No. 1 Wake Forest used a 19-5 second half run to take the lead and then held off Arizona 63-60 to win the preseason NIT. Mustafa Shakur had a chance to take the lead in the final seconds, but he missed a runner in the lane.

Wake Forest survives at the NIT


AP - A key U.N. atomic agency meeting adjourned for the weekend, giving Iran time to consider a total freeze of a program that could make weapons grade uranium and for delegates to decide on further steps in policing Tehran's nuclear activities.

Iran, EU Negotiators Seek Nuke Agreement (AP)


The store adds such features as details of an expected dispatch date it the point where shoppers select a product. For example the Power Mac G5 Dual 2.5GHz is  quot;usually dispatched 1 - 3 Weeks

Apple enhances UK online shopping


Angry over unfair subsidies paid to US companies from tariffs collected on goods imported here, the WTO has widened the gap with Congress by imposing sanctions of their own.

WTO Sanctions on US Exports Widens Gap in Congress


US steelmakers #39; shares rose sharply yesterday, with US Steel, Allegheny Technologies and Nucor (which operates a mill in Seattle) reaching their highest prices in at least seven years, after Nissan said the metal is in short supply in Japan.

Nissan #39;s supply shortage sends steel stocks up


Steel shares hit seven-year highs yesterday after Nissan said the metal is in short supply in Japan. US Steel rose \$3.30, or 7, to \$51.25, while Nucor surged \$2.90 to \$54.05, an all-time high.

Steel stocks soar as shortages are biting


AP - Former Pro Bowl receiver Andre Rison was released from jail Monday after paying  #36;10,000 in child support.

Rison Free After Making Support Payment (AP)


Leaders from members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are gathering in Vientiane, capital of Laos, for a summit meeting among themselves and a series

Backgrounder: Basic facts about ASEAN


Iraq #39;s electoral commission has said it will consider a request from leading political parties to delay general elections scheduled for 30 January.

Iraq election delay  #39;considered #39;


BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq #39;s electoral commission was due to study a call by top leaders to delay the January 30 polls because of violence gripping the country, as US-led troops continued their anti-insurgency crackdown.

Iraq commission examines request to delay polls


Stephen Dodd took a three-stroke lead Friday after 36 holes of the Volvo China Open in Shanghai to stand six-under-par 138 after two rounds.

Stephen Dodd leads Volvo China Open


AFP - Southeast Asian foreign ministers said they would encourage Australia and New Zealand to accede to a non-aggression pact with their 10-nation ASEAN group that South Korea signed.

ASEAN to push Australia, New Zealand to sign non-aggression pact (AFP)


The Russian oil giant Yukos said yesterday that management was putting together an emergency plan to continue running the company for a few months, even after the auction of its prize asset in December.

Yukos plans to fix itself before auction


KINDERSLEY, SASK. - A team from Ontario has delayed the launch of its private rocket until at least January. The da Vinci Project had planned to use a gigantic balloon to lift a rocket to 24 kilometres.

Holidays disrupts launch plans for da Vinci rocket team


The Derby of Italy is back on Sunday night as Inter host arch-rivals Juventus in a do-or-die encounter for the Nerazzurri. Inter-Juventus is never an ordinary match, even when both teams are not fighting for any major honours.

Serie A Preview: Inter-Juventus


TERRIFIED police have told how they feared they would die as a rampaging mob burnt down the police station in which they were trapped on Palm Island, off north Queensland.

Rioters firebomb police station


VATICAN CITY, NOV. 25, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Theological dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches is expected to resume after the relics of Sts.

Return of Relics to Rekindle Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue


Abidjan - A United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) plane was met with gunfire and threats when it arrived in Man, western Ivory Coast, the UN said in a statement on Saturday.

UN aid plane shot at in Ivory Coast


Still home in Philly for the Thanksgiving holiday, we decided to hit the Sixers/Wizards matinee yesterday. One of the best decisions we #39;ve made in a long time.

Sixers-Wizards matinee doesn #39;t disappoint


Hurricane forecasters debate the usefulness of the  quot;skinny line quot; in tracking maps, and look at more accurate alternatives.

It may be end of line for narrow track


p2pnet.net News:-The launch of the now much-maligned Kill Jack Kennedy Again game has achieved at least one thing: Its woken the mainstream media up to the fact that video games based on giving players a way to take part in virtual murder aren #39;ta

Violent video games slammed


Little Rock-based Alltel will expand its wireless phone service in Connecticut, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas in a \$170 million deal with Cingular Wireless.

Alltel buys Cingular properties, expands network


London - Portsmouth have recovered from the shock of manager Harry Redknapp #39;s resignation in midweek to give new executive director Velimir Zajec his first win.

Pompey start life without Harry with a win


After so many signs of a fresh enthusiasm and a new sense of adventure in the England side, they ended their autumn series on a backward note, losing to the side they had beaten in the World Cup final.

Game swings back and forth as Giteau toys with England  #39;s defence


Global warming is increasingly rendering Inuit and other Arctic peoples at a loss for words. They simply do not have names in their languages for the temperate species flocking up from the south.

Climate change and unfamiliar species leave Inuit lost for words


A former US Army sergeant who defected to North Korea almost 40 years ago - has been released after serving 25 days in military detention in Japan.

US Army Deserter Jenkins Obtains Early Release from Detention in <b>...</b>


The North Carolina Tar Heels put their lackluster first half behind them. Then they did the same to Villanova. After scoring just 25 points in the first half, the No.

No. 5 North Carolina 63, No. 24 Villanova 56


New York Knicks #39; Jamal Crawford puts up a shot against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004. Crawford scored 30 points in the Knicks #39; 108-102 win.

Knicks Hold Off Raptors, 108-102


The Indian Ocean earthquake of December 2004 produced     a shockwave that created tsunamis all across the Indian Ocean. The tsunamis hammered nearby Indonesia and struck as far as     the coast of East Africa. The death toll has climbed over 100,000 and continues to grow.    It also created social shockwaves.

The Shockwaves of Sumatra


Colombia's main rebel group asked followers to mount an assassination attempt against President Bush during his visit to Colombia last week, Defense Minister Jorge Uribe said. There was no evidence Saturday that rebels even tried to organize such an attack.

Official: FARC Sought Bush Assassination


Backup quarterback Robert Lane has 205 total yards with a touchdown pass and a touchdown run in Mississippi's 20-3 win over Mississippi State on Saturday.

The Egg Goes to The Plucky Rebels


Some taxpayers have been dusting off an old Internal Revenue Service ruling about signing bonuses in baseball contracts and using it to justify skipping payroll taxes and income-tax withholding on signing bonuses generally.

Tax-Free Bonuses Tagged Out


Reuters - NASA has finished building a redesigned\space shuttle fuel tank that was reconfigured to eliminate the\debris problem that doomed the shuttle Columbia and its seven\astronauts, agency officials said on Tuesday.

NASA Finishes Redesigned Shuttle Fuel Tank (Reuters)


AP - Michael Redd scored 20 of his 29 points in the second half, Keith Van Horn added 20 points and the Milwaukee Bucks ended a six-game losing streak with a 96-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night.

Bucks Edge Pistons 96-90 (AP)


washingtonpost.com - WeatherBug wants to make meteorologists out of its users. The Internet weather service based in Gaithersburg has begun selling sensors that can turn anyone's back yard into a Web-connected weather station.

Weather Data In Your Own Back Yard (washingtonpost.com)


The team that few thought could contend for an Atlantic Coast Conference title less than two months ago is now one game away from winning it on its first try.

Virginia Tech downs Virginia, 24-10


BRUSSELS (AFP) - Eurozone figures due out this week will confirm that confidence is slumping due to high oil prices and the rise of the euro, and that inflation is easing, economists said.

Eurozone data to confirm slumping confidence, easing inflation


AFP - Russia's Yukos does not begin the week teetering on the edge of ruin where it has been for months now. The oil giant is flat on its back, gasping for its last breaths of air.

Death bell tolls for Russia's Yukos oil giant (AFP)


I change the mutual funds in my 401(k) plan about as often as the Red Sox win the World Series.

Time to look overseas for a healthier 401(k)


30-year fixed home loans remain appealing, but variable rates have been on the move up. By Sandra Block. If you #39;re hoping an adjustable-rate mortgage will help you afford your dream house, you may want to rethink those granite countertops.

Rate hikes by Fed dull ARMs #39; luster


Electrical engineering student Roozbeh Rahimi reflects a common sentiment among Iranians when he expresses hope that this famous tourist city will gain fame soon for its nuclear technology.

SAY NEIGHBORS #39; WEAPONS LEAVE THEM VULNERABLE


SAN ANTONIO - Forget about PlayStation 2 - Texas entrepreneur wants to kick computer gaming up to the next level by offering players a chance at some real-live killing via mouse and modem.

#39;SICKOS #39; HUNTING FOR DEER WITH A MOUSE


CRAWFORD, Texas As President Bush sees it,  quot;the only good deal is one that #39;s verifiable. quot;. He #39;s applauding the efforts of some European countries to get Iran to honor its commitment to refrain from developing nuclear weapons.

Bush won #39;t take Iran #39;s word for it


As if things weren #39;t bad enough for the Bowl Championship Series, it appears that Pittsburgh is going to represent the Big East with an 8-3 record.

Pitt can crash BCS with closing victory


AP - The Food and Drug Administration has given a whistle-blower scientist permission to publish data indicating that as many as 139,000 people had heart attacks that may be linked to Vioxx, the scientist's lawyer said Monday.

FDA OKs Scientist Publishing Vioxx Data (AP)


AP - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, under fire in Congress over a troubled oil program for Iraq, received some friendly advice last month in a private meeting with former U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and other foreign policy experts.

Annan Urged to Play Larger Role in Iraq (AP)


Sri Lanka #39;s army Sunday blamed theTamil Tigers for failing to attend a meeting Saturday which they had agreed to attend during a meeting with the international trucemonitors and the government troops.

Sri Lanka army blames Tamil Tigers of failing to keep pledge


AP - Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh resigned under pressure Monday after meeting with head coach Brian Billick, who finally lost patience with the team's sputtering attack.

Ravens' Offensive Coordinator Resigns (AP)


There #39;s no way No. 5 Illinois could have shredded THE Gonzaga, king of the mid-majors, the way it demolished its opponent at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Illini hit on all cylinders, zap Zags


AURORA, Ore. The National Christmas Tree Association is hoping a push of designer trees will renew consumer demand for live trees.

#39;Designer #39; Christmas tree growers target national holiday market


Last Sunday night, while announcing the suspensions of Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, Jermaine O'Neal, Ben Wallace, and others, the commissioner of the NBA, David Stern, spoke forcefully and eloquently about redefining  quot;the covenant between players and fans and between fans and fans, and making sure we can play our games in a very welcoming and peaceful setting. quot;

Game itself needs repair


Ouagadougou - Rwanda #39;s threat to launch military strikes in Democratic Republic of Congo would be motivated by the abundant mineral wealth in its giant western neighbour not by the desire to attack Hutu fighters based there, a Congolese diplomat said here

Rwandan  #39;motivated by riches #39;


AP - Weaker-than-expected holiday shopping forced Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Saturday to cut its projected sales increase for November by more than half, an ominous announcement for retailers as their busiest time of year begins.

Wal-Mart Move Ominous Sign for Retailers (AP)


FRANCE #39;S Russian-born Tatiana Golovin left the Fed Cup final hanging in the balance today as she beat Russia #39;s US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-1 to level the tie at 2-2 and take it to the final doubles match.

Fed Cup all tied up


Reuters - The leader of Sinn Fein, Northern\Ireland's main Catholic party and the political ally of the\Irish Republican Army (IRA), said Sunday he believed his\Protestant rivals were ready to agree to a peace deal.

Sinn Fein Says N.Irish Deal Nears; No Bush Call (Reuters)


AP - Annika Sorenstam calmly sank a short birdie putt on the ninth hole, earning a hug from Tiger Woods. More importantly, it kept  #36;250,000 in play in the Skins Game.

Sorenstam's Putt Sets Up  #36;300K Skin (AP)


Patrick Ramsey makes his first second start of the season as the Redskins face the AFC North-leading Steelers at a sloppy Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

Redskins, Steelers Underway


Jermain Defoe underlined his claims for an improved contract as he inspired Tottenham to a 2-0 win against 10-man Middlesbrough. New coach Martin Jol, who secured his first win in charge, may have been helped

DEFOE DRIVES SPURS HOME


Arsenal dropped five points behind Chelsea in the English Premier League on Sunday after losing 2-1 to Liverpool on an injury-time goal by Neil Mellor.

Arsenal loses again in Premier League


November 27, 2004 - Things aren #39;t looking good for the PSP over in Japan. Well... maybe that #39;s not exactly true. If you #39;re Sony, and you want to generate lots of hype for your new portable system, things are looking very good.

Trouble in PSP Land


Reuters - Holiday shopping got off to a flying\start in the United States this weekend.

Retail Sees Solid, Not Stellar, Holidays (Reuters)


AP - Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair hinted Sunday that his 10th season in the NFL could be his last.

Titans' McNair Hints at Retiring From NFL (AP)


Drew Bledsoe went all the way home to Washington state to help the Buffalo Bills collect a rare road win. Willis McGahee had 116 yards rushing and four touchdowns, leading Buffalo to a 38-9 win over Seattle

Bills 38, Seahawks 9


GORDON BROWN faces a new warning today that he will have to raise taxes by 7 billion or cut swaths of government spending if Labour wins next years general election.

CBI calls for cuts in spending to reduce borrowing


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The San Diego Chargers players couldn #39;t quite believe what they were hearing, nor would many in the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium if they were privy to it.

Surprise Chargers #39; air power changing Marty #39;s stripes


Reuters - The Chicago Bears are expected\to sign quarterback Jeff George on Monday.

Bears Set to Sign QB Jeff George (Reuters)


At about the moment a melee broke out on the Giants #39; sideline Sunday - after Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter hit Giants quarterback Eli Manning out of bounds

Giants #39; Frustration Seeps to Surface as Slide Continues


Dont buy that high-definition TV yet. Competition may force the prices down further.

Signs of a Glut and Lower Prices on Thin TV's


Holiday shoppers spent 10 percent more Friday than they did a year ago, according to early reports, but Wal-Mart Stores Inc. dampened hopes for a strong start to the key retail season by

Holiday Shoppers Off to a Fast Start


It wasn #39;t just to resuscitate one of the league #39;s worst rushing games. It was to make Dillon and that dreadful rushing attack allies when the weather and/or the opponent demanded it -- which they did Sunday

Hard-running Dillon #39;s difference in making champs even tougher


By rushing more than 700 products under the American Chopper brand as part of a new in-house licensing program, the cable channel is relying more heavily on licensing to market shows.

Discovery Channel Tests Power of Licensing


Senior officials of 143 governments are calling for the total ban of production and use of anti-personnel landmine. Senior government officials of 143 countries across the world

Int #39;l conference calls for mine-free world


Cambodia has been active and playing an increasingly important role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and regional affairs politically and economically

Cambodia plays active role in ASEAN


At least 14 people sustained injuries when a strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 hit a sparsely populated area of Japan #39;s northernmost main island of Hokkaido.

Tremor shook Japan


Sandora Irvin had 23 points and 17 rebounds and TCU upset a ranked team for the second night in a row, beating Michigan State (No.

GAME DAY RECAP Sunday, November 28


Dolphins 24, 49ers 17 The Dolphins spent the holiday week eating room service food and practising thousands of kilometres from home, all to prove they were the best of the NFL #39;s worst two teams.

Fish top 49ers in Brutal Bowl


EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Philadelphia Eagles won a fourth consecutive NFC East title by making Eli Manning look very much like a rookie.

Eagles 27, Giants 6


Colombian rebels plotted to assassinate George Bush during his brief stopover in the port of Cartagena last week, according to the country #39;s defence minister.

Colombia reveals plot to assassinate Bush


FOXBOROUGH -- Though more than \$300 million was invested in the construction of Gillette Stadium, part of it going to a state-of-the-art drainage system, the playing surface reminds Tom Brady of his high school field in San Mateo, Calif.

Quarterback Brady enjoyed a field day


BAGHDAD -- Iraq's most feared terrorist group claimed responsibility yesterday for slaughtering members of the Iraqi security forces in Mosul, where dozens of bodies have been found. The claim raises fears the group has expanded to the north after the loss of its purported base in Fallujah.

Zarqawi group claims Mosul killings


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

Clearest view yet of Saturn #39;s largest moon


Serie A leader Juventus wasted a two-goal lead in the second half and was held to a 2-2 draw by Inter Milan at San Siro on Sunday, losing ground to defending champion AC Milan.

ITA: Juventus blows 2-goal lead againt Inter Milan


Wal-Mart, the world #39;s largest retailer, has lowered its November growth forecast amid concerns that fuel costs may slow down Christmas retail sales.

Wal-Mart reduces sales forecast


Iraq is planning to spend more than \$1 billion in 2005 to boost its oil production capacity by about 15 percent to 3.25 million barrels a day, an Iraqi official said.

Iraq to spend \$1 billion to expand oil production


The Palestinians will not accept an interim settlement with Israel, Palestine Liberation Organization chief Mahmoud Abbas told the Arab League during a visit to Egypt yesterday.

PA #39;s Abbas rules out interim deal with Israel


Epson's Photo Fine technology promises vivid, crisp colors on digital camera LCDs.

Brighter Previews for Your Pictures


Belkin's Pre-N wireless networking line also dramatically improves range--even for 802.11b and 802.11g gear.

New Wi-Fi Nearly Doubles Speed


PARIS -- US diplomats here respond to Jacques Chirac #39;s continued Yankee-bashing following George W. Bush #39;s re-election by saying the French president is out of step with his people, who are not nearly that anti-American.

France #39;s American problem


Google wants to help you effectively access the piles of information you store in the documents, e-mail messages, Web pages, and contact lists stuffed on your PC.

Google Stumbles With New Desktop Tool


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices slid 3 percent on Monday on  expectations that more mild U.S. weather at the start of the  New Year will limit heating oil demand.

Oil Down 3 Pct. as U.S. Winter Stays Mild


Rendezvous quot; for the docking techniques he developed while at MIT earning his PhD in astronautics. Lessig: Technology over ideology!

The Next Giant Leap


Description: Researchers flooded the Colorado River last week, in an attempt to reverse erosion in the Grand Canyon. NPR #39;s Liane Hansen speaks to Denny Fenn, director of the Southwest Biological Science Center, about the experiment #39;s preliminary findings.

Planned Grand Canyon Flood Seeks to Reverse Erosion


ISLAMABAD - Pakistan test-fired a short-range missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons on Monday, and said more tests are planned.

Pakistan tests nuclear-capable missile


Denmark #39;s leading telecoms operator TDC says it will launch a low-budget mobile telephone operator dubbed  quot;easyMobile quot; with mobile network operator T-Mobile in Britain in March 2005.

EasyMobile launch set for March


Renee McDonald remembers the Christmas trees of her youth: spindly, fake and out of a box. They were hard to put up, and they just didn #39;t smell right.

More buyers choose artificial


IBM, Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp. on Monday unveiled some key details on the powerful new  quot;Cell quot; processor the three are jointly producing to run next-generation computers, game consoles and TVs.

Chip power, times 10


Paid inclusion (PI) has always been a hot potato. It #39;s not quite SEO (define) and not quite search advertising. No one wants to touch it.

SEO #39;s Multiplying Effect on Paid Inclusion


South Africa #39;s Schalk Burger has been honoured as international rugby #39;s player of the year in 2004. The Springboks, the reigning Tri Nations champions, also scooped the awards for Team of the Year and Coach

Burger and Boks get IRB gongs


Anastasia Myskina capped a magnificent year for Russian tennis by leading her country to their first Fed Cup title with a dramatic win over holders France.

Myskina caps magnificent year for Russia


Major movie studious Paramount, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and New Line Cinema all said today that they have adopted the new high definition DVD disc format (HD-DVD), and will begin issuing movie titles in the new format in 2005.

Universal, Warner Bros, Paramount, and New Line Support HD-DVD


com November 29, 2004, 8:33 AM PT. Wired  amp; Wireless continues its reign as the top IT priority among IT managers due to widespread IP telephony deployment and other network infrastructure upgrades.

MetroPCS obtains Cingular air


Corey Dillon keeps piling up the rushing yards for the Patriots, but he could care less. What Dillon wants to pile up is wins. He #39;s doing that, too, in his

Dillon enjoys a grand time


Halsey Minor, CEO of hosted integration provider grand central Communications, has a powerful message for IT: In four years, ... basically the whole notion of enterprise application software is going to be dead. He believes application functionality will instead be available as hosted, pay-per-use services delivered by companies such as Salesforce.com. Putting his money where his mouth is, Minor has recently launched a \$50 million venture capital fund with his own money to fuel on-demand startups. For its part, Grand Central will handle data and process integration between enterprises and multiple on-demand services.

Is this the end of IT as we know it?


Mamma Search is Buying Copernic\\Mamma.com Inc., the paid search company, and Copernic Technologies Inc. announced that Mamma has signed a letter of intent where they will acquire all of the shares of Copernic Technologies for a combination of cash and shares of Mamma.com Inc. The closing of the acquisition will ...

Mamma Search is Buying Copernic


AFP - Toshiba said four major Hollywood studios had thrown their crucial weight behind High Definition DVD (HD-DVD), one of two disc formats contending to be the standard in next-generation DVDs.

Toshiba claims Hollywood backing in war for next DVD standard (AFP)


Toronto #39;s Major League Baseball franchise finally has a nest it can call its own. Blue Jays-owner Rogers Communications has reached a \$25 million deal to buy the SkyDome.

Toronto #39;s SkyDome sold for \$25 million


AP - The Supreme Court on Monday sidestepped a dispute over gay marriages, rejecting a challenge to the nation's only law sanctioning such unions.

Court Declines to Hear Gay Marriage Case (AP)


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Monday  narrowly survived three parliamentary no-confidence votes  sponsored by opposition parties over deepening poverty in  Israel.

Sharon Survives 3 Parliament No-Confidence Votes


BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania faced weeks of uncertainty on  Monday after inconclusive general elections in the poor Balkan  country, already struggling to stay on track to join the  European Union.  Partial results showed the ruling ex-communist Social Democrats  (PSD) of Prime Minister Adrian Nastase a whisker ahead of the  opposition centrists in Sunday's election but well short of a  majority in parliament.

Romania Faces Hung Parliament Risk After Vote


The maneuver frees the hatch on the docking station that the crew members will use for work sorties in January and March. In addition, the launch of an unmanned Progress cargo ship has been postponed one day to December 24.

Space Station Crew Moves Rescue Capsule


Telekom Austria, Austrias largest telecoms operator, obtained access to the relatively underdeveloped East European mobile services market by winning the right to purchase the Bulgarian mobile operator MobilTel for 1.6billion (\$2.12billion).

Telekom Austria taps the Bulgarian market


The Philippine economy continued to grow robustly in the third quarter despite rising consumer prices, with the gross domestic product expanding by 6.3 per cent from a year ago

Philippines GDP grows 6.3 on strong exports


RICHARD Green is campaigning for a fair go for players in a bid to make home tour tournaments more exciting this summer. Green blasted the brutal course set-up for last week #39;s Australian Open, claiming it

Tough courses  #39;killing excitement #39;


PNC Financial Services says the luxury cars and vintage watch would cost you just as much as all the gifts listed in the Christmas carol  quot;The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Cost of  #39;12 Days of Christmas #39; now is \$66,000


Merck  amp; Co., seeking to keep managers from leaving after the withdrawal of its Vioxx painkiller, adopted a plan to give severance payments to more than 200 executives should control of the company change.

Merck #39;s Board Adopts Severance Plan for Top Officials (Update5)


RESCUE workers will know this morning if their attempts to save whales beached yesterday on Maria Island, off Tasmania #39;s east coast, were successful.

Anxious wait for whale rescuers


Reuters - Pakistani President Pervez\Musharraf said on Monday there were prospects for resolving all\disputes with India, including over Kashmir, through peace\talks now under way.

Musharraf Sees 'Light at End of Tunnel' with India (Reuters)


A drop in engineering degrees combined with a fall-off in foreign students matriculating at U.S. colleges spells big trouble ahead.

A U.S. brain drain?


Bolton #39;s El-Hadji Diouf has been charged by the Football Association for spitting at Portsmouth #39;s Arjan de Zeeuw in Saturday #39;s 1-0 win for Pompey.

Diouf Charged After Spitting Row


President Bush on Monday chose Carlos Gutierrez, the Cuban-born CEO of Kellogg Co (KN: Quote, Profile, Research) , as his nominee to be commerce secretary, his second selection of a Hispanic for a second-term Cabinet.

Bush Picks Kellogg CEO for Commerce


Reuters - IBM , Sony Corp. (6758.T) and\Toshiba Corp. (6502.T) on Monday revealed their plans for the\powerful new

Sony, IBM, Toshiba Give Details of 'Cell' Chip (Reuters)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush on Monday chose  Carlos Gutierrez, the Cuban-born CEO of Kellogg Co, as his  nominee to be commerce secretary, his second selection of a  Hispanic for a second-term Cabinet.

Bush Picks Kellogg CEO for Commerce


\\Interesting data  this morning (thanks Dan ) on weblogs:\\

Pew Weblog Statistics


Sudan reverses its decision to expel Oxfam and Save the Children's local heads, accused of political meddling.

Sudan backtracks on aid workers


Korea and Singapore sealed a free-trade agreement yesterday that covers nine broad areas, including electronics, finance and intellectual property rights.

South Korea, Singapore seal free-trade pact


Jordan #39;s Prince Hamzah says he is conceding to the wish of King Abdullah II to strip him of his crown as heir to the throne.  quot;I obey the command of my elder brother out of my loyalty, love

Jordan prince loses succession


Deutsche Bank AG #39;s C\$900 million (\$759 million) proposal to provide financing to Stelco Inc. was approved by an Ontario judge over the objections of rival bidders and Stelco #39;s unions.

Stelco Financing by Deutsche Bank Gets Court Approval (Update2)


Sun Microsystemshas agreed to purchase Ashburn, Virginia, IT services company SevenSpace, the companies announced Monday. With the purchase, Sun takes a further step away from its traditional focus on supporting only its Solaris operating system platform and beefs up its support for competing operating systems like Windows, HP-UX and AIX.

Sun acquisition to boost IT services portfolio


Six players from both Clemson and South Carolina will be suspended for one game next season for their participation in a brawl near the end of the rivalry game November 20th.

Six players suspended for one game


The Boston Red Sox have signed backup catcher Doug Mirabelli to a two-year deal worth \$3 million, making him the first of the World Series champions #39; 16 free agents to re-sign.

Bosox strike deal with Mirabelli; Yanks, Flaherty close


Iraqi forces, whose performance is crucial to securing January elections, are riddled with problems, say local U.S. officials.

Iraqi Forces Foundering in Face of Killings and Threats by Rebels


AP - The Atlantic Coast Conference's record run of seven ranked teams came to an end Monday.

ACC Loses 2 Ranked Teams; Big East Get 2 (AP)


Not to be left out of desktop search, two search vendors on Monday leaped into the growing space for managing e-mail, documents and other hard-drive data.

Autonomy, Mamma.com Join Desktop Search Ranks


Hawaiian Airlines is putting up impressive numbers, including some that really matter to travelers.

America's Best Airline?


AP - Mark Haymore, who played on Indiana's unbeaten 1976 NCAA championship team before transferring to Massachusetts, has died. He was 48.

Former Basketball Player Found Dead (AP)


Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said Monday he would not oppose Turkish European Union accession talks provided Turkey met European standards.

Cyprus says could support Turkey EU bid


AP - Earl Boykins scored 22 points to help the Denver Nuggets overcome the absence of Carmelo Anthony and defeat the New Orleans Hornets 76-67 on Monday night.

Nuggets Knock Off Hornets 76-67 (AP)


Clent Stewart scored a career-high 15 points and Kansas State used stifling defense for a 76-42 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Monday.

Kansas State 76, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 42


TOKYO - Japan #39;s top cell phone operator NTT DoCoMo Inc. and major British mobile carrier mm02 plc reached an agreement that will allow mobile telephone users in Britain, Germany, and Ireland to surf the Internet on the handsets, DoCoMo said Tuesday.

NTT DoCoMo, Mm02 Sign Deal


The second-ranked Jayhawks can redeem themselves for one of their most frustrating losses last season Monday when they welcome the Wolf Pack to Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas Gets Chance For Revenge Against Nevada The Jayhawks were <b>...</b>


Gold Fields Ltd. won an appeal on Friday in its battle to stave off a hostile \$7.1 billion takeover by Harmony Gold Mining Co. that would create the world #39;s largest gold mining company.

Gold Fields wins appeal to fight takeover


Four film studios are expected to release movies on the new HD format in the last quarter of 2005. TOKYO (Reuters) - Toshiba Corp.

Toshiba wins HD DVD support


US scientists had made a breakthrough in their quest to make low-cost hydrogen, a technology key to finding new sources of energy to end US dependence on foreign oil, they said.

#39;Breakthrough #39; on hydrogen fuel


AP - A Pentagon spokesman said Monday that Red Cross officials have

Pentagon Disputes Red Cross Criticism (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Advertisers may have been bitten once  by an indecency scandal at the 2004 Super Bowl, but they are  not shy about getting back into the game for the next U.S.  football championship.

Super Bowl Advertisers Still in the Game After Scandal


Initial versions of PlayStation 3 chip will not be produced with a cutting-edge chip-making technology. The four companies developing the Cell consumer electronics microprocessor released a few more details

Sony, IBM, and Toshiba Reveal Additional Details on Cell Chip


President Jacques Chirac passed his 72nd birthday yesterday locked in a struggle to maintain his relevance in the face of an intraparty challenge and continuing friction with the world #39;s only superpower.

Chirac puts retirement on hold


BRUSSELS: Turkey will have to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, if only tacitly, if it wants to begin membership negotiations with the European Union, according to a draft document that was leaked here Monday.

EU draft draws fire in Turkey


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Brett Favre celebrated his 200th  consecutive start by throwing three touchdown passes as the  Green Bay Packers destroyed the St. Louis Rams 45-17 at Lambeau  Field Monday.

Brett Favre Shines as Green Bay Mauls St. Louis


Japan's industrial production falls in October while unemployment rises, providing more evidence of a slowdown in the world's second largest economy.

Industrial output falls in Japan


NO. 2 KANSAS 85, NEVADA 52: At Lawrence, Kan. - Wayne Simien had his third double-double in as many games and Kansas routed Nevada on Monday night, avenging an embarrassing loss of a year ago.

Kansas, Oklahoma State cruise to easy victories


Nurse Teresa Mazeika has known the woman knitting in the blue reclining chair for months. But she asks Carolyn Harlow her name and birthday anyway, as she approaches with chemotherapy for Harlow's blood cancer. Mazeika, a 17-year nursing veteran at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, isn't taking any chances that she is about to give the drug to the wrong patient.

With work, Dana-Farber learns from '94 mistakes


India lost two wickets on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata today. South Africa bounced back from a miserable day on the field yesterday to remove the dangerous

Day 3: Dravid, Ganguly take charge


AP - Hours after a tsunami flattened south Asia beaches  #151; a magnet for thousands of vacationing Swedes  #151; the Swedish foreign minister went to the theater.

Swedes Blast Gov't Response to Tsunami (AP)


LIMA, Peru (Reuters) - Peruvian authorities on Monday  launched an offensive to retake a police station and end a  three-day siege by former soldiers in a southern Andean town.

Peru Launches Offensive to Retake Siege Town


Theres still one more domino to fall, but today the University of Connecticut football team is expected to be invited and accept an invitation to play in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit on Dec. 27.

UConn awaiting invite to Motor City Bowl


David Dubois scored a game-high 17 points as Maine held on for a 58-52 men's basketball victory over Dartmouth last night at Hanover, N.H.

Dubois helps Maine top Dartmouth


The newly-created oil unit of Russian gas monopoly OAO Gazprom, Gazpromneft, will take part in the auction of the embattled Yukos oil company #39;s largest unit, Yuganskneftegaz, Dow Jones NewsWires reported Tuesday, citing the news agency Prime-Tass.

Update 2: Report: Gazprom to Take Part in Yukos Sale


Citigroup #39;s top executive in Japan endured unprecedented questioning by lawmakers on Tuesday over a scandal at the firm #39;s private bank in the country, the latest turn in a high-profile case that has embarrassed the world #39;s biggest

Lawmakers Grill Citigroup Japan Chief


This is the way Mets fans wanted their team to do it with Vladimir Guerrero and Alex Rodriguez. They wanted the general manager of the moment, Steve Phillips or Jim Duquette, to get in there early.

Minaya ahead in count even if he strikes out


Reuters - A car bomb exploded near a U.S.\military patrol in the town of Baiji, north of Baghdad, on\Tuesday, killing at least seven Iraqis and wounding 20 people,\including two U.S. soldiers, doctors and the military said.

Car Bomb North of Baghdad Kills 7, Wounds 19 (Reuters)


ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's acting president signed a  bill on Tuesday that will allow military ruler Pervez Musharraf  to stay on as army chief despite his pledge to quit the office  by the end of the year.

Musharraf Can Be Pakistan President and Army Chief


At the airport, you hear all of the usual explanations: bad weather, mechanical difficulties, no crew available. But now there #39;s another excuse you might hear as times get tougher for cash

Plane repos ready to take flight


UK house prices unexpectedly rose in November at the fastest pace since July, reinforcing expectations real estate values will level out, avoiding a collapse from records, according to Nationwide Building Society.

UK House Prices Rise at Fastest Pace Since July (Update3)


Reuters - Wall Street was set for a flat start on\Tuesday as investors braced themselves for a slew of data, with\a steadier dollar helping to offset the impact of firmer crude\oil prices.

Wall Street Set for a Flat Start (Reuters)


AFP - Recovery in the eurozone is battling higher oil prices and a rising euro as monetary union has so far failed to spur sustained economic dynamism in the 12 nations using the single European currency, the OECD revealed.

Eurozone recovery struggles as monetary union fails to yield results: OECD (AFP)


The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said that it will hold a lunchtime press conference on Tuesday to discuss the controversial public spat between its leader Zwelinzima Vavi and the African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson

Cosatu to meet over conflict with ANC


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

REL asks quitting directors to rethink


AFP - French auto giant Renault SA said it will invest some 570 million dollars in South Korea over the next three years as part of its global strategy to become a key player in Asia, notably China.

Renault unveils investment plan for Asian hub in South Korea (AFP)


US economic growth will slow to 3.3 per cent in 2005, more than a full percentage point below this year, with the effect of high energy prices dragging on the economy for the next few quarters, the OECD said on Tuesday.

OECD tips US growth slowdown in 2005


Launches OpenView Automation Manager, Service Desk version 5.0 and partnership with Cisco for reselling HP management software. MADRID: Hewlett Packard has launched its HP OpenView Automation Manager that

HP releases new products for enterprises


More than 300 people died after flash floods and landslides devastated three coastal towns and left swathes of the northern Philippines under water on Tuesday.

Philippine Floods Kill Hundreds


Clayton, Dubilier  amp; Rice Inc. is leading a 2.6 billion-euro (\$3.45 billion) buyout of an electrical- equipment supplier from France #39;s Pinault-Printemps-Redoute SA, the New York-based firm #39;s third European acquisition this year.

Clayton Offers to Buy Rexel for 2.6 Billion Euros (Update5)


Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf was cited for improper conduct by the Football Association on Monday after spitting in the face of an opponent.

Football Association charges Bolton striker over spitting incident


US meat processor Smithfield Foods has reported higher second-quarter earnings, as higher hog prices offset lower pork margins and a loss in its beef operations.

USA: Smithfield Foods reports higher Q2 earnings


The deal, which was leaked to the press last week, will see the UK-based mobile operator deliver data services -- such as games, ringtones and entertainment -- through a platform that has been credited with making NTT DoCoMo the force that it is in

O2 to roll out i-mode


New software allows recipients of spam to band together to target known websites behind the messages. The idea is to bombard the sites with messages, slowing them down and making them more expensive to run.

Screensaver Strikes Back at Spammers


Reuters - Bipolar disorder, a sometimes\misdiagnosed mental illness characterized by wide emotional\swings, may be identifiable by chemical abnormalities visible\in victims' brains, researchers said on Tuesday.

Study: Brain Scan Helps Diagnose Bipolar Disorder (Reuters)


AP - A former bodyguard of Princess Diana on Tuesday dismissed her claim that one of her lovers was

Princess Di's Ex-Bodyguard Disputes Claim (AP)


Microsoft watched a software deal with China go bust less than two weeks into the contract. And Beijing is pushing its government IT officials to buy local. But China remains a vibrant market where tech firms have to stay in play. <FONT face=

Tech Firms Keep Riding Chinese Tiger


quot;Over the past two-and-a-half years the football club have currently paid 11.5million on transfer fees, loan fees and appearance payments to clubs for 25 players.

Milan Mandaric statement


Security company F-Secure warned of a variant on the Skulls Trojan horse that infects smart phones running the Symbian operating system.

Cell Phone Virus Mutates, Carries Payload


Harry Redknapp maintained on Tuesday that he had nothing to hide from the transfer deals conducted at Portsmouth during his time as manager.

Redknapp and Mandaric clear the air


A Canadian inventor has created Internet-based technology that could soon see regular computer users acting as armchair spies. Vincent Tao, an engineer at Toronto #39;s York University

Log on to be a satellite spy


Sharman Networks, the company behind the Kazaa peer-to-peer file sharing software, began its defense in a Sydney court room on Tuesday against charges by members of the music industry that the company aided music piracy and copyright infringement.

Sharman begins defense in Kazaa case


No Ahman Green, no problem. At least that #39;s what it looked like on Monday night, as the Green Bay Packers ran roughshod over the St.

Najeh to the rescue for Packers


Pressure from an Islamic group halts a women's swimming contest in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh bars female swim


A steady growth in legal music downloads continues while illegal file sharing networks also flourish, analysts say.

Music sharing continues to thrive


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

Prosecutor: Pacers Players to Be Charged (AP)


The damage to exports caused by a stronger euro has been played down by a member of the European Central Bank #39;s governing council in remarks highlighting the bank #39;s limited concern about the currency #39;s rise.

Impact of euro played down


Italy ground to a halt as millions of workers observed a general strike in protest against the economic policies of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi #39;s centre-right government.

Chercher dans toute l #39;actualit


Shares of Oragenics Inc. jumped after the biotechnology company reported Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration allowed it to proceed with safety trials on a lifelong tooth decay protection rinse that

Oragenics Shares Up on FDA Clearance


Australia wrapped up a 2-0 win in the series after beating New Zealand by 213 runs on the fifth day of the second and final cricket Test on Tuesday.

Australia give their neighbours no mercy


Oil prices fell on Tuesday as an expected increase in US heating fuel supplies eased concerns over an inventory crunch should this winter #39;s weather prove colder than normal.

Oil Prices Slip, Winter Supplies Seen Up


In what would be the largest European leveraged buyout of the year, Clayton Dubilier  amp; Rice has teamed with Merrill Lynch  amp; Co.

Clayton Dubilier, Merrill team in \$3.4B buyout


(CBS) Newly-surfaced videotapes of the late Princess Diana address her sometimes bizarre relationship with Prince Charles. The tapes were recorded by Diana #39;s voice coach, Peter Settelen.

Ex-Guard Speaks Out About Di Tapes


Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh says he thinks Shoaib Akhtar will test the home side when it tackles Pakistan at the WACA. Having recently watched Australia end a 35-year hoodoo in India with a 2-1 series

Waugh: Shoaib will test Australians


Court-appointed referees recommended the state pay an additional \$14 billion over four years to improve New York City schools.

Panel Urges N.Y. to Pay \$14 Billion More for City Schools


Small, warty, and poisonous enough to kill crocodiles, the cane toad has wreaked havoc in parts of Australia. Experts say climate change is benefiting the invasive species.

Poison Toads Leap Across Australia


NEW YORK: The NASD yesterday said it censured and fined 29 securities firms a total of \$US9.22 (\$NZ13.04) million for failing to properly disclose required information about their brokers more than 8300 times.

Merrill, Wachovia, others fined for late reporting


As expected, Ubisoft today announced its plans to launch a new Tom Clancy #39;s Rainbow Six title on PS2, Xbox and PC. Rainbow Six 4 will introduce a new single player experience with a personal darker storyline

Tom Clancy #39;s Rainbow Six 4 Announced


A new application from Lycos Europe aims to fight back against spammers, but some experts say the company may be enabling illegal activities.

Lycos Europe Pushes Limits in Anti-Spam Fight


Really. We mean it. Finally, a legit way to peek into your personal financial file.

Click Here for a Free Credit Report


FORMER Rangers, Everton and Scotland captain Richard Gough has been appointed as the new manager of troubled Scottish Premier League outfit Livingston.

Gough new Livi boss


Boise State accepts a bid Tuesday to play Louisville in the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31, in a matchup of the nation's top two offenses.

Cardinals to Play Broncos


LONDON, November 30 (newratings.com) - Pinault-Printemps Redoute SA (PPX.FSE) plans to sell its controlling stake in the electrical parts distributor, Rexel (RXL), to a group of private firms for 1.92 billion (\$2.55 billion).

Pinault-Printemps Redoute to sell holding in Rexel


Kim Jong Il dials back his personality cult as protest activities pick up.

Shifting signs in North Korea


Mobile phones running Symbian's Series 60 operating system are the target of a new strain of the Skulls Trojan horse program. The new Trojan comes with the Cabir.B worm, which, unlike the first version of the virus, can spread to other phones within reach of Bluetooth broadcasting range.

New strain of Skulls Trojan hits smart phones


At least 100 Delta Air Lines (nyse: DAL - news - people ) pilots are expected to retire effective Wednesday. That #39;s the starting date for the 32.5 pay cut agreed upon under Chief Executive Gerald Grinstein #39;s master plan.

Grinstein: Delta Pilots #39; Retirement Exodus Likely On Wednesday


AP - With an offer in hand from the New York Mets, Pedro Martinez will wait to see what the New York Yankees do before deciding where he'll play next year.

Pedro Waits to Learn of Yankees' Interest (AP)


AP - In setting limits on chemicals in food and water, the Environmental Protection Agency may rely on industry tests that expose people to poisons and raise ethical questions.

EPA May Conduct Human Tests for Chemicals (AP)


In Putins Russia Gazprom is by no means a mere natural monopoly, nor a newly established ministry for oil and gas. Gazprom is an instrument of public administration just like the pro-Kremlin United Russia

The Kremlins Leviathan


Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has raised the stakes before the Carling Cup clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford, by claiming that Chelsea are now the team to beat.

Ferguson stirs the pot ahead of Arsenal visit


This Nasa image shows Saturn #39;s lonely moon Mimas (R) seen against the blue-streaked backdrop of Saturn #39;s northern hemisphere.

US-European mission explores Saturn #39;s moon mysteries


SAN FRANCISCO, CA - November 30, 2004 -Ubisoft, one of the world #39;s largest video game publishers, today announced its plans to launch the next installment in the Tom Clancy #39;s Rainbow SixR franchise for the Sony PlayStationR2 computer entertainment system

New Rainbow Six Franchise for Spring 2005


Tyler Hamilton, who won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in Athens, was fired last Thursday by Phonak, his Swiss cycling team, two months after testing positive for illegal blood transfusions.

With Ban Pending, Hamilton Loses Ride


BEREA, Ohio (Ticker) - One day after admitting that his shaky job status was a  quot;distraction quot; to his players, Butch Davis resigned as coach of the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.

Browns coach Davis resigns; Robiskie named interim coach


After his son's life was ended by an American bullet, an Iraqi insurgent undertook a harrowing escape to a lonely exile in Baghdad, where he waits to fight another day.

Son Is Gone but Fervor Remains After Fallujah


Securities regulators gave more than 2,000 public companies a brief reprieve from new rules requiring them to assess the strength of their financial safeguards.

SEC Delays Reviews for Some Firms


Consumers and businesses boosted their spending a bit more quickly in late summer than previously thought, fueling faster overall economic growth, the government reported Tuesday.

U.S. Increases Growth Estimate For 3rd Quarter


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

Spurs 107, Mavericks 89


CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. regulators warned Cyberonics Inc.  <A HREF=

FDA Warns Cyberonics on Manufacturing


The Bush administration yesterday said Chinese and Vietnamese shrimp are sold at unfairly low prices in the United States, siding with US fishermen as they try to fend off overseas competition.

Bush shields shrimp industry


Reuters - Oil prices edged below  #36;49 a barrel\on Wednesday as traders looked ahead to an expected build in\weekly U.S. inventory data that would help bolster the thin\supply cushion ahead of peak northern winter demand.

Oil Prices Edge Below  #36;49 a Barrel (Reuters)


The old axiom is that it doesn #39;t matter how many shots you miss; if you #39;re a shooter, you have to keep shooting. Jamal Crawford missed 21 shots against the Atlanta Hawks last

Knicks: Crawford hits the one that counts


TONY EASTLEY: For years Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir blocked Australia #39;s closer involvement with the ASEAN group of nations.

Australia embraced by Malaysia at ASEAN summit


Seems that the Bush administration, unlike previous White Houses, is not necessarily averse to allowing its ambassadors to have second tours. For example, word is that    John     Thomas

Terms of Endearment


AP - Investigators picked through the wreckage of an Indonesian passenger plane that crashed in stormy weather, killing at least 32 people in the county's worst air accident in six years.

Cause of Indonesian Plane Crash Probed (AP)


MARAGUNDON, Philippines -- A powerful rainstorm triggered landslides and flash floods that killed nearly 340 people in the eastern Philippines, officials said yesterday, and rescuers raced to save those stranded in three coastal towns before a typhoon strikes the hard-hit region.

Landslides, floods kill nearly 340 in Philippines


Early next year, the computer maker will begin selling software designed to slow the spread of viruses from its ProLiant servers and ProCurve networking equipment, an HP executive said on Tuesday.

#39;Throttle #39; viruses with software


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

Eurostocks Nudge Up on Ericsson


NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has again dismissed proposals by the players #39; union for a luxury tax as the sport #39;s lockout continues.

Bettman stands firm in dispute


WASHINGTON - November was the bloodiest month for US troops in Iraq since April, with at least 135 losing their lives and more than 50 falling in the two-week battle to evict insurgents from Fallujah.

Pentagon #39;s death toll in Iraq rising


BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Union #39;s executive commission said Wednesday it would open legal proceedings against Greece for its sloppy bookkeeping and underreporting its budget deficit by billions of euros between 1997 and 2003.

EU to Pursue Legal Action Against Greece


The lifespan of a poorly protected PC connected to the Internet is a mere four minutes, research released Tuesday claimed. After that, it #39;s owned by a hacker.

Unprotected PCs Fall To Hacker Bots In Just Four Minutes


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks to watch on Wednesday: IBM  CORP. <A HREF=

Stocks to Watch on Dec. 1


Just weeks before the historic second flight of SpaceShipOne -- a trip that won him the \$10 million X Prize -- Burt Rutan, the ship's designer and builder, sat down for a chat with Wired magazine. Here's what he said.

After the X Prize


IT was a match that didn #39;t run to the script but this is the land where life often imitates the silver screen. And for 64 minutes yesterday the USA Tomahawks were pure Hollywood

Co-stars nearly steal show


The last novel by the author Iris Murdoch reveals the first signs of Alzheimer's disease, experts say.

Murdoch novel reveals Alzheimer's


Bob Briggs wifes family has owned about 1,000 acres of redwood forest off Waddell Creek since 1913. He doesnt clearcut, and logs about once a decade.

Local group joins suit to de-list endangered species


DECEMBER 01, 2004 (REUTERS) - Cingular Wireless LLC, the largest US wireless telephone company, said yesterday that it would upgrade its network next year to handle high-speed data transmissions.

Cingular to upgrade wireless data network


Consumers spent briskly in October and the nation #39;s manufacturers saw robust activity in November, encouraging signs that the last quarter of this year is shaping up nicely.

Consumer Spending Up, Manufacturing Gains


Cassini pierced the ring plane and rounded Saturn on Oct. 27, 2004, capturing this view of the dark portion of the rings. A portion of the planet #39;s atmosphere is visible here, as is its shadow on the surface of the rings.

NASA Cassini Image: Gazing Down at Saturn #39;s Rings


UNITED NATIONS, New York The United Nations has proposed the most sweeping changes in its history, recommending the overhaul of its top decision-making group, the Security Council, and holding out the possibility that it could grant legitimacy to pre

UN panel proposes sweeping changes


AP - Florida's 67 county elections supervisors proposed dramatic reforms, including replacing Election Day with 11 days of voting and doing away with voting precincts.

Florida Election Supervisors Back Reforms (AP)


SPACE.com - BOULDER, Colo. -- Moviegoers may recall it as that nifty bit of high-speed technology used in 2010: The Year We Make Contact --  the space age equivalent of playing air bag bumper car with Jupiter.

Fly Higher, Fly Lighter: 'Ballute' Technology Aimed at Moon Missions (SPACE.com)


A US dictionary publisher declares

Why 2004 was the year of the blog


IPod owners can download the Band Aid single after Apple reaches agreement with the charity.

iTunes now selling Band Aid song


Microsoft has sued eight US computer resellers who it says bought or sold counterfeit Certificate of Authenticity labels or genuine labels that had been separated from their related software, all in breach of copyright and trade mark laws.

Microsoft sues over fake labels


Foreign shrimp producers have denied they are selling shrimp at artificially low prices as a way to win a larger share of the US market.

Bush Backs US Tariffs on Shrimp


Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra has been left out of India #39;s squad for this month #39;s two-test series against Bangladesh due to an abdominal strain.

India #39;s Nehra to miss Bangladesh series


ESPN will launch its own branded wireless phone service next year, the first in a series of branded cell-phone services planned by Walt Disney (DIS), which owns the cable sports channel.

New Game in Town: ESPN Phone


DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. <A HREF=

Ford Sales Fall, Chrysler Posts Gain


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday as crude  oil futures fell more than \$2 a barrel on a big jump in U.S.  petroleum supply, easing worries about the impact of energy  costs on corporate profits and economic growth.

Stocks Rise as Crude Falls More Than \$2


Shares of Nektar Therapeutics remained active Wednesday following upgrades from two investment firms after drug giant Pfizer Inc. cited its inhalable insulin product in a recent pipeline report.

Nektar Shares Continues Rise on Upgrades


The Palace in Auburn Hills bans two men from events for their involvement in last month's brawl between the Pistons and Indian Pacers.

Palace Bans Two Fans


Cingular Wireless, the nation #39;s largest wireless carrier following the company #39;s merger with AT amp;T Wireless, said Wednesday that it has completed integration activities ahead of schedule and now expects merger-related cost savings to exceed prior estimates

Cingular Sees Merger Savings Above Plan


Sterling rose to its highest level against the dollar since Black Wednesday, the day in September 1992 when the pound was forced out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism, the forerunner of the euro.

Pound soars amid wider currency fears


Hewlett-Packard has developed a software program that could slow the spread of computer viruses and worms by acting as a  quot;throttle quot; on unauthroized network activity.

HP Throttles Viruses


com. America Online Inc. on Wednesday launched new features in its Singingfish search site for audio and video on the Web. AOL, a division of Time Warner Inc.

AOL Upgrades Multimedia Search Site


BYU coach Gary Crowton walks off the field after BYU #39;s 28-27 loss to Boise State, in Boise, Idaho, in this Sept. 24, 2004 photo.

Crowton Steps Down As BYU Football Coach


Mozambique #39;s poor, many carrying small children, trudged along narrow dirt roads in oppressive heat Wednesday to pick a replacement for the president who has ruled

Mozambicans Vote for New President


ANKARA: Turkey is hoping to attract \$15 billion of foreign investment between 2005 and 2007 through reforms designed to overhaul its economy and ease the country #39;s entry into

Turkey eyes \$15 billion investment years


PROVO, Utah (Sports Network) - Gary Crowton has resigned  from his position as the head football coach at Brigham Young.

Crowton Steps Down as BYU Football Coach


Spains top singles player said he expects to beat American Andy Roddick in the Davis Cup final, which begins Friday at the Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja.

Moya says he #39;ll beat Roddick on Friday


The nation #39;s two largest automakers on Wednesday reported weak November sales, but both expressed confidence that new products would help them pick up momentum.

Ford, GM report slow November sales


AP - With two Louisiana congressional seats still up for grabs, Vice President Dick Cheney campaigned in the state Wednesday on behalf of Republicans who hope to sweep Saturday's runoff elections.

Cheney Campaigns for House Candidates (AP)


Just as the AT amp;T buy helped Cingular move ahead of Verizon Wireless to the top of the industry in terms of size, the new network would likely give it an overall faster network, a distinction most say Verizon can now boast.

Cingular Planning Major 3G Wireless Rollout


David Bellion scored 19 seconds after the opening kickoff as Manchester United #39;s backup team edged Arsenal #39;s youngsters 1-0 on Wednesday to reach the semifinal of the English League Cup.

Bellion strike gives Reds 1-0 victory over Gunners


Three seasons after hiring Tyrone Willingham as head coach of the football program, the powers that be in South Bend, Ind., fired the 28-year coaching veteran Tuesday, one month prior to the Fighting Irish #39;s scheduled matchup with UCLA in the Insight Bowl

Expectations too lofty for unlucky Willingham


Reuters - Struggling clothing retailer Wet\Seal Inc.  on Wednesday posted a wider quarterly loss\as lackluster demand for its teen-oriented fashions forced the\company to make bigger markdowns.

Wet Seal Third-Quarter Net Loss Widens (Reuters)


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) - Shooting erupted on  Wednesday outside Haiti's presidential palace while Secretary  of State Colin Powell was inside talking with the interim  leaders of the violence-plagued country.

Gunfire Erupts During Powell Visit to Haiti


Polish war crimes prosecutors examine the 1940 deaths of members of the Polish elite in Russia's Katyn Forest.

Poland opens Katyn probe


AP - A mutilated body found in Iraq is not that of kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan, the British government said Wednesday. But the Foreign Office said it continued to believe Hassan had been murdered, although the evidence was not conclusive.

Britain: Body Isn't Kidnapped Aid Worker (AP)


AP - A judge declined to dismiss charges against four men accused of distributing steroids to top athletes amid accusations that prosecutors illegally searched a nutritional supplement lab and the house and car of Barry Bonds' trainer.

Judge Declines to Dismiss Steroid Case (AP)


A federal judge said Wednesday that she would not immediately dismiss charges against four men accused of distributing steroids to top athletes.

Judge declines to dismiss BALCO case


Intel is preparing a marketing strategy that will brand desktop PCs with a similar label that made its Centrino notebook technology a household name, according to sources familiar with the company's plans.

Intel planning Centrino-like brand for desktops


The University of Virginia football team has accepted an invitation to the MPC Computers Bowl at 2 pm (EST) on Dec. 27 in Boise, Idaho.

Cavs to Go Bowling in Boise


A book about the evolution of mutants and the science of abnormality has won the Guardian First Book Award 2004.

Mutant book wins Guardian prize


Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Thursday that Telstra Corp. #39;s board would choose its next chief executive, not the federal government, which has a majority stake in the telecommunications giant.

Howard: Telstra Board Will Choose Its CEO


Microsoft #39;s MSN has introduced a beta version of its new blogging tool, MSN Spaces, which it expects will eventually be supported by advertising.

MSN Enters Blogging Fray with  quot;Spaces quot;


The longtime rivals claim that they #39;ll work harder to make their software work together. By Aaron Ricadela. Longtime rivals Microsoft and Sun Microsystems have made a  quot;180-degree U-turn quot; in their relationship

Sun And Microsoft Call A Truce


The eighth-ranked Connecticut Huskies narrowly avoided their first two-game losing streak in 12 seasons, beating South Florida, 75-65, last night with Barbara Turner getting 8 of her 23 points in overtime.

UConn Avoids Loss in Overtime


AP - In a bid to give a big push to e-governance, an Indian state on Monday cleared a plan that will help its officials move Internet data thousand times faster than now.

Indian State Eyes Faster Internet Project (AP)


Canadian Press - WINNIPEG (CP) - Just one year ago, Mark Rzepka was opening a  #36;1-million Internet pharmacy in the small Manitoba town of Niverville believing he would be able to quadruple his staff within 12 months.

Internet pioneer closes Manitoba pharmacy; blames dollar, uncertain climate (Canadian Press)


We've got two more entries this week in the category of

Steal SpongeBob, buy a PC museum


VisionTek announced today the official launch of its XTASY RADEON X850 XT PCI Express Graphics Accelerator card.  quot;We #39;ve been overwhelmed by customer requests for a top of the line VisionTek 16X PCI Express

Radeon X850 Released


Oracle is expected to unveil updates to its software's content management and business intelligence functions, as well as other enhancements at next week's Oracle OpenWorld user event.

Oracle expected to push on content management at OpenWorld


AP - Bakery cafe chain Panera Bread Co. hopes its customers will stick around a little longer  #151; grab a bite to eat, buy another cup of coffee, try the Wi-Fi. In other words, just chill out.

Panera Hopes 'Chilling Out' Brews Sales (AP)


Reuters - Japanese researchers say they have\produced rubber from a natural substance extracted from an\edible, wild mushroom commonly found in the country.

Japanese Researchers 'Tap' Mushrooms for Rubber (Reuters)


Reuters - A Bush administration decision to\eliminate the possibility of removing dams to save endangered\U.S. Pacific Northwest salmon species is a huge blow to\protection efforts, an environmental group said on Wednesday.

U.S. Rules Out Dam Removal for Salmon Recovery (Reuters)


AP - A skull fragment found in a 400-year-old trash pit at Jamestown contains evidence of the earliest known surgery  #151; and autopsy  #151; in the English colonies in America, researchers say.

Ancient Skull Fragment Hints at Surgery (AP)


An investigation into the practice of Internet Pharmacies and how they are changing the U.S. pharmaceutical industry.

Internet Pharmacies: Good or Bad?


AOL Updates Audio Video Search SingingFish\\Rumors are floating that market leaders Google along with Yahoo! and Microsoft (MSN) are working on an improved multimedia searching capabilities. AOL entered into the field with their acquisition of Singingfish Inc. around a year ago.\\Singingfish Inc. would be today announcing their updated services to ...


AFP - India's pioneer low-cost carrier Air Deccan plans to raise 50 million dollars in private equity by shedding a 26 percent stake and also aims to enter the corporate business jet segment, its chairman said.

India's low-cost airline eyes business travel (AFP)


NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is making a foray into investment banking. Free! Sign up here to receive our Weekly Roundup e-Newsletter!

Giuliani expands his Wall St. firm


TOKYO : Japan #39;s top mobile operator NTT DoCoMo believes Europe will embrace hi-tech telephones and expects a major boost in subscribers on the continent of its i-mode Internet service.

Japan #39;s NTT DoCoMo sees Europe embracing hi-tech mobile phones


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eddy Curry registered 18 points and 10  rebounds and Tyson Chandler added 18 rebounds and 10 points as  the Chicago Bulls stunned the Los Angeles Lakers 92-84  Wednesday.

NBA Wrap: Curry, Chandler Lead Bulls Over Lakers


KIEV -- The Ukrainian parliament voted yesterday to dismiss the government headed by the declared winner of a disputed presidential vote, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, handing the opposition a victory in its campaign to overturn national election results.

Ukrainian opposition makes gains


Lawyers for Pfc. Lynndie R. England sought Wednesday to throw out evidence at the heart of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal -- the now-infamous photos showing her smiling and pointing at naked Iraqi detainees.

England's Lawyers Try to Get Photos Thrown Out


SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Not only did the word  quot;blog quot; enter Merriam-Webster #39;s dictionary this year, but Microsoft is getting on the personalized e-journal bandwagon.

Plus: Cendant reported to buy Ebookers


In launching Make Love Not Spam Lycos this week started a controversial bid to battle unsolicited messages through a custom-designed website.

Spammers strike back at Lycos


With broadband and desktop media fueling consumer interest in digital media content, video and audio search provider Singingfish has launched an improved search portal to help the world find more multi-media online.

Singingfish Floats New Multimedia Search


The Wizards welcomed coach Eddie Jordan back last night with a 95-68 victory over the Nets, Jordan #39;s former team. Gilbert Arenas had a season-high 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists for host Washington.

Jordan returns as Wizards beat Nets


BAD weather was the main cause of an accident which killed 26 people aboard an airplane whose spoiler did not work well, Indonesian investigators said today.

Bad weather blamed for Indon crash


HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe called  for unity on Thursday amid rare public jostling within his  ruling ZANU-PF party over who will eventually succeed the  controversial 80-year-old leader.

Mugabe Urges Party Unity Amid Succession Struggle


Reed Elsevier on Thursday reiterated that it remained on track to deliver mid to high single-digit earnings-per-share growth this year despite concerns over its science publishing unit.

Reed on track despite science outlook


A previous study at the Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research at the Met Office, demonstrated that large-scale global warming is not a result of urban development.

Human Activity to Blame For 2003 Heatwave


Microsoft has announced it #39;s suing eight PC resellers over claims they have been attaching Certificates of Authenticity (COA) to non-genuine Microsoft products.

Microsoft sues eight resellers over dodgy stickers


Apple Computer on Thursday officially launched its iTunes Music Store in Canada, offering Canadian music fans the same features and price of \$.99 CDN per song that have lifted iTunes to the number one online music service in the world.

Apple officially launches iTunes Music Store in Canada


Business and education leaders in Northern Virginia are working hard to lure biotechnology companies. But for a daunting reminder of how far they need to go, all they have to do is look at neighboring Maryland. <FONT face=

Va. Biotech Looks to Md. For Inspiration


com December 2, 2004, 7:48 AM PT. While its neighbors, software infrastructure and hardware upgrades, switched places this month, security held its spot at number three.

Citing Can-Spam, Microsoft sues alleged spammers


The European Central Bank surprised financial markets on Thursday by revealing it had considered raising interest rates even as the euro zone economy slows, saying it is worried about inflationary risks.

ECB Eyed Rate Hike But Left Rates Steady


short for  quot;Weblog quot; -- was the most-frequently requested definition at Merriam-Webster #39;s online dictionary site, the publisher says.

#39;Blog #39; Tops Online Dictionary List


Miami Dolphins tailback Ricky Williams has no immediate plans to resume his NFL career and, at least for now, intends to stay in retirement, according to his attorney.

Williams Rejects Deal, Says He Won #39;t Return in 2005


TiVo Inc. pioneered digital video recording as a new way of watching television - when you want it. Now it could be TV where you want it, too.

TiVo Unveils Portable Transfer Service


After the German #39;s failure to revive the ailing national team, the Scottish Football Association has opted for a rare Rangers-Celtic linkup at the top with former Rangers manager Smith working with assistant Tommy Burns, his old rival at Celtic.

Walter Smith named manager of Scottish soccer team, succeeding <b>...</b>


A US government advisory panel is to recommend a revision to the minimum level of crude inventories required to ensure adequate supplies of crude oil to the nation #39;s refiners to produce gasoline

US panel to back oil inventories rethink


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Oracle Corp. <A HREF=

Oracle in Merger Talks with Other Firms


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Albertsons Inc. <A HREF=

Albertsons Profit Up;Stock Off on Outlook


AP - Ten candidates have qualified to contest the Palestinian presidential elections, set for Jan. 9. They are:

Ten Candidates in Palestinian Elections (AP)


NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were little changed on  Thursday, pausing after Wednesday's sharp rally, as investors  were reluctant to wade into the market before Intel's  mid-quarter update after the close and Friday's jobs report.

US Stocks Flat;Investors Await Intel,Jobs


Hayley Mick is a journalist currently based in Vancouver. She has broadcast experience with CBC Radio #39;s Quirks and Quarks and has reported for the Vancouver Sun, CBC Online, and the Canadian Press #39;s Ontario and Vancouver bureaus.

HAYLEY MICK:


Reuters - A blast heard in central Jerusalem on\Thursday was caused by the apparently accidental explosion of a\gas canister inside a shop, police said.

Explosion in Jerusalem Caused by Accident -Police (Reuters)


ABB said it was aware of the ruling, but remained confident that a settlement would be reached. ABB is naturally surprised and disappointed at todays decision, but remains confident that it can resolve.

Setback for asbestos settlement at ABB


Canada #39;s Barrick Gold Corp. said Thursday it was acquiring a 9 percent stake in London-based Celtic Resources Holding Ltd. - a deal that potentially gives the Canadian gold giant major clout ahead of next year #39;s auction of Russia #39;s biggest gold deposit.

Barrick Acquires Stake in Celtic Resources


South Africa were rocked by a two-wicket burst from off-spinner Harbhajan Singh just before tea on the fourth day of the second cricket test here today.

Indians Strike Back


Hubie Brown, 71, got to retire as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies of own volition, drawing accolades for transforming a franchise that never won more than 23 games into a 50-victory team in less than two seasons.

Brown, Fratello and Grizzlies all come out ahead


Reuters - The United States, considered an\environmental laggard by its critics, is unlikely to sign any\new pacts on climate change at a key environmental meeting this\month, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday.

US Says No Plans to Sign New Climate Change Pacts (Reuters)


SPACE.com - The outer reaches of our solar system may have been shaped long ago by a close encounter with another star that tore up both nascent planetary systems like colliding buzz saws, astronomers said today.

Earth's Solar System Shaped by Brush with Star, Astronomers Say (SPACE.com)


University of Notre Dame officials are apparently prepared to interview Utah football coach Urban Meyer as early as tonight, only two days after the school fired coach Tyrone Willingham after three seasons.

Notre Dame To Interview Utah #39;s Meyer


The extended train wreck that has been American-dominated Iraq is winding its way toward a decisive intersection: the national elections scheduled for Jan. 30, 2005, where voters will be asked

A perfect storm of political peril, unless...


The Supreme Court is expected to rule Friday on rerunning the country's disputed presidential election.

Ukraine awaits election-deal details


Friday is the 150th anniversary of Eureka Day. For some Australians, it's their Boston Tea Party.

Eureka! Has Australia found its 'defining moment'?


The US will offer an olive branch to Peter Mandelson, the European Union #39;s new trade commissioner, next week by delaying any escalation of the dispute over subsidies to Airbus and Boeing, a US trade official said on Thursday.

US delays WTO action over Airbus subsidy


Sometimes, a piece of soggy cereal is just a piece of soggy cereal. Unless, of course, it bears an uncanny resemblance to history's most beloved extraterrestrial, E.T.

E.T. phone eBay


Microsoft said today it has filed seven lawsuits against defendants it accuses of sending hundreds of thousands of spam e-mails with sexually explicit content.

Microsoft files lawsuits against smut spammers


Shannon Bauman, Associate Product Manager of Google Groups announced the launch of a new and improved Google Groups. Whether your interests run to knitting or brain surgery, chances are good other people out there share them.

New Version Of Google Groups Launched


NTL, the UKs largest cable company, has agreed to sell its radio and television broadcasting business for 1.27bn to a fund managed by Australias Macquarie Bank.

NTL sells broadcast unit for 1.27bn to Macquarie


AP - Former NBA star Jayson Williams will be retried on a manslaughter charge in the shotgun slaying of a limousine driver at his mansion, a judge ruled Thursday.

Judge Says Jayson Williams Can Be Retried (AP)


AFP - The blame falls on Home Secretary David Blunkett for exposing his three-year affair with the married publisher of The Spectator, the magazine itself charges in its latest issue.

Blame pinned on British home secretary for 'exposing' affair (AFP)


Reuters - A school bus driver who chatted about\stem cell research with her pupils was fired for inappropriate\behavior, a local newspaper said on Thursday.

NY School Bus Driver Fired Over Stem Cell Talk (Reuters)


Britain #39;s biggest cable company, NTL, agreed yesterday to sell its radio and television broadcasting business for 1.27bn to a consortium led by a fund managed by Australia #39;s Macquarie Bank.

NTL to shed broadcasting arm


IBM this week announced the formation of Power.org, a collaborative community of itself and 14 partner companies with the goal of promoting hardware and software development centered

IBM-Led Community to Plug Power Architecture


KINSHASA - The United Nations says it may have found a way to prevent the further escalation of tensions between Congo and Rwanda.

UN offers plan to calm tension along Rwanda-Congo border


SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Battered oil prices struggled on  Friday to shake off this week's \$6 slump, edging up from a  12-week low after a massive round of selling triggered by  easing worries about winter supply.

Crude Oil Ekes Out Small Bounce


With the death toll mounting to 1,000 after a deadly storm Typhoon Nanmadol that hit the nation three days before, the nature #39;s curse is still haunting Philippines when an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.2 rocked the northern Philippines on

Philippines not relieved from nature #39;s curse


The Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday filed civil fraud charges against three former Kmart Corp. executives and five employees of companies that supplied the Troy, Mich., retail chain, accusing them of scheming to inflate Kmart's profit by \$24 million in 2001.

8 Accused of Inflating Kmart Profit


In a short time, in a public way -- while on Metro, or in line at Starbucks, or inside a movie theater -- ring tones signal who you are. Or who you want people to think you are.<FONT face=

Fellowship of the Customized  Ring Tone


Four Infineon executives pled guilty for price fixing computer memory chips and will face a prison sentence of four to six months along with \$250,000 in fines, reported the US Department of Justice on Thursday.

Four Infineon executives plead guilty


The Mets could lose one veteran left-handed pitcher to a team in their own division and another to a team in their own city. As representatives for Al Leiter negotiated a one-year contract with

Mets and Yanks May Lose Leiter and Make Deal


While the Bush administration's words of support for a high-technology future for health care have been plentiful, the dollars, it seems, are scarce.

Health Care Technology Is a Promise Unfinanced


Reuters - Ukraine's Supreme Court is expected to\rule on Friday on whether to overturn the result of a disputed\presidential election that has plunged the country into turmoil\and generated distrust between Russia and the West.

Supreme Court Ruling Expected in Ukraine Crisis (Reuters)


ST. LOUIS, Mo., (Sports Network) - St. Louis Rams running  back Marshall Faulk has been downgraded from probable to  questionable for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers  with a bruised left knee.

Rams' Faulk Downgraded to Questionable


Tokyo - Japan #39;s Nissan Motor said on Thursday that the company may have to suspend some production next March in addition to already announced suspensions, due to parts shortages, resulting in a decline of about 6 billion (R339.8 million) in annual sales

Nissan comes apart without parts


The sharp fall in the dollar on the foreign exchange markets - and the consequent rise in the value of the euro - may seem like problems that are of little direct concern to the UK, which never signed up to the euro in the first place.

Danger - falling dollars


Four Hollywood studios this week embraced a new high-definition DVD format from electronics giant Toshiba - raising many questions for video lovers who have driven sales of pre-recorded DVDs to new heights.

HD DVD will boost quality, help stores


LONDON (Reuters) - The dollar held firm above this week's  record low against the euro on Friday, with dealers reluctant  to take positions ahead of key U.S. jobs figures.

Dollar Steady Ahead of Jobs Report


As the bassist for the pop-funk band Tower of Power, Victor Conte laid down a song #39;s backbone by playing a predetermined series of notes.

Conte goes on TV and names names


Children would like expensive hi-tech gifts for Christmas, but few parents are happy to buy these, research suggests.

Christmas clash over gift choices


The French prime minister calls for a satellite TV channel backed by Hezbollah to be taken off air.

French seek 'anti-Semitic' TV ban


AP - There is no reason to hold a meeting of Iraq's neighbors planned for this week in Amman, an Iranian envoy said Monday in a further sign of strained relations following accusations by Jordan's King Abdullah that Tehran wanted to influence the Iraqi elections.

Iran Sees No Reason for Iraq Summit (AP)


IBM Corp. has put its PC business up for sale, according to a story published on Friday on the Web site of The New York Times.

Report: IBM's PC business up for sale


The ACLU files Freedom of Information Act requests to find out why antiterrorism task forces have been monitoring activists. By Ryan Singel.

Prying Into FBI Activities


A year after injecting \$45bn into two state banks to ready them for flotation, China is preparing a fresh bailout for two more institutions.

China plans renewed bank bailout


Iraqi insurgents staged nearly simultaneous attacks Friday morning on police stations at opposite ends of Baghdad, killing at least 20 people, freeing dozens of prisoners and emptying a police arsenal in a demonstration of the militants' strength in the heart of the country.

Iraq Attacks Leave at Least 20 Dead


One of the hottest holiday gifts this year is the Apple iPod, the digital-age equivalent of the Sony Walkman. The iPod, which stores music files downloaded from a computer

iPod year #39;s hot gift


The Russian Duma backs President Putin's plan to replace elected regional bosses with his own appointees.

MPs back Putin plan for regions


A campaign by Lycos Europe to target spam-related websites appears to have been put on hold. Earlier this week the company released a screensaver that bombarded the sites with data to try to bump up the running costs of the websites.

Freeze on anti-spam campaign


DECEMBER 02, 2004 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) - Lycos Europe NV is caught in a tit-for-tat struggle with spammers just days after releasing a free screen saver program that uses computer downtime to swamp Web sites associated with spam campaigns.

Lycos, spammers trade blows over screen saver


Reuters - Iraq's neighbors want tens of billions\of dollars for environmental damage done in the 1990-1 Gulf\conflict, but are set to get only paltry funds from the United

Iraq's Neighbors to Get Little for Environment Loss (Reuters)


The OFT refers Apple's iTunes to the European Commission on the grounds that it over-charges UK customers.

Apple iTunes 'overcharging in UK'


The spyware plague will trigger a 2,500 percent increase in enterprise spending by 2008, a market-research firm reports. By Gregg Keizer.

Anti-Spyware Spending Set To Skyrocket


Shares in Swiss engineering giant ABB plummet 13 after a US court rejects its bid to limit a multi-billion dollar asbestos claim

ABB shares fall on court verdict


Brussles - EU trade chief Peter Mandelson wants clarification of the US stance in threatened WTO action over aid to Airbus, his spokeswoman said Friday after a US official indicated Washington was delaying such action.

EU wants US to clear muddy waters in WTO row


An era will come to an end when IBM sells off its computer manufacturing business, according to The New York Times. A Chinese company seems the likely buyer and the deal should fetch upward of \$2 billion.

IBM Quitting Computer Business


The United States and the European Union called a temporary timeout yesterday in their dispute over government support for aviation rivals Boeing and Airbus.

Airbus-Boeing spat on hold


HELSINKI: Nokia said the respected head of its networks unit had resigned and another top networks official left in the second major departure of top management in two weeks at the world #39;s largest mobile phone maker.

Two top Nokia executives resign


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. <A HREF=

Wal-Mart Brightens Dec. Sales Forecast


ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles  Zenawi said on Friday demarcation of most of the country's 600  mile border with Eritrea could begin immediately, raising hopes  a long-simmering border dispute could be resolved.

Ethiopia Agrees to Demarcate Most of Border


Canadian Press - TROIS-RIVIERES, Que. (CP) - A former Hells Angels member who played trumpet with the Quebec City Orchestra was sentenced Friday to 15 months in jail for uttering death threats against a judge.

Former musician and Hells member sentenced to 15 months for threatening judge (Canadian Press)


TOKYO (CBS.MW) - Japanese stock indexes rose by midmorning Friday as Intel #39;s higher-than-expected sales forecast listed the Japanese tech sector.

Nikkei up by midmorning; Intel update supports techs


A European Union force yesterday took over peacekeeping in Bosnia from Nato for an operation seen as a test of the EU #39;s military aspirations and credibility.

EU force takes over in Bosnia


Reuters - The Basque separatist group ETA set off\five bombs at petrol stations around Madrid on Friday, putting\a stranglehold on the city at the start of a long holiday\weekend.

ETA Seals Off Madrid with 5 Bombs, 2 Police Hurt (Reuters)


AP - Her political activist father is her hero and Sayli Navarro wants to follow in his footsteps  #151; at any cost. The soft-spoken, articulate teenager was just 6 when her father went to prison the first time, for posting signs reading

Activist's Daughter Speaks Against Castro (AP)


AP - Lewis University of Division II was put on four years' probation for an array of infractions that included its men's volleyball team, which won a national title last year the school has since forfeited.

Lewis University Put on Probation (AP)


ATLANTA - Tommy Tuberville isn #39;t much into computers and formulas to determine who should play for college football #39;s national championship.

Conference fumbles top status


Bode Miller won for the fourth time this season Friday and Daron Rahlves was second -- the first 1-2 finish for US men in a World Cup downhill.

Bode Miller picks up fourth win of World Cup season


This is getting old. Every time Hidden Gems selection Select Comfort (Nasdaq: SCSS) gets settled in and ready for a long night #39;s rest full of dreams of two-times-in-three-years capital gains, along

Bedding Blip? Go Back to Sleep


BEAVER CREEK, Colorado (Reuters) - American Bode Miller won  a men's World Cup Alpine skiing downhill on Friday for his  phenomenal fourth victory in five races.

Miller Takes Fourth Win in Five Races


The U.S. dollar fell to another new low against the euro Friday, pushing the European currency higher than \$1.34 after U.S. employment data came in weaker than expected.

Euro Surges to New High


Houston, TX (Sports Network) - The Houston Astros re-signed free agent infielder Jose Vizcaino to a one-year contract on Friday. Vizcaino appeared in 138 games for the Astros in 2004, his fourth season with

=== Houston re-signs Vizcaino to one-year contract ===


BusinessWeek Online - Had Scott G. Kriens stayed at StrataCom Inc. for a few more weeks in 1996, he would have ended up working for fast-rising networking star Cisco Systems Inc. , which bought StrataCom that April.  But rather than take a ride on the Cisco rocketship, Kriens left to run tiny Juniper Networks Inc.  Now, Kriens and  Juniper are the highfliers. Over the past year, Juniper has handed its Silicon  Valley neighbor a string of defeats in  the market for gear used to shuttle  e-mail, videos, and Internet phone calls between cities and continents. ...

Juniper Takes A Nip Out Of Cisco (BusinessWeek Online)


Leaders of the Internet's controversial ruling body are getting a visit this week from a witch-in-training and a space warrior from centuries in the future.

The space warrior, the witch and ICANN


Lycos Europe #39;s controversial anti-spam efforts had a bumpy first week, with various availability problems, some of which may have been caused by the same spammers the site targeted with distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.

Lycos Europe Pauses Anti-spam Efforts


European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., the parent of aircraft maker Airbus SAS, has proposed splitting a contested U.S. Air Force contract for refueling tankers with its rival Boeing Co., the European group's U.S. office said Friday.

EADS Offers to Split U.S. Tanker Deal With Boeing


NEW YORK (Dow Jones/AP) -- Apple Computer Inc. shares fell Friday after Needham  amp; Co. downgraded the stock to hold #39; #39; from buy.

Needham downgrades Apple on valuation


The course is a back-breaking 7,800 yards long off the tips, the rough is up, it #39;s 100F out there, the greens are fast and firm and refusing to hold, and yesterday there was a tricky wind to contend with.

Westwood up for challenge


State and local governments will be barred from taxing connections that link people to the Internet for the next three years under legislation signed Friday by President Bush.

Bush Signs Internet Access Tax Ban


Knoxville, TN (Sports Network) - Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Michael Munoz underwent successful surgery Friday on his injured right shoulder.

Titans OT Munoz has surgery


Gunners have won just one of their last six Prem- iership games and could go out of the Champions League if they fail to beat Rosenborg on Tuesday.

Are Gunners in crisis?


Microsoft today announced the availability of the second Community Technology Preview (CTP) for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and the technical preview availability of SQL Server 2005 Express Manager, a new, free database management tool.

Microsoft Updates SQL Server 2005


AP - UCLA soccer coach Jillian Ellis was happy to beat her best friend, Princeton counterpart Julie Shackford. After all, a spot in the NCAA championship game was on the line.

UCLA, Notre Dame Win Soccer Matchups (AP)


Amir Khan celebrated his first fight since winning the lightweight Olympic silver medal in Athens with a one-sided 35-13 points victory over American Michael Evans at Liverpool Olympia last night.

Boxing: Khan shows no rust to emerge lord of the ring


AP - Laurie Koehn hit five 3-pointers and scored 19 points to lead No. 19 Kansas State to a 84-50 victory over New Hampshire Friday in the first round of the Wildcat Classic.

No. 19 Kansas State Pummels N.H., 84-50 (AP)


IBM is reportedly in talks to sell its personal computer business. It would mark the end of an era for the company that brought the computer into the mainstream when it began selling its desktop PC to corporations and consumers in 1981.

IBM  #39;to sell PC business #39;


Halifax yesterday became the the first major lender to predict widespread falls in house prices across Britain next year. Reporting that house prices fell again last month, Britain #39;s biggest mortgage lender

Halifax first lender to predict house price fall


BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) - The former boss of the Cali  drug cartel, who once controlled most of the world's cocaine  trade, was sent to the United States on Friday to face  trafficking and money laundering charges.

Cali Cartel Boss Sent to U.S. on Drug Charges


Reuters - North Korean and U.S. officials met this\week in New York but made no progress on restarting six-party\talks on the North's nuclear programs, a North Korean Foreign\Ministry spokesman said on Saturday.

N.Korea Says Met U.S. Officials, No Nuclear Progress (Reuters)


OAKLAND, California (Reuters) - Barry Bonds took creams and  oils that could have contained steroids, but did so unknowingly  out of blind faith in his trainer and best friend, the baseball  player's lawyer said on Friday.

Bonds Could Have Unknowingly Taken Steroids


KANSAS CITY, Mo., (Sports Network) - Kansas City Chiefs  quarterback Trent Green is expected to start in Sunday's game  against the Oakland Raiders despite suffering from bruises to  his ribs and hip.

Chiefs' Green Expected to Start Sunday


Two days after city officials gave preliminary approval to finance a ballpark for the Nationals, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said he would not renegotiate part of the stadium agreement with the DC Council.

Meanwhile Bud tells DC, a deal is a deal


Amazing what a change of scenery will do. After moving training camps from Houston to San Antonio after a couple of lackluster performances, featherweight contender Rocky

Guinn #39;s lack of fire does him in


AP - North Korea on Saturday said its U.N. diplomats met U.S. officials in New York twice in the past week but concluded that Pyongyang should hold off on nuclear negotiations until the U.S. administration changes its

N. Korea and U.S. Met Twice This Week (AP)


The Russian town of Beslan - scene of a bloody school siege last year - pledges aid for tsunami victims.

Scarred Beslan offers tsunami aid


IBM #39;s possible exit from the personal-computer business would be the latest move in what amounts to a long goodbye from a field it pioneered and revolutionized.

IBM reported to be exiting PC business


The Patriots' Adam Vinatieri and Cleveland's Phil Dawson formed a productive practice pair in 1998. Vinatieri scored a personal-high 127 points in '98, his third NFL season, while Dawson performed as a practice squad player.

Browns' Dawson got feet wet with Vinatieri


The Division 4 Super Bowl last night featured two teams coming off 180-degree turnarounds.

Hawks soar over Blue Stars


Tom Cavanagh scored two goals, leading Harvard to a 4-1 win over visiting Union last night.

Cavanagh, Crimson roll by Union


GOMA, Congo -- Thousands of civilians have fled their homes after clashes in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations said yesterday, although it was unclear who was behind the violence.

Villagers flee clashes, huddle in forests


Auburn has put together one of the greatest years in school history, claiming a spot in today #39;s Southeastern Conference title game against No.

Auburn is likely the odd team out


Nationwide protests are set to take place in Germany as cuts in unemployment benefit take effect.

Germans plan mass welfare rallies


ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Pakistan and India have agreed to an early resumption of rail link between Khokhrapar and Monabao suspended since the 1965 war.

Accord on restoring rail link reached: Khokhrapar-Monabao route


KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich  said on Saturday he would stand against opposition liberal  Viktor Yushchenko again in a re-run of their contested  presidential election and he defiantly vowed he would win.

Ukraine's Yanukovich to Run Again in Repeat Vote


HARARE - The Zimbabwe government will not invite imperialist countries to observe its elections due to be held in March next year, a Saturday newspaper quoted President Robert Mugabe as saying.

Zimbabwe will not invite imperialists to observe elections <b>...</b>


I find myself privately hoping that Barry Bonds gets nailed. Is that bad? Is it un-American? He #39;s still innocent, you know, although less innocent than he was a few days ago.

Bonds distorts numbers and history


Remember Neo #39;s dilemma in The Matrix? Morpheus offers him two views of reality, extending a blue pill in his left hand and a red one in his right.

Big Television


DUP leader Ian Paisley has had further discussions with the head of the independent decommissioning body (IICD) on the issue of putting IRA weapons beyond use.

Paisley talks to weapons chief


Stocks edged higher Friday as another drop in oil prices helped Wall Street withstand the effects of a disappointing jobs creation report.

Stocks up in midst of mixed signs


Briton Lee Westwood closed in on his first title of 2004 when he claimed the third-round lead in the Sun City Golf Challenge on Saturday.

Westwood closes in on first title of 2004


JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel termed as premature on Tuesday  an Egyptian report that it had agreed in principle with the  Palestinians on proposals to end their conflict but said it  would respond positively if militants ceased attacks.

Israel Says It Would Respond Positively to Truce


NewsFactor - Sprint (NYSE: FON) will spend US #36;3 billion over the next three years to upgrade its U.S. wireless network, including the development of high-speed Internet services.

Sprint To Spend  #36;3 Billion on Network Upgrades (NewsFactor)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Computer-security experts, including  former government officials, urged the Bush administration on  Tuesday to devote more effort to strengthening defenses against  viruses, hackers and other online threats.

Experts Push for More Computer Security Efforts


CHINA #39;S largest manufacturer of personal computers Lenovo Group has confirmed it is in acquisition negotiations with a major information technology company, widely believed to be IBM.

Lenovo confirms acquisition talks