Garcia taken first in Rule 5 Draft

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - With everyone seeking the next Johan Santana, major league teams took their chances during Monday #39;s Rule 5 draft.


Devil Rays Acquire Angel Garcia

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sports Network) - Pitcher Angel Garcia was  picked first overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in baseball's  Rule 5 Draft on Monday, but moments after it was over he was  traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for cash considerations.


Willingham Lands in Washington

SEATTLE (Sports Network) - Tyrone Willingham was not  unemployed for very long, as he was named the new head coach at  the University of Washington on Monday just two weeks after  being fired at Notre Dame.


Miller Wins Slalom

World Cup leader Bode Miller won a slalom Monday to join Marc Girardelli as the only men to win races in all four disciplines in a season.


Dollar weakens despite better-than-expected US retail figures (AFP)

AFP - The dollar weakened against the euro as dealers were unimpressed by better-than-expected US retail sales and focused instead on the likelihood that Tuesday's trade figures will show a record deficit.


Bombardier Shares Dive as CEO Quits

MONTREAL (Reuters) - Paul Tellier stepped down on Monday as  president and chief executive of Bombardier Inc. BBDsvb.TO  BBDb.TO, surprising investors and sending the train and plane  maker's shares down as much as 26 percent to a 10-year low.


Stocks Rise, Mergers, Retail Sales Help

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks added to earlier gains on  Monday after software maker PeopleSoft Inc. PSFT.O accepted  rival Oracle Corp.'s ORCL.O \$10.3 billion sweetened buyout  offer and data showed better-than-expected November retail  sales.


Calpers to Press Carmakers on Lawsuit

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - Members of the board of  Calpers, the biggest U.S. pension fund, voted on Monday to  demand that major car makers meet with them to defend their  lawsuit against California's new air quality regulations to  reduce exhaust emissions from cars and trucks.


Oracle acquisition of PeopleSoft brings customers into focus

Oracle #39;s agreement to buy PeopleSoft for \$26.50 per share, or approximately \$10.3 billion, means a new era for users of PeopleSoft #39;s enterprise applications.


Online Gift Guide for Kids' Books Offered (AP)

AP - Thousands of children's books are published in the United States each year, so finding the perfect book for that favorite niece or nephew won't be easy. It wouldn't hurt to have a little help. With that in mind, the Center for Children's Books at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has created an online guide to help make choosing the right children's gift easier.


Oracle Softens up PeopleSoft (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - After 18 months of lawsuits and very public wrangling, Oracle Corp. finally roped software rival PeopleSoft Inc., proof positive that Larry Ellison's hardball tactics would get his company just what it put at the top of its Christmas list.


Massive queues in Japan as PSP sells out

Queues over a thousand people long formed at some retailers in Japan yesterday as Sony #39;s PlayStation Portable went on sale, with fears of a shortage realised as stocks sold out within hours at some major outlets.


Firefox gains suggest browser wars may heat up (AFP)

AFP - The Internet browser wars, dormant for several years, shows signs of heating up again as a result of gains from a new program called Firefox, a research report showed.


Microsoft introduces new desktop search tool (AFP)

AFP - Microsoft said that it had launched a new desktop search tool that allows personal computer users to find documents or messages on their PCs.


Bomb threat raises security concerns; evacuation could set bad <b>...</b>

Spanish authorities won praise Monday for clearing Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in just minutes after receiving a bomb threat - but Real Madrid #39;s president said it set a bad precedent to suspend the match.


Pacers sign Curry

Curry, a 10-year veteran, should help the Pacers deal with a roster that has been depleted due to suspensions and injuries. Last season he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 70 games for Toronto.


Report: Sexson, M #39;s agree on four-year deal

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Ticker) -- The Seattle Mariners, desperate to add pop to their anemic lineup, reportedly have come to terms on a four-year contract with slugger Richie Sexson.


Report: NHL to reject union proposal

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - The National Hockey League will reject last week #39;s National Hockey League Players #39; Association proposal on Tuesday, according to The Sports Network of Canada.


On the Horizon: The Global Wireless Web (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Verizon recently announced plans to roll out its new wireless BroadbandAccess service in 14 American cities, with more to follow.


Sharon will not talk to Palestinian leaders until the fighting <b>...</b>

Israeli helicopters fired eight rockets in Gaza City in response to an earlier attack by Hamas movement against an Israeli army post on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.


Bomb kills 13 in Baghdad

A suicide car bomber linked to al-Qaida killed 13 people just outside Baghdads Green Zone today, the first anniversary of Saddam Husseins capture.


Kashmir talks end with hopes of more such efforts

The first ever direct talks between politicians and intellectuals of Indian and Pakistani Kashmir over the Kashmir dispute concluded here today with both the organisers and the participants stressing the need to continue dialogue.


Developing Giants Under Pressure on Climate Change (Reuters)

Reuters - While developing\nations China, Brazil and India grow at break-neck pace with\their burgeoning industry and farming, industrialized countries\want them to clean up the dirty practices that have made them\some of the world's biggest polluters.


Life-Swapping Scenarios for Earth and Mars (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - Evidence is mounting that \  the time-weathered red planet was once a warm and water-rich world. And a Mars \  awash with water gives rise to that globe possibly being fit for habitation \  in its past - and perhaps a distant dwelling for life today.


Prometheus Pre-empted? New Nuclear Fission Missions Evaluated (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - NASA is reviewing a list of nbsp;fission-powered missions \that could pre-empt nbsp;the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO) effort now being \eyed for space travel no sooner than 2015.


France pulls plug on Arab network

A French court upholds complaints of anti-Semitism against a Lebanese TV station and orders it off the air.


Stocks Rise, Mergers, Retail Sales Help

US stocks added to earlier gains on Monday after software maker PeopleSoft Inc. (PSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) accepted rival Oracle Corp.


Report: Global Crossing Founder Winnick Won #39;t Face Charges

com. Global Crossing founder Gary Winnick, who sold hundreds of millions of dollars of the firm #39;s stock as it headed towards bankruptcy, won #39;t be charged with civil violations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, it was reported Monday.


Dog Rescues 7-Year-Old in India (AP)

AP - "Run away!" her husband screamed from a rooftop after he spotted the colossal waves.


Would You Stand in Line for a Playstation?

A large crowd did during a chilly night in Tokyo--but this one was different. This one was Sony #39;s first handheld game machine, a PlayStation Portable, and about 200,000 sold when it went on sale Sunday morning.


Israel can #39;t detect Palestinian tunnels

Israel #39;s mighty military acknowledged Monday that it has no high-tech answers to the latest crude method of warfare used by Palestinian militants - explosives-packed tunnels dug under heavily fortified army outposts.


Chilean judge indicts Pinochet

Augusto Pinochet was president of Chile from 1974 to 1990 Chile #39;s former President Augusto Pinochet pictured has been placed under house arrest on human rights charges.


Seven killed on Saddam anniversary

At least seven people have been killed and 17 wounded in a suicide car bomb attack in Baghdad, a year to the day since Saddam Hussein was captured by US forces.


Giants Are in Another Free Fall

Somewhere in their latest indignity in a six-game losing streak, the Giants stepped into a rabbit hole and found themselves reliving last season all over again.


Microsoft Debuts Desktop Search Tool

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O on Monday  unveiled a new, preliminary version of its search tool for  finding documents, e-mail and other files stored on personal  computer hard drives.


Canada to Set Up Do-Not-Call Telemarketing List

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian families could soon enjoy a  measure of peace and quiet at dinner time as the result of  legislation introduced on Monday to limit the right of  telemarketers to make unsolicited calls.


Motorola stock rises; company to realign businesses

Motorola Inc. #39;s shares bounced back Monday after falling sharply at the end of last week amid conflicting views on how the telecommunications equipment supplier would fare if Sprint Corp.


Bombardier chief executive Paul Tellier resigns

Train and plane maker Bombardier Inc. said on Monday that Paul Tellier, its president and chief executive officer, had resigned. The surprise resignation of Tellier and two board of directors comes one year


Cardinal Health to Cut 4,200 Jobs

Drug wholesaler Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Monday it would cut 4,200 jobs, or 7 percent of its work force, and close 25 facilities


CORRECTED - UPDATE 1-Franklin Resources in \$20 million SEC <b>...</b>

In NEW YORK item, please read headline as UPDATE 1-Franklin Resources in \$20 million SEC settlement, not \$21 million. A corrected version follows.


No. 12 Minnesota Women Beat Indiana 61-47 (AP)

AP - Janel McCarville had 22 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 12 Minnesota beat Indiana 61-47 on Sunday.


IBM, AMD Team On New Strained Silicon

Advanced Micro Devices and IBM have collaborated on new strained silicon technology, which stands to boost transistor speed. In a statement ahead of the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting in San Francisco


Sony #39;s PSP nearly sells out on debut

SONY, the electronics and gaming giant, said its long-awaited PlayStation Portable (PSP), which can play movies, music and games, had virtually sold out on its home debut today.


IBM plans foray into local home PC market

NEW DELHI: IBMs PC business sale could rock the Indian PC market. Virtually missing from the consumer PC market till now, IBM India is already drawing up a blueprint to sell PCs to households.


Amazon UK starts DVD Rentals

The worlds most popular online shopping store Amazon has launched DVD rentals on their UK based portal. In addition, to lure customers they are offering an early bird discount of 10 to the members on DVD purchased from the website.


Bhoys bounce back

Celtic sent out a chilling winter message to rivals Rangers by responding to their European failure by returning to the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League table with a 2-0 win at Dunfermline.


Chelsea closing on Premiership title

If money can indeed buy happiness, then Chelsea may celebrate its first league title since 1955 when the Premiership season ends next May.


Weis says winning is bottom line at Notre Dame

Charlie Weis says his job as Notre Dame #39;s new football coach is to raise expectations and win games. It #39;s as simple as that.


Garcia done for the season with knee injury

Berea, OH (Sports Network) - Cleveland Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia will miss the remainder of the season after being placed on injured reserve Monday with a knee injury.


Suicide bombing claims 13 lives in Baghdad on anniversary of <b>...</b>

An al-Qaida-linked suicide bomber blew up his vehicle Monday near cars waiting to enter the Green Zone, home to the US Embassy and Iraq #39;s interim government, killing 13 Iraqis on the anniversary of Saddam Hussein #39;s capture.


Pinochet charged with murder

A Chilean judge has formally charged former dictator Augusto Pinochet with murder and kidnapping in one of many pending cases related to human rights abuses during his 17-year rule.


Market bomb kills 13 in Philippines

At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured yesterday when a large explosion ripped through a Christmas market in the southern Philippine city of General Santos.


Sri Lanka probes concert bombing

The Sri Lankan authorities have promised a full investigation into a bomb blast during a concert in Colombo on Saturday which killed two people.


U.S. Stocks End Higher After Oracle Deal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rallied on Monday after  software maker PeopleSoft Inc. PSFT.O accepted a sweetened  \$10.3 billion buyout by rival Oracle Corp.'s ORCL.O and other  big deals raised expectations of more takeovers.


Top Ten National Geographic News Stories of 2004

Cicadas, a possible flooded future, and the discovery of a hobbit-like human were the most popular National Geographic News stories in 2004. Read the full list and "vote" by clicking on the stories.


"Year's Best" Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight

Attention skywatchers: Grab a lawn chair and bundle up, because what experts believe will be this year's best meteor shower peaks tonight.


Does Extinction Loom for Australia's Wild Dingoes?

Wild populations of Australian dingoes may go extinct within 50 years unless steps are taken to prevent crossbreeding with domestic dogs, scientists and conservationists say.


Ancient and Modern Tattoos Celebrated in Photography Book

Since ancient times people have marked their bodies as a form of cultural spiritualism. A new book of photographs looks at tattoos, scarification, and other traditional and modern body markings in more than 30 countries. <b>Photo gallery included.</b>


PDL Rakes It In

A robust revenue stream combined with an exciting drug pipeline is the recipe for success.


Microsoft releases desktop search suite to testers

Microsofthas joined the desktop search fray with its release Monday of the beta test version of a suite of tools designed to let users find information stored in their PCs.


3Com to buy Tippingpoint

3Combecame the latest company to scoop up technology for preventing attacks on computer networks, announcing on Monday that it was acquiring TippingPoint Technologiesof Austin, Texas, for \$430 million in cash.


IMAX's Stocking Stuffer

The company ups its 2004 guidance after the record-breaking success of Polar Express.


AMD and IBM collaborate on strained silicon

AMD and IBM said today they will begin using a strained-silicon transistor technology designed to augment processor performance and power efficiency.


Superhero Gaming

NEW YORK - Comic-book villains like Magneto and The Green Goblin typically only blow up imaginary buildings and the occasional costumed crusader.


Left-handers likely to generate the most interest

com. Trying to predict who #39;ll be taken in the Major League phase of Monday #39;s Rule 5 draft is about as easy as finding your car in the mall parking lot during the holiday shopping season.


Car bomb in Baghdad kills at least seven

At least seven people, all understood to be civilians, have died when a car bomb exploded at a military checkpoint in Baghdad today.


Marlins Sign Todd Jones to One-Year Deal (AP)

AP - Reliever Todd Jones agreed to a one-year,  #36;1.1 million contract with the Florida Marlins on Monday, finalizing a deal that was struck in principle late last week at baseball's winter meetings.


Hamas Activist Survives Damascus Blast (AP)

AP - A Hamas activist survived a bombing Monday that destroyed his vehicle on a Damascus street shortly after he and his family stepped out, the Palestinian militant group said.


MSN Joins the Desktop Search Fray

Microsoft has launched its long anticipated desktop search application, and it's packed with promising features and tools that make it a strong contender coming out the gate.


Poe, Philippine Actor Who Ran for President, Dies

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine movie legend Fernando Poe  Jr., who came close to unseating Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in  May's presidential election, died on Tuesday after suffering a  stroke, his family said.


MSN Unleashes Desktop Search

Microsoft on Monday released its promised desktop search application, focusing on adding local e-mail and file search into MSN #39;s browser toolbar, Outlook and the Windows operating system.


Online Shoppers Vulnerable to Pop-Up Phishing Scam

Danish security firm Secunia has issued warnings about a vulnerability in most Web browsers that could allow hackers to hijack pop-up windows on trusted Web sites to launch phishing attacks.


Cassini #39;s Titan Data Awaited from Saturn

The Cassini spacecraft zoomed past Saturn #39;s largest moon early Monday, its radars and other science instruments piercing Titan #39;s thick atmosphere in search


Deal is pending a physical

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Seattle Mariners, desperate to add some pop to their anemic lineup, coming to a preliminary agreement on a four-year contract with slugger Richie Sexson, pending a physical on Sexson #39;s left shoulder.


Fight for Fallujah continues

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq After the deadliest day for US forces in Iraq in more than a month -- commanders are making it clear that the work in Fallujah (fuh-LOO #39;-juh) isn #39;t yet coming to an end.


UnitedHealthcare Settles Medicare Charges

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - UnitedHealth Group's UNH.N  UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. has agreed to pay \$3.5 million  to settle charges that it defrauded the Medicare program, the  Justice Department said on Monday.


Gas Price at 3-Month Low, Diesel Below \$2

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. retail gasoline prices fell to  their lowest level in three months and the cost of diesel fuel  dropped below \$2 a gallon for the first time in 12 weeks, the  Energy Department said on Monday.


Fed expected to deliver fifth quarter-point rate hike

With a fall in oil prices easing inflation concerns, the Federal Reserve is expected to continue its easy-does-it approach to raising interest rates, boosting a key rate by a moderate quarter-point at its final meeting of the year Tuesday.


Supreme Court to Hear File-Sharing Case

We knew P2P would get its day in court, but did we think it would go this far? The key issue to be decided is whether file-sharing networks should be held responsible when their users copy works protected by copyright without permission.


Red Sox part ways with longtime team physician

The Boston Red Sox are replacing team physician Bill Morgan, who helped stitch together a World Series title by suturing Curt Schilling #39;s ankle and allowing him to stay in the postseason rotation.


Marlins sign Jones to one-year contract

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The Florida Marlins made the signing of right- handed reliever Todd Jones official Monday by announcing a one-year contract.


Iran nuclear chief hails  #39;new chapter #39; with Europe after talks

Iran #39;s top nuclear official Hassan Rowhani hailed Monday a  quot;new chapter quot; in relations between Tehran and Europe, after talks with key EU ministers on rewards Iran is to receive for suspending uranium enrichment to show it is not making atomic weapons.


Debate On Turkey #39;s Prospects Dominates Run-Up To Summit

At a summit this week, European Union leaders must decide when and how to begin membership talks with Turkey. That the summit will approve opening entry talks with Ankara is a forgone conclusion.


US, China taking action on textile trade

WASHINGTON, DEC 13: The United States said on Monday it would continue to restrict imports of some textile and clothing products after a decades-old quota system expires in a few weeks, while China, under pressure from Washington, said it would slap a tax


Global Crossing Founder Escapes SEC Charges

Reports said that the SEC felt that Global Crossing founder Gary Winnick #39;s role as non-executive chairman, which is often a position that has limited knowledge of day-to-day operations of a


Tuesday Morning revises 4Q guidance

Closeout retailer Tuesday Morning Corp. (Nasdaq:TUES) on Monday cuts its fourth-quarter earnings per share to 83 cents, well below the \$1.05 a share estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call.


O #39;Keefe to meet on Thursday with LSU chancellor search committee

The head of the nation #39;s space program will interview for the job as chancellor of LSU this week. NASA Administrator Sean O #39;Keefe, who has ties to Louisiana, has been recruited by LSU officials


US top court to weigh in on file sharing

It #39;s a key argument in the use of file-sharing services -- and it #39;s one that the United States Supreme Court says it will take up.


Bet on Tiger Woods  he is brilliant

It was an impressive home victory, even though the tournament, which Woods hosts, doesn #39;t count as an official victory. After the triumph at the Target World Challenge at Thousand Oaks in California, Tiger


Darfur Peace Talks Resume in Abuja

The fourth round of the African Union sponsored peace talks on Darfur to find a solution to the 22-months old crisis resumed in Abuja yesterday amidst continued violence in the Sudanese region.


Iran, Europeans Launch Nuclear Talks Seeking Trust

Three European powers and Iran began talks on a long-term agreement on nuclear, economic and security cooperation on Monday with both sides seeking to build trust amid continuing suspicion over Tehran #39;s atomic program.


OracleSoft at Last

Plus, IBM enters 21st century, Apple PayPals around, and Will Sprint and Nextel get together?


Tuesday Morning Headache on Monday

The company lowers its fourth-quarter and full-year earnings guidance.


Two Internet Domain Names Get Preliminary Approval

The Internet's key oversight agency gave a preliminary nod Monday to new domain names targeting mobile services and the jobs market.


China Detains Two Dissident Writers

Chinese police detained two prominent dissident writers Monday night in an apparent campaign by the government to reassert authority over liberal intellectuals who have been increasingly outspoken in their criticism of the governing Communist Party, friends and family members said.


Chile's Ex-Dictator Pinochet Is Indicted

Gen. Augusto Pinochet was indicted Monday for the kidnapping of nine dissidents and the killing of one of them during his 1973-90 regime, and the former dictator was placed under house arrest.


Finally, Oracle Nails PeopleSoft

Eighteen months after it began, the bitter and bizarre takeover battle is over. The new challenge: Make this \$10.3 billion deal work.


Honeywell in \$1.5 Bln Takeover of Novar

US manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. (HON.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday bid \$1.5 billion in cash for Britain #39;s Novar Plc


PepsiCo Buys General Mills Joint Venture

PepsiCo Inc. (PEP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will pay \$750 million for General Mills Inc. #39;s (GIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) 40.5 percent stake in their Snack Ventures Europe joint venture, the companies said on Monday.


3Com buys Net phone business

3Com, which makes switches that run corporate data networks, said Monday that it would buy TippingPoint Technologies for \$430 million to add products that bolster security for Internet-based telephone networks.


Boeing Board Approves Dividend Increase

Aircraft maker Boeing Co. on Monday said its board approved a 25 percent dividend boost, raising its quarterly distribution to 25 cents per share from 20 cents and its yearly payout to \$1.


Haji-Ioannou:  #39;Easy #39; Win Versus Stelmar Board

Former billionaire Stelios Haji-Ioannou loves winning the good fight, whether battling US movie studios, the car rental industry or travel agents.


Krispy Kreme Delays Filing with SEC

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (KKD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday delayed filing its quarterly financial report with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, citing an ongoing analysis of its accounting practices.


Microsoft launches software for searching desktops

Microsoft Corp. on Monday became the second tech-industry giant to offer software for searching through computer desktops - a technology it claims is vastly superior to that launched by Google two months ago.


New Technology From AMD And IBM Boosts Chip Performance

The manufacturing technology can result in faster chips without increasing power requirements, say the companies. By Darrell Dunn.


NASA boss prepares to take off

NASA #39;s top official, Sean O #39;Keefe, is preparing to resign to pursue a job leading the main campus of Louisiana State University, agency officials confirmed on Monday.


The Geminids are coming

It #39;s the end of the year and what better way for stargazers to close it out than by viewing the best meteor shower of 2004? The Geminid meteor shower occurs mid-December every year.


Globus Toolkit Founders Form Company

The de facto standard for grid computing will be licensed to companies, and the new venture will contract for technical support of the software and services that can help companies design and run computing grids.


Lockheed to Launch Rocket; Boeing Gets New Date

Lockheed Martin Corp. on Monday announced that it will launch its Atlas V rocket on Dec. 17 as planned, while Boeing Co. waited to reschedule a launch of its Delta


UPDATE 2-Late Bouba Diop strike denies United

A late equaliser from Pape Bouba Diop gave Fulham a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester United on Monday and prevented Alex Ferguson #39;s team from moving back into to the thick of the Premier League title race.


Tiger finds his swing at Target

We #39;ve seen the smile more lately on Access Hollywood or the Today Show than walking up a fairway, but last week at Sherwood Country Club, it was different.


Belichick adjusts as coordinator takes Notre Dame job

Bill Belichick took a few minutes Monday to convey his congratulations to his offensive coordinator on becoming Notre Dame #39;s head coach.


Report: Owners reject players #39; offer, will make counterproposal <b>...</b>

TORONTO (Ticker) - The prospects of an NHL season look to be growing bleaker with each passing day. The Sports Network of Canada reported on its Web site Monday that the NHL will reject the latest proposal


Nationals sign Cordero to one-year contact

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The Washington Nationals have signed free-agent first baseman Wil Cordero to a one-year contract, and also agreed to terms with outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.


Bomb scare for Spanish fans

ABOUT 70,000 people were forced to evacuate Real Madrid #39;s Santiago Bernabeu stadium minutes before the end of a Primera Liga match yesterday after a bomb threat in the name of ETA Basque separatist guerillas.


Lewis Waits For His Rival

NEW YORK: Lennox Lewis was the main topic here when it was announced that Vitali Klitschko, the World Boxing Council No. 1 heavyweight contender, will fight Kirk Johnson over 12 rounds at Madison Square Garden on December 6.


Giants ink Matheny to three-year deal

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - The San Francisco Giants on Monday signed free agent catcher Mike Matheny, who likely will replace AJ Pierzynski behind the plate.


White Sox trade Carlos Lee to Milwaukee for Podsednik, Vizcaino

Carlos Lee was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for outfielder Scott Podsednik, reliever Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named.


Romanians Elect Mayor of Bucharest as New President

Romanians have elected Traian Basescu as the country #39;s next president in a surprise victory over Prime Minister Adrian Nastase that will also almost certainly prevent his


Israel blamed for Damascus attack

Palestinian source in Beirut says was a failed attempt to kill a member of the militant Hamas group. utility vehicle owned by the unidentified Palestinian, who escaped unhurt.


Patriots Buckle Down Before Weis Moves (AP)

AP - Bill Belichick took a few minutes Monday to convey his congratulations to his offensive coordinator on becoming Notre Dame's head coach. Now it's time for Charlie Weis to get back to work for the New England Patriots. Weis will finish the NFL season  #151; at least six more games if the Patriots reach the Super Bowl  #151; and Belichick doesn't expect his impending move will be a distraction.


Group Leader Ends Irish Gov't Relations (AP)

AP - Northern Ireland's major Protestant party broke off relations with the Irish government Monday after Prime Minister Bertie Ahern indicated he had accepted the IRA's refusal to provide photographs of disarmament.


Harris to Coach Stanford Football Team (AP)

AP - Walt Harris was officially introduced as Stanford's new football coach Monday, given the task of resurrecting a program that struggled in three seasons under Buddy Teevens.


LSE says no to Deutsche Borse takeover offer

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) today rejected an offer from Deutsche Borse, its bigger German rival, valuing it at about 1.35 billion (\$2.6 billion), or 530pence per share, a significant premium to Fridays closing price of 430 pence.


General Mills sells Snack Ventures Europe stake for \$750 million

MINNEAPOLIS - General Mills announced Monday that it is selling its stake in a European snack operation to PepsiCo for \$750 million.


Tiger casts off paw form

TOURNAMENT host Tiger Woods shot a five-under 66 yesterday to overtake a fading Colin Montgomerie and win the \$7 million Target World Challenge in California.


Scoop: King Vitali Spectacular. Again

A major statement was made to the heavyweight division on Saturday night: The Klitschko  quot;world domination quot; has officially begun.


Sox get Podsednik, Vizcaino for Lee

When White Sox general manager Ken Williams walked briskly through the Anaheim Marriott lobby on Monday, it wasn #39;t because he was excited to inform chairman Jerry Reinsdorf


Nationals Sign Cordero

The Washington-bound team also agreed to terms with outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds on a minor league contract and selected outfielder Tyrell Godwin and third baseman Tony Blano in the Rule 5 draft.


Hamas Member Escapes Damascus Attack, Israel Blamed

Syria blamed Israel #39;s Mossad intelligence service for a bombing in Damascus on Monday which a Palestinian source in Beirut said was a failed attempt to kill a member of the militant Hamas group.


Weary Taliban coming in from the cold

Some Afghan fighters talk of being duped by bin Laden and pledge to work for his capture.


In Philippines, a renewed bid to drive out terror factions

A market bombing in the southern Philippines Sunday killed at least 15 and injured dozens.


Jury says wife killer should die

A California jury recommends that Scott Peterson should be executed for murdering his wife and their unborn son.


Nationals Sign Cordero

First baseman Wil Cordero agreed on Monday to a one-year contract with Washington.


UAL Sets Salary Cuts; Aims for Savings (Reuters)

Reuters - UAL Corp.  on Monday\announced new cuts in employees' salaries as the parent of\United Airlines looks to make  #36;112 million in annual savings\and emerge from bankruptcy protection.


Dollar weakens as market braces for new deficit figures (AFP)

AFP - The dollar softened as traders looked past better-than-expected US retail sales and focused on the likelihood that Tuesday's trade figures will show a record deficit.


UAL Sets Salary Cuts; Aims for Savings

NEW YORK (Reuters) - UAL Corp. UALAQ.OB on Monday  announced new cuts in employees' salaries as the parent of  United Airlines looks to make \$112 million in annual savings  and emerge from bankruptcy protection.


US Air Flight Attendants Ready for Strike

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Flight attendants at bankrupt US  Airways Group Inc. UAIRQ.OB have authorized their union to  authorize a strike should a federal court permit airline  management to void their contract, the Association of Flight  Attendants said on Monday.


Boeing Wins \$928 Mln Missile Defense Deal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chicago-based Boeing Co. BA.N has  won a \$928 million contract to field the ground-based midcourse  defense part of a planned U.S. missile defense shield, the  Pentagon announced on Monday.


Bombardier Shares Dive as CEO Quits

MONTREAL (Reuters) - Paul Tellier stepped down as president  and chief executive of Bombardier Inc. BBDsvb.TO  on Monday,  surprising investors and sending the train and plane maker's  shares down as much as 26 percent to a 10-year low.


US brash buys French flash

IT IS hard to think of two designers more different in their work, taste and general sensibilities than Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld.


Microsoft debuts beta version of Desktop Search tool

Microsoft today launched a beta version of its desktop search tool. This tool is ment to find documents, e-mail and other files stored on your own HDD.


Update: AMD, IBM Announce New Power-Saving Tech

AMD and IBM said Monday that they had developed a new strained-silicon process that offers more performance at the same power levels, a technology that will enter production in mid-2005.


NASA #39;s O #39;Keefe Turns In Resignation

WASHINGTON -- NASA #39;s director has turned in his resignation, ending three years marked by a space tragedy and extra scrutiny of the space agency.


MS browser gets beating

Everyone knows that Microsoft is probably the single most powerful software company in the world. How strange it is therefore, to discover that the mighty giant is being shamed by a group of geek-like programmers


ITunes Now Accepting Payment Through PayPal

ITunes, Apple #39;s online music store, will now accept payments through PayPal. The payment service, which is owned by eBay, allows any individual or business with an e-mail address to send and receive payments online.


Sun Unveils Upgrade Of Thin-Client Platform

Sun Microsystems Inc. on Monday unveiled an upgrade of its thin-client platform, which enables access to corporate applications and data through broadband-enabled home and satellite offices.


White Sox deal Lee to Brewers for Podsednik

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired slugging outfielder Carlos Lee from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for speedy outfielder Scott Podsednik, pitcher Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named later.


A Year After Capture, Saddam #39;s Trial Date Uncertain

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A year ago Monday, Saddam Hussein was pulled out of a spider hole in Iraq and hustled off to a secret location. Since then, the former Iraqi leader has undergone a hernia operation, taken


Pakistan Turns Up No Signs of Bin Laden

Pakistan said Monday there was no evidence Osama bin Laden is hiding in the country, and denied it allowed CIA agents to set up bases along the border to search for the al-Qaida leader.


Ahern apologises to Paisley

Irish Premier Bertie Ahern has apologised to Ian Paisley in a bid to halt a new row over IRA disarmament turning into a political crisis, it has been claimed.


UAL Cuts Salaries, Makes \$112 Mln Savings

UAL Corp. (UALAQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) , parent of United Airlines, said on Monday it would cut employees #39; salaries as it looks to make savings and emerge from bankruptcy protection.


People Wait Overnight To Buy Sony #39;s New PSP Game Console

They lined up and waited for hours, and in some cases camped out overnight to be the first to own one of Sony #39;s new handheld PlayStaion Portable devices (PSP) in Japan on Sunday.


No. 11 UConn Women Beat St. John's 60-32 (AP)

AP - Mel Thomas led No. 11 Connecticut with 12 points, snapping St. John's 11 game-winning streak with a 60-32 victory on Sunday.


Seattle DE May Return if Playoffs in Cards (AP)

AP - Seattle defensive end Grant Wistrom has ligament damage in his left knee and will miss up to six weeks, though coach Mike Holmgren said Monday he could be available if the Seahawks reach the playoffs.


White Sox Trade Carlos Lee to Milwaukee (AP)

AP - Carlos Lee was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for outfielder Scott Podsednik, reliever Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named.


Tall lefty was second-round pick of Cubs in 2002

Allard Baird would have liked to leave the 2004 Winter Meetings with a little more than the potential for trades in the rearview mirror.


Football; Game 13: the Bengals; History Hard to Shake

FOXBORO - Old stereotypes don #39;t die easily, particularly in the age of the Internet. Yesterday, the Bengals became the Patriots #39; 12th victim of the season.


LSE rejects bid from Deutsche Boerse

LONDON: Europes top equity market, the London Stock Exchange, has rejected a 1.3bil cash bid from Deutsche Boerse to create a dominant European exchange, but held the door open to talks.


UAL Slashes Salaries

United Airlines parent UAL (UALAQ:OTC BB - news - research) set plans to cut nonunion workers #39; pay as part of an effort to slash costs and emerge from bankruptcy protection.


Pedro Martinez Picks Mets Over Red Sox (AP)

AP - Pedro Martinez closed in on a four-year deal with the New York Mets, and the Boston Red Sox resigned themselves Monday to losing the three-time Cy Young Award winner.


Judge Hears Geico, Google Trademark Case (AP)

AP - A federal judge heard arguments Monday in a trademark dispute that could threaten millions in advertising revenue for search engine Google Inc.


Meteor showers put on a show

WASHINGTON, DC - Meteors will shoot across the sky in all directions on Monday night, the peak of the annual Geminid meteor shower.


Mozilla Released Thunderbird 1.0

The Mozilla Foundation (www.mozilla.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving choice and promoting innovation on the Internet, today announced the worldwide availability of the Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0 email client.


Bird Extinctions May Impact Environment

WASHINGTON Dec 13, 2004 - About 10 percent of all bird species face extinction by the end of the century and 15 percent more are on the brink, according to researchers who say such extinctions would have a widespread impact on the environment


Mforma Wins Valuable Marvel Deal

The Marvel deal calls for Mforma to work with the comic book giant to develop a variety of mobile applications based on Marvel content.


ChiSox trade Lee to Brewers for Poz, Vizcaino

Lee, who batted .305 with 31 homers and 99 RBIs last season, gives the Brewers a right-handed slugger in the middle of the lineup to complement Geoff Jenkins and Lyle Overbay, both left-handed hitters.


Man U concedes late equalizer in 1-1 draw with Fulham

Senegalese international Papa Boupa Diop scored on a 30-yard shot with two minutes remaining, earning Fulham a 1-1 tie Monday with Manchester United that kept the Red Devils #39; from gaining ground in the Premier League title race.


ICANN Gives Preliminary OK to 2 Domains (AP)

AP - The Internet's key oversight agency gave a preliminary nod Monday to new domain names targeting mobile services and the jobs market.


Pinochet indicted, arrested for murder, kidnapping

SANTIAGO (AFP) - Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, 89, was indicted and placed under house arrest and may, for the first time, face trial for murders and kidnappings of opponents to his 17-year rule.


Captured: Saddam Hussein, One Year Later

One year ago today, the ace of spades in the infamous deck of 55 cards representing the most-wanted people in Iraq, was taken into custody.


Microsoft Debuts Desktop Search Tool (Reuters)

Reuters - Microsoft Corp.  on Monday\unveiled a new, preliminary version of its search tool for\finding documents, e-mail and other files stored on personal\computer hard drives.


Summary: Oracle Acquires PeopleSoft (AP)

AP - TAKEOVER TUG OF WAR: Oracle Corp. ends 18 months of acrimony, boosting its bid for software maker PeopleSoft Inc. by 10 percent to  #36;10.3 billion.


Ten Percent of Bird Species to Disappear - U.S. Study (Reuters)

Reuters - Ten percent of all bird species are\set to disappear by the end of this century -- and with them\the services they provide such as cleaning up carcasses and\spreading seeds, U.S. researchers said on Monday.


Vaccinating Mice Could Reduce Lyme Disease (Reuters)

Reuters - Vaccinating mice against Lyme\disease may help protect people against the infection, which is\often spread from mice to humans, U.S. researchers said on\Monday.


Portland Head Coach Cheeks Receives Fine

NEW YORK (Sports Network) - Portland Trail Blazers head  coach Maurice Cheeks was fined \$7,500 by the league on Monday  for his behavior during this past Friday's game against Utah.


NASA Chief's Resignation Letter to Bush (AP)

AP - NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe's resignation letter to President Bush:


Climate Experts Confer on Post-Kyoto Steps (AP)

AP - International experts, searching for ways to break a deadlock with the United States over climate change, consulted on an array of ideas Monday to lure that No. 1 polluter into a joint effort to control "greenhouse gases," along with such second-rank emitters as China and India.


Spain's Zapatero pins bombs blame on Islamists, calls for anti-terror pact (AFP)

AFP - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero blamed Islamic radicals linked to Al-Qaeda for the March 11 train bombings and called for a cross-party pact against international terrorism, while insisting Spaniards had not been "cowards" to vote for him.


Ad agencies charged hefty fees for no work, sponsorship inquiry told (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Four ad agencies that charged taxpayers more than  #36;350,000 in commissions for a controversial TV series about hockey legend Maurice Richard actually did no work on the series, a public inquiry was told Monday.


Zapatero Says Aznar Deceived Spain Over Train Bombs

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's prime minister accused the  previous government of deceiving the public about who carried  out the March 11 train bombings and of erasing computer records  for the crucial three days between then and elections.


Ukraine Speaker: Keep Poisoning Out of Campaign

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's influential parliament speaker  called on Monday for a scandal over the poisoning of opposition  leader Viktor Yushchenko to be kept out of the country's  presidential election campaign.


Napier's Chessboard Calculator

Isn't Napier the logarithm guy? Yes indeed. A man of varied  talents, he popularized the modern decimal point notation and argued  that the Pope of 1593 was the Antichrist.    And created one of the first devices to automate binary  arithmetic. Using nothing more than a chessboard and some counters, he  developed ways to multiply, divide and even find the square roots of  binary numbers.


Oracle buys PeopleSoft; Denver jobs might be affected

Oracle Corp. #39;s acquisition of PeopleSoft Inc. on Monday means about 2,000 Denver-area jobs hang in the balance. An analyst said Denver-area sales and marketing positions within the former JD Edwards line are among the most vulnerable.


Tommy Hilfiger buys Lagerfeld trademarks

Tommy Hilfiger Corp. - whose once-hot preppy clothing business has cooled - is making a play to rekindle growth by buying luxury brand Karl Lagerfeld.


Parents Waiting for Waves to Return Kids (AP)

AP - As dawn breaks over Sri Lanka's coast, dozens of parents come to the beach where huge waves seized their children a week ago. "They believe their kids are alive and the sea will return them  #151; one day," UNICEF chief Carol Bellamy said on Sunday, after touring this island country's tsunami-devastated shore.


3Com to buy TippingPoint

Officials at 3Com said today they have signed an agreement to acquire TippingPoint Technologies, a maker of intrusion-prevention systems.


UnitedHealthcare to Settle Fraud Charges

WASHINGTON - UnitedHealthcare will pay the federal government \$3.5 million to settle allegations of fraud stemming from mishandling of telephone calls involving the Medicare program, the Justice Department announced.


Microsoft Enters Desktop Search Fray

Microsoft (Quote, Chart) officials announced the release of its own desktop search application Monday, hoping to make up Google ground established two months ago.


Ten Percent of Bird Species to Disappear - US Study

Ten percent of all bird species are set to disappear by the end of this century -- and with them the services they provide such as cleaning up carcasses and spreading seeds, US researchers said on Monday.


A three-for-one swap

ANAHEIM, Calif. Carlos Lee has been traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Scott Podsednik (pahd-SEHD #39;-nihk), reliever Luis Vizcaino (loo-EES #39; vihs-ky-AY #39;-noh) and a player to be named.


Video Games Go Live for Annual Awards Show

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A felon will host, a Playboy model  will work the red carpet, and "the most destructive band in  history" will play on the first major live video game awards  show, airing on Spike TV on Tuesday.


Jets Struggle Once More Against Elite Team (AP)

AP - After another loss to a winning team, the New York Jets tried yet again to explain why they always come up short in big games. Reserve running back LaMont Jordan was quick with an answer.


VoIP: Find Out More About 'Net Phone Calling

Express features editor Holly Morris discusses Tuesday's special report about local providers of VoIP -- services that let you talk over the Internet with a regular phone and a broadband connection.


Survival of software's fittest

In the flat enterprise software market, the message is clear: It's time to hunt or be hunted.


Security's disorderly mess

Jon Oltsik explains why a new computing security conundrum presents CIOs with a problem that's not given to an easy solution.


Borland details latest on JBuilder

The software company reveals details of update to its flagship Java development tool, JBuilder 2005, available next month. \


Start-up salaries get reality check

Honchos at new tech firms have to do more than show up to get the big bucks now, a new study says.


Microsoft cuts OneNote price

Software giant knocks \$100--half the original price--off its note-taking application.


Open Text to acquire Artesia

The planned buy is only the latest shakeup in the market for content management products.


Found in translation: Microsoft tool talks pretty

New Microsoft program smoothes transition from Chinese to English.


Photos: Inside Dell's Austin assembly plant

The 300,000-square-foot facility begins to buzz around 8 a.m. and churns continuously for a 10-hour shift (12 on the weekend).


Mets Attract Martinez

The New York Mets and free agent Pedro Martinez are close to finalizing a four-year contract for the 33-year-old pitcher.


Nanosys yanks IPO

Volatile capital markets cited as nanotech firm--losing money and with no products yet--withdraws initial public stock offering.


Nobel laureate joins solar-cell firm

Arno Penzias, who won a Nobel Prize for physics, is now a scientific adviser to Konarka.


Mayo Clinic logs on to Blue Gene

IBM supercomputer drafted to help do the math on genes connected to cancer, other diseases.


Start-up to use genes to build better chips

Can food-poisoning bacteria E. coli make chips better than humans? Start-up says yes, but primordial soup will take time to steep.


White Sox Trade Carlos Lee to Milwaukee

ANAHEIM, Calif. Dec 13, 2004 - Carlos Lee was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for outfielder Scott Podsednik, reliever Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named.


Coleman happy to mix with big boys

Fulham boss Chris Coleman insists Monday night #39;s clash with Manchester United holds no fear for his Premiership strugglers. The Cottagers registered a stunning 3-1 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson #39;s men at Old


Intel awaits government move on expensing options

Figuring it's had enough of fighting over options, the chip giant is waiting to see what Congress comes up with.


Update: Darfur peace talks suspended as rebels pull out

The third round of peace talks aimedat ending a 22-month-old crisis in Sudan #39;s troubled Darfur region has been suspended after the rebels accused government forces of continuing attacking them.


Sun shuffles sales execs

Executive vice president of sales becomes Sun's executive vice president for strategic development and Sun financing.\


Gateway returns to PC roots

Company discontinues many consumer electronics lines to focus on PCs--and profitability.


Internet threats a bleak picture of human future

Biological and genetic weapons should take cue from online viruses and worms, British doctors say.


U.S. boosts homeland security budget in 2005

President Bush signs the 2005 budget for funding the Department of Homeland Security, allocating some \$40.7 billion to that agency, an increase of 6.6 percent over 2004.


Report: ZigBee wireless set to swarm

The wireless automation technology will see explosive growth over the next few years, a new study predicts.


Honor your sysadmin...be quiet

Did you feel that extra jolt of electricity in the air when you arrived at work today? Yes, it's...


Juniper poaches Cisco execs

Juniper Networks lands two top Cisco Systems executives to lead a newly developed channel program.


ICANN readies for next-generation Net

International body in charge of doling out IP addresses is set to give out new IPv6 addresses.


Earnings reports hint at IP networking growth

Juniper Networks sets tone for earnings season--analysts expect strong growth in IP networking.


Routing's rock star

Tony Li helped develop some of the most sophisticated Internet Protocol routers in the world for Cisco and Juniper. Now he's ready to dish on his ex-employers.


Photo: Weather data to your desktop

This WeatherBug Backyard weather station, dubbed the Wireless Vantage Pro2, streams meteorology data to a desktop.


Photo: XM's portable satellite radio

XM Satellite Radio Holdings introduced a handheld portable version of its satellite radio.


Microsoft releases desktop search suite to testers

Microsoft today joined the desktop search fray by releasing the beta-test version of a suite of tools designed to let users find information stored in their PCs.


3Com to buy TippingPoint for \$430M

The deal will add TippingPoint's UnityOne line of network-based intrusion-prevention system hardware and software to 3Com's stable of enterprise security products.


IBM, AMD develop new use of strained silicon

IBM and AMD have jointly developed a new method for implementing strained silicon technology on both positive and negative transistors, a technique they said could improve transistor speeds by as much as 24.


Software revenue pushes up Oracle's Q2 earnings

Oracle reported second-quarter 2005 earnings that beat analyst expectations today, thanks to new software revenue and continued gains from license updates and product support.


Update: Oracle signs deal to buy PeopleSoft for \$10.3B

Oracle has signed an agreement to acquire PeopleSoft for about \$10.3 billion, the companies said this morning.


HIPAA security guidelines being readied

A working group made up of members from three organizations plans this month to release guidelines for complying with the data security requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).


US Air Flight Attendants Ready for Strike

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Flight attendants at bankrupt US  Airways Group Inc. UAIRQ.OB have authorized their union to  call a strike should a federal court allow airline management  to void their contract, the Association of Flight Attendants  said on Monday.


Microsoft MSN Desktop Search Out Today?

Microsoft MSN Desktop Search Out Today?\\Microsoft's MSN division will be holding a teleconference today at 1 pm EST to announce their newest addition to the MSN network. Will it be that MSN Search Beta is going live and full blown? Did they find a new actor to play the butterfly? ...


Stocks: Shares gain as deals encourage investors

NEW YORK US stocks rose Monday after the software maker PeopleSoft accepted Oracle #39;s buyout offer and data showed better-than-expected November retail sales, signaling an uptick in consumer spending.


A Pitcher Hopes to Hop Off the Injury Treadmill

Jeff Zimmerman's recent baseball biography reads like a broken record, or in a more modern idiom, "Groundhog Day."


UPDATE 1-UAL sets salary cuts; aims for \$112 mln savings

UAL Corp. (UALAQ.OB: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday announced new cuts in employees #39; salaries as the parent of United Airlines looks to make \$112 million in annual savings and emerge from bankruptcy protection.


Virginia Tech Women Upset No. 17 Maryland (AP)

AP - Carrie Mason had 16 points for Virginia Tech, which hung on to upset No. 17 Maryland 77-67 in the Hokies' Atlantic Coast Conference debut on Sunday.


IBM #39;s storage software owns all of EMC kit

IBM has infiltrated deeper into EMC #39;s storage line with a new version of its SAN (storage area network) Volume Controller software.


Woods Wins Exhibition Tournament to End Slump

American Tiger Woods has won the annual exhibition golf tournament he hosts, posting a two-stroke victory over Padraig Harrington of Ireland at the Target World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California.


Real to finish bomb hoax match

NO PLAYER will be able to claim that he is tired when the Spanish league match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad on January 5 goes into injury time, because the teams will have been playing for less than three minutes.


Patriots Outlast Bengals, Clinch Playoff Berth

Corey Dillon faced his former team for the first time when it counted on Sunday in Foxboro. Dillon demanded to be let out of Cincinnati and backed up his actions with questionable behavior.


Titans Hold on for 24-19 Win Over Lions (AP)

AP - The Tennessee Titans promised they wouldn't quit until the season ended. They certainly didn't. Billy Volek threw for 175 yards and a touchdown before being knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter, and the Titans held on for a 24-19 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Tennessee snapped its five-game losing skid.


Pinochet arrest warrant suspended

A WARRANT placing former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet under house arrest on charges of murder and kidnapping has been suspended after an appeal by his lawyers.


White Sox Deal Lee to Brewers for Podsednik (Reuters)

Reuters - The Milwaukee Brewers\have acquired slugging outfielder Carlos Lee from the Chicago\White Sox in exchange for speedy outfielder Scott Podsednik,\pitcher Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named later.


Columnists: Online Extortion Works

Online extortion is quietly affecting thousands of businesses, for a very simple reason: it works. The big question then becomes, how will you and your company decide to respond?


Sexual Violence Hit 2 in 3 Liberians in War-Report (Reuters)

Reuters - Fighters sexually assaulted some two\thirds of Liberia's population during more than a decade of war\and have not been punished more than a year after the conflict\ended, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.


Trip to New Orleans Tough for North Texas (AP)

AP - Getting to the New Orleans Bowl was more difficult than ever for North Texas. The Mean Green open the bowl season against Southern Mississippi on Tuesday night in the Superdome, the culmination of a season that was a struggle on and off the field for the Sun Belt Conference champs.


Ex-Bush Campaign Official Pleads Innocent (AP)

AP - President Bush's former New England campaign chairman pleaded innocent Monday to charges that he took part in the jamming of the Democrats' get-out-the-vote phone lines on Election Day 2002.


Bears LB Urlacher Injures Another Hamstring

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (Sports Network) - Chicago Bears  linebacker Brian Urlacher is expected to undergo an MRI exam  this week to determine the severity of a left hamstring injury  he sustained in this past Sunday's game against Jacksonville.


Sexual Violence Hit 2 in 3 Liberians in War-Report

DAKAR (Reuters) - Fighters sexually assaulted some two  thirds of Liberia's population during more than a decade of war  and have not been punished more than a year after the conflict  ended, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.


Are We Puppets or Free Agents?

Interpretations of the insanity plea have changed through the ages, but advances in neuroscience promise to redefine free will and personal responsibility, and change the way we think about punishment. By Rowan Hooper.


More Questions for Florida

An apparent whistleblower is generating buzz by saying a Florida official sought vote-changing software, but cautious observers say there's plenty of room for doubt. By Kim Zetter.


Playing the Dating Game, DS-Style

Though Sprung offers clever dialogue and a unique premise, the repetitive, simplistic gameplay ends the honeymoon early. Chris Kohler reviews the new game for the Nintendo DS.


Count Calories on the Go

Gadget-loving dieters will soon have no excuse for giving in to temptation while traveling. The big diet brands like Weight Watchers are coming out with calorie counters and nutritional guides for PDAs and mobile phones.


Chemo: Testing Who Will Benefit

A new report says a genetic profiling test already on the market accurately predicts which breast cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy -- and who won't. It could help 80,000 women a year make better choices about their treatment.


Chilean judge charges Pinochet

Chile's former President Augusto Pinochet is charged with murder and kidnapping, but his house arrest is lifted.


Lebanese groups unite over Syria

Lebanese opposition parties join forces for the first time to counter Syria's influence over Lebanese politics.


PepsiCo to Buy General Mills #39; European Snacks Stake (Update3)

PepsiCo. Inc., the world #39;s No. 2 soft- drink maker, plans to buy General Mills Inc. #39;s stake in their European joint venture for \$750 million in cash, giving it complete ownership of Europe #39;s largest snack-food company.


MIT team aims to mend broken hearts

Work could lead to patch for damaged tissue - MIT engineers are significantly closer to mending broken hearts. In a paper to appear the week of Dec 13 in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National


English Stars Out in Cold

David Beckham, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard found themselves out in the cold tonight as the European Footballer of the Year award went to AC Milans Andriy Shevchenko.


Notre Dame firing Willingham doesn #39;t hold a candle to Kevin #39;s <b>...</b>

That photo above is no longer accurate. I #39;ve shaven my head to protest the firing of ... Kevin from The Apprentice. Dude has a bachelor #39;s from Penn, an MBA from Emory and is working on a law degree from the


D-Rays add power arm

A quick analysis of players picked in the major league portion of the 2004 Rule 5 draft held Monday. Each selection costs \$50,000.


Chilean judge charges Pinochet

The former military ruler was indicted over the disappearance of nine opposition activists and the killing of one of them during his 17-year regime.


Oracle Buys PeopleSoft for \$10.3 Billion

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - PeopleSoft Inc. PSFT.O on  Monday agreed to a sweetened \$10.3 billion buyout by rival  software maker Oracle Corp. ORCL.O, relenting after a  18-month takeover saga marked by personal insults, courtroom  battles and the ouster of PeopleSoft's chief executive.


Oracle, PeopleSoft key facts

NEW YORK, Dec 13 (AFP) - Following are key facts about Oracle, which is the number two global software company behind Microsoft, and PeopleSoft, a business software firm that agreed Monday to be bought after an 18-month battle.


DaimlerChrysler, GM in Pact on Hybrids

FRANKFURT / DETROIT - DaimlerChrysler and General Motors Corp. will jointly develop new hybrid vehicle technology as they strive to catch up with Japanese rivals on the fuel-saving systems that reduce harmful emissions, the companies said on Monday.


Opposition chief's poisoning dominates Ukraine campaign (AFP)

AFP - The poisoning of Ukraine's opposition icon Viktor Yushchenko overshadowed the country's presidential election campaign after the Western-leaning candidate accused the government of trying to kill him, and his pro-Russia rival denied any knowledge of the case.


Samsung Makes Smaller MMC Card for Cell Phones (PC World)

PC World - Thumbnail-sized memory card's maximum capacity will be 128MB.


Computer-scouring software rivals Google tool

The Redmond, Washington-based software allows the user to quickly locate files on personal computers -- just like Google #39;s two-month-old rival product.


IBM, AMD work on straining silicon

IBM and Advanced Micro Devices have come up with a new way of straining silicon in a move that will allow them to make chips with better performance.


Mozilla #39;s Minimo Prepares to Challenge Opera

Fresh from their recent successful launch of the open-source Firefox browser, Mozilla may be preparing to challenge Opera for dominance in the mobile browser market, according to a story appearing on ArsTechnica.


Heart  quot;Band-Aid quot; Developed

Scientists may have discovered a way of patching injured hearts with manufactured tissue swatches that carry the same properties as actual cardiac tissue.


Temple Defeats No. 22 Rutgers 71-60

Rutgers #39; Nikki Jett (13) fouls Temple #39;s Cynthia Jordan (1) in the second half Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, in Philadelphia. Unranked Temple beat No.


Erickson plans to stick with Niners for now

Coach Dennis Erickson is in no hurry to leave the San Francisco 49ers just yet. Erickson responded to the circling rumors about his future Monday, saying he thinks he #39;ll still be employed by the 2-11 Niners at least until January.


Oracle Acquires PeopleSoft in  #36;10.3B Deal (AP)

AP - Oracle Corp. finally scooped up bitter rival PeopleSoft Inc. after 18 months of legal and verbal strife, ending a nasty feud with a  #36;10.3 billion deal that promises to shake up the business software industry.


Calif. Lawmaker Seeks End of Bowl Series (AP)

AP - The Republican leader of the California Senate has introduced a resolution calling for the dissolution of the Bowl Championship Series.


Chile #39;s Pinochet facing human rights charges

A judge in Chile is once again trying to bring former dictator Augusto Pinochet to trial for humans rights abuses during his 1973-90 regime.


Aleutian Spill Shows Area's Vulnerability (Reuters)

Reuters - Alaska's Aleutian Island chain, where\a broken cargo ship has been leaking fuel oil for five days,\needs the type of environmental protections that are given to\better-known areas, a marine wildlife activist said on Monday.


NASA Chief Sean O'Keefe Resigns (Reuters)

Reuters - NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe\resigned on Monday after three tumultuous years at the U.S.\space agency, which were shadowed by the fatal break-up of\shuttle Columbia and its painful aftermath.


Oracle wins battle for PeopleSoft

Oracle has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PeopleSoft for \$26.50 (13.79) per share, or about \$10.3bn. The transaction has been approved by both companies #39; boards of directors and is expected to close by early January.


Stocks End Up as Deals Spark Optimism

US stocks rallied on Monday after software maker PeopleSoft Inc. (PSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) accepted rival Oracle Corp. #39;s (ORCL.


\$1.3bn LSE bid fuels acquisition fever

ACQUISITION fever gripped markets on both sides of the Atlantic yesterday including a 1.3-billion-pound takeover approach for the mid-cap London Stock Exchange from its rival Deutsche Berse.


Unocal to Settle Myanmar Lawsuits

Unocal Corp. (UCL) has agreed to settle two closely watched lawsuits accusing the US oil giant of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses that occurred during the


Permira links with Apollo to join Toys  #39;R #39; Us auction

Permira, the private equity firm that owns New Look, has moved to increase its exposure to the retail sector by bidding for Toys  #39;R #39; Us, the struggling toy chain.


3Com to buy TippingPoint for \$430M

DECEMBER 13, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - 3Com Corp. became the latest company to scoop up technology for preventing attacks on computer networks, announcing today that it is acquiring Austin-based TippingPoint Technologies Inc.


Icahn Files Suit vs. Mylan Laboratories

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn filed a federal lawsuit against Mylan Laboratories Inc. and asset manager Richard C. Perry on Monday, accusing Perry of a vote-buying scheme intended to help Mylan acquire King Pharmaceuticals Inc.


Fiat dismisses GM threat that car unit might go bust

Fiat threw down the gauntlet to General Motors on Monday when the Italian industrial group dismissed the political and legal efforts by the American carmaker to avoid buying Fiat Auto, its heavily lossmaking car division.


NASA: Mondays The Best Time To See Geminid Meteor Shower

Stargazers can catch a spectacular sight if they turn their eyes to the sky tonight. NASA officials say the Geminids will provide the best meteor shower of the year.


Ellison talks about the acquisition

Editor #39;s note: The following excerpts are from Oracle CEO Larry Ellison #39;s press conference Monday announcing an agreement to acquire PeopleSoft.


Oohs and ahs over Martian rocks and clouds

NASA #39;s Mars rovers have returned new evidence for past water, pictures of Earthlike clouds seen for the first time from the planet #39;s surface, and a rock that doesn #39;t look like anything scientists have ever seen.


Cisco improves pricing for users

Cisco Systems #39; prices have long been viewed as higher than those charged by its networking rivals. But some IT managers and analysts said this week that the pricing situation has improved modestly for Cisco users.


Institute offers data from atlas of mouse brain genome

The Allen Institute for Brain Science has released a major chunk of data from its mapping of the mouse brain genome, hoping the information will help researchers understand how the human brain works.


NO CALL LIST FOR CELL PHONES?

NEXT YEAR CELL PHONE COMPANIES WILL BEGIN RELEASING YOUR ONCE UNLISTED MOBILE NUMBER TO TELEMARKETERS. THAT #39;S THE WARNING FROM AN E-MAIL BEING CIRCULATED ON-LINE.


Woods looks on target for return to winning ways in 2005

TIGER Woods hinted that his victory at the Target World Challenge on Sunday was a sign that his old self may be set for a return in 2005.


Starters strike it rich

As general managers stampeded toward the airport, and Pedro Martinez reflected on the beauties of Flushing Meadow, another edition of baseball #39;s winter meetings ended Monday.


Only Game in Town

December 13, 2004 - Just when you thought ESPN Videogames was catching up, in one move, they #39;ve never been farther behind. Electronic Arts announced today an exclusive licensing agreement with the National Football League and Players Inc.


NHL plans to reject the players #39; latest proposal

The NHL plans to reject the players #39; association #39;s latest collective bargaining agreement proposal today in Toronto, and the 2004-05 season appears destined for cancellation.


Angels agree to terms with Esteban Yan

The Anaheim Angels added depth to their bullpen Monday by agreeing to terms of a two-year contract with right-hander Esteban Yan. Yan had a 3-6 record with seven saves and a 3.83 ERA in a career-high 69 relief


Temple 71, No. 20 Rutgers 60

Cynthia Jordan scored 20 of her 28 points in the first half to lead Temple to a 71-60 upset over No. 20 Rutgers on Monday. Temple (5-3) led by nine at halftime before Rutgers (5-2) cut the Owls #39; lead to five with 18:32 remaining.


Jefferson, Stoudemire named NBA Players of the Week

Jefferson averaged 24.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in a 3-1 week to earn the Eastern Conference honor. He shot 52 percent from the field and scored 20 or points in all four games as the Nets put together their best week of the season.


Syria accuses Israel of bomb attack on Hamas official

By Inigo Gilmore in Herzliya and Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor. Syria accused Israel last night of planting a bomb in Damascus in an attempt to kill a member of the Hamas militant group.


Britain offers sweeteners to win allies for Ankara

Britain will this week offer a series of concessions to France and Germany to assuage their fears about Turkish membership of the European Union.


Pakistan, India talk missile tests but analysts say could do <b>...</b>

ISLAMABAD : India and Pakistan will Tuesday thrash out an agreement to give each other notice of their ballistic missile tests, but analysts say the rivals are still far from being responsible nuclear powers.


Congo troops fighting near Rwanda border

afrol News, 13 December - There are  quot;very alarming reports quot; from Congo Kinshasa #39;s North Kivu province of fights between different fractions of the Congolese armed forces, according to UN peacekeepers here.


EU, U.S. in Contact with Hamas, Group Leader Says (Reuters)

Reuters - The United States and the European Union\are in contact with Palestinian militant group Hamas despite\having listed it as a terrorist organization, a Hamas leader\said in an interview broadcast on Monday.


Franklin Templeton Cos. to Settle Charges (AP)

AP - Two companies that manage and market Franklin Templeton mutual funds have agreed to pay a total of  #36;20 million to settle federal regulators' charges that they failed to disclose their use of fund assets to pay brokerages for steering customers to the funds.


Americans to Attend Trade Talks in Cuba (AP)

AP - Two years ago in December, fewer than 30 U.S. business representatives came to Havana to sign agreements with Cuban officials to export food to the Caribbean island. This week, Cuba expects more than 340 people  #151; primarily producers of American farm goods  #151; to attend the latest round of talks, in which communist officials hope to sign deals worth about  #36;100 million.


Philippines Mourns Poe, Film Star Who Ran for President (Reuters)

Reuters - Filipinos mourned the death of movie\legend Fernando Poe Jr on Tuesday after the actor who nearly\unseated Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in May's presidential election\suffered a stroke at the weekend.


Inauguration for tallest bridge

The world's highest traffic bridge is to be inaugurated in southern France by President Jacques Chirac.


Oracle #39;s earnings top forecasts

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Oracle Corp., posted a gain in fiscal second-quarter earnings Monday that beat Wall Street forecasts. The report was released three days earlier than originally scheduled because the


Mercedes and GM to develop hybrid cars

General Motors and DaimlerChrysler have announced plans to join forces to develop a new generation of hybrid-powered vehicles, underlining the potential for environmentally friendly cars which use much less fuel.


Citigroup Says It Will Issue Amex Cards

American Express, which fought for years for the right to sign deals with United States banks that issue cards on the Visa and MasterCard networks, said late yesterday that it had won


Desktop Search Tool Ups the Ante, Says Microsoft

quot;Our ambition for search is to provide the ultimate information tool that can basically answer any question you have, quot; says Yusuf Mehdi, vice president for the MSN Information Services and Merchant Platform division.


NASA Chief Resigns

NASA #39;s top administrator Sean O #39;Keefe, who in the past three years has presided over some of the US space agency #39;s greatest failures and accomplishments, submitted his resignation to the White House on Monday, claiming a need to provide his children with


Tenth of all bird species  #39;to vanish #39;

One in 10 of all bird species is likely to disappear by the end of the century, according to a study published today. A further 15 per cent of birds could be on the brink


Firefox surpasses 10 million download mark

Firefox, the open-source alternative to browser heavyweight Internet Explorer has surpassed the 10 million download mark in the month that has passed since version 1.0 of the browser was released.


Coral grows as climate warms, study

Rising sea temperatures will boost coral growth, according to Australian research that flies in the face of predictions that climate change could spell death for the world #39;s coral reefs.


Klitschko rematch tempts retired Lewis

FORMER world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has hinted he could be tempted out of retirement by a mouth-watering rematch with WBC title-holder Vitali Klitschko.


Ace reportedly set to leave Red Sox for Mets

The Red Sox are no longer in the negotiating stage with Pedro Martinez, their ace of the last seven seasons. Instead, they are bracing for the strong likelihood that Martinez


#39;Chaos in Iraq could produce another Hitler #39;

The chronic instability and widespread feeling of humiliation in Iraq could give birth to an  quot;Iraqi Hitler quot;, the country #39;s president, Ghazi al-Yawar, said yesterday as


Fiat, GM CEOs Meet to Talk Possible Sale

The heads of auto giants Fiat SpA and General Motors Corp. meet in Switzerland on Tuesday to discuss the possible sale of Fiat #39;s auto business.


All Madden, all the time

Electronic Arts, the leading maker of sports video games, signed an exclusive five-year contract with the National Football League and the NFL Players Association, deals that will give the


Winning Paramount to New Notre Dame Coach (AP)

AP - Charlie Weis promises to give Notre Dame an arrogant attitude and turn the Fighting Irish into an intelligent, hard-working, nasty football team.


McNair Deactivated for Tennessee Titans (AP)

AP - Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair missed a second straight start Monday night and his fifth this season because of his bruised sternum.


Hernandez, Indians Agree to One-Year Deal (AP)

AP - Infielder Jose Hernandez and the Cleveland Indians agreed to a  #36;1.8 million, one-year contract Monday.


What went wrong four years ago

The last time Deutsche Borse attempted a deal with the London Stock Exchange it was portrayed as a merger of equals. The two exchanges, both mutuals, in 2000 planned to join


Hilfiger fashions style pact

Tommy Hilfiger, chairman and chief designer of the US fashion company, yesterday bought up clothing brands belonging to the stylist Karl Lagerfeld for an undisclosed sum.


Regional woes won #39;t stop Telstra sale, ALP says

The Federal Opposition says a scoping study into the full sale of Telstra shows the Government is committed to the company #39;s complete privatisation, no matter what the level of service to regional areas.


Debate over Israeli army's role in school

A controversial new program will have lieutenant colonels interact with high school students.


Philippines Mourns Poe, Film Star Who Ran for President

Filipinos mourned the death of movie legend Fernando Poe Jr on Tuesday after the actor who nearly unseated Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in May #39;s presidential election suffered a stroke at the weekend.


Watchdog to clear Global chairman

Gary Winnick, the former chairman of Global Crossing, is to be cleared by watchdogs of wrongdoing following the collapse of the once high-flying telecoms group.


NASA head will leave successor with much to resolve

The space program Sean O #39;Keefe is leaving behind - probably before the second anniversary of the shuttle accident that will define his tenure - is far different from the agency he stepped into three years ago.


McNair inactive again; Volek gets nod

Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair is listed as the team #39;s emergency quarterback for Monday night #39;s tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs because of a bruised sternum.


Motorola May Lose Big Customer If Nextel Merges

Sprint's negotiations to buy Nextel have ignited fears that Motorola will lose its exclusive deal to supply phones and equipment to Nextel.


Bitter Takeover Saga Ends In \$10.3 Billion Deal

_ Oracle Corp. finally scooped up bitter rival PeopleSoft Inc. after 18 months of legal and verbal strife, ending a nasty feud with a \$10.3 billion deal that promises to shake up the business software industry.


Jaguar workers vote against strike

Jaguar workers delivered a snub to union leaders by rejecting plans to strike over Ford #39;s decision to stop car assembly at the Browns Lane plant in Coventry.


UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch

Notre Dame, Ind (UHND) - It didnt take Charlie Weis to let people know his expectations at Notre Dame. Half way through his Monday morning press conference where he was introduced as the 28th head coach


Philippine leader mourns top movie star and fallen rival

MANILA : Philippine President Gloria Arroyo Tuesday mourned the death of the country #39;s top movie star Fernando Poe, who almost unseated her in hotly-contested presidential elections in May.


Johnson to Yankees Has a Life of Its Own

There is new life in their trade talks with Arizona for Randy Johnson, the left-hander who has not budged from his desire to be traded to the Yankees.


Mexico Has Repeat Champion

Unam Pumas became the first team to win back-to-back titles in Mexico when they defeated Monterrey on Saturday in the second leg of the title series.


Dollar Inches Lower Ahead of U.S. Data

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar edged lower on Tuesday as  traders bunkered down ahead of a U.S. interest rate decision  and, later in the week, current account data that could  underscore bearish sentiment on the currency.


Lloyds says IAS impact will be small

Lloyds TSB yesterday reassured investors the new International Accounting Standards would have a minimal impact on its business, and said trading remained robust


Monday #39;s Canadian briefs

The lack of standby rescue helicopters at CFB Moose Jaw was not a factor in the fate of two Snowbird pilots after their planes crashed on Friday, says Defense Minister Bill Graham.


Microsoft raises stakes in search war

Microsoft yesterday res-ponded to rivals in the burgeoning search engine business by unveiling a test version of a free desktop search tool that will help computer users find information on the hard drives of their PCs.


Cisco Users See Some Pricing Relief

DECEMBER 13, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - SAN JOSE -- Cisco Systems Inc. #39;s prices have typically been higher than those charged by its smaller networking rivals.


Electronic Arts Signs Exclusive NFL License

Electronic Arts announced today that it has signed a five-year exclusive licensing deal with the National Football League and the NFL players association, giving EA the exclusive rights to the NFL teams, stadiums and players for use in its football


Suicide Bomber Kills 13 in Baghdad (AP)

AP - An al-Qaida-linked suicide bomber blew up his vehicle Monday near cars waiting to enter the Green Zone, home to the U.S. Embassy and Iraq's interim government, killing 13 Iraqis on the anniversary of Saddam Hussein's capture.


In Autism, New Goal Is Finding It Soon Enough to Fight It

Across the country, thousands of toddlers are joining studies that could signal new hope for a baffling childhood disorder.


Oracle wins 5.4bn fight

PeopleSoft finally gave in yesterday and accepted a \$10.3bn (5.4bn) takeover proposal from its larger rival Oracle, ending a pursuit that has lasted 18 months and has been marked by bitter personal insults and a series of courtroom battles.


Kuwait  #39;to meet full oil supplies #39;

Middle East producer Kuwait has told key crude oil lifters in Asia that it will supply full contract volumes in January despite OPEC #39;s latest agreement to curb excess supplies, traders said on Tuesday.


Honeywell makes \$1.5bn Novar bid

Honeywell International stepped into the battle for control of industrial group Novar yesterday with a \$1.5bn (790m) agreed cash offer that some believe represents a knock-out blow.


Lloyds sets aside another 110m for misselling

The move means Lloyds TSB has now salted away 360m for customers sold endowment mortgages. The products, designed to pay off home loans by investing in financial markets, were popular in the 1980s and 1990s


Jaguar workers say no to strike

Workers at Jaguar #39;s Browns Lane plant have voted 55 to 45 against strike action over the company #39;s plans to move car production from the Coventry factory to Castle Bromwich in Birmingham as part of a restructuring programme which will mean the loss of


US firm regains TV Nova

It has been a long and acrimonious road back, but six years after being forced out as owners of the first commercial television station in the Czech Republic, Central European Media Enterprises is back, spending \$642m (334m) in cash and shares for a


Pay cuts at United #39;s parent company

Executives at the Illinois-based UAL Corp., parent of bankrupt United Airlines, will share airline employees #39; pain with pay cuts of 4 percent to 8 percent.


A quarter of bird species in danger of extinction, study warns

By the end of the century one in 10 species of birds in the world will be extinct and a further 15 per cent will be on the brink of extinction according to one of the largest studies of avian biodiversity.


Grid pioneers launch company

The creators of the Globus open source grid software formally launched software and services company Univa on Monday with the hopes of capitalizing on their work on grid computing.


Pinochet arrested on human rights charges

The former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet was placed under house arrest on human rights charges yesterday after a judge in Santiago ruled he was mentally fit to stand trial.


Film star politician dies in Philippines

The Philippine film legend who came close to defeating Gloria Arroyo in the presidential race in May died early today after suffering a stroke.


Hamas target of bomb in Syria

A member of Hamas, the militant Palestinian organisation, survived an apparent assassination attempt yesterday when his car blew up in the Syrian capital, Damascus, a Palestinian source said.


Willingham and Weis Make It Official

Notre Dame introduced its new coach, Charlie Weis, a few hours before Tyrone Willingham was introduced as the new coach at Washington on Monday.


EU says block Chinese textiles  quot;only if necessary quot;

The EU on Monday welcomed Beijing #39;s measures to control its textile export growth after a global quota system expires on Jan. 1, and said legal steps to block Chinese imports should only be used if strictly necessary.


Grey Seen as Leading Paramount Candidate

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Brad Grey, executive producer of the  hit television show "The Sopranos" and chairman of a top  Hollywood talent management firm, has emerged as the leading  candidate to succeed Sherry Lansing as head of Viacom Inc.'s  VIAb.N Paramount Pictures, the Wall Street Journal reported  on Sunday.


Wall Street Week Ahead: Data May Surprise

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Holiday sales data and a jobs report  this week will provide the first glimpse of the economy's  health going into 2005, and could give another boost to the  end-of-year stock rally, analysts said.


Hernandez, Indians agree to one-year deal

The team and infielder Jose Hernandez agreed to a one-year, one-point-eight (m) million dollar contract today at the winter meetings in Anaheim, California.


Fernando Poe Jr., 65, Philippine Actor-Politician, Dies

Fernando Poe Jr., the action film star and presidential candidate who refused to concede the election in May, died early Tuesday after suffering a stroke.


Iran optimistic over nuclear negotiations with EU

TEHERAN - Iran said on Monday it was optimistic ahead of crucial talks with the European Union aimed at striking a long-term accord that would ease concerns over the countrys nuclear programme.


Game makers make play for adults

The name of this game is who can capture the most adult gamers. Heading into the year-end shopping season, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.


US Space Agency Chief Resigns After Presiding Over Major Changes

The head of the US space agency, NASA, has resigned after a tumultuous three years in office that included the loss of a space shuttle and its seven astronauts.


Coughlin Sticks With Manning Despite Woes (AP)

AP - Despite horrific struggles in recent weeks, Tom Coughlin still believes that Eli Manning is going to be an outstanding quarterback for the reeling New York Giants.


Pedro would get his re\$pect from Mets, but they need more

Get used to it, quick. The New York Mets are making a strong push to close on a deal with the marquee free-agent right-hander, with indications that a four-year guaranteed contract offer has all but delivered him.


NHL expected to reject union proposal

Gary Bettman and the NHL return to the negotiating table with the players #39; association today in Toronto, but the league is expected to formally reject the offer made by the union last Thursday.


Electronic Arts Gets an Exclusive NFL Deal

The video game maker Electronic Arts announced an exclusive five-year deal with the National Football League and its players yesterday to design games using the NFL brand, stadiums, player names and uniforms.


Mariners deal-less but hopeful

A lineup makeover designed to produce more runs and wins next season looked more hopeful than fulfilled Monday evening, when the Mariners ended the Winter Meetings without a visible home run trot.


Pakistan Denies CIA Is There Seeking bin Laden

Pakistani officials on Monday denied a report about the presence of a Central Intelligence Agency search mission for the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in


China detains high-profile political dissidents (AFP)

AFP - China has detained two prominent intellectuals in what appears to be a renewed crackdown on dissent by authorities, family members and sources said.


Dutch consider infant euthanasia

Doctors in the Netherlands call for new laws allowing the mercy killing of newborn babies under certain conditions.


Sharon Says Palestinian Leaders Must Halt Militants

The Israeli prime minister Ariel said peace talks depend on whether militants are reined in.


Pinochet Indicted on Human Rights Charges

A Chilean judge, known for pursuing human rights violators, indicted former dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet on Monday on charges of kidnapping nine political dissidents and killing one of them during his 17-year military regime.


Oracle to Acquire PeopleSoft for \$10.3 Billion, Ending Bitter <b>...</b>

The Oracle Corporation announced early yesterday that it would acquire PeopleSoft for \$10.3 billion, ending a bitter takeover fight that had lasted more than 18 months.


Lloyds TSB adds 110m to reserves for policies

The new reserves come on top of 300 million earmarked last year to pay compensation for failing endowment policies and mis-sold precipice bonds.


Fed rate hikes getting to be a habit

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and his central bank colleagues are widely expected to raise short-term interest rates for a fifth and final time this year Tuesday.


Grey Seen as Leading Paramount Candidate (Reuters)

Reuters - Brad Grey, executive producer of the\hit television show "The Sopranos" and chairman of a top\Hollywood talent management firm, has emerged as the leading\candidate to succeed Sherry Lansing as head of Viacom Inc.'s\(VIAb.N) Paramount Pictures, the Wall Street Journal reported\on Sunday.


Microsoft Releases a Desktop Search Tool

Microsoft has released a preliminary version of its search tool for finding documents, e-mail messages and other files stored on personal computer hard drives.


1 in 10 bird species could vanish within 100 years

By 2100, about 10 of all bird species probably will be extinct, killed off by habitat loss, hunting and climate change, conservation biologists estimate.


Microsoft delays WinFS even more

WinFS is perhaps one of the most awaited feature from the Microsoft stable after Longhorn was announced. Microsoft says that it has been their dream to come out with something like WinFS and completely change the way file system works.


Mets Are on Verge of Signing Martnez as Boston Bows Out

Before Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein left baseball #39;s winter meetings on Monday afternoon, he told executives from other teams that Boston had lost Pedro Martinez


Giants set to welcome Matheny

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The San Francisco Giants plan to announce the signing of free-agent catcher Mike Matheny late Monday. Matheny, 34, reportedly will receive \$9 million US over three years.


French lawyer asks Red Cross to look into reports of Saddam <b>...</b>

PARIS A French lawyer is asking the Red Cross to check into reports that Saddam Hussein has begun a hunger strike. The attorney says he represents Saddam and that there are indications from Iraq that the former


DUP to Meet Blair for Talks

The Rev Ian Paisleys Democratic Unionists will meet Tony Blair at Downing Street today as efforts continue to resolve the impasse over IRA disarmament.


The Mets are close to signing Pedro Martnez to a four-year contract for \$56 million, according to a person involved in the negotiations.


Nets' Owner Staying a Stormy Course

Bruce Ratner now spends his time trying to convince fans not to abandon a team that abandoned Kenyon Martin in a series of jumbled decisions last summer.


Oracle to Acquire PeopleSoft for \$10.3 Billion, Ending Bitter Fight

The merger is another step in the consolidation of the information technology industry as it matures.


Bangladesh Is Surviving to Export Another Day

Garment makers in poor countries have been dismayed over the upcoming abolition of trade quotas, but the outlook is not as bleak as many experts had thought.


Rivals Join To Develop Hybrid-Car Technology

General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG are throwing their combined weight behind a new hybrid technology for cars and trucks, setting the stage for what had been a niche product to spread to the mainstream for American consumers.


Howard Says Full Sale of Telstra This Term Isn #39;t Guaranteed

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday #39;s invitation for proposals from investment banks on how to sell the government #39;s A\$32 billion (\$24 billion) stake in Telstra Corp.


Ravens Win, Watch

The Ravens hold on to a 30-23 victory over the Miami Dolphins after building a 20-point lead and now need losses by Denver and Jacksonville to make the postseason.


Heat Win 5th Straight, Beat Wizards 106-83 (AP)

AP - Shaquille O'Neal scored a season-high 40 points, and the Miami Heat overcame the loss of leading scorer Dwyane Wade to beat the Washington Wizards 106-83 Monday night for their fifth straight win.


MozSource Now Offers Technical Support for Key Mozilla Products

MozSource, the independent company that operates the Mozilla Store and the Netscape Store, has announced the launch of its new high-quality, affordable technical support service for Mozilla Firefox, Thunderbird and Mozilla 1.7.


Cassini has another successful Titan flyby

The Cassini spacecraft completed a successful rendezvous with Saturn #39;s moon Titan today. This was the last pass before the European Space Agency #39;s Huygens probe is sprung loose from Cassini on Christmas Eve.


NHL to reject players #39; latest offer: TSN

TSN has obtained a memo showing the NHL will reject the latest offer from its players.  quot;In sum, we believe the Union #39;s December 9 CBA proposal, while offering necessary and significant short-term financial


Patriots loss is Notre Dame #39;s gain

For some people, it #39;s going to the dentist or even the doctor. For others, it #39;s a bumpy plane ride or even something more down to earth, like that household chore which comes around a little too often.


Oracle Reaches Takeover Deal With PeopleSoft

Software maker PeopleSoft Inc. announced Monday that it had agreed to be acquired by Oracle Corp. in a \$10.3 billion deal, ending one of the longest and nastiest takeover battles in recent corporate history.


US Quiet on China Trade Tax

China #39;s promise to impose new taxes on some textile exports will do little to sway the administration as it debates whether to limit the expected flood of Chinese


High oil prices predicted for next 20 years

Although the recent flurry of record oil prices might be temporary, government analysts said Thursday that \$30-a-barrel oil should be expected for decades to come.


Sprint #39;s Planned Nextel Deal Builds on Wireless Strength

When Gary D. Forsee took over as chief executive of Sprint Corp. 20 months ago, the phone company was reeling from the telecom bust, burdened by debt and grappling with bigger


China Aviation Oil Unit Procures Jet Fuel

A new subsidiary of troubled China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corp. has begun procuring jet fuel amid a criminal investigation into huge trading losses at the Singapore-listed firm, as well as demands for repayment from creditors.


Citi and Amex: Plastic Fantastic?

The financial titans hope their co-branded cards win over better-heeled, prompt-paying consumers. It may not be so simple, however.


AMD and IBM develops new technology for processors

AMD and IBM in collaboration have developed a new technology that can lead to massive increase in processor power. They call it strained silicon transistor and tests have shown it resulted in a 24 increase in performance.


Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Monday Night

Viewing conditions could be just right to try and catch a meteor shower Monday night. Some scientists say the best shooting star show of the year will peak Monday night.


Marvel-ous deal for Mforma: mu

Earlier today, Mforma and Marvel Enterprises announced the mobile entertainment industry #39;s largest content licensing deal to date.


NFL Wrap: Steelers End Bills' Playoff Hopes

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (Sports Network) - Jeff Reed kicked five  field goals and James Harrison returned a fumble for a  touchdown, as the Pittsburgh Steelers completed the best season  in franchise history and knocked the Buffalo Bills out of  playoff contention with a 29-24 victory at Ralph Wilson  Stadium.


Coughlin to Simplify Manning #39;s Tasks

The image of Eli Manning standing on the Giants #39; sideline Sunday, wearing a look of utter dejection, may end up as the defining portrait of a season going down the tubes, a rookie quarterback helpless to stem the downward swoosh.


No. 6 Wake Forest 67, Temple 64

With two starters on the bench, Wake Forest had a different look at the start of its game against Temple. The postgame celebration wasn #39;t quite the same, either.


Bengals Uncertain Of Palmer #39;s Status

Cincinnati Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis said yesterday that he expects quarterback Carson Palmer to play again this season, but he doesn #39;t know if it will be this week.


Two US marines killed in Iraq

TWO US Marines were killed in Iraq #39;s Baghdad province, the marines said in a statement which gave no further details. The deaths followed the killing of eight marines over the weekend in the restive western Al-Anbar province.


Sinn Fein slams Unionist #39;s refusal to resume peace talks

BEIJING, Dec. 14 -- In Northern Ireland, hopes of reviving stalled talks between nationalist and unionist political parties have been dealt a blow by an Irish Republican Army refusal to deliver photographic proof of disarmament.


For Brazil's Economy, the Doctor Is In

Antonio Palocci, a doctor from Brazil's farm belt, has found himself presiding as the country's finance minister during the most robust economic expansion in a decade.


Rivals Join  to Develop  Hybrid-Car Technology

General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG are throwing their combined weight behind a new hybrid technology for cars and trucks, setting the stage for a spread to the mainstream.


Global Crossing Ex-Chief Cleared

The Securities and Exchange Commission has rejected a staff recommendation to bring civil charges against former Global Crossing Ltd. chairman Gary Winnick, his lawyer said Monday.


AMD and IBM work together to improve chip performance

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and International Business Machines (IBM) have developed a new technology that they claim will deliver higher performance margins, from their latest microprocessors, with dual stress liner technology.


Opportunity leaves Endurance Crater

A frame from Opportunity #39;s front hazard avoidance camera shows the rover #39;s farewell glance at Endurance Crater. Credit: NASA/JPL.


NBA ROUNDUP O #39;Neal Scores 40; Wade Hurt

By The Associated Press. Shaquille O #39;Neal scored a season-high 40 points, and the host Miami Heat overcame the loss of Dwyane Wade, its leading scorer, to beat the Washington Wizards


Report: Mets about to get Pedro

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - It looks as if Pedro Martinez is about to become a member of the New York Mets. The Boston Herald reported Monday afternoon that Martinez has agreed to a four- year, \$56 million


Cavaliers 92, Grizzlies 86

LeBron James punctuated a 31-point performance with a slam in the closing seconds and finished with eight assists and seven steals, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 92-86 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.


#6/5 WAKE FOREST ESAPCES WITH 67-64 WIN OVER TEMPLE

PHILADELPHIA - As sophomore Dustin Salisberys desperation three-point attempt with two seconds remaining sailed awry, so did the hopes of a Temple upset over #6/5 Wake Forest , who escaped with a 67-64 win on Monday night at the Liacouras Center .


Romanians hope for new era

In BUCHAREST story please read in fifth paragraph ... Prime Minister Adrian Nastase ... instead of ... Prime Minister. By Mirela Roman and Radu Marinas.


Prep Banned From IAC

Georgetown Prep's football team will not be allowed to play in the Interstate Athletic Conference, not because the Little Hoyas broke any rules, but because they're too good.


Deacons Silence Owls

Trent Strickland makes sure No. 6 Wake Forest avoids a loss to Temple Monday night by scoring nine points in the last nine minutes in the Demon Deacons' 67-64 win.


Geico Wants To Restrict Google Ads

Geico Corp. yesterday urged a federal judge in Alexandria to issue an injunction prohibiting Internet giant Google Inc. from selling ads based on searches using the Washington insurance giant #39;s


IBM, AMD speed chips

IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM) and Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) said Monday that they have developed a strained silicon transistor technology aimed at


Rovers Find More Evidence That Mars Was Once Home to Water

More evidence of past water on Mars may help answer the questions  quot;How wet? quot; and  quot;How long? quot; At a news conference here at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical


Bears #39; Urlacher hurts hamstring

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher hopes an MRI will determine the severity of a left hamstring injury sustained in this past Sunday #39;s 22-3 loss at Jacksonville.


For Oracle, price is finally right

SAN FRANCISCO - Oracle Corp. finally scooped up rival PeopleSoft Inc. after 18 months of legal and verbal strife, ending a feud with a \$10.3 billion deal that promises to shake up the business software industry.