Iraq Insurgency Growing 'More Effective'-US General (Reuters)

Reuters - A bold, innovative insurgency has\become more effective against U.S. supply lines in Iraq and\explosive attacks have slowed military operations there, a\senior American general said on Wednesday.


Feds anticipate 6,000 will be added annually to new sex offender registry (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - OTTAWA (CP) - A national sex offender registry came into force Wednesday, requiring convicted offenders to register within 15 days after being released from prison, or if they're ordered to register.


YUKOS files for bankruptcy protection.

YUKOS oil company announced December 15 it has filed for bankruptcy protection today. Please see the company #39;s statement below.


US Missile Defense Test Fails

The first test in nearly two years of a multibillion-dollar US anti-missile shield failed on Wednesday when the interceptor missile shut down as it prepared to launch in


Report: Global PC Market Set To Soar

The worldwide market for personal computers will double by the end of the decade, reaching about 1.3 billion units by 2010, according to Forrester Research.


FCC to Allow Wireless Access on Planes

WASHINGTON Dec 15, 2004 - Federal regulators voted Wednesday to give airline passengers high-speed Internet connections while they fly.


Time Warner Near AOL Settlement

Time Warner (TWX:NYSE - news - research) is on the brink of announcing settlements with the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, it was reported Wednesday.


Update 1: Best Buy #39;s 3Q Earnings Climb 21 Percent

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


Linux market to exceed \$35bn by 2008

The overall market revenue for Linux desktops, servers and packaged software will exceed \$35bn by 2008, research published today has claimed.


LSU #39;s Saban meets with Dolphins for  #39;preliminary conversation #39;

LSU coach Nick Saban met with the Miami Dolphins about their opening Tuesday night, the school announced Wednesday morning.  quot;I owe it to the people of Louisiana and the fans of LSU football to let them know


Ponting in Lee plea

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


Former Greats Lament TV Deal

Two former England captains today bemoaned the loss of cricket to Britains living rooms, claiming the sports new television deal had turned its back on thousands of potential future players.


Fischer, Bailly win pursuit events at Holmenkollen biathlon World <b>...</b>

German veteran Sven Fischer and France #39;s Sandrine Bailly won pursuit races Sunday at a World Cup biathlon meet. Fischer covered the men #39;s 12.5-kilometre race in 33 minutes 40.62 seconds, beating


Hijackers grab Greek bus passengers, demand 1 million euro ransom

GERAKAS, Greece (AFP) - Two gunmen, thought to be Albanians, commandeered a bus with some 25 passengers on board in an Athens suburb, later releasing a total of 12 while reportedly demanding one million euros in ransom and a plane to be flown out of


CLIFFORD D. MAY: Shouldn #39;t Palestinians have a real election?

(SH) - In Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai defeated a raft of candidates to win his historic election. In Iraq, more than 200 political parties have registered for next month #39;s elections.


LSU Coach Saban Talking With Dolphins (AP)

AP - LSU coach Nick Saban has talked to the Miami Dolphins about their vacant head coaching position.


TimeWarner Settles AOL Fraud for  #36;210 Mln (Reuters)

Reuters - Media giant Time Warner Inc. \will pay fines of  #36;210 million under an agreement with the U.S.\government to be announced on Wednesday to settle charges that\its America Online unit inflated revenue, a Justice Department\official said.


TimeWarner Settles AOL Fraud for \$210 Mln

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Media giant Time Warner Inc. TWX.N  will pay fines of \$210 million under an agreement with the U.S.  government to be announced on Wednesday to settle charges that  its America Online unit inflated revenue, a Justice Department  official said.


Oil Up 4 Pct, Heating Oil Supplies Fall

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


Time Warner Settles Fraud Charges With Justice Department

Time Warner has agreed to pay \$210 million to settle securities fraud charges involving advertising deals between America Online and smaller Internet companies.


Russell's a Good Sport

If it can keep integrating buys and grow profits, this looks like a company worth holding.


Timeshares Can't Shake the Stink

Timeshare stocks have never been valued fairly because of a bad reputation for unscrupulous salespeople.


Bush Backs Strong Dollar

President Bush pledged Wednesday to work with Congress to reduce the United States' huge deficits to assure markets that his administration supports a strong dollar.


Tauzin to Head Pharmaceutical Lobbying Group

Retiring Rep. Billy Tauzin will become head of the pharmaceutical industry's top lobbying group next month after leaving his post as head of the House committee that regulates the pharmaceutical industry.


Libya takes \$1bn in unfrozen funds

Libya withdraws \$1bn of unfrozen assets from the US after a trade embargo is lifted as a reward for giving up weapons of mass destruction.


US to Charge AOL with Fraud, Defer Prosecution

Media giant Time Warner Inc. will pay fines of \$210 million under an agreement with the US government to be announced on Wednesday to settle charges that its America


Russell #39;s a Good Sport

Judging by yesterday #39;s trading action in shares of sporting goods and apparel company Russell (NYSE: RML) -- the shares were about flat on volume not terribly different than its recent


Google to digitally scan library collections

Google has begun an ambitious project to digitally scan books from 5 libraries: Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Michigan, the New York Public Library, and the University of Oxford.


US moviemakers go after  #39;parasites #39;

The Motion Picture Association of America is launching civil and criminal actions worldwide against movie pirates in a bid to curb illegal film downloading.


NASA #39;s chief quitting post

Sean O #39;Keefe on Monday officially resigned as the head of NASA to interview as the chancellor at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.


First WiMAX Baseband Chip

Wavesat Inc., a fabless semiconductor developer of broadband wireless chips, today announced delivery of the first ever WiMAX chip, the DM256.


ZigBee clears ratification hurdle

Intelligent sensor networks moved a little closer to commercial deployment on Tuesday with the ratification of ZigBee. ZigBee is a short-range, very low-power wireless technology.


Dolphins appear interested in LSU #39;s Saban

LSU coach Nick Saban has talked to the Miami Dolphins about their vacant head coaching position. In a statement issued by LSU on Wednesday, Saban described the talks as  quot;a preliminary conversation with the


LSU #39;s Saban meets with Miami Dolphins

LSU football coach Nick Saban met with representatives of the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday night to discuss their head coaching job. In a statement today, Saban said he and the Dolphins had a  quot;preliminary quot; discussion and no decision was made.


Glamorgan relieved by new TV deal

Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell has welcomed the new television deal for English cricket agreed on Wednesday. The England and Wales Cricket Board has awarded an exclusive four-year contract to BSkyB for Test matches, which will run until 2009.


Counsell returns to Diamondbacks

Shortstop Craig Counsell returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks, agreeing Wednesday to a \$2.7 million, two-year contract. Arizona traded Counsell to the Milwaukee Brewers after the 2003 season


Official: 'Chemical Ali' to Be Tried First (AP)

AP - The ex-Iraqi general known as "Chemical Ali," who is accused of using chemical weapons attacks to kill thousands of Kurds, will be the first detained former Saddam Hussein regime figure to stand trial next week, a government official said Wednesday.


Sprint, Nextel ringing up \$35B US wireless merger

NEW YORK - Sprint Corp. is buying Nextel Communications Inc. in a \$35-billion US deal that will create the third-largest wireless phone company in the US.


Oil prices above \$42 pb on lower US supplies

NEW YORK, December 15 (newratings.com) - Oil futures prices rose this morning after the US Energy Department reported a marginal decline in the countrys supplies of crude and heating oil.


First Command Paying \$12M in Accords

First Command Financial Planning Inc., a company that sold high-fee mutual funds to military officers, has agreed to pay \$12 million to settle regulators #39; charges that it used misleading sales material to promote the funds, it was announced Wednesday.


US appeal court gives mixed decision on RIMM-NTP patent case

NEW YORK, December 15 (newratings.com) - A US appeal court has upheld a lower courts decision that Research in Motion (RIMM.NAS) had infringed on the patents held by NTP, while canceling an injunction preventing the sales of Blackberry email devices


US rejects key part of Geico case against Google

A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a key element of insurer Geico #39;s trademark infringement case against online search engine Google.


Internet Life Hollywood Intensifies File-Swapping Fight

The Motion Picture Association of America has filed lawuits against operators of more than 100 servers that use BitTorrent and eDonkey to swap copyighted movie files.


Hopefuls Emerge for Top Job at NASA

US Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said the next administrator will face  quot;several critical missions, quot; including the shuttle #39;s return to flight, completing construction


Oracle #39;s Phillips talks up PeopleSoft integration

DECEMBER 15, 2004 (COMPUTERWORLD) - For the first time since closing a deal to purchase rival PeopleSoft Inc. for \$13.3 billion, Oracle Corp.


Berlusconi Accused of Using Bill to Save Buddy

ROME (Reuters) - The Italian government on Wednesday sped  up parliamentary approval of a law that could overturn the  corruption convictions of a close friend of Prime Minister  Silvio Berlusconi, sparking fury among opposition politicians.


Saban meets with Dolphins

LSU head football coach Nick Saban met with officials of the Miami Dolphins Tuesday evening about the team #39;s coaching position, university officials announced Wednesday.


Signs point to Anelka exit

NICOLAS Anelka #39;s future with Manchester City is in serious doubt after chairman John Wardle admitted for the first time the club would consider bids for him.


Report: Renteria heads to Beantown

Boston, MA (Sports Network) - If you can #39;t beat  #39;em, join  #39;em. That #39;s exactly what free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria did on Wednesday by agreeing to a four-year deal with the Boston Red Sox.


Spanish coach facing action in race row

Spanish national team coach Luis Aragones faces a formal investigation after Spain #39;s Football Federation decided to open disciplinary proceedings over racist comments about Thierry Henry of France and Arsenal.


EU Urges Liberia to Improve Election Laws Fast

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The European Union urged Liberia,  struggling to emerge from more than 10 years of civil war, to  bring its election laws up to international standards ahead of  an October vote.


Chemical Ali Will Be the First to Go on Trial

The former Iraqi general known as Chemical Ali, who is accused of using chemical weapons attacks to kill thousands of Kurds, will be the first of Saddam Husseins cohorts to stand trial next week, a government official said today.


Pakistan and India to start nuclear hotline, no deal on missile <b>...</b>

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistan and India agreed to push forward plans for a nuclear hotline after two days of talks but failed to reach a deal on advance warning of ballistic missile tests, officials said.


Polish Weapons Maker Signs Deal With Iraq

A Polish weapons maker signed a multimillion dollar contract Wednesday to equip the new Iraqi army with helicopters, machine guns and ambulances, a company official said.


Judge Throws Out Claim Against Google Ads

Google won a major legal victory today when a federal judge said the search engine could continue to sell ads triggered by searches using trademarked company names.


Christmas-New Year's Travel to Set Record

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Americans will travel in record  numbers this holiday season, thanks partly to Christmas and New  Year's landing on the weekend, the AAA said Wednesday in  releasing a travel survey.


Airbus Forecasts Big Demand

LONDON (Reuters) - Planemaker Airbus said on Wednesday it  expected demand for 16,600 passenger planes over the next 20  years, including a sharp rise in demand for very large  airliners such as its new A380 doubledecker which is due to fly  in 2006.


\$12 million payment over allegations in sales to military <b>...</b>

BOSTON (CBS.MW) -- First Command has reached a \$12 million settlement with federal regulators for making misleading statements and omitting important information when selling mutual funds to US military personnel.


Aragones under investigation for comments

Madrid, Spain (Sports Network) - The Spanish Football Federation has launched an investigation into national team coach Luis Aragones #39; racial comments.


Two Greek bus hijackers demand ransom and plane

Two armed hijackers released another two men from a bus in Athens in a fourth batch, bringing the total number of the released hostage to 12 , including 6 men and 6 women, police said Wednesday.


Bush Welcomes Scandal-Plagued Berlusconi (AP)

AP - Days after he was acquitted in a corruption trial, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi got a warm welcome Wednesday from President Bush, who is grateful to Italy as a rare European ally willing to send troops to Iraq.


Google Scores Court Victory Over GEICO

ALEXANDRIA (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday  dismissed a key element of insurer GEICO's trademark  infringement case against online search engine Google Inc.  GOOG.O.


Sprint buys Breeders Cup sponsor Nextel for \$35-billion

Sprint Corp. is to acquire Nextel Communications Inc., title sponsor of the Breeders Cup Distaff (G1), in a \$35-billion deal that will create the nations third-largest wireless telephone service provider


Bush pledges to  quot;take on quot; deficit in hopes of supporting dollar

WHITE HOUSE President Bush is pledging to  quot;take on quot; the nation #39;s huge deficits -- in hopes of shoring up the sagging US dollar.


Italy : Gucci brand expects to double sales by 2011

Italian luxury goods group Gucci Group has ruled out acquisitions and disposals for the next three years and predicted annual sales growth of at least 10 percent.


Movie Makers Target BitTorrent

December 15, 2004 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- According to reports release on Tuesday Hollywood movies studios sued numerous operators of computer servers that help transfer digital movie files across online file-sharing networks.


Evidence for water on Mars flows

This week, scientists f urther confirmed the presence of water on Mars, almost a year after the Mars Exploration Rovers landed on the fourth rocky planet from the sun.


Cassini #39;s First Flyby of Dione

Summary - (Dec 15, 2004) Just days after completing its second flyby of Titan, Saturn #39;s largest moon, Cassini proceeded on to its next target: Dione, Saturn #39;s 4th largest moon.


NHL #39;s  quot;Quest for the Cap quot; continues

I guess we were all just very desperate and very stupid. Just last week there was that ray of hope that the National Hockey League labor strife could be nearing an end.


Dolphins talk to LSU #39;s Saban about coaching vacancy

LSU coach Nick Saban and Dolphins officials met for several hours Tuesday night about the team #39;s vacant head-coaching position.


Blunkett is expected to resign

Home Secretary David Blunkett is expected to quit on Wednesday, BBC political editor Andrew Marr has said. The news comes amid claims he misused his office to fast-track a visa for his former lover #39;s nanny.


Iran rejects negotiations with US on N issue

TEHRAN: Iran Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Wednesday rejected any talks with the United States on the standoff over Iran #39;s nuclear programme because of Washington #39;s hostile attitude towards the Islamic republic.


Body of Turk Engineer Found in Afghanistan

The latest abduction of a foreigner in Afghanistan - a Turkish engineer working on a US-sponsored road project - ended when the kidnappers killed him, apparently so he wouldn #39;t slow them down with police hot on their trail.


Police probe BNP mosque leaflet

Police are investigating a British National Party leaflet posted to homes in south Wales opposing plans for a new mosque. Anti-racism campaigners in Swansea have handed copies to South Wales Police.


Oil Up 6 Pct as Heating Oil Stocks Fall

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices surged more than two dollars  on Wednesday as the U.S. government reported a fall in heating  oil stocks and cold weather gripped the U.S. Northeast, the  world's biggest heating fuel market.


Mixed ruling in RIM patent suit could affect entire wireless e <b>...</b>

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. suffered a somewhat mixed ruling in its legal battle with patent holding company NTP Inc.


Japan firms to increase spending

TOKYO Managers at Japan #39;s largest companies were less optimistic about their business prospects in the last quarter but still plan big increases in capital investment this year, according to a central bank survey disclosed on Wednesday that offered hope


Brokerage Stocks Rise on Lehman Results

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. posted fourth-quarter profit Wednesday that trounced Wall Street forecasts due to an unexpected revival of its investment banking business, a signal that could bode well for some of its rivals.


Erickson turns down Ole Miss coaching spot

49ers officials have told FOXSports.com that 49ers head coach Dennis Erickson met with his players this morning and informed them that he was staying put, turning down the Ole Miss head coaching job.


Phonak appeals license refusal

GENEVA -- The Phonak cycling team wants to overturn a decision in which its racing license was denied because of a doping scandal.


British minister and Blair ally Blunkett resigns

LONDON - A Cabinet minister embroiled in the messy fallout of an affair with a married woman resigned on Wednesday, his department said.


Britain warns travellers of Indonesia terrorism risk

Britons travelling to Indonesia over Christmas and the New Year face a  quot;heightened risk quot; of terrorist attacks, the Foreign Office in London has warned.


Iran conditions talks with US on change of Washington #39;s attitude

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Wednesday conditioned negotiations with the United States on a change in Washington #39;s attitude toward Tehran, the official IRNA news agency reported.


Pakistan recognizes China as market economy, nuclear plant deal signed (AFP)

AFP - Pakistan recognized China as a market economy Wednesday and Beijing promised visiting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz 150 million dollars in aid to build a nuclear power plant.


Prime minister announces new 1,700-kilometre security zone off Australia (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Australia plans to enforce a maritime security zone more than 1,700 kilometres out to sea, far beyond its territorial waters, in a move to boost defences against possible terror attacks on its soil and offshore oil and gas facilities, Prime Minister John Howard said Wednesday.


UK Official Confirms Minister Blunkett Resigned

LONDON (Reuters) - Senior British government minister David  Blunkett, a trusted ally of Prime Minister Tony Blair, resigned  on Wednesday, a government official confirmed.


Italian Nurse Kills Six Patients to Boost Ego

LECCO, Italy (Reuters) - A nurse has killed six patients in  a provincial hospital in northern Italy because she wanted to  "feel more important," prosecutors said on Wednesday.


In Colorado, a merger of equals and opposites

Sprint and Nextel Communications each have 15 retail stores in Colorado and both are known for offering a popular push-to-talk service, or walkie-talkie-like product that


AOL Fraud Claim Settled

Time Warner will be paying \$210 million as part of a settlement for securities fraud charges leveled by the US Department of Justice.


Nokia unveils program to identify counterfeit batteries

WASHINGTON-Nokia Corp. of Finland today unveiled a new program to help consumers identify original batteries of the No. 1 mobile-phone manufacturer, an action that comes in the face of reports of exploding


EPA Says Particle Pollution Down in Some Areas

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


Coach tells players he #39;s not going to Mississippi

San Francisco 49ers coach Dennis Erickson informed this players during a Wednesday morning team meeting that he will not leave to become the new head coach at the University of Mississippi.


Pedro On The Way

As every second ticks away, the Mets and Pedro Martinez get a little closer to consummating what will amount to a four-year marriage - for better, for worse, for partial tears,  quot;Who #39;s Your Daddy quot; and the presence of pint-sized Nelson de la Rosa.


NASCAR Says Merger Won't Hurt Nextel Cup (AP)

AP - NASCAR is not expecting any immediate changes to its top-tier racing series following the merger between telecommunications giant Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc.


Cricket: SA 'to seize initiative'

Andrew Hall says South Africa plan to take advantage of England's inadequate preparation in the first Test.


Govt Signs Airbus Deal

Government has signed a Declaration of Intent with a European aircraft manufacturer that will see Pretoria taking stock of between eight and 14 military airbuses between 2010 and 2014.


In-flight Cell Phones

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Everywhere you look and everywhere you go these days, people are using cell phones. Right now, air travelers can only use their cells phones before their flights take off, but that could soon change.


Geico-Google trademark suit goes to court

A federal judge in Alexandria, Va., will hear opening arguments today in a case that pits Geico against Google. Geico, the auto insurer owned by Berkshire Hathaway, sued Google in May for trademark infringement.


IDC Says Linux Market Will Top \$35 Billion by 2008

The overall market revenue for Linux desktops, servers and packaged software will exceed US\$35 billion by 2008, research published today has claimed.


NASCAR confident Nextel Cup series will not be harmed by Sprint <b>...</b>

NASCAR is not expecting any immediate changes to its top-tier racing series following the merger between telecommunications giant Sprint Corp.


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

As the standoff gripped the nation, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis postponed his departure for a European Union summit in Brussels by one day until Thursday.


Abbas Needs Support In His Push for Peace

By the News-Register. Mahmoud Abbas, the interim leader of the Palestinian Authority, has made it clear that he believes terrorist attacks aimed at Israelis must end if there is to be peace between his people and Israel.


Top British Official Resigns Amid Scandal

A cabinet minister embroiled in the messy fallout of an affair with a married woman resigned Wednesday, his department said.


Washington Mayor: Baseball Deal Near Dead (Reuters)

Reuters - Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony\Williams on Wednesday said the deal to bring Major League\Baseball back to the U.S. capital was close to dead after the\city council changed the plan to require private financing.


Report: Renteria OKs Deal With Red Sox

All-Star shortstop Edgar Renteria told The Boston Globe he has agreed to a \$40 million, four-year contract with the Red Sox, the paper reported on its Web site Wednesday.


Mercosur Trade Talks Begin Amid Bickering

Top officials from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay gathered Wednesday for high-level trade talks ahead of a two-day summit taking place 10 years after leaders officially created South America's Mercosur zone.


Nextel the Big Winner in Sprint Merger

Faced with growing pressure to upgrade their networks and compete with larger rivals, Sprint and Nextel Communications are poised to join forces in a \$35 billion takeover that will give the combined entity a value of around \$70 billion.


Fed increases rates by a quarter point

The US Federal Reserve yesterday raised interest rates by a quarter point to 2.25 per cent and signalled that there had been no change in its assessment of economic conditions.


Mexico loses ground to China in exports

For the second year in a row, US imports from Mexico lost ground to China, El Universal reports. The world #39;s largest economy, the United States, took 10.7 percent


Air traffic seen recovering steadily

Air traffic is seen increasing steadily worldwide in 2004, the International Air Transport Association said Wednesday. Passenger traffic for 2004 is expected to increase by 11 percent from a year ago, the


Time Warner to Pay \$210 Mln to Resolve Justice Department Probe

Time Warner Inc., the world #39;s biggest media company, agreed to pay \$210 million to settle a US Justice Department probe into whether its America Online unit improperly booked advertising sales.


Fee Fight For Fun

It seemed amazing at first. Video rental titan Blockbuster (NYSE: BBI) is axing late fees? Considering that the company had projected \$250 million to \$300 million in late fees next year -- or an average of


UPDATE 2-KCS buys control of Mexico railroad, resolves spat

US transport group Kansas City Southern has agreed to buy a controlling stake in Mexico #39;s busiest railroad in a deal worth at least \$550 million, ending a bitter legal dispute with Mexican company TMM.


Movie studios sue US, European file-sharing  #39;parasites #39;

LOS ANGELES - Movie studios have expanded their fight against illegal downloading, suing more than 100 US and European-based computer services that transmit movie files across Internet file-sharing networks.


Desktop Search: It #39;s Getting Serious

The launch of Microsoft #39;s test version throws down a gauntlet to Google. With Yahoo! and Ask Jeeves gearing up, too, a battle is brewing.


Nokia takes aim at fake batteries

Nokia on Wednesday said it will put hologram labels on cell phone batteries as part of a move to help consumers avoid counterfeits.


Zafi Spreads Like Crazy

The Zafi.d worm continued to sweep through the Internet Wednesday, creating such a flood of messages as it replicated that by one security vendor #39;s estimate, it accounted for 10 percent of the world #39;s mail.


Apple blocks iPod Photo from RealNetworks Harmony

Apple has finally done it. They have blocked the files downloaded from RealNetworks music store from playing on iPod Photo. The software update on the Apples music player will not let it now play files downloaded from Reals Harmony software.


Lilacs say Northeast spring coming earlier

As the first signs of winter push into the Northeast, researchers have some good news for fair weather fans -pring is coming earlier than it used to.


Toshiba #39;s 1.8-Inch Hard Disks Are First To Use Perpendicular <b>...</b>

You know that hard disk manufacturers have worked miracles to increase the areal density or storage capacity of any given size platter, but Toshiba Corp.


Warner, Melodeo Join for Cell Phone Music Downloads

Melodeo CEO Bill Valenti said:  quot;There #39;s no denying the market potential for music delivered to mobile phones. In 2003, there were approximately 526 million wireless phones sold.


Alternative browser chips away market share

Firefox, the alternative Web browser from the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, is chipping away at Microsoft Internet Explorer #39;s stranglehold on the market.


SPECTOR: Proposals offer chance to compromise

The chess game between the NHL and the NHLPA continued Tuesday, with the league rejecting the players #39; offer from last Thursday and tabling a counteroffer, which was in turn rejected by the NHLPA.


Washington mayor says baseball deal nearly dead

The deal to bring Major League Baseball back to Washington, DC, was described by Mayor Anthony Williams as close to dead on Wednesday after the City Council changed the plan to require private financing.


Erickson staying in San Fran after talks with Ole Miss

Ashburn, VA (Sports Network) - San Francisco 49ers head coach Dennis Erickson will remain with the team after discussing the head coaching vacancy at Ole Miss with school officials on Tuesday.


Reds sign add relievers Weathers, Weber

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - After surrendering the second-most runs in the National League last season, the Cincinnati Reds have made an attempt to improve their bullpen.


Hard act to follow

David Blunkett #39;s resignation this evening could mark the end of one of the most extraordinary political careers, which saw the former home secretary overcome disability and poverty to rise to one of the great offices of state.


Turkish PM arrives ahead of crunch EU summit

BRUSSELS, Dec 15 (AFP) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Brussels late Wednesday ahead of an EU summit widely expected to give Ankara a green light to start membership negotiations with the bloc.


Paisley claims IRA ready to decommission

DUP leader, Ian Paisley has claimed confidential sources have told him the IRA may be about to go ahead and decommission its weapons.


Sprint, Nextel to Merge

UPDATED: Sprint (Quote, Chart) and Nextel (Quote, Chart) have agreed to merge, to better compete with Cinglar and Verizon Wireless for voice and data customers.


Yukos lawyers to argue case for US bankruptcy filing

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Lawyers for the Russian oil giant Yukos made their first appearance in a US court, as the company made a last-ditch effort to avert a weekend auction of its major asset.


US FCC Aims to Lift Airborne Wireless Phone Ban

Airline travelers might be able to use their mobile phones and other wireless devices in the air under a proposal put forward by US communications regulators on Wednesday to ease the current ban.


Fighting Words: Decoding Iraq War Lingo

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - "Hi Sergeant, we hear there are clashes  in Baquba. Do you have any information on that?" screams the  journalist down a bad mobile phone line from Baghdad.


Send astronauts to repair Hubble

The Hubble Space Telescope, arguably one of the greatest achievements of the space program, needs to be rescued. And astronauts should be sent to do the job.


Earlier blooming lilacs another harbinger of global warming <b>...</b>

As the first signs of winter push into the US Northeast, American researchers have some good news for fair weather fans - spring is coming earlier than it used to.


Bus Hijackers Demand 740,000  #39;Or We #39;ll Blow Up Hostages #39;

Bus hijackers tonight set a Thursday morning deadline for Greek authorities to deliver a ransom of 740,000, threatening to blow up the vehicle and six remaining hostages if they did not receive the money.


Summary: Spring coming earlier than usual

SPRING TORRENTS: In one of the most comprehensive studies of plants #39; response to the global warming trend, Cornell scientists and their colleagues at the University of Wisconsin concluded


NVIDIA Announces GeForce 6 GPU with TurboCache Technology

December 15, 2004 - NVIDIA today announced the newest GPU in its GeForce 6 series of graphics processors, the NVIDIA GeForce 6200 GPU with TurboCache technology.


Australia, Pakistan set to wage speed war

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


Reds add two to bolster bullpen

The Reds added two pitchers to their bullpen today, signing veteran right-handers David Weathers and Ben Weber. Weathers, 35, signed a one-year deal with an option for 2006.


Marion Jones Sues BALCO Founder (AP)

AP - Track star Marion Jones filed a defamation lawsuit Wednesday against the man whose company is at the center of a federal investigation into illegal steroid use among some of the nation's top athletes.


Senior British cabinet minister David Blunkett resigns in fallout <b>...</b>

Britain #39;s top law-enforcement officer, a key member of Prime Minister Tony Blair #39;s cabinet, resigned on Wednesday after acknowledging that his department had fast-tracked a visa for his former lover #39;s nanny.


Sox to ink Renteria to four-year pact

com. Edgar Renteria, for nine years one of the Majors #39; best all-around and most underrated shortstops, has agreed with the Red Sox on a four-year contract.


Spanish coach facing action in race row

MADRID (AFP) - Spanish national team coach Luis Aragones faces a formal investigation after Spain #39;s Football Federation decided to open disciplinary proceedings over racist comments about Thierry Henry of France and Arsenal.


EU prepares green light for Turkey #39;s entry

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


Fighting in Eastern Congo Continues for Third Day

The United Nations says fighting in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo continued Wednesday. The Congolese government and neighboring Rwanda have traded accusations yet again over who is involved.


Washington Mayor Says Baseball Deal Nearly Dead (Reuters)

Reuters - The deal to bring Major League\Baseball back to Washington, D.C, was described by Mayor\Anthony Williams as close to dead Wednesday after the City\Council changed the plan to require private financing.


Fans Learning to Make Do Without NHL (AP)

AP - The NHL is disappearing right before our eyes, and the reason is simple.


NCAA, NABC Address College Hoops Issues (AP)

AP - It wasn't hard for college basketball coaches to get to know NCAA president Myles Brand. He went and met them.


Washington Mayor Says Baseball Deal Nearly Dead

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The deal to bring Major League  Baseball back to Washington, D.C, was described by Mayor  Anthony Williams as close to dead Wednesday after the City  Council changed the plan to require private financing.


Renteria Heads to Beantown: Report

BOSTON (Sports Network) - If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  That's exactly what free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria did on  Wednesday by agreeing to a four-year deal with the Boston Red  Sox.


Deal in 'Great Jeopardy'

Mayor Anthony A. Williams says the deal to bring baseball to D.C. is in "great, great jeopardy" because of changes to the stadium agreement.


Nvidia #39;s new chip with TurboCache

Nvidia #39;s new chip is a version of its existing mainstream GeForce 6200 PCI Express chip - but with the added bonus of TurboCache.


Oil Tops \$44, Heating Supply a Concern

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices surged nearly 6 percent on  Wednesday as the U.S. government reported a fall in heating oil  stocks in the midst of the season's first arctic cold blast in  the Northeast.


Washington Mayor: Baseball Deal Near Dead

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony  Williams on Wednesday said the deal to bring Major League  Baseball back to the U.S. capital was close to dead after the  city council changed the plan to require private financing.


Yeltsin #39;s grandson joins Russian Midland F1 team

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


YUKOS Gets Hearing as It Tries Stop Sale

HOUSTON (Reuters) - A U.S. bankruptcy judge will hear  arguments on Thursday in Russian oil company Yukos' YUKO.MM  request to stop the impending auction of its main production  unit.


Stocks Near Flat, Oil's High Price Weighs

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks barely budged on Wednesday  as a 2-week high in crude oil prices limited gains by  reigniting worry about energy costs eating into corporate  profits and consumer spending.


BCE Hikes Dividend, Sees '05 Growth

MONTREAL (Reuters) - BCE Inc. BCE.TO unveiled its first  dividend increase in 10 years on Wednesday and said it expects  higher revenue and per share profit next year, mainly from  wireless, video and high-speed Internet services.


Wyeth Keeps Producing

The drug maker's difficulties are evident, but its productivity may make it worth a second look.


Ameritrade's Nifty November

The broker's 26 jump in average daily trades was nice growth, but will it last?


Berkshire Hathaway

Greenspan basically has stopped the movie projector and pushed the button that says, "reverse."


Feds move on wireless Web, cell phones in flight

Federal regulators have proposed allowing cell phones to be used on airplanes, and took steps toward bringing high-speed wireless Internet connections to passengers #39; seats.


US president pledges strong-dollar policy

US President George W. Bush said on Wednesday that his government still adheres to the strong-dollar policy.  quot;The policy of my government is a strong-dollar policy, quot; Bush


Attorney convicted of credit card scam

LOS ANGELES -- A lawyer has been convicted of using a credit card scam to pay his way through law school. Christian Ehlers, 29, a 2001 graduate of Loyola Law School, was found guilty Tuesday of conspiracy, fraud


E-Card Holiday Virus Packs Ugly Punch

A new virus strain masquerading as electronic Christmas cards is accounting for one in every 10 e-mails hitting in-boxes, security experts warned Wednesday.


Cornell scientists look at lilacs for evidence of earlier spring

As the first signs of winter push into the Northeast, Cornell University researchers have some good news for fair weather fans _ spring is coming a week earlier than it did 40 years ago.


Notebook: Majerus-USC marriage just great ... unless

Rick Majerus is a basketball savant. Nobody questions that. He #39;s a winner. Nobody questions that. He #39;ll be a tremendous hire for Southern California.


Craig Counsel rejoins Diamondbacks

Counsell was a member of Arizona #39;s 2001 World Series championship team as well as the 1997 world champion Florida Marlins. He was the Most Valuable Player of the 2001 National


Norway envoy meets with Tamil Tigers

Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheimmet Wednesday with Tamil Tigers leaders at the rebel-held northerntown of Kilinochchi in a fresh attempt to revive Sri Lanka #39;s peacetalks, the national television reported.


Lowe's Hardware Hacker Gets Nine Years (AP)

AP - One of three Michigan men who hacked into the national computer system of Lowe's hardware stores and tried to steal customers' credit card information was sentenced Wednesday to nine years in federal prison.


'San Andreas' Hijacks Gaming Awards (AP)

AP - It's bound to be an unusual awards show when Snoop Dogg shows up to argue with a computerized version of himself, sexy women in lingerie seductively coo secret video game codes to viewers and bubbly model Brooke Burke beats out stately Dame Judi Dench for best actress.


Nice Day for a Wireless Wedding (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - The courtship was public, and now they're engaged. Even though we knew it was coming, journalists seem to have plenty to write about now that underdogs Sprint and Nextel have announced their  #36;35 billion nuptial plans, including a rumor that one of the wireless industry's big dogs would try to spoil the party.


Google Wins Trademark Victory Over GEICO (Reuters)

Reuters - A federal judge on Wednesday\handed online search engine Google Inc.  a victory in a\trademark infringement case on Wednesday, ruling that when\users searched for insurer GEICO, Google could display rivals\as well.


Ask Jeeves Joins Quest for Desktop Search Dominance (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Ask Jeeves (Nasdaq: ASKJ) will launch its own desktop search tool on Wednesday, amid the hoopla over similar announcements from Google, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO). The Ask Jeeves desktop application is based on technology it obtained through the acquisition of privately owned Tuckaroo in June.


Sprint to Buy Nextel in  #36;36 Billion Deal (Reuters)

Reuters - Sprint Corp.  said\on Wednesday it would buy mobile telephone company Nextel\Communications Inc.  for about  #36;36 billion, creating a\U.S. wireless carrier with nearly 40 million subscribers.


Symantec Rumored To Be Negotiating with Veritas (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Security software vendor Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC) is negotiating to buy Veritas Software (Nasdaq: VRTS), a provider of data storage software, for more than US #36;13 billion, according to press reports.


'OracleSoft' May Change Mid-Market CRM Game (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Much has been said about the impact Oracle's (Nasdaq: ORCL) acquisition of PeopleSoft (Nasdaq: PSFT) is likely to have on the enterprise software market. The U.S. Justice Department thought it would have an adverse effect, creating a de facto monopoly. A federal judge thought otherwise, though, as did the European Commission.


Macworld Expo Games Pavilion to feature new games (MacCentral)

MacCentral - IDG World Expo on Wednesday offered details about the Macintosh Games Pavilion, featured at next month's Macworld Conference  amp; Expo in San Francisco, Calif. The pavilion will feature new games from publishers including Aspyr Media, MacSoft, Freeverse Software and Ambrosia Software. It'll also be populated by an Arcade area where showgoers can get their hands on Power Mac G5s and iMac G5s running the latest titles available for the Macintosh.


Arctic Ocean Was Balmy 70 Mln Years Ago -Study (Reuters)

Reuters - It may be freezing cold and covered in\ice now but 70 million years ago the Arctic Ocean was as tepid\as the Mediterranean.


U.S. Resists Changing Stance Amid Climate Warnings (Reuters)

Reuters - Meteorologists warned\on Wednesday that 2004 would be one of the hottest years since\records began as environment ministers tried to crack U.S.\resistance to joining international efforts against global\warming.


Blair Faces Test of Bush Friendship on Environment (Reuters)

Reuters - Tony Blair will get short shrift from\George W. Bush on global warming when he leads the G8 in 2005\but the fight with Washington might help him shed the "poodle"\tag he got over support for the Iraq war, analysts say.


Astronomers Ready for Comet Smashing Mission (SPACE.com)

SPACE.com - NASA and university astronomers are eagerly awaiting \the launch of a nbsp;space probe bound to collide with a comet and give \researchers a glimpse inside the solar system's nbsp;icy \wanderers. nbsp;


Rare Whales Said Tangled Off Carolina Coast (AP)

AP - Two endangered Atlantic right whales have been spotted tangled in lines off the coast of the Carolinas, and the crews of ships in the area have been asked to look for them.


Spring Coming Earlier Than It Used To (AP)

AP - As the first signs of winter push into the Northeast, researchers have some good news for fair weather fans  #151; spring is coming earlier than it used to. The lilacs say so.


Top UK Minister Blunkett Quits Ahead of Election (Reuters)

Reuters - Senior British government minister David\Blunkett resigned on Wednesday, ripping a hole in Prime\Minister Tony Blair's team months before an expected general\election.


Japan Corporations Lag in Promoting Women (AP)

AP - When Ginko Sato landed her first job in the 1950s, the only person who genuinely welcomed her was the other woman in her office, a secretary who was relieved she would have help serving tea to colleagues and guests.


Ohio Recount Resembles Florida in 2000 (AP)

AP - In a scene reminiscent of Florida circa 2000, two teams of Republican and Democratic election workers held punch-card ballots up to the light Wednesday and whispered back and forth as they tried to divine the voters' intent from a few hanging chads.


Greek Hijackers Warn of Deadly End if Ransom Not Met

ATHENS (Reuters) - Two suspected Albanians armed with  rifles and dynamite hijacked a packed passenger bus in Athens  and warned they would "light the fuse" if a Thursday deadline  for payment of a \$1 million ransom was not met.


Japans Tankan shows business confidence falling

Confidence among Japans big manufacturers deteriorated for the first time in seven quarters, although their capital spending plans were revised higher, the Bank of Japans tankan survey for December showed on Wednesday.


ThyssenKrupp Sells Units to Consortium

Steel company ThyssenKrupp AG said Wednesday it has sold some 48,000 residential housing units in western Germany for euro2.1 billion (US\$2.8 billion) to a consortium of real estate funds of US bank Morgan Stanley and Germany #39;s Corpus-Immobiliengruppe.


Don't Disarm Without Photos: N.Irish Paisley to IRA

HILLSBOROUGH, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - Northern Ireland  Protestant hard-liner Ian Paisley said on Wednesday the IRA may  be about to disarm but he would not share power with its  political ally Sinn Fein without photographic proof of the act.


Turkey Launches New Currency (AP)

AP - Turkey launched a new currency Saturday by dropping six zeros from the old one, in a sign of progress in its decades-long struggle with inflation. But getting rid of old habits in a country where even a loaf of bread costs hundreds of thousands isn't likely to be easy.


1 in 10 emails infected with Christmas virus

Experts at Sophos report that the virus is currently accounting for 75 of all virus reports at Sophos #39;s global network of monitoring stations in the last 24 hours.


SAP offers new security service

DECEMBER 15, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - SAP AG said today that it #39;s offering customers a new service to ensure the security of SAP systems.


NHL, Players #39; Union Reject New Proposals

TORONTO Dec 14, 2004 - The NHL moved a step closer to losing the season Tuesday, when the league and players #39; association rejected proposals for a new collective bargaining agreement.


The Joy of K5: Recipes

As many of you have noticed, there has been a deluge of recipes and food related stories. It's as if a floodgate of anecdotal recipes and comments has been unleashed upon the queue. Both balsamic vinigga's and Trollaxor's stubble stories were meant to discourage this swell of Christmas time cheer. Now, I present for the meek, scared of e-backlash, a guide to making your very own K5 recipe from scratch.


NZ in the dark over security plan

A plan by Australia to extend its maritime security zone into New Zealand territorial waters has taken New Zealand by surprise. Australia #39;s Prime Minister John Howard says ships destined for Australia could


Romania winner threatens new poll

Romania's president-elect  warns he may call fresh elections if his alliance fails to form a new government.


Bush Pledges to Address Weak Dollar, Cites Fed

President Bush said on Wednesday a renewed drive to cut US budget deficits should help the weak dollar and that Tuesday #39;s Federal Reserve interest-rate hike showed Alan


SAP Launches Security Service

SAP AG on Wednesday unveiled a service that evaluates security settings across a customer #39;s SAP enterprise system. SAP Security Optimization helps customers identify and fix vulnerabilities


Ranger reject Boumsong bid

RANGERS have rejected a  amp;pound7.5 million (\$19m) bid from Newcastle United for French central defender Jean-Alain Boumsong.  quot;I can confirm we have been in touch with Rangers and I can confirm he is one of


The e-mails are back with attitude

The e-mails have returned from two weeks off. The first week, they succumbed to the shocking news of Notre Dame firing Ty Willingham.


Lucchino: Renteria Deal Not in Place Yet

All-Star shortstop Edgar Renteria told The Boston Globe he has agreed to a \$40 million, four-year contract with the Red Sox, the paper reported on its Web site Wednesday.


Jones Sues BALCO

Sprinter Marion Jones files a defamation suit against BALCO founder Victor Conte on Wednesday after Conte said that Jones had taken steroids.


Beavers Suspend Four

Oregon State suspends four players for the Insight Bowl against Notre Dame on Dec. 28.


Don't use Google desktop search in your business, warns Gartner

Well, hang on there, let's give them a chance


Oil Tops \$44, Heating Oil Supplies Worry

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices surged nearly 6 percent on  Wednesday as the U.S. government reported a fall in heating oil  stocks in the midst of an arctic cold blast in the Northeast,  the world's largest heating oil market.


iRiver N10 512MB Flash MP3 player

Review Dedicated follower of fashion?


Excite rises again like a turkey from the ashes

Will this be third time lucky for dotcom boom darling?


Ratty pilots worry sci-fi fans

Letters And cheap tinsel worries wifi fans


PC ownership to 'double by 2010'

The number of personal computers worldwide is expected to rise to 1.3 billion by 2010 say analysts.


PC photo printers challenge pros

Some home printers produce photos that are cheaper and better quality than the High Street, tests show.


Lab to study emotion of gaming

Experts are to study the "sweaty palmed excitement" of people playing their computer and console games.


Shoppers 'wary' of chip and pin

One in five people using the new chip and pin credit and debit cards is still signing rather than using a pin number, research suggests.


Time Warner fraud charge settled

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


Freeview fans buy second boxes

More than one million UK households now have two or more Freeview boxes for different television sets.


Nintendo to Bring Music, Video to DS Game Machine

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


Office Workers, Move Over: Here Comes Honda's Asimo

WAKO, Japan (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co.'s humanoid robot  has been around: he's rung the famed bell at the New York Stock  Exchange, met Spain's king, and even traveled with Japan's  prime minister to Prague as a goodwill ambassador.


Time Warner Settles AOL Charges

Time Warner Inc. has agreed to pay more than \$500 million to settle allegations that its America Online division improperly pumped up revenue and engaged in other unlawful practices before and after the two companies merged.
-The Washington Post


Nice Day for a Wireless Wedding

Even though we knew it was coming, journalists seem to have plenty to write about now that underdogs Sprint and Nextel have announced their \$35 billion nuptial plans, including a rumor that one of the industry's big dogs would try to spoil the party. -washingtonpost.com


Google Wins in Trademark Lawsuit

Google Inc. won a major legal victory Wednesday when a federal judge ruled that the search engine's advertising policy does not violate federal trademark laws.


FCC to Allow WiFi on Jetliners

Federal regulators voted Wednesday to begin allowing airline passengers high-speed wireless Internet access on their laptop computers.


Lowe's Hardware Hacker Gets Nine Years

One of three Michigan men who hacked into the national computer system of Lowe's hardware stores and tried to steal customers' credit card information was sentenced Wednesday to nine years in federal prison.


NASA's Future Is Rising From 'the Swamp'

Associate Administrator Craig E. Steidle, the retired Navy rear admiral who runs NASA's not-so-new-anymore Office of Exploration Systems, went to work for NASA after the top brass lured him in as a consultant.


\

 TOKYO (Reuters) - Nintendo Co. will begin selling an\adaptor for its DS and Game Boy Advance handheld game players\to allow them to play music and video, the company said,\matching a popular feature on Sony's portable game machine.


Electronic Arts Shares Up on NFL Game Pact

Shares of Electronic Arts Inc., the country's largest video-game publisher, climbed Tuesday on news that it has gained exclusive rights to use NFL teams and players in its video games.


'Nano-needle' operates on cell

Scientists perform a surgical operation on a living cell, using a needle just a few billionths of a metre wide.


Korea's Biotech Bet

Korea's new facility could stimulate biotech research in Asia and lower costs for biotech companies.


Penguins face starvation threat

Thousands of Antarctic penguin chicks could starve after being cut off by a giant iceberg, officials say.


Singapore heads school test table

School pupils in Singapore lead the world in maths and science tests, latest international rankings suggest.


Search Is on for World's Biggest Freshwater Fish

In a global conservation study, scientists are hunting for the world's largest freshwater fish. The current record holder? A 660-pound (300-kilogram) catfish.


Afghans Say bin Laden Trail Has Grown Cold

<I>National Geographic</I> writer Tim McGirk discusses post-election Afghanistan and the hunt for international terrorist Osama bin Laden.


Test Failure Sets Back US Missile Defense Plan

President Bush #39;s drive to deploy a multibillion-dollar shield against ballistic missiles was set back on Wednesday by what critics called a stunning failure of its first full flight test in two years.


Google To Build World #39;s Biggest Virtual Library

Google announced an agreement Tuesday with Oxford University and some of the leading US research libraries to begin converting their holdings into files that would be freely searchable over the Web.


Ask Jeeves Enters Desktop Search Game

Ask Jeeves (Quote, Chart) entered the desktop search competition with a beta version of its own service that scours users #39; computers.


NASA Building Shortlist for Possible O #39;Keefe Replacements

As the White House search for NASA Administrator Sean O #39;Keefe #39;s successor began Monday, the emerging list of candidates indicated that the next space chief will have fewer


Marion Jones Sues BALCO Founder (AP)

AP - Olympic track star Marion Jones filed a defamation lawsuit Wednesday against BALCO head Victor Conte, who told a national TV audience that he gave her steroids and watched her inject herself with them.


UK #39;s Blair Loses Key Minister Ahead of Election

Top British government minister David Blunkett resigned on Wednesday over a charge of abuse of office, ripping a hole in Prime Minister Tony Blair #39;s


quot;Chemical Ali quot; first to be tried for Iraq war crimes

Iraqi officials plan to make one of the highest-profile figures in Saddam Hussein #39;s regime - Ali Hassan al-Majid, called  quot;Chemical Ali quot; by the West -he first person to be tried for war crimes.


QB Lang Campbell Leads I-AA All-Americans (AP)

AP - Lang Campbell played like an All-American even against major college competition.


New Approach to Iraq Rebuilding Bears Fruit -U.S. (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S.-funded reconstruction in Iraq\is gaining pace in some areas, albeit on a smaller scale than\hoped, despite mounting attacks and intimidation by insurgents,\said a senior U.S. official on Wednesday.


Four Oregon State Players to Miss Bowl (AP)

AP - Four suspended Oregon State players won't be reinstated to play in the Insight Bowl on Dec. 28 against Notre Dame.


Serbian woman who hid in Halifax church concerned about immigration process (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - HALIFAX (CP) - A Serbian woman who sought refuge in a Halifax church basement for 441 days before being forced to leave Canada is concerned about unexpected delays in handling her immigration application.


LATEST FUTURES NEWS

2004-12-15 11:01:48 Oil - Brent higher on US cold snap ahead of this afternoon #39;s US inventories LONDON (AFX) - Oil prices were higher in pre-market deals ahead of this afternoon #39;s US weekly inventory data, with winter heating oil


Justice, Time Warner announce \$210M settlement

Time Warner has agreed to pay \$210 million to settle criminal securities fraud charges brought by the Justice Department against the company #39;s America Online unit.


MPAA Slaps P2P Networks with Lawsuits and Arrests

Online file-sharing is less of a problem for the movie industry because it has a much more diverse revenue model. In addition to the sale of movie tickets, money comes in from co-branding


1. Vulnerability in WordPad

According to the Microsoft site, the vulnerabilty in WordPad allows an attacker to take complete control of the affected system.


Saban Going Swimming? Brian Curtis doesn #39;t think the LSU coach <b>...</b>

Brian Curtis doesn #39;t think the LSU coach will be leaving Baton Rouge any time soon. By Brian Curtis. NEW YORK, NY -- As I first reported on CSTV #39;s Crystal Ball in early November and here on November 11th, LSU


Wal-Mart Fires 7 Execs, Managers (Reuters)

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc.  fired\three executives and four managers from its Bentonville,\Arkansas headquarters for violating company rules, the company\said on Wednesday.


Gates Joins Berkshire Board

So, what does a board with more than \$100 billion in wealth do for an encore?


It's Good to Be Right

While creative, Blockbuster's latest policy change will have little impact on Netflix.


Insurers to Pay Record Disaster Damages

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) - Natural disasters will  cost insurers a record \$35 billion this year, after hurricanes  lashed the Caribbean and southeastern United States and a  record 10 typhoons soaked Japan in events seen as linked to  global warming, climate experts said on Wednesday.


Wal-Mart Fires 7 Execs, Managers

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. WMT.N fired  three executives and four managers from its Bentonville,  Arkansas headquarters for violating company rules, the company  said on Wednesday.


Fans Turn on Sprint Nextel

Sprint (FON:NYSE - news - research) chief Gary Forsee is billing the Nextel (NXTL:Nasdaq - news - research) deal as strength building on strength.


Update 5: Time Warner, AOL Settle Securities Fraud

Time Warner Inc. agreed Wednesday to pay \$210 million to settle criminal securities fraud charges brought by the Justice Department against the company #39;s America Online unit.


MPAA Bolsters Anti-Piracy Efforts

WASHINGTON, December 15: The Motion Picture Association of America has filed suit against more than 100 file-sharing networks such as BitTorrent, Direct Connect and eDonkey, which allow users to download illegal copies of movies and television shows from


Toshiba Brings Perpendicular Data Recording to HDD

According to JCN Network, Toshiba has announced a new breakthrough technology in hard disk drives (HDD) based on perpendicular recording, setting new benchmarks for data density, boosting the capacity of a single 1.8-inch hard-disk platter to 40 gigabytes


HP shifting last of Itanium engineers to Intel

SAN FRANCISCO - Hewlett-Packard Co. and Intel Corp. are parting ways on the development of the Itanium chip for server computers, ending a more than 10-year partnership on a project that has produced far less


Apple locks out RealNetworks with iPod update

Apple Computer Inc. has updated the software for some of its iPod digital media players so that songs bought from RealNetworks Inc.


SingTel to launch 3G phones; first in SE Asia

SINGAPORE - SingTel will begin selling high-speech third generation mobile phones, or 3G phones, from Thursday, making it the first company in the region to sell the new technology.


Liverpool misses a win against Portsmouth

Liverpool was looking good for a win against Portsmouth in the premiership game being played at Anfield. However, a goal in the injury time by Portsmouths Lomana LuaLua spoiled their chances.


Aragones slur on file

The Spanish Football Association has opened a disciplinary file against Luis Aragones - but anti-racism campaigners expect the Spain coach to be let off with a warning.


Technology Challenges Sprint-Nextel Merger (AP)

AP - The proposed merger of Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. could face a rocky start as the companies work to run and eventually merge two wireless technologies without breaking the bank or losing customers.


Pak-India talks on NCBMs concluded without agreement

Islamabad, Dec 15 (UNI) Pakistani and Indian negotiators today concluded talks on nuclear confidence building measures (NCBMs) without finalising the proposed draft agreement on prior notification of missile tests by Islamabad and New Delhi.


Ex-Soldiers Take Over Aristide #39;s Home

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - A band of former soldiers took over ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide #39;s former home early Wednesday and said they would use it to provide security in the neighborhood on the outskirts of the capital.


Review: E-Mail Program Lacks 'Wow' Factor (AP)

AP - The Firefox browser has become an instant sensation, in just a few weeks gaining impressively against Microsoft Corp.'s market-leading but malware-beleaguered Internet Explorer.


Google Gets Victory in Trademark Lawsuit (AP)

AP - Google Inc. won a major legal victory Wednesday when a federal judge ruled that the search engine's advertising policy does not violate federal trademark laws.


Sprint, Nextel Join in  #36;35 Billion Deal (AP)

AP - Telecommunications giant Sprint Corp. is acquiring Nextel Communications Inc. in a  #36;35 billion deal that would create the nation's third largest wireless telephone service provider.


Apple releases Mac OS X v10.3.7 (MacCentral)

MacCentral - Apple on Wednesday released Mac OS X v10.3.7, the latest release of its "Panther" operating system. The company recommends the update for all users of Panther, and said that the update "delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability."


2004 the Fourth-Hottest Year on Record (AP)

AP - The year 2004, punctuated by four powerful hurricanes in the Caribbean and deadly typhoons lashing Asia, was the fourth-hottest on record, extending a trend that has seen the 10 warmest years ever beginning in the 1990s, a U.N. weather agency said Wednesday.


Stocks End Up; Earnings, Merger Trump Oil

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed slightly higher on  Wednesday, as better-than-expected quarterly results from  investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. LEH.N helped to  offset a two-week high in crude oil prices.


Google Wins Court Victory Over GEICO

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - A federal judge on Wednesday  handed online search engine Google Inc. a victory in a  trademark infringement case on Wednesday, ruling that when  users searched for insurer GEICO, Google could display rivals  as well.


Turkish PM Heads to EU Summit on Confident Mood

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


Technology Challenges Sprint-Nextel Merger

The proposed merger of Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications Inc. could face a rocky start as the companies work to run and eventually merge two wireless technologies without breaking the bank or losing customers.


Yahoo Offers Desktop Search Tool

(Article Central) Yahoo Inc. announced that it has released a new tool to search computer hard drives as it strives to compete with rivals Google Inc.


STATE OF THE ART Evaluating the Rivals to IPod Mini

IN February, Apple followed up its wildly popular iPod music player with the iPod Mini. This smaller, sleeker \$250 player could hold 1,000 songs and came in five brushed-aluminum colors.


Oracle Shifts to Integration Mode

In a briefing with reporters, Oracle President Charles Phillips reaffirmed the company #39;s plans to solidify the deal before Dec. 30.


Marion Jones sues Victor Conte

San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Olympic track and field star Marion Jones filed a defamation lawsuit against BALCO chief Victor Conte on Wednesday.


Aragones Investigation Begins

Luis Aragons could lose his job as Spain #39;s coach after the Spanish Football Association launched an investigation into remarks he made about Arsenal #39;s Thierry Henry.


Athens hijacker issues ultimatum

A man holding hostages on a bus in Athens threatens to blow it up if a ransom is not paid in the morning.


Erickson Staying in SF After Talks with Ole Miss

ASHBURN, Va. (Sports Network) - San Francisco 49ers head  coach Dennis Erickson will remain with the team after  discussing the head coaching vacancy at Ole Miss with school  officials on Tuesday.


Yukos Files for Bankruptcy in U.S.

The floundering Russian oil giant Yukos filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Houston Wednesday in an effort to stop the Russian government from selling its core production unit at an auction this weekend. Analysts predicted the move would have no real impact on the planned sale.


HP Shifting Last of Itanium Engineers

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Co. HPQ.N and  Intel Corp. INTC.O on Wednesday ended their 10-year  partnership to co-develop the Itanium chip for server  computers, following disappointing sales of the product.


An IPO Hot Enough for Vegas

Many have been expecting the initial public offering (IPO) from the Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) to be hot. The shares were originally priced at \$20 to \$22 each.


Linux to Grow Steady for Next Four Years

Linux is much more popular in the enterprise than previously thought, according to a new report out today. IT research firm IDC combined several of its data studies and threw in a few that it didn #39;t already


2004 fourth hottest since records began

The year 2004 was the fourth hottest ever recorded and the past decade was the warmest since measurements began in 1861, the World Meteorological Organisation said Wednesday.


WRAPUP 1-Auxerre #39;s Kalou dumps Rangers out of Europe

Striker Bonaventure Kalou netted twice to send AJ Auxerre through to the first knockout round of the UEFA Cup at the expense of Rangers on Wednesday.


Rangers crash out of Europe

Rangers joined the European scrapheap after a Bonaventure Kalou double fired Auxerre to a 2-0 victory at Ibrox. The home side had only to avoid defeat to progress to the knockout stage but were out-classed by the visitors.


BLAIR SUPPORTER RESIGNS

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has lost one of his key supporters with the resignation of controversial Home Secretary David Blunkett.


Celtics' Gugliotta Back on the Injured List (Reuters)

Reuters - The Boston Celtics Wednesday\placed forward Tom Gugliotta back on the injured list.


Counsell Returns to the Diamondbacks (Reuters)

Reuters - The Arizona Diamondbacks\have signed shortstop Craig Counsell, who has played for two\World Series championship teams.


Yukos Files for Bankruptcy in U.S. Court (AP)

AP - Embattled Russian oil giant Yukos made a last-ditch legal bid Wednesday to halt the looming auction of its core production unit after filing for bankruptcy protection in a U.S. court.


Pauline Gore, Mother of Former VP, Dies (AP)

AP - Pauline Gore, whose son Al became vice president and nearly captured the presidency and whose husband had a long and distinguished career in Congress, died Wednesday. She was 92.


Bush Pledges Strong-Dollar Policy (AP)

AP - President Bush pledged Wednesday to work with Congress to reduce the government's huge budget deficit as a key step in assuring the world that his administration supports a strong dollar.


Time Warner settles AOL fraud charges for \$210M

Time Warner Inc. will pay \$210 million to settle charges that its America Online unit fraudulently inflated its revenue figures. Separately, it is expected to pay about \$300 million to settle SEC charges related to its buyout of a stake held by Germany's Bertelsmann AG in AOL Europe.


Q A, Part 1: Cisco's Mike Volpi on IP traffic management

Mike Volpi, routing technology general manager at Cisco, spoke recently about important new application-aware networking technology, service providers and his 10 years at Cisco.


Nortel reports loss in Q3, sees pickup in Q4

Amid continuing problems with the release of its financial statements, Nortel Networks yesterday reported a loss for this year's third quarter but said it expects improvements in fourth-quarter revenue.


Sprint, Nextel herald 'future of communications'

Officials from Sprint and Nextel Communications today announced a definitive agreement to merge their two companies, creating the third-largest mobile phone company in the U.S.


Cool Mac stuff: What to give for the holidays

Knowing that some Mac-heads can sometimes be hard to buy for, columnist Ryan Faas offers some gift ideas for the Mac fan in your life.


Oracle's Phillips talks up PeopleSoft integration

For the first time since closing a deal to purchase PeopleSoft for \$10.3 billion, Oracle has begun offering a glimpse of how it plans to digest its acquisition and handle what will represent four different product lines.


SAP offers new security service

SAP is offering a new service called SAP Security Optimization, which provides a detailed analysis of security gaps and vulnerabilities and action plans on how to resolve them.


Sprint to buy Nextel in \$35B deal

Sprint has agreed to buy mobile telephone company Nextel Communications in a deal worth \$35.17 billion, combining the No. 3 and No. 5 U.S. wireless carriers and creating a new company with about 40 million customers.


Host Marriott Selling Stake in Courtyard

Host Marriott Corp. said Wednesday that it is selling a majority of its stake in Courtyard hotels to an institutional investor for \$92 million in a move to divest a noncore asset.


Blackberry Disappointed in Court

Research in Motion lost part of the case on appeal, but it #39;s not over until it #39;s over. Specifically, the patent infringement finding against the maker of the email device was upheld by the appeals court.


Update 1: FCC OKs Rules for Local Phone Competition

Federal regulators narrowly approved rules Wednesday that phase out many of the government-mandated discounts the four major regional telephone companies must give rivals to encourage them to compete for local service customers.


Fa-la-la: Decking your PC with an Xmas virus

HELSINKI: Internet security experts warned last Tuesday of a new virulent e-mail worm particularly successful in infecting computers as it is disguised as a multilingual electronic Christmas card.


IDC: Linux PC sales to hit \$10 billion in 2008

com December 15, 2004, 2:07 PM PT. Sales of new and used PCs running the Linux operating system will reach \$10 billion by 2008, market researcher IDC predicted Wednesday.


SAP Launches Security Service

SAP AG unveils a service that evaluates security settings across a customer #39;s SAP enterprise system. SAP AG on Wednesday unveiled a service that evaluates security settings across a customer #39;s SAP enterprise system.


Symantec Unveils Anti-Spam Subscription Service

Symantec launches an optional, anti-spam subscription service for customers of its Internet e-mail gateway and enterprise-class antivirus products.


Two-goal Kalou kills Rangers hopes

GLASGOW, Scotland -- Scottish giants Rangers crashed out of a European competition for the second time this season following a 2-0 defeat at home to Auxerre in the UEFA Cup.


Athletics acquire Ginter from Brewers

Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - The Oakland Athletics have acquired infielder Keith Ginter from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitcher Justin Lehr and outfielder Nelson Cruz.


Blunkett quits over visa row

LONDON, DECEMBER 15: Senior British minister David Blunkett resigned on Wednesday, ripping a hole in Prime Minister Tony Blairs team months before an expected general election.


Hall Done for Season

Redskins kicker John Hall is done for the season with a torn right quad muscle, his fourth leg injury in three months. The team signed Jeff Chandler to replace Hall.


Citrus Department to Challenge Labeling of Low-carb Juices

Florida's Department of Citrus wants to put the squeeze on producers of low-carb orange juice, claiming their labels confuse consumers into believing they're purchasing 100 percent juice when buying a product that's 42 percent juice.


Yukos, of Russia, files for bankruptcy in US

MOSCOW The Russian oil producer Yukos sought bankruptcy protection in the United States on Wednesday and requested an emergency court hearing to stop the Russian government #39;s auction of its largest production unit.


Fiat and GM prepare talks to avoid costly lawsuits

MILAN General Motors and Fiat on Wednesday edged closer to initiating a legal battle that could pit the two carmakers against each other in a New York City court room as early as next month.


Air China shares debut strongly

Shares in Air China, the country #39;s flagship carrier, closed 8.2 per cent higher yesterday when it began trading in Hong Kong, as Chinese stocks in the territory continued to rebound


Japan #39;s business confidence slips

The Bank of Japan said Wednesday the confidence of the nation #39;s largest manufacturers has fallen for the first time in more than two years.


Gucci chief designs a bigger future for the brand

Robert Polet, the new chief executive of Gucci, has vowed to double the size of the core Gucci brand over the next seven years. He also said that loss-making


TechBrief: Judge clears Google on search ads

Google won a major legal victory Wednesday when a US judge said the search engine could continue to sell ads triggered by searches that use trademarked company names.


US Dollar Falls Against the Euro

The US dollar fell against the euro Wednesday amid persistent concerns over the US trade and budget deficits, despite a pledge from President Bush to work with Congress to reduce the huge twin deficits.


Kansas City Southern to Buy Mexican Rail

Mexican transportation company Grupo TMM SA said Wednesday it has reached an amended agreement with Kansas City Southern to sell 51 percent of its railway unit to the US company.


Intel To Take Over HP #39;s Itanium Chip Team

Intel is taking over the team of 300 designers who work on Itanium chips for use in HP servers. An official announcement from the companies is expected Thursday, according to a person familiar with the plans.


New mobile music service launches

com December 15, 2004, 3:10 PM PT. Seattle-based mobile music company Melodeo said Wednesday that it won worldwide rights to sell songs from Warner Music Group through cell phone networks.


Angles guide ants back to home

LONDON - When an ant comes to the fork in the road, it uses geometry to find the correct path, scientists say. Worker pharaoh ants use a series of branching paths scented with pheromones to travel around their colony.


2004 Signals More Global Warming, Extreme Weather: UN

Global warming is set to continue, and bring with it an increase in extreme weather such as hurricanes and droughts, scientists from the United Nations #39; World Meteorological Organization warned on Wednesday.


Soccer / UEFA Cup - Auxerre #39;s Bonaventure dumps Rangers

Striker Bonaventure Kalou netted twice to send AJ Auxerre through to the first knockout round of the UEFA Cup at the expense of Glasgow Rangers last night.


Aachen Makes Final 32 in UEFA Cup Play

LONDON - Alemannia Aachen, a German second division team which reached its domestic final last season, is in the final 32 of the UEFA Cup competition and the Glasgow Rangers are out.


Erickson staying put - for now

On second thought, Ole Miss didnt look that good to Dennis Erickson after all. So now its back to where it was earlier this week on the Erickson-Is-Out-As-49ers-Coach front: Hell be coaching San Francisco


Mariners sign slugger Sexson

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - Free-agent first baseman Richie Sexson is the newest member of the Seattle Mariners. The four-year deal, which was contingent on Sexson passing a physical, was announced Wednesday and is reportedly worth \$10 million US per season.


Williams activated; Burks placed on injured list

Point guard Jason Williams was activated by the Memphis Grizzlies before Wednesday night #39;s game against the Chicago Bulls and they placed rookie Antonio Burks on the injured list.


Steelers RB Bettis thinking about retiring after season

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis hasn #39;t decided if he will retire after this season, but is thinking about it. Bettis said his health -- not whether the Steelers win the Super


Celtics put Gugliotta on injured list

CBC SPORTS ONLINE - The Boston Celtics returned Tom Gugliotta to the injured list Wednesday, this time with a sprained right ankle.


Brother: Renteria agrees to sign with Red Sox

All-Star shortstop Edgar Renteria is nearing an agreement with the Boston Red Sox on a contract, his brother said Wednesday. The deal is worth \$40 million over four years with an option for a fifth season, a


Majerus named head coach at USC

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Rick Majerus accepted an offer to become the head basketball coach at Southern California and was introduced Wednesday afternoon.


The end of the career: Blunkett timeline

The  #39;News of the World #39; reveals that David Blunkett is having an affair with a married woman. It takes 24 hours for  #39;The Sun #39; to identify the woman as the US publisher of The Spectator - Kimberly Fortier, who has since adopted her married name Quinn.


Shi #39;ites Bombed as Iraq Poll Campaign Begins

A bomb near a Shi #39;ite shrine killed eight people and a fierce attack on Iran by a minister fueled fears of sectarian strife when campaigning began on Wednesday for


Haiti Ex-Soldiers Seize Aristide #39;s Old Compound

Some 100 former soldiers who helped lead a revolt against ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide seized his abandoned residence on Wednesday and said they would make it their headquarters.


Turkish engineer for US firm killed in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan A Turkish construction engineer has been kidnapped and killed by suspected Muslim militants opposed to the international reconstruction effort in Afghanistan, government officials said Wednesday.


Washington Mayor Says Council Puts Baseball in Capital at Risk

Anthony Williams said today that he was deeply pessimistic about salvaging the deal to bring the Expos to the city.


French economy to grow 2.1 pct in 2004; slump in 2005: INSEE (AFP)

AFP - The French economy is expected to grow 2.1 percent this year, but will limp through the first half of 2005 at a 1.4 percent pace that threatens the official full-year target of 2.5 percent, the national statistics office INSEE said.


HP, Intel End Itanium Chip Pact

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hewlett-Packard Co. HPQ.N and  Intel Corp. INTC.O on Wednesday ended their 10-year  partnership to co-develop the Itanium chip for server  computers, following disappointing sales of the product.


Nextel Deal Sees Sprint Shares Rise

* Sprint #39;s strong wireless Internet service and Nextel #39;s walkie- talkie feature popular among mobile professionals would be a competitive combination.


Russia #39;s Yukos Oil Company Files for Bankruptcy

Description: Russian oil company Yukos files for bankruptcy protection in a US court in an attempt to prevent the Russian government from auctioning off the company #39;s main asset.


Orgeron to finalize deal with Rebels

Ed Orgeron, Southern California #39;s assistant head coach and defensive line coach, has agreed to become the new coach at Mississippi, USC athletic department sources have told ESPN.


Intrigue, power plays as Iraq campaign season starts

Mass graves, war criminals, and Iranian agents: welcome to the campaign trail in Iraq. Even before he announced his


S. Lanka Peace Bid at Critical Low - Norway Envoy

Sri Lanka #39;s bid to forge lasting peace with Tamil Tiger rebels after two decades of civil war is at its most critical ebb since a 2002 truce, Norway #39;s peace envoy to the country said on Wednesday.


Australia to Boost Security Net Around Coastline

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


US anti-missile shield test fails

The first test of the United States anti-missile shield in nearly two years, has failed. Our correspondent, John Shovelan, reports the Missile Defence Agency says the ground-based interceptor has shut down, due to an unknown anomaly.


Expos' Move to D.C. on Verge of Collapse (AP)

AP - Washington's new baseball team shut down business and promotional operations indefinitely Wednesday as its move to the nation's capital teetered on the brink of collapse.


Sprint and Nextel Announce  quot;Merger of Equals, quot; Spin-Off Of <b>...</b>

Sprint and Nextel Communications have signed a merger agreement. The combined company, which will adopt the name Sprint Nextel, will serve nearly 40 million wireless customers.


First flight test of new missile defense interceptor fails

The Bush administration #39;s ambitious national missile defense program suffered a major setback on Wednesday when a malfunction forced a shutdown of the first test


HP Hands Over Itanium to Intel

Intel #39;s (INTC:Nasdaq - news - research) plans for high-end computing reached a sad milestone Tuesday, with Hewlett-Packard (HPQ:NYSE - news - research) saying it would end the partnership that developed the less-than-successful Itanium chip.


Apple Locks Out RealNetworks With iPod Update

Apple Computer has updated the software for some of its iPod digital media players so that songs bought from RealNetworks won #39;t play.


Melodeo signs mobile music agreements with Telefnica, Warner

US-based mobile music solutions provider Melodeo, Inc. and the Warner Music Group (WMG) today announced the signing of a global agreement that allows consumers to securely download entire tracks from WMG #39;s


Making the most of season #39;s big gift: iPod

By all accounts, millions of people will buy or receive Apple Computer #39;s iPod digital-music players this holiday season. The gadgets are beautifully designed and simple to operate, which is one reason they


Ants use geometry, odour to find way

PARIS: Ants use angled signposts, using tiny scent markers, to find their way home or follow the path into the wilderness, according to a study published on Wednesday in Nature, the British science weekly.


Anger Rises as Does Toll in Remote Indian Islands

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


Washington Mayor: Baseball Deal Near Dead

Washington, DC, Mayor Anthony Williams on Wednesday said the deal to bring Major League Baseball back to the US capital was close to dead after the city council changed the plan to require private financing.


Sexson signs with Mariners

Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - The Seattle Mariners have found their slugging first baseman, as they agreed to terms Wednesday with free agent Richie Sexson on a four-year contract.


Rick Majerus Named USC Men #39;s Basketball Coach For 2005-06 Season

Los Angeles - Rick Majerus, one of college #39;s top basketball coaches who has won more than 400 games and made 15 post-season appearances in his 20-Year career, was hired today (Dec. 15) as USC #39;s men #39;s basketball


Time Warner To Pay \$210 Million To Settle AOL Charges

The charges of accounting improprieties at AOL date back to 2000. Some analysts had been expecting Time Warner to pay \$500 million to \$600 million to settle all of its criminal and civil charges with the Justice


Crude oil prices soar on drop in heating-oil supply

Crude oil prices rose sharply Wednesday as a government report showed a decline in US heating-oil stockpiles. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, crude oil futures for January


US mulls ending ban on airplane cell-phone calls

WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (AFP) - US telecom regulators began on Wednesday to ponder whether ending a ban on in-flight cell-phone calls would jeopardize safety or simply vex other passengers.


Toshiba inspires breakthrough in hard disk storage

Dec 16, 2004: The storage race for higher capacity and smaller sized storage hard disk drives continues with Toshiba being the latest vendor to break into the lead with the release of its newest invention.


Pedro Martinez signs \$52m deal with NY Mets

December 15, 2004 -- Pedro Martinez confirmed Tuesday during an interview in his home in the Dominican Republic that he has agreed to join the New York Mets.


International Donors Warn Sri Lankan Government About Disrupting <b>...</b>

The United States and two other international donors have criticized Sri Lanka #39;s coalition government, after one of its partners made statements the donors say could disrupt efforts to restart peace talks with separatist rebels.


Aachen Complete Fairytale by Reaching Last 32

German second division side Alemannia Aachen progressed to the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup after a 2-0 win against AEK Athens in Group H. Aachen had gone into Wednesday


England: Lua-Lua denies Reds

LIVERPOOL, Dec 15 (SW) - Rafael Benitez Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Portsmouth last night, after Lua-Lua grabbed an equalizer in the stoppage time.


Football Press Conference Set For Thursday Morning

OXFORD, Miss. - A press conference to announce the hiring of a new head football coach at The University of Mississippi has been scheduled for Thursday morning, December 16, at 10:00 am, in the new Indoor Practice Facility.


JONES SUES CONTE FOR \$32 MILLION

US sprint star Marion Jones has filed a \$US 25 million (\$AUD 32.7 million) defamation lawsuit against accused steroid peddler Victor Conte saying he has sullied her reputation by making false claims she used banned performance enhancing drugs.


Celtics #39; Gugliotta back on injured list

Gugliotta, who has a mild right ankle sprain, is averaging 1.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in eight games this season. He played in just one game after coming off the injured list on December 1 with lower back pain.


Helpers battle Sri Lanka floods

Aid teams in Sri Lanka battle the aftermath of flash floods as they try to prevent the spread of disease among survivors.


Bengals QB Expects to Miss Bills Game (AP)

AP - Carson Palmer was still on crutches Wednesday and resigned to missing the Cincinnati Bengals' next game because of a sprained left knee.


U.N. Expands Iraq Presence Beyond Baghdad (AP)

AP - The United Nations is expanding its presence in Iraq outside Baghdad to the cities of Basra and Irbil but is planning to have only about 25 electoral experts in the entire country ahead of elections next month, a U.N. spokesman said Wednesday.


Sexson Agrees to  #36;50M Deal With Mariners (AP)

AP - The Seattle Mariners added power to one of the weakest lineups in baseball Wednesday, agreeing to a  #36;50 million, four-year contract with free agent first baseman Richie Sexson.


USSF Threatens to Drop Players From Cup (AP)

AP - The U.S. Soccer Federation is threatening to drop all experienced players from the roster for its next World Cup qualifier unless the union agrees to a new labor contract by Feb. 1.


Cincinnati QB Expects to Start in Bowl (AP)

AP - Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli has the cast off his broken throwing hand and expects to start when the Bearcats play in the Fort Worth Bowl next week.


Aid group warns of jobs catastrophe with end of textiles quota system (AFP)

AFP - Millions of desperately poor workers, particularly women, will lose their jobs next year following the lifting of a global system of textile and clothing tariffs, a leading aid agency warned.


Calgary police charge man with series of vicious rapes from 1988-92 (Canadian Press)

Canadian Press - CALGARY (CP) - More than 12 years after a serial rapist terrorized a quiet southwest Calgary neighbourhood, police say advances in DNA technology have led to the arrest of a 61-year-old man who was a suspect all along.


Bush Prepares for Possible GPS Shutdown (AP)

AP - President Bush has ordered plans for temporarily disabling the U.S. network of global positioning satellites during a national crisis to prevent terrorists from using the navigational technology, the White House said Wednesday.


Yukos makes plea to US court in bid to avoid sale

By Andrew Osborn in Moscow and Katherine Griffiths in New York. Yukos emitted what appeared to be its final death rattle yesterday, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States just four days before


Missile Defense Flight Test Conducted

The Missile Defense Agency announced today it was unable to complete a planned flight test after the interceptor missile experienced an anomaly shortly before it was to be launched from the Ronald Reagan Test Site, Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the


Market share of Linux PCs to double by 2008: IDC

Global market share of new andused PCs running Linux operating system is expected to grow from 3percent in 2003 to 7 percent in 2008, IDC, a US high tech market research firm, predicted on Wednesday.


Study uncovers ants #39; 60 degrees of navigation

Ants use angled signposts and tiny scent markers to find their way home or follow the path into the wilderness, according to a study published in British science weekly Nature.


Mountain to climb for Pakistan

SYDNEY: Australia and Pakistan have been involved in some classic cricketing confrontations but the spin doctors have their work cut out this time in trying to generate any real hype in the build-up to their Test series.


Players: Season in Peril

Veterans Chis Pronger and Jim McKenzie don't believe that hockey will return until Dec. 2005 at the earliest after talks negotiations broke down on Tuesday.


Sexson Signs with Seattle

First baseman Richie Sexson agrees to a four-year contract with the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.


Tyson Completes Service

Charges stemming from a 2003 altercation are dropped as Mike Tyson completes community service on Wednesday.


Tokyo Stocks Open Lower on Profit-Taking

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average opened 0.43  percent lower on Thursday as investors took profits in Sony  Corp. and other exporters that had risen in the previous three  sessions.


Q amp;A: Stock exchange takeover

With news that the London Stock Exchange (LSE) has knocked back a 1.35bn offer from its German rival Deutsche Boerse, the ordinary shareholder may be wondering what lies ahead.


Airlines may incur US\$5bil loss this year

GENEVA: International airlines are heading for a near US\$5bil loss this year, largely due to the rise in oil prices, the industrys global body said on Tuesday.


Report: Intel, HP Itanium Joint Development to End

Intel and Hewlett-Packard will end their 10-year long development partnership for Itanium server chips, according to a report from Reuters.


Departing NASA chief faces faculty questions at LSU over possible <b>...</b>

Sean O #39;Keefe stepped down from leading NASA this week and into the pole position for Louisiana #39;s top academic job, chancellor of LSU, where he met Wednesday with


Uefa Cup Wrap: Rangers Crash Out

Rangers European adventure has come to a disappointingly early conclusion after the Scottish giants crashed to a 2-0 defeat at home to Auxerre tonight.


Tyson completes  #39;sentence #39;

MIKE TYSON closed the book today on one of his many run-ins with the law: his brawl last year with two men outside a Brooklyn hotel.


16 including 3 Polish soldiers killed in Iraq

BAGHDAD: At least 16 people including one US Marine and three Polish soldiers were killed in violence across Iraq on Wednesday. A bomb exploded near the office of a senior Shiite cleric in Karbala on Wednesday


Bomb in Iraqi Shi #39;ite City Kills 8, Wounds 32

A bomb exploded near the office of a senior Shi #39;ite cleric in the Iraqi holy city of Kerbala on Wednesday, killing eight people and wounding 32 in a failed attempt on the cleric #39;s life, officials said.


Kidnapped Turkish engineer found dead in Afghanistan

An ambulance of the International Security Assistance Force carrying the body of Turkish Engineer Eyup Orel leaves Kabul airport in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2004.


Australia to impose 1,000-mile  #39;terror exclusion zone #39;

In a controversial and possibly illegal step, Australia plans to intercept and board ships on the high seas if it believes them to be a terrorist threat.


FCC to Allow Wireless Access on Planes (AP)

AP - Passengers taking to the skies for U.S. flights could be checking e-mail and surfing the Web through high-speed Internet connections in a couple of years. And the day when travelers can chat away on cell phones while in flight might not be far behind.


Greek Bus Hijackers Had No Explosives -Police (Reuters)

Reuters - Two Albanian gunmen who hijacked a\packed Greek bus and threatened to blow it up turned out to be\bluffing because they did not have any explosives, Greek police\chief George Angelakos said on Thursday.


Hijackers of Bus in Greece Surrender (AP)

AP - Two armed men who hijacked a public bus and threatened to blow it up surrendered just after midnight Wednesday and released their six remaining hostages, ending an 18-hour standoff.


Washington Baseball at Risk, MLB May Seek Bids (Reuters)

Reuters - Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony\Williams on Wednesday said the deal to bring baseball back to\the U.S. capital was close to dead after the city council\changed the plan to require private financing, a move Major\League Baseball called unacceptable.


Bomb at Shiite Shrine Kills 7 in Karbala (AP)

AP - A bomb targeting a prominent Shiite cleric killed seven people outside one of southern Iraq's holiest shrines Wednesday as campaigning began for Iraq's first post-Saddam elections  #151; a vote that is going ahead despite suicide attacks and assassinations by Sunni insurgents.


Apple Locks Out RealNetworks With iPod Update (PC World)

PC World - IPod Photo won't play songs purchased from Real.


Sprint Nextel Would Be 3rd Largest Carrier (AP)

AP - Sprint Corp.'s  #36;35 billion acquisition of Nextel Communications Inc. could challenge Cingular Wireless and Verizon Wireless for supremacy in a ruthlessly competitive business where prices are constantly dropping.


IDC predicts Linux market worth  #36;35 billion by 2008 (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - IDC on Wednesday painted an optimistic outlook for Linux over the next few years, predicting that overall revenue for desktops, servers, and Linux-compatible packaged software will reach  #36;35 billion by 2008.


Moderate Earthquake Shakes Eastern Taiwan (AP)

AP - A moderate earthquake jolted eastern Taiwan on Thursday, the Central Weather Bureau said, but no damage or injuries were reported.


First Look: Small Business Accounting Apps (PC World)

PC World - Intuit, Best Software offer new features, prices with 2005 editions.


IBM, Others Push for Greater U.S. Innovation (PC World)

PC World - Nation needs government help to maintain competitive edge, group says.


Washington Baseball at Risk, MLB May Seek Bids

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony  Williams on Wednesday said the deal to bring baseball back to  the U.S. capital was close to dead after the city council  changed the plan to require private financing, a move Major  League Baseball called unacceptable.


Plant to Make Clean Power from Turkey Droppings (Reuters)

Reuters - Turkey leftovers will take on a whole\new use after a Minnesota company finishes construction of a\power plant fired by the birds' droppings.


U.S. to More Closely Coordinate GPS Policy (Reuters)

Reuters - The United States will more\aggressively promote and more tightly coordinate oversight of\its Global Positioning System, the network of satellites used\to determine precise geographic locations, the White House said\on Wednesday.


Scary Faces Have Subliminal Effects, Study Finds (Reuters)

Reuters - People's brains react to a\photograph of a frightened face, even when it is flashed on a\screen too quickly to be consciously recognized, U.S.\researchers said on Wednesday.


Summary Box: 2004 Fourth-Hottest on Record (AP)

AP - WEATHER REPORT: The year 2004 was the fourth-hottest on record, extending a trend since 1990 that has registered the 10 warmest years, a report by the World Meteorological Organization showed.


Shi'ites Bombed as Iraq Poll Campaign Begins

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A bomb near a Shi'ite shrine killed  eight people and a fierce attack on Iran by a minister fueled  fears of sectarian strife when campaigning began on Wednesday  for Iraq's first election since Saddam Hussein's fall.


2004 Among the Hottest Years on Record (AP)

AP - The year 2004, punctuated by four powerful hurricanes in the Caribbean and deadly typhoons lashing Asia, was the fourth-hottest on record, extending a trend since 1990 that has registered the 10 warmest years, a U.N. weather agency said Wednesday.


Key Ruling Due on Inmates of 'Britain's Guantanamo'

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's highest court decides on  Thursday how far human rights can be restricted in the "war on  terror" in a major judgment on detaining suspected foreign  extremists without trial.


Haiti Ex-Soldiers Seize Aristide's Old Compound

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) - Some 100 former soldiers  who helped lead a revolt against ousted Haitian President  Jean-Bertrand Aristide seized his abandoned residence on  Wednesday and said they would make it their headquarters.


Democracy stirs in the Arab world

Upcoming elections in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian Authority are initial steps on still rocky paths to democracy.


UN seeks more I Coast troops

The UN mission says it needs extra troops to continue to maintain order in Ivory Coast which has seen renewed fighting between rival factions.


French head warns Turkey on EU

French President Jacques Chirac says Turkey can join the EU as a member if it meets entry requirements.


Protestant Leader: IRA May Disarm on Sly (AP)

AP - A key Protestant leader in Northern Ireland on Wednesday warned that the Irish Republican Army may resume disarmament in secret, rather than allow the process to be photographed as demanded by Protestants.