Kazaa Court Trial Brings File Swapping to the Judge\\Kazaa has had a bumpy ride in the last couple of years. While Kazaa is dropping down users popularity ratings (because of the high rate of bad files), it is high on the potential list of companies to sue of big music ...


Content Management Systems and SEO - A Powerful Mix\\Search Engine Optimization revolves around providing useful, unique content on your website and making sure that search engines can find and understand it easily. 'Organic SEO' as it is called, puts emphasis on optimizing hundreds of keyword rich content pages as 'spider-bait' ...


Domain Hijacking - Major Issue for Search Engines and Optimizers\\I have yet to discuss the topic of domain hi-jacking through the use of redirects in detail. Please do not expect me to detail how to accomplish such a hi-jacking of a domain name, that will just make things worse. But ...


How's my coding? Dial: 0800 666 700

Cash'n'Carrion User feedback from TechnoDepot


Building disaster into the network: how UK.gov does IT

Analysis Contracting out the blame...


Romania Opposition Sees Fraud, Demands Poll Rerun

BUCHAREST, Romania (Reuters) - Romania's centrist  opposition Tuesday demanded a rerun of Sunday's general  elections, claiming fraud in the electronic vote counting had  helped the ruling ex-communists win a slim lead.


Bush picks Cuban for Commerce

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush has nominated Kellogg chairman Carlos Gutierrez as commerce secretary, picking a Cuban refugee who rose to the top of the biggest US cereal maker as the chief advocate for American business.


Gold Fields #39; IAMGold bid cut by \$200 million

JOHANNESBURG (Mineweb.com) -- Gold Fields has formally announced that its proposed merger terms with Toronto-listed IAMGold, due for the vote on December 7, are unchanged but that Gold Fields will contribute \$200 million (in US dollars) less in cash to


Dollar Crumbles Before Euro, New Low Hit

The dollar sagged to a record low against the euro on Tuesday after remarks on monetary policy by European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet did not detract from bullish euro sentiment.


Scotiabank 4th-Qtr Profit Rises on Capital Markets (Update1)

Bank of Nova Scotia, Canada #39;s third- largest bank, said profit climbed for a sixth consecutive quarter, driven by capital markets-related fees and international banking.


Gartner: Third Of Top PC Vendors Gone In Three Years

Three of the top 10 PC vendors will be pushed out of the business by 2007, research firm Gartner predicted Monday. By Gregg Keizer.


Peach Bowl Picks No. 20 Florida Gators (AP)

AP - The Peach Bowl wants Florida to play in the Dec. 31 game  #151; and hopes Ron Zook will hang around to coach the Gators for a few more weeks.


Georgia Tech Headed to Champs Sports Bowl (AP)

AP - Georgia Tech finally will play in a bowl that's not too far from home.


DVD Format War Intensifies

Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Brothers have all thrown their weight behind high definition DVD, which was developed by Toshiba and NEC.


Sparring begins in Kazaa trial

This priority retains its ranking at number five as more and more companies deploy Web services to share business logic, data and processes with each other and with clients.


Microsoft Order Cancelled by Beijing

The Chinese city of Beijing has cancelled an order for Microsoft software, apparently bowing to protectionist sentiment. The deal has come under fire in China, which is trying to build a domestic software industry.


Successful docking clears way for two spacewalks

The crew of the International Space Station flew an emergency lifeboat from one docking port to another at the outpost Monday, clearing the way for two spacewalks planned for next year.


New Netscape embraces Firefox, IE

com November 30, 2004, 8:00 AM PT. This priority retains its ranking at number five as more and more companies deploy Web services to share business logic, data and processes with each other and with clients.


HYDROGEN MILESTONE

Turning water into hydrogen energy... A major R  amp; D milestone could help the nation advance toward a clean hydrogen economy. It #39;s a project the INEEL and a Salt Lake ceramics company are collaborating on, using


Cassini probe snaps Mimas

The Cassini space probe has taken a stunning image of Saturn #39;s moon Mimas against the blue-grey backdrop of Saturn #39;s rings.


Man Gets Jail Term for Using Net File-Sharing Software

Yoshihiro Inoue used the Winny program at his home in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Japan on September 24 and 25 last year and enabled general computer users to download the Hollywood film  quot;A Beautiful Mind quot; and another movie on the Internet, the ruling said


China 'blocks Google news site'

China has been accused of blocking access to Google News by the media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders.


British rower Pinsent retires

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Four-time Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent announced his retirement from the sport on Tuesday. Pinsent, 34, captured his most recent gold medal by winning the coxless fours event in Athens this past August.


Irreparable harm

Sonar teams were back on the Delaware River on Monday, seeking the cause of the worst oil spill there in a decade as experts fretted about the crude seeping into sensitive streams and tidal marshes along Delaware Bay.


Dein hails Thierry Henry

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein insisted Thierry Henry was the only realistic candidate to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award.


Rowhani: Iran to suspend uranium enrichment only for as long as <b>...</b>

Tehran, Nov 30, IRNA -- Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) secretary Hassan Rowhani said on Tuesday that Tehran #39;s commitment to freeze its uranium enrichment activities would be good only for as long as it was engaged in talks with Europe.


Up to 31 dead in Indonesia jet crash

Up to 31 people have been killed and many more injured after a jet carrying 153 passengers and crew crashed on landing in heavy rain in Indonesia #39;s central Java.


Paisley says it #39;s now or never for IRA after No 10 meeting

Ian Paisley warned the IRA today that it was  quot;now or never quot; for Republicans if they wanted to conclude a deal on powersharing with his Democratic Unionist Party.


Rwandan troops enter Congo

a Congolese minister has said, shortly after the Rwandan president said his forces may have launched an attack. region, where four million people have died in the past decade


Super Bowl Advertisers Still in the Game

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Advertisers may have been bitten once  by an indecency scandal at the 2004 Super Bowl, but they are  not shy about getting back into the game for the next U.S.  football championship.


Parliament, Court Yet to Defuse Ukraine Crisis

A top Ukrainian opposition leader, quoted by Interfax-Ukraine news agency, said supporters of presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko had withdrawn from talks on last week's disputed election.


Kazaa challenged over kiddie porn control policy

If it can boot off smut peddlers, it can boot off copyright infringers


Euro hits record high of 1.3336 dollars in European trade

LONDON : The euro hit a new record high of 1.3336 dollars in European trading following publication of disappointing US consumer confidence data.


Gazprom to Bid for YUKOS Key Oil Unit

Russia #39;s Gazprom said on Tuesday it will bid for embattled oil firm YUKOS #39; main unit next month, as the Kremlin seeks to turn the world #39;s biggest gas producer into a major oil player.


Brazil's Economy Expands in 3Q on Exports

Brazil's economy expanded 6.1 percent in the third quarter compared to same period a year ago, lifted by exports and rising domestic consumer demand, the government said Tuesday.


The Orange Revolution

Why Russia, the U.S. and Europe care so much about Ukraine's disputed presidential election


Olympic rowing champion Pinsent bows out

A few months after winning his fourth Olympic Gold Medal Matthew Pinsent, one of Britain #39;s premier rowers in recent years has announced his retirement.


Swift Shoaib arrives in style

Never one to do things by half, Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar made a Hollywood-like arrival yesterday at his team #39;s first training session of their Australian tour.


Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue red card appeal rejected

Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue was suspended for three matches Tuesday after losing his appeal of a red card. The Frenchman was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Noe Pamarot in Sunday #39;s 2-0 loss to Tottenham.


Rain in Spain Doesn #39;t Dampen Spirits

It may have been raining outside in Seville today but it didn #39;t dampen the mood of either the Spanish or American teams, as they appeared before the world #39;s press.


Soccer Fans Out of Control In Europe

Fan violence is worse -- and much more common -- at soccer \games in Europe


Analysis: Bush's Daunting Task in the Mideast and North Korea

Support from allies becomes crucial in solving crises


Q amp;A: The Italian general strike

Public services across part of Italy have been brought to a standstill as workers take to the streets to protest against the government #39;s economic policies.


Singulus, Sony Team Up on Blu-Ray Development

FRANKFURT/TOKYO (Reuters) - German compact disc and DVD  equipment company Singulus and Japan's Sony have teamed up to  develop a new technology for music and video discs, Singulus  said on Tuesday.


Philips Sees Flat Chip Market in 2005

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (Reuters) - Philips Electronics said  on Tuesday it had trimmed its 2005 global chip market outlook  to zero growth from a previous 5 percent rate forecast.


Syneron Medical Shares Drop on Rejection

Shares of Syneron Medical Ltd., a maker of cosmetic medical devices, plunged 20 percent Tuesday morning following regulators #39; rejection of its application for a cellulite-smoothing device.


Telecoms Tie-Up

Mobile phone group mmO2 and giant Japanese telecoms giant NTT DoCoMo joined forces to launch the i-mode internet service in the UK, Germany and Ireland.


Services Buy Broadens Sun #39;s Software Support

SevenSpace will be absorbed entirely into Sun #39;s Services operation.  quot;It is growing more evident by the day that  #39;one size fits all #39; outsourcing is history, quot; said Marissa Peterson, executive vice president at Sun Services.


China  #39;blocks Google news site #39;

China has been accused of blocking access to Google News by the media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders. The Paris-based pressure group said the English-language news site had been unavailable for the past 10 days.


Sybase to make Big Blue databases

Sybase said on Tuesday that it will partner with IBM to sell its Linux database software, potentially dealing a blow to Sun, another long-standing partner.


MS to end Win2K support without SP5

Microsoft announced on Monday that it will not release a fifth service pack for Windows 2000, a popular version of the company #39;s operating system.


US Davis Cup Brings 9-Year Title Drought to Final Versus Spain

Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish and the Bryan brothers hope to add to Davis Cup lore this weekend when they assume the monstrous underdog role, facing Spain on their home red dirt in front of an expected record-setting crowd in Seville.


FDA Reviewers Mixed Over Two New Cancer Drugs (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Food and Drug Administration\staff reviewers on Tuesday questioned clinical data for\non-Hodgkin's lymphoma drug Marqibo, made by Inex\Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc..


Economy Grows Faster Than Expected in 3Q (AP)

AP - The economy  #151; helped out by more brisk consumer and business spending  #151; grew at an annual rate of 3.9 percent in the third quarter, a performance that was stronger than previously thought.


Beijing Calls Off Controversial Deal with Microsoft

quot;Procurement departments in some provinces and municipalities, regardless of national interests and information security, bought a lot of foreign software and did not procure, or procured only a little domestic software, quot; Li Wuqiang, deputy director of


Dollar Drops to New All-Time Low Vs. Euro

The U.S. dollar dropped to a new all-time low Tuesday against the euro, which rose to \$1.3335 even as new figures showed that U.S. economic growth in the third quarter was stronger than previously thought.


Sony to launch its first MP3 hard-disk music player

Sonyis broadening support for the MP3 file format in its portable music player range. It will introduce a new hard disk-based MP3 player in December, and will offer software upgrades for earlier players with hard disk storage so they can play MP3s too.


Sony to pay \$40 million to Ampex

Sonyand Ampexhave agreed to end their dispute over a patent covering thumbnail images in digital image storage and retrieval devices.
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DoCoMo, mmO2 confirm I-mode deal

Mobile phone carrier mmO2 PLC will launch versions of NTT DoCoMo's I-mode mobile Internet service in the U.K. and Ireland in the second half of 2005 and in Germany in early 2006, the companies said in a statement on Tuesday.


Consumers Fuel Faster Economic Growth

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Robust consumer spending on cars,  furniture and food in the third quarter helped the U.S.   economy advance more quickly than first thought, a government  report showed on Tuesday, while underlying inflation was the  tamest in decades.


FDA Reviewers Mixed Over Two New Cancer Drugs

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration  staff reviewers on Tuesday questioned clinical data for  non-Hodgkin's lymphoma drug Marqibo, made by Inex  Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc..


Fannie, Freddie Loan Cap to Rise in 2005

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal regulators on Tuesday  allowed U.S. mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac  to buy larger individual mortgages next year following a jump  in home prices, a move that would lower borrowing costs for  buyers of more expensive homes.


Wal-Mart to Cut Prices After Poor Sales

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. WMT.N, the No.  1 U.S. retailer, on Tuesday signaled it will cut prices through  Christmas after holding back deep discounts on the first  weekend of the holiday shopping season.


Gazprom to Bid for YUKOS Key Oil Unit

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Gazprom said on Tuesday it will  bid for embattled oil firm YUKOS' main unit next month, as the  Kremlin seeks to turn the world's biggest gas producer into a  major oil player.


Where the Rubber Meets the (Virtual) Road

In the second part of his car show-inspired hunt for investment ideas, Jeff Hwang tosses up three video game publishers and a tire maker.


Breaking Rules and Saving Lives

Cord blood offers an ethical means of using stem cells to heal illness.


US consumer confidence slips in November

On the same day that a report credited strong consumer spending for fuelling the US economy, a separate report found sentiment among those very consumers waned in November.


Philly Broadband Clash Pits City Against Telcos

Philadelphia officials have laid the groundwork to provide wireless, high-speed Internet access anywhere in the city, but their plan could be scotched under a state bill that could be signed into law on Tuesday.


German compact disc and DVD equipment company Singulus and Japan #39;s Sony have teamed up to develop a new technology for music and video discs, Singulus said on Tuesday.


Lycos screensaver tackles spam websites

Striking out against spammers (sounds good already!) Lycos have developed a screensaver that should help to put the nasty blighters out of business.


Cisco revamps Catalyst switch range

Cisco today unveiled what it claimed is the world #39;s first Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) enabled IP phone, in addition to a raft of enhancements to its Catalyst switching range designed to boost security, availability and performance.


Tanker #39;s hull was pierced twice

US Coast Guard officials still have not determined what caused a Greek-owned tanker to leak 30,000 gallons of crude oil into the Delaware River Friday, but did reveal Monday


Ukraine Opposition Pulls Out of Talks

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's opposition on Tuesday pulled out  of talks to try to end a confrontation over last week's  disputed presidential election and vowed to use "people power"  to secure victory.


Super Bowl Advertisers Still in Game After Scandal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Advertisers may have been bitten once  by an indecency scandal at the 2004 Super Bowl, but they are  not shy about getting back into the game for the next U.S.  football championship.


US 'hurting' anti-mine campaign

Anti-landmine activists meeting in Nairobi say the US is setting a  bad example by not joining a worldwide ban.


Cropp Wants Changes

D.C. Council Chair Linda Cropp has filed an eleventh-hour proposal that would significantly alter a plan to build a baseball stadium.


Job cuts eat into RBC #39;s Q4 earnings

TORONTO - Royal Bank said Tuesday the cost of eliminating 1,660 jobs pushed its fourth-quarter earnings down 31 per cent to \$518 million.


NHL Won't Consider Proposed Luxury Tax (AP)

AP - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reiterated the league's position that it won't consider the players' proposed luxury tax.


MmO2 to bring i-mode to three European markets

I-mode services are coming to the competitive UK market, in addition to Ireland and the second such service in Germany, through a new deal between UK-based MmO2 plc and Japan #39;s NTT DoCoMo Inc.


Games developer wins cyber caf copyright fight

Games company Valve yesterday announced that it had won a court order prohibiting publisher Vivendi Universal Games from distributing Valves games, which include the Half-Life series, through cyber cafs.


New strain of Skulls Trojan hits smart phones

NOVEMBER 30, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Mobile phones running Symbian Ltd. #39;s Series 60 operating system are the target of a new strain of the Skulls Trojan horse program.


A More Efficient Way to Produce Hydrogen

Nov. 30 - So far they #39;ve done the recipe only on a small scale in an Idaho laboratory. The ingredients are water, electricity and extreme heat.


Belichick feels Daviss pain

FOXBORO - Sundays upcoming matchup between the Browns and Patriots features a rare twist - two head coaches who know what its like being on the hot seat in Cleveland while presiding over a floundering team.


Michigan State

DURHAM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Two of the top coaches and programs square off when No. 9 Michigan State tangles with 10th-ranked Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Tuesday in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.


High Hog Prices Boost Smithfield Foods

CHICAGO  (Reuters) - Smithfield Foods Inc. SFD.N, the  largest U.S. pork producer, on Tuesday reported quarterly  earnings jumped 61 percent on high hog prices, strong pork  exports and the acquisition of a pork processor.


Stocks Fall, Wal-Mart, Oil, Dollar Weigh

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday as shares  of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. WMT.N extended their losses, oil  prices held near \$50 a barrel and the dollar hit a record low  against the euro.


Audit Finds Hoy Overstated Circulation

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tribune Co.'s TRB.N Hoy newspaper,  one of several U.S. papers caught up in a circulation scandal,  overstated circulation at its New York edition by more than 46  percent last year, an industry monitoring group said on  Tuesday.


Glum US shoppers push dollar down

An unexpectedly weak reading for US consumer confidence pushes the dollar to a fresh low against the euro.


Abbey cards in net security scare

Abbey bank cancels about 1,000 credit and debit cards after receiving a security warning over an online merchant.


Kazaa launches file-swap defence

Lawyers for file-swapping software firm Kazaa launch their defence in a landmark Australian internet music piracy case.


Yahoo Offers Real-Time Traffic Reports

Largely overlooked during the holiday craziness last month, Yahoo introduced real-time traffic information for 70 major U.S. cities.


Consumer Confidence Drops In November

_ Consumer confidence declined in November for a fourth consecutive month, a private research group reported Tuesday, reflecting doubts about the economy once the holidays are past.


Economy grows at a 3.9 percent pace in third quarter, faster than <b>...</b>

The economy -- helped out by more brisk consumer and business spending -- grew at an annual rate of 3.9 percent in the third quarter, a performance that was stronger than previously thought.


High Hog Prices Boost Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods Inc. (SFD), the largest US pork producer, on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings jumped 61 percent on high hog prices, strong pork exports and the acquisition of a pork processor.


Scotiabank profits rise to \$708M, full-year earnings jump to \$2.9B

TORONTO (CP) - Bank of Nova Scotia reported record annual profits Tuesday and raised its dividend after the bank benefited from solid gains in mortgage and consumer lending as well as international operations.


Philly Broadband Clash Pits City Against Telcos (Reuters)

Reuters - Philadelphia officials have laid the\groundwork to provide wireless, high-speed Internet access\anywhere in the city, but their plan could be scotched under a\state bill that could be signed into law on Tuesday.


Novartis Withdraws Application for Prexige (AP)

AP - Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis AG said Tuesday it is temporarily withdrawing an application for European Union approval of its painkiller Prexige, but added that it will present new data this week to prove the safety and effectiveness of the drug.


Singulus, Sony Team Up on Blu-Ray Development (Reuters)

Reuters - German compact disc and DVD\equipment company Singulus and Japan's Sony have teamed up to\develop a new technology for music and video discs, Singulus\said on Tuesday.


MmO2 Offered I-Mode Phones

DoCoMo #39;s service allows users to send e-mails, chat, play games, download ring tones and access content from more than 70,000 Web sites.


HP Links Business Processes And IT Management

Hewlett-Packard #39;s new OpenView software is designed to help companies automate IT responses to business events, such as a jump in order-processing transactions.


Cisco Retools Catalyst Switch Line

Cisco today revamped its Catalyst Switch line with 10-gigabit speeds, enhanced security, and high availability, designed to bring high speed, security, and availability to the network edge.


Emulex Debuts 4-Gbps Fibre Channel Silicon

Emulex Corp. unveiled Tuesday its new FibreSpy switch-on-a-chip SOC 804 family of embedded storage for OEM customers looking to build to the new 4-gigabit Fibre Channel standard.


US Scientists Claim Breakthrough in Hydrogen Fuel Research

The conversion rate of water into hydrogen ranges between 45 and 50 percent in high temperatures, compared with about 30 percent in electrolysis, researchers said.


Congo Official: Rwanda Troops Attacking (AP)

AP - A senior Congolese official said Tuesday his nation had been invaded by neighboring Rwanda, and U.N. officials said they were investigating claims of Rwandan forces clashing with militias in the east.


PluggedIn: Mobile Operators Seek Higher Sound Quality (Reuters)

Reuters - Ring tones on mobile phones were once\considered cool if they simply sounded musical. Then phones\starting ringing to the tune of a pop song, giving way to "ring\songs."


EU Suspends Microsoft-ContentGuard Review (Reuters)

Reuters - The European Commission has stopped\the clock on its review of Microsoft and Time Warner's purchase\of U.S. anti-piracy software maker ContentGuard, a spokesman\for the EU executive said on Tuesday.


Gough named new Livingston boss

Livingston, Scotland (Sports Network) - Livingston hired former Scotland and Rangers defender Richard Gough to be its new head coach on Tuesday.


Sheffield United target keen to stay at Anfield

Neil Mellor is prepared to play in the reserves in order to remain a Liverpool player despite interest from Sheffield United Football Club.


Bettman still holding his ground

Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - Speaking at a function in Edmonton on Tuesday, National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman held firm on his stance against the NHLPA #39;s luxury tax plan.


Let the Bidding Begin

Wasting little time, Omar Minaya has reportedly offered Pedro Martinez a three-year, \$37.5 deal, with an option for a fourth season.


Ukraine Unrest Worries Barcelona Soccer

FC Barcelona players Samuel Eto #39;o, center, from Cameroon and Ronaldinho, second left, from Brazil argue with Getafe players Vivar Dorade, left, from Spain and Mariano Pernia, right, from Argentina during their Spanish League soccer match in Getafe, Spain


Olympic Swimmer Phelps #39; DUI Trial Set

SALISBURY, Md. Nov 30, 2004 - Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps #39; drunken driving trial was set for Dec. 29. Phelps, 19, was stopped by a state trooper on Nov. 4 for running a stop sign in Salisbury.


Argentine Protesters Want Mayor to Resign

Argentines irate over perceived security lapses in a nightclub fire that killed 188 people, many of them teenagers, banged pots and pans in protest Monday and vowed to march against city officials.


Supercomputer for the Home (The Motley Fool)

The Motley Fool - It's rare to hear the words "innovation" and "big company" in the same sentence. During the 1980s, IBM (NYSE: IBM - News) was a visionary in the PC revolution -- but gave away the profits to upstarts like Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) and Intel (Nasdaq: INTC - News).


Study: Nuclear Medicine Can Trigger Security Alarms (Reuters)

Reuters - Patients treated with radioactive\material face an increased risk of triggering security alarms\because more guards are being equipped with sensitive radiation\detectors, a report said Tuesday.


Iran Boasts of Victory Over US on Nuclear Case

Iran boasted on Tuesday it had defeated US efforts to send its nuclear case to the UN Security Council while warning that its uranium enrichment freeze would only last for a few months.


10 dead, 50 hurt in Indonesian plane mishap

Jakarta: At least 10 people were killed and almost 50 injured when a passenger plane skidded off a rain-slicked runway and seven crew aboard the plane operated by budget airline Lion Air, which was landing at Adisumarno airport in the city of Solo after a


Sudan Postpones Decision to Expel Oxfam and Save the Children

Sudan has decided to postpone a decision to expel the heads of two British aid agencies - Oxfam and Save the Children - citing administrative difficulties and humanitarian grounds.


WVU Launches New Brain Surgery System (AP)

AP - West Virginia University's neurosurgery department has launched a new system to help surgeons view brain disorders and diseases more precisely.


Vaccine for Food Poisoning Possible (AP)

AP - Washington University researchers are the first to grow a common cause of diarrhea, vomiting and other stomach problems in a lab, a move that a North Carolina expert said could speed along development of a vaccine, the university said Monday.


Scientist Finds Moon Rock on Antarctica (AP)

AP - University of New Mexico researcher Barbara Cohen now knows for certain that the rock she found while trolling the barren Antarctica landscape is special.


Skeleton in Mo. Came From Ancient Mammoth (AP)

AP - Everything about the bones that turned up in a Grain Valley back yard last summer suggested to scientists that they came from a 50,000-year-old mastodon. But evidence yielded by additional digging has led the experts to conclude they were off-base. The remains are actually those of a mammoth that lived 500,000 to 1 million years ago, according to the scientists.


115 Whales, Dolphins Die After Beaching (AP)

AP - A total of 115 whales and dolphins died after swimming onto beaches on two southern Australian islands, authorities said Tuesday as the search continued for more pods in danger.


Phelps' Trial Set

19-year-old Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps' drunken driving trial is set for Dec. 29.


Oligarchs still control Russia: Putin (AFP)

AFP - Russian President Vladimir Putin conceded that oligarchs who made their billions in the first hectic days of post-Soviet reform still held a grip over the state despite his efforts to sideline them from power.


Colo. Wal-Mart Makes Effort to Unionize (AP)

AP - In a move that has been unsuccessful elsewhere in the United States, 17 workers at a Wal-Mart Tire  amp; Lube Express have taken the first step to unionize at the world's largest retailer.


FDA Reviewers Mixed Over Two New Cancer Drugs

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Food and Drug Administration  staff reviewers on Tuesday questioned clinical data for  non-Hodgkin's lymphoma drug Marqibo, made by Inex  Pharmaceuticals Corp. and Enzon Pharmaceuticals Inc. .


EU Suspends Microsoft-ContentGuard Review

\

 By David Lawsky

 BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission has stopped\the clock on its review of Microsoft and Time Warner's purchase\of U.S. anti-piracy software maker ContentGuard, a spokesman\for the EU executive said on Tuesday.


Gold Offer Loses Shine

South African gold miner Harmony Gold Mining Company (NYSE: HMY) officially made its much-anticipated  quot;tender offer, Part I quot; yesterday, and received a remarkably lukewarm response from shareholders of rival Gold Fields Limited (NYSE: GFI).


Consumers Fuel Faster Economic Growth

Robust consumer spending on cars, furniture and food helped the US economy advance faster than first thought in the third quarter, a government report showed, while underlying inflation was the tamest in decades.


Reliance asks directors who quit to reconsider

The board of Reliance Energy, a unit of Reliance Industries, said the six directors, all long-time employees of the group, would resume their normal duties and that it continued


Lycos Europe:  quot;Make love not spam quot;

In a new take on fighting spam, Web portal Lycos Europe has launched a screensaver designed to bombard Web sites promoted in unsolicited e-mail.


Al Bello/Getty Images

Let #39;s go straight to the latest hot stove news. The Daily Blog #39;s reviews of Allure #39;s new Chapter III album and Christmas with the Kranks will have to wait until next week.


EU eyes  #39;new chapter #39; in Iran ties, but tensions remain

BRUSSELS (AFP) - The EU hailed a  quot;new chapter quot; in ties with Iran and confirmed plans to resume trade talks rapidly, after a UN-brokered deal under which Tehran pledged to freeze uranium enrichment activities.


Cuba releases leading dissident

Cuba has freed one of the country #39;s best-known dissidents, the acclaimed poet and journalist Raul Rivero. The 59-year-old was among 75 people arrested in a huge government crackdown last year and given long prison terms.


S amp;P affirms rating on Pinault Printemps Redoute

Standard  amp; Poor #39;s on Tuesday affirmed its ratings on French retailer Pinault Printemps Redoute SA (PRTP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) after the group entered exclusive talks to sell its Rexel(CDME.


Audit Finds Hoy Overstated Circulation by 46 Pct

Tribune Co. #39;s Hoy newspaper, one of several US papers caught up in a circulation scandal, overstated circulation at its New York edition by more than 46 percent last


Another Upgrade Boosts Red Hat

Red Hat (NOVL:Nasdaq - news - research) got its second upgrade in two week Tuesday, and promptly leaped northward. In recent trading, shares of the Linux Vendor were up \$1.42, or 10.6, to \$14.84 in heavy volume.


Tapes reveal more from Princess Diana

Princess Diana continues to fascinate her fans around the world even seven years after her tragic death. In an NBC News exclusive, for the first time, revealing new tapes are coming to light.


Beware Confirmation Bias

If your knee-jerk reaction to a negative opinion is to attack the source, your chance of investing success is reduced.


Update 1: Syneron Medical Shares Drop on Rejection

Shares of Syneron Medical Ltd., a maker of cosmetic medical devices, plunged 20 percent Tuesday morning following regulators #39; rejection of its application for a cellulite-smoothing device.


Stocks sag on sub-par Canadian GDP and sliding US consumer <b>...</b>

TORONTO (CP) - Negative economic indicators helped send stock markets lower Tuesday while two more big Canadian banks reported quarterly profits.


Midway Games acquires Paradox Development

CHICAGO Chicago-based Midway Games has acquired Paradox Development, which is developing the company #39;s upcoming  quot;Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks quot; videogame.


Pew study: Blogs busted out in 2004

Last year proved big for blogs and bloggers, according to data released from The Pew Internet   American Life Project. Blog readership jumped 58 percent between February and November, and comprised 32 million U.S. citizens in 2004. More than 8 million U.S. citizens have created a Web-based diary, and one in 10, or around 14 million U.S. Internet users, has contributed thoughts or comments to a blog.


Valve Wins Cyber Caf Case

Valve announced recently that it had won the first round in the legal fight between it and publisher Vivendi Universal Games. The US Federal District Court in Seattle has upheld the complaint


Sorry, this information is currently unavailable

Sophos virus experts have advised customers not to panic, following media reports of a new version of the Skulls Trojan horse for Symbian Smartphones.


Olympians Gatlin, Hayes Earn Jesse Owens Awards

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Olympic medalists Justin Gatlin and Joanna Hayes Monday were named the winners of the 2004 Jesse Owens Awards by USA Track  amp; Field.


Trial Date Set For Michael Phelps

SALISBURY, Md. -- A trial date has been set in Salisbury for Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. He #39;s scheduled to appear in District Court on Dec. 29.


Jackets bowling in Orlando

Georgia Tech will play in the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, two people familiar with the situation told the Journal-Constitution Monday.


US Open WCQ with Trinidad

The United States will open its bid to qualify for its fifth consecutive World Cup finals in Trinidad  amp; Tobago on Feb. 9 as the final round draw for 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying was announced this morning from FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland.


General strike cripples Italy to protest Berlusconi's economic policies (AFP)

AFP - Italy ground to a halt as millions of workers observed a general strike in a show of force against the economic policies of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right coalition government.


Bush Makes First Official Visit to Canada

President Bush is on his way to Canada for a two-day trip that will mark his first official visit to America #39;s northern neighbor.


Analysis: Asian free trade vogue could heat up

Free trade agreements are flying around East Asia these days, with even South Asian neighbor India, getting a piece of the action.


Embarrassment over Myanmar, pride at China trade deal as ASEAN wraps up (AFP)

AFP - Southeast Asian leaders completed a series of meetings in Laos where renewed embarrassment over military-ruled Myanmar threatened to overshadow the signing of an historic trade deal with China.


Blunkett repays lover's rail fare

David Blunkett repays Parliament for a train ticket he gave to his ex-lover  and apologises for a "genuine mistake".


US GDP rise fails to halt caution

Increased spending by consumers and business helps US economic growth rise at a higher-than-predicted rate in the July to September period.


Midway Games Buys Videogame Company

Midway Games Inc. said Tuesday that it acquired Paradox Development, the studio now developing Midway #39;s upcoming Mortal Kombat:Shaolin Monks videogame, for 333,334 Midway common shares.


DoCoMo looks overseas for handsets

NTT DoCoMo, Japan #39;s dominant mobile operator, is to start selling mobile phones from Nokia and Motorola next year in a bid to reduce its reliance on local manufacturers.


Red Hat Preps Enterprise Linux 4

With the top two commercial Linux distributions based on the Linux 2.6 kernel, the open-source operating system could gain greater footing among enterprise apps.


Rescuers seek survivors as Phillipines storm leaves 300 dead, 150 <b>...</b>

REAL, Philippines : Rescuers were desperately searching for survivors Tuesday after floods and landslides unleashed by a tropical storm in the Philippines killed more than 300 people and left at least 150 others missing, many buried alive under tonnes of


US Looks For Missing Plane In Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The US military said a plane that took off from the main US base north of Kabul, Afghanistan, is missing. A search is under way for the three civilian crew members and three military passengers who were aboard the aircraft.


Union: At Least 100 Delta Pilots to Retire as Pay Cuts Start

At least 100 Delta Air Lines pilots are expected to retire effective Wednesday, the start date for a 32.5 percent pay cut agreed to in a \$1 billion concessions package to help save the nation's third largest air carrier from bankruptcy.


Latino groups lauds Gutierrez pick

A major Hispanic interests group praised US President George Bush Tuesday for picking Kellogg #39;s chief executive Carlos Gutierrez for commerce secretary.


Oil Prices Hover Near \$50 a Barrel

Oil prices were up 12 cents to \$49.88 a barrel in electronic trading in Europe in advance of the opening on the New York Mercantile Exchange.


Dollar Weakens Against Euro But Off Lows

The dollar was weaker against the euro on Tuesday but above record lows reached after remarks by European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet suggested the ECB was unlikely to intervene to stem the euro #39;s rise.


US Puts Hefty Duties on Imported Shrimp

The United States has set final anti-dumping duties of up to 112.81 percent on shrimp from China and up to 25.76 percent on those from Vietnam to offset unfair pricing, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.


Deutsche to Gazprom: Buy Yugansk

Gazprom is considering a recommendation from Deutsche Bank that it buy Yuganskneftegaz, Yukos #39; main production unit, as part of a wider strategy to increase its presence in the oil sector, a company official said Monday.


American Military Relief Effort Picks Up Steam

The American military relief operation picked up steam Monday, with U.S. helicopters dropping off cartons of food aid in Sumatra and warships with 2,200 Marines arriving in the Malacca Straits to ferry supplies to the tsunami-battered Indonesian island.


Syneron stock falls after approval delayed

NEW YORK -- Syneron Medical Ltd. stock fell Tuesday after the US Food and Drug Administration delayed approval of the medical device maker #39;s cellulite product.


Gretzky Fears for NHL

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


IBMs New Cell Chip To Power PlayStation, HDTVs

Sony and IBM introduced Monday the first workstation based on the Cell processor, which they jointly developed in partnership with Toshiba.


Beijing Cancels Microsoft Deal

The Beijing municipal government may be reconsidering its controversial decision to sign a sweeping deal with Microsoft. Microsoft beat domestic software developers out of a 3.6M dollar contract on November


Sony vs. Big Apple

Sony (NYSE: SNE) is taking one more step toward making its Walkman a more formidable contender in the digital music wars. According to several news agencies, Sony is launching a new Walkman with a hard drive and support of the popular MP3 format.


Amazon #39;s Holiday Pi

Leave it to Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN). Apparently, the holiday season could be a rich opportunity to addict more users to Amazon #39;s A9.


AOL Tests New Netscape Browser

America Online Inc. on Tuesday started testing a prototype of the Netscape browser that lets users switch from the Mozilla rendering engine to Internet Explorer with the click of a button.


Cisco Revamps Catalyst Switch Range

To extend 10GbE support to the network edge, the revamped 6500 Supervisor Engine 32 ships with a choice of two 10GbE XENPAK-based or eight one GbE Small Form Factor Pluggable based uplinks.


Microsoft files first authenticity certificate lawsuits

SEATTLE A central Pennsylvania company is named in a lawsuit filed by Microsoft on claims of counterfeit and illicit certificates of authenticity.


IBM Unveils Latest  #39;On-Demand #39; Tech Center

IBM on Monday unveiled a technology lab for customers looking to test the company #39;s products for managing computer resources based on business demands.


NASA Space Station On-Orbit Status 30 November 2004

All ISS systems continue to function nominally, except those noted previously or below. Crew rest day after yesterday s successful Soyuz TMA-5/9S relocation.


FA suspend Diouf

Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf has incurred a three-match ban after admitting a charge of improper conduct. The Senegal international was charged by the Football Association after television replays showed


Mandaric clears Redknapp of dodgy deals

At a specially convened news conference today, Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric cleared former boss Harry Redknapp of any wrong doing in his transfer deals during his time at the club.


Report: Former Marlins closer Benitez reaches deal with Giants

The San Francisco Giants have agreed to terms on a three-year, \$21 million contract with Marlins free agent closer Armando Benitez, according to several media reports.


Confirmed: Davis Out as Head Coach

It has now been confirmed by the Browns that Butch Davis has resigned as head coach of the team. The Browns will be holding a press conference with Team President John Collins at 2PM today.


Dartmouth fires head football coach Lyons

Hanover, NH (Sports Network) - Dartmouth University fired head football coach John Lyons on Tuesday. The Big Green finished just 1-9 this season, marking the worst record in school history.


FERRERO CHASING DAVIS CUP GLORY

Juan Carlos Ferrero has targeted further Davis Cup glory when Spain take on the United States in Seville at the weekend. Ferrero is the only member of the Spain team to have won the event before after clinching


Police ID chair thrower

Auburn Hills - (11/29/04)--Auburn Hills police say they have identified the chair thrower from the Pistons/Pacers brawl. The suspect who allegedly threw the chair is a 35-year-old man from Genesee County #39;s Mundy Township.


Angels Change Name

The Angels are renaming themselves yet again, saying Monday it will be known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.


Bush, Martin pledge to improve trade relations but no promises on <b>...</b>

OTTAWA (CP) - George W. Bush said he understands Canadian ranchers #39; frustrations but the president suggested the lumbering US bureaucracy has to sign off before the border can re-open to Canadian cattle.


Rescued whales head out to sea as scientists blame weather for <b>...</b>

HOBART, Australia : Rescuers succeeded in saving most of the whales still stranded on beaches in Australia and New Zealand as scientists pinpointed cyclical weather patterns as a likely cause of increased beachings.


Sinn Fein voices delay concern

Speaking after a meeting with the Irish Prime Minister in Dublin, party president Gerry Adams said:  quot;We are concerned that the time frame is stretching.


Minister: Rwandan Soldiers Have Entered Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo #39;s Minister for Regional Cooperation says Rwandan soldiers have entered Congo and attacked three villages in eastern Congo.


It #39;s nearly winter  why is gasoline so expensive?

A. With history as a guide, it #39;s not unreasonable to expect gas to be cheaper in winter months. Instead, the average retail price nationwide is just below \$1.95 a gallon.


Local consumer confidence edges up going into Christmas

Consumer confidence increased slightly across the region going into the Christmas shopping season, although it remains below its levels of a year before.


SEC hands AIG a \$126 million fine

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today the settlement of charges against American International Group revolving around the marketing of transactions that would remove possible volatile assets from the balance sheets of companies.


Icahn: Mylan Says Takeover Bid Neutralized As Perry Becomes Top <b>...</b>

Check--or checkmate? Carl Icahn, attempting to block Mylan Laboratories (nyse: MYL - news - people ) in its buyup of King Pharmaceuticals (nyse: KG - news - people ), made his move: Earlier this month, the


Union readies itself for possible strike at USAir

A major union at US Airways (UAIRQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) positioned itself on Tuesday for a possible strike if the airline throws out union contracts to save money.


Russian Gas Monopoly to Bid for Prize Yukos Oil Assets

In an attempt to create a state energy leviathan, the Russian natural gas monopoly Gazprom said today that it would bid for the prize oil assets of Yukos.


Can global economy recover in  #39;05?

For quite sometime now, global economy has been under a lot of pressure. The war in Iraq, the US current account deficit and resulting falling dollar, oil deficit have all contributed to a slowdown in the global economy.


US Economy: Confidence Unexpectedly Fell This Month (Update2)

US consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in November to the lowest level in eight months as higher energy prices damped optimism among low-income Americans.


UPDATE 2-AIG to pay \$126 mln to settle federal probes

American International Group Inc. (AIG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) agreed to pay \$126 million and appoint an independent monitor to settle allegations it helped


US regulatory body fines 29 securities firms 9.2 million dollars

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US securities industry #39;s self-regulatory body fined 29 firms more than 9.2 million dollars for reporting information about their brokers later than required.


Lockheed's Loss in Space

Intelsat loses a satellite, which could mean lost millions for the defense contractor.


Ultimate Electronics' Shaky Base

The stock has soared thanks to homebuilders, but not enough profits are built into the price.


Pacers to be Charged

Pacers players will be charged for fighting with fans during the Nov. 19 brawl at the end of a game against the Pistons, Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca told The Detroit News.


Red Hat Will Keep Linux Market Lead Over Novell

Prudential Equity Group upgraded Red Hat (nasdaq: RHAT - news - people ) to  quot;overweight quot; from  quot;neutral weight quot; and maintained a \$17 target price, saying the software company remains the leader in the Linux market, which is among the fastest-growing


Battle over new DVDs begins

TOKYO -- You may not remember the battle between VHS and beta or between cassette tapes and CD #39;s but in years to come, you #39;ll likely be able to recall a battle over the format for the next generation of DVDs.


Lycos Strikes Back At Spammers With Screensaver

com. Lycos Europe is taking the fight to the enemy, launching a screensaver that conducts a group denial-of-service attack against sites marketing products via spam.


Beijing Dumps Microsoft Deal

com. Beijing #39;s municipal government canceled a \$3.5 million deal with Microsoft under pressure from national government officials and in-country rivals, financial sources reported Monday.


Sun Acquiring Outsourcing Vendor SevenSpace

Sun Microsystems on Monday disclosed plans to acquire SevenSpace Inc., an Ashburn, Va.-based provider of IT outsourcing and managed services.


Sony To Sell MP3 Music Players in Japan

Sony #39;s two MP3 players, the NW-HD3 with a 20-gigabyte hard-disk drive, and the NW-E99, with a built-in 1-gigabyte flash-memory chip, go on sale December 10 in Japan.


Cisco Enhances Catalyst Switch Range

Cisco said that its IP Phone allows unconstrained Gigabit Ethernet-enabled bandwidth from the network to desktop phone. Cisco #39;s Catalyst 6500 Supervisor Engine 32 has been enhanced to allow customers to enable


Microsoft Swats at Phony COAs

Certificates of authority (COAs) are affixed to software packaging to let buyers know it #39;s the real thing. But when the COA itself is counterfeit, resellers also feel the pain, Microsoft (Quote, Chart) found.


Soccer: Diouf banned for three matches for spitting

LONDON : Bolton #39;s El-Hadji Diouf was banned for three matches after pleading guilty to a charge of improper conduct for spitting.


Packers have their way on Favre day #39;

BATTERING RAMS Packers have their way on Favre Day #39; Green Bay It was a sentimental and hopeful interlude at Lambeau Field, a Monday night spent in 28-degree chill for 70,385 fans to cherish Brett Favre #39;s glorious past and wonder just how far he might lead


Bush's Messages to Nations Hit by Tsunami (AP)

AP - President Bush signed messages of condolence Monday at embassies of the four nations hit hardest by the tsunami. The messages also were signed by First Lady Laura Bush and former Presidents Clinton and Bush. Here is what the president wrote in each book:


Nearly 340 people killed as second storm in a week slams eastern <b>...</b>

A powerful rainstorm triggered landslides and flash floods that killed nearly 340 people in the eastern Philippines, officials said Tuesday, and rescuers raced to save those stranded in three coastal towns before a typhoon strikes the hard-hit region.


31 reported dead in Indonesia plane crash

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - At least 31 people died in a plane crash in Indonesia on Tuesday, after a passenger jet #39;s landing went wrong amid heavy rain.


Iraq car bomb kills seven

just one short of the figure in April which was the highest monthly toll so far. The US military says it expects violence to escalate before elections scheduled for January 30.


Mozambicans hope elections to bring better life, no matter who <b>...</b>

Mondlane will join in some eight million Mozambicans Wednesday morning to cast a ballot for their future -- a new president will be chosen to lead the country for the next five years.


Liverpool Moves to 5th in Premier League (AP)

AP - Liverpool beat Norwich 2-1 on the road Monday behind second-half goals by Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise to move up to fifth place in the Premier League.


Holiday Shopping Gets Off to Slow Start (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. holiday shopping season got\off to a sluggish start with high oil prices and weak consumer\confidence hitting the key Thanksgiving weekend, according to\three retail indices released on Tuesday.


Oil Prices Slip, Winter Supplies Seen Up

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Tuesday as an  expected increase in U.S. heating fuel supplies eased concerns  over an inventory crunch should this winter's weather prove  colder than normal.


Dollar Weakens Against Euro But Off Lows

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar was weaker against the euro  on Tuesday but above record lows reached after remarks by  European Central Bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet suggested the  ECB was unlikely to intervene to stem the euro's rise.


Trichet's Warnings Hint No ECB Rate Shift

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - There are a number of risks to the  inflationary outlook, European Central Bank President  Jean-Claude Trichet said on Tuesday in remarks that signaled  the ECB is likely to keep to its slight bias toward eventually  raising interest rates.


AIG Settles U.S. Fraud Charges for \$126 Mln

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - American International Group Inc.  AIG.N agreed to pay \$126 million and appoint an independent  monitor to settle allegations it helped two companies  fraudulently inflate earnings, U.S. authorities said on  Tuesday.


Holiday Shopping Gets Off to Slow Start

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. holiday shopping season got  off to a sluggish start with high oil prices and weak consumer  confidence hitting the key Thanksgiving weekend, according to  three retail indices released on Tuesday.


U.S. Puts Hefty Duties on Imported Shrimp

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has set final  anti-dumping duties of up to 112.81 percent on shrimp from  China and up to 25.76 percent on those from Vietnam to offset  unfair pricing, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.


U.S. Stocks Drop as Retailers Weigh

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday, dragged  down by retailers after data indicated that the holiday  shopping season got off to a sluggish start.


Diana tapes broadcast in US

Previously unpublished videotapes of Diana, Princess of Wales, reveal she only met Prince Charles 13 times before their wedding. The tapes, which are being shown on US television, feature the princess talking


Lycos Offers Program to Attack Spammers (AP)

AP - At the risk of breaching Internet civility, Lycos Europe is offering computer-users a weapon against spam-spewing servers: a screen-saver program that automatically hits the offenders with data to slow them down.


Notre Dame Fires Coach Tyrone Willingham (AP)

AP - Coach Tyrone Willingham was fired by Notre Dame on Tuesday after three seasons in which he failed to return one of the nation's most storied football programs to prominence.


Product Review: Decent Debut for MyFi (AP)

AP - It was when Vanilla Fudge's "You Keep Me Hanging On" came blasting through my earphones that I began to see the appeal of the MyFi, the new portable satellite radio from XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Delphi Corp. with a built-in digital recorder.


Cycling's Hamilton Fired After Doping Test (AP)

AP - Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton was fired by his cycling team two months after testing positive for blood doping.


Spurrier Sees SEC Title for Gamecocks (AP)

AP - Right now, life is a blur for new South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier.


Natural gas giant Gazprom to participate in Russian auction of key Yukos unit (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - MOSCOW (AP) - The nascent petroleum division of natural gas giant Gazprom will bid for the crown jewels of the battered Yukos oil empire, its chief said Tuesday - a widely anticipated move that could put the heart of the company jailed billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky created in Kremlin-friendly hands.


LG Unveils Big, Pricey Plasma TV (PC World)

PC World - 71-inch HDTV comes with a home stereo system and components painted in 24-karat gold.


Roddick Will Need Patience in Davis Cup (AP)

AP - Andy Roddick is known for his power. He'll need patience, too, in the Davis Cup final against Spain.


Wireless Revenues Top  #36;100 Billion, Says Census Bureau (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Cellular and other wireless telecommunications revenues rose from US #36;92 billion in 2002 to  #36;104 billion in 2003, an increase of 14 percent, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report.


Tight Lies Tour Goes Against the Grain (AP)

AP - The Tight Lies Tour is one of several regional circuits for players with aspirations of making the big leagues. One of its alumni is Ryan Palmer, who held off Vijay Singh last month at Disney for his first PGA Tour victory.


Sybase Partners with IBM (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Enterprise software provider Sybase (NYSE: SY) has hooked up with IBM (NYSE: IBM) in an agreement that puts Sybase's Linux-based Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) database system on IBM's eServer OpenPower platform.


Where has the Black Caps #39; fighting spirit gone?

When the last breath was squeezed out of New Zealand just after lunch yesterday, with it went an appalling test series on virtually all counts.


Mellor given chance to make Reds grade

Neil Mellor #39;s sensational late winner for Liverpool against Arsenal on Sunday has earned the back-up striker the chance to salvage a career that had appeared to be drifting irrevocably towards the lower divisions.


Wherever Pedro ends up, he stands to cash in

Pedro Martinez had the last laugh in October. Now he #39;s going to have the last laugh and a very nice contract. Martinez covered the gamut of competitive and emotional experiences this October, from being a


Microsoft Order Cancelled by Beijing (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Beijing's municipal government has stopped an order for Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) software, apparently giving in to public sentiment after nearly two weeks of fierce criticism within China about the deal.


Notre Dame Will Not Retain Willingham

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Sports Network) - The University of Notre  Dame announced Tuesday that Tyrone Willingham will not be  retained as the head football coach for 2005. The school has  scheduled a news conference for 4 p.m. EST.


U.S. May Plan Offensive in Afghanistan (AP)

AP - Thousands of U.S. soldiers are preparing an operation against Taliban insurgents to preempt an expected spring offensive which could upset plans for Afghan parliamentary elections, a senior American general said in an interview Tuesday.


Q A: OMG member talks up UML 2.0 (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - The Object Management Group (OMG) is in the process of voting on whether to approve Unified Modeling Language (UML) 2.0, the latest version of this specification for model-driven development. InfoWorld Editor at Large Paul Krill talked about the subject with Brian Selic, IBM Distinguished Engineer and co-chairman of the OMG task force on UML 2.0.


Blockbuster Atlantic Hurricane Season Closes (Reuters)

Reuters - Everything about the Atlantic hurricane\season was big -- lots of powerful storms that spawned hundreds\of deadly tornadoes, many deaths, an unprecedented onslaught on\Florida, a huge damage toll and millions evacuated.


Hornets' Magloire Sidelined with Finger Injury

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Sports Network) - New Orleans Hornets  center Jamaal Magloire is expected to be sidelined for up to  three months because of a dislocated right ring finger.


Environmentalists See Trouble Ahead (AP)

AP - Environmentalists see some of their worst fears playing out as President Bush moves to cement a second-term agenda that includes getting more timber, oil and gas from public lands and relying on the market rather than regulation to curb pollution.


Swarms of locusts invade Canaries

An estimated 100 million locusts force tourists and locals to abandon beaches in the Canary Islands.


Tom Ridge Steps Down as Chief of Homeland Security Dept.

The resignation would be effective Feb. 1, unless a successor was confirmed before then, Tom Ridge said.


Notre Dame Fires Football Coach

Notre Dame fired Tyrone Willingham as its football coach today after a 6-5 season that culminated with a 41-10 loss to top-ranked Southern Cal on Saturday night.


Cuba Frees Dissident Writer

Cuba's communist government freed writer Raul Rivero and another dissident from prison Tuesday, the latest in a series of releases apparently aimed at cleaning up the island's human rights record.


Broadband boost for rural areas

A 40km stretch of road is being dug up over four months to bring high-speed internet access to Cumbria.


TV in Hindi via the red button

A BBC One documentary will be broadcast in both English and Hindi for the first time.


U.S. Upholds Tariffs on Shrimp Imports (AP)

AP - The Bush administration on Tuesday upheld the imposition of penalty tariffs on shrimp imports from China and Vietnam, handing a victory to beleaguered U.S. shrimp producers.


AIG to Pay \$126 Mln to Settle SEC Charges

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - American International Group Inc.  AIG.N agreed to pay \$126 million to settle charges it helped  companies fraudulently inflate earnings, the U.S. Securities  and Exchange Commission said on Tuesday.


EU Suspends Microsoft-ContentGuard Review

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission has stopped  the clock on its review of Microsoft and Time Warner's purchase  of U.S. anti-piracy software maker ContentGuard, a spokesman  for the EU executive said on Tuesday.


Philips Sees Flat Chip Market in 2005

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (Reuters) - Philips Electronics said  on Tuesday it expected a flat global chip market next year, in  line with market research forecasts but more cautious than many  of its rivals.


Lycos Offers Program to Attack Spammers

At the risk of breaching Internet civility, Lycos Europe is offering computer-users a weapon against spam-spewing servers: a screen-saver program that automatically hits the offenders with data to slow them down.


Locust swarm invade Canaries


How Long Will Cheap Oil Last?

Global thirst for crude oil keeps growing, despite high prices. Just how much oil does the world have left, and what will happen when demand begins to outstrip supply?


New strain of Skulls Trojan hits smart phones

Mobile phones running Symbian's Series 60 operating system are being targeted by a new strain of the Skulls Trojan horse, which can spread to other phones within reach of Bluetooth broadcasting range, according to F-Secure.


Brief: IBM to market Sybase Linux database

IBM and Sybase have agreed to add support for Sybase's database software on IBM's eServer OpenPower Linux servers, and the two companies will jointly sell and market each other's products.


Sun acquisition to boost IT services portfolio

Sun Microsystems has agreed to purchase IT services company SevenSpace Inc. The move takes Sun further away from its traditional focus on supporting only its Solaris operating system platform.


Q A: OMG member talks up UML 2.0

The Object Management Group (OMG) is in the process of voting on whether to approve Unified Modeling Language (UML) 2.0, the latest version of this specification for model-driven development. InfoWorld Editor at Large Paul Krill talked about the subject with Brian Selic, IBM Distinguished Engineer and co-chairman of the OMG task force on UML 2.0.


Gazprom to bid for production unit of Yukos

Gazprom, Russia #39;s state-controlled gas monopoly, on Tuesday said it would bid for the main production unit of Yukos, the country #39;s embattled oil


Angels Change Name to Include Los Angeles (Reuters)

Reuters - Los Angeles officially\now has two major league baseball teams. On Monday, the Anaheim\Angels announced they have changed their name to the Los\Angeles Angels of Anaheim. This change is effective\immediately.


Is Priceline out of the Cold?

Plus, one ripe Rule Breaker, an earnings pig-out, and focus on future dividend yields.


NuSearch Offers Java Enhanced Search Engine\\Once you perform a search on NuSearch, you'll see that there is a slight difference with other search engines. NuSearch utilises a Java (TM) Applet which is embedded in the web page  which users do have to opt-in to download. NuSearch kind of reminded ...


Sortprice Shopping Search Engine Includes 1000 Merchants\\SortPrice.com announces reaching 1000 merchants with over 10 million product listings which ranges from small retailers to industry giants including companies such as Target, Buy.com and Office Depot. Launched in 2003, SortPrice.com was created to provide free listings for merchants and an easy to ...


MSN Search Engine Uses Basis Technology for Natural Language Processing\\Basis Technology announced this week that Microsoft Corp. has chosen the Rosette Linguistics Platform to support Web searches in its new MSN search engine. The companies have entered into a multi-year agreement in which Microsoft has the option to utilize all ...


Domain Popularity By Alan Webb

Domain Popularity By Alan Webb\\This article was contributed by Alan Webb from ABAKUS Internet Marketing, a long time friend of mine in this industry with a unique grasp of the International Search Marketing Industry. A buzz phrase for some time now in SEO circles has been 'Link Popularity'. Rightly so ...


Stocks Finish Lower, Retail Sector Weighs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday,  after data indicated that the critical holiday shopping season  got off to a sluggish start for retailers.


Commerce-ial appeal

Carlos Gutierrez, or, as hes becoming known, The American Dream Personified, starts out a Cuban refugee in Miami. He grows up to drive a Kelloggs truck, becomes Kelloggs CEO in 1999, and yesterday


Newsview: Iran's Zig-Zags Show Rifts (AP)

AP - First, Iran backed down before the U.N. nuclear watchdog. Then it set last-minute conditions, called the retreat only temporary and claimed victory over Washington.


White House Plans Push for Intel Overhaul (AP)

AP - Former members of the Sept. 11 commission met Tuesday with Vice President Dick Cheney, and President Bush planned talks with leaders of Congress in an attempt to gain passage for an intelligence reorganization bill this year.


Rwandan Troops Enter Congo, Congo Officials Say

KINSHASA/KIGALI (Reuters) - Rwandan troops have killed at  least 19 civilians in an attack on a town in eastern Congo, a  Congolese commander said on Tuesday, after Rwanda said its  forces may have launched an attack in pursuit of Hutu rebels.


Diouf suspended for spitting

London - Senegal World Cup striker El Hadji Diouf will miss Bolton #39;s next three games after he admitted a misconduct charge on Tuesday for spitting in an opponent #39;s face.


Dein - no crisis at Highbury (Getty Images)

The Gunners will be looking to an inexperienced reserve side to restore their battered morale and reputation at Old Trafford. But even though Arsenal have been hit by injuries to key players, as well as a


Former Princess Diana Bodyguard Disproves Claim

The late Princess Dianas former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, dismisses her suspicions that one of her lovers was bumped off. Princess Diana had an affair with Barry Mannakee, a policeman who was assigned to protect her.


OECD says UK needs four rate increases

The Bank of England should raise interest rates four more times by the end of next year, taking its main interest rate to 5.75 per cent, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development.


New Rainbow Six targets next spring

Next chapter in Ubisoft #39;s Tom Clancy anti-terrorism FPS to feature darker storyline, optimized graphics for PS2, new gear, and more.


Cisco Cooks up New Catalysts, GbE IP Phone

Touting improved security, availability and network-wide 10 GbE speeds, Cisco today unveiled a slew of upgraded Catalyst switches that are set to ship in December and early 2005.


New Zealand bad for business

SO another series is over and more bouquets deservedly are coming the way of this redoubtable Australian cricket team. Yesterday, Ricky Ponting held aloft the Trans-Tasman Trophy after another


Consumers Fuel Faster Economic Growth

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Robust consumer spending during the  third quarter helped the U.S. economy advance faster than first  thought, a government report showed on Tuesday, while  underlying inflation was the tamest in decades.


United Airlines Unions Seek Up to \$1 Billion in Skipped Pension Payments

The trustee firm representing employee pension funds at United Airlines sought a court order Tuesday that the carrier be required to make up hundreds of millions of dollars in skipped pension contributions before exiting bankruptcy.


Homeland Security Chief Ridge resigns

He becomes the seventh cabinet member to resign since the election. A White House spokesman insists it #39;s nothing more than second term turnover.


2004: The Year Global Warming Got Respect

Despite some media assertions to the contrary, the world's scientific community has reached consensus that human-induced climate change is real, a review finds.


Consumers Fuel Faster Economic Growth

Robust consumer spending during the third quarter helped the US economy advance faster than first thought, a government report showed on Tuesday, while underlying inflation was the tamest in decades.


UPDATE 1-Bankrupt UAL posts \$114 mln net loss in October

Bankrupt UAL Corp. (UALAQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) , parent of United Airlines, on Tuesday reported a net loss of \$114 million, including \$14 million in reorganization expenses.


Updates: AIG, Time Warner, CalPERS

American International Group, Inc. reported that AIG Financial Products Corp., a subsidiary, has reached an \$80 million settlement with the Department of Justice concerning charges that stemmed from structured


Diamonds used in swindle to be auctioned

Diamonds are forever. And for restitution, too. Martin Frankel, the Greenwich, Conn., financier who swindled millions from insurance companies, converted his ill-gotten gains into diamonds before fleeing the country in 1999.


Universal Green-lights HD DVD

Universal Pictures is among the first Hollywood studios to announce its support for HD DVD, the high-definition optical disc format backed by a coalition of technology companies led by Toshiba.


Firefox Emerges as Credible Threat in Internet Browser Battle

By day, Alexander Vincent is a mild-mannered secretary for a Vallejo real estate broker. By night, he #39;s an online crusader protecting users of a new Internet browser from glitches and security bugs.


Premiership: Ban Diouf, for a long time

If the FA had anything about them at all, which is a separate debate, they would slap a hefty ban on Boltons El-Hadji Diouf, for spitting in the face of Portsmouths Arjan de Zeeuw.


Fergie on United kids

It is the first time Ferguson and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger have faced each other since October 24 in a Barclays Premiership match which was riddled with bad blood and accusations.


Expect more discipline, warns Windies #39; CEO

AS the West Indies players gather in Barbados for their three-week camp ahead of the short tour to Australia, an official of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has warned the players to expect


Barcelona assured of safety in Ukraine

Next week #39;s Champions League match between Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk will go ahead as scheduled in Ukraine after authorities guaranteed security for the game.


Prosecutor: Pacers Players to Be Charged

An unidentified fan holds a sign referring to the season-long suspension of Indiana Pacers #39; Ron Artest during a game in Seattle between the Pacers and the Seattle SuperSonics Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at Key Arena in Seattle.


Impotence Rules in the UN Response

Rarely has the impotence of the international community #39;s response to the crisis in Sudan #39;s Darfur province been so exposed as during the past week.


Thirteen Children Die in Honduras Fire (AP)

AP - Honduran children hunting rabbits who were running from a burning sugarcane field were caught in the blaze themselves. Thirteen youngsters were killed, and a man and a 14th child were severely burned.


Crude Futures Fall Ahead of Weekly Stocks Report

Crude oil futures prices fell Tuesday as concerns about reduced output in the North Sea were offset by expectations that an upcoming government report would show rising inventories of heating oil.


Russian Duma Deputies Submit Anti-Terror Proposals

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian deputies submitted a draft  anti-terrorism law to parliament on Tuesday in the latest  security measure after attacks such as the Beslan school  massacre in which more than 330 people were killed.


Vermeil Figures on Coming Back Next Year (AP)

AP - The coach who made burnout a part of sports lexicon is 68 and enduring one of the most disappointing years of a long, distinguished career.


American and Caribbean region qualify for the 32-country field at <b>...</b>

in Germany, the fourth-place team will play the No. 5 nation in Asia in a. on the road. The Americans reached the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.


Hornets' Magloire fined for throwing ball at coach (AFP)

AFP - New Orleans Hornets center Jamaal Magloire, who is expected to miss three months of the National Basketball Association season with a dislocated finger, will have to find a way to open his wallet.


Harmony Puts Brave Face On 11 Percent

HARMONY Gold, which has managed to acquire only 10,8 of Gold Fields in the first stage of its hostile takeover bid, put a brave face on its offer yesterday, saying it would immediately launch the second part of its offer for the remaining shares.


GM to Lay Off 950 at New Jersey Truck Plant

General Motors Corp. on Tuesday said it will lay off about 950 workers at its Linden, New Jersey, truck plant early next year and cease production of the two sport utility vehicles manufactured at the facility.


US upholds tariffs on shrimp imports

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


Forecaster says nation #39;s luck ran out with this year #39;s hurricane <b>...</b>

MIAMI The nation #39;s top hurricane forecaster says this year #39;s deadly storm season was a case of the nation #39;s luck running out -- adding that future years will likely bring more frequent and more powerful storms.


Chico #39;s 3Q Profit Surges; Shares Climb

Women #39;s clothing retailer Chico #39;s FAS Inc. on Tuesday posted a 39 percent jump in third-quarter profit, helped by sharply higher sales and improved margins.


US labour relations board hits Quebecor with unfair labour charges

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CP) - Quebecor World Inc., targeted by labour allegations of union-busting tactics, has been named in more charges from the National Labor Relations Board in the United States.


Handicapping The Drug Stocks

Two prominent players and widely held stocks in the group, Merck (nyse: MRK - news - people ) and Pfizer (nyse: PFE - news - people ), have been especially battered of late.


Lycos Europe Aims To Thwart Spammers with DDoS Attacks

quot;It #39;s not going to work, quot; said Laura Atkins, President of the SpamCon Foundation.  quot;Spammers will start putting in garbage URLs, and most of those will belong to innocent bystanders.


MMO2 Teams Up With DoCoMo to Bring i-mode to UK

Under the terms of the agreement, O2 is licensed by DoCoMo to offer the i-mode capability to the 22 million customers of its 2/2.5G and 3G mobile communications networks.


UbiSoft Get Ready With The Next Rainbox Six Installment

Ubisoft today announced its plans to launch the next installment in the Tom Clancys Rainbow Six franchise in Spring 2005. The next Rainbow Six game follows Team Rainbow, the worlds most


Diana thought she was  #39;thick #39;

London - Princess Diana was self-conscious about her intelligence, or lack of it, according to videotapes broadcast in the United States.


Annan hurt by son

: UN secretary-general Kofi Annan said yesterday he was disappointed his son did not tell him the full story of his ties to a firm involved in the UN oil-for-food programme, now under investigation.


Syrian - Egyptian summit held

Syria #39;s President Bashar al-Assad and his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday held talks in Sharem al Sheikh. Before the summit, there were erports that during the meeting, Mubarak will offer Assad


Stocks Off as Employment Data Disappoints

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks slipped on Monday, reversing an  early rally, after disappointing U.S. employment data rekindled  investor worries about weak economic growth and lackluster  corporate profits.


Euro drifts back from another all-time dollar high

LONDON (AFP) - The euro drifted back from another all-time high against the dollar as dealers booked profits following the sharp appreciation in the currency in the wake of comments from European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet and weak US


US Upholds Tariffs on Shrimp Imports


Powell and Governor of Florida Arrive in Bangkok

The four-day trip through the region is designed to assure nations devastated by the tsunami of the United States' support.


United unions seek up to \$1 billion in skipped pension payments

The trustee firm representing employee pension funds at United Airlines sought a court order today that the carrier be required to make up hundreds of millions of dollars


Pfizer Sales to Be Hurt in Next 2 Years

NEW YORK - Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. reiterated Tuesday it would meet its 2004 earnings target but said over the next two years it would lose \$14 billion in revenues because of patent expirations.


29 Brokerage Firms Fined

In today #39;s fines, Merrill Lynch  amp; Co. was hit with the second largest, at US\$1.6 million, followed by American Express Financial Advisors, at \$700,000.


Natural gas giant Gazprom to participate in Russian auction of key <b>...</b>

The nascent petroleum division of natural gas giant Gazprom will bid for the crown jewels of the battered Yukos oil empire, its chief said Tuesday - a widely anticipated move that could put the heart of the company jailed billionaire Mikhail


Truth in Lending #39; Damages Limited by Top US Court (Update1)

The US Supreme Court, siding with the financial services industry, tightened the limits on damages consumers can get from companies that violate the federal Truth in Lending Act.


Sony launches iPod killer

Sony vs. Big Apple <nobr>Motley Fool</nobr>


Navigator #39;s Beta Nods to IE, Firefox

America Online (Quote, Chart) released an updated prototype of its Netscape Navigator browser today to a limited number of beta testers.


Cisco Unveils Advanced IP Phone, Catalyst Switch Improvements

Cisco today unveiled what it claimed is the world #39;s first Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) enabled IP phone, in addition to a raft of enhancements to its Catalyst switching range designed to boost security, availability and performance.


Red Hat Preps Enterprise Linux 4

CRN India: Red Hat aims to more deeply penetrate the enterprise by launching its first Linux distribution based on the Linux 2.6 kernel.


UConn accepts bid to Motor City Bowl

Connecticut is headed to the Motor City Bowl, the Huskies #39; first postseason as a Division IA team. The Huskies (7-4) will play the winner of Thursday night #39;s Mid-American Conference title game between Toledo (8-3) and Miami of Ohio (8-3).


Senior Fatah Official Shot Dead in Nablus (AP)

AP - Gunmen shot and killed a senior official from the mainstream Palestinian Fatah party Tuesday in the Balata refugee camp, party officials said.


Cuban dissident freed, recounts grueling ordeal

Cuban authorities on Tuesday released Ral Rivero, a dissident poet and journalist who spent 20 months and 6 days behind bars for conspiring with the US government to overthrow President Fidel Castro.


Human rights group sues Rumsfeld for alleged war crimes

A US human rights group has filed a criminal complaint in Germany against US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld accusing him and other senior US officials of war crimes and torture at Baghdad #39;s Abu Ghraib prison.


The Wal-Mart Holiday Shopping Song: Online and Off

According to data from Nielsen//NetRatings #39;, Holiday eShopping Index, which tracks shopping activity at over 100 retail and shopping Web sites across ten categories, the number of unique online shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving jumped 11 compared to


Gazprom to Bid at Auction of Yukos #39;s Oil Assets

In an attempt to create a state energy leviathan, Russia #39;s natural gas monopoly Gazprom said Tuesday that it would bid for the prize oil assets of the crumbling oil giant Yukos, the country #39;s No.


Hurricane Season Ends

The hurricane season is finally over today. Seven storms hit the Southeast, three indirectly affecting us. The worst hit Florida. Mother Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne made their presences known in there


CHICAGO The trustee firm representing employee pension funds at United Airlines wants the carrier to make up millions in skipped pension contributions before exiting bankruptcy.


Oxendine offering telemedicine

John W. Oxendine, Georgia Commissioner of Insurance, Fire Safety and Industrial Loans, announced a new rural health initiative first at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and second at the Bainbridge Rotary Club Tuesday.


PPR plans to sell Rexel stake in bid to cut debt

LONDON Pinault Printemps Redoute, the owner of the Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent brands, said Tuesday that it planned to sell its stake in the electrical parts distributor Rexel in a deal that values the company at 3.7 billion.


High Court Overturns Loan Scam Damage Award

The Supreme Court today overturned a five-figure damage award to an Alexandria man for a local auto dealer #39;s alleged loan scam, ruling that a Richmond-based federal appeals court had wrongly


HD DVD Gains Studio Support in Battle with Blu-Ray

The battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD to define the next generation DVD format shows no signs of cooling off. While electronics and computer companies such as Sony, Dell and HP back the Blu-ray


MmO2 signs i-mode deal

BRITISH mobile telephone operator mmO2 has announced a deal with NTT DoCoMo, Japan #39;s leading mobile phone operator, to launch i-mode mobile internet services in Britain, Germany and Ireland.


Kazaa mounts Betamax defence

SYDNEY - Lawyers for the file-swapping service Kazaa argued in an Australian court yesterday that their software is analogous to the old Betamax videocassette recorders.


Lycos offers customers program to attack spam servers

MADRID, Spain Some computer users are about to find out if fighting fire with fire works when they fight spam with spam. German-based Lycos Europe offers a free screensaver program that hits back at spam senders by flooding them with junk traffic.


Let a thousand mobiles bloom

Scientists at the University of Warwick have designed a hi-tech solution to an old-technology problem: a cellphone case made of biodegradable polymer.


New Netscape browser supports Internet Explorer

NOVEMBER 30, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - America Online Inc. today released a preview version of a new Netscape Web browser that #39;s based on the open-source Firefox Web browser, but also supports Microsoft Corp.


Cisco Enhances Gigabit Ethernet Switches

Cisco Systems on Tuesday announced enhancements to its Catalyst switching product line, and also announced  quot;the industry #39;s first quot; Gigabit Ethernet-enabled IP phone.


Sybase, IBM Embrace Over Linux

Sybase (Quote, Chart) announced it has tailored its Linux-based database to run on rival IBM #39;s eServer OpenPower systems, providing customers more choice in the increasingly popular market for Linux systems.


China #39;s Google Block Sparks Media Group #39;s Protest

The Chinese government is blocking one of Google #39;s (Quote, Chart) more popular sites, the company confirmed Tuesday. Debbie Frost, a Google spokesperson, told internetnews.


Man sentenced over movie downloads

A JAPANESE court has sentenced a self-employed man to a one year suspended jail term for allowing free downloads of two popular Hollywood films through a popular file-sharing software program.


Bolton will stand by remorseful Diouf, says Allardyce

BOLTON Wanderers have played down rumours that they were considering dismissing El-Hadji Diouf after the strikers latest public disgrace.


After  #39;Battle of the Buffet #39;, rivals ready for second helpings

SIR ALEX FERGUSON ventured yesterday that Chelsea are suddenly the big concern for his Manchester United team, but there is nothing like a confrontation with Arsenal to set his pulse racing.


Chelsea Beats Fulham in League Cup; Watford Defeats Portsmouth

Frank Lampard scored with two minutes remaining as Chelsea defeated Fulham 2-1 to advance to the semifinals of English soccer #39;s League Cup.


Cardinals to play Broncos in the Liberty Bowl

MEMPHIS, Tenn. Undefeated Boise State will play Number Seven Louisville in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl game on December 31st (in Memphis).


Three QBs, two RBs compose list

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Three college quarterbacks and two running backs, all from undefeated teams, are finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, officials with the Walter Camp Foundation announced Wednesday.


Washington, DC Council Moves on Baseball Funding

Washington, DC #39;s City Council on Tuesday approved a debt and tax-backed financing plan to build a new stadium for Major League Baseball, moving a step closer to bringing baseball back to the US capital.


Spain have homeground advantage against US

Seville, Spain - The United States, led by Andy Roddick, should be the favourite going into the Davis Cup final against Spain - except for a few small details.


Martinez waits to find out Yankees #39; level of interest

With an offer in hand from the New York Mets, Pedro Martinez will wait to see what the New York Yankees do before deciding where he #39;ll play next year.


Congo officials claim Rwanda troops attacking

Senior Congolese officials charged Tuesday that Rwandan President Paul Kagame had made good on his threat to invade, claiming Rwandan troops had crossed into eastern Congo and were clashing with militias there.


US Group Urges Rumsfeld War Crimes Probe in Germany

A US human rights group urged German prosecutors Tuesday to investigate accusations that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and senior US officers are guilty of war crimes over the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal.


EU Cyprus demands enrage Turkey

A leaked European Union draft that says Turkey will have to recognize the Republic of Cyprus before joining the EU has infuriated the Turkish government.


Allawi in Jordan for meetings with influential Iraqis but rules <b>...</b>

Iraq #39;s interim prime minister went to Jordan on Tuesday for meetings with tribal figures and other influential Iraqis in a bid to encourage Sunni Muslims to participate in the Jan.


Syria denies giving up previous negotiating achievements

Syria denied yesterday that it was forgoing Israel #39;s commitment to withdraw from the Golan as a basis for negotiations. The commitment was made by former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.


Sony, IBM detail chip plans

A LONG-awaited microprocessor developed by IBM, Sony and Toshiba will go into early production next year and start appearing in video game consoles, high-definition TVs and home servers in 2006.


Don #39;t get mad with spammers. Get even

Spammers may be about to get a taste of their own medicine. A British company is today launching software that it claims will allow computer users to hit back at the mass mailers who clog up our inboxes with


Enter your e-mail:

It #39;s about time. As we speculated a few months ago, Sony has announced plans for a hard-drive based digital audio player that will support the MP3 compression format.


IBM To Put Open-Source Sybase Datebase Software on Servers

Sybase said today that it has struck a deal with IBM in which Big Blue will market and distribute Sybase #39;s Linux database management software.


Search engines zero in on video

Google has officially joined the race to come up with a way to search videos and TV shows. In addition to a search technology for Internet-based video content, Google is also working with TV and cable broadcasters


Divided council gives initial OK to stadium bill

A deeply divided DC City Council today voted initial approval of a bill to publicly finance a new baseball stadium - but without a majority of the council #39;s support.


U.S. Sets Final Duties on Imported Shrimp

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States set final  anti-dumping duties of up to 112.81 percent on shrimp imported  from China and up to 25.76 percent on shrimp from Vietnam to  offset unfair pricing, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.


SEC gives some companies a break

Most US companies - although not the largest ones - were given a reprieve Tuesday from requirements imposed in the wake of the Enron and WorldCom scandals that they and their auditors certify that the companies #39; internal financial controls are adequate.


Cycling: Even after firing Hamilton, Phonak #39;s  #39;attitude #39; derails <b>...</b>

PARIS Despite its revelation that it has fired Tyler Hamilton, its leader and the winner of a disputed gold medal at the Olympic Games in Athens, the Phonak team lost its appeal to be included in bicycle racing #39;s reorganized structure, officials announced


Bush Defends Iraq Invasion, US Action on Threats (Update1)

President George W. Bush, confronted by antiwar protesters in Canada, defended his decision to invade Iraq and said the US would always act against threats even if opposed by other nations.


U-Conn. Accepts Bid

Connecticut is headed to the Motor City Bowl, the Huskies' first postseason as a Division I-A team. The Huskies (7-4) will play the winner of Thursday night's MAC title game between Toledo (8-3) and Miami of Ohio (8-3).


New York Pension Fund Sues Merck Over Vioxx

The pension fund of New York State filed suit in federal court accusing Merck of misleading shareholders about the safety of its pain reliever, Vioxx.


Giants bring All-Star closer Benitez to Bay Area

The San Francisco Giants have found the closer they were looking for after agreeing to terms with Armando Benitez on a three-year, \$21 million deal, sources told SportsLine.


TENNIS NOTEBOOK US team hopes to be more than clay pigeon in Spain

The last time the United States entered a Davis Cup tie as a bigger underdog than it is this week was, come to think of it, the last time the Yanks were made to go to Spain.


Warner Moving Again?

Veteran quarterback Kurt Warner continues to feel like he has good football left to play, but his next chance may have to come outside of the Giants organization.


2004 Adelaide Test and Taste Experience

At the conclusion of the Second Trans-Tasman Test, New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming talked of his teams inability to withstand the best ever Test attack.


Telstra chief quits

TELSTRA chief executive Ziggy Switkowski will step down in 2005, two years short of the end of his contract. The announcement was made by Telstra chairman Donald McGauchie and was backed by the board.


Crude Oil Little Changed After Falling on Mild Weather Forecast

Crude oil in New York was little changed after falling yesterday for the first time in four sessions as forecast mild weather and rising inventories eased concern that demand would outpace supplies of heating oil in winter.


The Record Labels Attack Kazaa  In Australia, That Is

The seemingly endless battle over mp3s and filesharing wages on as the largest copyright infringement case in Australian history began yesterday (November 29) in Sydney.


Marshall Accepts Invitation to the PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University Director of Athletics Bob Marcum announced Tuesday that Marshall University has accepted an invitation to play the University of Cincinnati in the PlainsCapital Fort


Thumbs Up From Brunei For Largest Free Trade In World

The high note which ended the the 10th Asean Summit at the Laotian capital of Vientiane were joined by leaders of Japan, South Korea, India, China, New Zealand and Australia as partners in free trade talks.


Merck execs protected in case of takeover

NEW YORK - Merck  amp; Co. Inc. has adopted a severance benefits plan aimed at protecting key managers in the event the company is taken over - a growing possibility since the withdrawal of arthritis drug Vioxx sent shares tumbling.


Phones into Flowers

Mobile telephones are one of the most quickly discarded items of consumer electronics. Rapid changes in technology and taste means customers constantly upgrade their phones leaving behind more and more discarded phones.


iPaqs turn up the security

Security continues to hold steady over software as the third top IT priority, with organizations busy coping with cyber threats, keeping up with software


Rowing: Pinsent looks beyond fifth gold towards bright future

With characteristic eloquence and humour, the 34-year-old quadruple Olympic rowing champion yesterday announced his widely-predicted decision to retire, thus laying to rest the question that


Lobos accept bid to the Emerald Bowl

Senior offensive tackle Claude Terrell was the voice of dissent Tuesday in New Mexico #39;s decision to accept a bid to the Emerald Bowl, where the Lobos will try to win a bowl game for the first time in 43 years.


Yankees #39; Sheffield has surgery

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Gary Sheffield of the New York Yankees underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder Tuesday.


Weather blamed for whale beachings

Cyclical weather patterns have driven more than 150 whales and dolphins to become stranded on Australian and New Zealand beaches since the weekend, scientists say.


Update 1: Telstra Announces CEO Departure

Australia #39;s largest listed company, telecommunications giant Telstra Corp., announced Wednesday that its chief executive will stand down by July 2005 - two years before his contract ends.


UPDATE 1-US Air creditors back plan to dump labor contracts

Major creditors holding billions in claims on Tuesday supported plans by US Airways (UAIRQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) to void labor contracts covering thousands


D.C. Council OKs Park for Incoming Expos (AP)

AP - The District of Columbia Council approved financing a ballpark for the Washington-bound Expos after voting Tuesday to cap funding at  #36;630 million.


Cingular to Offer Faster Wireless Service (AP)

AP - Cingular Wireless LLC will begin deploying a speedier wireless Internet service next year, a move made possible by the network capacity gained with the recent acquisition of AT amp;T Wireless as Cingular tries to catch up with to catch up with rivals led by Verizon Wireless.


NBA to Set New Arena Security Guidelines (AP)

AP - The NBA will set new security guidelines for its arenas, exerting more authority over a matter previously left to individual teams, commissioner David Stern said Tuesday.


HP Touts Software to Slow Computer Worms (AP)

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


Allawi to Promote Iraq Election in Jordan (AP)

AP - Iraq's interim prime minister went to Jordan on Tuesday for meetings with tribal figures and other influential Iraqis in a bid to encourage Sunni Muslims to participate in the Jan. 30 elections, but he ruled out contacts with insurgent leaders and former members of Saddam Hussein's deposed regime.


Bucs Cut Veteran Kicker Martin Gramatica (AP)

AP - When the telephone rang, Martin Gramatica was prepared for the news.


Lucent, Cingular Ink Wireless Deal (AP)

AP - Lucent Technologies Inc. signed a four-year agreement to supply equipment for Cingular Wireless' rollout of its nationwide 3G high-speed wireless data system.


Benitez, Giants Agree to Three-Year Deal (AP)

AP - Free agent Armando Benitez and the San Francisco Giants agreed Tuesday to a three-year contract worth about  #36;21 million, a move that stabilizes the club's closer role that's been in flux since Robb Nen got injured two years ago.


Musharraf Remains President, Army Chief (AP)

AP - President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will keep his dual role as army chief and head of state under legislation enacted Tuesday, despite opposition criticism that he is reneging on an agreement to give up his powerful military role.


Ex-McAfee Exec Settles Insider-Trade Case (AP)

AP - Criminal charges were filed Tuesday against a former executive at Network Associates Inc., alleging he illegally profited from advance knowledge of a massive sales shortfall in 2000.


Boston Headed for Continental Tire Bowl (AP)

AP - Boston College missed out on a Bowl Championship Series game thanks to a lopsided loss to Syracuse, so it must settle for the Continental Tire Bowl instead.


Chief executive of Australian communications giant to step down (AFP)

AFP - Australia's biggest company, the part state-owned telecom Telstra Corp Ltd., announced its chief executive Ziggy Switkowski would step down in 2005, two years short of the end of his contract.


Bush Defends Iraq Decisions in Canada (AP)

AP - President Bush tried on Tuesday to repair U.S.-Canada relations strained by years of bickering over trade and Iraq, although he stood by policies that have irritated Canadians.


Spain Plays Down Canary I. Locust Threat (AP)

AP - An estimated 100 million locusts swarmed one of the Canary Islands Tuesday, but the crop-ravaging insects  #151; many with only a week to live  #151; posed little threat, arriving with missing wings and broken legs after their 60-mile flight from the African mainland.


UN Releases Major Report on Reform, Global Threats

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A blue ribbon panel released on  Tuesday a landmark report on global threats that insisted the  U.N. Security Council approve any "preventive" war, which was  not the case when the U.S. invaded Iraq.


Why AIDS keeps spreading in Africa

A new UN report, marking Wednesday's World AIDS day, estimates that 5 million people this year got HIV.


Wireless IP with Sprint, USB, and Kernel 2.6

\\I've blogged before  about how to setup your Sprint vision phone with their\mythware (which is a perfect word for 1/2 of Sprints product line) Vision IP\services.\\Most recent phones are capable of acting as a USB modem when connected to your\favorite laptop.\\There are a few tricks involved and its mostly a black art.  To that end I'll\quickly review whats necessary to configure Linux 2.6.7 with a Nokia 3588i.\\* Hardware *\\The first step is to get the right hardware.  First off don't start with Sprint.\They won't acknowledge that this is even possible.  \\The only hardware required is a Sprint connected cell phone with support for\their Vision data service.\\An additional USB cable is req ...\\


Cingular to Upgrade Wireless Data Network

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cingular Wireless, the largest U.S.  wireless telephone company, said on Tuesday it would upgrade  its network next year to handle high-speed data transmissions.


Philadelphia and Verizon Nearing Wireless Agreement

Philadelphia and Verizon Communications Inc. were nearing an agreement Tuesday that would allow the city to provide wireless Internet access as a municipal service, even if Gov. Ed Rendell signs legislation to give Verizon the power to pre-empt the project.


Siemens to Supply 3Q System to Cingular

Siemens Communications Inc. reported Tuesday that it signed a multiyear agreement with Cingular Wireless to develop a third-generation, or 3G, universal mobile telecommunications system.


Portugal leader calls early poll

Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio is to dissolve parliament and call early elections over a cabinet crisis.


Ancestor's DNA code reconstructed

Scientists reconstruct part of the genetic code of a 75-million-year-old mammal ancestor.


Blunkett faces new visa questions

Reports of Home Office letters raise new questions on whether David Blunkett "fast-tracked" a visa for his ex-lover's nanny.


Cuban bets on vice

Billionaire Mark Cuban isn't content with owning the Dallas Mavericks and running a high-definition TV broadcasting company...