Ready to partner Bellamy

This fixture will be one of the toughest matches we #39;ve faced this season because winning games in France is never easy. Sochaux are flying high in their own league, in third position, and that is no mean feat.


Barcelona still aiming to overhaul Milan

Striker Samuel Eto #39;o says Barcelona still want to top their Champions League group despite having safely qualified for the knockout stages with a 1-1 draw against Celtic on Wednesday.


Rebels threaten gates

AUSTRALIA #39;s best players will be forced to take a pay cut running into thousands of dollars if a West Indian dispute leaves a second-string Caribbean side touring Australia for the one-day series.


ENGLAND STARS  quot;SADDENED quot; BY ZIMBABWE DRAMA

England #39;s players hit out at cricket #39;s authorities tonight and claimed they had been used as  quot;political pawns quot; after the Zimbabwe government produced a spectacular U-turn to ensure the controversial one-day series will go ahead.


Austria #39;s Walchhofer fastest in training at Lake Louise

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Austrians Michael Walchhofer and Hermann Maier finished 1-2 Thursday in training for this weekend #39;s season-opening World Cup downhill race in Lake Louise, Alta.


Myanmar to release another 5,000 prisoners: state radio

YANGON (AFP) - Myanmar said it would release a second batch of prisoners taking the total announced in a week to more than 9,000. The military regime said it would free 5,311 prisoners on top of the 3,937


Oracle names proposed PeopleSoft board

Oracle has named four candidates that it plans to nominate to the board of PeopleSoft, as it pushes forward with its efforts to try to take control of the rival company.


NFL: Manning Fires Six TD Passes as Colts Rout Lions

Peyton Manning threw six touchdown passes, setting a National Football League record with his fifth straight game with at least four TD tosses, as the Indianapolis Colts hammered the Detroit Lions 41-9 in US Thanksgiving Day play in


Olowokandi arrested, tasered outside Indy club

NBA player Michael Olowokandi was arrested early Thursday at an Indianapolis nightclub after a dispute with police, during which the Minnesota Timberwolves center was hit twice with an electronic stun gun, police said.


Steaua top after beating Besiktas

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Rica Neaga and Cristian Ciocoiu scored in the first half as Steaua Bucharest held on to beat Besiktas 2-1 in a hard-fought UEFA Cup tie to go top of Group B on Thursday.


Arafat #39;s willing executioners

Sometimes, when we think we #39;re changing 4 quarters for a dollar, we actually get short-changed. This is the case with the death of Yasser Arafat.


BJP sees no gains from Aziz visit

Ranchi, Nov. 25: The BJP has said Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Azizs India visit has fetched no results. A resolution on foreign policy passed at the partys national executive tonight said: No


Minnesota Timberwolves Center Arrested (AP)

AP - Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi was arrested early Thursday morning after he refused to leave a club.


EU, Japan to Get WTO #39;s Go-Ahead to Hit Back at US Handouts

US queries about how Japan and the European Union will sanction American imports were resolved today, paving the way for retaliation against a US law that has handed \$750 million in customs levies to companies since 2001.


Hunters Off the Hook for Bison Declines

WASHINGTON - Big game hunters may be off the hook in the latest twist of a prehistoric whodunit that tries to explain why bison populations sharply crashed thousands of years ago.


Pigeons  #39;sense magnetic field #39;

Homing pigeons use the Earth #39;s magnetic field to navigate their way home over long distances, scientists writing in Nature magazine confirm.


Olowokandi arrested in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi was arrested early this morning after he refused to leave an Indianapolis club.


Barwick Is New FA Chief Executive

Brian Barwick, the head of ITV Sport, was tonight facing the challenge of uniting the national sport behind him as he was announced as the Football Associations new chief executive.


Mickelson shoots 59

American Phil Mickelson registered a 59 to win the Grand Slam of Golf in Kauai, Hawaii. The Masters champion had an eagle putt on the 18th for a record 58 but missed and tapped in for a birdie and a 59, equalling the lowest score in stroke-play history.


UPDATE 1-TV executive Barwick wins top job at English FA

Television executive Brian Barwick was given the top job in English football on Thursday when he was appointed Football Association chief executive.


USC's Leinart on Big Stage Against Irish (AP)

AP - Carson Palmer kept throwing and throwing, and by the time he was finished with Notre Dame two years ago, Southern California had a one-sided victory and the quarterback had locked up the Heisman Trophy.


Eight Executed in Cancun Drug Killings (Reuters)

Reuters - Suspected drug gangsters murdered\eight people execution-style in and around the Caribbean beach\town of Cancun this week as a wave of brutal killings hit\Mexico.


Anil speaks, refuses to join issue

Reliance Energy Chairman Anil Ambani on Thursday refused to join issue with his elder brother Mukesh Ambani on the battle raging between them.


New Owners Plan To Cut 829 SouthTrust Jobs

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The new owners of SouthTrust Corp. have told state officials they plan to cut 829 jobs in Birmingham between January 2005 and March 2006.


UEFA Cup: Villarreal downs Middlesbrough 2-0

Antonio Guayre #39; #39; Betancor and Javi Venta scored in each half to earn Villarreal a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in UEFA Cup Group E on Thursday.


NFL Game Summary - Indianapolis at Detroit

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Peyton Manning continued his amazing season, tying a career-high with six touchdown passes, as Indianapolis trounced Detroit, 41-9, in the traditional Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field.


Ponting wants best West Indies team to tour Australia

Ricky Ponting has said he would be disappointed if senior West Indies players, including batsman Brian Lara, did not join the team #39;s one-day series tour


Just say No(tre Dame)

TONY Rice? Who is he? Tim Brown? He #39;s that old receiver the Raiders cut loose, right? Ara Parseghian? Isn #39;t he the guy who coached back in the  #39;30s and  #39;40s?


Oracle to Make PeopleSoft Nominations (AP)

AP - Oracle Corp. plans to nominate four candidates for election to rival PeopleSoft Inc.'s board of directors as part of its battle to acquire the rival software company.


Stripper shortage reflects industry demands for more demeaning acts: expert (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - Contrary to Immigration Department claims, there is no shortage of native-borne exotic dancers in Canada, says a University of Toronto law professor who has studied the strip club business.


Cricket: England players' dismay

England's players claim to have been used as "political pawns" over the Zimbabwe tour crisis.


Football: Boro's hopes dashed

Middlesbrough suffer their first defeat in Europe this season and will have to wait to secure their Uefa Cup knockout spot.


Yukos CFO delays return to Moscow after summoned for questioning

A half-dozen executives of embattled oil giant Yukos have left Russia and the company #39;s chief financial officer said Thursday he won #39;t return until he learns whether the government is planning charges against him.


EU in push to reduce red tape

The European Union has launched a new drive to reduce its regulatory burden on companies, in a bid to tackle one of the most frequent complaints made by business.


Microsoft IE losing out to Firefox?

London: Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer(IE)is facing some stiff competition from Firefox as web analysts have revealed that the proportion of surfers using Microsoft #39;s Internet Explorer (IE) has dropped to below 90 percent.


Colts Quarterback Sets Passing Record (AP)

AP - Colts quarterback Peyton Manning set an NFL record by throwing at least four touchdown passes in a fifth straight game, getting four in the first half alone against the Lions on Thursday.


Four-goal Newcastle breeze into last 32 of UEFA Cup

Last season #39;s UEFA Cup semi-finalists Newcastle United marched into the last 32 with their third successive win in the group stage on Thursday.


Webber #39;s drive time

MARK Webber revealed he can already feel the winning potential of his new team after just one day #39;s testing in Spain. The Australian was speaking as controversy engulfed his Williams team back in England when


Olowokandi jailed for nightclub incident

Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Minnesota Timberwolves Michael Olowokandi spent Wednesday night in jail after police needed a stun gun to compel him to leave a club.


UEFA Cup: Lazio rallies to 2-2 draw with Partizan

Second-half goals by Paolo Di Canio and Simone Inzaghi rallied Lazio to a 2-2 home draw with Partizan Belgrade in a UEFA Cup Group E match on Thursday.


USC #39;s Leinart gets opportunity to influence Heisman voters

Carson Palmer kept throwing and throwing, and by the time he was finished with Notre Dame two years ago, Southern California had a one-sided victory and the quarterback had locked up the Heisman Trophy.


UEFA Cup: Schalke beats Ferencvaros 2-0

Schalke beat Ferencvaros Budapest 2-0 in their UEFA Cup match on Thursday to leapfrog over idle Feyenoord Rotterdam to the top of Group A. Support your favorite team with official UEFA Cup gear from the FOX Soccer Shop!


Palestinian firebrand is to run for president from Israeli cell

MARWAN BARGHOUTI, the Palestinian leader jailed for life in an Israeli prison, re-emerged as a pivotal figure in Palestinian politics last night when senior Fatah officials


ASEAN peace pact signing  #39;unlikely #39;

PRIME Minister John Howard today said Australia was unlikely to sign a non-aggression pact with its Asian neighbours. The issue is reportedly causing tension ahead of Mr Howard #39;s visit to Laos for the ASEAN leaders #39; summit next week.


EU judge plans Microsoft ruling within a month

This fourth priority #39;s main focus has been enterprise directories for several months, but for many IT managers, ERP (enterprise resource planning) and open source initiatives are on the horizon.


Big leap in foreign investment in India

Foreign direct investment inflows to India leapt by almost 70 per cent in the first six months of the year but are still running at only a tenth the volume of China.


Immoral, unjust, oppressive dictatorship. . . and then there #39;s <b>...</b>

ROBERT MUGABES Government is pushing through legislation designed to prevent human rights organisations from operating in Zimbabwe.


UEFA Cup: Liedson lifts Sporting

Sporting Lisbon ended Dinamo Tbilisi #39;s interest in the UEFA Cup with a crushing 4-0 victory at the Boris Paichadze stadium in Georgia.


Yukos Board to Develop Short-Term Emergency Plan #39; (Update1)

OAO Yukos Oil Co. will draw up a short-term emergency plan #39; #39; to prepare for the sale of OAO Yuganskneftegas, the company #39;s main oil-producing unit, and the expropriation of other assets.


Oracle to nominate four candidates for PeopleSoft board

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. Oracle has announced plans to nominate four candidates for election to rival PeopleSoft #39;s board of directors.


More oil spilled off Newfoundland

ST. JOHN #39;S, NFLD. - Another spill at Newfoundland #39;s Terra Nova oil field has added about 1,000 litres to the 165,000 litres of crude spilled Sunday.


Israel downplays EU meetings with Hamas

Israel has responded coolly to reports of secret contacts with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana has revealed there has been some contacts, but he has


UN warns Rwanda on Congo threats

The UN Security Council has warned Rwanda not to attack the Democratic Republic of Congo to flush out Hutu rebels based there, reports Anne Mugisa.


PM wouldn #39;t like to see rising dollar

PRIME Minister John Howard hopes the Australian dollar does not keep on rising because it would make us less competitive. Mr Howard said although he wouldn #39;t say Australia was heading for tough times, there


Board pledges to defend Yukos

The board of directors of embattled oil giant Yukos said Thursday it will continue to defend the company from a criminal probe it called politically motivated amid reports that board members have fled Russia.


A Familiar Ring

There #39;s no rest for the Salvation Army bell ringers as the holidays arrive. They #39;re out in force this season, gathering money to help the less fortunate.


Magpies hammer French

Newcastle cruise through to the knock out phase of the Uefa Cup with a convincing 4-0 away to Sochaux. The French side made a promising start, Jeremy Menez free kick forcing Shay Given to make a diving save.


Austria #39;s Michael Walchhofer surprising himself in downhill <b>...</b>

LAKE LOUISE, Alta. (CP) - Austria #39;s Michael Walchhofer is surprising himself as he gets ready for the first World Cup downhill race of the season.


Qaeda believed to be calling for action in Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIR BASE: Al Qaeda is believed to have called its followers to action in response to the massively attended vote last month that elected President Hamid Karzai, said a top US commander.


Djamshid says farewell and thank you to Canada on eve of long trip home (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - A 10-year-old Afghan boy whose struggle for life captured the hearts of Canadians bade a fond farewell to the country that rescued him Thursday as he prepared for a long journey home to a life of abject poverty.


Oil Prices Rise in Europe

Oil futures prices rose in Europe Thursday amid concerns about heating oil supplies at the beginning of the Northern Hemisphere winter.


Japanese Stocks May Rise; Nintendo, AOC, JFE, NTT Seen Gaining

Japanese stocks may rise after companies including Nintendo Co. and AOC Holdings Inc. raised their full-year earnings forecasts. Expectations of a strong Christmas sale season are


Philips sells 3 stake in Vivendi for 720mil euros

AMSTERDAM: Royal Philips Electronics NV has sold its entire 3 stake in Vivendi Universal for around 720 million euros. The transaction closed on Wednesday and is expected to result in a non-taxable gain of 300 million euros in the fourth quarter.


Safety groups give warning about unsafe toys

Before you go holiday shopping, children #39;s safety groups said you should check their lists twice to find out which toys could hurt your kids.


Nfld. oil spill more serious than originally thought

ST. JOHN #39;S, Nfld. -- An oil spill on Newfoundland #39;s Grand Banks is larger than first reported. The Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board now says that up to 1,000 barrels of oil may have spilled into


KarstadtQuelle Reaches Pact With Rebel Investors (Update2)

KarstadtQuelle AG, Germany #39;s biggest operator of department stores, reached an agreement with investors who mounted legal challenges to the company #39;s plan to raise 535 million euros (\$709 million) in a share sale.


FDI in branded retail may be allowed

NEW DELHI, Nov. 25. The Centre plans to open the doors to foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail segment so long as it does not impact the domestic retailers in the same sector.


China, India and Pakistan stall WTO talks on textile quotas

GENEVA: Major textile exporters China, Pakistan and India on Thursday stalled talks at the World Trade Organisation on assistance for smaller textile-producing developing countries likely to be affected by the end of import quotas next January, diplomats


Cicada infestations boost nutrients for forests

WASHINGTON - Insects that emerge every 17 years in the eastern United States provide valuable nutrients to forest ecosystems when they die, an ecologist says.


Henry a doubtful starter

EINDHOVEN: Thierry Henry is doubtful for Arsenal #39;s Premiership clash with Liverpool on Sunday after aggravating a lingering achilles tendon problem in the stormy Champions League draw with PSV Eindhoven here on Wednesday.


O #39;Neill hails Celtic performance in Barcelona

Celtic manager Martin O #39;Neill has hailed his team #39;s performance as  quot;phemomenal quot;, as they kept their European hopes alive.


Lazio 2-2 Partizan Belgrade: FT Report

ROME, November 25 (UEFA Cup) - Paulo Di Canio was the hero as he brought Lazio back from two goals down against Partizan Belgrade but their UEFA Cup campaign may be beyond salvation.


Fan slapped with fine, five-year ban for racially abusing Yorke

LONDON (AFP) - A British court slapped a 1,000-pound (1,880-dollar) fine and a five-year football ground ban on a fan for hurling monkey chants at Birmingham City striker Dwight Yorke.


Bowe to Miss Fight Due to Shoulder Injury

LOUISVILLE, Ky. Nov 25, 2004 - Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe will not fight Kenny Craven on Saturday because of a shoulder injury.


Sportsview: Manning Still Needs Ring (AP)

AP - Peyton Manning had barely made it to the locker room, and already the talking heads on the network NFL shows were debating his place in history.


US Launches Massive Offensive on Baghdad

BAGHDAD, November 24 (IslamOnline.net  amp; News Agencies) - US-led occupation troops took Tuesday night, November 23, their offensive from Fallujah to Baghdad with some 5,000 US marines, British troops and Iraqi commandos launching full-scale raids into


Colombian fighters lay down arms

Some 450 members of Colombia #39;s feared rightwing paramilitaries have disarmed en masse in a football field as part of the process to end the civil war.


Newcastle and Dnipro Win Third Straight (AP)

AP - Newcastle and Ukrainian club Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk maintained their perfect records in the UEFA Cup group phase on Thursday to virtually guarantee a place in the knockout stage.


WTO close to action against US

BRUSSELS The World Trade Organization is expected to approve on Friday the imposition of trade sanctions worth \$150 million on the United States by the European Union, Japan, Canada and others after a legal issue was resolved Thursday.


Consumer confidence takes tumble in Germany

Business confidence in Germany, Europe #39;s largest economy, fell to its lowest level in more than a year in November as the euro #39;s climb to a record high against the dollar threatened exports and unemployment at a five-year high crimped consumer spending


Philips sells stake in Vivendi

Philips Electronics, Europe #39;s largest maker of CD players, said Thursday that it had sold its 3 percent stake in Vivendi Universal, owner of the world #39;s biggest music company.


Analysts want Ambani brothers to come clean on the ownership issue <b>...</b>

Business India: Mumbai, Nov 25 : A rift between the Ambani brothers who run the country #39;s business conglomerate - the Reliance Group - today spilled into the board room of power utility Reliance Energy Ltd.


Computers Help Authenticate Paintings

Art collectors spend millions to buy masterpieces, but the masterpiece they buy today could prove to be virtually worthless tomorrow if they aren #39;t careful.


Google up on Goldman #39;s \$215 stock price target

Shares of Web search leader Google (GOOG) rose more than 5 in extended trade Tuesday after Goldman Sachs analyst Anthony Noto put a \$215 price target on the stock.


Newcastle #39;s stand-ins prove to be line perfect

STEVE McCLAREN returned to Spain for the second time in little more than a week and, although there was no recurrence of the Neanderthal noises that marred Englands defeat in Madrid, he was again made to endure a substandard performance from one of his


Pampling jumps to front

QUEENSLANDER Rod Pampling made four birdies on the front nine to grab the outright lead in the second round of the Australian Open in Sydney.


Australia is unlikely to sign nonaggression pact with Asean

Prime Minister John Howard said Friday he is unlikely to sign a nonaggression pact with Australia #39;s Asian neighbors. The issue is reportedly causing tension ahead of Howard #39;s visit


NK awaits better climate for talks

With global attention focused on whether and when North Korea will return to six-party talks on its nuclear weapons program, Pyongyang officials are  quot;sincere quot; in wanting a denuclearized peninsula and await a  quot;better atmosphere quot; to resume discussions, a


Fearing Prosecution by Kremlin, Top Executives of Yukos Leave Russia

Top executives at the Russian oil giant Yukos, including the company's American chief executive and chief financial officers, have left the country.


Could Be Days Before Terra Nova Restart - Petrocan

CALGARY, Alberta - It could could be days before Canada #39;s second-largest offshore oil project, Terra Nova, restarts after being shut down last weekend when crude spilled into the ocean, an official with operator Petro-Canada said Thursday.


Target Stores Ban Holiday Bell Ringers

SEATTLE - A major department store chain is telling the Salvation Army to take its bell ringers someplace else. Target Stores is taking the extreme action claiming the bell ringing gives the Salvation Army an unfair advantage.


Deep freeze dealt death knell to bison

WASHINGTON - Hunters may not be to blame for the decline in bison populations, according to a new study that points the finger at climate change.


EU tries to hold Iran to nuclear weapons deal

The European Union was last night attempting to salvage a hard-fought deal with Iran after Tehran insisted on exemptions to its agreed suspension of activities that could produce a nuclear weapon.


Yukos top managers leave Russia fearing arrest

MOSCOW - The top management of oil major Yukos has left Russia fearing arrest under a Kremlin drive to  quot;decapitate quot; the country #39;s largest oil exporting company, a Yukos source said on Thursday.


Resignations jolt India #39;s Reliance

A rift between the Ambani brothers who run India #39;s Reliance conglomerate appeared to spill into the boardroom of power utility Reliance Energy Ltd.


Suspension-hit Pacers sign two players (AFP)

AFP - The Indiana Pacers signed forwards Tremaine Fowlkes and Britton Johnsen to fill gaps left by the suspensions of three players involved in a brawl at Detroit last week.


Sunni Politicians Urge Iraq Election Delay (AP)

AP - Leading Sunni Muslim politicians Thursday urged postponement of the Jan. 30 national elections, and a senior official said the government had agreed to meet outside the country with Saddam Hussein supporters to try to convince them to abandon the insurgency.


9 Found in Apparent Cancun Drug Killings (AP)

AP - Police found the bodies of nine people, including three federal agents, in two areas Thursday near this Caribbean resort city, apparent victims of drug killings, officials said.


Life behind bars in South Africa

Mark Thatcher, in court over a coup plot, has built a new life amid the millionaires #39; mansions of Constantia. Raymond Whitaker reports.


No playin #39; around, toys called unsafe

As local kids make their holiday lists, parents might want to check them twice for potentially dangerous toys. Consumer advocates yesterday released a list of 61 toys they contend have deficient labeling or hazardous parts.


Apple iTunes don #39;t know it #39;s Christmas-time at all

THE Apple iTunes music store has refused to sell the charity Band Aid song Do They Know Its Christmas? because it would damage the companys dominance of the download market.


McClaren pays for lack of ambition

WITH a minimum of drama and an economy of effort - qualities that are seldom applicable to the club -ewcastle United last night qualified for the knockout phase of the Uefa Cup.


Australia Bats First in Second Cricket Test Against NZ

Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and chose to bat first against New Zealand in the second and final cricket Test at Adelaide.


Real racist chants investigated

Uefa is investigating Real Madrid over racist chanting after Tuesday #39;s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen. Video footage from the match, which finished 1-1, appeared to show Real fans making Nazi


The railroading of Ron Artest

I am not about to condone the Indiana Pacer #39;s behavior for charging into the stands and swinging at some Detroit Piston fans. As a professional and public figure, he has a responsibility to take the high road with unruly fans.


Britain condemns upsurge in violence in Sudan #39;s Darfur

The British government on Thursday condemned the upsurge of violence in Darfur, and called on rebels and the Sudanese government to stop fighting.


THE TOY SHOP FOR KIDS OF ALL SIZES

AN EXCLUSIVE toy shop which was featured in blockbuster films Home Alone II and Big reopened its doors yesterday. The ceremony marked a big turnaround for FAO Schwarz.


Dallas Cowboys Stuff Chicago Bears 21-7 (AP)

AP - Drew Henson will have to wait before he's the star of the Dallas Cowboys offense. Right now, the youngster turning heads is rookie running back Julius Jones. Jones burst up the middle for a 33-yard touchdown on Dallas' first drive and was still going strong at the end, scoring again from the 4 midway through the fourth quarter to help the Cowboys beat the Chicago Bears 21-7 Thursday.


Driving hard into the future of TV

THERE is never a right time to buy technology. Something cheaper, faster and better specified will be on the market before you have even got your product out of its box.


Jailed Leader to Run for Arafat's Job (AP)

AP - Marwan Barghouti, a fiery Palestinian leader serving multiple life terms in an Israeli prison, indicated Thursday that he is running for Yasser Arafat's position as head of the Palestinian Authority, defying the traditional leadership and scrambling the political picture ahead of the Jan. 9 election.


Marseille to hire Troussier

Marseille, France (Sports Network) - French power Marseille have reached an  quot;agreement in principal quot; for Philippe Troussier to become its new head coach.


Iraqi Officials to Meet With Rebels to Discuss Political Role

The Iraqi foreign minister said today that the interim Iraqi government planned to meet soon in Jordan with leaders of the insurgency to try to persuade them to take part in legitimate politics here.


Peoplesoft deal to trigger industry consolidation

PeopleSofts shareholders tendered 60.8 of their shares to Oracle on November20th, which in TBRs (Technology Business Research) opinion makes this acquisition approximately 95 plausible.


Troussier to take over at Marseille

FORMER Japan manager Philippe Troussier was in  quot;advanced talks quot; to become Olympique Marseilles new coach last night as the club president became the latest casualty of the clubs poor form.


Suspension-hit Pacers sign two players

The Indiana Pacers signed forwards Tremaine Fowlkes and Britton Johnsen to fill gaps left by the suspensions of three players involved in a brawl at Detroit last week.


Milestone for UConn; Millstone for Rutgers

In the postgame scrum underneath Rutgers Stadium, Connecticut Coach Randy Edsall paused for a moment and reflected on that day in December 1998 when he began the daunting


Straw hopeful as he visits Arafat #39;s grave

JACK Straw, the Foreign Secretary, visited the grave of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat yesterday at the end of a two-day trip to Israel and the West Bank to help revive the Middle East peace process.


Julius Jones Sparks Cowboys' Victory

Drew Henson will have to wait before he's the star of the Dallas Cowboys offense. Right now, the youngster turning heads is rookie running back Julius Jones.


Dollar Struggles, Hits Record Low Vs Euro (Reuters)

Reuters - The dollar struggled to keep above a\record low against the euro and its lowest in nearly five years\against the yen on Friday in a holiday-thinned market.


Dollar's Fall Pushes Gold Above \$450

Gold rose above \$450 an ounce for the first time in more than 16 years, driven by investors looking for an alternative to the American currency.


Acceptable price for oil barrel, 50 US dollars.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez said today in Moscow that 50 US dollars per barrel of oil is an acceptable price adding that OPEC (Oil Petroleum Exporting Countries) must make sure the price does not drop below 30 US dollars.


Lebanon Cleric Doubtful on Iraq Elections (AP)

AP - Lebanon's most senior Shiite Muslim cleric is voicing doubts about holding national elections in Iraq, a major departure from his Iraqi colleagues who support the vote.


Souness delighted: Newcastle in fantastic position

Newcastle United trounced Sochaux 4-0 to stay on course for the next phase of the UEFA Cup. After weathering an early storm, Newcastle ran riot as Lee Bowyer, Shola Ameobi, Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert all struck for the Magpies.


Zimbabweans left in the dark

By a special correspondent in Harare. These were the words of an advertisement for the series between Zimbabwe and England, placed in the sports pages of Thursday morning #39;s Herald newspaper.


Potential Arafat Successor Gains Approval Amid Talk of a Rival

Mahmoud Abbas, the new chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, won a vital vote on Thursday evening from the Palestinians #39; dominant political faction approving


Uranium deal threat as Iran pushes for exemptions

IRAN insisted yesterday that it had a right to exempt some equipment from an agreement with the European Union to freeze its uranium enrichment programme - a move diplomats said threatened to scuttle the deal.


UK's undersea 'ticking timebombs'

Wrecks and abandoned munitions around the British coast risk exploding unpredictably, an expert says.


Ukraine Court Delays Results in Vote Dispute

The unexpected ruling shifted momentum in the capital toward the official loser, Viktor A. Yushchenko, and the thousands of demonstrators in Independence Square.


Flush With Victory, Crusader Against Same-Sex Marriage Thinks Big

Phil Burress, a self-described former pornography addict, has become a Paul Revere for the movement against same-sex marriage.


Splish, splash: United Utilities leaves investors tingling all <b>...</b>

Water is good for you, as the Government #39;s medical advisers keep reminding us. What they don #39;t say is that water companies aren #39;t too bad for your financial health, either.


US Dollar Hits Another Low Against Euro

A window display in London showing the financial prices, Thursday Nov. 25, 2004. The dollar has dropped to an all time low against the Euro.


Troussier sets to take over Marseille

Olympique Marseille expected to reach a deal with former Japan coach Philippe Troussier  quot;within 48 hours quot;, said the French first division club Thursday.


The long journey from  #39;Football Focus #39; to focusing football

Brian Barwick is said to relish a challenge. Quite whether he #39;s capable of handling arguably the toughest one in British sports administration remains to be seen, but at least he will take up


NFL: Indianapolis 41, Detroit 9

Peyton Manning equaled a career high with six touchdown passes Thursday in carrying Indianapolis to a 41-9 blasting of Detroit. It was the fifth straight game in which Manning


For Knicks, 11 Games Down, 71 to Go

and they would surely like to - the Knicks could look over their shoulders at mid-November and feel mildly satisfied. In the two-week span from Nov.


Nepal Sets January Deadline for Rebels to Begin Peace Talks

Rebels fighting to replace Nepal #39;s monarchy with a communist republic have until Jan. 13 to begin peace talks, Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said.


Australia raises hackles in Asia over refusal to sign peace pact (AFP)

AFP - Prime Minister John Howard said Australia is unlikely to sign a non-aggression pact with its Asian neighbours despite reports its stance is causing friction ahead of his visit next week to Laos for the ASEAN leaders' summit.


Oracle puts up four for target #39;s board

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


Venezuelan president says OPEC output OK as is, \$30 US a floor <b>...</b>

Venezuela #39;s president said Thursday he supports keeping OPEC oil production at current levels, contracting comments by his energy minister who said last week that Venezuela would support a production cut.


FAO opens flagship Manhattan store

FAO Schwarz, the upmarket toy retailer that has been closed for nearly a year, yesterday opened its redesigned flagship Manhattan store in time for the start of the holiday spending season.


Barclays says on track to meet full-year profit forecasts; shares <b>...</b>

Barclays PLC, Britain #39;s third-biggest bank, said Thursday it is on track to meet analyst expectations of a full-year profit before tax of 4.5 billion pounds (\$8.5 billion US), despite a flat performance from its domestic retail banking


Climate may have been bison #39;s main killer, not man

WORK by a British scientist may show that humans were not responsible for the bison almost becoming extinct in the 19th century, it was disclosed yesterday.


China to launch lunar orbiter by Late 2007

China will launch its lunar orbiter Chang #39;e 1 to explore the moon #39;s environment and study the thickness of its soil by the end of 2007, according to a senior Chinese space expert in India.


Budget ax falls on lunar probe

Politics, Texas-style, led to NASA and its shuttle program getting their best treatment in decades from Congressional budget writers.


Villarreal 2-0 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough were denied the point they needed to move into the knockout stage of the Uefa Cup by a classy Villarreal side. A defensive Boro were soon on the back foot and keeper Mark Schwarzer made three fine first-half stops.


Paris 2012 accused over embassies

Paris 2012 organisers have been accused of breaking Olympic bid rules by using French embassies to promote the city. Madrid 2012 have made an official protest to the International Olympic Committee #39;s (IOC) ethical commission.


Knicks #39; defense consistently bad

The list of  quot;bests, highests and biggests quot; accomplished by Toronto in its 114-91 blowout of the Knicks on Wednesday night at the Air Canada Centre really was quite impressive.


Taj night visits approved

LUCKNOW: India #39;s top court has opened the country #39;s most famous monument, the Taj Mahal, to night viewing, allowing visitors to gaze at the dazzling marble monument by moonlight for the first time in two decades.


Jakarta Court Says Cleric Bashir Trial Can Proceed

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


Nepal Gives Rebels Until January for Peace Talks

Nepal will push ahead with planned elections if Maoist rebels do not respond by Jan. 13 to a government offer for peace talks to end a bloody revolt, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said on Thursday.


Nissan Motor stops work at four plants

Nissan Motor, the Japanese carmaker, has been forced to stop production at three of its four car assembly plants in Japan for five working days after running out


All-round advance at United Utilities

United Utilities, the water and electricity distributor, raised first-half pre-tax profit by 13 per cent to 188m following growth across all its operations.


Cabinet ministers suspended after Congo's parliament alleges corruption (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - KINSHASA, Congo (AP) - President Joseph Kabila suspended six cabinet ministers and 10 directors of state-run companies Thursday after a parliamentary inquiry alleged they had embezzled government funds.


From road rage to fan rage, civility takes a beating

When professional athletes start slugging fans, severe penalties pretty much are a no-brainer. So few tears will be shed for the nine basketball players suspended - at the cost of millions in salary -fter


Ontario reveals plan to broaden child care options for kindergarten kids (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - TORONTO (CP) - The daily dash between kindergarten and day care could one day be a thing of the past for Ontario parents under a provincial plan unveiled Thursday to dramatically increase the number of available day care spaces.


N.Korea, US to Discuss Six-Way Talks in Dec: Nikkei

A North Korean official will visit the United States next month for talks with US counterparts on resuming six-party talks aimed at ending North Korea #39;s nuclear program, a Japanese newspaper reported on Friday.


Many See Hope in Parkinson's Drug Pulled From Testing

Some Parkinson's patients say drug developer Amgen robbed them of their only hope by ordering all patients off an experimental drug.


The Heart of the Hartz Commission

Peter Hartz, as chairman of a commission to overhaul Germany's economy, became synonymous with far-reaching, often unpopular, reforms.


Indonesian Food Giant Undergoes a Transformation as the Political Winds Shift

The head of the world's largest instant noodle manufacturer is trying to transform what was one of Asia's most influential overseas Chinese operations.


Rule Change in Oregon May Alter the Landscape

Under the measure, property owners who can prove that environmental or zoning rules have hurt their investments can force the government to compensate them.


The perfect shop for children who like to toy with money

AMERICAS Thanksgiving Day brought good news for the child who has everything. Almost a year after it went bankrupt and closed down, FAO Schwarz, the worlds most renowned toy shop, yesterday reopened its store on New Yorks Fifth Avenue.


UK growth forecast cut

LONDON: A leading business group cut its 2005 forecast for British economic growth yesterday, blaming a combination of high oil and commodity prices, slowing global growth and domestic interest rate rises.


Remortgages surge as new home loans begin to weaken

By Malcolm Moore, Economics Correspondent (Filed: 26/11/2004). Increasing numbers of homeowners are renegotiating their mortgages to take advantage of the slowing property market, the British Bankers Association said yesterday.


War codebreaker cracks an enigma of love

A CODED message from the 18th century that has baffled generations of cryptologists may be nothing more than a loving dedication to a mourned wife or lover, according to a leading codebreaker.


DoCoMo closes in on UK i-mode deal

NTT DoCoMo, Japan #39;s largest mobile phone company, will announce an agreement next week for UK operator MMO2 to offer its i-mode services in the UK next year, according to people close to the deal.


What really drove buffalo from the plains?

quot;The country was one black robe, quot; said early explorers on the North American continent as they surveyed the herds of buffalo.


Beijing city slammed over Microsoft deal

The Beijing municipal government has come under fire for damaging China #39;s nascent software industry by giving United States software giant Microsoft the lion #39;s share of a large software purchase order.


Barwick handed post as FA chief executive

Brian Barwick last night accepted the chief executive #39;s position at the Football Association following a final round of interviews earlier in the day.


UConn edges Rutgers, works way toward bowl

Dan Orlovsky threw three touchdowns and Connecticut virtually assured itself of a bowl bid in its first season as a football member of the Big East Conference with a wild 41-35 victory over Rutgers on Thursday.


UN blames rebels in Darfur

The rebel Sudan Liberation Army was solely responsible for restarting the fighting in north Darfur, the chief UN envoy for Sudan, Jan Pronk, said yesterday.


CBI trims growth forecast and calls Brown optimistic

The CBI accused Gordon Brown of being  quot;too optimistic quot; over the health of the economy yesterday, as the employer #39;s organisation downgraded its own forecast for GDP growth next year.


Has the mystery of the Holy Grail been solved?

For centuries the whereabouts of the Holy Grail, supposing it exists at all, has exercised the minds of scholars and tested the endurance of treasure hunters.


Nissan to Halt Auto Output at 3 Plants in Japan for 5 Days

The Nissan Motor Company said Thursday that a shortage of steel would force it to temporarily halt production at three of four of its auto factories in Japan, an unusual step


Contract Stirs New Talk on Disney Job

By Reuters. Peter Chernin, president of the News Corporation, has signed a new contract that makes it easier for him to take the top job at another publicly traded company.


Olowokandi jailed for nightclub incident

Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi spent Wednesday night in jail after police needed a stun gun to compel him to leave a nightclub.


Arizona challenges No. 1 Wake Forest

Wake Forest will put the No. 1 men #39;s basketball ranking on the line against an Arizona team anxious to atone for an early misstep when they meet Friday night in the Preseason National


9 Found in Apparent Cancun Drug Killings (AP)

AP - Police discovered the bodies of nine people, including three federal agents, at two sites outside this resort city. Authorities said the killing were probably linked to a drug turf war.


India pitches Kashmir autonomy for Pakistan peace (Reuters)

Reuters - India said on Thursday it could consider giving a large amount of autonomy to the disputed region of Kashmir to help make peace with Pakistan, but said it was not willing to redraw its borders to settle half a century of enmity.


Yudhoyono visits strife-torn Aceh

Indonesia's new president visits Aceh province,  where the army is involved in a major offensive against rebels.


India Suggests Greater Autonomy for Kashmir

NEW DELHI, Nov. 25 -- India said on Thursday that it could consider giving a large amount of autonomy to the disputed region of Kashmir to help make peace with Pakistan but was not willing to redraw its borders to settle a half-century of enmity.


Burma Says It Will Free Over 5,000 More Prisoners

RANGOON, Burma, Nov. 25 -- Burma announced Thursday that it would release more than 5,000 prisoners, and a senior official said a top dissident who was democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's closest aide would also be freed before long.


Brazilian Landless Protests Hit Capital

 By Andrew Hay

 BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - More than 8,000 Brazilianlandless activists surrounded the central bank on Thursday andthreatened a big fight over land next year unless they get morepublic money to speed up land reform.


Cocaine-Laden Plane Seized in Paraguay

Paraguayan police captured a leading Brazilian drug trafficking suspect after a gunbattle with the occupants of a cocaine-laden plane near the border with Brazil, authorities said.


Thousands Stage Protest at Brazil's Central Bank


Aid Flight Delayed After Plane Hits Cow (AP)

AP - A Boeing 737 carrying aid for Tsunami victims hit a herd of cows as it landed early Tuesday in Indonesia's devastated Aceh province, forcing the airport to close and delaying relief flights, officials said.


Hanjin Denies FT Report on Carlyle #39;s Takeover Bid

Hanjin Group on Thursday denied a report on the progress of its talks with the US private equity fund Carlyle Group over the sale of its shipping and logistics operations.


Microsoft #39;s procurement deals arouse concern

While the US software giant Microsoft has achieved almost sweeping victories in government procurement projects in several Chinese provinces and municipalities, the process


Henson Does Not Finish His First Cowboys Start

Drew Henson can claim three accomplishments that would seem to be the stuff of fantasies: He has played third base at Yankee Stadium, started at quarterback in front


Carlyle Group Shows Interest in Hanjin

Hanjin Shipping Co. has been approached by US private equity fund Carlyle Group LP to acquire some of the South Korean company #39;s transport and logistics assets, Hanjin officials said.


Thousands line streets for Thanksgiving parades, Midwest travelers <b>...</b>

Despite 30-degree temperatures and biting wind, Carl Williams was up at sunrise Thursday to prepare turkey legs, bratwurst, hamburgers and hot dogs on an outdoor grill in Detroit before the city #39;s annual Thanksgiving Day parade.


Hardie talks recommence as compensation fund prepares to file for <b>...</b>

ELEANOR HALL: Talks aimed at finding a long term solution for James Hardie #39;s asbestos victims are set to restart today. But there seems to be little hope that the sides will find agreement soon on meeting


NASA's Rovers Still Exploring Mars (AP)

AP - A year after the first of NASA's twin rovers landed on Mars, scientists on Monday celebrated the robotic explorers that were supposed to last only about three months but are still roaming a planet with a reputation for swallowing spacecraft.


The Fight: NBA, fans, morals

Indiana Pacers player Ron Artest #39;s charging into the stands after a fan who allegedly threw a beer at him Friday, as a fight between members of the


Win Gives Connecticut Good Shot At a Bowl Connecticut 41, Rutgers <b>...</b>

Dan Orlovsky threw three touchdown passes and the Huskies virtually assured themselves of a bowl bid in their first season as a football member of the Big East with a wild 41-35 victory over Rutgers on Thursday.


Thatcher trial wait

MARK Thatcher will have to wait until at least next April to face trial on allegations he helped bankroll a coup attempt in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.


Art of Giving Gets Wins

Coach Eddie Jordan's version of the Princeton offense has given the Wizards an appreciation for moving without the ball and unselfish play.


Terps Get First Test

The No. 22 Maryland women's basketball team faces its first big test of the season Friday when the Terrapins play No. 2 Louisiana State at 7 p.m. in the Coors Classic.


Olowakandi Arrested

Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi is arrested early Thursday after police use a stun gun to subdue him when he refuses to leave a club.


Hokies Ensure Stability

Virginia Tech keeps its coaching staff intact by signing its assistants to the longest guaranteed contracts in major college football.


Cope Still Has Spark

Steelers broadcaster and Terrible Towel creator Myron Cope may be 75 years old, but he's still quick of wit and has the gumption to go toe-to-toe with Daniel Snyder.


Back Spasms Hit Palmer

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is expected to start Sunday against the Browns despite leaving practice on Thursday with back spasms.


Cowboys Outlast Bears

In a game of powerless offenses, Julius Jones supplies 150 yards and two touchdowns to elevate the Cowboys over the Bears, 21-7.


Huskies Down Knights

Dan Orlovsky throws three touchdown passes and the Huskies put themselves in position for a bowl bid with a wild 41-35 victory over Rutgers on Thursday.


Microsoft puts familiar face on cell phones

With all the grumbling over Windows and its many shortcomings, why would anyone want Microsoft #39;s computer operating system to run their cell phone?


Google muscles in on Microsoft turf

Not too long ago, Google Inc seemed little more than a nuisance to Microsoft Corp #39;s software domination. No more. As Google rapidly rolls out new products, the company best known for its wildly popular search


Microsoft: that isnt one flaw  its two separate flaws

commentary Microsoft was a little unhappy with an article I wrote this week because it contained a slight factual error. The error arose from two separate companies finding an almost identical security hole


Hollins will take over as interim coach

Memphis Grizzlies coach Hubie Brown has retired and assistant Lionel Hollins has been named interim coach, ESPN.com has learned. Brown, who became the sixth head coach in franchise history on Nov. 12, 2002


Let youth team go

SPORT Minister Roger Boynes is insisting that if the impasse between the West Indies Players Association and the West Indies Cricket Board is not resolved, he had no problems with the youth


Games over, now let #39;s play

The Zimbabwe government lifted the ban on visiting journalists even though it was revealed that those journos were denied accreditaion because of insufficient information provided!


Iran Seeks Limited Nuclear Program

The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency was unable to confirm that Iran had completely suspended its nuclear programs yesterday, as it had committed to doing, because the Islamic


Aziz briefs NSC on India visit :

Islamabad, Nov 25 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz today briefed the National Security Council (NSC) headed by President Pervez Musharraf on his just-concluded India visit and said he had stressed that lasting peace was possible only with a solution


Claims Over Tasers' Safety Are Challenged

Taser International says that a study endorses the safety of its electrical guns, but the laboratory that conducted the research disagrees.


Hi, I'm Your Car. Don't Let Me Distract You.

Automakers are pitching hands-free technology as a safe way to rein in the expanding clutter of gadgetry, but these devices are probably not as safe as you think.


3-D Maps From Commercial Satellites Guide G.I.'s in Iraq's Deadliest Urban Mazes

The Army has been using a new weapon that combines software with imagery beamed from satellites to make missions somewhat less unpredictable.


New High-Tech Passports Raise Snooping Concerns

Privacy advocates say that new passports that carry information about the traveler in a computer chip will be vulnerable to electronic snooping.


Online Auction to Offer a Bit of Chicago to Bidders

Chicago-related items and experiences will be up for sale Dec. 2 to Dec. 16 on eBay as part of an effort to raise money for arts and cultural programs in the city.


Microsoft, EU see pre-Christmas antitrust ruling

LUXEMBOURG -- Microsoft Corp., which was ruled an illegal monopolist by the European Union in March, will learn next month whether it can wait years before complying with an EU order to sell a stripped-down version of Windows and disclose information on


Grizzlies Coach Retires for Health Reasons (AP)

AP - Hubie Brown retired as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday due to health reasons.


Depleted Pacers Tip Timberwolves 106-102 (AP)

AP - Jamaal Tinsley is making the Indiana Pacers his team. Tinsley had 20 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds to lead the suspension- and injury-depleted Pacers to a 106-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.


NBA: Tinsley Drives Indiana to Beat Minnesota (Reuters)

Reuters - Jamaal Tinsley had a\tremendous all-around game with 20 points, 14 assists, seven\rebounds and five steals to lead the undermanned Indiana Pacers\over the Minnesota Timberwolves, 106-102, at Conseco\Fieldhouse.


Pampling takes over lead in Australian Open

Rod Pampling took advantage of perfect morning conditions to snatch a four-stroke lead midway through the second round of the centenary Australian Open on Friday.


UEFA follow FIFA and place Bernabeu under racism investigation

NYON, Nov 25 (SW) - European Football governing body UEFA have officially announced they had launched an investigation over the racist chanting heard at Real Madrids Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night.


No. 4 Texas Upends No. 1 Tennessee 74-59 (AP)

AP - Tiffany Jackson scored nine of her 19 points early in the second half as No. 4 Texas broke open a close game and went on to a 74-59 win over No. 1 Tennessee on Thursday night.


EU, Iran clash over terms of nuclear freeze

just 3 days after it came into force, the head of the UN atomic watchdog says. Iranian denials has long accused Tehran of trying to build an atomic bomb.


News in brief

Sir Mark Thatcher appeared before a magistrate in Wynberg, near Cape Town, yesterday where his trial on charges of violating South Africa #39;s anti-mercenary laws was postponed until April 8. His passport remains confiscated and he must continue to report to


Torvalds, Open-Source Pioneers Take On EU Patent Issue

A group of open-source software pioneers, led by Linux developer Linus Torvalds, has issued an appeal to the EU Council to block the legalization of software patents.


UN Envoys Urge Restraint by Rwanda

DAKAR, Senegal, Nov. 25 -- UN Security Council diplomats appealed to Rwanda for restraint Thursday after Rwandan President Paul Kagame threatened to renew Central Africa #39;s deadliest conflict, claiming his


Crude Oil May Fall as US Inventories Gain, Survey Shows

Crude oil futures may decline next week on speculation the US is importing enough to boost inventories, easing concern about a shortage of winter fuel, according to a Bloomberg survey.


Brown retires due to health reasons

MEMPHIS Memphis Grizzlies head coach Hubie Brown has announced his retirement tonight, saying his decision is due to unexpected health-related issues.


Newcastle, Schalke 04 and Dnipro qualify for last 32

Last season #39;s UEFA Cup semi-finalists Newcastle United posted their third consecutive Group D win by thrashing French side Sochaux 4-0 to march into the last 32on Thursday.


Saga of Britain's official cats revealed under new Freedom of Information Act (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - LONDON (AP) - Now it can be told: Britain's Home Office had not one official cat, but a whole dynasty of mouse catchers, one of which nearly insulted the Queen.


Henry Doubt for Anfield Clash

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry is rated as having a 50-50 chance of being fit for Sundays game at Liverpool. The 27-year-old has been troubled with an Achilles


Garnett, Timberwolves visit Pacers

Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - The Indiana Pacers try to win their second straight game tonight, as they host Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third of a four-game homestand at Conseco Fieldhouse.


Yasser Arafats life-work must be continued

Britain #39;s Foreign Secretary Jack Straw pledged full support for the Palestinian election to find a successor to Yasser Arafat after paying homage to the veteran leader at his graveside.


PM, Downer downplay pact row

THE Federal Government today played down its reluctance to join a non-aggression pact with Asian neighbours while Prime Minister John Howard prepared for a historic visit with ASEAN leaders.


Brazilians Protest Economic Policies (AP)

AP - Nearly 9,000 rural farmworkers and landless peasants marched in the nation's capital Thursday, seeking major land reform legislation, the official Agencia Brasil news agency said.


SKorean auto plants shut in strike by tens of thousands (AFP)

AFP - Hyundai and Kia automotive plants shut down as their workers joined tens of thousands of other labourers in a strike against proposed new labor legislation, company officials said.


Brazilians Protest Economic Policies

Nearly 9,000 rural farmworkers and landless peasants marched in the nation's capital Thursday, seeking major land reform legislation, the official Agencia Brasil news agency said.


BT broadband mastermind joins French IT firm

TELECOMS giant BT yesterday said it was parting company with one of the architects of its transformation from a fixed-line operator.


Closest view yet of Titan, Saturn #39;s moon Cassini spacecraft also <b>...</b>

Scientists controlling the cameras aboard the Cassini spacecraft in orbit around Saturn have just recovered two extraordinary, contrasting images of the planet #39;s most intriguing moons.


Pittsburgh Upsets No. 21 W. Virginia 21-13 (AP)

AP - Tyler Palko, frustrated nearly all night by West Virginia's defense, completed four third-down passes on Pittsburgh's only sustained drive before scoring from the 2 late in the game to lead a 16-13 upset Thursday of the No. 21 Mountaineers.


Strong euro hurting German morale

FRANKFURT - Surging oil prices and the strength of the euro, currently at an all-time high around 1.32 dollars, are currently weighing on business morale in Germany, the eurozone #39;s biggest economy, a new poll showed.


Letters remain the holy grail to code-breakers

For 250 years it defied all code-breakers. Darwin had a go; Dickens, and Wedgwood too. But the 10-letter inscription - DOUOSVAVVM - carved into a monument on the Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire thumbed its nose at the curious.


With Artest, A Human Quality

Let #39;s imagine that Ron Artest is a knowable person, instead of an animated cartoon of NBA excess that we can conveniently vent on and villainize.


Manning throws for 6 TDs in Colts #39; romp

Peyton Manning threw for six touchdowns in less than three quarters and raised his season total to 41 scoring passes, leading the Indianapolis Colts past the Detroit Lions 41-9 Thursday.


Oil Edges Higher, Watches Weather

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices ticked higher on Tuesday,  holding above \$42 a barrel as dealers awaited signs of any  renewed cold snap that would revive demand for winter heating  fuels in the United States.


Palestinian minister to visit jailed Fatah leader mooting <b>...</b>

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian minister without portfolio Kadura Fares said he will visit Marwan Barghuti on Friday to discuss the imprisoned Fatah leaders plan to run for the presidency in January.


A Proud Father

One of the most dynamic players on the Cavaliers team, Darryl Blackstock, makes sure that he takes care of his 15-month-old son.


Trying to Beat Boutiques and Big-Box Chains

Eight-year-old Angie Rojas pressed her face against a showcase in the Rockville Toys R Us and cupped her hands for a closer look.  quot;Wow, quot; she said, endorsing the toy set up inside, a \$60


Pike strike puts managers in booths

At 12:01 am yesterday, he joined hundreds of turnpike managers and others in manning collection booths along the 531-mile toll road.


Eight killed in Chinese high school knife attack

A man has stabbed eight teenagers to death and injured four others after breaking into a school in central China, teachers and local authorities say.


Middle East ; Straw upbeat on renewed Mideast peace efforts

quot;I #39;ll be leaving Israel and the occupied territories more optimistic than when I came, quot; Straw said. Much of Straw #39;s agenda focused on upcoming Palestinian elections to choose a successor to Arafat.


Autonomy could be a solution to Kashmir issue: Natwar

NEW DELHI: Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh indicated on Thursday that regional autonomy could be a solution to the Kashmir issue.


Fannie Mae Supports New Regulatory Bill

The company, which has long fought legislative efforts to limit its powers, is hoping the strategy will put them in a stronger position to bargain over crucial details with the  government.


Toys R Us Fights to Stay Afloat in Toy Business

Despite fierce competition from dominant of discount chains like Wal-Mart and Target, Toys R Us Inc. is betting its survival on low prices, strong inventory and good customer service.


Skin Trade Threatens World's Few Surviving Tigers (Reuters)

Reuters - The world's tiger population has\plummeted by 95 percent from the start of the 20th century to\as few as 5,000 now and is further threatened by the lucrative\trade in their skins, officials told a forum Friday.


Benefits computer failure chaos

A huge systems crash causes delays in processing some claims at the work and pensions department.


Hackers Taking Aim at Mobile Phones

Cell phones are becoming frequent targets for viruses, spam and other malicious attacks because most are not programmed with protective software.- The Washington Post


I was kept in the dark: Anil

Anil Ambani has written to his brother Mukesh, saying his powers as vice-chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries have been diluted by  quot;keeping him completely in the dark quot;.


Harmony May Have to Raise Bid for Gold Fields, Trading Shows

Harmony Gold Mining Co., the biggest miner of South African gold, may have to raise its hostile 39.3 billion rand (\$6.7 billion) offer for Gold Fields Ltd.


Perfect start for France in Federation Cup

Moscow, Nov 26 - Nathalie Dechy picked up where Tatiana Golovin left off on Wednesday, defeating Maria Sanchez Lorenzo 6-2, 6-4 to give France a confidence-boosting 2-0 lead in their Fed Cup semi-final against Spain.


Newcomers receive quick indoctrination

Poster boys for jet lag, the newest Indiana Pacers quickly made themselves at home Thursday. Britton Johnsen and Tremaine Fowlkes were still a little woozy when they made their debuts against


Oracle To Make PeopleSoft Nominations

quot;We believe that Oracle has nominated this slate to allow Oracle to purchase PeopleSoft for an inadequate price that does not reflect the Company #39;s real value, quot; PeopleSoft said in a statement.


Nintendo Expects Five Million DS Systems.

November 25, 2004 - Nintendo has raised its sales targets for the new Nintendo DS system, which has already launched in America and is scheduled to launch in Japan late next week.


Backyard Fall: Pitt Bests WVU, 16-13

Pittsburgh quarterback Tyler Palko struggled all night through the air, but fortunately for the Panthers, he came through on the ground.


Rebels blow up oil pipeline in Assam (Reuters)

Reuters - Separatist guerrillas blew up an oil pipeline in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, but there was no disruption to supplies, oil officials said on Friday.


Eight children stabbed to death in China school

A man armed with a knife has gone on the rampage and killed eight teenagers at a school in central China, teachers and local authorities said.


Envoys bid to end Ukraine crisis

The EU's Javier Solana and other envoys go to Ukraine to try to mediate in the crisis over the disputed election.


Anil will speak when necessary

Reliance Industries vice-chairman Anil Ambani broke his silence on Thursday. But not to comment on the  quot;ownership issue quot; raised by elder brother and chairman Mukesh Ambani.


Olowokandi misses game after being arrested at bar

The Minnesota Timberwolves held out center Michael Olowokandi from Thursday night #39;s game against the Indiana Pacers, hours after he was released from jail following his early-morning arrest at a Downtown club.


Nine bodies found in Cancun

Nine people, including three federal agents, were found dead at two locations near Mexico #39;s resort town of Cancun, all believed slain by drug traffickers.


Retailers Usher in the Holiday Season (AP)

AP - In a bid to get consumers shopping early, the nation's retailers are serving up even more early bird specials on such items as TVs and toys, expanding their shopping hours and offering other enticements as they usher the official start of the holiday season on Friday.


Oracle to nominate four PeopleSoft directors

Software company Oracle (ORCL) said Wednesday it plans to nominate four candidates for election in 2005 to the board of its rival and takeover target PeopleSoft (PSFT).


Baltimore to quit stock market

Baltimore Technologies, once a darling of the dotcom boom, is to quit the London stock market, putting an end to its chequered history as a listed company.


Clippers Beat Nets 101-88 (AP)

AP - Marko Jaric scored 23 points to lead Los Angeles' balanced scoring and the Clippers beat New Jersey 101-88 Thursday night to run the Nets' losing streak to seven games.


Codebreaker scores success in search for the Holy Grail

For 250 years, the cryptic inscription has exercised the minds of Britain #39;s finest theologians, historians and scientists, including Charles Darwin, Josiah Wedgwood


Space station future adrift

NASA and the nations involved in the International Space Station project will run out of emergency rescue craft within 18 months and have not decided what to do after April 2006, when the final


Self Inflicted Wounds

The West Virginia Mountaineers blew another chance at a decent win on national television, and left to the wel- earned chants of Overrated, as penalties, special teams and questionable decision making by the coaching staff once again doomed the


Wolves center arrested in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS Add center Michael Olowokandi to the list of Timberwolves with off-the-court problems. Olowokandi was suspended indefinitely from the team after he was arrested for refusing to leave Indianapolis nightclub Tiki Bob #39;s early Thursday morning.


Oldest coach of NBA Hubie Brown Retires

Hubie Brown, the oldest coach in the NBA at the age of 71, retired as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday because of health reasons, according to TNT Thursday night as a Breaking News.


Longhorns top No. 1 team for first time since  #39;87

As she stood before the national TV cameras after an All-America type game, Texas sophomore center Tiffany Jackson calmly talked about the inspiration that comes from facing tradition-rich Tennessee.


Apex court permits night viewing of Taj Mahal:

India News: New Delhi, Nov 25 : The Supreme Court Thursday permitted the Uttar Pradesh government to allow visitors to view the Taj Mahal on five moonlit nights a month.


No military solution to Ivorian crisis: Annan

OUAGADOUGOU (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has warned there was  quot;no military solution quot; to the crisis in troubled Ivory Coast and urged President Laurent Gbagbo to abide by internationally agreed peace accords.


WHO: Flu Pandemic Inevitable, Plans Needed Urgently (Reuters)

Reuters - Every country in the world must come up\with a plan urgently to deal with an inevitable influenza\pandemic likely to be triggered by the bird flu virus that hit\Asia this year, a top global health expert said on Friday.


Yukos executives leave Russia

The company #39;s chief financial officer said he won #39;t return until he learns whether the government is planning charges against him.


US Treasuries Drop After Newspaper Says China Cut Holdings

US 10-year Treasury notes had their biggest drop in a week in London, heading for a fifth week of declines, after a newspaper reported that China, the second- largest overseas holder of the securities, reduced its holdings.


All they ask for Christmas is to keep their two front teeth

Just in time for holiday giving, parents are being warned that the popular yo yo water ball that kids bounce and twirl like a lasso is responsible for 400 child injuries nationwide since October, including five in Arizona.


UPDATE:Philippines Budget Data Boost Fiscal Reform Hopes

MANILA (Dow Jones)--Improved revenue collection and tighter controls on government spending kept the Philippines #39; budget deficit well below the administration #39;s ceiling in the 10 months to October, spurring confidence in the market about the government #39;s


Shopping season starts

Red tags marked  quot;75 OFF quot; have an effect on shoppers the way toys and games have on children: They serve as magnets, especially at the traditional start of the holiday shopping season this Thanksgiving weekend.


WTO to impose USD150m fine on US

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is expected to approve USD150m in trade sanctions against the US by the EU, Japan, Canada and four other countries in response to a US anti-dumping law that was declared illegal in 2003.


Gold Fields loses fourth Harmony case

THE defence of Gold Fields against a hostile \$8.1 billion (4.3 billion) bid from Harmony Gold Mining, its smaller South African rival, was dealt a further blow last night when a US court threw out its legal challenge to the takeover.


Stand-in collectors work turnpike toll booths

Engineers, auditors and secretaries staffed toll booths on the Pennsylvania Turnpike yesterday, as 1,800 other employees spent a frigid Thanksgiving on picket lines.


Miller puts UAW label in beer ad

Miller Brewing Co. is telling United Auto Workers members to think union when they have a beer. The UAW endorses the pitch for the union-made beer.


Oil Edges Higher, Watches Weather (Reuters)

Reuters - Oil prices ticked higher on Tuesday,\holding above  #36;42 a barrel as dealers awaited signs of any\renewed cold snap that would revive demand for winter heating\fuels in the United States.


Cracking start to quest, but no sign of Holy Grail

TWO veteran code-breakers from Yorkshire have received a worldwide response to their request for solutions to an enigmatic message on a monument in Staffordshire reputed to say where the Holy Grail is hidden.


Hold the phone: Hackers starting to infect our cells

Several Web sites this month began offering software promising ring tones and screen savers for certain cellphones. But those who downloaded the software found that it turned


China eyes foreign software curbs

China appears poised to issue rules about the extent to which government departments must favour local software, raising concerns that some overseas vendors could be cut out of the large state procurement market.


Researchers tackle  #39;Holy Grail #39; code

Experts say a centuries-old code carved at a British manor house, according to popular legend the key to finding the Holy Grail, is thought to be a cryptic message from an 18th century Christian sect.


Cell Phones Increasingly Attractive To Hackers

Early this month, several Web sites began offering software promising ringtones and screensavers for certain cell phones. But those who downloaded the software found that it turned every icon


Fast forward: DVDs push video players out of the picture

It changed the lifestyles of a generation but after a lingering death, the last rites have been sounded for the revolutionary VHS home video format.


AMD to migrate all CPU production to 90nm SOI process in 2005

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is expected to migrate all of its CPU production to 90nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) processes in early 2005, according to sources at Taiwan motherboard makers, citing AMDs latest roadmap.


Nintendo Drafts Namco For Mario Baseball

November 26, 2004 - Nintendo #39;s pairing with Namco is starting to bear some ripe fruit, with Donkey Konga about to see its third entry and Star Fox Armada taking shape into an impressive 2005 title.


Intel Takes Aim at Microsoft with Linux Push

Intel, the worlds largest semiconductor and Microprocessor Company, is officially helping China and other Asian countries adopt Linux over Microsofts popular Windows platform.


Our Opinion: Fortuitous flood

Floodgates on Glen Canyon Dam were opened for 90 hours this week, sending 67 billion gallons of water - and 880,000 tons of sediment - into the canyon.


Latest News Red Bull show Wirdheim the door

Former Jaguar test and reserve driver Bjrn Wirdheim #39;s Formula One hopes were dealt a blow after Red Bull told him that he will not be working with them next year.


Welshman Dodd midway leader in China

Britain #39;s Stephen Dodd coped admirably with icy winds and rain to produce a two-under-par 70 and take a three-stroke lead at the midway point of the China Open on Friday.


#39;I am the aggressor #39; - Justin Langer

Justin Langer batted and battled through scorching heat to register his 20th century and seal his side #39;s strong position. He spoke to the media after play and was quizzed about the heat, cramps and Matthew


Manning #39;s six TDs extend record pace

COLTS 41, LIONS 9: The Colts quarterback throws four touchdowns in the first half to blow out the slumping Lions. By wire services.


Talking turkey: Bears #39; loss really offensive

IRVING, Texas -- The Bears broke out throwback uniforms from their 1946 championship season for a national-television audience, but their offense remained stuck in the present.


Inmate Barghouthi eyes Palestinian presidency

The West Bank Fatah leader, Marwan Barghouthi, is reported to have decided to run for the Palestinian presidency from his prison cell in Israel.


Art can improve Indo-Pak ties: Pak PM

Islamabad: Observing that art could play a role in promoting peace and harmony across the border, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said it was due to this reason that he and Indian leaders had introduced  quot;music diplomacy quot; during his recent visit


Quake kills 11 in Indonesia

AT least 11 people were killed and 65 injured when a strong earthquake shook Indonesia #39;s Papua province today, collapsing buildings and starting fires, officials said.


SuperSonics Snap Heat's 14-Game Win Streak (AP)

AP - For the first time in nearly a month, the Miami Heat failed to win. Ray Allen scored 35 points, Rashard Lewis added 17 points and 13 rebounds and the Seattle SuperSonics snapped the Heat's franchise-record 14-game winning streak Monday night with a 98-96 victory.


Thatcher #39;s Coup Plot Questioning Postponed until February

A Cape Town magistrate today postponed a court appearance by Sir Mark Thatcher to give his lawyers time to try to appeal a high court judgment requiring him to answer questions from Equatorial Guinea about an alleged failed coup attempt.


Dollar Hits New Low; Gold Heads for \$455

The dollar hit record lows against the euro Friday and a 4-1/2-year trough versus the yen following a report China had cut its holdings of dollar assets, lifting gold to a 16-year high and undermining Tokyo stocks.


Loyal treatment

Kyle Boller knew as soon as Baltimore traded two picks to the Patriots on draft day in 2003 that they wanted him to be The Man.  quot;Nothing is given to you, quot; he said, but it was clear that the Ravens, who'd been through eight quarterbacks in seven years, weren't bringing Boller in as a seasonal temp.


Little Boise St. is thinking big

Once again, they are knocking on the door, nattily attired, a smile on their face, eager to join the party.


Best seats in the house aren't for everyone

In the aftermath of the fiasco that was the Pacers-Pistons game last Friday night, you would think that pro sports leagues would be looking to move fans farther away from the action.


But seriously, folks

As people will remind you, it's the season to give -- and so we're in a giving mood for Week 12. Four choices, four favorites selected, four different scenarios.


NFL games on TV

WASHINGTON (3-7) vs. PITTSBURGH (9-1) When, where: Sunday, 1 p.m., at Pittsburgh. TV: Ch. 25. Last meeting: Steelers won, 24-3, in 2000. Comments: The Redskins offense is dreadful -- with or without Mark Brunell at quarterback. Patrick Ramsey started his first game of the season in a 28-6 loss at Philadelphia last Sunday. Ramsey got little help from star running ...


Brown calls it a career

Hubie Brown retired as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies yesterday due to health reasons.  quot;Unexpected health-related issues will not allow me to continue coaching the Memphis Grizzlies, quot; the 71-year-old Brown said in a statement from Memphis.  quot;This situation was unforeseen and absolutely nonexistent at the beginning of the season. quot;


Key games on TV

TEXAS A amp;M (7-3) vs. TEXAS (9-1) When, where: Today, 3:30 p.m., at Austin, Texas. TV: Chs. 5, 6, and 9. AP rankings: Texas is No. 6, Texas A amp;M No. 22. Last season: Texas won, 46-15. Comments: For the 10th time in the history of the Lone Star Shootout, both teams enter the game ranked in the Top 25. The Longhorns ...


Pittsburgh climbs over Mountaineers

Dan Orlovsky threw three touchdowns and Connecticut strengthened its postseason bowl credentials with a wild 41-35 victory over Rutgers yesterday.


Jackson, Texas stop top-ranked Tennessee

Tiffany Jackson scored 9 of her 19 points early in the second half as No. 4 Texas broke open a close game and went on to a 74-59 win over No. 1 Tennessee last night in Austin, Texas.


Cowboys back in saddle

Bill Parcells wants to develop Drew Henson into an NFL quarterback and he wants to win games. If he has to pick one, he'll take winning every time.


They're at head of their class

The game will be meaningful on so many levels. When Boston College hosts Syracuse tomorrow at Alumni Stadium, the Eagles will not only be playing for their first Big East title in their last game as a conference member, they will also be looking to send off their 14 departing seniors in grand style by clinching a Bowl Championship Series ...


McLaughlin has Woburn fired up

Going out on a high note is just what Woburn running back Mike McLaughlin wanted to do.


Cuqua drives Rebels

Walpole ended its regular season with a 35-12 victory over Weymouth yesterday, but for the 10-1 Rebels, it was just the first stage.


Somber setting for Needham's victory over Wellesley

Senior Chris Sheehan ran for three touchdowns and a career-high 114 yards as Needham scored 13 straight points to take a 28-21 victory against Wellesley in the state's oldest Thanksgiving Day rivalry.


Bulldog victory closes Manning Bowl

The final Manning Bowl bragging rights belong to Lynn English. The Bulldogs closed out the career of the deteriorating 66-year-old Lynn landmark, which is slated to be torn down this winter and replaced by a state-of-the-art facility, by rolling over archrival Lynn Classical, 28-8, yesterday before more than 3,500 fans. For the first time in 28 years, English ...


Blue Hills manages to slip past Southeastern

While a flock of seagulls flew gracefully above, the Southeastern and Blue Hills players slid all over the field yesterday. Warrior Matt Standbury was able to slip in on a 2-point conversion to preserve the Warriors' undefeated regular-season record with an 8-6 win in nonleague action.


Key hit sparks Mansfield win

Defensive players dream of making game-breaking hits like the one Mansfield cornerback Brett McDermott delivered yesterday.


Bang-up job from Cohasset

The Cohasset football team had three goals yesterday: Defeat rival Hull, complete its first undefeated regular season since 1957, and come away from the game injury-free for Tuesday's playoff game. The Skippers accomplished the first two goals, defeating Hull, 20-6, but came away with significant injuries to linemen.


Falmouth shows zero tolerance

An 86-yard touchdown run from Steve Clark in the first quarter provided Falmouth all the scoring it needed as the Clippers defeated Barnstable, 7-0, yesterday for their eighth shutout of the season.


Allukian covers for Latin

In the 118th year of the oldest continuous Thanksgiving Day rivalry in the country, Boston Latin trounced Boston English, 44-0, yesterday at Harvard Stadium.


Westwood moves on behind Guerrero

After dodging serious trouble earlier this season -- in the form of a loss to league-leading Medfield -- the Westwood Wolverines were thinking of three simple words yesterday: Rock Me Amadeus.


Pritchard sends Newton North to postseason

Khalel Pritchard threw three touchdown passes yesterday, giving him 20 on the season, to lead Newton North to a 41-13 win over Brookline and a surprising playoff berth.


D-S has hand in TVL

At least no one can accuse Medfield of backing down. Trailing, 35-28, with less than two minutes to play yesterday on Tri-Valley League rival Dover-Sherborn's home turf, the Warriors pulled within 1 on tailback Brian Lee's third touchdown of the day, a 5-yard pass from Kevin Lynch.


Wilmington keeps its unbeaten record intact

Tewksbury Redmen fans were seeing red yesterday after watching their team get clawed by the ferocious Wilmington Wildcats, 19-8.


Playoffs Bourne's payout

With his team in a three-way battle atop the South Coast Conference, Bourne coach Barry Wood was well aware that not only would his team have to beat Wareham on the road yesterday, but that Dighton-Rehoboth would also have to win at home against Seekonk for his Canalmen to earn a spot in the Division 2A playoffs.


Ground game carries Plymouth North

Recent history was repeated in yesterday's cross-town matchup between the Plymouth North Blue Eagles and the Plymouth South Panthers at Mario J. Romano Field.


Billerica tossed aside in OT

Billerica won two coin flips on Thanksgiving in Chelmsford. Neither, however, brought the team a postseason berth.


St. John's holds off Xaverian

An exciting Thanksgiving Day game between St. John's Prep and Xaverian is something that never changes.


Everett, Nuzzo perfect

With the season hanging in the balance, Everett did what Everett does. Coach John DiBiaso put the ball in Matt Nuzzo's hands, and the senior quarterback ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns as the Crimson Tide pulled away from Cambridge, 31-12, to win the Greater Boston League title yesterday at Tufts University.


Danvers finally breaks through

Danvers quarterback Chris Small and senior Ned Grady have been playing football together since they were children.


Today's schedule

College basketball: MEN -- Marist at Vermont, 7 p.m.; Clemson at Boston College, 7:30 p.m.; Maine at Rhode Island, 7:30 p.m.; Mount Ida at UMass-Boston, 7:30 p.m.; WOMEN -- Weber St. at Northeastern, 5 p.m.; Loyola at Maine, 7 p.m.


Truck delivers action

The TV timeout is one of the banes of a sports fan's life. You're at a stadium, the game is rolling along . . . until everything just stops for 1 1/2-2 1/2 minutes.


This weekend on TV, radio

TODAY COLLEGE BASKETBALL/MEN 4:30 p.m. -- Preseason NIT third-place game: Michigan vs. Providence at New York, ESPN2 7 p.m. -- Preseason NIT championship game: Arizona vs. Wake Forest at New York, ESPN2 7:30 p.m. -- Clemson at BC, NESN, WEEI (850) 9 p.m. -- Maryland vs. Memphis at Springfield, ESPN2 Midnight -- Great Alaska Shootout semifinal at Anchorage, ESPN2 PRO ...


Update 8: Yukos Removes Anti-Crisis Plan From Agenda

Shareholders of the foundering Russian oil giant Yukos will not vote on an anti-crisis plan at a Dec. 20 meeting, the company said in a statement Friday, saying the plan would be impossible to implement in


Salvation Army workers ring in the holiday season

(November 26, 2004) - That familiar jingling at store entrances this time of year might not sound as welcoming as a Christmas carol, but the bell ringing next to those red kettles is music to the Salvation Army and the clients it serves.


BT sells Eutelsat stake for 363m

BT Group, the privatised former British telecoms monopoly, has sold its entire holding in the French satellite operator Eutelsat for 363m.


SA court says Harmony needs competition approval

LONDON (CBS.MW) -- Gold Fields (GFI) said Friday it welcomed a decision by a South African appeals court that Harmony Gold Mining (HMY) cannot exercise any voting rights from Gold Fields shares it may acquire from its early settlement offer until


New clue to mystery of Holy Grail

It looks like a Countdown conundrum and has defied some of the greatest minds for 250 years. But ten letters - D OUOSVAVV M - etched on a tablet at a stately home could reveal where the legendary Holy Grail is buried.


French teen homes in on Fed Cup win

Moscow - Blonde teenage pin-up Tatiana Golovin hopes to crown a first ever return to her native Russia by leading France to victory over the hosts in the Fed Cup final on Saturday and Sunday.


England cricketers fly to Zimbabwe

The England cricket team will fly out to Zimbabwe today for the start of their controversial tour of the south African country. Thirteen British journalists had been banned from covering the tour but, following


Hayden #39;s wicket proves Australia talking-point

Justin Langer showed his fighting qualities to score an unbeaten 144 against New Zealand on Friday though it was Matthew Hayden #39;s refusal to walk that


Yukos considers self-destruction

Shareholders in Yukos are pondering liquidation or filing for bankruptcy, after deciding against a rescue plan for the embattled Russian oil firm.


Japanese prices continue to fall

Japanese consumer goods prices fell again in October, as some analysts predict deflation will continue until 2006


Trade 'can resolve Kashmir issue'

India's foreign minister says improved trade ties with Pakistan could spur on the peace process.


Just flush with pride

Authorities here are always eager to show off their accomplishments, so when Beijing hosted the World Toilet Organization conference last week, delegates were given a grand tour of the city's toilets.


Sunni leaders urge delay in Iraqi elections

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Leading Sunni Muslim politicians yesterday urged postponement of the Jan. 30 national elections, and a senior official said the government had agreed to meet outside the country with Saddam


TOXIC LAB DISCOVERED AS ZARQAWI PAL NABBED

A close aide of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was captured yesterday - as Iraqi troops discovered a laboratory with manuals on manufacturing explosives and toxins.


#39;Pak view of JK fundamentally wrong #39;

NEW DELHI: Questioning the importance being given by Pakistan to separatist Hurriyat leaders, India has said there was  quot;something fundamentally wrong quot; with Islamabad #39;s understanding of realities in Jammu and Kashmir and hoped that this would not be an


Payers want proof for medical treatments

In a tug of war over the skyrocketing costs of medical technology, the makers of implantable defibrillators are opposing a plan by Medicare to track the health outcomes of patients who get the devices.


Free credit reports to bear ads

Ordered by Congress to give consumers free access to their own credit reports once a year, the nation's three largest credit bureaus are turning that requirement into a marketing opportunity.


Yukos executives leave Russia, speculation deepens

MOSCOW -- A half-dozen executives of Yukos, the embattled oil giant, have left Russia and the company's chief financial officer said he won't return until he learns whether the government plans to charge him.


Tax-fight veterans see hurdles for Bush

The two primary architects of Congress's last major tax reform say President Bush has failed to lay the groundwork for his ambitious tax agenda and will have to invest a vast amount of political capital to succeed in simplifying the code.


Dollar slides again

Skeptical markets drove the dollar to a record low yesterday against the euro, with the European currency climbing above \$1.32 for the first time.


ADV: Great Stocks at Great Prices!

Renowned value fund manager Jon D. Markman offers stock recommendations and investing strategies in his weekly newsletter, TheStreet.com Value Investor. Act now for a free trial.


Bush Asks His Father and Clinton to Raise Funds

President Bush enlisted his two predecessors to lead an effort to raise money from corporations for disaster relief.


Dollar Hits New Low; Gold Heads for  #36;455 (Reuters)

Reuters - The dollar hit record lows against\the euro Friday and a 4-1/2-year trough versus the yen\following a report China had cut its holdings of dollar assets,\lifting gold to a 16-year high and undermining Tokyo stocks.


Iran Says It's Fully Committed to Nuke Enrichment Freeze (Reuters)

Reuters - Iran will honor its pledge to the\European Union and U.N. nuclear watchdog to freeze uranium\enrichment and all related activities, Tehran's chief delegate\to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Friday.


Online Identity Theft: Many Medicines, No Cure (PC World)

PC World - Anti-phishing applications, smart cards, and new authentication technologies are vying for your support.


The phone that knows you better than you do

If you thought predictive texting was impressive, you ain #39;t seen nothing yet. A cellphone is on the way that can predict what you are about to do.


Cell Phones Increasingly Attractive To Hackers (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - Early this month, several Web sites began offering software promising ringtones and screensavers for certain cell phones. But those who downloaded the software found that it turned every icon on their cell phones' screens into a skull-and-crossbones and disabled their phones, so they could no longer send or receive text messages or access contact lists or calendars.


Chemical Weapons Lab Found in Falluja: Iraq Minister

A laboratory for the manufacture of chemical weapons has been found in Falluja, an Iraqi minister said on Thursday, but Marines in the city said they were not aware of any such discovery.


Chemical Weapons Lab Disclosed In Fallujah

A chemical weapons laboratory has been found in the former rebel stronghold of Fallujah, Iraqi Minister of State Kassim Daoud announced on Thursday.


Coming soon: Taj by night

Come Saturday, the monument of love, the Taj Mahal, can be viewed in the splendour of the full moon, 20 years after security fears ended night visits.


Pampling Leads Australian Open (AP)

AP - Australia's Rod Pampling took a four-stroke lead in the centennial Australian Open on Friday, shooting his second straight 4-under 67.


Protest rocks Aboriginal island

Protesters on an Aboriginal island in Australia storm the local police station after the death of a man in custody.


Dollar bounces back from low

The dollar bounces back from earlier lows, amid hopes of central bank intervention to support the currency.


Burma releases more prisoners

\Burma's ruling junta frees about 500 more prisoners, and says it will release veteran dissident Win Tin.


Cricket: Australia in command

Justin Langer hits an unbeaten 144 as Australia reach 327-3 against New Zealand.


BJP demands transfer of seer case

India's main opposition says the case of a Hindu seer facing murder charges must be heard outside Tamil Nadu to ensure that justice is delivered.


Families row over home PC access

Arguments over who gets to use the home computer are breaking out in families across the UK, says a survey.


Tehran seeking exemptions in EU deal

VIENNA -- Iran insisted yesterday that it had a right to exempt some equipment from an agreement with the European Union committing it to freeze all parts of a program that can make nuclear weapons-grade uranium, a move that diplomats said threatened to scuttle the deal.


EU, Russia fail to reach accord at summit

THE HAGUE -- Russia and the European Union failed yesterday to complete negotiations on a  quot;strategic partnership quot; because of disagreements over security and other issues at a summit overshadowed by the Ukraine political crisis. The two sides said they were confident a final pact will be reached next May, however.


Alarm raised on Asia's males

The explosive growth of male populations in China and India could threaten social order in those countries as well as international security, according to a book by two academic researchers.


End to genital mutilation urged

VIENNA -- Young girls born in Europe to immigrant families from Africa are subjected to ritual genital mutilation, and authorities are doing little to discourage it, a leading activist for women's rights warned yesterday.


Havana's Chinatown struggles

HAVANA -- At first glance, Havana's Chinatown seems a misnomer. Restaurants serve pizza, and actual Chinese are vastly outnumbered by tourists and Hispanics.


Free radio seeks a new format

PRAGUE -- Ronald Reagan used it to reach out to the Soviets during the Cold War. Lech Walesa, the leader of Poland's Solidarity movement, likened it to the sun lighting the earth. Rock band R.E.M. immortalized it in a cynical hit song.


Leaving slums of Paris, two Muslim teens turn to waging jihad

PARIS -- The two teenage friends hardly seemed like Islamic radicals. They smoked marijuana, drank beer, listened to rap music, and wore jeans.


A morning jog, a midday feast, soldiers taste tradition

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq -- The race started like any other, with the pop of a gun and the slap of sneakers on hard mud. The sun had begun to peek above the purple horizon, and the air was New England cold.


US casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan

The Department of Defense has identified the following US service members who were killed recently in Iraq and Afghanistan:


8 Slashed to Death in Chinese High School

The unexplained attack is the latest and most serious in a series of such knifings that have alarmed the Chinese public and led police to reinforce security at schools and day-care centers.


Two Marines Killed in Fallujah

Two Marines killed, three wounded by insurgents during house-clearing in Fallujah.


UK Plays Down Prince Harry Kidnap Threat Reports

LONDON (Reuters) - Buckingham Palace Friday termed"irresponsible" newspaper reports that a kidnap threat forcedBritain's Prince Harry to cut short a trip to a polo pony farmin Argentina.


450 Colombian Paramilitaries Disarm

Some 450 right-wing paramilitary fighters left Colombia's crowded battlefields, turning in their weapons and asking society to let them back into its fold.


Nine Bodies Found in Cancun

The bodies of nine people, including three federal agents, were discovered at a pair of sites outside Cancun, a Mexican resort city that lies near a route used to smuggle cocaine from Colombia to America's streets.


DWP kills 60k PCs in Windows XP upgrade lash-up

Updated Down for four days and counting...


Terapixel digital images approach

Digital images that are billions of pixels in size are now becoming commonplace.


Swap offer for pirated Windows XP

Microsoft is starting a scheme to replace pirate versions of Windows XP with legal ones.


Online Identity Theft: Many Medicines, No Cure

Anti-phishing applications, smart cards, and new authentication technologies are vying for your support.


Shell pushes back AGM

Oil giant Royal Dutch/Shell has decided to delay shareholder meetings that will vote on a new unified board structure to allow more time to prepare the necessary documentation.


Court extends Stelco protection

TORONTO -- Stelco Inc. #39;s protection from creditors was extended to Feb. 11 yesterday at a court hearing where lawyers for shareholders and workers ganged up on a bid by Deutsche Bank to refinance the steelmaker.


Most back moon trip, but not Mars

Americans may support a return trip to the moon, but there is much less interest in going on to Mars. Also, a majority say they don #39;t believe the space agency should receive a boost in


Now, cellphones turn advisers!:

Technology India: Washington, Nov 26 : How about a cellphone that can intelligently advise you on what or what not to do based on your track record?


Anti-Insurgent Raids Net Large Seizure of Iraqi Rebels, Weapons

US and Iraqi government forces have captured scores of suspected insurgents and seized an enormous stockpile of weapons and explosives during anti-insurgent operations in Iraq.


UN pulls food aid from Darfur

KHARTOUM, Sudan -- The World Food Program has suspended its operations in most of the Sudanese state of North Darfur and relocated its staff to the capital because of renewed clashes between rebels and government forces, the UN agency said Thursday.


Whatever Happened to SGI?

What high-powered, high-design, graphics-oriented, Unix-based computers are beloved by their fanatical users? Clue: It's not what you think. By Jason Walsh.


Science Geek Gifts for All

Banish underwear from your gift-giving list this year! Your smarty-pants friends and relatives aren't as hard to buy for as you might think. The web is full of brain-gratifying gift ideas. By Kristen Philipkoski.


Porn Prohibitionists Miss Point

If we're going to start worrying about porn, doesn't it make sense to actually study its role in society rather than make stuff up? Commentary by Regina Lynn.


Technology Over Ideology

FCC chairman Michael Powell has confounded liberals and free market purists. He's an official that defies simplification. By Lawrence Lessig from Wired magazine.


Langdon Gilkey, 85, Theorist on Nexus of Faith and Science, Dies

Langdon Gilkey was a prominent Protestant theologian who argued for a rational, even satisfying, co-existence between science and faith.


Target bans Salvation Army ringers

By Sam Haverstick, Special to The CJ. Dillon West, 11, doesn #39;t understand why Target Corp. won #39;t let the Salvation Army place bell ringers outside its stores this Christmas.


Nintendo Honored by  quot;Walk of Game quot;

Nintendo did particularly well in a recent poll ran by  quot;Walk of Game quot;. With Shigeru Miyamoto winning a lifeti. Walk of Game, the first physical landmark honouring the icons and pioneers of the videogame industry


Comfortable win pleases Souness

Graeme Souness was naturally delighted as Newcastle comfortably beat Sochaux 4-0 to book their place in the Uefa Cup knock-out stages.


PLO #39;s Abbas faces Fatah, Hamas challenges

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas must patch up differences in his influential Fatah group if he hopes to check the growing power of Islamic militants opposed


Man with knife kills 8, wounds 4 at central China high school

A man with a knife broke into a high school dormitory and killed eight students in the deadliest of a series of knife attacks at Chinese schools in recent months, the government said Friday.


Prince Harry flies home from Argentina amid reports of shooting

Prince Harry headed home from Argentina on Friday, royal officials said, amid media reports that shots were fired at the ranch where he was staying.


Fan mayhem over South Korean heartthrob at Tokyo hotel leaves 9 <b>...</b>

A sudden frenzy erupted among fans of South Korean soap opera star Bae Yong-joon as he left his Tokyo hotel in a car Friday, leaving nine Japanese women hurt and prompting an apology from Bae.


Big Spending Bills Become Congressal Habit (AP)

AP - Ronald Reagan, in his 1988 State of the Union address to Congress, hefted a 1,000-page, 14-pound spending bill and warned lawmakers against sending him more "behemoths" like this. "And if you do, I will not sign it."


S Korea motor workers on strike

Staff at Hyundai and Kai walk out as part of a nationwide strike in protest at proposed new legislation encouraging temporary work.


Oracle unveils PeopleSoft board candidates

Oracle has revealed the identities of the four people it will nominate to the board of PeopleSoft as it pushes ahead with its efforts to take control of the company.


Oregon trees head to Texas to cheer military families #39; holidays

Oregon Christmas tree growers are shipping 1,300 donated trees to military families based at Fort Hood, Texas, industry officials said.


Microsoft wins over China public sector

China is becoming increasingly alarmed that Microsoft is winning the lion #39;s share of too many government contracts to supply software.


Hackers exploit critical Winamp flaw

IT security experts have uncovered a critical vulnerability in the popular Winamp media player, which could be exploited by hackers to compromise a user #39;s system.


Manning deflects talk about possible TD passes record

Unfortunately for the Detroit Lions, this was after the game in the locker room, when he was inundated with questions about his record-setting pace.


Huskies quickness overwhelms Utes

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - The Utah Utes have something the Washington Huskies dont: a pure big man blessed with silky talents. But the Huskies have something the Utes dont: swarming, suffocating, overwhelming quickness.


11 dead in Indonesia earthquake

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - An earthquake in Indonesia on Friday has killed at least 11 people and injured about 65 others. The 6.4-magnitude quake occurred at 11:25 am local time near the town of Nabire, in West