We Aren #39;tA Racist Club-Real Madrid

Real Madrid have made an official apology to Bayer Leverkusens Roque Junior for the racist taunts a small portion of the Bernabeu crowd dedicated to the Brazlian defender last night.


Celts face huge task

Celtics fifth match in this seasons Champions League group stages sees the Hoops facing one of the favourites for the competition, Barcelona at the Nou Camp.


Spurs defeat Mavericks 94-80

Tim Duncan scored 27 points and the San Antonio Spurs held Dallas to 3-for-17 shooting in the fourth quarter of a 94-80 victory over the Mavericks on Wednesday night.


Colts carry hot streak into Detroit

The Indianapolis Colts have been on the fast track since October gave way to November. Thursday in Detroit #39;s Ford Field, they #39;ll share the traditional Thanksgiving Day


Rwanda Threatens to Attack Congo-based Rebels

The UN says Rwanda is threatening to attack Hutu rebels based in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. Meanwhile, Kigali says the rebels are advancing toward Rwanda #39;s border.


Modern mice use optical sensors, go wireless

Buying a new mouse is kind of like buying a new toothbrush: you don #39;t realize you needed a new one until you actually make the switch and realize how bad the old one really was.


Jakarta Court Says Cleric Bashir Trial Can Proceed (Reuters)

Reuters - The trial on terrorism charges of\Indonesian Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, accused of leading a\regional network linked to al Qaeda, can go ahead, a Jakarta\court ruled Thursday.


Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck Improving (AP)

AP - Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's injured right thigh is improving, thanks partly to acupuncture treatments, and he could be ready to play Sunday against Buffalo.


Venezuelan Congress Passes TV, Radio Bill (AP)

AP - Congress passed a bill that lays down strict guidelines for sex and violence in broadcast programming and threatens multimillion dollar fines or even closure for media outlets that disobey.


Oracle Takes Over Rival PeopleSoft

The Oracle Corporation has taken control of PeopleSoft, making Oracle the world's second-largest maker of business-management software.


College Recruiters Lure Students With New Online Tools

Frustrated by the failure of e-mail solicitations, admission directors are looking for new ways to incorporate the Internet into their marketing plans.


CIA says Khan's network aided Iran with nuclear program (AFP)

AFP - Disgraced Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan's network has helped Iran with its nuclear program, providing not only expertise but also components, according to a CIA report to Congress.


Ceiling Collapse Evacuates Ill. Capitol (AP)

AP - At least four people were injured Wednesday when netting across the open atrium of a six-story government building collapsed and tore down stones that crashed through the ceiling of a room below.


EU chief holds secret Hamas talks

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana tells the BBC he met Hamas, a Palestinian militant group on the EU's terror list.


China lauds Wal-Mart #39;s union decision

China #39;s leading trade union group says it will help multinationals in China including Wal-Mart to set up their own trade unions as soon as possible.


Citrix Acquires Net6 For \$50m

Citrix Systems, Inc. a global leader in access infrastructure solutions has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Net6 Inc.


Around the NBA: The Amico Report

25, 2004. Reader Wayne Sweeney blamed both the players and fans for their roles in last weekends Pistons-Pacers melee. If someone threw a drink at me, Id charge them too, Sweeney


Raptors answer coach #39;s rip, pound Knicks

TORONTO (CP) _ A night after being called out by their coach, the Toronto Raptors were at their best.  quot;I think for ourselves we wanted to turn it around and play better, quot; Raptors star Vince Carter said Wednesday


Blazers win 11th straight over Magic

Playing their second game in as many nights in the opposite corner of the country, the Portland Trail Blazers fell behind early and then rallied to complete a Florida sweep.


Iran wavers on deal to freeze all uranium enrichment

Iran sought yesterday to partially roll back its commitment to freeze all uranium enrichment programs, demanding the right to run some equipment that can be used to produce nuclear arms.


4 arrested over embassy bombing

Indonesian Detective Police Chief, Suyitno Landung, holds pictures of arrested terror suspects in Jakarta, November 24. Indonesian police said they had arrested four Muslim militants over a suicide bomb attack


UN, US condemn rebels #39; violation of cease-fire in Darfur

The United Nations andthe United States on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent violation of a cease-fire by the rebels in Sudan #39;s troubled region of Darfur.


US-led forces zero in on death triangle #39;

Shopkeeper explains how to fill in voter registration forms to his customers in Baghdad, November 23. Iraq #39;s Electoral Commission on Sunday set national elections for January 30, 2005.


Northern Italy Struck By 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake (Update3)

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck Northern Italy at about midnight, the US Geological Survey said. There were no reports of injuries though there was some structural damage.


India's "suicide tree" is also a tool for murder (AFP)

AFP - An Indian tree with poisonous fruit is used by more people to commit suicide than any other plant in the world and has a barely-investigated role in murder, French and Indian scientists say.


Australian police to trial stun guns for air marshals (AFP)

AFP - Australian police say they may soon follow the United States' lead and issue air marshals with electric stun guns after a trial of the weapons by an elite security unit.


Japan trade surplus keeps rising

Figures show Japan's trade surplus grew again in October but analysts warned of a tougher environment ahead.


Mark Thatcher court plea expected

Sir Mark Thatcher will go before a South African court on Thursday on charges that he helped finance a foiled coup attempt.


Anger at Hardie as fund folds

MORE than 700 asbestos disease victims face reduced payouts in the immediate future after James Hardie #39;s compensation fund today applied for provisional liquidation.


8 nations to fight Arctic ice melting

Eight nations with Arctic territory agreed Wednesday to fight glacial melting and other effects of climate change in the region, though they declined to endorse any new steps


Scientists study genes for tastier turkeys

Most of the turkeys gracing the nation #39;s dinner tables today have been selectively bred for their white meat for so many generations that simply walking can be a problem for many of the big-breasted birds and sex is no longer


New Nokia Trojan Locks Down Phones

A new mobile trojan is doing the rounds, reportedly disabling Nokia 7610 handsets. The trojan may affect some other phones using the Series 60 User Interface of the Symbian OS.


Dell blade server technology helps Isotrak create infrastructure <b>...</b>

Johannesburg, 22 November 2004 - Isotrak, a leading UK end-to-end logistics solutions provider (2), today announced the successful implementation of Dell PowerEdge blade server technology.


Mr. 59: Mickelson gets milestone in Slam win

The Masters champion shot a 13-under-par 59 on Wednesday and won the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, a two-day competition for the year #39;s four major winners.


UM falls short in OT loss to Arizona

The challenge for the Wolverines entering Wednesday night #39;s game against Arizona was to see whether they could hang with the nation #39;s best.


Cavaliers beat defending champions Pistons

LeBron James scored his career-high 43 points to pace the Cleveland Cavaliers for their seventh victory in eight games, a 92-76 home win over defending champions Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.


Give thanks for chance to watch Manning

If you are a football fan, and you are watching the Colts play the traditional Thanksgiving game at Detroit today, pay close attention to quarterback Peyton Manning.


Kittles Joins Kidd, Mourning in Feeling High And Dry

LOS ANGELES - Jason Kidd and Alonzo Mourning are disgusted and desperately want out of New Jersey, but nobody is hurt more by the Nets #39; sorry situation than Kerry Kittles.


Vigilante killings stun Mexicans

Viewers watched the live television broadcast in horror: Plainclothes policemen begged for their lives before a mob accusing them of being child kidnappers burned two of them to death in front of cameras.


James Hardie #39;s Australian asbestos fund files for liquidation

SYDNEY : A compensation fund for Australian asbestos victims of embattled James Hardie Industries NV said it was filing for liquidation, rejecting a last-minute multi-million dollar cash injection.


Sirius Shares Slip on JPMorgan Downgrade

Shares of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., whose shares have doubled over the past month, on Wednesday fell 8 percent after a JPMorgan analyst said that a further rally would make the stock expensive relative to its growth potential.


Philippines Deploys Trucks as Transport Strike Cripples Country

The Philippine government deployed trucks and vans to carry thousands of stranded commuters to work as bus and jeepney drivers went on strike to protest rising fuel prices, crippling Manila and other parts of the country.


Idea of Drug Safety Office Is Already Hitting Snags

Despite calls from medical experts and a prominent Republican senator for an independent office to monitor drug safety, the idea, prompted by the Food and Drug


Police patrols at St. Cloud airport to end after funds cut

St. Cloud Regional Airport no longer will have regular police presence during its departures and arrivals, airport and police officials said.


Leftwich Expected to Return for Jaguars (Reuters)

Reuters - Jacksonville Jaguars\quarterback Byron Leftwich participated in practice Wednesday\and is expected to start this week against the Minnesota\Vikings.


Arctic nations agree to fight glacial melting

Eight nations with Arctic territory agreed yesterday to fight glacial melting and other effects of climate change in the region, though


Eng players not keen on Zim tour

England #39;s cricket players, who had canceled their flight to Harare on Tuesday after British journalists were refused entry to Zimbabwe, were hoping that ICC would decided to call off the tour, South Africa #39;s national broadcaster SABC reported on Thursday


Parties huddle in final push to strike deal

A final decision on whether the Rev. Ian Paisley #39;s DUP and Sinn Fein can reach a deal this year to restore devolution and implement the Good Friday agreement should be known next week.


Motions against Sudan, Zimbabwe fail in UN committee (AFP)

AFP - Two proposed resolutions condemning widespread rights abuses in Sudan and Zimbabwe failed to pass a UN committee, mired in debate between African and western nations.


James Hardie's Australian asbestos fund files for liquidation (AFP)

AFP - A compensation fund for Australian asbestos victims of embattled James Hardie Industries NV said it was filing for liquidation, rejecting a last-minute multi-million dollar cash injection.


Hip-Hop Alters NBA

There's a growing disconnect between basketball's paying public and the NBA players that began when the NBA decided to dovetail its product with hip-hop.


Snowstorm in Midwest delays holiday travelers

A fierce snowstorm pummeled the Midwest on one of the busiest travel days of the year yesterday, snarling roads and causing long delays at airports as millions


Steel shortage hits Nissan plants

Nissan Motor Co. said Thursday it will halt operations at three of its plants in Japan for five days starting later this month due to a steel sheet shortage.


Bad Fit? Bad Color? Good Riddance

If you can bring yourself to just do it, returning things bought! on the Web is getting easier.


Hobbyists Fill Out the Weather Map

Thousands of armchair sky watchers are pairing computers and consumer-grade meteorological equipment to share their observations of local conditions online.


Coming in '05: AT T Mobile (via Sprint)

AT T is expected to announce as soon as next week details about how it plans to offer mobile phone service using Sprint's cellular network.


Lara won #39;t be coming

CAPTAIN Brian Lara and other top West Indies players have ruled themselves out of January #39;s triangular one-day series in Australia because of a contract dispute.


Levy is the glue that holds Wake together

We can talk all you want about Chris Paul, Justin Gray and Eric Williams. We know how talented the three are at their respective positions.


Terminating Spyware With Extreme Prejudice

Have adware and spyware commandeered your computer? An extreme solution: erasing your hard drive and starting over.


Chirac Makes Rare Trip To Libya

Tripoli, Nov. 25 (NNN) : In a historic development, President Jacques Chirac of France has made the first visit to Libya by a French leader since 1951.


S. Korea warms to China as alternative to the US

Ask university students about the practical way to get a job these days, and the answer comes back quickly: Study Chinese.  quot;A few years ago, the most popular major was English language and literature.


Customer Service: The Hunt for a Human

In the Internet age, making telephone contact with a human for customer service is a daunting task. But some consumers have found ways around the blockade.


FleetCenter renaming talks stall

Bank of America Corp. has told executives at the FleetCenter that it is no longer interested in putting its own name on the building, and even raised the possibility of renaming the arena as the Boston Garden as a gift to the city.


Employers try shifting health costs

Michael Koonce, who heads the legal department at Boston mutual fund manager Evergreen Investments, doesn't have a clue how much is deducted from his hefty paychecks for his family's health plan. And when the deductions go up, he said, it's  quot;not going to break the bank for me. quot;


Retailers ask: Why wait?

It's only Thanksgiving, but Sara Taggart already feels behind on her Christmas shopping.


Ship owners float a vacation home idea

Four years after buying the Nantucket Lightship on eBay , Bill and Kristen Golden want to sell vacationers an interest in a onetime rust bucket that has been transformed into a floating pleasure palace.


October economic data mixed

Orders for long-lasting US goods slipped unexpectedly in October, but new home sales rose, consumer sentiment brightened a bit this month and claims for jobless aid fell, a mixed bag of reports showed yesterday.


Oil, gas prices climb

Crude oil futures rose yesterday ahead of an extended weekend for traders, even though weekly government data showed rising domestic inventories of crude and distillate fuel, which includes heating oil.


Whistleblower fears reprisal

WASHINGTON -- David Graham says he was surprised by the hugs and slaps on the back he got at his own Food and Drug Administration office after telling Congress the government had let unsafe drugs remain on the market.


Companies to settle patent lawsuits

3Com Corp. , a maker of switches for corporate data networks, and PC-Tel Inc. agreed to end patent-infringement lawsuits. Each agreed to license the other's modem-related patents that were part of the litigation, which began in March 2003. PC-Tel also will supply wireless software and antennas to 3Com. PC-Tel will record as revenue during this quarter \$3.2 million it had ...


Dollar hits new low against euro

The US dollar slid to a new low yesterday against the euro, which rose to an all-time high of \$1.3179 in late New York trading, breaking a day-old record as jittery markets kept up pressure on the US currency.


AIG will pay \$126m to settle federal investigations

American International Group Inc. said yesterday it has agreed to pay \$126 million to settle federal allegations the insurance giant helped two customer companies commit accounting fraud.


With cash inflow, flute maker feels the wind at his back

Flute maker David C. Williams is known among the world's finest musicians for his artistry. But for 15 long years, he found it difficult to balance the expense of buying the materials he needs to craft his instruments against the unpredictability in orders for his handiwork.


FDA approves drug for multiple sclerosis

WASHINGTON -- The government has approved a drug that tries a new method of attacking multiple sclerosis, an incurable disease of the central nervous system that affects 350,000 Americans.


Hellicar dismisses foundation liquidation as  #39;stunt #39;

The chairwoman of James Hardie has dismissed today #39;s announcement of the provisional liquidation of an asbestos compensation foundation as a stunt.


CHUCK IN ORBIT

Despite a chorus of Wall Street naysayers, Chuck Dolan continues to gamble big on his startup satellite-television venture. Voom - the offshoot of Dolan #39;s Cablevision


PRODUCT REVIEW: MSN's WebTV Grows Up (AP)

AP - During the dot-com boom, people who didn't want to miss out on the Web and e-mail craze but didn't want to buy a real computer could get WebTV, which delivered the Internet through the warm, friendly glow of their TV sets.


PRODUCT REVIEW: a 'Cold' Soldering Iron (AP)

AP - If you're looking for a good holiday gift for a tinkerer you can hardly give away anything more inventive than the Cold Heat soldering iron. It redesigns something that's been virtually unchanged for decades and does so by combining high-school level science and cheap materials.


Romania Party Transcripts Cause Outrage (AP)

AP - Documents purported to be transcripts of top-level ruling party meetings with ministers discussing intimidating opposition leaders and rigging votes in the Senate have surfaced ahead of Romania's Sunday elections.


IAEA Meets to Discuss Iran Nuke Program (AP)

AP - Whether Iran is fulfilling its commitment to freeze all aspects of a process that can be used to make atomic arms  #151; and what to do if it isn't  #151; is expected to top the agenda of a key meeting of the U.N. nuclear watchdog.


Hip-Hop Culture Contributes to NBA #39;s Bad Rap

Not everything that ails the NBA is solved by the rest-of-the-season suspension of the Indiana Pacers #39; Ron Artest. It would be irresponsible to suggest anybody should have foreseen a brawl coming.


Bucs on verge of finally dealing Kendall

After trying for three years to escape catcher Jason Kendall #39;s contract, the Pirates finally have succeeded. The passing of physicals is all that stands in the way of the Pirates sending Kendall to the Oakland


Nintendo Operating Profit Up 39 Percent (Reuters)

Reuters - Japanese video game maker Nintendo Co.\Ltd. reported a 39.1 percent rise in operating profit for the\first half on Thursday and raised its sales target for a new,\keenly awaited portable game player.


Iran  amp; enriching: What the controversy is about

LONDON, Nov 25 (IranMania) - Enrichment, at the heart of the storm surrounding Iran #39;s nuclear programme, takes low-grade uranium and refines it, turning it into a material that can power civilian reactors -- or an atomic explosion.


Thatcher trial postponed until April

A South African court has postponed the trial of Mark Thatcher on charges he helped finance a coup in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea until next April.


Asean meets in Laos

Laos on Thursday opened its first-ever major conference, drawing together Asian nations in their aspirations for economic integration while addressing terrorism and other regional threats.


Al-Zarqawi attacks the  #39;silent #39; scholars

THE insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has attacked Muslim clerics for failing to support attacks on United States-led forces in Iraq.


Team Uses Biotech to Build a Better Turkey (AP)

AP - Most of the turkeys gracing the nation's dinner tables Thursday have been selectively bred for their white meat for so many generations that simply walking can be a problem for many of the big-breasted birds and sex is no longer possible.


USU Lands NASA Contract for Telescope (AP)

AP - Utah State University has secured a  #36;40 million contract with NASA to build an orbiting telescope that will examine galaxies and try to find new stars.


Celtics cooked again

In a season filled with uncertainty and unpredictable play, the only dependable part of the Celtics' game-night drama has been the raised voice of coach Doc Rivers. With a rant that rivaled Rick Pitino in duration and decibel levels, Rivers scolded Boston for failing to play together last night at the Wachovia Center. In many ways, the Celtics' ...


It's not easy to swallow

Brawled-out yet? I guess we all are. We've all seen Ron Artest bolt off that table even more than we've seen Flutie roll to his right. But the fallout from L'Affaire Auburn Hills is enormous, and I don't just mean the South Carolina-Clemson dust-up that has resulted in each institution punishing itself by eschewing bowl bids.


Is it all on the table for Red Sox, Martinez?

While the Red Sox celebrate their first Thanksgiving as world champions since 1918, general manager Theo Epstein can reflect fondly on the most productive turkey dinner in franchise history last year even as he considers a full plate of challenges before him, including the latest rumblings out of New York about the Yankees pursuing Pedro Martinez.


James's 43 lead Cleveland

LeBron James scored a career-high 43 points last night to lead the Cavaliers to a 92-76 win over the Detroit Pistons at Cleveland. Jeff McInnis added 16 points as the Cavaliers won for the seventh time in eight games.


Deveny plays the lead in BC's show of force

Kneeling in front of her courtside seat, Jessalyn Deveny looked just like a tension-racked bench player watching and hoping for a last-second miracle. Any concerns, however, were sorely misplaced at the end of last night's drubbing of Quinnipiac at Conte Forum.


Early lead allows BU to hold off Fordham

Chaz Carr scored 19 points and Matt Wolff added 17 as Boston University beat Fordham, 66-51, yesterday.


Shean a standout in field hockey as NU goes deep in NCAA tourney

Whitney Shean, a Globe All-Scholastic for field hockey while at Medfield High School and the Tri-Valley League MVP for that sport in 2001 and 2002, is now a sophomore at Northeastern University, where she played a key role in the field hockey team's advance to the NCAA Division 1 Tournament this fall.


Regional meeting opens in Laos

The Asean forum opens in Laos, with a free-trade accord and anti-terrorism moves on the agenda.


CM spoils Cotter's finale

Rashad Jordan moved over from his position in Catholic Memorial's Cover-2 zone defense and welcomed Jim Cotter into retirement.


MIAA unveils matchups, sites for semifinals

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association football committee yesterday announced the sites and matchups for Tuesday's semifinal playoff round. Games will be at college and high school sites, with one thing in common: an artificial playing surface.


300m to halt sex disease crisis

The UK's growing sexual health crisis is to be tackled with a 300m investment for clinics and advertising.


Iran asks to soften uranium stance

VIENNA -- Iran sought yesterday to partially roll back its commitment to freeze all uranium enrichment programs, demanding the right to run some equipment that can be used to produce nuclear arms.


Blair accused of embracing politics of fear in reelection bid

LONDON -- Prime Minister Tony Blair's government was accused yesterday of playing politics with fear and using the threat of terrorism to boost its chances of reelection.


Blast near Afghan town kills 2 US troops

KABUL, Afghanistan -- A bomb ripped through a US patrol in southern Afghanistan yesterday, killing two American soldiers and wounding another, a reminder of the country's insecurity after a newly resolved hostage drama.


Citing threat, UN bolsters unit in Congo

KINSHASA, Congo -- United Nations peacekeepers deployed an additional brigade in eastern Congo amid reports that Rwanda was threatening to attack Rwandan rebels based in its huge neighbor, UN officials said yesterday.


US diplomat fatally shot near Green Zone; bomb kills 3

BAGHDAD -- An American diplomat was killed yesterday in an attack near the heavily fortified sector of central Baghdad known as the Green Zone, US officials said.


In Mosul, insurgent campaign escalates against Iraqi forces

MOSUL, Iraq -- The bodies of five more slain Iraqis were found on the outskirts of Mosul yesterday morning, bringing to 20 the number of soldiers murdered over the last week as part of a campaign against the Iraqi forces who joined American soldiers in suppressing a revolt in this northern city.


Is Brazil quietly building up?

While North Korea and Iraq are the hotspots in the media today, regarding WMD, Brazil has quietly launched a rocket from Alcntara to space and has built an uranium enrichment facility in Rezende. Does it mean an ICBM is on the way?


Cost Cap Proposed

D.C. Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp attempts to put a high-water mark on the price of a stadium that would force a relocation if the price is too high.


Another Pacer Involved

Police have determined that a fourth member of the Pacers, reserve center David Harrison, was involved in the brawl at last Friday night's Indiana-Detroit game.


U.S. Says Iraqi Police Need Bolstering

With officers intimidated by killings and threats, some have begun questioning the notion of trying to establish a system of local policing at this time.


Oil extends advances

Gold broke the \$450 a troy ounce level on Thursday for the first time since June 1988 as the dollar fell to a record low against the euro.


FDA approves drug that fights MS

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for multiple sclerosis that in clinical trials got better results than existing drugs in protecting against relapses.


Tesco sales exceed expectations

Tesco today impressed the City with a surge in third-quarter sales as it boosted market share in clothing and electrical goods. Despite a tougher environment on the high street, Britain #39;s leading retailer


Bad Weather Disrupts Holiday Travel

Travelers didn #39;t plan on starting their long Thanksgiving weekend stuck in airports or driving on slippery roads, but then again they hadn #39;t figured on snow - and a lot of it.


YUKOS managers flee Russia

All top managers of embattled oil major YUKOS have fled Russia fearing that state prosecutors may order their arrest, a YUKOS source says.


Probe Urged Of Allegations Against FDA

The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee yesterday called on the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate alleged attempts to discredit a Food and Drug Administration whistle-blower.


United Seeks Court #39;s Aid in Getting Labor Concessions

UAL Corp., parent of United Airlines, asked a bankruptcy court Wednesday to terminate its union contracts if the carrier can #39;t get an additional \$725 million in cost savings from employees by mid-January.


Judge Says MCI Broke Pay Rule

A federal judge yesterday threatened sanctions against MCI Inc. for apparently violating a court order requiring approval of expenditures for lawyers and consultants while it was in bankruptcy protection.


German business gloom increases pressure on ECB

German business confidence is tumbling amid mounting fears about the impact of the euro #39;s rise against the dollar, according to the closely-watched Ifo economic institute survey.


Moncks Corner facility has new owner

MONCKS CORNER - Integral Systems of Lanham, Md., said Wednesday it had agreed to sell assets of its antenna systems division in Moncks Corner to LJT  amp; Associates of Montgomery, Ala.


Angling for Sales, Retailers Set Their Bait

To lure shoppers into their stores, the nation #39;s retailers will again offer LOW LOW LOW prices on a number of gifts and gadgets, as stores throw open their doors at Oh-Dark-Hundred tomorrow and kick off the holiday shopping season.


Brazil Documents Detail Nazi Mengele's Last Years

SAO PAULO, Brazil (Reuters) - Josef Mengele, the infamousNazi doctor known as the Angel of Death, died in Brazil 25years ago lonely and cash-strapped but apparently unrepentant,according to documents published this week.


Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council in Reykjavik on 24 <b>...</b>

Foreign Minister Jan Petersen is attending the Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council in Iceland on 24 November. The most important item on the agenda is a discussion of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment.


#39;Building #39; a better turkey

San Francisco - Researchers are using the latest in biotechnology to chart the genetic map of turkeys, which have been selectively bred for their white meat for so many generations in the United States that the big-breasted birds sometimes have trouble


Firefox browser helps you make the most of your time online

Question: In a recent column you said that 95 percent of all viruses and spyware are aimed at Internet Explorer, so I decided to do away with IE.


JPL team visits NASA shuttle program

When Congress passed the \$388 billion spending bill last weekend, it allotted \$16.2 billion for NASA, including nearly full funding of projects related to the president #39;s Vision for Space Exploration.


Images capture 2 Saturnian moons

Scientists from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have pieced together the most detailed images of two Saturnian moons from pictures the Cassini orbiter captured at the end of October.