Martinez may be just start

Pedro Martinez confirmed on Dominican television yesterday that he has reached an agreement with the Mets, representing perhaps the flashiest signing in team history.


From blowout win to defeat

Philadelphia - Something happened - something few probably thought would make a difference - on the way to the Nuggets #39; blowout of Philadelphia that wasn #39;t.


Uefa Cup Preview: Rangers-Auxerre

AZ are through but the fate of Rangers, Auxerre and Grazer AK will be decided tonight. It seems simple: avoid defeat and youre through.


Mobile firms sign 'Super 3G' deal

NTT DoCoMo, Vodafone and 24 other mobile phone firms and manufacturers join forces to develop the next generation of high-speed handsets.


Egypt Charts New Course for Mideast Peace (AP)

AP - Egypt is generating new hope for Mideast peace after four bleak years, transforming Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon from pariah to peacemaker and seeking to draw Arab leaders and a wary public into its efforts.


Stationmasters Face Charges in India Crash

Railway officials say a train collision in northern India that killed at least 37 people apparently was caused by a communications lapse between stations, and that the two stationmasters face criminal charges in the disaster.


Interim Palestinian leader decries armed struggle

Mahmoud Abbas, the interim Palestinian leader, said in an interview published Tuesday that the armed struggle against Israel was a mistake and should end.


Gunmen Attempt to Take Mosul Police Posts, Repelled

MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - Insurgents attempted to overrun two  police stations in the northern city of Mosul but were repelled  by Iraqi police and National Guards, the U.S. military said  Wednesday.


Pretenders to Europe Crown About to Learn Their Fate

LONDON (Reuters) - The 50th season of European club  competition reaches a defining moment this Friday when the draw  for the first knockout stage of the Champions League takes  place at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.


Kidnapped Turk Killed in Afghanistan -- Witness

KABUL (Reuters) - A Turkish engineer abducted by a militant  gang in eastern Afghanistan was found dead on Wednesday, a  witness who saw the body being carried down from a mountainside  told Reuters.


China Colliery Accidents Kill 5,286 Miners This Year

BEIJING (Reuters) - Colliery accidents in China killed  5,286 miners in the first 11 months of the year, but the  government cast the figure in a positive light, saying it was  at an all-time low relative to production.


Australia lifts maritime security

Australia announces plans to create a security zone around its coastline, five times larger than its territorial waters.


Turk 'found dead' in Afghanistan

A Turkish engineer kidnapped in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday has been killed officials say.


Vodafone denies backing Verizon-Sprint merger

Verizon Communications Inc. #39;s wireless partner on Tuesday distanced itself from discussions of a potential bid for Sprint Corp.


Fiat seeks pact in row with GM

Fiat and General Motors (GM) have agreed to begin a period of mediation to resolve the future of the Italian conglomerate #39;s loss-making auto group.


NASDAQ TO OFFER \$100M IN SHARES

The Nasdaq is jumping into the gold rush to sell shares of itself to the public, getting a head start over its rival, the New York Stock Exchange.


Christmas email carries virus say Symantec

Symantec, the world #39;s leading information security provider, today warned of a new worm threatening computer users in the approach to the Christmas season.


Colts' Freeney Rushes to Get Most Sacks (AP)

AP - Dwight Freeney always has gotten the attention of offenses.


Benitez frustrated by Pompey draw

The Anfield manager saw Portsmouth snatch an injury-time leveller last night to scupper hopes of a victory which was in demand after Saturday #39;s derby slip-up.


Even Knicks get their 15 minutes

It was the kind of defense these Knicks are not known for. The kind they often pay lip service to. The kind that leads to ugly basketball, long stretches without points and NBA victories.


Fans rushing onto the court or field will be costly to SEC schools

Southeastern Conference schools must prevent fans from rushing onto the basketball court and football field or face fines that could reach \$50,000.


Clippers miss shot

Coming off a double-overtime loss to Boston and not arriving in Salt Lake City until 3:30 am, the Clippers surprisingly showed no signs of fatigue against the Utah Jazz -- until perhaps the final minutes.


Passenger bus seizure in Greese

Greek police surrounded a bus full of passengers seized by armed hijackers along a highway from an Athens suburb Wednesday, police said.


UN Mission Sends Military Team to Investigate Fighting in Eastern <b>...</b>

Following reports of fighting between different factions of former members of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and weapons distribution to civilians in North Kivu province, the United Nations mission today said it sent a


European Shares Up on Fed Relief

LONDON (Reuters) - European shares tracked Wall Street's  gains after the Federal Reserve stuck to its "measured"  rate-tightening pace, reassured on inflation and indicated that  the U.S. economy was growing at a moderate pace.


Decatur job outlook is weak

The Decatur area employment outlook is one of the weakest in the nation, according to results from the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.


United reaches tentative pact with pilots on givebacks

An expert says the agreement probably will make it easier to reach cost-cutting deals with the ailing carriers other unions. United Airlines is making headway in its efforts to trim labor costs by \$725


Almost nobody has a dog in this fight

You expect fans to lose interest whenever billionaires battle millionaires for a larger slice of the economic pie, but not to the extent being seen in the dogfight between the NHL and its players over a new collective bargaining agreement.


Finnan recalled to Pool side

Steve Finnans recall to the Liverpool starting line-up for Tuesday nights Premiership clash with Portsmouth at Anfield was one of six changes made by displeased manager Rafa Benitez, but the Reds were hit by an injury time equaliser from Pompey


No. 1 Tigers too much for Gophers

Ina showdown between two of the top womens college basketball players in the nation, Minnesotas Janel McCarville shined, scoring a career-high 31 points and making a boisterous statement for her Wooden Award candidacy.


FCC Mulls Wireless Internet Access on Jets (AP)

AP - When it comes to communication, commercial airline passengers go from the Internet Age to the Stone Age once a plane takes off.


Tokyo Edge: More Mobile Music (PC World)

PC World - Sony embraces MP3, while new Blu-ray and speaker technology reaches the living room.


Europe #39;s highest bridge links art and engineering

President Jacques Chirac inaugurated Europe #39;s highest bridge yesterday, a creation taller than the Eiffel Tower, longer than the Champs Elyses and designed to end a traffic bottleneck in southern France.


Filipinos mourn Poe #39;s death

Elissa Claris, 55-year-old, a supporter of top movie star and defeated presidential candidate Fernando Poe, prays as fans and supporters gather in front of a funeral parlour where Poe #39;s wake is being held in Pasig, suburban Manila, December 14.


UN troops storm Haitian slum area

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Hundreds of UN troops stormed a stronghold of ousted Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide #39;s supporters yesterday.


India and Pakistan negotiating to prevent nuclear missile launch

Pakistan and India started talks Tuesday to discuss the possible agreement on giving advance warning of ballistic missile tests that could help to prevent the possible accident connected with nuclear weapons.


Fighting resumes in DRC

Kanyabayongo - Fighting between the regular army of the Democratic Republic of Congo and armed men resumed early on Wednesday near the eastern town of Kanyabayonga, an AFP journalist reported, while UN officials in the capital Kinshasa reported an


DEATH PROBE VICTORY

THE family of an Iraqi man allegedly beaten to death by British troops in custody yesterday won a legal battle in their fight for a full inquiry into the scandal.


Rampaging Elephants a Headache in S.Africa (Reuters)

Reuters - There are no\easy answers when it comes to keeping the world's largest land\mammal in check.


U.S. Missile Defense Test Fails (Reuters)

Reuters - The first test in nearly two years\of a multibillion-dollar U.S. anti-missile shield failed on\Wednesday when the interceptor missile shut down as it prepared\to launch in the central Pacific, the Pentagon said.


Greece meets West at these Vermont diners

There was steam on the windows. Outside, the town was in the grip of a freeze. It was time for a break, and this looked like a good place to thaw out. It was all red and chrome, a meatloaf-shaped building on a side street off Burlington's main drag. A neon sign said  quot;Oasis, quot; and that's exactly ...


On a mountainside, chef lets flavors shine

Although the village has several dining opportunities, force yourself to drive the five minutes it takes to reach Auberge Sauvignon, a charming mountainside restaurant just outside the resort. Owner Francine Moreau sets a tone of unmatched hospitality in the front of the house, with chef Marc Bujold providing the culinary wizardry to make this steakhouse and cozy ...


Toney wants fighting chance

James Toney has learned at least one thing from reading the Bible. He doesn't hide his light under a basket.


Renteria's decision expected today

The Red Sox could have a new shortstop -- National League All-Star Edgar Renteria -- as soon as today. Renteria plans to decide today whether he will succeed his Colombian countryman, Orlando Cabrera, as Boston's everyday shortstop, according to a source familiar with Renteria's plans.


Lucchino thinks it was a bad move

The president and chief executive officer of the Red Sox thinks Pedro Martinez made the wrong decision. But Larry Lucchino nonetheless had nothing but praise for the former Red Sox ace, who decided to take a more lucrative offer and join the New York Mets.


Achieving his goals

Hugo Sanchez is nicknamed  quot;Hu-gol quot; and  quot;Pentapichichi, quot; referring to his five successive scoring titles in Spain's Primera Liga while playing for Real Madrid. Now Sanchez, who also performed for the San Diego Sockers in the North American Soccer League and Dallas Burn in Major League Soccer, is having similar success as a coach.


Celtics enjoy fruits of labor

As the end of regulation neared Monday night at Staples Center, a visiting scout watched coach Doc Rivers go through a series of fiery paroxysms and asked,  quot;Is Doc always this emotional? quot; Yes, but as Rivers watched the Celtics rally from a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit, his display was clearly different.


Ice hockey: Season may be lost

The entire ice hockey season could be lost to the dispute over salary capping.


Missile defence shield test fails

A test of the planned US anti-missile defence shield fails in the first mission in almost two years.


An Effort at a Union Comes Up a Loser at the Track

A former exercise rider at Santa Anita stables in California had hoped to organize a strike by the stable hands just before the racing season resumed the morning after Christmas.


Film renters applaud change

Customers at the Blockbuster at Grant Street and East Sixth Avenue in Denver welcomed the company #39;s announcement to abandon late fees.


NHL, union deadlocked: Owners, players reject latest labor <b>...</b>

It may be several more weeks before the 2004-05 NHL season officially dies. But barring an utter collapse in the resolve of locked-out players, any real hope the league will play this season disappeared yesterday.


Notebook: GM Sund a lame duck, too

As general manager, Rick Sund is chiefly responsible for the plan to play the season with seven pending free agents, and he has no qualms that the team decided to forgo a contract for him until after the season.


Rangers urged on to Euro glory run

Rangers manager Alex McLeish has challenged his players to embark on a Uefa Cup run which would put Scottish football back on the European map.


Gunmen seize bus in Athens suburb

ATHENS, Greece - A Greek bus with 26 people aboard was hijacked Wednesday by two armed men who demanded to be taken to Athens airport and flown to Russia, police and government officials said.


Stationmasters Face Charges in India Crash

Railway officials say a train collision in northern India that killed at least 37 people apparently was caused by a communications lapse between stations, and that the


PC World's Holiday Wish List

From big-screen TVs to big-time DVD players, here's what we'd like to receive this year.


The Dollar Dips Against the Euro

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar dipped against the euro on  Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve proved less hawkish on  interest rates than some investors had expected, while the yen  rallied on a key Japanese business survey.


Blockbuster axing dreaded late fees

Blockbuster is doing away with the most dreaded part of renting movies and games: the late fee. The move comes as Blockbuster battles lackluster demand.


Passenger Leaves Hijacked Greek Bus (Reuters)

Reuters - A passenger was seen leaving a hijacked\Greek bus Wednesday five hours after two foreign gunmen seized\the vehicle carrying 26 passenger in an Athens suburb, a\Reuters correspondent at the scene said.


Australia and Pakistan set to wage speed war

Australia and Pakistan have both delayed naming their teams for the first test starting in Perth on Thursday as they consider adding extra pacemen to their bowling stocks in anticipation of a speed war.


Body of Turk Engineer Found in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - The body of a kidnapped Turkish engineer was found in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, a day after he was snatched with his driver and interpreter by a band of armed men, officials said.


Passenger Leaves Hijacked Greek Bus

ATHENS (Reuters) - A passenger was seen leaving a hijacked  Greek bus Wednesday five hours after two foreign gunmen seized  the vehicle carrying 26 passenger in an Athens suburb, a  Reuters correspondent at the scene said.


Oil prices rise above US\$42 as winter tipped to turn colder

SINGAPORE: Crude oil prices rose above 42 dollars a barrel in Asian trade on northern winter concerns as OPEC indicated its longer-term price target was around 30 dollars a barrel, dealers said.


Positive Wales in jobs lead

THE hiring intentions of Welsh employers for the first quarter of 2005 are more positive than the UK average, research from Manpower showed yesterday.


Survey deals blow to corporate Japan

The Bank of Japan #39;s latest Tankan quarterly survey of business conditions showed sentiment among large manufacturers falling for the first time in seven quarters, reflecting the downturn in corporate sector activity in Japan.


Eichel says German payments to the EU should be considered in <b>...</b>

quot;In the meantime, it has been accepted in the EU that the German reunification has caused high burdens for us and therefore is a special problem.


Let light shine on Bombardier dealings

Laurent Beaudoin has done us all a favour. Monday #39;s boardroom upheaval at Bombardier Inc. brings a natural opportunity to reassess the taxpayers #39; role in this prestigious company.


House prices and the Fed

As the Federal Reserve moves to raise short-term interest rates once again, flags are being raised about the impact on housing prices.


RIM infringed NTP patents, appeal court rules

The US Court of Appeals has ruled that Lawsuits in Motion - aka Research in Motion - did indeed violate patents owned by intellectual property holding company NTP.


Oil Prices Climb Above \$42 a Barrel

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed above \$42 a barrel on  Wednesday, rising for the third day in a row as cold weather  gripped the U.S. Northeast, the world's biggest heating fuel  market.


It came from the vaults! Google seeks to open the library

In what could be a historic move in the history of the internet, Google has announced arrangements with Harvard University, and a handful of public libraries, to digitize parts of their valuable collections and make them available over the public web.


MSN Desktop Search Beta tested

WITH GOOGLE nipping at its heels, Microsoft has just released a beta edition of its new MSN Desktop Search application. Like Google #39;s very similar product, Desktop Search builds an index of documents and e


Samsung, Sony in cross-license deal

Two of the world #39;s consumer electronics giants, Samsung Electronics and Sony, have signed a cross-license agreement detailing mutual usage of patents across major product lines owned by the two companies.


Internet worm disguises itself as electronic Xmas card

Making use of the current trend to send festive greetings via email, a new virus is making the rounds. A variant of the ZAFI worm, the WORM_Zafi.


NASA Cassini Image: Titan #39;s Dark Terrain

This view from Cassini #39;s second close flyby of Titan on Dec. 13, 2004 shows bright material within the large dark region west of Xanadu.


Nasa plan comet mission

Nasa has announced that the launch of a pioneering mission to further understanding of the make-up of comets will take place in January next year.


Siemens and Ningbo Bird Deny They #39;re in Talks Over Mobile Unit

Siemens AG, Germany #39;s biggest engineering company, denied it is in talks with potential venture partners for its troubled mobile-phone business, which sustained losses in the quarter through June.


LuaLua hijacks Gerrard #39;s magic moment

As Superman and Batman would no doubt reflect during their cigarette breaks, the really draining thing about being a hero was that you have to keep riding to the rescue.


Crowd salutes changing of the garb

Jason Williams strolled through the turnstile at Charlotte Coliseum on Tuesday night wearing a purple Hornets T-shirt from the teams 1999 opener against the Orlando Magic and


Hijackers seize Athens bus

Two armed hijackers are holding 26 people hostage on board a Greek bus after seizing it near the capital Athens. Police are surrounding the bus stopped between Marathon and the capital.


Negligence blamed for train crash in India

Get INQ7 breaking news on your Smart mobile phone in the Philippines. Send INQ7 BREAKING to 386. MUKHERIYAN, India -- Railway authorities blamed negligence for the head-on collision of two packed trains that


Middle East ; Abbas calls on Palestinians to end armed struggle

Middle East News, GAZA, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has called for his people to pursue negotiations instead of violence in the struggle for a state, marking out a change of strategy for peace with Israel after Yasser Arafat #39;s death.


Australia alert on Indonesia attack

The Australian government has warned that terrorists could be preparing to carry out an attack in Indonesia, possibly targeting a Hilton hotel.


South Korea cautions Japan against sanctions on North Korea

SEOUL: South Korea cautioned Japan against imposing sanctions on North Korea saying the step could complicate efforts to end the impasse over the communist country #39;s nuclear weapons drive.


Body of Kidnapped Turk Found in Afghanistan

The body of a kidnapped Turkish engineer was found in eastern Afghanistan today, less than 24 hours after he was snatched with his driver and interpreter by a band of armed men.


Pakistan and India discuss missiles, hotlines

Pakistan and India held a second day of talks on Wednesday to agree on steps to avert misunderstandings over their nuclear arsenals, a Pakistani official said.


Fiat, GM to Start Mediation Over Option

MILAN (Reuters) - The heads of Fiat SpA and General Motors  Corp. will meet face to face in a last-ditch attempt to avoid  litigation over whether the Italian group still has the right  to sell its loss-mired carmaking arm to GM.


Yukos seeks US bankruptcy refuge

Russian oil giant Yukos files for bankruptcy protection in the US in a last ditch effort to stop the Kremlin auctioning its main production unit.


Jobless level continues to fall

The number of people out of work in the UK fell by 29,000 between August and October to 1.39 million, the latest official figures have shown.


Yukos Files in US for Bankruptcy Under Chapter 11 (Update1)

OAO Yukos Oil Co., Russia #39;s second- largest oil producer, said it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US and asked for an emergency court hearing to stop the sale of its main unit in four days.


Hong Kong Shares Rise Slightly

Hong Kong shares rose slightly on Wednesday, tracking gains on Wall Street as the US Federal Reserve announced a rate hike. The blue-chip Hang Seng Index climbed 35.02 points, or 0.25 percent, to 14,078.54.


Cassini gets altitude adjustment

The Cassini-Huygens mission #39;s second (comparatively) close encounter Monday with Saturn #39;s moon Titan generated more atmospheric drag on the spacecraft than expected, NASA mission controllers say.


EPA targets fine particle pollutants

Fine particle pollution has been significantly reduced in recent years, but millions of people live in areas where concentrations remain high - and their health remains at risk, the


NHL needs to think small

Well, I still think he was a small-minded, wishy-washy puppet, but maybe, it turns out, he was right. Maybe he was right to treat the NHL as a mom-and-pop league, way down the ladder in


Mets see only the headlines FPTOZDUMB

This is an eye chart, reprinted as a public service to the New York Mets so they may see from what they suffer: myopia. Has ever a baseball franchise been so shortsighted for so long?


North Korea Warns Japan Against Imposing Sanctions (Update7)

North Korea would consider any decision by Japan to impose economic sanctions as a declaration of war, #39; #39; the communist nation #39;s Foreign Ministry said.


Four killed as violence flares after UN troops storm Haitian <b>...</b>

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti At least four people have been killed in shootouts in a slum near Haiti #39;s capital following a show of force by UN troops.


Fed hikes interest rates

(12/15/04)-- Investors are not necessarily eager for higher interest rates, but at least the Federal Reserve #39;s quarter-percent boost brought no surprises.


Blockbuster ending late fees at company-owned stores

Blockbuster Inc., the largest US video-store chain, will stop charging late fees at its company-owned stores to try to stem three consecutive quarters of declining sales and fend off a challenge for customers from Netflix Inc.


ATA Midway gates at center of battle

The bidding war between AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines over bankrupt ATA #39;s Midway business continued Tuesday, revealing a new, competitive world for low-cost carriers.


Arsenal need  quot;silly money quot; to land Man City #39;s SWP

Manchester City chairman John Wardle says they will only sell winger Shaun Wright-Phillips for  quot;silly money quot;. He said:  quot;I have no intention of selling Shaun Wright-Phillips.


So What Happened in That Election, Anyhow?

No consensus exists among Democrats about why John Kerry was defeated, and the party is locked in a battle of interpretation over just what went wrong.


Cricket: S Africa make solid start

Jacques Kallis hits 81 not out as South Africa reach 247-4 after day one of the third Test against England.


YUKOS Files for U.S. Bankruptcy

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian oil major YUKOS said on  Wednesday it had filed for bankruptcy protection in a U.S.  court and would seek an order from the court to halt the Dec.  19 sale by the Russian state of its main oil unit.


Fed raises again

Central bank boosts fed funds rate to 2.25 but after 5 hikes in this year what #39;s in store for  #39;05? NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The Federal Reserve raised a critical short-term interest rate by a quarter of a percentage


Larson voices his opposition to OPECs decision

On the same day the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to cut its daily oil output to 27 million barrels, US Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, sent


IBM #39;s PC deal seen as strategic withdrawal

IBM #39;s decision this past week to sell a majority stake in its personal computer business to Lenovo Group, a vendor based in China, for \$1.75 billion in cash, stock, and debt assumption, is


Particle pollution falls 10 in 4 years

The average level of a deadly form of air pollution dropped in the USA from 1999 to 2003 as new pollution controls made strides in battling the nation #39;s air quality


Shevchenko voted Europe #39;s finest

AC Milan and Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko has been named European Footballer of the Year. Barcelona #39;s Deco and Ronaldinho were second and third with Arsenal striker Thierry Henry fourth.


FA TO CECH ON REF RANT CLAIM

THE FA last night launched an inquiry over Chelsea keeper Petr Cech #39;s alleged criticism of referee Graham Poll for allowing Thierry Henry #39;s free-kick in Sunday #39;s 2-2 draw at Highbury.


City making plans for Keegan #39;s departure

Manchester City are actively seeking a replacement for manager Kevin Keegan who is leaving at the end of next season when his contract expires after five years at the Premier League club.


Anger Rises as Does Toll in Remote Indian Islands

PORT BLAIR, India (Reuters) - Tempers flared over the  sluggish pace of aid efforts in India's remote and restricted  Andamans and Nicobars on Sunday as hundreds of bodies lay  scattered around the islands a week after the tsunami struck.


Kidnapped Turkish engineer killed in Afghanistan

Get INQ7 breaking news on your Smart mobile phone in the Philippines. Send INQ7 BREAKING to 386. KABUL, Afghanistan -- A Turkish engineer taken hostage in Afghanistan was killed by kidnappers who had been


BNP LEADER BAILED ON RACE HATE RAP

BNP leader Nick Griffin was bailed last night by police questioning him over race-hate offences. Griffin, 45, had been arrested at his home in Wales in the wake of a BBC documentary showing him condemning Islam as  #39;a vicious, wicked faith #39;.


Asia to fuel air travel growth

Global air travel is set to be boosted by an increase in travel between Europe and Asia, thanks to growth in both China and India.


Yukos files for bankruptcy

Embattled Russian oil giant Yukos has launched bankruptcy proceedings in a Houston, Texas court, the company has said. Claire Davidson, a spokeswoman for the company in London, did


Trade Deficit Hits Record in October; November Output Up

The trade deficit in October grew larger than analysts had expected despite the recent decline of the dollar against major currencies.


Former England star Gazza hit by pneumonia (AFP)

AFP - Former England star Paul Gascoigne is recovering in hospital from pneumonia but his agent denied the 37-year-old was seriously ill.


Pilots reach agreement with airline

United Airlines has secured a tentative contract agreement with its pilots, clearing a critical early hurdle in its effort to make another round of painful


No End in Sight: There is no sliver of hope for season

That #39;s what you can be assured of now following the NHL #39;s unflinching rejection of the NHLPA #39;s recent offer to end the current lockout and the union #39;s subsequent rejection Tuesday of a league counter-proposal.


A deadly reversal

I hope that newspapers do not represent public opinion. If they do, it means that we consider the Home Secretary #39;s love affair more important than the resumption of the most deadly conflict since the second world war.


Australia to Boost Security Net Around Coastline (Reuters)

Reuters - Australia plans to strengthen its\coastal security with a controversial surveillance footprint\that stretches south of New Zealand to north of Indonesia.


India stocks hits new record highs; index above 6,400 points (AFP)

AFP - Indian shares rose 1.21 percent to close at a new record high after aggressive foreign fund buying on prospects of strong economic growth and amid regional gains, dealers said.


Australia Warns of Possible Indonesia Hotel Attack (Reuters)

Reuters - Australia said on Wednesday a\terrorist attack could be carried out soon in Indonesia,\possibly targeting Western establishments such as a Hilton\hotel in the world's most populous Muslim nation.


Australia alert on Indonesia attack

Australia warns that terrorists could be preparing an attack in Indonesia, possibly targeting a Hilton hotel.


China to lead recovey in air travel industry

Geneva - China is expected to be the world #39;s fastest-growing market for air travel as the world #39;s airlines look for global growth in passenger traffic of 6 percent annually over the next four years, the top industry body said on Wednesday.


RIM loses patent case

A federal appeals court affirmed that Research In Motion, which makes the popular Blackberry, has infringed on holding company NTP #39;s patents but can continue selling its products in the United States pending a district court #39;s decision.


Fathers of grid computing form start-up

The researchers who spawned the idea of grid computing will launch a company Monday to commercialize what so far has been a very academic software project for sharing computing resources.


ICANN enters negotiations on .mobi, .jobs domains

DECEMBER 14, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Two new top-level domain names moved closer to approval this week, as the body charged with overseeing the Internet #39;s technical matters moved into negotiations with the companies applying to set up and run the  quot;.


Mesic Seen Retaining Presidency as Croats Vote

ZAGREB (Reuters) - Croatians voted in a presidential  election on Sunday, and liberal incumbent Stjepan Mesic was  expected to win a second term and help take the former Yugoslav  republic into the European Union in 2009.


City Put 25m Price Tag On SWeeP

Manchester City are reported to have hung a 25 million price tag on Shaun Wright-Phillips. It seems that City, whose debts have grown to 62 million, are willing to part company with their star player, but


British death toll in tsunami disaster rises to 40 (AFP)

AFP - At least 40 British nationals are now confirmed as having been killed in the Asian tsunami disaster, according to latest figures released by the Foreign Office.


Greek Bus With 26 on Board Hijacked

Police take cover as they surround a bus in eastern Athens early Wednesday Dec. 15, 2004. A Greek public bus with about 27 people aboard was hijacked and shots were fired at police.


India ; Train services resume after accident site cleared of <b>...</b>

quot;There was a collision between a train coming from Ahmedabad and a local train. Both trains were going at great speed, quot; said Kewal Krishna Sharma, one of the injured.


ABBAS PEACE BID

JERUSALEM - In a stunning declaration, the Palestinian leader virtually certain to succeed Yasser Arafat said yesterday that the 4-year-old armed uprising against Israel was a mistake and must end.


Bush Called  #39;Immoral #39; for Stance on Global Warming Treaty

An environmental activist group has declared President George Bush  quot;immoral quot; for his failure to support the Kyoto Protocol.


NBA Today (AP)

AP - Utah at Phoenix (10:30 p.m. EST). The Suns (18-3) have the NBA's best record and have won nine of their last 10 games.


YUKOS Files for US Bankruptcy

Russian oil major YUKOS said on Wednesday it had filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court and would seek an order from the court to halt the Dec. 19 sale by the Russian state of its main oil unit.


Asia to fuel air travel growth

Global air traffic is set to be boosted in the next three years by a rise in travel between Europe and Asia, thanks to growth in both China and India.


Late fees end for some movie rentals

Dallas-based Blockbuster Inc. announced Tuesday that its doing away with late fees starting Jan. 1. Watching a movie may now become the relaxed activity


World #39;s top libraries sign up with Google

Google has announced a long-term project to put 15 million books from seven of the world #39;s top libraries online. The libraries of Harvard, Stanford, the University of Michigan, the New York Public Library


Turkish hostage killed in Afghanistan

Wednesday. He had been abducted by a militant gang on Tuesday on the road between the city of Jalalabad and Kunar province. Khan, told Reuters.


Vodafone denies backing Verizon #39;s bid for Sprint

NEW YORK, December 15 (newratings.com) - The worlds leading mobile-phone operator, Vodafone Group Plc, denied yesterday that it had approved a bid by its partner, Verizon Communications Inc, for Sprint (FON.


Yukos files for bankruptcy in US

A representative of embattled Russian oil company Yukos said Wednesday the company has launched bankruptcy proceedings under US law in a Houston court.


ERIC J. SINROD

The FCC) has just declared that DigitalVoice, an Internet telephony service provided by Vonage, is not subject to the patchwork of state regulations that govern telephone companies.


BAR put up for sale.

The BAR Formula One team has officially been put up for sale by administrators Simon Morris and Andrew Hosking - but only to aid the restructuring of the team that will see Honda take a 45 stake in the Brackley based outfit.


Italy to Quit Kyoto Pact After 2012 -- Newspapers (Reuters)

Reuters - Italy is likely to withdraw from the Kyoto\Protocol on climate change at the end of the treaty's initial\period in 2012, Italy's environment minister was reported as\saying by Italian newspapers on Wednesday.


Majerus Expected to Be Named Head Coach at USC

LOS ANGELES (Sports Network) - Rick Majerus has reportedly  accepted an offer to be the new head basketball coach at  Southern California.


Greek Bus Hijackers Want to Go to Russia -- Hostage

ATHENS (Reuters) - A hostage on a hijacked Greek bus said  in a mobile phone call from the vehicle Wednesday that her  captors wanted to fly to Russia and were armed with guns and  explosives.


Three Polish Soldiers Die in Iraq Helicopter Crash

WARSAW (Reuters) - Three Polish soldiers were killed in a  helicopter crash in Iraq, where the country runs a  multi-national division, the army said Wednesday.


Australia Warns of Possible Indonesia Hotel Attack

SYDNEY/JAKARTA (Reuters) - Australia said on Wednesday a  terrorist attack could be carried out soon in Indonesia,  possibly targeting Western establishments such as a Hilton  hotel in the world's most populous Muslim nation.


Chemical Ali  'first to be tried'

The man known as "Chemical Ali"  will be the first Saddam aide to go on trial, Iraq's defence minister says.


Basilea in Talks with J J Over Antibiotic

ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland's Basilea is in talks with a  subsidiary of healthcare and consumer products maker Johnson    Johnson over a licensing agreement for the Swiss biotech firm's  BAL5788 antibiotic.


Five important fixes in MS December patch batch

Microsoft #39;s regular monthly patch delivery slipped into port yesterday carrying five new patches, each described by Redmond as  quot;important quot;.


Fujitsu, Cisco form strategic alliance

Johannesburg, 15 December 2004 - Fujitsu and Cisco Systems have reached a fundamental agreement to enter into a strategic alliance focusing on routers and switches that will enable service providers and enterprises to build advanced Internet Protocol (IP


Game over: NHL, its players have accomplished nothing

EDMONTON - This NHL season died from neglect ages ago and on Tuesday it became obvious. Two wrongs make for last rites. The NHL and its players have accomplished nothing through 90 days of this lockout other


No place for the faint-hearted

Assuming Australia bat first at the Waca ground against Pakistan, you can be sure the blood will be pumping through my heart and veins faster than on most occasions that I face the first ball in a Test match.


Reds #39; first move of winter produces starting pitcher

Since the day after the Reds fired Jim Bowden and Bob Boone nearly 17 months ago, virtually all of the club #39;s transactions have been geared toward raking in prospects and getting younger, especially on the pitcher #39;s mound.


Thousands missing from Thai town

In one tsunami-hit Thai town, more than half of the 5,000-strong population are missing, police say.


Pyongyang Says Japanese Sanctions Would Amount to  #39;War #39;

North Korea has warned Japan that any sanctions against the communist state would be regarded as a declaration of war. Opinion polls show about two-thirds of the Japanese public supporting


YUKOS Files for U.S. Bankruptcy (Reuters)

Reuters - Russian oil major YUKOS said on\Wednesday it had filed for bankruptcy protection in a U.S.\court and would seek an order from the court to halt the Dec.\19 sale by the Russian state of its main oil unit.


Brazil corruption charges urged

More than 90 people in Brazil face possible charges after a two-year inquiry into money laundering.


J amp;J-Guidant could help Boston Scientific

The anticipated merger of Guidant Corp. and Johnson  amp; Johnson could give an unintended boost to Boston Scientific Corp. if Guidant's drug-coated stent launch is delayed, said analysts looking at the implications of a potential deal.


Wall Street Set to Start Little Changed (Reuters)

Reuters - Wall Street was set to start little\changed on Wednesday, a day after the Federal Reserve raised\rates by 25 basis points as widely expected, while Lehman\Brothers  will be in focus ahead of its results.


3 Independent Yukos Directors Resign Over Pressure From Russian <b>...</b>

Three independent directors of the Yukos Oil Company have resigned from their posts claiming they cannot work while the Russian authorities are pushing for the companys collapse, Yukos major shareholder Group Menatep said in a press release Wednesday


Toshiba Unveils 80 GB Hard Drive

Toshiba has unveiled the world #39;s first hard disk drive (HDD) based on perpendicular recording, setting new benchmarks for data density by boosting the capacity of a single 1.8-inch hard-disk platter to 40 gigabytes.


-- Innovative Launch Gets Major Music Label Support from Warner <b>...</b>

Telefonica Moviles Espana, the leading operator in the Spanish market, today announced that it has licensed and launched a mobile music solution from Melodeo, a Seattle-based company, that allows Telefonica Moviles Espana to provide secure digital music


UPDATED: iPod firmware update breaks Real  #39;hack

Apple #39;s most recent firmware update for the iPod, released last month, breaks Real Network #39;s Harmony technology, which enable songs bought from Real #39;s online store to be played on the device.


Nokia to put holograms on batteries

AP - Nokia, the world #39;s largest handset maker plans to mark its original batteries with a hologram as part of the fight against unsafe, counterfeit mobile phone batteries - some of which have exploded in users #39; hands.


Pedro agrees to join the Mets

Speaking to a Dominican Republic television station, Martinez said he and the Mets are  quot;happy with everything. quot;. The deal for the pitcher who helped Boston win the World Series will be worth more than \$50 million.


Bobcats Beat The Hornets

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The Charlotte Bobcats won their first meeting with the New Orleans Hornets last night! It was the Hornets first trip back to Charlotte since their bitter departure after the 2001-2002 season.


Hamas Cancels Anniversary Rally (AP)

AP - Hamas on Wednesday canceled its 17th anniversary rally over concerns that Israel could target leaders of the Islamic militant group in retaliation for a deadly attack on an army outpost in Gaza.


Sprint Agrees to Buy Nextel for \$38 Bln

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sprint Corp. on Wednesday agreed to  buy wireless telephone company Nextel Communications Inc. in a  cash and stock deal worth as much as \$38.45 billion to gain  more business customers and more wireless airwaves to transmit  calls.


YUKOS Seeks U.S. Bankruptcy

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian oil major YUKOS has filed for  bankruptcy protection in a U.S. court and will seek an  injunction to stop Russia from auctioning off its main  production unit on Dec. 19, it said on Wednesday.


Sprint, Nextel to merge

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Sprint and Nextel announced plans to merge Wednesday, creating a new wireless phone power with about 35 million customers, enough to make it No.


Air passenger traffic set to record strongest growth since 1992 <b>...</b>

GENEVA : International air passenger traffic should record its strongest growth in 12 years in 2004, climbing by 11 percent for the year as a whole, the International Air Transport Association said Tuesday.


Microsoft monthly bulletin includes five new warnings

Microsoft released five security bulletins on Tuesday as part of its monthly update cycle, warning of vulnerabilities that put computers running Windows at risk of attack.


Particle pollution falls 10 in 4 years

WASHINGTON -- The average level of a deadly form of air pollution dropped in the United States from 1999 to 2003 as new pollution controls made strides in battling the nation #39;s air quality problem, the Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday.


Majesco picks up Phantom Dust for US release

Xbox-exclusive title Phantom Dust has been acquired for US release by publisher Majesco, after developer Microsoft Game Studios declined to launch the title outside Japan earlier this year.


More meetings would keep this Atlantic rivalry afloat

The Knicks lost last night to the Nets #39; A Team, the one with Jason Kidd in the lineup for 21 minutes, 40-32. They beat the B Team, the one without Kidd, for 27 minutes, 55-39.


Caesarean 'low birth risk link'

Women opting for a Caesarean should be warned there is a small chance that it will jeopardise later natural births, say experts.


Rate hike #39;s effects

The Federal Reserve #39;s new wave of interest-rate increases is spilling into consumers #39; and investors #39; lives in good and bad ways.


YUKOS Seeks US Bankruptcy

Russian oil major YUKOS has filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court and will seek an injunction to stop Russia from auctioning off its main production unit on Dec. 19, it said on Wednesday.


80 million more PCs in India by 2010!

The personal computer market in India will see a massive boom by 2010, according to a new report by Forrester Research. India, says the report, will add 80 million (8 crore) new PC users by 2010.


Oracle Buys PeopleSoft for \$10.3 Billion

PeopleSoft Inc. on Monday agreed to a sweetened \$10.3 billion buyout by rival software maker Oracle Corp., relenting after a 18-month takeover saga that included the ouster of PeopleSoft #39;s chief executive.


Stability Pact: France and Germany off the hook for now

The Commission has lifted the excessive deficit procedure, first launched in 2003, against France and Germany. But already there are doubts about Germany respecting the rules in 2005.


Google offers five libraries funding to digitize materials

But university officials would be open to the possibility -- especially if someone else foots the bill. Google Inc., the popular online search engine, said Tuesday it would pay for the New York Public Library


Studios launch campaign against BitTorrent

Hollywood stepped up its battle against internet pirates yesterday when the Motion Picture Association of America launched a legal battle against the filesharing networks BitTorrent and eDonkey.


Zafi worm purports to be Christmas greeting

A new variant of the so-called Zafi worm surfaced Tuesday, disguised to appear as a Christmas greeting. Multiple antivirus researchers reported the emergence of the latest iteration of Zafi, classified as


Brand name isn #39;t always better _ at least when it comes to <b>...</b>

Chances are, if your employees are using Microsoft Corp. #39;s Internet Explorer to surf the Web or Outlook to check e-mail, your company is more exposed to viruses and spyware, some security experts say.


Pompey frustrate Liverpool boss Benitez

The Spaniard saw Portsmouth snatch an injury-time equaliser on Tuesday night to frustrate Liverpool who had been hoping for a win after Saturday #39;s derby defeat to Everton.


BSkyB wins rights to cover home England tests

England #39;s home test matches will disappear from terrestial television after BSkyB won exclusive rights to cover live matches from 2006 to 2009, officials said on Wednesday.


Mortgage Applications Fell Last Week--MBA (Reuters)

Reuters - Applications for U.S. home mortgages\declined last week as refinancing activity fell and mortgage\rates were little changed, an industry group said on Wednesday.


Mortgage Applications Fell Last Week--MBA

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for U.S. home mortgages  declined last week as refinancing activity fell and mortgage  rates were little changed, an industry group said on Wednesday.


Sprint, Nextel Announce Merger Plans

Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. announced this morning that they will merge the companies in a deal that would create a new wireless telecommunications giant.
-The Washington Post


Yukos Files for Bankruptcy in U.S.

The Yukos oil company has filed for bankruptcy in the United States and appealed for a temporary restraining order against the auction of its main production unit that is scheduled for Sunday - dramatically challenging the Russian government to enter arbitration proceedings.


Oil Futures Rise on Signs of Cold Winter

Crude oil futures moved upward Wednesday, as the northeastern United States - a heavy consumer of heating oil - felt the first signs of what could likely be a colder-than-expected winter.


EADS superjumbo runs over budget

European aerospace giant EADS warns  that the A380 superjumbo project is running heavily over budget.


Scots employers aim to go hire

EMPLOYER hiring confidence in Scotland is robust for the first quarter of 2005, notably above the national average, according to research released today.


Roddick in talks over new coach

Andy Roddick is reportedly close to confirming US Davis Cup assistant Dean Goldfine as his new coach. Roddick ended his 18-month partnership with Brad Gilbert on Monday, and Goldfine admits talks have taken place.


Private sector asked to help pay for Expos #39; new home

The district council Tuesday night narrowly approved a motion to finance construction of a new baseball stadium in the city. However, the motion only passed after an amendment was added that forces the private


Graduate Student Presumed Dead In Haiti

A graduate student at the University of Notre Dame was missing and presumed dead after he was shot by an armed gang in Haiti, a school official said.


A380 super-jumbo to cost 1.45 bln euros more than planned: EADS (AFP)

AFP - The research and development costs of Airbus's new A380 super-jumbo will be 1.45 billion euros (1.9 billion dollars) more than planned, the co-chairman of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, Rainer Hertrich, revealed.


Football: Spain chief in race probe

Spain's Football Federation launches an investigation into racist comments made by national coach Luis Aragones.


Shares in Air China jump on debut

Shares in China's biggest airline Air China close up 8 after making their debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.


Update 8: Yukos Files for Bankruptcy in US

In an eleventh-hour move, the Yukos oil company has filed for bankruptcy in a United States Court and is demanding the cancellation of an auction of its main production unit slated for Sunday.


Court Lifts BlackBerry Maker #39;s Injunction

A US appeals court issued a mixed ruling this week in a patent dispute between Research in Motion (RIM), maker of the popular BlackBerry devices, and NTP.


China #39;s needs could rescue European industry

Good news has been in short supply for Europe #39;s traditional industrial economies like Germany and France. Growth remains weak, unemployment high, labor markets are still rigid and the euro is soaring, pricing their exports out of the market.


Job outlook moderately optimistic for 2005, survey finds

ITHACA -- During the next four months, job seekers looking for work in durable goods manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and education may have the best luck, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.


Japan #39;s manufacturers less confident

Bank of Japan  #39;tankan survey #39; also shows strong capital spending, boosting stocks and the yen. TOKYO (Reuters) - Confidence among Japan #39;s big manufacturers waned for the first time in seven quarters, the Bank


FRANCE: Gucci Reveals Strategy Plans For Its Brands

Fashion house Gucci Group doesnt expect its Yves Saint Laurent label to break even in the next three years, but said it is keeping to its promise not to axe any of its smaller brands.


University of Michigan

The participating libraries include those at the University of Michigan, Google co-founder Larry Page #39;s alma mater; Stanford University, where Page and Google co-founder Sergey Brin met as doctoral students and dreamed up the idea of the search engine


MPAA Expected to Target BitTorrent Trackers

In order to thwart the growth of this network, the MPAA will be pursuing BitTorrent indexing servers known as trackers. While trackers function somewhat differently than traditional indexing servers found


#39;Apple copies Windows #39; claim launches desktop wars

Desktop search means a new battle for dominance between a wide field of competitors, and the warfare has begin. The technology promises users an incredibly fast way to search for data on their drives.


New Toshiba hard drive uses perpendicular technology

Tokyo - Toshiba Corp. has developed a 1.8-inch hard disk drive that achieves a 40 Gbyte capacity by employing a perpendicular recording technology for the first time.


Zafi worm will deliver an unhappy Christmas

A new version of the Zafi e-mail worm is spreading seasonal greetings along with its malicious code, according to antivirus software companies.


Microsoft ends year with critical security alert

Microsoft has released its last regular security update of the year which includes five new patches, all rated  #39;important #39;, and the reissue of a  #39;critical #39; patch after extensive revisions.


Nintendo to Bring Music, Video to DS Game Machine

Nintendo Co. will begin selling an adaptor for its DS and Game Boy Advance handheld game players to allow them to play music and video, the company said, matching a popular feature on Sony #39;s portable game machine.


Nokia turns up the heat on battery forgers

Nokia today unveiled its latest initiative in the battle against low-quality counterfeit mobile phone batteries. To help customers identify original batteries from rip-offs that have been known to catch fire


Samsung Mobile Phone Memory Card

Samsung Electronics announced yesterday that it has developed a small, low-power, multimedia memory card (MMC) for mobile phones. The new removable MMCmicro memory card


Liverpool 1, Portsmouth 1 (Echo)

Wasted chances, edgy crowd, gradual retreat into defence, late panic, strange negative substitution, two points wasted. A pessimistic Liverpool supporter turned around at half-time and said:  quot;It can #39;t get any worse than this.


CASILLAS #39; DELIGHT AT BUMPER TURN-OUT

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas was delighted with the turn-out at Tuesday night #39;s  #39;Game against Poverty #39; in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.


Nationals Cancel Unveiling of Uniforms

The Washington Nationals have postponed a news conference for Wednesday to unveil their new uniforms. A team spokesman tells The Associated Press they #39;ll issue a statement later Wednesday about why the event is being delayed.


Three Palestinians killed in Rafah; Palestinians blast one Israeli <b>...</b>

Three Palestinians were killed and other three injured one of them in a critical health condition by the fire of the Israeli occupation forces in al-Salam quarters to the south of Rafah near the border strip with Egypt.


Two detained for cinema blaze

Istanbul, Turkey - Turkish investigators on Wednesday were questioning two cinema employees about a fire that ripped through an Istanbul movie theatre during a gala premiere and injured some 200 people, officials said.


UK Reshapes Embassy Network to Face New Threats (Reuters)

Reuters - Britain is to reshape its overseas\diplomatic network, closing or turning over to local staff\several dozen posts, in a cost-cutting drive to pay for\embassies in Iraq and Afghanistan and to fight terrorism.


Ethiopia Struggles to Feed Itself 20 Yrs After Famine (Reuters)

Reuters - A ragged band of children\emerges ghost-like from mists in Ethiopia's highlands,\thrusting bunches of carrots at a car full of foreigners.


US mobile giants Sprint and Nextel to merge

Sprint and Nextel announced today that their boards of directors have unanimously approved a  #39;definitive agreement #39; for a merger of equals creating the third-largest US mobile phone carrier.


Yukos shields itself with US bankruptcy law

Washington - US bankruptcy law, invoked by Russian oil group Yukos on Wednesday, allows a company in financial difficulties to continue functioning while it seeks an agreement with creditors.


BlackBerry infringement ruling upheld

A US appeals court has upheld a ruling that Research in Motion, the maker of BlackBerry pagers, engaged in patent infringement, but it gave the company a chance to reduce a jury award that has grown to more than \$100 million with interest.


Blockbuster nixes late fees on rentals

Keep that copy of Shrek 2 an extra week. Heck, keep it forever: Blockbuster Inc. announced yesterday that the ubiquitous rental chain is letting customers hold onto movie and game


Ethiopians denounce border talks

More than 50,000 people in Addis Ababa demonstrate against government plans to renew border talks with Eritrea.


BlackBerry Patent Case Swings Away from RIM to NTP

There will be furrowed brows over at Research in Motion Ltd (RIM), the Canadian company behind the ever-popular wireless email device, BlackBerry.


Oil Futures Rise on Signs of Cold Winter

Crude oil futures moved upward Wednesday, as the northeastern United States _ a heavy consumer of heating oil _ felt the first signs of what could likely be a colder-than-expected winter.


Windows kernel, LSASS flaws fixed

As anticipated, Microsoft today released five security bulletins rated  quot;important. quot; All five fix vulnerabilities in Windows that could have been exploited by attackers to


Space News Headlines for December 14, 2004

One of NASA #39;s twin robotic Mars rovers, Spirit, has discovered a mineral linked to water according to ABC.  quot;Scientists identified the mineral goethite in bedrock studied in the Columbia Hills.


Sri Lanka tries to help tsunami orphans (Reuters)

Reuters - So many Sri Lankan children have been orphaned by the tsunami that the government appealed on Sunday for doctors, psychologists and paediatricians to help give counselling.


Early merger consequences

Having reaped the benefits of 18 months of uncertainty over the make up of the enterprise applications market as a result of the Oracle/PeopleSoft merger battle, SAP AG maintains it has no worries even though the two have now agreed to merge.


Majesco sweeps up rights for Phantom Dust

Premier title from Microsoft Japan is coming to America; Majesco will localize and publish the Xbox actioner in wake of Microsoft #39;s decision to pass.


Last-minute haggling as EU prepares Turkish green light

The EU sought Wednesday to keep pressure on Turkey over its bid to start talks on joining the bloc, as last-minute haggling seemed set to go down to the wire at a summit poised to give a green light to Ankara.


Egypt hopes for jobs boost as it signs trade deal with Israel and <b>...</b>

Egypt and Israel signed an agreement on Tuesday that will boost employment and might act as an impetus for other Arab countries to make peace with Israel.


Curtains for Poe: Da King is dead; long live Da King

A MEMBER of the Philippine royal family in the movies moved on to the Great Beyond midnight Monday (December 14), sending his hordes of fans in mourning.


Tyco probed on oil-for-food

SEC asks the conglomerate for information about participation in the defunct UN program in Iraq. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tyco International said the Securities and Exchange Commission asked it for information


Man Arrested in UK Tsunami Death Email Probe (Reuters)

Reuters - British police said on Sunday they had\arrested a man after a hoaxer posing as a government official\emailed relatives of people missing since the Asian tsunami,\saying their loved ones had been confirmed dead.


The Worrying Developments of the Debate in France

It is often said that the debates over Turkey #39;s application for membership into the European Union (EU) reveal the fact that the European project has come to a standstill and that they reflect a lack of vision from its leaders.


Best Buy Quarterly Profit Jumps 21 Pct. (Reuters)

Reuters - Best Buy Co. Inc. , the top\U.S. electronics retail chain, on Wednesday posted a 21 percent\rise in quarterly profit and said it gained market share in the\period.


Best Buy Quarterly Profit Jumps 21 Pct.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Best Buy Co. Inc. BBY.N, the top  U.S. electronics retail chain, on Wednesday posted a 21 percent  rise in quarterly profit and said it gained market share in the  period.


Stocks Set to Open Slightly Higher

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks were set for a slightly higher  open on Wednesday, boosted by wireless carriers Sprint Corp.  FON.N and Nextel Communications Inc. NXTL.O, which agreed  to combine in a deal worth about \$35 billion.


Lehman Brothers 4th-Qtr Profit Up 22 Pct

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers  Holdings Inc. LEH.N on Wednesday said fourth-quarter profit  rose 22 percent on continued strength from fixed-income  businesses and record investment banking revenue.


Mortgage Applications Fell Last Week-MBA

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for U.S. home mortgages  declined last week as refinancing activity fell and mortgage  rates were little changed, an industry group said on Wednesday.


YUKOS Seeks Bankruptcy

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian oil major YUKOS has filed for  bankruptcy protection in a U.S. court and will seek an  injunction to stop Russia from auctioning off its main  production unit on Dec. 19, it said on Wednesday.


Sprint and Nextel Announce a \$35 Billion Merger

While the combined company makes a formidable No.3 player in the wireless market, it may be hard pressed to match the firepower of its larger rivals.


Sprint to Buy Nextel in \$35 Billion Deal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sprint Corp. on Wednesday agreed to  buy wireless telephone company Nextel Communications Inc. in a  cash and stock deal worth about \$35.17 billion to gain more  business customers and more wireless airwaves to transmit  calls.


Oil Above \$42 a Barrel on Cold Weather

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed above \$42 a barrel on  Wednesday, rising for the third day in a row as cold weather  gripped the U.S. Northeast, the world's biggest heating fuel  market.


Lehman 4Q Earnings Rise Sharply

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. on Wednesday said fourth-quarter earnings rose 22 percent, driven by record revenue in its investment banking and capital markets segments.


Sony, Samsung To Share Patents

Samsung Electronics and Sony Corporation have signed a cross-license agreement, licensing those patents, which are considered to be the basic technologies necessary for product development.


Company Claims First True WiMax Chip

WaveSat this week began shipping a chip that it says is the first to comply fully with the IEEE 802.16-2004 wireless broadband standard, commonly known as WiMax.


In the frame

OPINIONS were split in the Australian camp over the future of Brett Lee last night following a maverick selection push by captain Ricky Ponting.


Irish PM says chance for Northern Ireland peace too good to miss (AFP)

AFP - The current push to secure peace in Northern Ireland is too good an opportunity to miss through petty political point-scoring, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said.


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sprint Corp. FON.N on Wednesday  agreed to buy mobile telephone company Nextel Communications  Inc. NXTL.O in a deal worth \$35.17 billion to gain more  business customers and more airwaves to transmit calls.


Global Markets: European Stocks Rise

LONDON (Reuters) - European shares rose to 29-month highs  on Wednesday while the dollar came under modest pressure  despite a rate hike, and reassuring words, from the Federal  Reserve.


IATA Sees Strong Passenger, Cargo Growth

International airline passenger numbers are set to grow by six per cent year-on-year to the end of 2008, driven by economic expansion in China and India, the industry #39;s global body IATA said on Wednesday.


Wall St looks to build on fresh highs

Wall Street futures crept higher on Wednesday, as investors looked to build on the previous sessions fresh highs and attention turned to the \$35bn merger between telecommunications


Polyglot virus is Xmas party pooper

An email worm which poses as a Christmas greeting began spreading widely yesterday. Zafi-D comes as an infectious attachment to emails written in a variety of different languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Swedish and Hungarian.


BSkyB Gets Exclusive Live Rights to England Cricket (Update1)

British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc, Rupert Murdoch #39;s UK pay-television arm, won an exclusive four- year contract to show live English cricket, cementing its grip on sports programming in Britain.


Judicial hearings set for Hussein #39;s comrades

Baghdad -- Judicial proceedings will begin next week against some of the most senior leaders under former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Iraq #39;s interim prime minister said Tuesday in a surprising announcement that put the past government #39;s crimes before


Italy calls to end Kyoto limits

Italy has called for an end to the Kyoto Protocol after the environmental treaty #39;s initial period in 2012, preferring voluntary agreements that would entice the United States, China and India to tackle climate change.


Iraq #39;s  #39;Chemical Ali #39; to Be Tried First -- Minister

Ali Hassan al-Majid, one of Saddam Hussein #39;s closest aides and better known as  quot;Chemical Ali, quot; will be the first of Saddam #39;s top deputies to be tried, Iraq #39;s Defense Minister Hazim al-Shalaan said on Wednesday.


TMM to Sell 51 Percent Stake in TFM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mexico's Grupo TMM agreed to sell its  51 percent voting stake in Grupo Transportacion Ferroviaria  Mexicana SA de CV, or Grupo TFM, to Kansas City Southern  Industries Inc. for \$200 million in cash and 18 million shares  of stock, the companies said on Wednesday.


US mobile groups confirm merger

Sprint and Nextel agree to merge in a deal which will create the third largest mobile phone operator in the US.


Legg Mason to Offer 4 Million Shares

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Legg Mason Inc. LM.N, one of the  fastest-growing U.S. asset management companies, on Wednesday  said it plans a public offering of 4 million shares, a sale  that could raise almost \$300 million.


Yukos Seeks US Court Protection to Foil Unit Sale (Update3)

OAO Yukos Oil Co., Russia #39;s second- largest oil producer, said it sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US and requested an emergency court hearing to stop the Russian government #39;s auction of its biggest unit.


Japan big business sentiment slips

TOKYO, Japan -- Confidence among Japan #39;s big manufacturers has slipped slightly in recent months, according to the Bank of Japan #39;s closely watched  quot;tankan quot; survey.


Iraq Minister Blasts Iran, Syria, Says Aid Zarqawi (Reuters)

Reuters - Iraq's interim defense minister accused\neighbors Iran and Syria on Wednesday of aiding al Qaeda\Islamist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and former agents of Saddam\Hussein to promote a "terrorist" insurgency in Iraq.


U.S. Mission Flouts Cuba Christmas Warning (AP)

AP - U.S. diplomats on Wednesday ignored a warning from the Cuban government to immediately take down Christmas decorations outside its offices or face unspecified consequences.


Round 3 of the desktop search heavyweight championship bout

The Google vs. Microsoft technology war does not seem to let up. The latest salvo from the MSN camp is a beta edition of its new MSN Desktop Search application.


Critical patches highlighted in Microsoft #39;s December Security <b>...</b>

Microsoft has unveiled its security bulletin for December, including a critical patch for Windows XP with SP1, and fixes rated as important for SP2.


Wavesat Says Its Created First WiMAX Chip

Wavesat Inc., a developer of broadband wireless chips, said today it has delivered the first-ever WiMAX chip, the DM256. The company is planning to make the chips generally available early next month.


Hockey talks go nowhere fast

Six days ago Jay McKee buoyantly strolled into his living room and proudly informed his wife there would be an NHL this season. The Buffalo Sabres #39; union representative had just finished


Miandad #39;s sniping runs true to form

IT was a given that someone of influence within Pakistan cricket would seek to destabilise their national team before a ball was bowled in the Test series with Australia.


Sorry Anelka still on the trading block

Anelka expressed his wish to play for a  quot;big club quot; in a recent interview with French magazine But, and the club now says it is only too willing to oblige.


We can #39;t afford to mess up again

SHOTA ARVELADZE today insisted Rangers can #39;t repeat the mistakes of a year ago if they want to secure a Uefa Cup future. The Georgian striker looked on in agony then as Alex McLeish #39;s side crashed to a 3-1


Terrestrial TV to lose live English cricket

The England and Wales Cricket Board today announced that Sky Sports have won the right to broadcast live all international cricket from 2006.


Nets get Knicked up

The Nets looked at Tuesday #39;s game as another chance to climb out of the huge hole they created for themselves with their early-season offensive struggles and prove to the Knicks that they haven #39;t overtaken them just yet.


Sanctions will mean war: N Korea

NORTH Korea has warned the imposition of economic sanctions by Japan would be treated as a declaration of war and that the Pyongyang regime would  quot;immediately react to it with powerful physical methods quot;.


Major Suspension Bridge Inaugurated in France

Description: A towering new suspension bridge debuts in southern France. At its highest point, the Millau Viaduct is more than 1,000 feet above ground, and the French say it #39;s the highest bridge in the world.


Roddick Set to Link Up with Low-Key Coach

LONDON (Reuters) - World number two Andy Roddick is set to  hook up with his U.S. Davis Cup assistant coach after firing  Brad Gilbert at the weekend.


International Paper Sells Unit to Mohawk

NEW YORK (Reuters) - International Paper Co. IP.N, the  world's largest forest products company,  on Wednesday said it  would sell its fine paper business to privately held Mohawk  Paper Mills.


David Nicklaus

The remarkable thing about the Federal Reserve #39;s interest-rate increases this year is that they have been so unremarkable. The latest move, on Tuesday, pushed the benchmark overnight lending rate up a quarter of a percentage point to 2.25 percent.


OMX has no interest in buying London Stock Exchange

FRANKFURT (AFP) - OMX -- the European stock market group made up of the Stockholm, Helsinki and Baltic stock exchanges -- does not intend to get into in a bidding war with Deutsche Boerse for the London Stock Exchange, OMX #39;s president designate said in a


UPDATE 2-Lehman Brothers profit up 22 pct, shares rise

US investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (LEH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said fourth-quarter profit rose 22 percent on continued strength from fixed-income


Guilty, guilty, guilty atoning for HIH sins

RAYMOND Reginald Williams, who had previously claimed he could have saved HIH from collapse, yesterday pleaded guilty to three criminal charges arising from his management of the failed insurer.


Zafi.D virus: Christmas wishes and a computer virus!

Please be aware as there #39;s a new virus worm spreading on the net. The Zafi.D variant is a Christmas wish e-mail together with a .


Report: Amount of fine-particle pollution drops significantly

LOS ANGELES A new Environmental Protection Agency report says concentrations of dangerous air pollutants have declined in Southern California in the last five years.


All eyes will be on spacecraft

Dozens of professional telescopes, an army of amateur observers and three Earth-orbiting observatories will be watching July 4 when a Boulder-built NASA spacecraft collides with a comet and sparks celestial fireworks.


Another Successful Cassini #39;s Titan Flyby

NASA #39;s Deep Space Network tracking station in Madrid, Spain, acquired a signal at about 4:00 pm Pacific Standard Time (7:00 pm Eastern Standard Time) yesterday.


World number two Andy Roddick is set to hook up with his US Davis Cup assistant coach after firing Brad Gilbert at the weekend. Roddick, whom Gilbert steered to a maiden


Uefa Cup Wednesday Preview

Middlesbrough, Partzan and Villarreal have all booked their place in the next round of the Uefa Cup, but today will decide who tops Group E. Boro face off against Partizan possibly without the services of George Boateng.


Retailers to unveil festive data

The strength of festive takings will be revealed this week as UK retailers start to disclose sales figures.


Australia warns of terrorist threat

SYDNEY The Australian government said Wednesday that terrorists may be preparing an attack in Indonesia, possibly at a Hilton hotel.


No half measures, Turkey tells EU

TURKISH Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan turned up the heat on the European Union yesterday, insisting his nation deserved full membership and warning that anything less would be a  quot;historic mistake quot;.


Blunkett battles nanny #39;s new visa allegations

LONDON: Beleaguered British Home Secretary David Blunkett faces damaging new claims he fast-tracked a second visa for his lover #39;s nanny to visit a sister in Austria.


France Unveils World #39;s Tallest Bridge

MILLAU, France -- French citizens and officials are celebrating a roadway bridge considered to be the world #39;s tallest. One of the Millau bridge #39;s pillars reaches more than 1,100 feet into the air, making it more than 50 feet taller than the Eiffel Tower.


UN peacekeepers sweep violent Haiti slum

PORT-AU-PRINCE (AFP) - UN peacekeepers tried to restore order in one of Haiti #39;s most violent slums, but could not prevent the shooting death of a teenager in downtown Port-au-Prince.


QLT Prostate Cancer Treatment Wins FDA OK

TORONTO (Reuters) - QLT Inc. QLT.TO QLTI.O said on  Wednesday it won U.S. regulatory approval for the six-month  formulation of its prostate cancer treatment, Eligard.


Best Buy's 3Q Earnings Climb 21 Percent (AP)

AP - Best Buy Company Inc., the nation's largest electronics retailer, said on Wednesday that third-quarter earnings rose 21 percent, but gave hints that profits during the holiday selling season may not be quite what analysts were hoping for.


YUKOS Seeks U.S. Bankruptcy to Stop Moscow

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian oil group YUKOS has filed for  bankruptcy protection in a U.S. court in an attempt to stop the  Russian government from auctioning off its main production unit  on Dec. 19, it said on Wednesday.


Stocks Open Flat, Oil Up, Nextel Eyed

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened little changed on  Wednesday, dampened by another rise in oil prices, but a deal  between wireless carriers Sprint Corp. FON.N and Nextel  Communications Inc. NXTL.O worth about \$35 billion boosted  Wall Street hopes for more mergers.


Sprint deal raises sponsorship questions

Wireless telephone company Nextel Communications confirmed Wednesday it is being bought by rival Sprint in a cash and stock deal said to be worth more than \$35-billion US.


Fed rate increase to 2.25 good for savers

Federal Reserve policy-makers raised interest rates yesterday for the fifth time this year and suggested they will continue gradual rate increases in 2005.


HIH inquiry claims its biggest scalp

THE investigation into the \$5.3 billion collapse of insurer HIH has claimed its biggest scalp, with founder and former chief executive Ray Williams pleading guilty to criminal charges.


QLT Inc. (QLT.TO: Quote, Profile, Research) (QLTI.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it won US regulatory approval for the six-month formulation of its prostate cancer treatment, Eligard.


NASA throws Deep Impact spacecraft at comet

NASA has is to send a probe on a collision course with a comet #39;s nucleus to find out more about the composition and history of the bodies.


Atheros unveils  #39;world first #39; Wi-Fi access-point-on-a-chip

Access points for 802.11g wireless networks should become even cheaper next year after WLAN chip maker Atheros begins full-scale production of what it claims is the world #39;s first  #39;base-station on a chip #39; product.


Late strike spoils Christmas party for Liverpool

AN EQUALISER in injury time by Portsmouth #39;s Lomana LuaLua against Liverpool at Anfield yesterday will hamper the home side #39;s attempts to make ground on the leading English Premier League soccer rivals during the Christmas program.


Sky deal a  #39;disaster #39; for cricket

The government today faced calls to review the list of  quot;crown jewel quot; sporting events after Sky bought the rights to England #39;s home Test matches, sounding the death knell for live cricket on terrestrial TV after nearly 70 years.


Minnesota Timberwolves Team Report - December 15

In 2003-04, Minnesota swept its two contests against the Raptors. Overall, Minnesota has won three straight and four of the last five meetings in this series.


The FPJ chronicles

Last May, he fought for the Presidency and just recently, he fought for his life. Fernando Poe, Jr. lost both fights but the ironies of ironies is that he has never been more alive now than any time in the hearts of the Filipino people.


Jenna Bush Plans to Teach in Washington (AP)

AP - President Bush's daughter Jenna plans to live in the District of Columbia and teach at a public school serving low-income children.


US missile defence test fails

WASHINGTON - The first full test in nearly two years of a multibillion-dollar US anti-missile shield failed Wednesday when one missile launched but a second shut down before leaving the ground, the Pentagon says.


UPDATE 3-Lehman Brothers profit up 22 pct, shares rise

US investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (LEH.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said fourth-quarter profit rose 22 percent on continued strength


Jockey Club clears Fallon

Kieren Fallon, the former champion Flat jockey, will not face disrepute charges relating to race-fixing allegations made against him in a Sunday newspaper, the Jockey Club said on Tuesday.


Missile shield fails to work

THE first test in nearly two years of a multi-billion-dollar US anti-missile shield failed yesterday when the interceptor missile shut down on its launch pad in the central Pacific.


Best Buy reports third-quarter earnings rise 21 percent

MINNEAPOLIS - Best Buy Company Inc. said on Wednesday that third-quarter earnings rose 21 percent, but gave hints that profits during the holiday selling season may not be quite what analysts were hoping for.


HIH head admits guilt

RAY Williams, the eccentric executive who built insurer HIH from nothing into a multi-billion dollar insurance giant he ran as his personal fiefdom, yesterday became the biggest scalp of the


Wash. DC council clears altered baseball plan

The Washington, DC, City Council approved funds for a Major League Baseball stadium late Tuesday, but substantially altered the plan by requiring the mayor to find private financing for half the construction costs.


Khler: African Union Slow in Darfur

German President Horst Khler on Wednesday regretted that the African Union-led mission was slow to intervene in Sudan #39;s western Darfur province, where a nearly two-year-old conflict has caused untold suffering.


Pak wants US intervention in Kashmir:

World News: Lahore, Dec 15 : Pakistan has expressed its desire for the Bush administration #39;s intervention to help Islamabad sort out all of its conflicting issues with New Delhi.


Business: Sprint-Nextel Merger

Washington Post business columnist Steven Pearlstein will be online to discuss the merger of Sprint and Nextel Communications. In a column this morning, he wrote that consumers should should cheer the combination.


Treasuries Rally, Yields Hit 6-Week Lows (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Treasury yields touched their\lowest levels in over a month on Wednesday, driven by largely\technical factors in an illiquid year-end market.


Treasuries Rally, Yields Hit 6-Week Lows

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury yields touched their  lowest levels in over a month on Wednesday, driven by largely  technical factors in an illiquid year-end market.


Suicide Bombers Kill 25 Iraqi Troops

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A suicide car bomb hit a bus packed  with Iraqi National Guards on Sunday, killing 26 people in the  deadliest attack of its kind in four months on Iraqis  cooperating with U.S. forces to secure a Jan. 30 election.


Test of US missile defence shield fails

An attempt to launch an interceptor missile as part of the US missile defence shield failed early Wednesday in the first test of the system in nearly two years.


Best Buy #39;s 3Q Earnings Climb 21 Percent

MINNEAPOLIS - Best Buy Company Inc., the nation #39;s largest electronics retailer, said on Wednesday that third-quarter earnings rose 21 percent, but gave hints that profits during the holiday selling season may not be quite what analysts were hoping for.


MSN Toolbar Suite Beta

So how good are those tools are... and what #39;s the big fuss about them? Personally I don #39;t know, as I didn #39;t try them out.


Apple breaks the Harmony

Earlier this year RealNetworks came up with a workaround allowing music downloaded from its store to work on iPods. This was achieved by reverse-engineering Apple #39;s FairPlay technology, and Real named it Harmony (see our previous coverage).


Phantom of the Xbox

After being dropped for release outside of Japan by Microsoft Game Studios, publisher Majesco has picked up Phantom Dust for a release in North America, expected to be early 2005.


Pressure Grows on Romanian Left to Give Up Power (Reuters)

Reuters - Romania's centrist opposition, buoyed\by a presidential election victory of their leader Traian\Basescu, put pressure on the ruling left on Wednesday to\abandon its bid to cling to power or face early elections.


NHL: Impasse continues as league, union pass on proposals

There is no end in sight for the lockout, which enters Day 89 today with 414 games gone. The NHL lockout continues with no sign of it ending.


DC council approves stadium, maybe, sort of

After all the twists and turns that the Washington, DC stadium controversy has taken, we should have known it wouldn #39;t end simply.


BNP chief detained over comments on Islam, Quran

As controversy surrounds the Blair Government #39;s plans to extend the incitement laws to cover religious hatred, leader of the far-right British National Party (BNP) Nick Griffin was arrested and was questioned about alleged incitement offences.


Iraq Asks Some of Saddam's Soldiers to Return to Work

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's interim government, preparing  for an election next month while fighting a bloody insurgency,  asked some of Saddam's Hussein's disbanded army to come back to  work on Wednesday.


Pressure Grows on Romanian Left to Give Up Power

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's centrist opposition, buoyed  by a presidential election victory of their leader Traian  Basescu, put pressure on the ruling left on Wednesday to  abandon its bid to cling to power or face early elections.


Oil futures trade above \$42

Crude oil futures traded above \$42 a barrel Wednesday as colder weather descended on the northeastern United States, a heavy consumer of heating oil.


Google turns over new leaf

The search engine that revolutionised how people use the Internet has teamed up with some of the world #39;s greatest libraries to put their books in your living room.


Lewis scores 37 to lead Sonics past Lakers

There was a nice little mini-drama last night with the Lakers playing in Seattle. Not as big of a deal as Kobe vs. Shaq or Kobe vs.


Dry spell dooms Nets

Forget the 10 miles that separates their two home arenas and the fan chatter heard within that short expanse. The Nets and Knicks rivalry is now based on a different type


Sprint to Buy Nextel in \$36 Billion Deal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sprint Corp. on Wednesday agreed to  buy mobile telephone company Nextel Communications Inc. in a  deal worth \$36.3 billion to gain more business customers and  more airwaves to transmit calls.


YUKOS Seeks U.S. Bankruptcy Protection

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian oil group YUKOS has filed for  bankruptcy protection in a U.S. court in an attempt to stop  Russia's government from auctioning off its main production  unit on Dec. 19, it said on Wednesday.


Best Buy: Best Sales Yet to Come

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Best Buy Co. Inc. BBY.N, the  nation's top electronics retail chain, posted a 21 percent rise  in quarterly profit on Wednesday, slightly above expectations,  and said the holiday shopping season was even more competitive  than last year.


Stocks Rise; Sprint, Nextel Deal Helps

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday as  wireless carrier Sprint Corp.'s FON.N acquisition of Nextel  Communications Inc. NXTL.O boosted investor hopes for more  mergers.


Russia #39;s Yukos seeks protection in US

Russia #39;s Yukos oil company has filed for bankruptcy in a Houston court to halt a Kremlin-driven liquidation of the nation #39;s biggest crude oil producer.


RIM patent dispute referred back to lower court

A US appeal court has delivered a mixed ruling in a patent dispute between Research in Motion (RIM) and NTP. It upholding a decision that RIM had infringed on patents held by NTP, but cancelled an injunction


Fiat says no deal with GM, mediation next

Fiat (FIA) and General Motors (GM) will move to mediation after executives failed to reach agreement over the Italian company #39;s option to compel GM to buy its troubled auto division.


US to Charge AOL with Fraud

The US government will charge Time Warner Inc #39;s (TWX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) America Online unit with aiding and abetting securities fraud but will defer prosecution for two years, a US Justice Department official said.


Google To Scan Millions Of Library Books

Google announced yesterday that they have agreements with several large libraries to scan books whose copyrights have expired. Joseph O #39;Sullivan, Software engineer and Adam M. Smith, Business product manager


After KaZaa, BitTorrent gets it.

KaZaa is still finding themselves in court, explaining what #39;s going on, and Hollywood is already finding a new target: BitTorrent.


MSN Toolbar Suite Beta

The MSN Toolbar Suite Beta rounds out Microsoft #39;s MSN search family with fully indexed searching of local documents and e-mails.


Apple Changes The IPod Locks

NEW YORK - The only surprising thing about the fact that Apple Computer has now locked RealNetworks out of the iPod is that it took so long for it to happen.


Full mp3 downloads for mobiles

p2pnet.net News:- Melodeo and Warner Music Group (WMG) say theyve signed the first global agreement to allow mobile users to securely download complete mp3s from WMG #39;s music catalog directly to their phones.


Linux Looms Larger Than Thought

The overall Linux market is far larger than previous estimates show, a new study says. In an analysis of the Linux market released late Tuesday, market research firm IDC estimated that the Linux market -- including


Nokia Uses Hologram To Identify Batteries

In addition to the hologram label, each Nokia battery will have an authentication code hidden under a scratch-off area on the label.


Sun Upgrades JSE, NetBeans

Sun Microsystems (Quote, Chart) announced the availability of two upgrades to its software development platforms on Tuesday. Java Studio Enterprise (JSE) 7, the Santa Clara, Calif.


Oracle merger to result in few app improvements

Oracle Corp. #39;s newfound control of PeopleSoft won #39;t result in vast improvements to the E-Business Suite, according to analysts, but it could result in long-term benefits for users of both application suites.


Southern California particle pollution improving

National data released by the US Environmental Protection Agency today reveals that several Southern California metropolitan areas have seen a sharp decrease in the amount of fine particle pollution contributing to local air quality problems over the past


Man City Would Consider Anelka Bid

Manchester City chairman John Wardle says he would consider a bid for want-away striker Nicolas Anelka.  quot;If a bid comes in for Nicolas then, after speaking to the board, I will speak to Kevin Keegan, quot; said Wardle.


SCHUEY #39;S SCORE DRAW

Michael Schumachers football match against a host of Real Madrid stars ended in a 4-4 draw. The match, in aid of the UN Development Fund, pitted Schuey against the likes of David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.


It #39;s been swell, Pedro

Perhaps in our hearts we knew it was too good to last - this Red Sox dream team that so brightened our late summer and early fall days.


Hamas Cancels Annual Rally, Fearing Israeli Strike

Hamas said on Wednesday it had canceled an annual rally on the anniversary of its founding for fear Israel might target leaders of the Palestinian militant group in reprisal for a deadly attack on an army outpost.


Iran Tells Russia to Expand Nuclear Ties

Iran told nuclear partner Russia on Wednesday it would have to show  quot;readiness quot; to expand nuclear ties with Tehran to secure a solid share of Iran #39;s atomic market in face of growing competition from Europe.


Body of Turk Engineer Found in Afghanistan

The bullet-riddled body of a kidnapped Turkish engineer was found Wednesday in eastern Afghanistan, a day after he was snatched with his driver and interpreter by a band of armed men, officials said.


#39;Arms photo reasonable #39;: Ahern

British and Irish Government proposals for photographic evidence of IRA decommissioning were reasonable, the Irish premier has said.


Oil Up 4 Pct., U.S. Heating Oil Stocks Fall

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices climbed for the third  straight day on Wednesday as U.S. government reported a fall in  heating oil stocks and cold weather gripped the U.S. Northeast,  the world's biggest heating fuel market.


Wireless Merger

December 15 - Call it a blockbuster merger, rumored for days and made official this morning in New York. Reston, Virginia. The \$35 billion deal creates the nation #39;s third-largest wireless telephone service provider.


Intel Brings N.Mexico Jobs, Pollution

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A 15-year tax break that secured  Intel Corp.'s ongoing investment in the state of New Mexico has  rekindled a heated debate over the ability of a poor U.S. state  to regulate the world's largest chip maker.


iPod to go 80GB?

Toshiba, whose tiny hard drives power Apple #39;s hit iPod music players, announced that it has produced an 80GB model. The company said in a statement late on Monday that it will begin mass production in mid-2005


Swiss-based Phonak cycling team appeals UCI licence refusal

The Swiss-based Phonak team said Wednesday it is contesting the International Cycling Union #39;s decision to refuse it a racing licence amid a doping scandal.


RUSSIA * FORMULA-1 * TEAM

MOSCOW, December 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russian team Midland F1 will participate in the Formula-1 world championship in 2006. Boris Yeltsin Jr.


Norway goes 1-2 in biathlon sprint

Stian Eckhoff and Frode Andresen gave Norway a 1-2 finish in a 10-kilometer World Cup biathlon sprint event Wednesday. Jay Hakkinen of the United States finished seventh, his best outing this season.


Ole Miss officials interview Erickson

San Francisco 49ers coach Dennis Erickson met with Mississippi #39;s athletics director and chancellor for two hours Tuesday night to discuss the school #39;s vacant head coaching position.


Turkey ups the stakes in diplomatic battle over EU bid

ANKARA, Dec 15 (AFP) - Raising its tone on the eve of a critical summit, Turkey warned the European Union Wednesday that it would not hesitate to give up its 40-year dream of joining the bloc if it is offered a status falling short of full membership.


Arafat favored successor makes bid for peace

ISN SECURITY WATCH (15/12/04) - Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Mahmoud Abbas - the favored candidate to succeed late Palestinian Authority president Yassir Arafat, has made a bid for peace with Israel, calling on Palestinian militant


Flying high, like a butterfly

The worlds tallest bridge was opened in the Tarn Valley, France, yesterday and has been hailed as both a monumental work of art and an unrivalled technological achievement.


Sprint, Nextel Agree To  #39;Merger Of Equals #39;

Wireless operators agree to \$35 billion deal to create a new company that will be called Sprint Nextel. By Mobile Pipeline News. The merged company, which the companies positioned as a merger of equals, will be called Sprint Nextel.


Mixed results for Blackberry court battle

Research In Motion (RIM), the manufacturer of the popular Blackberry mobile, has been left with a curate #39;s egg to mull over for Christmas.


Time Warner, AOL settle securities fraud charges

Time Warner Inc. has agreed to pay \$210 million to settle securities fraud charges involving the company #39;s America Online unit, law enforcement officials said Wednesday.


Nokia combats counterfeit batteries

In an effort to combat (now common) counterfeit batteries, Nokia has launched a new program that will allow consumers to accurately tell if a battery is made by Nokia.


Beeb blamed for Test cricket #39;s satellite sale

The Government today rounded on the BBC and terrestrial broadcasters for turning their backs on English cricket. Although Five will show highlights as part of the 220million


More Athens bus hostages freed

Hijackers have released two more of the around 24 hostages they are holding after seizing a bus in an Athens suburb, bringing the total freed to 12.


Turkey to Get Date for Open-Ended EU Entry Talks

Turkey was on course on Wednesday to get a date to start open-ended negotiations on European Union membership as final elements of a compromise package came together on the eve of a landmark EU summit.


Beware of terror in Indonesia, travellers told

New Zealanders are being warned against travelling to Indonesia, including Bali, over the Christmas and New Year period after the Government received reports terrorists were planning an attack.


Europe Seeks New Accords With US to Address Global Warming

The European Union is seeking new agreements with the US to slow climate change apart from the Kyoto Protocol that President George W. Bush withdrew from.


U.S. to Charge AOL with Fraud (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. government will charge Time\Warner Inc's  America Online unit with aiding and\abetting securities fraud but will defer prosecution for two\years, a U.S. Justice Department official said.


Body of Turk Engineer Found in Afghanistan (AP)

AP - The bullet-riddled body of a kidnapped Turkish engineer was found Wednesday in eastern Afghanistan, a day after he was snatched with his driver and interpreter by a band of armed men, officials said.


Bush Inauguration to Tout Freedom, Service (AP)

AP - With the theme "Celebrating Freedom, Honoring Service," President Bush's second inauguration will heavily emphasize a nation at war, but festivities will rival those held during peacetime.


Ohio Judge Rules Punch-Card Voting Fair (AP)

AP - Voting rights are not denied to those who use punch-card ballots, a federal judge ruled in the nation's first trial to challenge the system blamed for woes in Florida in the 2000 presidential election.


Dems gain in 'hidden election' (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Democrats had great success in state legislative races this year, even as they performed poorly in the presidential race and campaigns for Congress. Many Democratic gains came in the heart of Republican territory.


U.S. Drug Lobby Group Taps Tauzin for Top Job (Reuters)

Reuters - The former chairman of the U.S.\House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, who\earlier this year ended negotiations to head the pharmaceutical\industry's top lobby after critics questioned the ethics of the\move, has now accepted the post, the group said on Wednesday.


Bus Hijackers Hold 11 in Athens, Demand \$1 Million

ATHENS (Reuters) - Two gunmen thought to be Albanians  hijacked a Greek bus with 23 passengers on board on Wednesday  in Athens and demanded a \$1 million ransom and a plane to fly  them to Russia.


Cheney Pushes for Permanent Tax Cuts

Vice President Dick Cheney said Wednesday that it is critical to make President Bush's tax cuts permanent during his second term, while achieving broader reforms in the tax code and bolstering Social Security.


Brazil passes bankruptcy reform

Brazilian Congress gives the green light to a long awaited overhaul of bankruptcy laws, which it hopes will reduce business and credit costs.


Turkish PM Heads for EU Summit in Confident Mood

ANKARA/STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tayyip  Erdogan voiced confidence on Wednesday that Turkey would win a  date for opening long-delayed European Union entry talks at a  landmark summit of the bloc's 25 leaders this week.


Cactus diet deal for Phytopharm

A slimming aid made from a southern African cactus is set to be developed by UK pharmaceutical Phytopharm and Anglo-Dutch food giant Unilever.


Bolden says he hasnt been approached about NASA post

Retired Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr. is proud his name is among a handful being mentioned as the next head of the US space agency.


Nokia makes counterfeiting batteries harder

Nokia will now be adding a small hologram to all batteries it produces for its mobile phones, in an effort to combat counterfeit batteries.


Yeltsin grandson joins Russian Midland F1 team

The Russian-backed Midland Formula One team planned for 2006 has hired the grandson of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin as marketing director, Kommersant daily newspaper said on Wednesday.


Norwegians finish 1-2 at biathlon World Cup

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Five-time Olympic biathlon champion Ole Einar Bjorndalen of Norway may have been absent from a World Cup event Wednesday, but his fellow countrymen Stian Eckhoff and Frode Andresen were there to pick up the slack.


Allawi to stand in Iraq elections

Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi says he will stand in January's polls, as a blast hits the holy city of Karbala.


Halama Agrees to Deal With Red Sox (AP)

AP - John Halama and the Boston Red Sox finalized a one-year contract Wednesday.


Fresh clashes in Nepal 'kill 26'

At least 26 people die in clashes between security forces and Maoists in western Nepal, the army says.


Marines Found Guilty of Abusing Iraqis, Files Show

Marines in Iraq were convicted by military trials of committing a variety of abuses of captured Iraqis.


Sprint, Nextel Agree To Merge

The deal, valued at \$35 billion, will create a large wireless service provider to compete with wireless rivals Cingular and Verizon.


Best Buy Quarterly Profit Jumps 21 Pct.

Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY), the top US electronics retail chain, on Wednesday posted a 21 percent rise in quarterly profit and said it gained market share in the period.


Google Planning To Index Entire Libraries

For a long time there have been rumors going around about Project Ocean, a project by Google to index all the pre-1923 content in the Stanford Library.


Microsoft Issues 5 Important Security Bulletins

For its  quot;Patch Tuesday quot; this month, Microsoft delivered five security bulletins for what it called  quot;important quot; security flaws, including one publicly known flaw in the Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS).


PeopleSoft deal is done, real work begins

Oracle is now OracleSoft, and that means SAP will soon have some real competition on its hands. Oracle #39;s recent monster user conference, the first that united its technology, database and


Renteria picks Boston

Free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria has chosen to leave the St. Louis Cardinals to join the Red Sox. Renteria is expected to sign a four-year deal for slightly more than \$36 million.


Seven killed in Karbala mosque explosion

At least seven people were killed and 31 injured today when a bomb exploded at the gate to one of Shia Islams holiest shrines in Iraq, hospital officials said.


Swing and Miss for D.C.

The question of whether baseball will now jerk its franchise out of Washington is a mere foregone conclusion. Why would baseball come here? We have pulled a bait-and-switch on the sport.


Red Sox to Sign Renteria

According to The Boston Globe, the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a four-year, \$40-million contract with shortstop Edgar Renteria.


Dollar Back on the Defensive

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar weakened on Wednesday on  dealers' renewed concern about the ability of the United States  to finance its trade and current account deficits, causing a  recent rebound in the currency to fizzle out.


Sara Lee Raising Retail Coffee Prices (Reuters)

Reuters - Sara Lee Coffee   Tea said Wednesday\it was raising its retail coffee prices to keep pace with 14\percent hikes by other major roasters as global bean supply\next year shifts from surplus to deficit.


Sara Lee Raising Retail Coffee Prices

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sara Lee Coffee   Tea said Wednesday  it was raising its retail coffee prices to keep pace with 14  percent hikes by other major roasters as global bean supply  next year shifts from surplus to deficit.


Time Warner settles fraud case

Time Warner agrees to pay \$210m to settle charges of securities fraud involving America Online.


Bios of Sprint #39;s Forsee, Nextel #39;s Donahue

Here are brief sketches of the two top executives of the company being created by Sprint Corp. #39;s \$35 billion purchase of Nextel Communications Inc.


City prepared to sell 5million Anelka in the New Year

Manchester City Football Club are prepared to sell Nicolas Anelka in the New Year transfer window. The controversial French striker was blasted by the City fans at the weekend following his comments he wants