Crude oil prices fall on optimism about heating oil supplies

Crude oil prices fell Tuesday as traders expected that an upcoming government report would show rising inventories of heating oil.


Continental announces succession plans

Continental Airlines Tuesday said Jeff Smisek, executive vice president and president-elect, has been elected to its board of directors.


DC Council OKs Park for Incoming Expos

Washington Mayor Anthony Williams attends the DC Council baseball debate, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2004, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta).


New Netscape browser supports Internet Explorer

America Online today released a preview of a new Netscape browser that is based on the Firefox browser, but also supports Microsoft's Internet Explorer engine.


Report: Online shopping sites struggle to keep up with demand

Online retail sites struggle to keep up with consumer demand during the first week of the holiday shopping season, according to Internet performance management vendor Keynote Systems Inc.


Universities grapple with SSL-busting spyware

IT departments at a several universities issued warnings about problems caused by the Marketscore software which promises to speed up Web browsing.


Xserve shipments soar 119; trend likely to continue

Shipments of Apple Computer's Xserve soared in the third quarter of 2004 by 119 over the same period last year, according to market research firm Gartner Dataquest.


HP to release Virus Throttler for Windows in 2005

Hewlett-Packard(HP) is planning to build virus throttling technology into ProLiant servers and ProCurve switches starting in early 2005, an HP executive said Tuesday.


Cisco switches add 10GigE features

Cisco Systems on Tuesday beefed up its switching portfolio with several new and upgraded switches and systems designed to make 10GigE more affordable, increase availability, boost security, and add power over Ethernet features.


America Online Inc. (AOL) on Tuesday released a preview version of a new Netscape Web browser that is based on the open-source Firefox Web browser, but also supports Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer (IE) browser engine.


Gates: Software tycoon to ambassador?

PARIS - Is Bill Gates preparing to switch careers, from software architect to ambassador?


IBM to market Sybase Linux database

IBMand Sybasehave teamed to add support for Sybase's database software on IBM's eServer OpenPower Linux servers. The two companies said they will jointly sell and market their products.
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China Hurries to Animate Its Film Industry

With "Thru the Moebius Strip," China is serving notice to the Disneys and Pixars of the world that its day is arriving in the lucrative business of 3-D computer animation.


The Guitarist Is Metal. No, Not Heavy Metal.

Tuesday's "Robo Recital" at the Juilliard School continues the age-old interaction between composition and technology.


India signs prosperity deal with ASEAN

VIENTIANE: India and 10 Southeast Asian nations on Tuesday signed a prosperity blueprint focused on plans for a full free-trade area by 2016 and political and security cooperation to combat terrorism.


Syria Denies Dropping 'Rabin' Condition for Peace

DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Syria on Tuesday insisted that it had  not dropped a demand that Israel stick to a promise said to  have been made by late prime minister Yitzhak Rabin to abandon  all Syrian land under any peace treaty.


Update 2: Telstra Announces Departure of CEO

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


Rentokil at four-month low after profits warning

Rentokil warned yesterday that its profits would fall next year, sending shares in the rat-catching to security firm down by more than 5 per cent to a four-month low.


MmO2 links with Japan entertainment service

British mobile users will get a chance from next year to access i-mode, the runaway success Japanese entertainment service, after MmO2 yesterday agreed to adopt the technology pioneered by NTT DoCoMo.


Scientists reconstruct ancestral genetic code

Researchers have reconstructed a long string of genetic code for what they believe is the common ancestor of placental mammals - a shrewlike creature that lived in Asia more than 75 million years ago.


Hamilton fired by Phonak

Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton #39;s professional cycling team has fired him after he failed doping tests. Phonak was refused a racing license by the UCI, prohibiting them from competing in the Tour de France and other elite events.


Telstra Chief Switkowski Quits, to Leave in 2005 (Update2)

Ziggy Switkowski quit as chief executive of Telstra Corp., Australia #39;s largest phone company, ending a five-year tenure where he presided over a 42 percent slide in the share price and


Canada Quarantines One Farm in Mad Cow Search

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian veterinary officials have  quarantined one Alberta farm in their search for cattle  connected to the country's second case of mad cow disease, the  Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Monday.


HP to launch  #39;virus-throttling #39; software

SAN FRANCISCO--Hewlett-Packard plans to give customers a new weapon against viruses: Software that crimps their spread. Early next year, the computer maker will begin selling software designed to slow the


Armies of Exigo marches into stores

EA #39;s latest RTS features combat on two levels; gamers can battle with elves, trolls, and beasts for \$39.99. Electronic Arts today shipped its latest real-time strategy game, Armies of Exigo, to retail stores.


Irish #39;s lack of fight, Meyer #39;s availability ultimately cost <b>...</b>

In the hours after Ty Willingham was fired by Notre Dame, ESPN News analsyst Trevor Matich (who looks, by the way, as if he could bench-press the entire College GameDay cast) implied something was askew about Willingham #39;s firing.


Kofi Annan Must Go

Over the past seven months, the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which I chair, has conducted an exhaustive, bipartisan investigation into the scandal surrounding the UN Oil-for-Food program.


Terrorism Act 2000 see British police search properties for naught (AFP)

AFP - British police have raided three properties in the area of the northern city of Manchester under Britain's main anti-terrorism law.


Wendy #39;s Expects Fourth Quarter Loss

DUBLIN, Ohio - Wendy #39;s International Inc. said Tuesday it expects a fourth-quarter loss because of a writedown of up to \$195 million and a charge related to the closing of as many as 18 of its Baja Fresh Mexican Grill restaurants.


Continental Airlines Elects Jeff Smisek to Its Board of Directors

HOUSTON, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL) today announced the election of Jeff Smisek, executive vice president and president-elect of Continental Airlines, Inc.


Spammers hack Lycos #39; anti-spam Web site

Spammers are suspected of hacking into and downing Lycoss anti-spam Web site just hours after it went live. The Web site is currently inaccessible and could also be the victim of a DDoS attack.


Appeals for help as hundreds dead, thousands of families stranded <b>...</b>

Nearly 300 people are dead and thousands of families stranded in three coastal municipalities in Quezon province (Real, General Nakar and Infanta) in the aftermath of tropical depression Winnie, according to the most recent reports from the Department of


UN panel proposes criteria for legitimate military action

With countries still bitterly divided over the war in Iraq, a high-level panel appointed by the United Nations has recommended a five-step guideline to determine when to use military action.


Kendall thinks he #39;s a great fit for Oakland

When Pittsburgh came to Oakland for an interleague series last summer, Billy Beane couldn #39;t believe Jason Kendall was the lone catcher on the Pirates #39; roster.


U.S. Stocks, Dollar and Bonds Fall

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks and bonds fell on Tuesday  as the dollar hit a record low against the euro.


Dollar Down But Seen in Ranges

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar fell against the euro and the  yen on Wednesday in the wake of comments from the European  Central Bank president suggesting the ECB was unlikely to  intervene to stem the euro's rise.


Dollar Weak, Asia Stocks Down (Reuters)

Reuters - Asian shares retreated on Wednesday,\tracking losses in U.S. stocks, and pressured by a weak dollar\which sat close to a record low struck against the euro late on\Tuesday.


Dollar Down But Seen in Ranges (Reuters)

Reuters - The dollar fell against the euro and the\yen on Wednesday in the wake of comments from the European\Central Bank president suggesting the ECB was unlikely to\intervene to stem the euro's rise.


Fashion House Selling Electrical Supplier

Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, the tempest-tossed owner of fashion brands like Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, said on Tuesday that it planned to sell its stake in the equipment


Smaller Companies Given 45-Day Delay on Audit Certification

although not large ones - were given a reprieve yesterday from requirements imposed in the wake of the Enron and WorldCom scandals that they certify their financial controls.


AIG and US Complete Big Settlement Agreement

American International Group and federal regulators have completed a settlement that calls for the company to pay \$126 million in penalties and restitution and to


Removal of Vioxx Shifts Drug Landscape

The Pfizer painkillers Celebrex and Bextra experienced a jump in sales immediately after rival Merck #39;s Vioxx was pulled from the market in late September, but the gains appear to be short


Rentokil catches cold with 12 fall

Rentokil Initial served up more gloom yesterday with a 12 fall in pre-tax profits to 293.9m for the first 10 months of this year and a warning that 2005 would be even worse.


Upwardly mobile UK

Within the next 18 months more than 20 million mobile telephone users in Britain, Germany and Ireland will finally gain access to a high-speed internet service which has revolutionised mobile communications for tens of millions of Japanese since its


Russia, NASA OK Space Station #39;s Next Crew

MOSCOW - Russia #39;s Federal Space Agency and NASA (news - web sites) have approved the crew of the next mission to the international space station, a Russian agency spokesman said Tuesday.


Flaw opens crack in Windows servers

A flaw in popular Windows server software could allow remote attacks to be launched against systems, Microsoft has confirmed. The vulnerability is in Windows Internet Name Service, or WINS, a network infrastructure


Crucial step made in hydrogen fuel research

US scientists announced they had made a breakthrough in the research of low-cost hydrogen fuel. Researchers from the US government #39;s Idaho National Engineering and Environmental


ND #39;s move raises host of questions

This is what passes now for perspective in college football. Where the fire-the-coach Web sites pop up by his third game, and the boosters circle like sharks.


Pinsent pulls in his oars

Matthew Pinsent hinted yesterday that he may return to duty with the International Olympic Committee on announcing his retirement from international rowing.


Smith to restore the Stein dynasty

THE imminent appointment of Walter Smith as the national manager will restore to influence the dynasty which stretches all the way back to Jock Stein.


Mayor #39;s Presence Rewarded

DC Mayor Anthony A. Williams postponed an out-of-town trip, cleared his schedule and sat through nearly four hours of fractious debate yesterday over his plan to bring baseball back to the nation #39;s capital.


No. 7 Connecticut 99, Fla. International 48

Rashad Anderson scored 17 points and Hilton Armstrong had a career-high five blocked shots as No. 7 Connecticut cruised to a 99-48 victory over Florida International on Tuesday night.


Bush tries to patch up rift with Canada

President George W Bush launched his first fence-mending mission since his re-election yesterday, flying to Canada to improve a distinctly prickly relationship with one of America #39;s oldest and most natural allies.


Iran Says It Will Suspend but Not End Its Uranium Program

Iran #39;s chief nuclear negotiator said Tuesday that Iran would suspend its uranium enrichment activities for only a few months while negotiations with Europe for a longer-term


Cuba Releases Dissident Writer Imprisoned in 2003 Crackdown

The Cuban authorities on Tuesday freed the dissident writer Ral Rivero, the best known of a dozen political prisoners released during the past few days in a


Storm, landslides kill nearly 340

MARAGUNDON, Philippines - A powerful rainstorm triggered landslides and flash floods that killed nearly 340 people in the eastern Philippines, officials said yesterday.


MOFA slams China-ASEAN pact

China intends to marginalize Taiwan, and that is why it signed a trade pact with ASEAN states at the regional summit meeting in Laos on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday.


Car bomb kills seven in Iraq

BAGHDAD: A US soldier and seven Iraqi civilians died in a spate of attacks yesterday. Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, meanwhile, travelled to Jordan to try to win support from exiled opposition leaders for the January 30 elections.


Japanese government hopes to allow woman on throne within years <b>...</b>

TOKYO : The Japanese government hopes to make changes to the constitution that will allow a woman to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne within  quot;several years, quot; a news report said.


Envoys seek Ukraine breakthrough

International mediators are to try to break the deadlock caused by Ukraine's disputed presidential elections.


Liverpool clip Canaries' wings (AFP)

AFP - Liverpool went fifth in the Premier League with a 2-1 win away to relegation-threatened Norwich.


Scientists plan Jurassic archive

Researchers say a new programme could help create a DNA database of all life on Earth, ever.


Citing a Lack of Progress, Notre Dame Fires Willingham

Tyrone Willingham, who was the first African-American head coach at Notre Dame in any sport, compiled a record of 21-15 in three seasons.


Prosecutor Not Rushing Into Charging Pacers

The Oakland County prosecutor, David Gorcyca, said Tuesday that no charges were imminent for Indiana players involved in the Nov. 19 brawl with Detroit Pistons fans.


With Ban Pending, Hamilton Loses Ride

Olympic champion Tyler Hamilton was fired by Phonak, his Swiss cycling team, two months after testing positive for illegal blood transfusions.


White House Proposes Cuts in Salmon Areas (AP)

AP - The Bush administration Tuesday proposed large cuts in federally designated areas in the Northwest and California meant to aid the recovery of threatened or endangered salmon. Protection would focus instead on rivers where the fish now thrive.


Thwarted U.S. May Seek Lone Push on Iran Sanctions (Reuters)

Reuters - Iran escaped U.N. censure over its\nuclear program but Washington, which accuses it of seeking an\atomic bomb, said on Monday it reserved the right to take the\case to the Security Council on its own.


International Mediators Try to End Ukraine Crisis

KIEV (Reuters) - International mediators will step up  efforts on Wednesday to resolve Ukraine's 10-day-old crisis  over a disputed presidential election after the collapse of  talks between pro-Western and pro-Russian factions.


U.S. Rules Out Dam Removal to Aid Salmon

The Bush administration will not remove federal dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers to protect 11 endangered species of salmon and steelhead, even as a last resort.


AIDS Near 'Tipping Point' In India, China, Russia

The head of the United Nations' AIDS program warned that the three countries could turn their small, localized epidemics into gigantic ones capable of disrupting the world's response to the disease.


Teams Scour Indonesia Plane Crash Site for Survivors

SOLO, Indonesia (Reuters) - Rescue teams searched areas  around an airfield in central Indonesia on Wednesday for  survivors from a plane crash that police said killed at least  31 people and left 47 unaccounted for.


Colombian Congress Approves Uribe's Re-Election Bid

BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombia's Congress on Tuesday  approved a bill allowing Alvaro Uribe, one of few conservative  South American presidents with strong ties to Washington, to  run for an unprecedented second term.


Pension Fund of New York Files Suit Against Merck

The main pension fund of New York State filed a lawsuit against Merck   Company, accusing it of misleading shareholders about the safety of its pain drug Vioxx.


California Pension Activist Expects to Be Ousted

Sean Harrigan, a figure in the corporate governance movement, said that he expected to be ousted as president of the board of California's large public pension fund.


Signs That Japan's Economic Recovery Is Fading

A string of disappointing economic reports released Tuesday heightened concerns that Japan's recovery may be fading fast.


Skiers Up to Speed

After getting shut out in the 2002 Games, U.S. Skiing is predicting a substantial medal haul for the women's Alpine skiing team in Turin.


Mets, Martinez Talk

New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya appears intent on making a splash by pursuing free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez.


Global Forecasts for 2005 Growth Are Reduced

Prospects for the global economy next year are growing dimmer as oil prices hurt consumption and the rise in the U.S. trade deficit depresses the dollar.


Yellow Jackets Roll

The fourth-ranked Yellow Jackets use a 20-0 first-half run to bury Michigan early and cruise to a 99-68 triumph on Tuesday night.


Friars Collapse in Upset

Providence scores just five second-half field goals on 19 percent shooting to allow Winthrop to rally and defeat the Friars, 60-54, on Tuesday night.


Take this to the bank: The Yanks could tank (The Sporting News)

The Sporting News - Don't fret, Yankees haters. Read on, and you'll see plenty of potential obstacles that could keep the restocked and heavily favored Bronx Billionaires from winning the World Series -- and I didn't have to reach too far to find them. Not all of them, anyway.


Skidding Browns finally see the light, purge Butch

In the end, Cleveland #39;s Butch Davis was right where he wanted to be, which was ironic because it was that position that made him such a convenient target for dismissal.


NCAA Game Summary - Florida International at Connecticut

The Huskies set a school record with 19 blocks in the game (Hilton Armstrong had five and Boone had four)...This was the first-ever meeting between these teams...FIU, which shot 28 percent from the field, had a two-game winning streak halted...UConn ended


Nets 99 Bobcats 86

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ Richard Jefferson scored 23 points and the New Jersey Nets ended a nine-game losing streak by downing the expansion Charlotte Bobcats 99-to-86.


Online holiday shopping rose 25 percent in 2004: survey (AFP)

AFP - Online holiday shopping rose 25 percent in 2004 to 23.2 billion dollars, a survey showed.


At least 300 die in floods as Typhoon Winnie hits Philippines

MORE than 300 people died and at least 150 remained missing after flash floods and landslides devastated three coastal towns and left swathes of the northern Philippines under water yesterday.


Arms smuggling to Gaza on agenda of talks with Egyptian foreign <b>...</b>

Israel is expected to ask Egypt Wednesday to deploy troops deep in the Sinai to combat arms smuggling, and not to suffice with enhancing its patrols along its border with the Gaza Strip.


AMD Big Gainer in 3rd-Quarter Microchip Sales-IDC

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Advanced Micro Devices Inc.  AMD.N captured nearly 10 percent of computer microchip market  revenue in the third quarter, the highest level in nearly three  years, market research firm IDC said on Tuesday.


Global Chip Gear Sales Seen Down 5.15 Percent in 2005

MAKUHARI, Japan (Reuters) - Global sales of equipment used  to make and test semiconductors are expected to fall 5.15  percent from a year earlier to \$33.49 billion in 2005, an  industry group said on Wednesday.


Storms leave at least 350 dead in Philippines

The death toll from landslides and flash floods in the eastern Philippines jumped to nearly 350 with 150 others missing yesterday, most of them from a region still reeling from last week #39;s deadly typhoon.


Thai prime minister urges Myanmar generals to move toward <b>...</b>

Thailand yesterday told military-ruled Myanmar that it must take real steps toward democracy in the coming year, but failed to get any clarification from the junta on reports that pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi #39;s house arrest has been extended.


New US tariffs on shrimp from China, Vietnam may help US shrimpers

Some Chinese shrimp exporters will have to pay discouragingly hefty tariffs of more than 100 percent if they want their products to appear on American dinner tables, the Commerce Department ruled Tuesday.


Tropical Storm Otto forms on last day of hurricane season

A low pressure system over the Central Atlantic has formed Tropical Storm Otto on the last day of hurricane season. At 4 pm, the center of Tropical Storm Otto was located near latituded 31.8 north, longitude 51 west or about 810 miles east of Bermuda.


New life for Philly WiFi

Verizon's agreement with Philadelphia brings new life to the city's WiFi plans.


Lampard strikes again

Chelsea #39;s assault on an unprecedented quadruple gained momentum at Craven Cottage when Frank Lampard #39;s 88th-minute goal sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.


Australians close in on victory

Five wickets stand between the Australians and victory on the final day against New Zealand to complete a 2-0 win in the series. Set a prohibitive 464 to win in Adelaide, New


Raptors 94, Heat 92

Jalen Rose scored 24 points, including the decisive free throws with 15.6 seconds left, to help the Toronto Raptors snap a six-game road losing streak with a 94-92 victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night.


Hospital Care by Video Camera

Intensive-care doctors monitor patients from miles away. Also: Vioxx might be responsible for more deaths than thought.... New network in southern India gives government a big boost.... and more.


Hurricane Season  #39;Officially #39; Over, But That Doesn #39;t Stop Otto

Tuesday may mark the last day of the hurricane season, but it #39;s not going away quietly. Tropical Storm  quot;Otto quot; has formed far out in the Atlantic Ocean, about 810 miles east of Bermuda.


Athletes still using Bextra

com) and Ben Goessling (bgoesslingmndaily.com). Amid speculation that the painkiller Bextra will join Vioxx as drugs recalled from the market, University athletes are still using


Knicks Nip Hawks 110-109 in Overtime (AP)

AP - Jamal Crawford's 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left in overtime lifted the New York Knicks to a 110-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.


Kings Defeat Slumping Grizzlies 98-93 (AP)

AP - Peja Stojakovic had 29 points, and Chris Webber added 22 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday night to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 98-93 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.


No. 4 Georgia Tech Drills Michigan 99-68 (AP)

AP - Georgia Tech raised its Final Four banner before the game, then played like a team that could win it all. The fourth-ranked Yellow Jackets took control with a 20-0 run, led by 27 points at halftime and went on to rout Michigan 99-68 Tuesday night in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.


No. 8 Kentucky Trounces Tennessee Tech (AP)

AP - Kelenna Azubuike emerged from a season-long shooting slump, scoring 21 points and No. 8 Kentucky beat Tennessee Tech 92-63 on Tuesday night.


Bucs Release Schroeder and Gramatica (Reuters)

Reuters - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on\Tuesday released wide receiver Bill Schroeder and kicker Martin\Gramatica, and activated offensive guard Matt O'Dwyer from the\physically unable to perform list.


Cook Leads Lakers Past Bucks 95-90 (AP)

AP - Brian Cook came off the bench to score a career-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers, and Kobe Bryant added 20 points despite being held without a field goal for three quarters to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Milwaukee Bucks 95-90 Tuesday night.


1914 Baseball Card Set Sells for  #36;800,000 (AP)

AP - A complete set of 1914 Cracker Jack baseball cards featuring "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and Ty Cobb has been sold for a record  #36;800,000.


Houston Upsets No. 14 Purdue 63-60 (AP)

AP - Daphne Andre scored 21 points, including two free throws that sealed the win following a key steal, leading Houston to a 63-60 upset of No. 14 Purdue on Tuesday night.


Nets 99, Bobcats 86

Richard Jefferson scored 23 points and Eric Williams had a season-high 22 to help the New Jersey Nets end a nine-game losing streak with a 99-86 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.


Routs not fooling Smith, Cats

It seems to be a basketball paradox. Kentucky dominates its early-season opposition. Coach Tubby Smith finds no difficulty in convincing his players of their shortcomings.


Rwandan troop incursion prompts Congo to respond

Thousands of Rwandan troops have crossed into the remote forested hills of east Congo, a Western diplomat said Monday, in an account supported by park rangers and local chiefs near the border of the two neighbors and wartime enemies.


Microsoft, BT team on software as services

LONDON - Microsoftis ramping up its efforts to sell software as a service by teaming with U.K. telecommunications giant BT Group PLC to provide a platform for the delivery of its business applications.


Microsoft finds new front in software piracy battle

As part of its fight against software piracy, Microsofton Tuesday said it filed lawsuits against eight resellers for allegedly buying and selling fake and used Certificate of Authenticity labels.


HP fine-tunes security management

Hewlett-Packard bolstered its security portfolio Tuesday, announcing availability of an identity management product for enterprises and a security management initiative for small and midsize businesses.


Sun: 1.9 million downloads of Java fix

Sun Microsystems on Tuesday said there have been 1.9 million downloads of an upgraded version of J2SE to correct a possible security vulnerability in the JVM, although there have been no attacks reported based on the problem.


Universities Struggling with SSL-Busting Spyware

Experts call Marketscore software a privacy threat.


Top-Ranked Australia Rallies to Avoid US Rugby League Upset

World rugby league champion Australia beat the USA Tomahawks 36-24 in Philadelphia, rallying from an 18- point halftime deficit to avoid one of the biggest upsets in the sport #39;s history.


New Netscape Browser Supports Internet Explorer

Preview version seeks best of both worlds, is based on Firefox.


Dollar Rebounds But Data May Cap Gains

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar rebounded on Monday after a  heavy selloff last week, but analysts were uncertain if the  rally could hold as the drumbeat of expectation began for to  the December U.S. jobs report due Friday.


High Court Puts Limit On Lender Liability

The Supreme Court overturned a five-figure damage award for an auto dealer's alleged loan scam, ruling that a federal appeals court had wrongly interpreted a federal fair-credit law when it upheld the award last year.


Russia's Gazprom to Bid For Yukos Oil's Top Unit

The nascent petroleum division of natural gas monopoly Gazprom will bid for the top production unit of the battered Yukos oil empire, its chief said Tuesday -- a widely anticipated move that could put the heart of the company into Kremlin-friendly hands.


Fannie, Freddie Raise Loan Limits

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will raise by 7.8 percent the limit on the size of single-family-home mortgages they will purchase, increasing the pool of home buyers who will qualify for lower-cost financing.


News: HP says 'virus throttling' software could slow spread of computer worms

The Associated Press By Rachel Konrad


SEMI expects sales to dip in  #39;05

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Sales for semiconductor manufacturing equipment is expected to rise sharply in 2004, but decline slightly in 2005, according to a year-end consensus forecast released late Tuesday by the industry #39;s largest trade group.


Spurs Run Over Mavericks 107-89 (AP)

AP - Devin Brown sparked a fourth-quarter spurt with two three-point plays and two dunks, helping the San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 Monday night to spoil the pseudo-coaching debut of Avery Johnson.


International Mediators Try to End Ukraine Crisis (Reuters)

Reuters - International mediators will step up\efforts on Wednesday to resolve Ukraine's 10-day-old crisis\over a disputed presidential election after the collapse of\talks between pro-Western and pro-Russian factions.


China Mine Death Toll 166 -Xinhua (Reuters)

Reuters - The death toll from a coal mine blast\in northern China has risen to 166, Xinhua news agency said on\Wednesday.


Pistons Race Past Rockets 93-72 (AP)

AP - Antonio McDyess had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Richard Hamilton also scored 19, helping the Detroit Pistons snap a five-game road losing streak with a 93-72 win over the reeling Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.


No. 1 LSU women roll past North Texas

Seimone Augustus was perfect from the field, hitting 11-of-11, and true freshman Sylvia Fowles had her sixth straight game in double figures and her third double-double in the last


Knicks 110, Hawks 109, OT

Jamal Crawford #39;s 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left in overtime lifted the New York Knicks to a 110-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.


No. 19 Florida 88, Florida A amp;M 51

Florida A amp;M had played two other ranked teams this season and was blown out both times. Mohamed Abukar scored a career-high 22 points, and No.


#39;Prince was like a lovesick puppy #39;

LONDON: In the tapes that were aired on US television channels on Monday night, the late Princess Diana claims that when Prince Charles first met, he was like a lovesick puppy and leapt on her and started kissing her the first time she sat near him.


Construction Spending Down

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. construction spending fell  unexpectedly by 0.4 percent in November, as a cooling in  residential construction overpowered a small rise in public  spending, a government report showed on Monday.


Death Toll Rises to 166 China Coal Blast (AP)

AP - The death toll in a massive coal mine explosion in central China rose Wednesday to 166 after scores of missing miners were declared dead, government radio reported.


New York Comptroller Sues Merck

New York Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi sued Merck  amp; Co. on Tuesday, seeking to recoup value lost in the state #39;s pension fund after the drug manufacturer pulled its top painkiller Vioxx off the market in September.


Pace of Factory Growth Climbs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The pace of growth at U.S. factories  picked up in December, boosted by an increase in new orders and  despite a decline in employment, a report showed on Monday.


Suns Defeat Jazz 115-102 (AP)

AP - Steve Nash had 20 points and 14 assists to lead the Phoenix Suns to their eighth straight win, 115-102 over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.


Taking the charge out of lightning-fast worms

During the early morning of January 25, 2003, the Sapphire/Slammer worm ripped through 75,000 computers in less than half an hour.


Sybase offers breakthrough Linux-based ASE value

Sybase has announced that its Adaptive Server Enterprise (ASE) for Linux, the enterprise-class, relational database management system (RDBMS), will run on IBM #39;s eServer OpenPower systems, IBM #39;s POWER5 microprocessor- based servers tuned specifically for


Knicks edge plucky Hawks in OT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- After being cold from the arc through four quarters, Jamal Crawford was clutch in overtime. Crawford #39;s 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining helped the New York Knicks post a 110-109 victory


NBA to Set new arena security guidelines

NBA commissioner David Stern says the NBA will set new security guidelines for its arenas, exerting more authority over a matter previously left to individual teams.


Cal Receiver Expects to Play in Finale (AP)

AP - California receiver Jonathan Makonnen expects to play in the regular-season finale Saturday at Southern Mississippi after missing the last four games with a bruised liver.


Teams scour Indonesia plane crash site

Solo city as it landed in heavy rain around dusk on Tuesday after a flight from Jakarta. Other sources were giving different numbers on casualties.


Italy crippled as strike bites

Rome: Millions of Italian workers took part in a one-day general strike against the economic policies of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.


College Basketball: Georgia Tech, UConn Win

ATLANTA (Sports Network) - B.J. Elder poured in a game-high  27 points to lead fourth-ranked Georgia Tech to a convincing  99-68 win over Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge at  Alexander Memorial Coliseum.


#39;The age of cheap oil is over #39;

Put away the stack-heeled shoes and the Slade records. Higher oil prices may have rekindled memories of glam rock and loon pants, but the west is not about to return to the days of sky-high inflation that marked the 1970s.


Telstra chief resigns ahead of privatisation

Telstras embattled chief executive resigned on Wednesday as Australias largest telecommunications company prepared for the A\$30bn sale of the governments remaining shareholding.


Lycos Offers Spam-Server Attack Program (AP)

AP - At the risk of breaching Internet civility, a European Web portal is offering its visitors a weapon against spam: a screensaver program that tries to choke spam servers by flooding them with junk traffic.


Flaw opens crack in Windows servers

com November 30, 2004, 11:48 AM PT. Security continues to hold steady over software as the third top IT priority, with organizations busy coping with cyber threats, keeping up with software


NBA Wrap: Stojakovic Powers Kings Past Grizzlies (Reuters)

Reuters - Peja Stojakovic scored 29 points to\steer the Sacramento Kings to their eighth victory in nine\games, a 98-93 decision over the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday.


Notre Dame players to vote on whether to take bowl trip

Notre Dame players will vote on Wednesday whether to play in the Insight Bowl in Phoenix, SportsLine.com has learned. In light of the firing of coach Ty Willingham, the players have yet to determine if they are emotionally ready to play in the Dec.


McLeish gives Smith vote of approval for Scotland job

THE imminent appointment of Walter Smith as Scotland football manager has been given a glowing endorsement by leading figures in the game.


Benitez signing a Giant step

For quite some time there, Barry Bonds wasn #39;t the only sure thing the Giants had going for them. They also had a 300-save closer available in Robb Nen, night after night and year after year.


LG Philips LCD announces five-billion dollar investment despite output glut (AFP)

AFP - LG Philips LCD is to invest five billion dollars in new facilities to produce next-generation flat panel displays in order to strengthen its global market leadership.


Philly, Verizon Complete Wireless Deal (AP)

AP - The city of Philadelphia and Verizon Communications Inc. struck an agreement Tuesday that would allow the city to provide wireless Internet access as a municipal service even though Gov. Ed Rendell signed legislation giving Verizon the power to scuttle the project.


Duke Tops Mich. St. 81-74 (AP)

AP - Duke again was too much for Michigan State, thanks almost entirely to J.J. Redick and Daniel Ewing.


New typhoon heading for flood-hit Philippines

PILILIA, Philippines : Another powerful typhoon is bearing down on the eastern Philippines where rescuers are desperately trying to find survivors from floods and landslides that have left nearly 500 dead or missing.


Investigation underway into Indonesian plane crash

Indonesian transport safety officials have launched an inquiry into the crash of a passenger plane in central Java which has killed more than 30 people and injured at least 60 others.


Rumours fuel fear of war in eastern Congo

The threat of renewed war in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo increased yesterday amid unconfirmed reports by diplomats and a claim by a Congolese minister that


Di claim dismissed

LONDON: A former bodyguard of Britain #39;s Princess Diana yesterday said he doubted that one of her alleged lovers had been  quot;bumped off quot; - a claim she made in never-before-seen videotapes broadcast in the US.


Egyptian Officials Due to Arrive for Talks This Morning

(IsraelNN.com) Egypts foreign minister and intelligence chief are scheduled to arrive for high-level talks in Jerusalem this morning.


Universities Struggling with SSL-busting Spyware (PC World)

PC World - Experts call Marketscore software a privacy threat.


Sun: 1.9 million downloads of Java fix (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - Sun Microsystems on Tuesday said there have been 1.9 million downloads of an upgraded version of J2SE to correct a possible security vulnerability in the JVM, although there have been no attacks reported based on the problem.


Death of Rare Bird Leaves Future Uncertain (AP)

AP - One of the rarest birds on Earth came closer to being wiped out  #151; if not already extinct  #151; with the death of one of the last three believed to exist, officials said.


Russia, NASA OK Space Station's Next Crew (AP)

AP - Russia's Federal Space Agency and NASA have approved the crew of the next mission to the international space station, a Russian agency spokesman said Tuesday.


Anthrax Vaccine Maker Announces Md. Facility

BioPort Corp. of Lansing, Mich., dedicated a 150,000-square-foot facility in Frederick that is designed to produce 100 million anthrax vaccine doses when it becomes fully operational in two years.


The Dollar Slips Against the Yen

TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar slipped against the yen on  Wednesday on a round of selling by Japanese exporters, but it  found support from intervention worries and caution ahead of  U.S. non-farm payrolls data due later in the week.


Nikkei Down 1 Pct on Econ Fears

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Nikkei fell 1 percent by midsession  on Wednesday as investors sold a broad range of shares,  extending losses from the day before when poor Japanese  industrial output data put a damper on the economy's outlook.


Pfizer Affirms 2004 Forecast

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc. PFE.N on Tuesday  reaffirmed it expects 2004 earnings to be more than 20 percent  above last year, but warned that results in 2005-2007 will be  hurt by patent expirations on over a half-dozen of its  best-selling medicines.


OECD expects robust 3.6 percent growth

Higher oil prices have slowed economic growth in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, but it should expand by 3.6 percent this year.


Merck sued by New York fund over Vioxx issue

NEW YORK (Dow Jones/AP) _ The New York state comptroller sued Merck  amp; Co., claiming the drug maker hid certain risks associated with the painkiller Vioxx.


Telstra CEO out ahead of full sale

Australian telecommunications giant Telstra is looking for a new CEO to handle its full privatization after incumbent Ziggy Switkowski resigned Wednesday.


Wal-Mart Sales Estimate Boosts Sector

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. WMT.N, the  world's No. 1 retailer, on Monday said December sales would be  at the top end of its prior estimate on better-than-expected  post-Christmas spending, driving its shares up 2 percent.


ANALYSIS: Hollywood studios fire heavy salvo in DVD format war

True, Monday #39;s thunderbolt from Tinseltown may not be enough to settle the DVD format war. But in a synchronized cluster bomb of press releases, the powerful content producers have sent a clear message to


02 i-mode deal

MOBILE phone giant mmO2 has secured a partnership with Japans NTT DoCoMo to bring its i-mode internet technology to the UK. The company hopes to boost revenues per user by selling the product, which allows


HP to release Virus Throttler for Windows in 2005

NOVEMBER 30, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) is planning to build virus throttling technology into ProLiant servers and ProCurve switches starting in early 2005, an HP executive said today.


First Edition Cycling News

The Swiss Phonak Cycling team has issued an official statement on the rejection of the team #39;s ProTour license on its website, www.


Your Verdict: Diouf spitting shame

El-Hadji Diouf is back doing what he appears to do best - spitting on people. Not content with covering a variety of fans with spittle he has now targeted his fellow professionals.


Ladydogs Upend #20 Louisana Tech 72-55

The last time Louisiana Tech visited Starkville, in 1999, they left with an upset defeat at the hands of Mississippi State. Five Novembers later, the Lady Techsters returned to Humphrey Coliseum...and the Lady Bulldogs ready to do it again.


Car bomb kills seven in Iraq

BAIJI, December 01 (Online): A car bomb exploded in a crowded market in a town north of Baghdad on Tuesday, killing at least seven people and wounding 20, underlining Iraqs severe security problems with elections just two months away.


Net piracy expert flies in to scuttle Kazaa

A key figure in the Kazaa file-sharing trial arrives in Sydney today to give evidence of Australian users downloading copyright material via the peer-to-peer software.


GAME DAY RECAP Tuesday, November 30

A typical night for Tan White at Mississippi State led to a rare upset of Louisiana Tech. White scored 28 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 72-55 upset of the 21st-ranked Lady Techsters on Tuesday night.


On Campus, Hanging Out by Logging On

Thefacebook.com, a Web site that began 10 months ago, is now the most popular way to either network or waste time for a million college students.


Cingular to Upgrade Data Network

Cingular Wireless announced plans to upgrade its high-speed data network, allowing faster downloads on many home broadband connections.


US sets penalties on import of shrimp

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


Ziggy to resign

IN BRIEF  Telstra Chairman Donald McGauchie has today announced the resignation of Telstra #39;s current CEO, Ziggy Switkowski. Ziggy will officially step down from the role on 1 July 2005 but may give up his


Cingular to launch US 3G network

Cingular, the largest mobile phone operator in the US, is to launch a high-speed third generation (3G) network from next year. Mobile phone firms have been seeking new areas to boost revenue - and Cingular #39;s


REL wants to know if RIL will play ball

The board of Reliance Energy Ltd (REL) met on Tuesday and requested its six directors to reconsider their resignations. A Reliance Energy spokesperson told reporters that the  quot;the board reposed full trust


Lycos Europe To Spammers: It #39;s Pay-Back Time

Lycos Europe NV is offering Internet users a way to stick it to spammers with its new screen-saver software, called  quot;Make Love, Not Spam.


Sun Microsystems to acquire SevenSpace

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Santa Clara, Calif.,-based Sun will acquire SevenSpace in an all-cash transaction for an undisclosed amount.


Russia #39;s space agency approves international space station #39;s next <b>...</b>

MOSCOW -- An American and a Russian, both space veterans, have been selected as the next replacement crew for the international space station, a Russian agency spokesman said Tuesday.


Microsoft investigates Windows Server flaw

Microsoft is investigating a security flaw in Windows server software that could allow an attacker to gain complete control over systems running the software, the company said.


San Francisco Signs Benitez to Three-Year Deal

Free agent Armando Benitez and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a three-year contract yesterday, a move that stabilizes the club #39;s closer role that has been in flux since Robb Nen was injured two years ago.


Substitute position is familiar arrangement for Robiskie

Terry Robiskie has been here before. He #39;s an  quot;interim coach quot; for the second time, named Tuesday to replace resigned Butch Davis as the Cleveland Browns coach with five games remaining


NBA Wrap: Stojakovic Powers Kings Past Grizzlies

Peja Stojakovic scored 29 points to steer the Sacramento Kings to their eighth victory in nine games, a 98-93 decision over the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday.


NBA Game Summary - San Antonio at Dallas

Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Tim Duncan had 20 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks and Devin Brown scored 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 107-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.


Time #39;s on Sox #39; side: Club may not need four-year offer to keep <b>...</b>

If Pedro Martinez stats, news ultimately decides to re-sign with the Red Sox stats, schedule - still a distinct possibility - it will not be for four more years.


Rwandan Troops Enter Congo, Aide Says

KINSHASA, Congo, Nov. 30 -- A senior Congolese official said Tuesday that troops from neighboring Rwanda had crossed into eastern Congo, and UN officials said they were investigating reports of Rwandan forces


New Zealand announces initiatives to build links with ASEAN

The New Zealand government has agreed to a range of initiatives to build closer ties with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Wednesday.


GERMAN COURTS: NY-based rights group pushes war crimes probe

An American civil rights group filed a criminal complaint in Germany on Tuesday alleging Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and other US officials condoned torture and human rights violations at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.


Japan's Nikkei Hits a One-Month Low

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei hit a one-month low on  Wednesday as investors sold a broad range of shares, extending  losses from the day before when poor Japanese industrial output  data put a damper on the economy's outlook.


Profit taking clips stocks

AFTER a rollercoaster of a ride today the share market ended in negative territory on a frenzy of profit taking in the afternoon. Retailers were hardest hit following disappointing sales figures released yesterday


SEC, PCAOB Allow Extra Time on Internal Control Reporting

Washington (Dec. 1, 2004) - Thanks to some fast footwork by regulators at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, accounting firms and many of their smaller


Microsoft to set up lab in India

Microsoft Research plans to establish its first-ever lab in India, hoping to attract top research talent in a country known for producing high-quality computer scientists.


At least 100 Delta pilots expected to retire as pay cuts start <b>...</b>

At least 100 Delta Air Lines Inc. pilots are expected to retire effective Wednesday, the start date for a 32.5-percent pay cut agreed upon in a \$1 billion


Reliance arm asks six to stay

The board of Indian power utility Reliance Energy Ltd. told the Bombay exchange Tuesday it had asked its six directors who resigned last week to reconsider their resignations.


Botswana Leader Warns on AIDS: Abstain or Die (Reuters)

Reuters - Botswana President Festus Mogae issued a\blunt message to his people Wednesday on HIV/AIDS: abstain from\unsafe sex or die.


Hewlett-Packard says software could slow computer worms

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


Bringing to Life the Genome of an Ancient Mammal

CHEVY CHASE, Md., Nov. 30 (AScribe Newswire) -- A group of researchers has re-created with remarkable accuracy part of the genome of the common ancestor of all placental mammals, a small shrew-like creature


Tyler Hamilton fired by cycling team, which is barred from pro <b>...</b>

Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton was fired by his cycling team two months after testing positive for blood doping. The Swiss-based International Cycling Union, or UCI, said Tuesday


Bolton #39;s Diouf charged for spitting incident

London, England (Sports Network) - Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf was charged with  quot;improper conduct quot; by the English Football Association (FA) Monday.


Crawford nails late three-pointer in overtime as Knicks top Hawks <b>...</b>

When he took a pass from Stephon Marbury with about five seconds left in overtime, Jamal Crawford didn #39;t hesitate. No matter that he was at least five feet behind the three-point arc.


Panel Releases Report on Global Threats (AP)

AP - With the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq serving as a backdrop, a high-level international panel called for sweeping changes Tuesday of the United Nations, including a recommendation that the Security Council must in the future authorize any pre-emptive or preventive global military action.


Philadelphia, Verizon Strike Deal on WiFi (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 30 -- The city of Philadelphia and Verizon Communications Inc. struck an agreement Tuesday that would allow the city to provide wireless Internet access as a municipal service even if Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D) signs legislation to give Verizon the power to scuttle the project.


China Toll 166 in Grim Saga of Mine Deaths (Reuters)

Reuters - The death toll from a coal mine blast\in northern China has risen to 166, Xinhua news agency said on\Wednesday, confirming one of the worst disasters to hit the\world's most dangerous mining industry.


Australia fails to obtain ICRC report on alleged torture at Guantanamo (AFP)

AFP - Australia has failed to obtain a leaked Red Cross report alleging that terrorist suspects held at a US military camp in Cuba were tortured, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.


No. 25 Wisc. Upsets No. 12 Maryland 69-64 (AP)

AP - Alando Tucker scored a career-high 27 points and No. 25 Wisconsin beat No. 12 Maryland 69-64 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge on Tuesday night.


International Mediators Try to End Ukraine Crisis

KIEV (Reuters) - International mediators will step up  efforts Wednesday to resolve Ukraine's 10-day-old crisis over a  disputed presidential election after the collapse of talks  between pro-Western and pro-Russian factions.


Condoms, Parades Mark AIDS Day; China Gets Tough

BEIJING (Reuters) - The world's two most populous nations  promised Wednesday to eradicate ignorance about AIDS, a disease  that was at first dismissed by many as a Western evil confined  to drug users, homosexuals and prostitutes.


Tough Start for Mexico in Final World Cup Qualifiers

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Mexico will start the final  stage of CONCACAF's marathon World Cup qualifying competition  with a tough fixture in Costa Rica.


Teams Scour Indonesia Plane Crash Site for Survivors

SOLO, Indonesia (Reuters) - Rescue teams searched areas  around a central Indonesia airport Wednesday for survivors and  victims of a plane crash that police said killed at least 31  people and left 47 unaccounted for.


Md. Marine's Love of Outdoors and Adventure Remembered

For  relatives and friends of Kirk Bosselmann, few things the Marine Corps corporal did surprised them.


U.N. Panel Rejects Bush Stance on Military Action

The 16-member panel, appointed after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, said in a long-awaited report that only the U.N. Security Council has the legal standing to authorize such a "preventive war."


Philadelphia, Verizon Strike Deal on WiFi

The agreement would allow the city to provide wireless Internet access as a municipal service even if Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D) signs legislation to give Verizon the power to scuttle the project.-washingtonpost.com


Microsoft Research to open lab in Bangalore

Microsoft Research will open a laboratory in Bangalore, India, the company #39;s third research installation overseas and a sign of India #39;s increasing importance in tech.


US clocks a third quarter growth of 3.9

The US economy grew by 3.9 per cent in the third quarter of this year, a US government press release stated. On another quarter of robust growth, the US treasury secretary, John Snow, said, Americas Gross


HP to release Virus Throttler for Windows in 2005

HP plans to add virus-throttling technology to ProLiant servers and ProCurve switches starting in early 2005. Virus Throttler technology slows the spread of a virus or worm within an infected server to give  administrators time to act.


Man Utd boss Ferguson has fresh dig at Arsenal

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson turned up the heat on Arsenal by stating he doesn #39;t regard them as major title rivals.


Walgreen Qtrly Profit Rises 30.5 Pct

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Walgreen Co. WAG.N on Monday posted a  30.5 percent rise in quarterly profit, boosted by sales of  generic drugs and digital photo processing, sending its shares  to a nearly three-year high.


Can He Stop the Killing?

The Palestinians' likely next President hopes to take on the militants--and Arafat's legacy


Where Should Your Money Go?

How can you ensure that your contributions are put to best possible use?


Justices to hear Seattle newspapers #39; dispute

Washington state #39;s highest court has agreed to review a key issue in a contentious lawsuit that could determine whether Seattle continues to have two daily newspapers.


AMD gains in Q3 chip sales

SAN FRANCISCO: Advanced Micro Devices captured nearly 10 per cent of computer microchip market revenue in the third quarter, the highest level in nearly three years, market research firm IDC said on Tuesday.


If Irish lure Meyer, it all changes at UF

GAINESVILLE - In a six-hour period Tuesday, Tyrone Willingham #39;s dismissal at Notre Dame and Butch Davis #39; resignation from the Cleveland Browns turned upside down the University of Florida #39;s search for a football coach.


Four killed in Iraq attack:

World News: Baghdad, Nov 30 : Four people were killed and 20 injured in an attack on a US military convoy in Iraq Tuesday, reports Xinhua.


Oil Prices Edge Below \$49 a Barrel

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices edged below \$49 a barrel  on Wednesday as traders looked ahead to an expected build in  weekly U.S. inventory data that would help bolster the thin  supply cushion ahead of peak northern winter demand.


Global Forecasts for 2005 Growth Are Reduced

Prospects for the global economy next year are growing dimmer as high oil prices hurt consumption and the unchecked rise in the United States trade deficit depresses the dollar


Yukos chief sees little hope for oil giant

The American chief executive of Russia #39;s embattled oil giant Yukos yesterday held out little hope of saving the company from dismemberment by the Putin government this month.


Hunt for new CEO begins as Telstra #39;s Ziggy Switkowski steps down

Telstra #39;s search for a new CEO has begun as incumbent CEO Dr Ziggy Switkowski has agreed to step down from the post. Switkowski #39;s last day will be 1 July, 2005 and possibly even earlier if the telecommunications company can find a suitable replacement.


Gov. Bush praises Treasure Coast efforts during hurricane season

VERO BEACH - Gov. Jeb Bush got teary-eyed on the last day of the hurricane season Tuesday as he thanked scores of Indian River County officials, emergency workers and volunteers for their relief efforts following Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.


Insurance merger results in \$126.5 million windfall

ATLANTA - A massive corporate merger between two health-care giants will result in \$126.5 million of new funding and equipment for Georgia #39;s medical schools and rural hospitals, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine announced Tuesday.


GM to lay off 950 in New Jersey

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- General Motors said Tuesday that it will lay off 950 employees at its assembly plant in Linden, NJ, due to waning demand for the Chevy Blazer and GMC Jimmy.


Frozen out

The Terrapins found the lanes underneath closed and the basket unreachable against an impenetrable Badgers defense, and No. 25 Wisconsin (3-1) beat No.


Portuguese President Moves to Dissolve Parliament (Reuters)

Reuters - Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio began\moves Tuesday to dissolve parliament and call an election after\deciding Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes could no longer\continue in the job.


US may boycott ASEAN meetings when Myanmar takes over helm in 2006

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States warned it might boycott ASEAN meetings when Myanmar takes over the chairmanship of the Southeast Asian grouping in 2006, unless the military-ruled state improves its human rights record.


Mass whale strandings found in Australia, NZ

Mass strandings of marine mammals have occurred in Australia and New Zealand this week, proving an earlier predication made by Australian scientists, New Zealand Press Association said Wednesday.


US may boycott ASEAN meetings when Myanmar takes over helm (AFP)

AFP - The United States has warned it might boycott ASEAN meetings when Myanmar takes over the chairmanship of the Southeast Asian grouping in 2006, unless the military-ruled state improves its human rights record.


Mozambique voters head for polls

The people of Mozambique, one of the world's poorest countries, are voting in presidential and parliamentary elections.


Is end near for Russia #39;s Yukos?

Russian prosecutors are less than three weeks from striking a death blow against the country #39;s biggest oil producer, Yukos - move widely seen as a politically motivated legal assault.


Insurers paying for rural health project

Patients in rural communities across Georgia soon will have quick access to big-city medical specialists thanks to a live-video hookup that will serve 36 rural hospitals.


Willingham out as Irish coach Firing could have local <b>...</b>

Tuesday #39;s abrupt firing of Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham resonated across the college football landscape, with ripples potentially stretching all the way to the Bay Area.


At least 500 dead in Philippines storms

Another typhoon is set to hit the Philippines, which is already reeling under the impact of two back-to-back storms. More than 500 people died in the previous storms, and the latest one, Typhoon Nanmadol, packing


Chinese media demands investment in mine safety

A woman breaks down after she was told the fate of her husband, one of the miners trapped in the Chenjiashan coal mine in Tongchuan city, north China #39;s Shaanxi province November 29.


Nikkei Hits 1-Month Closing Low

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average dipped 1.06  percent to a one-month closing low on Wednesday, extending  losses from the day before when poor Japanese industrial output  data put a damper on the economy's outlook.


Texas got a break

The hurricane season ended Tuesday with Texas escaping major storms, while Florida residents were hard hit with four major storms that claimed 117 lives and caused billions of dollars in damage.


Telstra CEO out ahead of full sale

The chairman of Telstra has nominated the upcoming full sale of the company as the major reason for the departure of chief executive Ziggy Switkowski.


Company looks to new drugs in face of patent expirations

BOSTON (CBS.MW) -- With the threat of generic competition looming over the pharmaceutical industry, Pfizer Inc. declared on Tuesday that the strength and breadth of its drugs under development will give the company an edge over its rivals.


Sea of Sorrow

The world suffers an epic tragedy as a tsunami spreads death across Asia. An on-the-scene look at how it happened--and whether the carnage could have been avoided


After the Flood

With disease looming, the world launches a massive relief effort. Will the aid reach the victims in time?


AMD Big Gainer in 3rd-Quarter Microchip Sales-IDC

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) captured nearly 10 percent of computer microchip market revenue in the third quarter, the highest level


Death of Rare Bird Leaves Future Uncertain

One of the rarest birds on Earth came closer to being wiped out - if not already extinct - with the death of one of the last three believed to exist, officials said.


US embassy bomb plot trial opens

Six suspected Islamic militants go on trial in Paris for an alleged plot to bomb the US embassy in 2001.


Randolph scores 19 points as Trail Blazers down Sonics 100-94

Zach Randolph had 19 points, including a key jumper with 17.2 seconds left, as the Portland Trail Blazers stopped the surging Seattle SuperSonics 100-94 on Tuesday night.


Bobcats will slowly bud into winner

They exist in their original form for only one year, then they evolve into a more advanced life form. Sixteen of the extant NBA franchises first drew breath as expansion teams - Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas


Redick, Ewing each score 29, total 10 three-pointers

The question late in Tuesday #39;s Michigan State-Duke game became: Would JJ Redick and Daniel Ewing wear down while the Spartans #39; depth became the difference?


Nearly 340 people killed as storm slams E Philippines

helps a man carry his infant son, wrapped in plastic to shield him from the rain November 30, as they use an improvised ladder to cross a fallen concrete bridge in eastern Philippine town of General Nakar.


Sugar industry wary of commerce nominee

WASHINGTON  - The US sugar industry is taking a wait-and-see attitude toward the nomination of Kellogg Co. Chief Executive Carlos Gutierrez to be the new secretary of the Commerce Department.


Dollar hits a new low despite strong growth

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


Sex and the City driving economy

SEX and the City may have left the nation #39;s television screens, but its viewers are propping up the national economy as they buy up big on shoes, clothes and cars.


Endangered bird dies in captivity

SAN DIEGO - The only captive member of what may be the world #39;s most endangered species of bird has died in Hawaii, zoo officials announced Tuesday.


Breakthrough in hydrogen fuel research

Dr Joseph Hartvigsen (L) of Ceramatex, Inc, holds a fuel cell during a news conference Nov. 29 at Ceramatex Advanced Materials  amp; Electrochemical Technologies in Salt Lake City.


Willingham should hold his head high, wait for another job

Don #39;t cry for Tyrone Willingham. Even after Willingham, a former Michigan State Spartan, was fired from his head-coaching gig at Notre Dame on Tuesday.


Martinez Apparently Using Mets As Leverage to Up the Ante in <b>...</b>

NEW YORK - The Mets made their pitch to Pedro Martinez. Now the attention shifts to the Boston Red Sox to see if the World Series champs are willing to up their bid.


Nets: Snap skid at 9 as Mourning leads way

Finally, the crabby old man had enough. He had refused to chase the spry youngster as he stepped outside his comfort zone and drained jumper after jumper during the first half.


Myanmar overshadows trade deals at summit

Australian Prime Minister John Howard (2nd L) sits next to (LR, round table) Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shiwanatra, Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, Myanmar Prime Minister Soe Win and Malaysian Prime Minister Abullah


Vietnam Hails Shrimp Tariff Reduction

Vietnam seafood exporters and producers on Wednesday hailed a US decision to reduce tariffs on the communist country #39;s shrimp exports, while neighboring China suffered a blow with steeper duties.


US consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in November

The Conference Board, a New York-based private research group, reported Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index fell in November to the lowest level in eight months as high


Australia Opens With Win Over Slovakia (AP)

AP - Mark Philippoussis and Alicia Molik outlasted Daniela Hantuchova and Dominik Hrbaty 11-9 in a third-set super-tiebreaker to give Australia a 2-1 victory over Slovakia at the Hopman Cup on Monday.


After third season, Willingham runs out of luck with Irish

Three years ago, Tyrone Willingham was heralded as a champion for all black football coaches after being given the responsibility of returning the Notre Dame football program to among the nations elite.


Bush seeks to mend ties to Canada

Working to mend the frayed relations between their countries, President Bush and Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada sought to project a unified front


Citigroup's Japan boss apologies

Citigroup's top Japanese executive faces tough questioning over a scandal that caused the closure of the firm's private bank in Japan.


Roads to growth

A proposal to add a new building and about 1,000 jobs to Crown Colony Office Park in Quincy won't create more traffic congestion, the developer and government officials say. Overall, they expect less congestion on city streets.


Rents slip as vote nears on controls

As the Boston City Council prepares to vote this month on a form of rent control, a survey released yesterday found that the average rent for a new lease is \$90 a month lower than two years ago, a sign of continuing softness in the rental market.


T awards 10-year pact to build bus shelters

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority awarded a 10-year contract to Cemusa to build at least 200 bus shelters outside Boston and on MBTA property in the city.


Dollar drops to new low against euro

The dollar, whose weakness has been fueled by concern over the US trade and budget deficits, hit a new low against the euro, which rose to \$1.3335 yesterday. In late New York trading, the euro eased back to \$1.3280, below its intraday high but still above Monday's late rate of \$1.3273.


Russia's Gazprom to bid for Yukos unit

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


Crude falls on hopes for heating oil report

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


Chip company acknowledges SEC probe

Analog Devices Inc. , the world's fourth-largest maker of signal processing chips for mobile phones, said US regulators are conducting an inquiry into the granting of stock options to directors and officers. The inquiry by the Securities and Exchange Commission covers the last five years, the Norwood company said in its annual report filed with the SEC. Analog Devices also ...


OfficeMax agrees to item-price settlement

Colman M. Herman, the Dorchester activist who made enforcement of the state's item-pricing regulation a one-man crusade, has struck again.


Decision by NLRB on work rules hit

The National Labor Relations Board has ruled that employers may post regulations in the workplace that critics contend will discourage workers from organizing bargaining units or engaging in other union activities.


2nd UPDATE: Telstra Chief Quits Amid Asia M amp;A Missteps

SYDNEY (Dow Jones)--Under pressure to boost investor interest ahead of aA\$30 billion share sale, Australia #39;s largest telephone company Telstra Corp.


Cingular to deliver 3G services based on UMTS and HSDPA

Cingular Wireless have announced plans to begin deploying a fast high-speed mobile wireless data network. The company expects to offer wireless data speeds between 400-700 Kbps (kilobits per second) and bursts


Pfizer has drugs in line to replace expired patents

Pfizer Inc. is on schedule to complete the filing of 20 new drug applications by the end of 2006 as it confronts patent expirations affecting \$14 billion in sales, CEO Hank McKinnell said Tuesday.


HEVESI RIPS MERCK #39;S LOSS

New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi sued Merck  amp; Co. over pension fund losses related to Vioxx, the painkiller pulled from the market on Sept.


POWER OUTAGE NETS GUCCI A COOL \$3.5B

The company that owns legendary fashion label Gucci, continued to sell off units that can #39;t boost its prospects in the rich-and-famous lifestyle business.


Global Chip Gear Sales Seen Down 5.15 Pct in 2005

Global chip equipment sales are expected to fall 5.15 percent in 2005, an industry group said on Wednesday in a sharp reversal from its July forecast of growth of 23.98 percent.


Davis Quits As Cleveland Browns Coach (AP)

AP - As coach Butch Davis pulled out of the driveway at 76 Lou Groza Blvd. for the final time, he might have caught a glimpse of a brown-and-orange colored hearse across the street from Cleveland's team offices. The vehicle was parked. Davis was the one moving on.


Hollywood divided over next-gen DVD standard in  quot;Betamax-style quot; <b>...</b>

Hollywood studios are locked in a battle over adopting a standard for high-definition Digital Video Disc technology, in an apparent replay of the 1980s struggle between VHS and Betamax video formats.


Firefox: The revolution begins here

You know how sometimes you find a product or service and just have to evangelize it to everyone you know? Maybe you really like the Braun Oral-B electric toothbrush.


Fans Chant 'Fire Gundy' As Rockets Trounced (AP)

AP - The Houston Rockets were finishing up one of their worst performances of the season when a chant rang out from behind the bench.


Hamilton gears up for fight after Swiss team drops him

Olympic gold medalist Tyler Hamilton has been jettisoned from the cycling team he captained, but the Marblehead bike ace vowed yesterday to fight doping allegations that have damaged his reputation and put his career in doubt.


Ferguson forgets the hype

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has shrugged off the hype surrounding tonights Carling Cup meeting against Arsenal at Old Trafford.


Barrera Proved he #39;s Better than Morales

The third fight between Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera promised to break a tie and determine the best little fighter of the era.


No. 25 Wisconsin 69, No. 12 Maryland 64

MADISON, Wis. - Alando Tucker and the Wisconsin Badgers wanted to make sure people didn #39;t get the wrong impression about their embarrassing loss at Pepperdine last week.


GEORGIA TECH 99, MICHIGAN 68: Harris, Horton off-kilter in <b>...</b>

The humiliation of unranked Michigan at the hands of No. 4 Georgia Tech on Tuesday night requires no other description. The Yellow Jackets used a 20-0 run less than eight minutes into the game


Spartans too timid

The claustrophobic aren #39;t welcomed here. This is basketball with a saliva spray. It #39;s in your face. It #39;s in your hair.


Giants ink Benitez to three-year deal

Free agent Armando Benitez and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a three-year contract yesterday, a move that stabilizes the club #39;s closer role that #39;s been in flux since Robb Nen got injured two years ago.


Sharon plays poker to head-off coalition crisis:

World News: Tel Aviv, Dec 1 : Prime Minister Ariel Sharon appears heading to a certain defeat in parliament when he presents his government #39;s proposed budget for 2005.


Arrese Will Bet Anything on Spanish Win (AP)

AP - Jordi Arrese will bet almost anything that his Spanish team will beat the Americans in the Davis Cup final.


Pushed by Mets, Sox won't go fourth on Martinez

Lest there remain any doubt about their resolve, the Red Sox last night were fully prepared to let Pedro Martinez take his remarkable skills elsewhere rather than guarantee him a four-year contract to stay in Boston.


Notre Dame dismisses Willingham

Three years ago, Notre Dame made a historic move when it named Tyrone Willingham the first African-American head football coach in the school's history.


Patriots discovering virtue of versatility

When it comes to switching positions for the good of the team, some players do it comfortably while others, according to Patriots coach Bill Belichick, wouldn't even be asked.  quot;Some players can interchange from position to position seamlessly and you would never know sometimes what their primary spot was, quot; said Belichick, whose team had a day off from ...


Giants ink Benitez to three-year deal

Free agent Armando Benitez and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a three-year contract yesterday, a move that stabilizes the club's closer role that's been in flux since Robb Nen got injured two years ago.


Many reaped rewards

As generous in victory as they were defiant in times of trouble, the Red Sox spread nearly \$15.2 million in playoff winnings 95 ways, rewarding everyone from batboys to clubhouse attendants for helping them win the franchise's first World Series in 86 years.


Pacers will be charged

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


All signs pointing to Meyer

When Notre Dame fired football coach Tyrone Willingham yesterday, it set into motion a series of events that many involved think will result in Utah coach Urban Meyer coming to South Bend.


BC wheels its way to Tire Bowl in N.C.

After squandering the Big East title and a Bowl Championship Series bid to the Fiesta Bowl, Boston College yesterday settled for its next best option by accepting an invitation to the Continental Tire Bowl. Making their sixth consecutive bowl appearance, the Eagles will play North Carolina, a future Atlantic Coast Conference rival, in a 1 p.m. contest Dec. 30 at ...


Carr helps BU drive past URI

Chaz Carr scored 25 points to lead Boston University to a 73-68 win over Rhode Island last night in a nonconference game at Kingston, R.I.


BC coasts past Long Island

They could have been excused for doing a little California dreaming. With a game upcoming against UCLA in Anaheim, Calif., in the Wooden Classic Sunday, it would have been natural for the Cali Contingent of Boston College's men's basketball team -- junior Craig Smith of Los Angeles, sophomore Jared Dudley of San Diego, and sophomore Sean Marshall of Rialto -- ...


A fitting finish for Lions

Winning close games is an art form -- a nebulous blend of luck, talent, timing, and intangibles. But Chelmsford has it down to a science.


North Shore gets best of St. Mary's

The MIAA raised the price of an adult playoff ticket to \$10 this season. Last night, after six lead changes, including a touchdown by each team in the last two minutes, no one leaving East Boston Stadium after North Shore's 26-20 victory over St. Mary's in the Division 3A playoffs can say they didn't get their money's worth.


Feehan thwarts Bourne's speedsters

Boasting a stingy defense and excellent special teams play, Bishop Feehan captured a Division 2A Super Bowl berth yesterday and the chance to win a fourth consecutive title.


A-B snags No. 49

The football bounced high, hopping up and settling into the waiting arms of Acton-Boxboro's Doug Mahoney.


Everett romps past Xaverian

Fifty-eight seconds into the game, Xaverian looked golden. Thirty-nine minutes later, not so much.


Brockton has its lines down pat

Brockton reached the postseason by controlling the line of scrimmage and it wasn't about to change its game plan.


Denehy boosts Walpole

Danvers coach thought he had the perfect game plan against Walpole last night in the Division 2 playoffs at Endicott College. It was the same game plan that earned his team its first playoff berth in 63 years.


Latecomer storm caps unusual season

As if to taunt hurricane-weary forecasters, a system between the Azores and Bermuda became Tropical Storm Otto Tuesday afternoon, in the last hours of the hurricane season.


PPR in talks to sell Rexel stake

French retailer Pinault Printemps Redoute is in talks to sell its stake in Rexel, valuing the electrical equipment supplier at 3.7bn (2.57bn).


HP to launch  #39;virus throttling #39; software

SAN FRANCISCO--Hewlett-Packard plans to give customers a new weapon against viruses: software that crimps their spread. Early next year, the computer maker will begin selling software designed to slow the


Duff on the mark as Chelsea advance

Chelsea continued their irresistible pre-Christmas march towards the business end of all four competitions with a 2-1 victory over Fulham in the Carling Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night, Irish international Damien Duff scoring for the third time in


Welsh: Barrera Morales Might Do IV!

Just about now Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales are beginning to get the full impact of that magic moment they created in vying for the WBC super featherweight crown the other night in Las Vegas.


Tuesday #39;s Top 25 Capsules

BJ Elder scored 27 points, Will Bynum had 19 and Jarrett Jack added 16 for No. 4 Georgia Tech in a 99-68 victory over Michigan on Tuesday night in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.


Flood-hit Philippines awaits typhoon

A POWERFUL typhoon is bearing down on the eastern Philippines where rescuers were desperately trying to find survivors from floods and landslides that have left nearly 500 dead or missing.


6 Americans Confirmed Dead in Afghan Crash

KABUL, Afghanistan Dec 1, 2004 - Search teams have recovered the bodies of six Americans who died when their plane crashed high in Afghanistan #39;s snow-covered mountains, US military officials said Wednesday.


Mozambique Votes to Elect Successor to Chissano (Reuters)

Reuters - Mozambicans began voting on Wednesday in\presidential and parliamentary elections focusing on who will\succeed President Joaquim Chissano, stepping down after 18\years in office.


MAKUHARI, Japan (Reuters) - Global chip equipment sales are  expected to fall 5.15 percent in 2005, an industry group said  on Wednesday in a sharp reversal from its July forecast of  growth of 23.98 percent.


East-West standoff in Ukraine hardens, EU seeks to mediate (AFP)

AFP - Foreign mediators are to join efforts to resolve Ukraine's deepening political crisis, sparked by a fiercely-disputed presidential vote which has polarised the former Soviet republic along pro-Western and pro-Russian lines.


Bush: End of hurricane season time for reflection, celebration

Gov. Jeb Bush called Tuesday #39;s official end of the 2004 hurricane season a time of  quot;reflection and celebration quot; after Florida endured an unprecedented quartet


Kissing The Sky

It used to be that the only way to build a skyscraper was up. But now the tall building is being totally reimagined and taken in some very unusual directions. Look out below


KPMG witness takes stand in Kazaa trial

It is possible to trace users sharing unlicensed music files through their IP address, the Federal Court was told today by the major music labels #39; first witness in their civil case against peer-to-peer software provider Sharman Networks.


UW MEN #39;S BASKETBALL: Tucker, Chambliss lift Badgers

Coach Bo Ryan said the University of Wisconsin men #39;s basketball team would have to mature quickly if it wanted to compete with 12th-ranked Maryland Tuesday night.


Philippine Flood-Hit Towns Marooned; Typhoon Nears

MAUBAN, Philippines (Reuters) - Rescuers dug with their  bare hands on Wednesday to find survivors from landslides and  floods that killed up to 500 people in a part of the northern  Philippines due to be hit by a typhoon over the next 48 hours.


Mozambique Votes to Elect Successor to Chissano

MAPUTO (Reuters) - Mozambicans began voting on Wednesday in  presidential and parliamentary elections focusing on who will  succeed President Joaquim Chissano, stepping down after 18  years in office.


Bush to Hail Canadians for Response to Sept. 11

OTTAWA (Reuters) - President Bush, scorned by many in  Canada for the Iraq war, will hark back on Wednesday to help  given after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as an example of a  close relationship between two neighbors that do not always see  eye to eye.


US keeps big tariffs on shrimp from Asia

Some Chinese shrimp exporters will have to pay discouragingly hefty tariffs of more than 100 percent if they want their products to appear on American dinner tables, the Commerce Department ruled Tuesday.


State #39;s economy surges in October

Massachusetts #39; recovery picked up speed in October as an improving job market and strong consumer spending propelled the state #39;s economy to one of its best performances


Anthem merger a done deal

Anthem Inc. #39;s stockholders are waking up this morning with a new corporate name on their shares. Employees will get a voice-mail message saying they #39;re now a part of a much bigger company -- the biggest by several measures.


Men #39;s Top 25: Duke edges past Spartans

DURHAM, NC - JJ Redick and Daniel Ewing each scored 29 points to lead the No. 10 Duke Blue Devils over the No. 11 Michigan State Spartans 81-74 Tuesday night in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.


Fans split on Notre Dame coach #39;s firing

VALPARAISO  Chuck Coddington grew up in the Harbor. But his heart always leaned toward South Bend.  quot;I #39;ve been to about 100 million games, quot; said Coddington, now living in DeMotte.


UN calls for Suu Kyi #39;s release

UN secretary-general Kofi Annan led international demands for the swift release of Burma #39;s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose house arrest has been extended for another year by the military regime.


Italy Hit By Nationwide Strike Of Workers

Rome, Dec. 1 (NNN) : Italy was on Tuesday virtually crippled as millions of workers staged a one-day walk-out against the economic policies of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.


Mozambicans prepare to go to polls

Mozambicans go to the polls this morning to vote in both presidential and parliamentary elections. The country #39;s electoral commission says half of the country #39;s estimated 18 million people have been registered


US stocks close lower on mixed signals

US stocks closed lower last night as investors grappled with a number of conflicting economic reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended its session down 47.88 points, at 10,428.02.


Anthem seals WellPoint deal

In an abrupt completion to a merger that was delayed for months, Anthem Inc. completed its \$20.8 billion purchase of WellPoint Health Networks on Tuesday and said the combined company is  quot;off and running.


Getting your report

Consumers in Arizona and 12 other Western states can order free credit reports starting today. Residents in other states will be able to make similar requests at various times in 2005.


Strike talk heats up as hearing on US Airways labor contracts <b>...</b>

Talk of a strike against US Airways escalated yesterday as the troubled carrier continued negotiations with three unions over concessions in advance of tomorrow #39;s bankruptcy


SuperGen Withdraws Drug Application

NEW YORK (Reuters) - SuperGen Inc. on Monday said it has  withdrawn an application to market its pancreatic cancer drug  in the United States due to insufficient data, casting a cloud  on the drug's future in the world's biggest market and sending  the company's shares down as much as 16 percent.


Santa really does encourage boys and girls to be nice not naughty (AFP)

AFP - Adults who encourage children to believe in Father Christmas helping to foster their moral development, a British child psychiatrist says.


Nats get DC #39;s nod

If the Washington Nationals never win a pennant, they have no reason to ever doubt that DC loves them. Yesterday, the District City Council tentatively approved a tab for a publicly financed ballpark that could amount to as much as \$630 million.


LSU routs N. Texas, now is 8-0

NO. 1 LSU 77, NORTH TEXAS 51: At Baton Rouge, La. - Seimone Augustus scored 22 points on 11-for-11 shooting, leading Louisiana State (8-0) over North Texas (2-2) on Tuesday.


Surgery Performed Aboard 'Air Hospital' (AP)

AP - Doctors on a turbulence-free flight performed surgery 19,000 feet above the jungles of Colombia on the inaugural outing of the military's "Air Hospital," the country's new effort to save the lives of troops wounded in its war against Marxist insurgents.


Despite smiles, Bush #39;s visit to Canada chilly

OTTAWA - On his first official visit to Canada, President Bush on Tuesday faced a frosty public critical of many of his policies, most notably the war in Iraq, and his meeting with Prime Minister Paul Martin yielded little progress on trade issues that


Indonesian crash death toll rises to 33

The death toll from Tuesday #39;s airline crash in Java, Indonesia, climbed to 33 as rescue workers found the body of the pilot under the plane #39;s cockpit.


Princess Aiko turns 3

Japan #39;s littlest princess turned three on Wednesday as authorities grappled with the issue of whether to make legal changes that would one day allow her ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne.


11 children, 4 adults die in Honduras sugarcane fire while hunting <b>...</b>

Two men who had been hospitalized with severe burns have died, raising to 15 the death toll from a blaze in a sugarcane field that engulfed a group waiting to pounce on rabbits fleeing the flames.


Silent Night, Deadly Night

On the night her world changed forever, Rashida Bee was 28 years old and had already been married for more than half her life. Her parents, traditional Muslims, had selected her husband for her when she was 13.


US senator calls for Annan's resignation (AFP)

AFP - A US senator heading a panel investigating the UN's scandal-plagued Iraq oil-for-food program called for UN chief Kofi Annan's resignation in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece.


Ukraine's Parliament Opens Without Quorum

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament opened on Wednesday  without a quorum, hurting opposition hopes of pushing through  motions to open the way for new presidential elections.


Ukraine's election talks fall apart

KIEV -- Ukraine's political opposition dug in its heels in Kiev's frigid central square yesterday, rejecting an offer of the prime minister's job from the declared winner of the disputed presidential election and withdrawing from talks aimed at reaching a compromise.


Lawyers file Abu Ghraib complaint

BERLIN -- A group of American civil rights lawyers filed a criminal complaint in a German court yesterday against top US officials, including Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, for acts of torture committed at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.


Panel offers strategies on fighting global threats

UNITED NATIONS -- In a highly anticipated report prompted by the deep divide over the war in Iraq, an international panel made 101 recommendations yesterday on how to deal with global threats in the 21st century including the use of preemptive and preventive military strikes with approval from the UN Security Council.


You can hedge bets with Cuban #39;s scheme

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, a billionaire who made his fortune by co-founding Broadcast.com and selling it to Yahoo! Inc., said he #39;s starting a hedge fund based on gambling.


New Mexicans Urged To Check Free Credit Report

SANTA FE, NM -- Attorney General Patricia Madrid is recommending New Mexicans order a free copy of their credit report once the opportunity becomes available Wednesday.


Biodegradable cellphone fertilizes sunflowers

LONDON - Flowers could someday sprout from biodegradable cellphones, say researchers who have found a way to embed a seed inside the plastic.


Next-generation Russian spaceship unveiled

Russian space officials on Tuesday unveiled a full-scale high-fidelity mockup of the spacecraft they hope will replace the veteran Soyuz space capsule.


Notre Dame says bye to Ty

Long regarded as valuing so much more than favorable scoreboards, Notre Dame joined the cold, hard college football 21st century yesterday by deciding it had lived under too many unfriendly scoreboards of late.


Bolton want outright deal for Liverpool #39;s Diouf

Bolton Wanderers want to sign El Hadji Diouf to a permanent deal from Liverpool in January. The Guardian says Bolton officials have been privately impressed by Diouf #39;s reaction to the misdemeanour and by his displays since joining on loan in August.


UN plan would expand Security Council

The United Nations proposed the most sweeping reforms in its history yesterday, recommending the overhaul of its key decision-making organ, the Security Council, and holding


Rumsfeld, et. al. Charged with War Crimes in Germany

Reuters in Germany is reporting that Donald Rumsfeld, George Tenant and eight other unnamed US officials will be charge with war crimes in connection with the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal.


Joy, fear in air as election nears

As one of the thousands of food-ration agents who are entrusted with handing out voter registration forms in Iraq, Fadhil Muhsen Salom has a feel for the mood of his Shiite


Cambodia 'must speed up reform'

\The World Bank warns Cambodia that it needs to quicken reform to avoid severe economic problems.


Gazprom decides to bid for Yukos key oil unit

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


After busy Black Friday, shoppers downshift

Shoppers spent their money on Friday and browsed the rest of the weekend, according to a retailers #39; trade group. The Retail Council of New York State reported an erratic


US dollar hits new all-time low against euro

NEW YORK, December 1 (newratings.com) - The US dollar depreciated to a new record low against the euro, which strengthened to \$1.3335 yesterday, despite the better-than-expected 3Q economic growth figures announced for the US.


Bush Nominates Gutierrez to Head Commerce

Description: President Bush nominates Carlos Gutierrez as Commerce secretary. The CEO and chairman of Kellogg #39;s is considered one of the country #39;s most prominent Hispanic executives.


Australian economic growth slows

Australia #39;s economic growth eased in the third quarter to its weakest pace since late 2000 as sluggish exports dragged on the economy, raising doubts about the need for tighter monetary policy.


Greece faces court action over false deficit figures

Greece is to face legal action after providing false budget deficit figures between 1997 and 2003, which disguised the country #39;s repeated breaches of European Union budget rules.


Stocks lookin #39; up

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Lower oil prices and a dollar staying ahead of \$1.33 versus the euro could lift US stocks at Wednesday #39;s open.


#39;Disclosure on steroids #39;

NEW YORK - The barrage of internal controls and enhanced reporting requirements demanded by the US Securities and Exchange Commission has created a climate of  quot;disclosure on steroids quot; that has many counsel uncertain and badly stressed about making a


Despite recalls, too few vehicles being

Timothy Michaud died last May after falling from the tailgate of a Chevrolet pickup and suffering severe head injuries. The 19-year-old from Maine never knew that General Motors Corp.


Eurostocks Nudge Up on Ericsson

European shares nosed up on Wednesday as Ericsson gained on news it had won part of \$4-billion Cingular deal and with Glaxo buoyed after Pfizer affirmed its outlook.


Pension adviser takes on United

Exiting bankruptcy court could cost United Airlines as much as \$1 billion more than expected if a judge approves a request filed Tuesday on behalf of 95,000 workers at the airline.


Traffic concerns jam Cape project

There are brick sidewalks, a parking lot, a waste-water treatment facility, and two new buildings.


Stocks Seen Higher as Oil Slips Below  #36;49 (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. stock futures pointed to a\higher market open on Wednesday, with oil dipping below  #36;49 a\barrel and a batch of economic data on tap.


Shrimpers hail tariffs on imports

Federal trade officials Tuesday announced final tariffs on shrimp from China and Vietnam, affirming US shrimpers #39; claims that exporters in those countries have dumped their product in the United States at artificially low prices.


Mortgage Applications Fell Last Week -MBA (Reuters)

Reuters - Applications for U.S. home mortgages\fell last week, which was shortened by the Thanksgiving\holiday, as mortgage rates edged higher, an industry group said\on Wednesday.


Euro soars as ECB chief defends rate

THE dollar tumbled to new lows against the euro yesterday as markets brushed aside an upgrade to US growth and a fresh warning from the European Central Banks President


Update 1: Greece Defends Deficit Revision

The government on Wednesday defended its decision to radically revise the country #39;s deficit figures, ahead of a European Commission meeting to consider possible disciplinary action against Greece for submitting faulty figures.


Losing the head to gain the market

Eventually, the board of Telstra understood that the only way it could regain the market #39;s confidence was to let go its chief executive Ziggy Switkowski.


Stores reconsider sales strategies after sluggish weekend (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - In spite of a burst of Friday spending, the holiday shopping season got off to a sluggish start, forcing retailers to reassess their strategies for luring buyers. Slow sales reported by three retail sales trackers on Tuesday were blamed on higher fuel costs and an overall lack of confidence in the economy.


Anthem, WellPoint merger complete, share prices appreciate

NEW YORK, December 1 (newratings.com) - Anthem Inc (ATH.NYS) has successfully completed its \$20 billion acquisition of WellPoint Health Networks (WLP) to form the biggest health insurance company in the US, with more than 28 million members.


Numerous recalls point to vigilance, vehicle complexity

Automakers have recalled more vehicles in the United States this year than ever before, but thats probably because of the increasing complexity of cars


Cingular signs for 3G

Cingular, the largest mobile operator in the US, has signed Ericsson, Lucent and Siemens to build a 3G network. Beginning next year the telco will build networks in  quot;a number of major urban and suburban markets quot;.


Outlook for chip gear dims

TOKYO Global sales of semiconductor equipment will fall short of forecasts this year and shrink next year, according to a survey of manufacturers released Wednesday.


Dollar Tumbles to Record Low Against Euro

LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar tumbled to a record low  against the euro and a 12-year trough versus sterling on  Wednesday as the greenback ran into a fresh wave of selling  after consolidation earlier this week.


Mortgage Applications Fell Last Week -MBA

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Applications for U.S. home mortgages  fell last week, which was shortened by the Thanksgiving  holiday, as mortgage rates edged higher, an industry group said  on Wednesday.


Kazaa makes plea for legal status

M #39;LEARNED FIENDS for the file sharing outfit Sharman Networks told the Australian District Court that Kazza should be allowed in Australia because it is legal in the US.


1 Nation briefing

WASHINGTON -- Texas researchers will begin clinical trials of a candidate vaccine against the deadly toxin ricin, a biological agent that can only be tested in select labs.


Sow Your Phone, Reap a Flower

Researchers at the Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick, UK, along with PVAXX Research  amp; Development, have devised a way to recycle discarded mobile telephones.


Unprotected PCs can be hijacked in minutes

and doing nothing else -xposes your PC to non-stop, automated break-in attempts by intruders looking to take control of your machine surreptitiously.


Network Walkman NW-HD3 supports MP3s

Sony is on a roll after the announcement that some of its digital audio players will now support MP3 files. Up to now, they only supported the company #39;s proprietary ATRAC3plus format, a technology used in its Mini Disc players.


HP ditches datacentre service for automation module

Hewlett-Packard will replace its HP/UX utility datacentre (UDC) service with a business automation module for OpenView, which it claims will let companies be more flexible.


Future Uncertain for Rare Hawaiian Bird

One of Earth #39;s rarest birds might have gone into extinction following the death of one of the last known po #39;ouli. The aging male po #39;ouli died in captivity


November Same Store Sales Down

NEW YORK (Reuters) - ShopKo Stores Inc., a specialty and  discount retailer, on Wednesday said sales at stores open at  least a year fell 4.8 percent in November but maintained its  fourth-quarter earnings forecast.


AOL new browser combines Firefox with Explorer

a version of the open-source Firefox but with support for Microsoft Internet Explorer tied-in. Explorer remains the


Microsoft sues resellers for piracy

As part of its fight against software piracy, Microsoft has begun legal proceedings against eight resellers for allegedly buying and selling fake and used Certificate of Authenticity labels.


Sybase partners with IBM

Sybase has just announced a partnership with IBM to market the former #39;s database on the latter #39;s hardware. If that doesn #39;t make you sit up and take notice then nothing will.


IDC: AMD captured 10 percent CPU share

Market research firm IDC said on Tuesday that Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Inc. grabbed nearly 10 percent of the CPU market with its Athlon and Opteron range.


Cabir added to payload of Symbian mobile Trojan

Virus writers have packaged the Skulls mobile Trojan with Cabir to create a more potent threat against Symbian Series 60 smart phones.


Computer analysis shows scientists could reconstruct the genome of <b>...</b>

Contrary to the movie Jurassic Park, in which scientists recreate dinosaurs from ancient DNA, genetic material more than about 50 thousand years old cannot be reliably recovered.


Decision to boot Willingham a cold one

Apparently, when the good fathers of Notre Dame lately looked to their football sideline, they saw a fellow who wasn #39;t nearly as acceptable as even Gerry Faust or Bob Davie, each of whom was allowed to squeeze out five years in South Bend.


Jense:  #39;Michael can be beaten #39;

Jenson Button believes that Michael Schumacher will not wear the Formula One crown forever and intends to challenge the German for the Drivers #39; title next season.